Parish Council Minutes

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Minutes of the meeting held on

Monday 16th September 2002

At 7.30 pm

in the Village Hall, Warmington

1. ATTENDANCE

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
Mrs M Hodges

8 Parishioners were also in attendance together with Sergeant P Deans and Mr J Darters

2. APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from Mr W Du Croz

3. ABSENTEES: None

4. APPROVAL AND SIGNING OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th JULY 2002 AND OF THE INTERIM MEETING HELD ON 19th AUGUST 2002. It was agreed that these be signed as a true and accurate record of events. AIF.

5. POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: Sergeant Deans presented statistics for Warmington and the Warmington Beat in comparison with other Beats in the Rural East. The figures show that Warmington had 16 crimes 2001/2 in comparison with 16 for the same period 2002/3. Within this Burglary was up considerably mainly due to a spate of thefts from sheds. The Warmington Beat showed a different picture with crimes up from 28 in 2001 to 55 in 2002. Once again a large part of the increase was attributable to thefts from sheds. In comparison with other local Beats Warmington and Kings Cliffe have shown the largest increase. Crime in the Rural East has increased by 4.3% whereas crime generally has increased by 27%.

Mr Dixon asked for figures for crimes per 1,000 population and Sergeant Deans reported the following:-

The Northern Area – 129.8. Kettering – 147.4. Corby – 177.8. Rural Area – 68.6.

Sergeant Deans stated that as from April 2002 new legislation has meant that anything reported is now a crime statistic regardless of whether or not the incident actually comes to anything.

Sergeant Deans drew attention to a white van that has been causing trouble in the area – registration L842 XTY. Mr Darters is to circulate details of this van.

Mr Rowell expressed his disappointment at traffic being redirected through Warmington on Saturday and the fact that the agreement between the police and the Parish Council concerning routes was not utilised. Sergeant Deans had had a very positive feed back about this however and it was generally felt that the exercise went very well and very smoothly. He and Mr Darters thanked those Parish Councillors who were involved.

6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

7. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

a) Street Lights. The new scheme in Chapel Street has been approved and the order given to ABB. The light on the triangle at Big Green is to be raised to give more light. There is currently a light out in Drapers Close needing attention. Mr Cooper to investigate.

b) Highway Matters. Mrs Hodges reported that the drain covers are raised on the path up to the cemetery. This to be investigated.

c) Grass Cutting. The Council have sprayed the weeds and although the thistles have not been cut on the Leisure Field everything else looks good.

d) Allotments. The conditions for the allotments have now been agreed and prices are being sought for the fencing. The cost of installing water is about £300 and other costs have been estimated to be around £700. The Parish Council will seek a grant to help with these costs, but if this is not possible the costs will have to be recovered from rents. Cash flow projections have been worked on three different rents. At £25 per annum costs would not be recovered until year 17, at £35 they would be recovered in year 7 and at £50 in year 4. Obviously rents would need to be reviewed after costs were recovered. Mr Enfield proposed and Mr Banbridge seconded that, failing a grant, rents should be set at £50. The majority were in favour of this. A meeting with the allotment holders will be held in early October.

e) Leisure Field/Play area. There is to be a meeting about the Leisure field on Monday 23rd September. A new seat has been installed in the Leisure Field with a Jubilee Grant from ENC.

Bryants have been contacted once again regarding the play area. A recent inspection has highlighted the fact that the area needs to be fenced, the bark built up and the slide made safe. The Parish Council have made it clear that they will not take over this area until these items have been remedied.

The footpath from the Nene Pastures development through the Social Club to Chapel Street is still an ongoing item with Bryants and the Parish Council. Mr Dixon suggested that all parties concerned – The Parish Council, Bryants, Elton Estates, NCC and ENC should meet to decide who is responsible. It was agreed to give Bryants until the end of the month to respond to the letter.

f) Conservation/Tree Planting. Three or four selected trees are to be planted within the village with the help of a grant of £225 from the Tree Council and the kind offer of a tree from the Lacey family. The triangle in Church Street will be looked at in general terms. The root was left in case it could be made into a feature. The majority of Councillors were in favour of having it removed, however. NCC to be contacted to remove the root and provide some additional soil if possible. Mr Rowell expressed concerns that the fungus may be remaining. He has asked Mr Barker for his opinion on the matter.

A further grant of £250 has been applied for from Cory Environmental for further tree planting on the A605. A response has not yet been received.

Mr Bosworth reported that Taylors Green needs cutting.

Mr Dixon reported that the pathway from Stamford Lane to Nene Pastures is in need of cutting again. Elton Estates to be informed.

g) Eaglethorpe/ BT/ Fired Earth. Elton Estates agreed to set up a meeting with all parties regarding the overhead cables. To date nothing has been arranged.

h) Best Kept Village. The results for this are due out at a meeting later this month. Mr Dixon reported a build up of litter in Church Street from the 30 mph sign to the roundabout. Mr Rowell reported that this area had been litter picked that very day

i) Village Design Statement. All Parish Councillors had received a 5th Report from Mr Du Croz. Mr Dixon proposed that the actions of the Group to date be endorsed and the changes to the timetable noted. AIF. The Parish Council were particularly please to note that the Group have received a grant of £3400.

j) CCTV. A letter from ENC is in circulation requesting views on CCTV in the area. Applications to central government for CCTV in 6 towns has been refused. Mr Banbridge considered that there is not enough crime in rural areas to justify CCTV. CCTV in towns can have the effect of pushing crime out into the villages. Mr Bosworth proposed and Mr Hinton seconded that the Parish Council reply to ENC to the effect that CCTV is not appropriate to rural areas. AIF

k) Standing Orders. Standing Orders were added to to include regulations regarding the rose bed. Proposed Mr Banbridge, seconded Mr Enfield. AIF

8. PLANNING

a) 14 Long Lane – Single storey front and side extensions. Planning permission received

b) 5 Pierce Crescent – rear extension – Planning permission received

c) 29 Dexter Way – Conservatory – Planning permission received

d) 9/11 Church Lane – Two storey rear extension, bay window and verandah – Planning permission received

e) Dwellinghouse at land adjacent 14 Little Green, Springville House – No objections subject to comments re plot size.

f) Two dwellings at 44 Big Green – No objections

g) Land adjacent 53 Chapel Street – Loft conversion including dormer window at front and rear (plot 3). Application withdrawn.

h) Q8 Garage – Recessed facia sign to front elevation. No objections

i) Q8 Garage – Installation of ATM Machine. No objections

j) 26 Stamford Lane – Two storey side, single storey rear extensions with roof terrace and porch. No objections

k) 23 Broadgate Way – Two storey front and rear extensions, new garage (including conversion of two dwellings to one) Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Cooper seconded that there be no objections to this application. AIF.

9. ACCOUNTS

a) Community A/C (Current) : £604.04

INCOME		EXPENDITURE
Balance b/f	1594.48	Village Hall Hire	34.00
		A Webb Salary/Exp	308.17
Trf from deposit	1000.00	ENC Cem Tax	63.00
N Env ForumAward	100.00	ABB	157.81
Interest	.45	Powergen	394.74
		NALC Auditor	120.00
		Chairs Exp	40.54
		Grass Cutting	705.00
		Travel Exp D.R.	20.00
		Wicksteed Inspec	64.63
		NALC AGM Conf	30.00
		Charges	3.00
		Youth Club	150.00

		Balance c/f	604.04

	2694.93		2694.93

Accounts submitted for payment

- Anna Webb Salary and Expenses £309.88

- Village Hall Hire £10.00

b) Main BPA (Deposit) : £6,162.65

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

d) Pocket Park A/c : £455.70

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

10. CORRESPONDENCE

Since the last meeting in July 82 items of correspondence have been circulated amongst Parish Councillors and 49 items of post have been sent by the Parish Council. Post in circulation includes:-

a) The Tree Council confirming a grant for £225

b) Information Commissioner – Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There are currently 2 items of post missing :- 248/02 – NCC – Service Road, Church Street and 271/02 – Wysing Arts – Brochure Sept-Dec 2002.

11. OUTSTANDING CORRESPONDENCE

a) Elton Estates – some matters are in hand others are outstanding:- the footpath through the Social Club, the meeting with Fired Earth and BT, the 12 month clause on the Leisure Field agreement and the clay at the underpass.

b) Roses – Re contribution to street lighting. A reminder will be sent.

12. PARISH COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS

a) Alms Houses. Mr Short had nothing to report.

b) Conservation. Dealt with earlier.

c) Oundle Surgery. Mr Cooper had nothing to report

d) Pocket Parks. Mr Rowell reported no problems.

e) Rights of Way. No problems

f) Road Safety. The Safety boards should be received soon.

g) Tree Warden. Dealt with earlier

h) Village Hall. Mr Enfield had nothing to report

i) Warmington Charities. Mr Bosworth reported a meeting to be held next month.

j) Warmington School. Mrs Hodges reported that the AGM is to be held next

Monday. The refurbishment is almost finished and is looking very good.

13. PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS

a) Mr Cutler from Dexter Way reported a general deterioration of the Nene Pastures development. He cited the play area, the dead trees, the failure to create a footpath through to Chapel Street and general problems with the landscaping. The developers have planted over 500 yards of flowering shrubs. These are now dying due to lack of attention. There are also various pockets of ground which seem to be public property. Again these are generally not being cared for and are becoming overgrown with weeds. Mr Cutler asked if the Parish Council could clarify with Bryants as to who is actually responsible for these areas of ground. Both Mr Thomas and Mr Furze suggested that the plans should show who owns what and who is responsible for what.

b) Mrs Bosworth stated that the path on Orchard Close near the bus stop is uneven and dangerous. NCC Highways to be contacted with a copy to Roses.

c) Mr Forrest drew attention to Elton Estates plans for an agricultural reservoir and was assured that a meeting will be held in the next 2 weeks to discuss this further.

d) Mr Thomas drew attention to the state of the cycleway from the roundabout towards Oundle. The path is breaking up and requires attention. NCC Highways to be contacted.

14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Elton Estates have submitted a planning application for an agricultural reservoir. Basically this will be an irrigation reservoir shielded from the bypass. Some trees will have to be removed, but the area will be landscaped to encourage wildlife. Elton Estates have agreed to attend a meeting to discuss this and this will be held in the next 2 weeks.

b) Mrs Hodges reported problems turning into Stamford Lane due to a car being parked on the junction.

c) Mr Short reported that the sign for Broadgate Way still needs repairing.

d) Mr Dixon has received requests that the hedge in Hautboy Lane to Chapel Street be cut back for safety reasons. Mr Rowell to investigate

e) Mr Bosworth reported that although the dyke behind Acremead has been cleared and generally a good job has been done certain areas have been left where bushes are growing into the course. Mr Rowell to look into this

f) Mr Bosworth has received reports that the hollybush is overhanging the ashes plots in the Cemetery. Mr Rowell to investigate.

15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

An interim planning meeting will be held in the next 2 weeks. The next main Parish

Council meeting is on Monday 18th November 2002

The meeting closed at 9.25pm.