Parish Council Minutes

All planning applications were displayed around the Hall for all to view before the start of the meeting.

a) Parish Councillors’ Responsibilities. Ideas for the smoother and more efficient running of the Parish Council are currently under discussion. Mr Rowell suggested that one such idea would be to divide the village up with a Parish Councillor responsible for each section, largely decided by where they reside. Mr Reid and Mrs Huett both expressed concern about this feeling that they would not want personal callers to their doors day and night. Mrs Huett felt that residents should be encouraged to come to meetings to raise their points of view. To encourage this she suggested holding an open day perhaps on a Saturday where all Parish Councillors could introduce themselves and inform people about the workings of the Parish Council. Mrs Huett felt that this would serve to break down barriers. Mr Cutler considered that it was part and parcel of being a Parish Councillor to be available to residents. He considered accessibility to be very important. Mr Reid suggested trying the scheme for 3 or 6 months and then assessing its merits. Mr Rowell to obtain the views of the 3 Councillors not at the meeting.

b) Highways – Church Street. There are currently big problems with traffic flows, parking etc in Church Street. Mr Fox has once again had to have his guttering replaced after it was displaced by traffic attempting to pass on the very narrow section of road. It is hoped to have a representative from NCC Highways present at the next meeting and to this end consideration should be given to ways of tackling the problems. Mr Rowell suggested that ideas could include traffic calming, modification to the pathway opposite the vicarage, some such item as the Bell in Hautboy Lane, roadway widening, the use of smaller single decker buses, a 7½ ton weight limit and a 20mph speed limit. The chairman allowed Mr Fox to put forward his point of view. Mr Fox stated that there is not room for two larger vehicles to pass near his house. Of necessity they have to mount the kerb causing damage to the kerbstones. The kerbstones have been raised and this has helped to some extent. Water also splashes up on the sides of the house causing problems with damp proofing. Mr Bosworth suggested that a one way system similar to that at Polebrook should be considered for this particular area. Mr Rowell suggested that Church Street in its entirety needs to be looked at. Parking in the area is particularly abysmal. Ideas are required for the next meeting. The problems could also be raised at the Community Safety meeting in the village hall on Wednesday 3rd September.

c) Public Transport. Jacqui Shorley from EN Track is to attend the next meeting. Mr Rowell has attempted to question bus users about the bus service but has obtained mixed opinions. One person questioned would like the bus to stop in the village, another thought the express service was good but pointed out that when you added the time taken to walk from the village it was no longer as quick as it should have been. Mr Rowell asked that consideration be given to the matter for the next meeting and people be asked for their views where appropriate.

d) Litter Pick. Mrs Huett to consider this further. The village is not too bad at the moment.

e) Tree Warden. Mr Buchannan has declined to be Tree Warden. Mr Reid kindly offered to take over the role together with conservation officer. He will report back to the meeting re any trees etc in need of attention. Mr Enfield has very kindly offered to donate £100 for a small oak tree in the village. Mrs Huett pointed out that shoots from the old tree in Church Street are growing up around "Sarah’s Tree". Mr Rowell to have a word with Mr Lacey.

a) Papers from ENC re the District Council Election for Lower Nene Ward to be held on September 25th

b) ENC - Details of a Civic Service to be held on 12th October.

c) Letter from Elton Parish Council requesting any further information that the Parish Council may receive re Elton Estates reservoir. Mr Rowell understands that the application is to be heard on September 6th and it also seems likely that the public are to have some access to the wildlife in the area.

d) The next Community Safety meeting is on Wednesday 3rd September in Warmington Village Hall at 7.30pm

e) Victim Support have requested a donation – to be on the agenda for the next meeting.

a) Mr Rowell and Mr Cutler met with Mr Hoyes, Elton Estates re outstanding matters at Nene Pastures, namely the trees, the ownership of the small borders of land and the footpath through the Social Club. Mr Hoyes suggested that Elton Estates would support the Parish Council re the footpath, although not contribute financially. The footpath is currently in the hands of NCC. The Clerk to collect together all of the paperwork re the footpath.

b) Mr Reid raised the question of the state of the footpath from Nene Pastures to Chapel Street. This is still the responsibility of Taylor Woodrow. Mr Reid also asked about the hole in the hedge at the Stamford Lane allotments. The allotments holders are to build a hand gate here. Mr Reid asked if the Parish Council could pay for the posts to prevent parking on the grass in Church Lane – this to be discussed at the next meeting.

c) Mr Short reported that the hole in the road in Broadgate way has now been filled in. Lawn clippings have been tipped in Taylors Green.

d) Mrs Huett asked about the positioning of 30mph speed limit and was informed that there are certain criteria that are followed for their placement. To move them elsewhere would cost a lot of money.