Minutes of Hopton Castle Parish Meeting 7 January 2020

Present   Veronica Mellings, Jack Chapman, Jon Allen, Gill Allen, Neville Rollason, Gareth Jones and Jan Jones

  1. Apologies were received from Ted Laidlar, Chris Laidlar, Peter Marquis, Jenny Marquis, Richard Bolton, Roy Mason Sue Williams, Steve Williams.  Jon Allen welcomed Jan Jones and Gareth Jones, new residents to the village.
  2. Minutes of meeting of 22nd October were agreed
  3. Matters arising and action sheet:
  4. Stream Wall Repairs Following the meeting with Shropshire County Council reported in October, Jon Allen confirmed that he was still waiting for the promised letter which would detail the significant repair work that the CC had agreed was necessary, and should be included in the council’s 2020-2021 budget.  Action: Jon Allen to follow up 
  5. Defibrillator  Jon Allen ported that the list of phone numbers of people willing to transport the AED to neighbours in the event of an emergency were circulated to residents by email.  Veronica Mellings said she would like to add her name to the list.
  6. Election of Clerk  No volunteers forthcoming.  Gill Allen to continue pro-tem.
  7. Financial report  Gill set out the current finance position, emphasising that it reflected the  meeting’s previous decision to set aside £165 every year for 10 years to provide for a replacement defibrillator in 2028.  The current bank balance is £994.26, with £829.26 available to spend in 2020-2021.
  8. Budget and precept for 2020/21 Following discussion, the meeting agreed to raise a precept of £15 per household for 2020 – 2021, as the most equitable way of ensuring income generation and stability for the parish. 
  9. Stream maintenance work  It was agreed that Jack Chapman would liaise with Peter Marquis to fix a date for volunteers to join in a stream clearing session, and inform Jon so it could be advertised on the website www.hoptoncastleparish.org
  10. Any other business  In view of the number of new residents in the village, it was agreed that it would be a good idea to organise an informal social event, possibly in late March, where everyone is invited to bring and share some food and drink. Katie and Neville Rollason have very kindly offered their home (the Rectory) as the venue, and invitations will be circulated when details of time and date are agreed.
  11. Next meeting will be the annual meeting on 12 May 2020 at Bedstone and Hopton Castle Village Hall.

Agreed at the Parish Meeting of 18th August 2020

Signed: Jon Allen, Chair