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Interim Parish Council Meeting - Planning PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 19th November 2001 At 7.30 pm in the Village Hall, Warmington
1. ATTENDANCE Mr D Rowell (Chairman) Mr A Hinton Mr R Bosworth (Vice Chairman) Mr P Banbridge Mr M Dixon Mr R Enfield Mr D Short Mr V Cooper
12 Parishioners were also in attendance together with PC Waring
2. APOLOGIES : Apologies were received and accepted from Mrs M Hodges and Miss Davey
3. ABSENTEES : None
4. APPROVAL AND SIGNING OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 17th SEPTEMBER 2001. These were signed as a true and accurate record of events. AIF.
5. POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT. PC Waring gave the Parish Council copies of Crime Figures for the Rural East, 2001. On the Warmington beat crime has decreased by 43%. Crimes in Warmington have also decreased there being 19 over the period. Of these 8 were crimes connected with the Garage on the A605. Of the other 11, 3 were thefts, 5 thefts from motor vehicles, 1 motor vehicle stolen, 1 burglary and 1 shed burglary. Vehicle crime is down by a quarter and house crime by a half. In the whole of the Northern Area crime rose by 16-17%. On the Warmington beat the detection rate stands at 20% and overall in the Area it is 30%. PC Waring felt that the relatively good crime standing of the village was partly due to the good Neighbourhood Watch scheme and the good co-operation that exists in the village. Mr Peck asked about the procedure for dealing with potential young thugs. PC Waring suggested that where necessary people could speak in confidence to him about such elements in the village. Mr Enfield thanked PC Waring for all of his help during the time that he deputised for Mr Darters and was pleased that Mr Darters is now back. PC Waring in turn thanked Mr Enfield for stepping in. Mr Rowell asked about the movement of travellers. PC Waring had no reports of them locally but suggested that as ground becomes boggy they may be more likely to move on to find hard standing areas.
6. MISS DAVEY – ADDRESS TO THE PARISH COUNCIL: Unfortunately Miss Davey was unable to attend the meeting due to illness. She hopes to be at the January meeting. In the meantime if any young people feel that they have any comments to make to the Parish Council about the provision for youth in the village, please do so before the meeting on January 14th.
7. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
a) Village Design Statement. Mr Du Croz presented everyone with a written resume of the work of the Village Design Project Board to date. Mr Cooper proposed and Mr Enfield seconded that £300 in start up funds be made available to the group. AIF. Mr Dixon agreed to be the Parish Council representative on the project. The Parish Council agreed to endorse the way in which the board has been set up and intends to go forward. A letter to this effect to be sent to Mrs Ding at ENC. AIF b) Leisure Field. Quotes are currently being received for the maintenance of the Leisure Field and a meeting will be held to discuss these and establish a committee. Grant money may be available and this is being pursued. c) Grass Cutting. Quotes for grass cutting, including weeding and the cutting of the verges, are currently being received and a meeting will be held to discuss these. Grass cutting for this year is complete and a very good job has been done d) Highway Matters. The drain outside Mrs Simpson’s was reported to Clarence on 10th October Ref 61074. On the same day weed growth on Buntings Lane was reported Ref 61075. During heavy rainfall it was found that the rain was flowing down the road at Broadgate Way and not in the drains. This was reported to Clarence on 27th October Ref 61548. There is a hole in the wall in Church Street backing onto the garages at Acremead. This has been reported to ENC. The salt bins have now been moved to the top of Broadgate Hill and to Church Street. Mr Knott has queried the speed limit on Taylors Green being 60mph. This has been queried in the past and it cannot be given a 30mph limit. Mr Rowell has spoken with Mrs Gilder, NCC, regarding the weeds and it would seem that little will be done. Mr Rowell and Mr Banbridge had a site visit with Elton Estates and Bryants to discuss the footpath through the Social Club. Bryants are currently costing this. Access through the Ancient Monument field was also discussed and this has now been cut to give the required access. The hedges will be trimmed in due course and a gate installed at the Buntings Lane end. Mr Cooper asked about the position with the wire mesh screens at the Nene Pastures end. These need removing and Mr Rowell will have a word about this. Mr Cooper reported that there has been very little feedback from highways recently. An inspection of the village is due in January. The Clerk to write to see whether this is to be the case and to ask whether highways representatives are still required in the village. e) Street Lights. The fitting of the new lights is proceeding and Phase 1 is virtually complete. Mr Cooper has been asked to obtain some quotes for further work and for possible alterations and repositioning outside the current project. ABB will provide the quotes in writing for the Parish Council to discuss, but verbally they are as follows:- To paint existing lamp standards black - £35+VAT each. They would need servicing every 3-4 years as black paint has a tendency to chip. PL51 Stamford Lane – to change fittings to standardise colour and light output - £136.87 +VAT. There are 3 other lights in Chapel Street that would require a similar change. To install a heritage light outside the Manor House - £1185 + VAT To change the light outside the Chapel to a Heritage light - £903 + VAT To resite PL16 to the end of the footpath – approx £500 + VAT PL15, PL4 and PL28 will be removed when convenient. The Parish Council have received written quotes from ABB for the lights at the Hautboy and outside 7 Church Street, both at a cost of £359 + VAT. Mr Hinton proposed and Mr Cooper seconded that these be accepted. AIF. The clerk to write. The Heritage lights at the Manor and Chapel were questioned. Mr Enfield felt that the Manor has a very good light that could be made use of. These issues to be discussed when written quotes are received. A copy of a letter sent to Elton Estates by Mr Heath has been received. Unfortunately Mrs Heath tripped over outside the Manor due to poor lighting and being unable to distinguish between the footpath and the step. Mr Banbridge suggested that a white line around the step would help. The light outside Mr Bainbridges’ house in Pierce Crescent has been reported as being faulty. f) Allotments. Elton Estates are having a problem finding land in Warmington, but have some available in Elton. Those interested to be contacted about this offer. The Parish Council have taken advice from NALC regarding the provision of allotments. Whilst land can be compulsorily purchased this can be a very expensive option. g) Pocket Parks. A couple of years ago the Pocket Parks agreed to forego the fourth and final instalment of their grant from the Parish Council. They now need a new mower and would be grateful for the money. They are also applying for a grant. It was agreed that this should be given. AIF Re the transfer of land from ENC. The transfer includes a covenant stating that the Parish Council promise to use the land “only for the purposes of public open space for continued use for amenity land for the benefit of the general public”. Mr Banbridge proposed and Mr Short seconded that the Parish Council agree to this covenant. AIF h) Autumn Planting. Bulbs have been planted in the village along the entrance in Church Street and in Broadgate Way. Mr Dixon is to be thanked for this along with four helpers from the village. Next weekend 52 trees are to be planted along the old A605. A local builder is to dig the holes and 16 volunteers, overseen by Mr George Barker, have offered to help with the planting. Various villagers have made offers of trees. These will be planted after Christmas. Mr Rowell has planted wildflower seed, kindly given by Mrs Tufts, at the entrance to Nene Pastures Unfortunately a tree has been felled at the entrance to Pierce Crescent. The Clerk to write to ascertain why. Mr Knott has planted a tree in Spinney Close and is to look after it. i) Precept. The Clerk provided Councillors with figures and a report for their perusal. The January meeting has been brought forward a week so that a decision can be made on the precept at this meeting. Mr Banbridge suggested that £12,000 could be obtained at a very minor extra cost to the village. If the Street Lighting project is to continue however, the precept may need to be more in the region of £14,000. Other possible expenses could include the cutting of the Leisure Field, the expansion of grass cutting, the maintenance of the streetlights in Nene Pastures and the provision of the footpath through the Social Club. It is possible that the streetlighting project could be phased over a longer period of time. All of these options need to be considered for the next meeting. j) Website. Mr Thomas was thanked for all of his work on this. The site includes information on all aspects of the Village and Mr Thomas is grateful for any further information. The Parish Council have their own section where agendas, minutes etc can be accessed. The address is www.warmington.org. Financially Mr Thomas hoped that eventually advertising would finance his expenditure on the site.
8. PLANNING APPLICATIONS a) 59 Church Street – Two storey rear extension, conversion and extension to outbuilding to provide garage and workshop. Planning Permission refused. b) 23 Church Street – 2 dwellinghouses. Planning Permission received. c) Top Lodge Farm – 4 additional Stables and use as “Do-it-yourself” livery yard. Planning Permission received. d) Victoria Lea, 17, Eaglethorpe - Extension to garage including dormer windows. No objection e) Warmington Mill - Illuminated and non-illuminated signage. No objection to sign no. 3, no necessity for signs 1 and 2. f) Highlands Boarding Kennels – Isolation Kennel. No. Planning Permission received. g) Land at end of Short Close – Two detached houses with double garages. No objection h) Warmington Mill – Two advertisement signboards at entrance. The Parish Council object to this on the grounds that there should only be one small sign at the gate.
9. ACCOUNTS a) Community A/C (Current) : £520.18
Accounts submitted for payment - Anna Webb Salary and Expenses £317.39 - Village Hall Hire £7.50
b) Main BPA (Deposit) : £14,153.59 c) Cont. BPA (Contingency) : £3,411.08 d) Pocket Park A/c : £291.32 ( Receipts = Interest £0.08, Apple Day £55.32, Payments = Insurance £65.00)
Adoption of accounts. Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Bosworth seconded that the accounts be adopted. AIF Audit Arrangements. Mr Banbridge proposed and Mr Bosworth seconded that NALC employ a suitable person to act as internal auditor and that Option 1 be adopted as a charging system. AIF
10. CORRESPONDENCE a) Letter from ENC regarding the appointment of John Denning from Polebrook Parish Council, as the Parish Council Member on the East Northamptonshire Standards Board. The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect on 27th November and the Parish Council have 6 months from that date in which to adopt it b) Letter from Alecto Historical Editions advertising Domesday Book products. c) Copy letter to EB Northamptonshire accepting and thanking them for their grant towards trees in the village.
11. OUTSTANDING CORRESPONDENCE The following items are pending in the correspondence file a) The Chain and post fence at the bungalows opposite the Red Lion. Mr Dixon reported that this work has now been completed. b) Letter to NCC re the footpath through the Social Club. This is to be left pending in the light of talks with Elton Estates and Bryants. c) Letter to Stagecoach Bus Company regarding putting bus timetables in bus shelters. A further letter to be written. d) Letter to ENC re the landscaping of the three-house development on Chapel Street. A further letter to be written. e) Fax to Bryants covering the issues raised at the site meeting. This to be followed up. f) Letter to the National Playing Fields Association re grants for the Leisure Field. This to remain pending at present.
12. PARISH COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS
a) Warmington Charities. Mr Hinton reported that at the meeting on 15th October it was agreed to give monies to the retired residents Christmas Party and to Oundle Care Committee. b) Village Hall. Mr Enfield reported no problems. The Bingo and Christmas Draw is to be held on December 6th. c) Oundle Surgery. Mr Cooper had nothing to report. There is a meeting on 27th November. d) Road Safety. Mr Banbridge reported that the speed signs have been up e) Conservation. Mr Bosworth had nothing to report. f) Tree Warden. Already covered g) Alms Houses. Mr Short reported that a problem has now been resolved h) Warmington School. Nothing to report i) Rights of Way. No problems. The new pathway between Buntings Lane and Nene Pastures will be a permitted path.
13. PARISHIONERS COMMENTS a) Mrs Brant expressed her concerns about the situation with the property next door to her at 59 Church Street. This property belongs to Miss Sheffield who is now in a home and thus wants to sell the property. There have been 2 people interested in buying the property but both have dropped out due to planning regulations. The outside gable is falling but planning regulations state that it should be plated rather than replaced. In order to be habitable the house needs to be re wired, damp proofed and replastered, but there seem to be planning restrictions preventing this. Mrs Brant understands that it is a Listed Building, but asked how problems can be overcome. Her views were reiterated by Mrs Hibbins. Mr Banbridge commented that in view of its Listed Building status and the age of the property an architect may be gainfully employed in looking at it. Mr Rowell felt that there was very little that the Parish Council could do, but it was agreed that the clerk should write to ENC to ascertain what the problems are and how they may be overcome b) Mrs Hibbins expressed her dismay over the bulbs that have been planted outside her house. She has always kept the grass cut and tidy, but now it will be much more of a problem. Mr Dixon pointed out that the verges do actually belong to NCC and felt that the planting of bulbs made the village a much more attractive place.
14) ANY OTHER BUSINESS a)Mr Cooper reported on the state of the footpath at the development on Orchard Close. He has reported it and it has been cleaned, but it is now in need of a further clean. The Clerk to write. Mr Cooper also suggested writing to Elton Estates in support of the letter from Mr Heath. b) Mr Short commented that the Electricity Board have not tidied up very well at the Mill. He also commented on the problem with dog mess throughout the village, but particularly at Big Green. c)Mr Enfield asked what the procedure is for acquiring a memorial rose. This is done through the Clerk at a cost of £5. d) Mr Rowell reported that the seat from the Brudenell family has now been installed in Church Lane. A letter of thanks to be sent. At a later date a tree may also be put there. e)Mr Rowell suggested that when letters come from specific Parish Councillors they should include a reference number so that they can be identified as such.
15) DATES OF MEETINGS FOR 2002 14th January, 18th March, 20th May, 15th July, 16th September and 18th November.
The meeting closed at 9.40pm. |
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