Finance and Papers including those

from Sub-Committees and relevant to meetingfor

Meeting of 3rd November 2014

Attached

1. Agenda

2. Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 October

3. SAPAD

4. Open Spaces Report (no paper submitted)

5. Communications Group

6. TRAP (Towpaths, Roads and Pathways)

7. Chair’s Report

8. Simpson Hall Management Committee

9. ‘Operationalizing the Vision’

Simpson & Ashland Parish Council

Agenda Items

To: All members of Simpson and Ashland Parish Council

For the meeting to be held on Monday, 3 November 2014, 8.00 p.m. at Simpson Village Hall

Agenda item Presented by:22/14 Apologies:Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record be kept of the members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Clerk/RFO as this should also be recorded. Under Sections 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, members must decide whether the reason for the absence is acceptable.

Cllr David Pye - Chair

23/14 Declaration(s) of Interest: Cllr David Pye - Chair24/14 Minutes of the meeting held on 6 October: Cllr David Pye - Chair25/14 Matters Arising from the Minutes Cllr David Pye - Chair26/14 Questions from Members of the Public Cllr David Pye - Chair27/14 Finance Report:

(a) To note the balance of Current Account as at 3rd November 2014

(b) Cheques to be written (to be signed after the meeting)(c) Progress on Financial changes, i.e. new signatories

Cllr Catherine Green

28/14 Reports of Sub-Groups(a) SAPAD (b) Open Spaces(c) Communications Group – Review of CAMK events.(d) TRAP (e) Chair’s Report (f) Simpson Hall Management Committee – current progress

towards a new management scheme(g) To discuss and agree a way forward on the operation and

workload of the Planning Sub Group.

Cllr Sheila TylerCllr David PyeCllr Sheila ThorntonCllr Richard FreemanCllr David PyeCllr Peter Barnes

Cllr Sheila Tyler

33/14 Ashland Welcome Project - CAMK:Review of actions to date and of events planned.

Cllr David PyeCllr David Baume

37/14 Clerk’s Report: June Bryant38/14 Ashland Play areasProgress Report

Cllr Sheila Thornton

39/14 HR MattersDate to be arranged to discuss appraisal of Clerk. Co-option applicants and arrangements for interviews.

Cllr David Baume/Cllr Cllr David Pye

40/14 AuditAudit of bins and benches results. Cllr Peter Barnes41/14Vision Plan and associated budget allocation.

Cllrs David Baume/Cathy Green

Date and time of next meeting:Monday, 1st December 2014, 8.00 p.m. at Simpson Village Hall, Simpson Road, Milton Keynes, MK6 3AD

Simpson and Ashland Parish Council

Minutes of Meeting held on 6th October 2014 at 8.00p.m. in Simpson Village Hall

Present: Cllrs David Pye (Chair), Peter Barnes (Vice Chair), David Baume, Richard Freeman, Sheila Thornton, Sheila Tyler, Clerk – June Bryant

Min.Ref. Item Action38/14 Public Forum:

The Chair, Cllr Pye, brought this item to the start of the meeting and invited a resident of Warren Bank, Simpson, to address the Council.The resident was asking for advice on how she could address a concern regarding noise pollution within the Warren Bank flats. The Parish Council advised her to speak to the Warren Bank Residents Association, and if they can do nothing, then to contact Jane Reid of the Neighbourhood Services, Milton Keynes Council and ask for her advice. Cllr Tyler advised calling the Housing Stock Regulatory Authority, MKC, who will also advise her. Cllr Freeman thought the Ward council members should be informed, and the Clerk will alert the three members, copying in the resident and Cllr Thornton. In addition, it was agreed that the resident be provided with the contact details of the relevant PCSO for information. Cllr Tyler asked that the resident keep the PC informed of developments.

JB

22/14 Apologies:Apologies for Absence were received from Cllr Catherine Green.

23/14 Declaration of Interest:Cllr Freeman declared that he was a personal friend of the project manager of the CAMK work, Cllr Thornton noted that she was Chair of CAMK and Cllr Tyler noted that she owned a property at Warren Bank flats.

24/14 Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st September:Minutes of the meeting of 7th July were unanimously approved as a correct record after the word ‘residents’ was inserted in the first item as requested by Cllr Tyler.

25/14 Matters Arising from the Minutes:There were no matters arising from the minutes that were not otherwise covered in the agenda

27/14 Finance Report:The Clerk presented the cheques for payment and those paid by BACS, and gave the latest Bank statement balance which stood at £33,317.78 as at 1 October 2014. The on-line banking system set by Cllr Green is working well and the majority of invoices are now paid by BACS. The proposal made at the last meeting that Cllr David Pye and the Clerk, June Bryant, become signatories has not yet been instigated due to relevant paperwork not being completed by Cllr Pye. The Clerk has not yet ordered the software from Rialtas for accounting software and will do this on her return from leave in early November. The Clerk confirmed that the Precept 2015-2016 papers are due to be received from MKC in December and completed and submitted to them in February 2015. She also reported that in future MKC will not be including explanatory information in the coming Rates Bill and MKC suggested that Parish Councils add the text (to be submitted by MCK Accounts Dept.) to their websites. This was agreed and relevant information will be posted on the S&A website in due course.

The Chair, Cllr Pye, gave a resume of the Budget Meeting held on 29th September. Although the present Vision Statement was considered as an efficient working tool, it was thought that there should be a direct link with the budget. Cllr Baume and Cllr Green will look in the best way of doing this. Cllr Freeman proposed the Vision Statement be posted on the website; seconded by Cllr Thornton. It was agreed that if a means of directly displaying the budget against each item in the Vision was found, then this would be useful for internal PC planning and audit purposes.

JB

DB/CG

Cllr Thornton thought each sub-working group should take the responsibility for working within their allocated budget.Clerk will establish the number of properties in each band and the amount payable by each band. Report to be forwarded to each Councillor.Cllr Baume and Cllr Green to look again at the vision plan and add one additional column for potential budgets for each of the sub-group activities. This could build on the work completed by Cllrs Pye and Thornton last year. This paper to be ready in time for the next PC meeting on 3 rd

November 2014.

JB

DB/CG

28/14 Reports:a) Planning and Development

Cllr Tyler said that the PC S106 response to the MKC consultation must be returned by 11th November. Cllr Barnes would provide a final review and send it to MKC and the Clerk was asked to circulate the final version to neighbouring PCs for information.

b) Open SpacesNothing to report.

c) Communications GroupCllr Thornton had submitted her report and asked for feedback on the event, prior to the next meeting of the Comms Group on the 20th October. She reported that 100 residents attended throughout the day. Cllr Thornton thanked all councillors and others who helped on the day.Apple Day, 25th October. Cllr Thornton will post the notices.Cllr Baume’s suggestion for email ‘footers’ on councillors’ emails was agreed though it was noted that this would not be possible for all Cllrs due to regulations with certain laptops. The Clerk will organise an answer phone message for the PC mobile.

d) Ashland Public Art Group: It was agreed that as the project had now been concluded that this standing item be removed from the agenda from here on.

e) TRAP:Cllr Freeman had submitted his report. With regard to H9, plans have been submitted by MKC to the parishes it runs through and it was noted that the PC need to make a decision on yellow hashing needed on one of the boxes approaching the Simpson turn off. Cllr Barnes suggested we put this item on the website. Completion has been pencilled in for Spring 2015.Cllr Freeman wanted the Ward councillors to be reminded of how they can engage with the residents. Clerk will write to Ward councillors. The notice board in Ashland will be moved to a more user-friendly location on or around the 14th November

f) Chair’s Report:The Chair, Cllr Pye, thanked Cllr Barnes for his work on the Memorial event, which was well attended and engaged the residents. He also thanked Cllr Barnes for arranging delivery of installation of the new bench.This has been another busy month for the PC and we have been very active across a range of areas that have been highlighted as important to us in our ongoing work with and for the Ashland and Simpson communities. Much of the activity has been covered elsewhere in the agenda but I would like to highlight some key developments:

Community events- The Ashland Neighbours Day and the events around the re-dedication of the Simpson War Memorial The installation of the new bench by the Simpson War Memorial Final sign-off and the beginning of the Ashland welcome project in partnership with CAMK. Development around the H9 though we were all saddened by the Simpson Junction accident in September. Ongoing work with Ashland residents, our ward members and Milton Keynes Council to reach resolution and/or a way forward around issues of concern associated with the development of Ashland. Discussions with Milton Keynes Council with regard to play space within Ashland Initial meeting with Woughton Community Council about how community facilities may

STh

JB

JB

JB

be developed for Ashland and other local residents. Finalising of the Parish Council response to Milton Keynes Council S106 consultation Sign-off of our new finance and accounting systems which should enable us to more readily access real-time financial data Agreement to re-position the PC noticeboards in Ashland Closer linkage with our ward Cllrs A review of the work of the PC against the vision plan Ongoing improvement of the way in which we refine our future vision plan and associated work programme including greater involvement of residents in our decision making and; Linked to the above, a robust, transparent and planned approach to our decision making around the precept request for the 2015/16 financial year.

The Chairman felt that the PC is making real progress in how they work and where they are focusing their energies but there is still much to do. The PC need to continue to engage with residents and other local groups and support them and work with them where they can. In terms of looking forward to next month there is the 11 th October pop-up event in Ashland (linked to the CAMK Programme) and the Simpson Apple Day on the 25th October.

The Chairman also wanted to take this opportunity to formally thank Cllr David Binnie for all his efforts on behalf of the PC and the wider Simpson & Ashland Communities and though he has decided to step down from the PC it is great that he will still play a part in local activities. By the time of the meeting the PC will know whether anybody has decided to stand for the PC and also whether the PC is to hold an election.

More generally, the Chairman said he would like to thank June and all PC members for the time that they give to support the local community and it is much appreciated.

g) Simpson Hall Management Report:Cllr Barnes’ report for the October meeting developed the thinking around how the running and management of the Village Hall could develop over time. He was thanked for his paper and it was agreed that he would meet with the Clerk to discuss how some of the current workload of booking the hall could be shared. There was also a more general discussion about the management of the Hall going forward and the relationship between the PC and the hall management committee/Simpson Association. A potential development was that the management committee become a sub-group as per the other groups affiliated to the PC. It was agreed that further discussion would be useful and that Cllrs should let Cllr Barnes have any further thoughts on this by 20 th October.

h) Planning Sub Group:Cllr Tyler noted that she would need another person, preferably from Ashland, to work on Ashland planning issues with her. The Chair suggested we speak to residents and collate their suggestions at the event on 11th October.

i) Cllr Tyler agreed to take the lead on planning for both Simpson & Ashland and it was noted that support from others would be useful to her in completing this task.

PB/JB

33/14 Ashland Welcome Project:Cllr Pye has met with CAMK and the project is now up and running and the first event is on 11 th October. He thanked CAMK workers for their activity to date which has involved door knocking across the whole of Ashland. The 11th October event is to encourage participation in the arrivals programme and to continue the PC work of bringing Ashland communities together.

34/14 Benches:Cllr Tyler is unable to continue with the bench audit due to ill health, and Cllr Barnes offered to take this audit over, supported by Cllr Freeman.

37/14 Clerk/RFO Report:The Clerk presented a map of the dog bins supplied by the contractor, AH Contracts, on the position of the bins. However Cllr Freeman thought these were not the correct position of our council bins and will carry out an audit and report back to the next full PC meeting.

RF

38/14 Ashland Play Areas:Cllr Freeman is working with Paul Newman Homes, as stated in his report. Cllr Baume has been speaking to The Parks Trust regarding the south west corner of Ashland, who are planning to put this area to meadowland. The Council agreed this would be a welcome community facility. Cllr Baume brought up the subject of the boundary between Ashland Vale and the services; and asked how easily accessible would the services become.With regard to the football posts, which are too low, Cllr Baume will contact MKPA to discuss the height and proximity to the road. DB

39/14 HR Matters:It was agreed the Clerk will be given an appraisal with the aim of achieving a closer working relationship with councillors. Cllr Baume asked for feedback from councillors. The meeting will be set for some time in November. The HR Working Group will consist of Cllr Baume and Cllr Green. The Clerk will find out about relevant training courses for herself and for councillors.

DB/CG

40/14 Health and Safety:Cllr Barnes raised the concern of a resident who had reported that clothing and personal hygiene articles were regularly being found on the pathway alongside the laundry of Five Acres Home. Cllr Pye will write to the Home’s manager expressing the Council’s concern at the health and safety issues raised

DB

41/14 Poppy Wreath:Cllr Barnes has asked that the purchase of a wreath for the annual memorial service become a yearly budgeted item. Cllr Freeman proposed that this is set up; seconded by Cllr Baume and this was passed unanimously. Date and Time of next meeting:

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.

The next meeting will be on Monday, 3rd November to be held in Simpson Village Hall. Cllr Barnes will be chairing as Cllr Pye is unable to attend the meeting.

Simpson and Ashland Planning and Development Group (SAPAD)

Progress report for PC meeting 3 November 2014

I have been pursuing the parish walk idea as the first step in producing a Simpson and Ashland Planning and Development (draft) policy with which to engage the community and build a) an active group and b) a policy that has benefitted from street-by-street input.

The route is a little circuitous because the PC is not minded to develop a Neighbourhood Plan, the process for which is now well-developed. I have been put in touch with Simon Peart, MKC’s Conservation and Archaeology Manager, who in turn is seeking the help of Bob Wilson, manager of the Development Plans Team and Andrew Horner, Head of Development Management:

Simon has not ruled out meeting us, but Bob Wilson appears to have done. Simon has suggested we make use of the Oxford City Council’s assessment toolkit which focuses on conservation but seems to me to be adaptable for use in a general assessment. Oxford City Council is happy for the toolkit to be rebranded and reused by others. Bob Wilson is suggesting we use the topic areas that MKC has used in its endeavour to update its local plan.

The Oxford toolkit consists of four rather large documents with photographs, including a guide to using the toolkit. The files are too large to email. The toolkit is available at

http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decP/CharacterAppraisalToolkit.htm

The relevant files are:

Explanation of the what the Character Assessment Toolkit s

Download survey tool for detailed character assessment

Download a survey tool to complete rapid character assessment

Download some guidance to help you use the survey tools.

I think it would be possible to simplify and adapt the toolkit to our needs. In the meantime, I await further advice/information from Simon.

Bob Wilson has directed us to http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/plan-mk. The new plan will incorporate Neighbourhood Plans. I have asked if specific inputs may be made after the public deadline of 3 December 2014 and whether any parish council views that are not Neighbourhood plans will be considered. (The process of producing the plan is a very long one and it is necessarily very general; hitherto, parishes have had little success in making an impact on such plans except where original villages have conservation areas which are respected by MK local plans as are Neighbourhood Plans in future.)

The topic areas may be useful in adapting the Oxford toolkit; however the topics are very broad and potentially involve all our subgroups. We will probably need to sort out how we want to use the material prior to organising anything with planners (who seem less willing to engage directly than does Simon). I’m

awaiting further responses (which may or may not arrive). If I receive nothing of much help, I think we should work with Simon as far as he’s able to help.

Other planning matters

Our formal approval for the planning application by the Caldecotte project for a yurt village of two interconnected groups, each consisting of seven yurts, has now been sent to MKC. This followed our concerns over traffic/parking and noise being satisfactorily addressed.

There will now be formal logging of our responses to planning applications and June will follow up the decisions made by Development Control. Hitherto, information on outcomes has been hit-and-miss, and I am unable to update the planning section of the SAPC website.

The process for updating the website is (for June’s benefit):

1. Inform of planning applications via the website, where the plans can be viewed, the reference number and the deadline for responses. I also state any intentions/concerns – normally that we have asked for further information because we have concerns or because the plans are incomplete.

2. Notify of the decision we have made and why.3. State the outcome of the planning application.

Sheila Tyler

27 November 2014

Report, Sheila Thornton November 2014.

Communications

1 Comms Group meeting held on 20th October. Attendees, Peter Barnes, David Baume, Richard Freeman, Lorraine. Apologies: David Pye, Sian. December newsletter content agreed. Support for distribution welcome

To note

2 Next Comms Group meeting is January 19th 2014. To Note

3 Email footers / accountsRecommendation: Where possible, Parish Councillors use an email footer, which clearly identifies the capacity in which they are e-mailing. This could also give the addresses for Parish website and Twitter, and maybe in due course Facebook and others, as well as any telephone information they are willing to share.

To agree

4 Ashland Summer Play SessionsA figure relating to the numbers attending the Summer Play Sessions has not been received. Action: Clerk to contact MKPA and ask again for numbers

Clerk

TRAP WORK PROGRAMME: Nov 2014

Items Completed:

SAPC Issue Recommended/Facts Action - draft

1. Internal speed humps - don't appear to be working and claims that older properties nearby are being damaged by vibrations

Successful meeting with MKC’s Steven to discuss proposals before re-surfacing in 2015

MKC/Parish consultation to be held Jan 2014 in village hall.

Date to be announced.

2. Footpath by The Mount retirement homes - difficult for those with mobility issues (Parish Partnership Fund application)

Meeting with MKC’s Rob Ward

PC to log issues with MKC

3. Drop kerbs to pavements - especially by The Plough.

Work carried out but not quite as promised.

Steven Lain to raise with colleagues

4. Lay-by opposite The Walnuts - remove central island?

Vegetation on the south verge obscuring vision, makes the exit from the Music Service difficult.

Seek to get island removed and tarmac-ed in the 2015 re-surfacing program.

MKC agreed to arrange cut back.

TRAP has made an application to MKC’s Community Parking Fund for improvements.

Applications being processed.

5. Create more of a village environment at the entrances to Simpson to reduce speed?

To be reviewed in forthcoming MKC consultation, along with survey data.

See item 1

6. General signage especially at the south end of village.

To be reviewed in MKC forthcoming consultation.

See item 1

7.Simpson Traffic Management Plan

Continue to develop, 2015 resurfacing will meet many short & medium - term aspirations.

As item 1

8. Path either side under Bowler's Bridge Flyover. People with mobility scooters claim that surface is too uneven/unclean.

Discuss with MKC PC to log issues with MKC

9. H9 though S & A parish MKC’s Adrian Carden and his colleagues have carried out safety review of the H9 through the parish.

Scheme completed.

Start date provisionally spring 2015

10. Application made for the development of the former Hoechst fields (know as Walton Manor) for houses and some industrial/offices

TRAP in consultation with Walton PC, as road layouts could impact on Simpson Village

S&APC formally objects to the proposed layout in the consultation papers, as this has the potential to add to a considerable amount of traffic using Walton & Simpson as a ‘rat run’.

11. Grant funding opportunities.

Have briefly discussed with MKC

Applications being processed. Fingers crossed.

12. Condition of canal towpath through the Parish.

Produced schedule of conditions to discuss with CaRT (Canal and River Trust). CaRT to cost

Volunteers sought for towpath repairs. TRAP in discussions with CaRT

Snow on Bowler’s Bridge: Now on MKC’s snow clearing list Missing bollard at Bowler’s Bridge/H9 underpass: Replaced by Simon Rose, MKC. Path clearance under H9 flyover: MKC have cleaned surface. Channel in road outside Old bakery in Simpson: Road re-surfaced. Temporary path access works in Ashland: Tom Jones from MKC secures. 2no TRAP Open Days in Simpson Village Hall. Parish Partnership Grants: 3 successful bids secured totalling £3,500. H9 Safety Review: Currently underway following TRAP Grant Funding Application. Thank you Adrian Carden,

MKC. Parking Issues in Warren Bank by Chiroprators: Clerk writes to Chiropractors. Dropped Kerbs on path by Milholm Rise: MKC completed, but not quite as promised. Missing/loose granite sets around lay-by outside Simpson House: re-instated by MKC Mud on Ashland roads, daily mechanical sweeping by road sweeper

Ashland Roads:

- Much correspondence from Peter McDonald (Ward Member) and Dave Allen (HCA) trying to bring about improvements to the current road and building issues at Ashland. Thank you both.

- Matthew Gilbert ( MKC) is now preparing documentation for legal action against UK Construction Ltd.

- A response has been received from the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) regards the PC's concerns over the road and construction issues. They have written to Paul Newman Homes requesting a response in 7 days, and have asked the PC for photographic evidence which has been provided.

H9 Review:

- Review completed, and works pencilled in for spring 2015. The PC has asked for the first available start date.

Simpson Traffic Management Plan:

Following and update meeting with MKC's Steve Lain to discuss the PC's response to the draft proposals, MKC will hold a parish consultation in Jan 2015.

- The Pc's Community Parking application for improvements to parking opposite the Music Service, is currently being assessed.

Towpath:

- Response for volunteers to help with some essential towpath repairs, has been disappointing.

- The PC has been in correspondence with CaRT (Canal & River Trust) about working with them on a 40 mtrs section of towpath repair, south of the Mount in Simpson. We await dates following their offer of a meeting.

- Working with Old Woughton PC, we have asked Peter McDonald to help define with MKC, the health and safety issues with poorly maintained sections of towpath.

REF 27/10/14

 

Chairs Report

 

This has been another busy month for the PC and all the hard work that Cllrs and the community have put in is beginning to pay off. We have had positive news around the amendments to the H9 grid road which becomes ever more pressing given the additional accidents on this stretch of road over the last couple of weeks.

There has also been positive movement on the traffic calming in Simpson and thanks to TRAP for all their efforts on this. We have also continued to work with the various agencies, elected members and residents in Ashland and hopefully the increased pressure from all of us will have an impact before too long!

We have continued or series of community engagement events. The first, held on the 11 October at Ashland to encourage involvement in the CAMK project was positive and five residents signed up to be part of the welcome programme and will be receiving training and support for this in the coming weeks. We also held the first ever Simpson Apple Day on Saturday 25th October and as well as bringing people together we were able to discuss with residents their views on how the parish might develop its use of open space (play areas and parks) in the future.

I would also like to welcome Ann and Marc to the PC and it is great to have them on board - Marc Whelan as the co-opted member. Apologies that I cannot be there this evening .

 

Simpson Village Hall

Current and recent use of the hall

The hall is currently used for the following regular activities:

Church group once a week for services and social activity Yoga 1 once a week Yoga 2 once a week

Pilates once a week Dance practice three sessions most weeks Dance lessons three sessions a week SAGG once a month Women’s Institute once a month Bletchley TWG once a month Parish Council once a month

Occasional use includes:

Children’s parties Wedding receptions and family events Public meetings organised by PC Quiz nights Music Service staff development Exhibition of local arts and crafts As a polling station

Enquiries about hall hire, mostly by phone to me, come from three main sources: past users, word of mouth and MK Council’s website listing of community facilities. Together, these generate one or two enquiries a week, on average, mostly for one-off events. Where enquiries do not translate into a booking this is either because the required date isn’t available or the hall isn’t suitable (too small) or because of the restrictions placed on use e.g. no teenage parties, no animals. I understand the hire charges are less than for equivalent provision elsewhere in MK and this is an attraction. The constraints on parking near the hall and the requirement to keep noise levels low in order not to disturb the neighbours are also considerations.

Income and expenditure

The income is entirely from lettings. In the 2013/14 financial year it amounted to £6088 and in 2012/13 to £6333. Expenditure involves:

gas, electricity and water bills insurance of the building and contents public liability insurance the cleaner cleaning materials etc regular maintenance – fire alarm system; boiler service occasional maintenance – electrics; plumbing, window cleaning.

Peter Barnes September 2014

Operationalizing the vision

Introduction

I have not found it possible to operationalize the vision statement as requested. My apologies. The disparity between the four headings in column 1 and the way the Parish Council organises itself operationally simply proved too great for me.

With advice and support from Sheila Tyler, or which I am most grateful, here is a fresh approach. It still starts with the overall vision statement. Then it looks it is a range of areas of work, and suggests the main responsibilities /

activities within each of these. It tries to address most of the elements in the current vision statement document, but may not succeed completely.

If this approach is acceptable to the Parish Council, it should be possible to move onto details of tasks, and thereby for the Parish Council to establish appropriate budgets.

Many of the previous notes on monitoring and evaluation will still apply in this new model, working of course principally through chairs and groups.

Vision statement

A representative, supportive and facilitative Parish Council with excellent communications between ourselves and the community.

Comment on the Vision. It is increasingly clear that continuing cuts by MK Council, made necessary by reductions in Government funding, mean that MK Council will in a relatively short space of time be reduced to providing only those services which it is statutorily required to provide, and quite possibly providing even them in a minimal sort of way. This comment is not party political; it simply reflects a current informed view of what is likely to happen.

The Parish Council’s decision to increase its precept In order to enable it to plug gaps in MK Council provision was wise. The Parish Council cannot directly replace any services that MK Council withdraws; we simply do not have for the funds for this. It seems to me that the facilitation part of our role will be of rapidly growing importance, providing modest amounts of funding to enable the Parish to do for itself what it needs and wants to be done rather than relying on Milton Keynes Council to the extent that we have in the past.

Strategy

What follows assumes that the Parish Council will continue to operate, and indeed extend, its current approach and work as much as possible through groups, which includes some parish councillor representation as well as colleagues from beyond the Parish Council.

This is a first draft of the current version, and therefore of course subject to change in light of the views of the Parish Council.

Functions and Groups

1 Communications

Manage: websitenewsletterparish noticeboardsemail/Twitter/Facebook and other mediapublicity in general

Take responsibility for: communicating with ward councillors (non-specific, general; specific to be done by other subgroups)communicating with neighbouring parishes and other stakeholders (general)organising public meetingsorganising events promoting community grants schemepromoting membership of the subgroup

2 Training and development (formerly HR)

Take responsibility for:Recruitment and selection of parish clerkLine management of parish clerk including appraisalsTraining and development of councillors and clerkTraining and development needs of those working with the Parish Council

3 TRAP

Take responsibility for:Actions on all forms of transport routes – roads, paths, canal tow paths - including improvements, completion, maintenance and road adoptionsLiaise with relevant authorities, community and other stakeholders/usersLiaise with neighbouring parish councils and other stakeholders about specific issuesLiaise with ward councillors about specific issuesPromote membership of the subgroupProvide advice on grants relevant to the work of the subgroup

4 Open spaces

Take responsibility for:Produce area-appropriate, sustainables plan for open spaces in consultation with the publicPlay spacesOpen spacesLiaise with Parks Trust and Milton Keynes CouncilLiaise with SAGG and other community stakeholders and groupsLiaise with relevant authorities, community and other stakeholders/users (specific issues)Liaise with neighbouring parish councils and other stakeholders (specific issues)Liaise with ward councillors (specific issues)Promote membership of the subgroupProvide advice on grants to the work of the subgroup

5 Planning and Development Policy

Take responsibility for:Creation of a planning and development policy for the Parish in consultation with the communityLiaise with relevant authorities, community and other stakeholders/users (specific issues)Liaise with neighbouring parish councils and other stakeholders (specific issues)Liaise with ward councillors (specific issues)Promote membership of the subgroup

6 Ashland community action (formerly Task and Finish subgroup)

Take responsibility for:Integration of Ashland newcomers including CAMK projectSupporting the established Ashland communityAshland events (listening; community building etc)Ashland art project (because of community consultation)Liaise with neighbouring parish councils and other stakeholders about specific issuesLiaise with ward councillors about specific issuesPromote membership of the subgroupProvide advice on grants relevant to the work of the subgroup

[Is an equivalent to 6 required for Simpson?]

Parish Council as a whole

Take responsibility for:Budget and strategyOversight and monitoring of Groups; decision-makingPlanning applicationsSupport of Neighbourhood Watch schemesOversight/care of community assets including liaison with asset managers/owners

Support for community activity/action, e.g. through award of grants and support of new and existing community groupsAnything that falls without the remit of sub-groups