Parish Council Minutes

At 7.30 pm

in the Village Hall, Warmington

Mr D Rowell (Chairman)
Mr R Bosworth (Vice Chairman)
Mr A Hinton
Mr V Cooper
Mr M Dixon
Mr R Enfield
Mr D Short
Mr P Banbridge

9 Parishioners were also in attendance

2. APOLOGIES: None

3. ABSENTEES: Mrs M Hodges

5. POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT. None. Mr Rowell wished Mr Darters the best of health.

6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. None

a) NALC Parish Council Health Check. Mr Banbridge questioned the citing of the standard of the chairs in the report considering this of little relevance. Mr Rowell suggested that his main criticism was the time taken for the report to come through. A discussion of the report then ensued. It was agreed that there is often a problem with more than one person speaking at a time at the meeting and that it should be strictly one at a time. The action column on the minutes was considered to be a good idea and it will be implemented. The pages on the minutes are already numbered as they are filed. It was agreed that the minutes should remain in a more detailed format. The comment re the discussion of the precept had been explained in that the discussion followed figures presented at an earlier meeting. The idea of borrowing money could be considered in the future if appropriate. The Council do continually look at levels of spending and budgets. The precept has also been raised accordingly as the new housing development has progressed.

The point re planning that the Parish Council only make "observations on plans" is very pertinent and cannot be reiterated too often. It was agreed to continue with the practice of including the Income and Expenditure Account in the agenda. The Clerk now includes her name and address on the agenda. Attempts are always made to keep the meeting under 2 hours. It was not considered necessary to have "matters arising". It was agreed not to introduce briefing papers for councillors as it was considered that this would mean that a lot of the detail would not be discussed in front of the public. It was agreed that "Parishioners Comments" were best at the end of the meeting. Standing Orders are reviewed as necessary and certainly once every 4-year term.

Mr Enfield felt that some of the comments in the report were petty. Mr Cooper felt that if that is all that was identified the Parish Council must be doing a good job.

b) Street Lights. Further street lighting was discussed and in particular the light outside Roses’ Chapel Street development. Roses have agreed to pay for a lamp standard if the Parish Council pay for the connection. Whilst a standard would be somewhere in the region of £200/£300 the connection would be around £800. Mr Banbridge suggested asking Roses if they would contribute 50% of the connection fee. An alternative would be to ask them to provide a light opposite No 2 Chapel Street which would be less expensive to connect.

Re other lights in Chapel Street, Mr Dixon was in favour of putting up new lamp standards and not just new brackets. This had no seconder, however and Mr Banbridge proposed and Mr Enfield seconded that work in Chapel Street be undertaken with new brackets where appropriate. The majority were in favour with Mr Dixon voting against this.

c) Highway Matters. The kerbs in Chapel Street still require attention. A reply has been received from NCC re parking on paths and verges. Whilst it is illegal it is very hard to police. Mr Cooper suggested writing to contractors who park on the verges. Mr Banbridge suggested that the important factor is to get the verges reinstated after the contractors have used them. Mr Rowell suggested the Parish Council producing their own labels to put on illegally parked vehicles.

A scheme has been produced by NCC for the service road in Church Street, but it is very low priority. Mr Rowell felt that it is necessary to pursue the and perhaps enlist the help of the County Councillor, Mrs Padley. A letter to be sent to NCC.

Mr Short asked if the question of sleeping policemen in Buntings Lane could be pursued. A letter to be sent

d) Grass Cutting/Rose Bed. The roses are looking very good at the moment. A new poster advertising the rose garden has been circulated and the wording agreed. Costs were discussed. Mr Banbridge proposed and Mr Enfield seconded that an initial cost of £15 be imposed. A poster will be produced and this written into Standing Orders. Mr Cooper has the name of a gardener who could be approached for a quote to tend the roses.

A letter has been received from Mrs Shrive re the grass in the cemetery. She is disappointed that it has been cut but not picked up. Mr Rowell pointed out that picking it up was not in the contract. This may have to be reconsidered in the future.

Mr Dixon questioned who will ultimately be responsible for cutting Nene Pastures. A letter to be sent to NCC to clarify this.

The pathway up to the Little Chef has not been cut although it was last year. After discussion it was agreed to approach NCC/W S Atkins about this.

e) Eaglethorpe/ BT/ Fired Earth. Although a meeting with all parties was suggested, too date there has been no further action. Mr Rowell to meet with Elton Estates next week. Mr Dixon pointed out that EB Northamptonshire had suggested that they would be prepared to donate £1,000 towards the undergrounding of the cables.

f) Play area. This is still not complete. The planning documents state that it should be fenced. Mr Rowell to approach Elton Estates and Bryants about this.

h) Allotments. Anglian Water have verbally promised to send a surveyor to the site but to date this has not happened. A letter to be sent chasing this up. Suggestions have been circulated re the allotments, but finer details need to be agreed. Mr Rowell suggested that ultimately the allotments could be run by a committee of allotment holders with a representative from the Parish Council. Initially a group of 2 or 3 Parish Councillors could meet to discuss details. Mr Banbridge suggested that Woodnewton have allotments and could be asked for assistance. Mr Bosworth asked how much of the access area would need to be retained for access for Mr Short. This to be considered. Mr Banbridge suggested halving some of the plots for those who want a smaller area.

i) Leisure Field. Mr Dixon and Mr Rowell met with Mr Lovesay ENC who was very helpful. At present under the terms of the lease, Elton Estates reserve the right to give 12 months notice and £10,000 if a building has been erected. It is unlikely that an application for a grant for a building would be successful with this clause in place. Mr Rowell to approach Elton Estates. An amendment could possibly be dealt with by Vincent Sykes solicitors.

Re grant for £3,000 from NCC. It is possible that this can be held over for another year. The Parish Council are awaiting a reply from NCC.

Gates and fencing were discussed. Parking is not allowed on Dexter Way and alternatives and access to the field for vehicles need to be considered. A quote had been obtained from RS Fencing for gates and fencing but it was agreed only to put a matching fence over the ditch area. Mr Rowell to contact the Environment Agency re the ditch.

After discussion, Mr Cooper proposed and Mr Hinton seconded that the Jubilee seat be sited outside the Leisure Field at the top of Buntings Lane. The majority were in favour of this.

j) Pocket Parks. Re the transfer of land from ENC. The Parish Council are now in receipt of the transfer documents. Mr Banbridge proposed and Mr Cooper seconded that these documents be signed by Mr Rowell, Chairman, and Mr Bosworth, Vice Chairman, as authorised representatives of the Parish Council.

AIF.

A grant of £200 towards a pocket park mower has been received and photographs for the press taken

k) Conservation/Tree Planting. Most of the tree planting will take place next year. For now a replacement needs to be found for the Lime tree soon to be felled and the Thorn Bush at the School. Mr Cooper suggested that the latter be replaced with a Hawthorn.

m) Best Kept Village. No further details are known about this at present.

n) Standing Orders. These to be kept under review and the rose garden details added.

o) NALC Audit arrangements. It was agreed to sign up for the NALC Internal audit for 2002/3, the accounts already having been checked and presented for 2001/2. Proposed Mr Banbridge seconded Mr Hinton. AIF with Mr Bosworth abstaining as he checks the books.

a) 16 Chapel Street – Detached house and double garage. Planning Permission received

b) 59 Church Street – Conservatory, installation of central heating, roof strengthening, internal alterations and repair to plaster work. Listed Building consent received

c) Conservatory at Top Lodge Farm, Morborne Road, Warmington. Planning permission received

d) America Farm Buildings, Morborne Road, Warmington – Change of use of redundant agricultural buildings to (B1) business uses. Planning permission received

e) Highlands Boarding Kennels, Broadgate Way – Two single storey dwelling houses. Application refused.

f) Detached dwelling and garage (change of house type) Plot 1 at 23 Church Street, Warmington. Planning permission received.

g) 14 Long Lane – Single storey front and side extensions. No objection. 

h) 5 Pierce Crescent – Rear extension. No objection

i) 29 Dexter Way – Conservatory. No objection.

9. ACCOUNTS

a) Community A/C (Current) : £1594.48

Accounts submitted for payment

- Anna Webb Salary and Expenses £308.17

- Village Hall Hire £10.00

- ABB £157.81

- Powergen £394.74

b) Main BPA (Deposit) : £7,162.65

c) Cont. BPA (Contingency) : £3,427.49

d) Pocket Park A/c : £444.42

Adoption of accounts: Mr Bosworth proposed and Mr Cooper seconded that the accounts be adopted. AIF

Since the last meeting in May 74 items of correspondence have been circulated amongst Parish Councillors and 36 items of post have been sent by the Parish Council. Recent post to be circulated includes:

a) The Tree Council – acknowledgement of grant application

b) Bryant Homes – re dead trees

d) ENC – Code of Conduct and Misconduct

e) Police – Objectives of Northern Area Commander

a) NCC re £3,000 grant see above under Leisure Field.

a) Warmington Charities. Mr Bosworth had nothing to report. The next meeting is in October

b) Village Hall. Mr Enfield had nothing to report the next meeting is in September.

c) Oundle Surgery. Mr Cooper had nothing to report.

d) Road Safety. Mr Banbridge had nothing to report

e) Conservation. Mr Bosworth had nothing to report.

f) Tree Warden. Mr Dixon reported that a group will be clearing around the trees next Saturday. He thanked Mr Simpson for watering the 48 trees. A letter of thanks will be sent

g) Alms Houses. Mr Short had nothing to report

h) Warmington School. No report from Mrs Hodges

i) Rights of Way. Mr Atkinson had nothing to report.

13. PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS

a) Mrs Bosworth reiterated the need for the path up to the Little Chef to be cut.

b) Mr Davey thanked the Parish Council with all of their help re the Youth Group. He asked if there could be more publicity around the village regarding such things as the Leisure field, progress made and future plans. Mr Davey also reported a drop in both water pressure and electricity during various parts of the day. This to be investigated.

c) Mr Atkinson pointed out that the drains from the A605 down to the Mill are blocked and are a potential flood hazard. NCC to be contacted.

14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Mr Short stated that the underpass still needs reinstating. Mr Rowell to contact Elton Estates.

b) Mr Short questioned the cemetery hedge and trees and what is to be done. Advice is needed. Mr Buchanan has been approached but a reply has not been received to date.

c) Mr Cooper pointed out that the ditches in Big Green have been strimmed but not cleared out. This to be investigated

d) Mr Cooper pointed out that the hedge in Hautboy Lane is still a hazard as it is overgrown. Mr Cooper to have a further look at this.

e) Mr Cooper reported that the cables are now being laid on Broadgate Way and the overhead cables will be taken down

f) Mr Cooper reported that the security fence at Roses site has collapsed near the bus shelter. This to be looked into.

g) Mr Cooper reported that the permitted ROW to the Ancient Monument needs cutting. Elton Estates to be informed