Parish Council Minutes

INTERIM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Minutes of the meeting held on

Friday 10th October 2003

At 7.30 pm

in the Village Hall, Warmington

1. ATTENDANCE

Mr D Rowell (Chairman)
Mr D Constant
Mr D Short
Mr G Reid
Mr I Cutler
Mrs L Huett
Mrs M Hodges

5 Parishioners were also in attendance

2. APOLOGIES : Apologies were received and accepted from Mr Bosworth and Mr Dixon. Mr Rowell informed the meeting that Mr Dixon’s son was unwell and best wishes were sent to the family.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST : None

4. VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT : Mr Rowell considered this to be a brilliant document which would be used very much in the future. Mr Reid commented that the document and the evening to launch it were excellent and that it had obviously involved a tremendous lot of work. Mr Constant remarked that there was very little to question in the document and he was pleased to see that it was mentioned in the report of the District Council.

Mr Du Croz commented that it had been a good process for the village to go through and that it had served to strengthen views about the future. He drew the attention of the meeting to the final page of the document that suggests that the Parish Council should review the document in 2008 and earlier if necessary. Mr Du Croz had received a very favourable letter from the MP. He thanked the Parish Council for their support and the village for their input.

Mr Rowell thanked Mr Du Croz for all of his hard work. He suggested that the Statement should be an agenda item for the Annual Parish Meeting every year and should be reviewed as necessary.

Mr Rowell offered to stand in for Mr Dixon on the Project Board if necessary.

Mr Constant proposed and Mr Short seconded that the draft Village Design statement for Warmington be approved and that a recommendation be made to ENC that, subject to any amendments approved by the Project Board, it should be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance. AIF.

5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a) The Oast House, Spinney Close – EN/03/01096 & 7- Conservatory to rear. Application for Listed Building Consent and Full Planning Permission. Mr Short proposed and Mrs Hodges seconded that there be no objections to these applications. AIF

b) 59 Chapel Street – EN/03/01021 – Erection of Garden Shed to side. Mr Reid proposed and Mr Short seconded that there be no objection to this application. AIF.

c) Elton Estates Reservoir. A meeting was held on Tuesday 7th October at NCC to determine this application. Mrs Padley, Northamptonshire County Councillor attended this meeting and reported back to Mr Rowell. The Application was passed. Highway details were written into the application involving deceleration and acceleration lanes and a traffic island at Lady Margaret Cottages. As Cambridgeshire County Council have no definite plans for a roundabout at the Elton Junction NCC were forced to take the route they have. NCC will oversee the site during its construction which is to take no longer than 5 years. There are strict rules re dust. The Parish Council will obtain a copy of the deliberations of the meeting. Mr Rowell has spoken to Mr Hoyes and work is due to begin next summer.

Mr Constant stated that there is still concern in the village about the application. It is contrary to the County Council’s own Mineral Extraction Policy and as such the MP should be informed with a view to asking the Minister to call it in. Should this happen other issues could be revisited such as the traffic and noise issues. Mr Rowell suggested obtaining the report from NCC first, but it was agreed in principle that the MP should be approached.

Mrs Hodges asked if there had been any intention of using water as a means of transport, but this did not seem to be the case.

6 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

a) Highways. There are currently many highway issues within the village. NCC have informed Mr Fox to pass his complaints re Church Street through the Parish Council. Many areas require traffic calming measures. Mr Rowell suggested requesting the Police Speed camera where there are particular problems. Mrs Hodges identified particular problems outside the School with parking and verge damage.

Debbie Strong the Area Manager for Highways is to hold a general meeting in early October where highway issues can be raised. After that she is willing to attend individual Parish Council meetings. It was agreed to invite her to the November meeting and in the meantime formulate a plan. Mrs Huett, Mrs Hodges and Mr Fox agreed to undertake a survey to circulate amongst Parish Councillors for comment.

b) Donation to the Northamptonshire Victoria County History Trust. In the absence of Mr Bosworth it was agreed to carry this item forward to the next meeting.

c) Grants. Availability of Grants had been highlighted in the Autumn edition of "Village Viewpoint". Mr Constant suggested that the Parish Council need a rolling programme over 3 years which is updated every year. This would then be used as the basis for financial decision making. Grant aided projects could be put into the programme and the funding applied for. If the funding is not obtained the project is rolled on if appropriate. Mr Cutler suggested that one such project could be the Leisure Field. It was agreed to prepare such a programme. Mr Constant offered to assist the Clerk with this.

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Mr Rowell stated that there is to be a meeting with the School and the School Governors at 6pm on Tuesday 14th October.

b) Mrs Padley has contacted Ms Strong about the footpath across the Social Club. It appears that questions of ownership are holding up the process. The Clerk has forwarded letters re the footpath to Ms Strong. Mr Hoyes has passed a letter to the Parish Council stating that Elton Estates have no objection to the footpath and a copy of this will also be sent to Ms Strong.

c) Query raised by Mrs Huett re the hole at the entry to the village on the A605- Mr Rowell has made enquiries. When the road was built it was forgotten to put in culverts. Attempts are now being made to do this but there are problems with fibre optic cables being in the way. It may be that the whole road will have to be taken up.

d) The gravel entrance to the Cemetery is unsuitable for the disabled. Mr Rowell will investigate more suitable materials.

e) A letter has been received from Paul Bancroft drawing attention to the availability of Grant Aid for projects in the village. This will be passed on to Mr Peck for "Five All" Magazine.

f) ENC SPG on Housing Land Supply. This consultation document was not commented on by the Parish Council as it had no direct effect on the village.

g) Mr Short reported that there is a skip on Broadgate Way that has bee there for about 2 months. The Clerk to contact ENC to enquire. (This has now been removed)

h) Mrs Hodges reported that the manhole covers are still standing proud. This to be looked at in the survey of the village.

i) Mr Reid had made further enquiries re verge bollards. NCC are currently trying to slow down the growth in signs etc. Mr Gilder informed Mr Reid that an application for bollards would have to be made to Ms Strong, but that it would have to be an extremely strong case to be successful. If it is felt that there are areas where bollards are needed these should be put in with the survey.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm.