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Parish Council Minutes
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 17 At 7.30 pm in the Village Hall, Warmington
1. ATTENDANCE Mr D Rowell (Chairman) 11 Parishioners were also in attendance together with Sergeant Deans. 2. APOLOGIES : None 3. ABSENTEES : None 4. APPROVAL AND SIGNING OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15th SEPTEMBER 2003 AND OF THE INTERIM MEETING HELD ON 10th OCTOBER 2003. The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record of events. AIF 5. POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT : Sergeant Deans presented the meeting with figures for Warmington comparing the number of crimes for the period April to October 2002 with the same period for 2003. In 2002 there were 26 crimes compared to 29 in 2003. Of these 29 crimes 14 were "burglary other" and relate to the recent crime spree into sheds and garages. The gang responsible for these crimes came from W Yorkshire and were arrested between Glapthorn and Oundle. They failed to answer bail and are due to be rearrested. 54 crimes can be linked to this team. No goods were recovered apart from those taken on the night of the arrest. There have been very few similar crimes since the arrest. There have been 4 thefts of motor vehicles. A team from Corby have been arrested and these crimes have now largely stopped. The 3 "violence offences" all relate to domestic violence. The average number of crimes per annum per 1,000 population is 80. Warmington had 29 crimes in a 7 month period. 6. YOUTH MATTERS/YOUTH ORCHESTRA : Miss Davey reported that the Youth Club is growing in size and now have about 40 members on their books. They borrowed a Karaoke machine and this was very successful. They have spent £100 on games for girls and are about to buy a snooker table. The problem they will have in February is that Miss Davey, the Secretary and the Treasurer will all be leaving due to exam pressure. Miss Davey is writing to NCC to express her concerns and try and gain support. She is also trying to gain more support from parents. The Parish Council will need to find a new youth representative. Mr Dixon reported that the Youth Orchestra has now ceased although there are a small group of people who are prepared to play together for one off events. Mr Constant has all the equipment. 7. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST : None 8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION a) Highway Matters : All Parish Councillors have received a highways report from Mrs Hodges and Mr Cutler. Mr Rowell congratulated them on this document. After discussion Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Reid seconded that the document be prepared as a report and sent to Debbie Strong NCC prior to her attending a Parish Council meeting. It was agreed that the items considered urgent should be requested to be completed within 12 months and other items within 3 years. AIF Mr Rowell drew attention to the recent controversy at Elton with the junction and proposed roundabout. It would appear that the roundabout was in Cambridgeshire County Council’s programme for 2 years hence, but Sir William Proby’s suggestion of a flyover further along the A605 is likely to put this back whilst all options are considered. It was agreed to contact the Clerk to Elton Parish Council to ascertain full details. b) Street Lights. Lamp no 42 outside 21 Pierce Crescent is out of order, the lamp outside the Manor House is not yet connected, the lamp outside 53 Pierce Crescent is permanently on and the lamp between Chapel Street and Nene Pasture is not working. The Clerk to write. The 3 year programme of upgrading is now complete. After discussion it was agreed to continue to upgrade the remainder of lights in the village. Mr Reid suggested that attempts should be made to ensure that lamps are in keeping with their surroundings. Mr Constant suggested establishing a replacement programme and putting a sum of money into the capital programme for this. Mr Bream had assisted with advice previously and it was felt that he may be prepared to do so again. c) Allotments. The Parish Council have received an agreement from Elton Estates, but it currently forbids sheds. This is a mistake and Mr Hoyes has agreed to rewrite the agreement. It was also agreed to ask him to remove paragraph 11. The Parish Council have a quotation for a shed of £1,300. It was agreed to go ahead with this. AIF. d) Open Spaces and Greens. At the last meeting it was agreed to adopt the map identified by the Village Design statement when it becomes SPG. Mr Dixon and Mr Constant agreed to undertake a survey of any other areas and liaise with ENC. e) Village Design Statement. Mr Du Croz reported on recent events. A Public Meeting was held to launch the Public Consultation period. Comments were received and considered by the Project Board and amendments made. On 5th November the document went to ENC and it was recommended that it be adopted as SPG. The Strategy Committee ENC will make their decision on 24th November. Mr Du Croz reported that there had been some demand for copies. They will cost between £3-5. Please would the Parish Council let Mr Du Croz know how many copies they would like. The document will also be available on the website. It is hoped that there will be a considerable amount of publicity to promote the document in the press and on TV etc. It is hoped that it will come to the attention of all who should utilise it and the ENC will promote it. Mr Du Croz reported that the constitution of the Steering Group has been amended so that they can operate until June 2004. He encouraged the Parish Council to make all decisions in the light of the Village Design Statement. f) Nene Pastures Play area. This is still in the hands of Taylor Woodrow Developments (TWD) and Elton Estates. g) Bulb and tree planting. Mr Dixon and Mr Constant agreed to draw up a plan for this. It was agreed to put further monies into the budget for it. h) School play area. Following a meeting at the School a draft agreement has been drawn up for perusal by NCC. The agreement will then be sent to Cornhill Insurance for their comments on possible liability. Problems that still need to be addressed are:- at the meeting it was stated that the hedge was 12ft and in fact it is only 9ft. It may be that money is available from NCC to help rectify this. The correct type of balls still have to be determined and "organised games" be defined in more detail. Mr Rowell has visited Mr Karolski and would agree that at present the balls do get kicked fairly high. Mr Rowell asked Parish Councillors to keep an eye on the use of the area where possible and ensure that it is being used correctly i) Elton Estates Reservoir. This plan was recommended by the Minerals Committee NCC but was then passed on to Regional Government at Nottingham. Since then it has been passed to National Government for consideration. j) Donation to the Northamptonshire Victoria County History Trust. After discussion Mr Constant proposed and Mr Dixon seconded that a donation to this cause be declined with regret. AIF. k) Maintenance of Church Rose Bed. Mr Short proposed and Mrs Hodges seconded that the quotation from Mr Harbour of £120 be accepted for a further year. AIF l) Consecration of Cemetery. This relates to an area of ground to the left of the Cemetery. It is anticipated that the Cemetery will be expanded in years to come with land from Elton Estates. Mr Constant expressed his view that £150 + VAT was excessive for this and it was agreed to write and convey this point of view. AIF. Mr Rowell had obtained a quotation from D Watt roadways to upgrade the entrance to the Cemetery of £730 + VAT. A further and cheaper option would be to wait until the better weather and apply a cold tar emulsion. It was agreed to go with the latter. AIF. m) Adoption of Grievance Procedure. Mr Dixon proposed and Mrs Huett seconded that the Grievance Procedure be adopted as set out. AIF n) Dates of Meetings 2004. These are all scheduled to take place on a Monday as follows : 19th January, 15th March, 17th May, 12th July, 20th September and 15th November. AIF 9. PLANNING a) 44 Big Green – EN/03/00467 – Dwelling with garage and associated access drive. Planning permission received. b) Springville House, Little Green EN/03/00803 - Erection of double garage. Planning Permission received c) 36 Acremead – EN/03/00836 - Two storey side extension. Planning Permission received. d) 17 Dexter Way – EN/03/00996 - Conservatory to rear. Planning Permission received e) America Farm Cottage, Morborne Road – EN/03/00993 - Erection of Conservatory to rear. Planning permission received f) The Oast House, Spinney Close – EN/03/01096 & 7- Conservatory to rear. Application for Listed Building Consent and Full Planning Permission. No Objections g) 59 Chapel Street – EN/03/01021 – Erection of Garden Shed to side. No Objections h) Red Lion – EN/03/00268 – Erection of two, four bedroom detached houses – Appeal. i) 24 Big Green – EN/03/01177 – Side extension and alterations. Mr Short proposed and Mrs Hodges seconded that there be no objections to this application. AIF j) Springville House, 14 Little Green – EN/03/01180 – Single storey extension. Mr Dixon proposed and Mrs Huett seconded that there be no objections to this application. AIF Mr Rowell pointed out that skips require planning permission and asked all Parish Councillors to be aware of skips that had been present for a long time and were not lit up. He also asked for opinions on interim meetings held to discuss planning applications and whether they should be purely for this purpose or include other items of business as well. It was agreed that they should be purely planning meetings but that items of crucial importance could also be discussed. AIF 10. ACCOUNTS a) Community A/C (Current) : £932.79
Accounts submitted for payment - Anna Webb Salary and Expenses £472.38 - Village Hall Hire £18.00 b) Main BPA (Deposit) : £18,257.42 c) Cont. BPA (Contingency) : £3,443.94 d) Pocket Park A/c : £428.76 Adoption of accounts. Mr Short asked if all Allotment rents had been received and was told that they had. Mr Bosworth proposed and Mr Short seconded that the accounts be adopted. AIF. Consideration of Precept 2004/5. All Parish Councillors had been circulated with figures re the precept. These included historical figures in order to identify trends, projections for the next 5 years including the identification of specific projects and figures regarding the effect of the precept upon the rates. Mr Constant and the Clerk were thanked for their work. Mr Constant outlined the thinking behind the documents. The annual programme has been translated into a 5 year plan making it easier to identify the need for the precept. These figures can also be made available to the public. Mr Constant stressed that it is important to separate Revenue and Capital costs. Revenue costs represent the ongoing costs of running the Council and as such are fairly fixed. Capital costs represent the ambitions of the Council. As discussed earlier in the meeting a further figure for street lighting will be put into these capital costs. Capital figures have been put in for the Leisure Field and as an example this will help with grant applications where the Council are seen to be planning to put up some of the capital. Mr Constant stressed that the figures do not in any way restrict the Council but rather provide discipline. Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Cutler seconded that the figure identified for the precept of £16,500 be accepted. AIF. It was agreed to accept the principle of the 5 year plan. AIF Approval of Annual Return for the year ended March 2003. Mr Bosworth proposed and Mr Short seconded that the Annual return be approved. AIF 11. CORRESPONDENCE Since the last meeting in September 65 items of correspondence have been circulated amongst Parish Councillors and 71 items of post have been sent by the Parish Council. Post to be circulated includes:- a) N Police Authority – Unsung Heroes b) N E N Community safety Forum – Agenda 3/12/03 c) Corby borough Council – Local plan review – issues paper d) ENC – Approval of reserved matters, 14 Little Green e) Floodline – Flood Action f) ENC – Young people’s Issues and Planning and Licensing Committee. g) The Local Channel - Websites 12. OUTSTANDING CORRESPONDENCE : None other than ongoing outstanding issues with TWD and Elton Estates. 13. PARISH COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS a) Alms Houses. Mr Short reported that a new flat roof had been installed at no 7. A meeting is to be held on Wednesday. b) Village Hall. Mr Cutler reported that the AGM was held on November 10 c) Rights of Way. Mr Bosworth reported that the stile running behind Pierce Crescent is in a poor state of repair and is unsafe d) Pocket Parks. Mr Rowell reported no problems. The recent drama event was very well received. Unfortunately Sue Paice, the Pockets Parks Officer at NCC who has been very helpful, is leaving e) Warmington Charities. Mr Bosworth reported that the 6 monthly meeting had taken place. It was decided to give £200 to the Senior Citizen’s Party, £100 to Oundle After Care and a donation to the School for 2 children to attend a trip to York. f) Warmington School. Mrs Hodges reported that the new staff room is now complete and all are welcome to look round g) Leisure Field. Mr Short reported that the portacabin still needs painting and the services laying on. h) Tree Warden/Conservation. Mr Reid reported a problem with light pollution at the Barns at Eaglethorpe. He is to make further enquiries. He also expressed concern about the light outside the Social Club, but was reassured by Mr Bosworth that this light is only on for safety reasons during opening hours and at other times is switched off. Mr Reid is to meet with Judy Stroud the previous Tree Warden for any advice and information that she may be able to pass on. Mr Reid also offered to join Mr Dixon and Mr Constant for the tree and bulb planting survey. Mr Bosworth pointed out that to date nothing has been done to the Cherry tree in Spinney Close. Enquiries to be made. i) Road Safety. Mrs Huett reported that the boards have not yet been received from NCC Highways. Enquiries to be made. 14. PARISIONERS’ QUESTION TIME 1. Mrs Bosworth expressed her concerns at the parking opposite the School in Church Street. This is a problem identified by the Highways Survey and will be raised with NCC. The recommendation would be a sign at either end stating that parking is for residents only. 2. Mr Goodall raised various issues. He is concerned about the speed of traffic through the village and in particular of agricultural vehicles. He suggested involving the School to make laminated signs for display and it was agreed to put this idea to the Headmistress. The Highway Survey suggests that a 20 mph speed limit should be enforced. Mr Goodall would like to establish a children’s football team to play on the Leisure Field. To do this toilet facilities would have to be in place and the leisure field cut and maintained. Mr Goodall would also like to reintroduce the Warmington Wasps team. Attempts are being made by the Parish Council and Elton Estates to encourage TWD to lay on the services. Mr Short is to arrange a Leisure Field meeting in the next fortnight to address these problems and Mr Goodall will be invited. Mr Goodall asked if the Parish Council had tried to get those learning instruments at School to join the Youth Orchestra. Mr Dixon suggested that the problem was lack of support. Mr Goodall suggested that the School Play area is in need of upgrading. This is the responsibility of NCC and not the Parish Council. 3. Mr Cooper stated that Weldon now has a flashing sign at the entrance to the village encouraging people to slow down and suggested that this may be appropriate for Warmington. Mr Cooper stated that the sign for Nene Way opposite the alms houses on Church Lane has rotted and requires attention. Mr Cooper asked who now represented Warmington at ENC and was informed that it is Mr Philip Hardcastle from Clopton. Mr Cooper pointed out that an area should be left in the Cemetery as unconsecrated ground. It was agreed to leave a couple of plots. Mr Cooper expressed concern over the willow tree. This was trimmed in the spring. Further enquiries to be made. 4. Mr Du Croz suggested that the restoration plan for the proposed reservoir should be requested from Elton Estates. Mr Du Croz asked about the current situation regarding bus transport problems within the village identified at the last meeting when a representative from EN Track was in attendance. Mr Rowell stated that it is the intention of the Parish Council to undertake a bus survey before proceeding further. Mr Du Croz highlighted a meeting to be held by RFT on 29 5. Mrs Cheeseman reported that an article regarding the junction at Elton had appeared in the Stamford Mercury and that the newspaper was inviting comments. 15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 1. Mr Constant asked for the approval of the Parish Council for the erection of a donated shed in the Churchyard. Approaches will be made to neighbours re siting. Approval was given. AIF 2. Mr Short reported a loud noise heard in the early hours of the morning thought to be a firework. Mr Short reported that kerbstones in Chapel Street have been partially pushed over when cleaning the ditches. 16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Monday 19 th January 2004.The meeting closed at 10.05pm |
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