Parish Council Minutes

a) Public Transport – Mr Dixon outlined attempts that have been made to reroute the X4 bus service through the village and the reasons for this. At present there are no buses that go through the village between 4.30pm and 6.30am. This necessitates a walk to the village, often in the dark. Attempts to obtain a written reply from Stagecoach regarding this have, to date, been unsuccessful, despite having involved the MP. Verbally Stagecoach have stated that funding would be required to reroute the bus. Mr Dixon suggested inviting E N Track to a meeting. They provide grants for transport and may be able to assist in this matter. AIF. Mr Cutler suggested finding out how many people would use this bus service. Mr Bosworth pointed out that people are often willing to walk to the A605 to catch the bus because it is a much faster service. He feels that it would be better to leave the X4 service as it is and try to get another service to run through the village. Mr Rowell suggested bringing the item up at the next Community Safety Meeting and this was considered to be a good idea.

Mr Constant expressed his view that the recent Public Transport Strategy Document was a waste of money and did not deal with the issues that it could have done. It was agreed to write expressing this point of view.

b) Highway Matters. Mr Short reported that there is still a hole in the road in Broadgate Way and Mrs Hodges reported that one of the manhole covers in Broadgate Way is still standing proud. Highways to be informed. Highways have been informed of various hedges requiring attention – the hedge at the back of Acremead, the bush in Broadgate Way and the hedge near the ford in Church Street. Mr Short has agreed to arrange to have the thistles cut on Taylors Green. The footpath between Chapel Street and Dexter Way needs clearing but this is the responsibility of Taylor Woodrow.

c) Street Lights. All Parish Councillors now have lists of street lights together with a map. Lamp No 3 opposite the Manor House was recently removed in error by EMEB. They have agreed to place an order to replace the lamp.

d) Allotments. Mr Hoyes, Elton Estates has stated that he will give the Parish Council an Allotment Agreement as soon as possible. The annual rent is to be £50.

The Parish Council agreed to all of the above points including purchasing the shed as already agreed. An Agreement is first required from Elton Estates in order to establish their position on the use of sheds.

An order has been placed for fencing. The Clerk to chase this up.

e) Open Spaces and Greens. Mr Constant suggested using this strategy in order to identify areas for tree and bulb planting. Mr Rowell suggested that open spaces were identified in order to protect them from building. Various maps are still in circulation. To be discussed further at the next meeting.

f) Nene pastures Play area. Mr Rowell has received a telephone call from Taylor Woodrow stating that the fencing for the play area will be complete by the end of September. Taylor Woodrow seem concerned that the Parish Council will not be taking over all green spaces. This tends to be the function of NCC. If the Parish Council did take them over they would need an endowment in order to maintain them. Mr Dixon pointed out that we are still waiting for a plan regarding the areas of communal land where ownership is debatable. Mr Rowell suggested that this would also be dealt with by the end of September.

g) Village Design Statement. A letter has been received from Mr Du Croz stating that at present the publication of the Design Statement is being held up by delays at ENC

h) Domesday Book. The section detailing members of the Parish Council has now been updated. At present there is only one key to the Cabinet and attempts are being made to have another one cut, but it has been found to be an unusual key.

i) Best Kept Village. No judges have been visible around the village.

j) Bulb and tree planting. A number of the new trees have died. Rasells Nurseries to be approached about this. After discussion it was agreed that Mr Dixon and Mr Constant draw up a plan for planting for the future. Suggestions for autumn planting included Eaglethorpe and outside the Cemetery. Mr Constant proposed and Mr Dixon seconded that £100 be spent on autumn planting. AIF.

k) Standing Orders. Mr Rowell read out the existing Standing Orders. It was agreed to add to these procedures relating to the Standards Board.

l) Parish Council Sub Committees. Mr Constant’s letter regarding sub-committees had been circulated. Views on this were mixed. Mr Cutler suggested that although accountability is very important he considered that this would not be a problem with all sub committees reporting back at main meetings. Mr Bosworth was against the idea feeling that all parishioners have a right to attend all meetings. Further he felt that all decisions would need to be ratified by the full Parish Council anyway. Mrs Hodges felt that it would mean more meetings and therefore a bigger commitment for Parish Councillors. Mr Constant pointed out that it is necessary to distinguish between policy making and detail. He feels that the Council needs to establish the policy and then fill in the detail. Mr Constant suggested that sub committees could draw upon the expertise of other people.

Mr Constant suggested that with Development and Planning in particular the Parish Council should reflect the views of the residents. For this reason a strategy should be drawn up for making decisions on all Development and Planning matters. Mrs Hodges suggested that she and other Parish Councillors favoured a more personal approach. She suggested site visits and personal approaches to neighbours to ascertain their views.

Mr Dixon suggested a pilot scheme of setting up one sub committee and then assessing its value.

It was agreed to contact NALC for advice on sub committees and any examples they may have of other Parish Councils utilising such schemes. To be discussed again at the next meeting.

m) Car parking/green spaces. Parking on the grass in Church Lane is causing problems. The use of notices on cars has not really worked. Mr Constant suggested establishing a policy re parking on green spaces. In this case he suggested putting up posts and possibly a chain although Mrs Hodges felt that this would encourage children to swing on it. NCC to be approached for advice.

o) Fly tipping in Orchard Pocket Park. ENC have been contacted re this problem. They suggest that the Parish Council write to the residents about it. It was agreed that this should be done.

p) Litter Pick. Mrs Huett’s idea was to have an additional litter pick in the autumn. Mr Rowell to have a word with her about this.

q) Provision of gas. Transco have now supplied the Parish Council with up to date figures for this. If it is assumed that there are 432 properties in the scheme, Transco would require a minimum of 121 to agree to the contribution of £2,742 for the mains element. In addition there would be a standard connection charge of £312 giving a total cost per household of £3,054. The Parish Council felt that this was far too expensive to proceed further. Mrs Cunningham to be informed.

a) The Malt House, 61, Church Street – Conservatory at rear – Planning permission received

b) America Farm buildings - Alterations to convert part of farm to office accommodation. Planning permission received

c) Thistleholme House and Nursery – Two storey side extension. Planning permission received

d) Rectory Farm – Conversion of farm buildings into B1 offices. Planning permission received

e) Land adjacent the Red Lion – Erection of two four bedroom detached houses. Planning permission refused

f) 34 Big Green – Two storey side extension – Application withdrawn.

g) Springville House, Little Green – Erection of single storey dwelling. Objections made to this application. Both Mr Rowell and Mr Bosworth had been approached by the applicant about this and at one point the applicant was considering attending the meeting with a model.

h) 44 Big Green – Dwelling with garage and associated access drive. Amended Application. It was agreed to discuss this at the end of the meeting so that Mr Dixon could participate in the rest of the meeting.

a) Alms Houses. Mr Short reported a leaking roof. Mr Bosworth pointed out that this has been temporarily fixed by Mr Adams who is preparing a quote for a new roof.

b) Village Hall. Mr Cutler reported that a new noticeboard has been commissioned.

c) Rights of Way. The permitted footpath between Buntings Lane and Nene Pastures needs clearing. Elton Estates have been informed.

e) Warmington Charities. Mr Bosworth reported that the Charity meets again in October.

f) Warmington School. Mrs Hodges reported that extensions are taking place during the holidays. In September there will be 60+ children and additional staff. The Sports Day was well attended and the children put on a lovely play with singing at the end of term. The leavers were given vouchers by the PFA.

g) Leisure Field. Dealt with earlier

h) Allotments. Dealt with earlier

i) Tree Warden. Mr Buchanan has been approached to be Tree Warden, but no reply has been received to date.

j) Road Safety. The Parish Council should soon be notified re Safety Boards.