Parish Council Minutes

a) Highway Matters. Mr Rowell reported that Church Street has been cleared and tidied, some maintenance work has been carried out on Nene Pastures and he has inspected the bin at Eaglethorpe and does not feel that it requires any attention. Parishioners have been approached re cutting hedges and improvements have been made. The Highway Manager is currently investigating work carried out to verges by a resident in Eaglethorpe.

Mr Short reported that there are still two holes in the road on Stamford Lane and that there appear to be problems with the drains outside the School and opposite the Manor in Chapel Street.

Mr Bosworth reported that the edge of the path in Big Green behind the lay-by is sinking.

Mrs Hodges reported that where the road in Church Street has been cleaned parts of the tarmac have been removed and holes have appeared.

b) Social Club footpath. Mr Rowell reported that there has been no further action on this from NCC. A letter was received from Debbie Strong stating that the footpath was not considered high priority for the current financial year. Costs were estimated to be in the region of £50,000. Since the last meeting the Parish Council has invited 3 contractors to quote for the job and all have come in at under £10,000. Mr Dixon queried whether the legalities of the situation were causing NCC to stall. It was pointed out that NCC were in receipt of written permissions from both Elton Estates and the Social Club, but it was agreed to clarify the situation with Ms Strong.

Mr Cutler had raised the concerns of the Parish Council at a meeting with Ms Strong. Ms Strong had suggested that funds could be available from the "Safe Routes to School" scheme and that a colleague would visit the School to set this in motion. Further she suggested that it would be possible to receive details of the decision making process which resulted in the application being declined. Mr Cutler suggested that it may be that the way the application is presented needs to be rethought.

Mr Rowell suggested that the area at the start of the proposed footpath is currently very slippery and needs attention. After discussion it was agreed not to undertake any work on this at present, but rather to raise the matter with NCC.

It was agreed to incorporate all of the above into a letter to Ms Strong so that further action can be taken at the next meeting.

c) Street Lights. The Parish Council currently only have prices for lights from ABB. They are awaiting a catalogue and prices from Ringway. It was pointed out that different lights were being looked at in response to the suggestion of the Village Design Statement that lights should be varied in keeping with their location.

It was reported that Lamp No 31 needs cleaning, two further lamps in Buntings Lane and Little Green are rather dim and the Lamp on the corner of Pierce Crescent flickers.

d) Leisure Field. The Parish Council are still awaiting movement from Taylor Woodrow. However, the situation has progressed following a letter to Taylor Woodrow from Mr Hadland, Elton Estates. An order has been issued for the electricity supply to be connected. There are still some problems with the sewer connections however.

The Leisure Field Committee have quoted figures to two football teams from Oundle and King’s Cliffe who are happy to use the Field without the services. This will bring in a small income.

f) Donation to BTCV re trees. It was agreed that a donation of £25 be made to BTCV for the trees. AIF.

g) Grass cutting. Mr Short abstained from the discussions and voting on grass cutting. The Contactor has been asked for a price to cut the perimeter of the Allotments. A price of £1155 plus VAT has been received for the further cutting of the Leisure Field. Mr Bosworth proposed and Mr Reid seconded that this be accepted. AIF.

h) Flagpole for Village. It was felt that although this could no longer be sited at the School many villagers would still like a flagpole. Mr Bosworth expressed his concerns. It was agreed to investigate the costs for the pole, flags and installation and discuss further at the next meeting.

i) Christmas Tree for Village. Discussion centred on whether to proceed with a tree and whether it would be permanent or purchased each year. It was agreed that it would be very costly to purchase one each year. A 20’ tree would cost about £140 plus £40-50 for delivery. There would then be the costs of putting it up, the lights and necessary connections. Problems with a permanent tree would be where to site it. Possibilities discussed were Nene Pasture, opposite the Social Club, opposite the Alms Houses and on the corner of Church Street and Broadgate Way. None were considered ideal locations. A vote was taken with three for and three against a Christmas tree. It was felt that a clear majority was needed to carry the idea forward and so it was agreed to dispense with it.

Mr Bosworth congratulated the PCC on the floodlighting of the Church.

j) Youth Group Donation. Mr Short proposed and Mr Dixon seconded that a donation of £100 be made to the Youth Club. AIF.

k) Play Area future development. Mr Cutler suggested that the area is in need of more flexible play equipment for younger children and seating for adults. Mrs Hodges suggested metal seating and a roundabout. It was agreed to obtain catalogues and prices. It was further agreed to approach the Playgroup for their advice and also Mrs Brashaw who had offered her assistance. It was stressed that the area needs to be passed to the Parish Council before any plans are actioned.

Mr Rowell pointed out that the fence chosen by the Parish Council could not be made child and dog proof. It was decided therefore to look at the option of a half round timber fence.

l) PC Minutes – online to Parish Councillors. Mr Dixon and Mr Rowell agreed to have minutes sent to them online. Mr Reid agreed to consider the situation.

m) Unsung heroes. The Five All Team have been nominated in the Group Category and Mr Du Croz in the Individual Category.

n) Affordable Housing. Mr Bird may attend to give a short presentation at the March meeting.

o) East Northants Council – Draft Rural Strategy. This is currently in circulation. It was agreed that a sub committee meet to make comments which would then be circulated amongst Parish Councillors.

p) NALC Annual AGM & Conference. This had to be cancelled in 2004 and NALC had asked for feedback from Parish Councils. Mr Rowell and Mr Dixon attended the AGM two years ago and found both the venue and the speakers poor. It was felt that Northampton is a long way to travel and that Parish Councillors are asked to attend a lot of events. Mr Rowell and the Clerk to compose a reply to NALC.

q) Landscape of the Nene Valley – Impact of new Agricultural Systems. Since the last meeting only Barnwell Parish Council have replied further. Of the six replies only Woodnewton felt it was necessary to take it further. Some suggested that there were no problems and others suggested that farmers should be given all the support possible. It was agreed that no further action be taken.

r) Dog bins. There are currently 6 bins around the village – Broadgate Way, Chapel Street, Church Street, Eaglethorpe, Buntings Lane and Nene Pastures. It was agreed that it would not be appropriate to place one on Taylors Green. Mrs Hodges reported that the dog bin on Church Street is in need of repair.

s) Additional collections of household rubbish. The Clerk reported that ENC had been contacted. They would not recommend one off collections of household rubbish arranged by the Parish Council. People tend to throw out items such as tyres, settees etc which require special attention. ENC will undertake additional collections for litter picks. Householders can also telephone to arrange collection of large items. There is a charge for this.

t) Clerk – e-learning. Further to the meeting of the six Clerks to identify ways that ENC can assist Town and Parish Councils, ENC have agreed to pay for the six Clerks to undertake the European Community Driving Licence. This will also be undertaken by all ENC staff. It involves 7 modules covering Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and the Internet. An invigilator will be present at Thrapston every fortnight for those wishing to take exams

- Certificate in Local Council Administration. NALC are running 7 sessions between April and November covering all aspects of preparing and completing the Portfolio. The course costs £350. There is also a registration fee of £50. It is possible to apply for a Bursary of up to £200. It was agreed to pay for the Clerk to undertake the course and apply for the Bursary. AIF.

b) Village Hall. Mr Cutler had nothing to report

c) Warmington Charities. Mr Bosworth had nothing to report

d) Warmington School. Mrs Hodges reported that the Friends of Warmington School Choir is to continue.

e) Tree Warden/Conservation. Mr Reid reported that he and Mr Rowell had attended an excellent tree course in Northampton. There is ivy on the hawthorn tree on the triangle between Chapel Street and Hautboy Lane. Mr Reid will make enquiries and to how to stop this. Mr Reid has loosened the ties and checked the trees on Broadgate Hill.

f) Road Safety. Highways have been notified about signs that have appeared at the back of the bottle bank at the Social Club. The sign forbidding cycling in Chapel Alley is missing.

All Councillors are to be asked to distribute forms re Community Speed watch around the village. Replies will be sent back to the Post Office.

Mr Short reported that speed guns were recently used at the bottom of Broadgate Way

g) Pocket Parks. Mr Rowell had nothing to report.

h) Allotments. Mr Short reported that a meeting had been held at which grass cutting and keeping vacant plots free of weeds was discussed

i) Rights of Way. Mr Rowell reported no known problems.