Parish Council Meeting

a) Highway Matters (Ref post 224 – Highway Survey). The Highways Survey has been completed and sent. Mr Croucher ENC has visited to look at the footpath through the Social Club. He is now investigating the responsibilities of Taylor Woodrow Developments (TWD) regarding this. Details of proposed fencing for the Play Area were circulated amongst Parish Councillors. The fence is to be similar to that already there, but the contractor stressed that it would not be dog proof and that children could climb it. It was agreed to accept the fence but with some additional form of mesh. TWD to be sent a copy of the letter. Mr Dixon commented upon the amount of time that this issue has taken.

The kerbing at the bus stops on the A605 has now been done.

There are two holes in the road in Stamford Lane.

Plants are encroaching upon the pavement outside two houses in Stamford Lane. Mr Rowell to approach the owners.

The dog bin near the School is down. ENC to be informed.

The bin at Eaglethorpe is still in need of attention. Mr Rowell to assess.

b) Street Lights. The Parish Council are still waiting for more prices and designs for street lights in Pierce Crescent. Mr Bream has agreed to chase this up with his company. Mr Constant suggested that this is now a matter of urgency with one street light in Pierce Crescent permanently on and another dim.

Mr Rowell has spoken to BT re the pole outside 53 Pierce Crescent. It can be moved but only if the Parish Council are willing to pay for it. It conforms to the Street Works Act and was positioned where it is due to the existence of drains, cables etc further back. Mr Constant suggested that the Parish Council must lean on contractors to consult before carrying out work. This is very difficult to achieve as consultation is expensive and is not required by law.

c) Leisure Field. Elton Estates have been pursuing TWD re the provision of services. TWD say that it is in the hands of Anglian Water and the Electricity Board. They have promised to send a plan to keep the Parish Council informed. Unfortunately the portacabin has been vandalised and the Odd Job Man has had to be asked to secure the door.

BTCV have offered up to 25 free trees in return for a small donation. This will be considered.

Mr Constant is continuing to liaise with the group who expressed an interest in Landscape Management. They have been asked to help with the planting.

e) School Play area. Nothing has yet been received from NCC. In the meantime the Parish Council will put up the conditions in the School play area. Mrs Hodges reported that a Governors’ meeting is being held tonight.

f) Grass cutting – Churchyard, Cemetery, Taylors Green, Leisure Field (Ref post 228 Church Monuments). It was agreed not to go ahead with the assessment of the condition of memorial stones and costings to correct offered in post 228. Mr Rowell pointed out that the Parish Council need to be aware that when the play area is taken over there will be three extra sections of grass to cut. Mr J Short has been asked for a price to cut the Leisure Field to the correct standard.

h) Flagpole. Mrs Hodges reported that for various reasons the School Governors decided against a flagpole. Concerns were over the calendar to be used and which flags would be used, safety, whether planning permission would be required and ease of access to the pole. They suggested that the pub may be a possibility.

i) Taylor Woodrow Developments/ Elton Estates. The majority of this has been dealt with previously. The new manager at Elton Estates is taking the initiative to progress matters. Mr Rowell is hoping to meet with him in the near future. Issues with tree planting and landscaping on Nene Pastures has now been taken over by ENC.

j) Delivery Partnership for Northamptonshire. A report on this consultation has been downloaded from the internet and will be circulated amongst Parish Councillors along with the original document

k) Village of the year. The format of this has changed and now covers six different aspects of community life. It was agreed by default that the village would not enter the competition this year.

l) Victim Support (Ref post 247). Mr Rowell stated that he knew people in the village who had benefited from this charity. Mrs Huett proposed and Mr Bosworth seconded that a donation of £50 be made. The majority were in favour.

n) Warmington Alms Houses. Mr Rowell has received a letter from Mrs Proby requesting to resign from the Board of Trustees. Up until the early 90’s the Alms Houses were managed by Elton Estates. The structure of the Trustees then changed and the Parish Council became involved with the right to nominate two people to sit on the Board. The original documents outlining this are being circulated amongst Parish Councillors. Technically Mrs Proby’s resignation should have been sent to Mr Short as Chair.

o) Landscape of the Nene Valley – Impact of new Agricultural Systems. 14 Parish Councils were asked for their views. To date 6 have replied – 4 putting the item on the Agenda for their next meeting and 2 suggesting that there were no particular problems with polly tunnels. This item to be carried forward to the next meeting.

c) Warmington Charities. Mr Bosworth reported that at the meeting in October it was agreed to make awards as follows:- £200 Senior Citizens’ Party, £100 Oundle After Care. It is also anticipated that help will be given for some School trips in the new year. Between £200 and £300 has also been allocated towards travel tokens.

d) Warmington School. Mrs Hodges had nothing to report.

e) Tree Warden/Conservation. Majority already dealt with above. Mr Reid reported that the ties on the trees at the top of Broadgate Hill need to be loosened. He would like to see the grass cut further along Church Street to the roundabout. This bank is only usually cut once a year as it contains wildflowers. NCC to be made aware that it needs cutting and the thistles attending to.

f) Road Safety. Already dealt with under the Police report above. Mr Rowell pointed out that Warmington Barns were not approached re speeding after the last meeting as it was felt that it is difficult to point the finger without proof. It was felt that the whole village should be targeted. A notice may be placed on the noticeboard.

g) Pocket Parks. Mr Rowell reported no problems.

h) Allotments. Mr Short had nothing to report. Budgets show that the setting up costs for the allotments should be covered next year. A review of the rents can then be undertaken.

i) Rights of Way. There are a lot of weeds on the path from Nene Pastures to Chapel Street by the Red Lion. Mr Croucher, ENC is aware of this and considers maintenance to be down to TWD. Further the path should have another street light on it and the building overhanging the path needs to be looked into