Parish Council Minutes

INTERIM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Minutes of the meeting

held on Monday 16th June 2003

at 7.30 pm

in the Village Hall, Warmington

1. ATTENDANCE

Mr D Rowell (Chairman)
Mrs M Hodges
Mr R Bosworth (Vice Chairman)
Mr D Constant
Mrs L Huett
Mr G Reid
Mr M Dixon
Mr D Short

7 Parishioners were also in attendance.

2. APOLOGIES : Apologies were received and accepted from Mr I Cutler and Mrs J Brant, District Councillor.

3. ABSENTEES : None

4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Mr Dixon declared an interest in planning item re 44 Big Green. It was agreed to deal with planning matters at the end of the meeting to enable Mr Dixon to take part in the rest of the meeting.

5. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

a) Water for the Cemetery. Anne Ethelston has enquired about the provision of mains water to the Cemetery. She has gathered together a petition signed by people who feel that mains water should be provided. A second water butt has recently been installed in the Cemetery. Mr Brook who lives next door to the Cemetery has always been happy to fill the butts when necessary, but it was felt that this was an imposition to always expect this to be the case. It was agreed to obtain costings from Anglian Water for mains water and in the meantime thank Mr Brook and offer to contribute to his water bills.

b) Provision of Gas. Mrs Cunningham has enquired about the provision of gas to the village. Initial enquiries have suggested that on average to bring gas a 2 mile stretch would cost in the region of £150,000. Despite this Mrs Cunningham feels that the rising cost of LPG and the fact that the majority of houses on Nene Pastures together with the newly converted offices are supplied with LPG, would make further investigation worthwhile. It was agreed to investigate the matter further.

c) Open Spaces. Mr Rowell and Mr Dixon have compiled a list of potential open spaces in the village. A map has also been obtained from ENC identifying areas they deem to be open spaces. It was agreed to circulate all of this information to Parish Councillors for information and place it on the next Agenda for discussion.

d) Neighbourhood Watch Co-coordinator. Mr Constant undertook this role on a holding basis. Mr Richard Simpson has now offered to take over the role. He obtains a lot of information from the farming community which he considers will be particularly useful to the role.

e) School Problem. Since the last meeting the Parish Council have received objections from the neighbours of the School regarding the content of the minutes and their display. The Parish Council have approached NALC for advice and the householders have been informed of this. It would now appear that the Police were contacted by a parent and not by the householders as reported at the meeting. This will be addressed under "Matters arising from the minutes" at the next meeting. The School Governors are taking advice from NCC regarding the use of the playground out of School hours and potential liability. Mrs Hodges will continue to report back from the meeting of the Governors.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Mrs Huett reported that she was unable to book for the New Councillors Course run by NALC as it was full. She asked if it would be possible to pass such paperwork to the relevant people first so that they can action it quickly. There is to be another course on 28th July from 7-9pm at Northampton. The Clerk to write to NALC to ask if they could hold some courses closer to home.

b) Mrs Huett asked if Councillors should undertake fact finding trips re planning applications eg view the site, talk to neighbours etc. It was felt that this was acceptable practice but that it was better to go with another Councillor and not commit to a decision before the meeting.

c) Mrs Huett asked about the possibility of Garden Trails in Warmington. It was felt that this was not within the remit of the Parish Council, but may be of interest to the Horticultural Society.

d) Mr Dixon reported that the Tree Council is offering another scheme for trees this year but that on this occasion 25% of the funding has to come from elsewhere. As this was not an agenda item it was not possible to discuss such funding. Mrs Huett suggested that it was always worth being aware that parishioners may like to purchase trees and shrubs in memory of loved ones.

e) Mr Dixon reported that grant monies are available for social schemes from Rockingham Rural Revival.

f) Mr Reid reported that people are still cutting through the hedge to the allotments. This has been brought to the attention of the allotment holders. The hedge will be cut in the autumn.

g) Mr Bosworth reported that there is a cherry tree in Spinney Close that needs attention. NCC to be made aware.

h) Mr Constant asked if the hedgerow in front of the barns near Nene Pastures will be replaced. Mr Hoyes, Elton Estates, has stated that this will be done in the autumn.

i) Mr Moules and Mr Dixon have viewed the leaning headstones and one has been laid flat and one put back upright. There would appear to be 15 in need of attention, but it is felt that it would be better to stand them all back up vertically. Mr Constant pointed out that to lay them flat a legal faculty would be required. It was agreed to proceed to put them all back upright.

j) Mr Rowell expressed concerns with increased traffic in Church Street, Stamford Lane and Buntings Lane. He considered that the problem will only get worse with people accessing the village from the roundabout on the A605. He suggested considering another access but it was felt that it was better to concentrate on obtaining the roundabout at Elton particularly if the reservoir goes ahead. Mrs Huett suggested that calming measures would help ease the situation and Mrs Hodges suggested that rerouting the bus so that it does not use Stamford Lane would also help. It was agreed to ask a Highways Engineer to advise and attend a meeting to discuss the situation.

k) Mr Rowell reported that sadly, roses have been stolen from the Memorial Garden. The Police have been informed.

l) Mr Rowell reported that at a previous meeting quotes for allotment fencing and gate had been discussed and agreed upon. Due to the wording of the contacts, however, the quotes had to be requested again. This time only one company replied. Despite attempts to obtain further quotes, none have been forthcoming. It was agreed to go ahead with the quotation from A1 Fencing. AIF. Mr Constant proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Dixon for obtaining the Allotment Grant.

7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a) 34 Big Green – Two storey side extension. This application has now been withdrawn.

b) Springville House, Little Green – Erection of single storey dwelling. This already has Outline Planning Permission. After discussion Mrs Hodges proposed and Mrs Huett seconded that the application be objected to on the following grounds: - it is too big for the plot, the dwelling is not drawn as described - it states that it is single storey when it appears to have an upper level and it will overlook other properties. The majority were in favour.

Mr Dixon left the meeting at this point.

c) 44 Big Green – Dwelling with garage and associated access drive. This already has Outline Planning Permission. Mrs Dixon had supplied notes to this application which Mr Rowell read out. The house is for two or more sick and disabled persons, the chief of which is Benjamin Dixon, the internal design is to give the fullest wheelchair accessibility to all areas and allow easy communication between floors, the flat roof enables the design to be kept as low as possible, the house will not be visible from the road, the size reflects the probable need for a live-in carer. Mr Reid suggested that he had no problem with the plans, but other Councillors had concerns. Although sympathetic to the reasons for the building, it was felt that the design was not in keeping with the nature of the village. Other designs have been objected to for similar reasons and the Parish Council should adopt consistency in its approach. When discussing Nene Pastures the Parish Council had argued that bungalows should be built behind bungalows. Here is a case of a house overlooking bungalows in Pierce Crescent. It was felt that a more traditionally designed bungalow would be more acceptable. Mrs Huett proposed and Mr Constant seconded that the application be objected to. The majority were in favour.

PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS

a) Mr Du Croz reported that they are still awaiting comments from ENC on the Village Design Statement. The District Councillor is lobbying on behalf of the village but it would appear that ENC have at least 8 other Design Statements to consider.

b) Mr Wiggington re application for 44 Big Green, suggested that EN Policy 21 does not generally accept proposals for back land development. Mr Rowell expressed surprise as several houses have been built in back gardens. Mr Constant suggested quoting this policy on the response to ENC. Mr Wiggington queried that Outline permission has been obtained for two houses and Mr Rowell stated that he believes Mr Dixon only intends to build one.

c) Mrs Bosworth expressed her view that the grass cutting has not been very good this time with a lot of areas being left uncut. Mr Rowell explained that it is NCC’s policy for this cut to leave areas which appear to have been planted or that are being cut by householders, a policy he applauds. One complaint had been received since the last meeting. All will be cut next time. Mr Du Croz reported that the footpath from Church Street to the roundabout needs cutting.

The meeting closed at 8.55pm.