Parish Council Minutes

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Minutes of the meeting held on

Monday 17th March 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 V Cooper
Mr M Dixon
Mr R Enfield
Mr D Short
Mr P Banbridge
Mr Hinton.

9 Parishioners were also in attendance together with Jenny Davey, the Young

People’s Representative.

2. APOLOGIES : None

3. ABSENTEES : None

4. APPROVAL AND SIGNING OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20th JANUARY 2003. The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record of events. AIF.

5. POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT. There was no Police or Neighbourhood Watch Report. Mr Rowell expressed sympathy to the widow and family of Mr Darters who sadly passed away at the weekend. Mr Darters will be sorely missed. Mr Enfield stated that he had worked with Mr Darters for 5 years. He was a very talented man who was deeply involved in Neighbourhood Watch throughout East Anglia.

Mr Enfield reported one undetected crime for January which was a house burglary.

6. CHAIRMANS ANNUAL REPORT. Mr Rowell stated that he had brought his report forward from the May meeting because with the Elections this will be a busy meeting and also because the report belongs to the current Parish Council. Over the year the Parish Council have been obliged to absorb the Standards Board with the Model Code of Conduct and the Freedom of Information Act. The Leisure Field has progressed and work is continuing to establish a portacabin and utilise the field more. The Youth Group has been established ably headed by Jenny Davey. The Youth Orchestra has been set up led very successfully by David Constant. The street lights continue to be an ongoing project. The Village Design statement is now coming to fruition and the Parish Council are extremely grateful to William Du Croz for all of his efforts. The Allotments are now up and running. The Parish Council underwent a successful Health Check carried out by NALC. Bryants have now completed some of their obligations on Nene Pastures, although not all. Sadly BT are adamant in their refusal to contribute to placing the cables underground at Eaglethorpe. There has been a lot of tree planting over the year and thanks go to Mike Dixon for his efforts and for securing the grants to pay for the planting. Elton Estates have applied for planning permission for a reservoir and this caused good debate in the village with a large number attending the meeting to discuss the application. A decision is yet to be made on this application.

Mr Rowell concluded that the year had been very busy and successful.

7. YOUTH MATTERS : Jenny Davey reported that the membership of the Youth Club now stands at around 40. At the last meeting 32 members were present. The donation from the Parish Council has been used to buy a CD player and new table tennis bats and balls. 6 members assisted at the Mad March Fair run by the Playgroup. NCC support has now been withdrawn. It was only initially to help with setting up the Club and the age of the membership of the Club actually falls outside the 16- 19 year remit. Future events may include a trip to Alton Towers and a Sponsored Litter Pick.

Miss Davey voiced the concern of the Youth regarding the bus service. There is to be a Leisure Centre in Thrapston, but there is no direct bus there. Current weekend buses rarely go through the village and it is necessary to walk to the bypass to catch them. The Parish Council have written to Stagecoach Viscount about this.

8. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST : None

9. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

a) Highway Matters. Mr Short reported that the hole in the road in Broadgate Way has still not been filled in. Mr Rowell reported that the dyke in Broadgate Way discussed at the last meeting is a border dyke and has no water. The verge on Chapel Street has now been turfed and the hedge overhanging Hautboy Lane cut back. The footpath across the Social club still needs chasing up with highways. There has also been a complaint about the dip in the footpath in Orchard Close. Highways have agreed to have another look at this.

Elton Estates have removed the hedge between Nene Pastures and Eaglethorpe, but this will be replaced with a fence and new hedge.

The Parking notices used by the Parish Council had some success. Three cars originally moved off the verges, although one now parks there again. One villager objected to the notice.

Mr Bosworth reported that parts of the tree cut down are now in the ditch between the Cemetery and Church Street. Highways to be informed.

Mr Enfield reported that the gravel at the house beyond the Old Chapel is still migrating. Mr Rowell felt that it had not reached the road, but that an eye should be kept on the situation.

Mr Short felt that Taylors Green needs to be cleaned. Mr Rowell has asked Highways to sweep this area.

b) Street Lights. The light on the triangle at Little Green has now been connected. Prices for future street lighting work have been received and will be discussed at a meeting in the next couple of weeks.

c) Leisure field. PGR are due to finish their work here at the end of March. The portacabin will then be painted. Planning permission has been applied for.

d) Allotments. These are now up and running. Mr Ellard reported that 7 whole plots and 6 half plots have now been taken leaving 1 whole plot and 2 half plots. The Allotment holders are appealing to Elton Estates regarding having more than one shed. Water will now be laid on and the area fenced. A grant of £1775.43 has been applied for.

e) Tree Planting. Unfortunately some of the new trees on Broadgate Way have been damaged. Two trees have been killed and five stakes broken. The Councils insurance policy does not cover such damage. The nursery are due to repair the damage at a cost of £52.00

The tree kindly supplied by the Lacey family is now in place and is to be called "Sarah’s Tree". A plaque will eventually be put in front of it.

f) Grass Cutting. To date only one price has been received. Further prices will be chased up and discussed at a meeting in a couple of weeks.

g) Churchyard headstones. Trying to identify the relatives of those with leaning gravestones proved too time consuming and costly through the Public Records Office. An article has therefore been placed in Four All magazine and if there is no response the gravestones will be laid flat

h) Open spaces and greens. A survey of these has yet to be done.

i) Nene Pastures Play area. Details of the fencing and gate have been received from Bryants, now Taylor Woodrow, but nothing done at present. This will be chased up. The Parish Council have submitted the wording for the sign.

j) CAB and Winged Fellowship. Mr Cooper proposed and Mr Enfield seconded that £50 be given to CAB. AIF.

Winged Fellowship offer holidays for the disabled and sometimes their carers. Mr Dixon expressed concern about giving to national organisations rather than village organisations or very local charities. Mr Banbridge proposed and Mr Short seconded that £20 be given to Winged Fellowship. The majority were in favour.

k) Village Design Statement. Mr Du Croz had submitted a report detailing recent achievements. The VDS is now in its final stages. Parish Councillors have commented on the draft and the comments have been taken on board.

l) Parish Council Elections. There has been an article in Four All magazine about the election on May 1st. Mr Rowell thanked all of those Parish Councillors who are retiring. Nomination Forms are now available. Mr Rowell pointed out that it does usually involve more that the 6 stated meetings a year. Mr Dixon asked if those standing could write 70/80 words about themselves and why they are standing.

m) Eaglethorpe/ BT/ Fired Earth. A final letter has been received from BT stating that they are not prepared to assist with the undergrounding of the cables and it would seem that nothing more can be done. Mr Eden asked if his disappointment with the attitude of BT could be minuted. Mr Dixon pointed out that the Tourism Department at ENC have also stated that they have no budget to assist with such a project.

n) Litter. Richard Leakey from Tansor has advised that litter picking in Tansor will take place on April 5th. He would like to join with Warmington to clear the Bunny Run. Mr Banbridge is unable to coordinate the Litter Pick this year. Mr Rowell to contact Mr Leakey and then Mr Peck who has written an article re Litter for Four All Magazine.

10. PLANNING

a) 10 School Lane – Rear conservatory – Planning permission received

b) America Farm Buildings – Alterations to convert part of farm to office accommodation. No objections subject to comments re undergrounding of services and communications masts.

c) 4 Orchard Close – Two storey side extension and single storey front and rear extensions. No objections

d) Rectory Farm – Conversion of farm buildings into B1 offices. No objections subject to comments regarding the suitability of the road for increased traffic and a request for services to be placed underground.

e) Highlands Boarding Kennels - Two single storey dwelling houses. Appeal dismissed.

f) Plot 1, 15 Dexter Way – Conservatory to rear of dwelling. No objections.

11. ACCOUNTS

a) Community A/C (Current) : £1461.98

INCOME		EXPENDITURE
Balance b/f	424.69	Village Hall Hire	18.00
		A Webb Salary/Exp	309.25
Trf from deposit	1000.00	ENC Cem Tax	21.00
Cemetery Fees	250.00	Travel Expenses	74.50
Donation for seat	200.00	L Field Paint	66.98
Grants for trees	632.00	Shaws books	10.75
Allotment rents	125.00	Four all donation	100.00
L field Grant	3000.00	School litter bin	140.49
		Rasells - Trees	742.49
		Carter Cabins	2350.00
		NCC - seat	176.25
		NALC Course fees	50.00
		Fee re Plan App L/F	110.00

		Balance c/f	1461.98

Accounts submitted for payment

- Anna Webb Salary and Expenses £343.79

- Village Hall Hire £10.00

- NALC Sub £140.00

- HLB AV Audit £141.00

b) Main BPA (Deposit) : £7,198.70

c) Cont. BPA (Contingency) : £3,432.57

d) Pocket Park A/c : £455.96

Mr Cooper questioned accounting where grants are involved. He felt that it would be nice to see the grant and its corresponding expenditure together. Grants are usually run through the current account and the end of year accounts obviously give a clearer picture of monies received and spent. The above accounts only cover the period between meetings. Adoption of accounts. Mr Hinton proposed and Mr Short seconded that the accounts be adopted. AIF.

Audit: Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2002. Councillors were presented with the Auditors Report which drew attention to the fact that there was no internal auditor in place for this year. This was on the advice of NALC, the view being that the accounts had already been audited by Mr Bosworth. A NALC auditor has been appointed for subsequent years. Mr Banbridge proposed and Mr Hinton seconded that the findings of the audit be accepted. AIF.

12. CORRESPONDENCE

Since the last meeting in January 64 items of correspondence have been circulated amongst Parish Councillors and 72 items of post have been sent by the Parish Council.

13. OUTSTANDING CORRESPONDENCE : None

14. PARISH COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS

a) Alms Houses. Mr Short reported a meeting to be held later in the month.

b) Conservation. Mr Bosworth reported that waxwings have been seen in the village for the first time in 40 years. They are pinkish with yellow bars on their wings and a crest. They have been seen at the back of Dexter Way feeding on crab apples.

c) Oundle Surgery. Mr Cooper had nothing to report

d) Pocket Parks. Mr Rowell had nothing to report

e) Rights of Way. Nothing to report. The various booklets received on Rights of Way will be passed to Mr Atkinson.

f) Road Safety. Mr Banbridge had nothing to report

g) Village Hall. Mr Enfield had been unable to attend the last meeting. Mr Dixon asked if the Parish Council representative had a vote on this committee and was told that he did.

h) Warmington Charities. Mr Bosworth had nothing to report. The next meeting is in April

i) Warmington School. Mr Davey stated that the School is healthy and expanding. Mrs Hodges stated that the next meeting is on Monday 24th March.

15. PARISHIONERS COMMENTS

a) Mr Peck was disappointed that "Litter" was not an agenda item as had been promised. Mr Rowell apologised for this oversight. Mr Peck considered that early April is a good time to litter pick. Mr Dixon pointed out that ENC have been written to regarding the litter around the Little Chef area. It is now better and 2 more bins have been installed, but an eye still needs to be kept on the situation.

b) Mrs Bosworth reported that the Roses Builders Board has blown over and is now in the dyke. There is also a Dickens Watts and Dade sign and a triangle on the A605 that need removing. The seat in Church Street has a broken slat and the manhole cover in Broadgate Way is still sticking up.

c) Mrs Huett reported problems with dog fouling in the Pocket Park at Eaglethorpe. Mr Rowell suggested contacting the Dog Warden at ENC.

d) Mr Cutler reported that the 11 dead trees on Nene Pastures have now been replaced and some of the verges finished. Certain areas are still in dispute and he has marked these areas on the map. This map will then be sent to Taylor Woodrow for their comments. A second litter bin has been provided and this is appreciated.

e) Mrs Cheeseman stated that her daughter had benefited by working as a volunteer for Winged Fellowship.

16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Mr Dixon pointed out that the gate through to Eaglethorpe needs to be greased. Mr Short offered to do this.

b) Mr Dixon identified the dangers of the Little Chef roundabout when pedestrians are accessing the bus stops, Fired Earth or beyond. It had been suggested that a mirror on a lamp stand would assist pedestrians in seeing oncoming traffic. The area towards Fired Earth is also very rutted and an area of paving could be beneficial. NCC to be made aware of these issues.

c) Mr Dixon stated that Mrs Machin would like the Parish Council to be aware that the cherry tree at the School is to come down. It will be replaced with two smaller trees either side.

d) Mr Dixon asked who owns the Nene Pastures paths and was informed that it is NCC.

e) Mr Dixon queried obtaining a copy of the Village Hall accounts. It was considered that these are readily available to all residents.

f) Mr Cooper pointed out that although a lot of trees have been planted, none of them are of a flowering variety. Mr Dixon pointed out that the experts do not tend to recommend these. Mr Cooper’s view will be taken into consideration when planting for next year.

g) Mr Cooper pointed out that the footpath on Big Green near the dyke is falling away. NCC to be made aware.

h) Mr Hinton observed that he has served on the Parish Council since 1984 and has had a very enjoyable time. He is sorry to be retiring and wishes the new Council all the best.

17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 12th May 2003

The meeting closed at 9pm.