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Parish Council Minutes ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 20th May 2002 At 7.00 pm in the Village Hall, Warmington
ATTENDANCE Mr D Rowell (Chairman) 16 Parishioners were also in attendance APOLOGIES : Apologies were received and accepted from Mr P Banbridge, Mr W Du Croz and PC Wareing. ABSENTEES : None ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2002-2003 Chairman: Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Enfield seconded that Mr Rowell continue in the post. AIF. As Mr Bosworth was willing to continue as Vice Chairman and all other officers were willing to continue with their specific areas of responsibility, Mr Cooper proposed and Mr Hinton seconded that they be elected en bloc. AIF APPROVAL AND SIGNING OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18th MARCH 2002 AND OF THE INTERIM MEETING HELD ON 19th APRIL 2002. It was agreed that these be signed as a true and accurate record of events. AIF. SIGNING OF THE ACCOUNTS AND SUPPORTING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2002. Mr Hinton proposed and Mrs Hodges seconded that these be signed as accurate records. AIF CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT Mr Rowell reported a busy year with a number of changes. The new Code of Conduct was introduced bringing more openness and hopefully more decision making at village level. The Village Design Statement has been initiated and is now in the capable hands of Mr Du Croz. A new accounting system has come into force, the third in about 5 years. The next project would seem to be Quality Councils. A new streetlighting system has been introduced in Stamford Lane, Eaglethorpe and Chapel Street and will be continued in the future to Orchard Close and Broadgate Way. Allotments will be available in the autumn courtesy of Elton Estates. Elton Estates have also handed the Leisure Field over to the village and it is anticipated that improvements will be made to this and sporting groups attracted. A new permitted way has been established from Buntings Lane past the old monument to Nene Pastures. An Interpretation Panel has been installed in Church Lane with artwork courtesy of Chris Ellard. Tree and bulb planting has been carried out with help from a willing group of villagers and wildflower seed has been sown at the entrance to Nene Pastures. A new tree has been planted by Mr Knott in Spinney Close. The Electricity board has undergrounded many overhead cables in the village although this has been somewhat spoilt by BT putting up more poles at Eaglethorpe. This is a problem which is still to be resolved. The village obtained an Award For All at Northampton. A new seat was installed in Church Lane courtesy of the Brudenell family. The Pocket Park at Big Green is to be transferred into the ownership of the village. In January Miss Davey addressed the Parish Council with requests from the youth of the village and these requests are being considered. Mr Derek Thomas has very successfully put the village on the World Wide Web. The Parish Council has been given a Health Check by NALC and our Clerk has been nominated for the "Clerk of the year Award". In April, following problems with the planning department at ENC, a meeting was held with Phil Hope MP, ENC and other local officials. The Parish Council has given encouragement to celebrating the Jubilee and supported our Church Jubilee event. This is the final year of the current session and elections will be held in 2003. It is hoped that there will be many standing for the Parish Council, in particular those from the younger generation. With new legislation and a changing environment the job requires time and effort, but it is very worthwhile. The Boat Club have recently celebrated the opening of its new Club House, removing the uncertainty regarding their future created by the redevelopment of the Mill. The Parish Council have always supported the Boat Club and would like to wish them well. A new noticeboard has been made to accommodate the new ROW Map. Not all arguments have been won over the year however and problems still exist with Fired Earth, BT, ENC Planning and NCC Highways. Mr Rowell thanked Councillors, Villagers and the Clerk for all of their assistance over the year. POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT. Mr Cooper expressed PC Wareing’s thanks for the support of the Parish Council over the recent concerns with policing levels. This problem now seems to have been resolved. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. None 10. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Standards Board/Code of Conduct. There are no problems with this and all have signed up to it. Eaglethorpe/ BT/ Fired Earth. A letter was sent to Fired Earth on 30th April to enquire about their intentions with the cables, but to date a reply has not been received. Operation Springclean. This was very successful and a BBQ was held afterwards at the end of the Bunny Run. It may be that next year a social event will be held in the village. A lady from Coventry, visiting the village at the time, wrote to the Parish Council to express her pleasure at what she saw. Village Design Statement. A Third Report from the Group has been received. Mr Enfield proposed and Mr Cooper seconded that the work of the Group to date be endorsed. AIF. It may be that formal consultation can take place on the final draft of the Design Statement at the Parish Council meeting on 18th November, but equally a separate meeting could be held in December. Leisure Field. Mr Moules has very kindly provided spoil for the Leisure Field at no cost and it is his intention to get the field level. Requests for the Leisure Field include skateboard ramps and a tennis court. Mr Dixon is exploring costs of a building and possible grants. Mr Enfield questioned insurance and the skateboard ramps. The Parish Council have £5 million Public Liability Insurance and would have all equipment inspected, but this would be looked into as the need arose. The Parish Council have a £3,000 grant for the Leisure Field from NCC. However, with the problems with the archaeology and the rare grasses, events have not progressed as quickly as they may have done. NCC will be contacted re the grant and what it may or may not cover. Golden Jubilee. On Saturday 1st June events will be run by the Red Lion, on Sunday by the Social Club and on Monday the Church will hold an open-air picnic, evensong and the lighting of a bonfire at Rectory Farm. Highway Matters. Mr Gilder NCC has produced a scheme for the service road opposite the School on Church Street. This road was actually adopted by NCC some years ago. The scheme will then be put forward for funding. Mrs Hodges reported that some of the kerbstones near the new houses in Chapel Street need attention. Mr Cooper stated that Highways are concerned with the block paving of the new houses which extends to the road. This becomes their responsibility and would be very expensive to replace should the need arise. ENC will be contacted for their views on this. NCC have agreed to cut the weeds in the village and then spray them The drains were cleaned last week and a request has been made for ENC to clean the ditch at Big Green. The ditch at Chapel Street has riparian rights attached to it and as such is the responsibility of the householders. Street Lights. MR Millard ABB has visited the village and produced costs for the next phase of streetlights. These will be circulated and discussed. Grass Cutting/rose beds. Mr Short reported no problems with grass cutting. Mr Rowell thanked Mr & Mrs Cooper for cleaning the rose beds. Mr Cooper agreed to look at the rose beds occasionally. Allotments. Elton Estates are to give the village land for allotments in the autumn. All who have expressed an interest have been informed of this. This needs to be discussed and decisions made on size, tenancy, rents etc. Mr Cooper had been approached about water. This needs to be looked into but it may be that a water meter could be considered. Mr Hinton felt that this would prevent travellers from using the water. Access to the allotments will also have to be considered and the width of the entrance to allow access to cars. Pocket Parks. There are no problems with these at present. Conservation/Tree Planting/Red Kite Visit. Mr Dixon reported on the Red Kite event at Fineshade to which the Parish Council were invited. Red Kites have increased from 10 pairs in Wales to 80 birds in Wales, 240 in the Chilterns, 140 in Scotland and 76 in Northants. There is to be a talk in the Drill Hall Oundle on 7th July and events throughout May at Fineshade. Mr Dixon has leaflets. Mr Rowell pointed out that the Parish Council need ideas for tree planting in the Autumn. Small ornamental trees may be planted along Chapel Street and a tree planted by the School where the thorn bush came down. From last years planting only 1 tree failed. Unfortunately NCC have condemned the Lime Tree as unsafe and it will be taken down. Mr Rowell suggested buying a good mature tree to replace it. NCC will be approached to find out how much will be taken down and whether the stump will remain. Mr Dixon asked that all ideas for trees be received before the end of June and then grants can be applied for. NALC Parish Council Health Check. This has now been received and a copy will be given to each Councillor for their perusal. Comments and ideas to be discussed at the next meeting. Best Kept Village Competition. This is usually judged in June and efforts must be made to keep the village tidy. Youth requirements. Mr Rowell opened the meeting for this to be discussed. Youth requirements in the Leisure Field have already been discussed. In addition Mr Constant is helping to create a village Orchestra with a meeting scheduled for next Wednesday and Miss Davey would like to see support for a Youth Club. Present at the meeting was Mr Bail from NCC Lifelong Learning. Mr Bail offered to supply 2 or 3 youth workers once a fortnight to help set the group up. A small amount of funding may also be available. The Parish Council have £50 from the old Youth Club which would also be available. It was felt that a meeting was needed to take this further and link it in with requests for the Leisure Field. The possibility of a meeting on Thursday 27th June will be looked into. Mr Constant has 13 interested in the Orchestra and other offers of help. He would need the support of the Parish Council for initial expenses. It was agreed to cover these costs over the next year up to £100. AIF. The meeting was closed once again. ENC Review of relationships with Town and Parish Councils. Mr Rowell went through the questionnaire which the Clerk will complete and return to ENC. 11. PLANNING Meeting with ENC, Phil Hope MP and CPRE. This meeting went very well and the comments of Phil Hope were very encouraging. ENC seem to have a lot of problems in the area, but are keen to put them behind them. The Parish Council will assess improvements in 12 months time. Applications:- Detached dwelling and garage (change of house type) Plot 1 at 23 Church Street, Warmington. No objection. Mr Cooper suggested that sight of the original plans would help when assessing amendments. Conservatory at Top Lodge Farm, Morborne Road, Warmington. No objection 50m high meterological pole at OP.5565 (TL0989) Rectory Farm Road, Warmington. No objection. Single storey garage and alterations at Ivy House, 47 Stamford Lane, Warmington. The Parish Council object to this in that the house is taking up more and more room on the site. Deletion of condition 2 to allow occupation of the dwelling other than in association with the horticultural use at Thistleholme House and Nursery, Taylors Green, Warmington. The Parish Council object to this application as before. This is a protected area of the village, lying outside the village envelope. The Parish Council feels that if this application is granted it may act as a precedent for others to obtain permission to build in the area. The Parish Council is particularly keen that the area be preserved as it is. Mr Short asked if the agricultural clause has been removed from La Paloma, Broadgate Way. This will be looked into. 12. ACCOUNTS Community A/C (Current) : £1754.74
Accounts submitted for payment Anna Webb Salary and Expenses £334.21 Village Hall Hire £10.00 Cornhill Insurance £314.18 Main BPA (Deposit) : £151.81 Cont. BPA (Contingency) : £3,425.46 d) Pocket Park A/c : £458.62 Mr Dixon enquired about the Pocket Park monies and was informed that the money belonged to the Pocket Park to spend. Adoption of accounts. Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Bosworth seconded that the accounts be adopted. AIF CORRESPONDENCE Since the last meeting in March 50 items of correspondence have been circulated amongst Parish Councillors. In future the number of outgoing post will also be recorded. Current correspondence:- Letter from Mrs Turner re children playing in the Leisure Field and the safety issues in Buntings Lane. After discussion about signs and sleeping policemen in Buntings Lane the majority were in favour of approaching NCC Highways about 2 sleeping policemen either end of Buntings Lane. Correspondence to be circulated :- VDS Group – 3rd Report OUTSTANDING CORRESPONDENCE Fired Earth – Cables at Eaglethorpe 15. PARISH COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS Warmington Charities. Mr Bosworth had little to report. Money had been spent as usual on bus tokens. A request for money for the Jubilee was being considered Village Hall. Mr Enfield reported no problems. There is a meeting in a fortnight Oundle Surgery. Mr Cooper had nothing to report. Road Safety. Nothing to report Conservation. Dealt with earlier Tree Warden. Dealt with earlier Alms Houses. Mr Short had nothing to report Warmington School. Mrs Hodges reported that parts of the School are to be refurbished over the summer. Sports Day is on 6th July i) Rights of Way. Mr Atkinson reported no problems. Elton Estates were contacted about the bridleway which was ploughed. This is to be reinstated. Mr Atkinson questioned whether the Parish Council would contact Elton Estates to ask for limited access to the carriageway through the Fern. It was felt that they may agree to this to enable people to see the flowers. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mr Short pointed out that the underpass still needs reinstating. This to be looked into Mrs Hodges passed the thanks of Mrs McElroy on to Mr Rowell for all of his hard work and concern with the village Mr Dixon reported that the hedge at the corner of Hautboy Lane and Chapel Street needs attention. This to be looked into Mr Cooper felt that it would be nice to have the Cemetery hedge trimmed and possibly some of the tall trees at the back cut back or removed. Advice will be obtained from the Tree Warden. 17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday 9th July 2002 The meeting closed at 9.05pm. |
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