Village Design Statement Steering Committee

Warmington Village Design Statement.

Minutes of the first meeting of the Steering Group,

held on 24 January 2002, 7.30 pm:  Village Hall.

Steering Group members present:  William Du Croz, Judy Stroud, Jane Brant, Andy Crouch, Graham Yeatman, Lindsey Reed

Apologies:  Annette Solt, Robert Brant, David Constant, Bob Davey, Peter Banbridge.

Attending:  Chris Wade & Amy Boud (Rockingham Forest Trust), John Hoyes (Elton Estates), Karen Ure, John Dixon, Chloe Furze, Amanda Forrest, Andrew Harland, Paula Bosworth, Irene Ellard, Graham Reid, Mrs Reid, Mike Dixon, Derek Thomas, Jackie Johnson, Rob Johnson, Angela Martin, Roger Hawkins.

1.  Welcome and introduction:  William Du Croz opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking Chris Wade and Amy Bowd from Rockingham Forest Trust (RFT) for attending.  He emphasised the importance of encouraging everyone to come to meetings and to express their thoughts and ideas at any stage.  He outlined progress to date and hoped that the VDS would encompass the whole extent of the parish and include both the built and natural environment.

2.  Constitution:  A copy of the draft was given to all present.  It had previously been widely circulated and is endorsed by the Parish Council and Northamptonshire ACRE.  The Constitution was unanimously adopted.

3.  Steering Group:  The Steering Group, formed from residents attending the meeting on 29 November 2001 proposed the following officers.

            Chairman                              William Du Croz

            Vice Chairman                      David Constant

            Treasurer                              Robert Brant

            Joint Secretaries                   Annette Solt

                                                       Judy Stroud

No further nominations were made.  The office holders were proposed by Mike Dixon, seconded by Lindsey Reed and unanimously agreed.  The officers were duly elected.

4.  Review of Outputs from the Meeting on 29 November 2001:  Following the November meeting, when small groups discussed different aspects of the VDS process, a number of topics were discussed:

(i)  Publicity.  It was agreed that a logo was a good idea.  The final design must be compatible with the final report design and easily reproducable.  ACTION:  All to bring ideas for producing a design to the next meeting.

Help will be needed with publicity and it was agreed that a publicity officer should be recruited.  ACTION:  Suggestions/volunteers by next meeting.  As well as articles in Four All explaining the next stage and the workshop on 27 April, correspondence raising various issues in Four All and the local press could spark constructive debate.  Local Radio and Television should be approached before the workshop.  Publicity at village events such as the School Summer Celebration and the Jubillee Party, and through the Warmington Website would all help to raise the VDS profile.  All village societies have been contacted so that there is no clash of events on 27 April.

The idea of a village competition or treasure hunt around the whole parish was agreed.  ACTION: Bring further ideas to, or volunteer to organise this, at the next meeting.

(ii)  Development Now.  If any major planning applications come forward during the VDS process, it was agreed that the Steering Group would forward comments to the Parish Council for them to take forward to the Planning Authority.  The document 'Building on Tradition', produced by RFT and endorsed by ENC Planning Department should be consulted by the Parish Council and VDS Steering Group for all planning application deliberations.  Chris Wade emphasised the importance of influencing the forthcoming Local Plan review and storing any unadopted good ideas for future opportunities in influencing local planning.  He endorsed the procedure of sending comments on planning applications to the Parish Council.  Geddington VDS Group have commented on a new housing proposal in this way.

Following the erection of telegraph poles by BT at Eaglethorpe, the need to be in touch with the utilities as well as the planning authority is important, as is maintaining good dialogue with Colin Ray at ENC Planning Department.  Various initiatives such as 'Building on Tradition, Quality Parish Councils, 'Vital Villages' and VDSs will all encourage planning authorities to take more notice of the opinions of local people.

(iii)  Timetable for completing the VDS.  The Village Workshop on 27 April will focus on identifying what residents of Warmington consider important in both the built and natural environment of the parish.  They will be encouraged to give ideas verbally or written.  The February meeting will begin planning for this event.  The Workshop will run all day with lunch but people are free to come for as long as they are able.

May - August 2002 will be the principal preparation time for the VDS involving residents of all ages and taking displays of our community to village events.  The older Warmington School pupils will be doing a project on the village in the summer term which could link in to the VDS.  ACTION:  The Chairman to ask Bob Davey to pursue this with Valerie Machin.  The Chairman has written to Prince William School, Oundle Middle School and Oundle School inviting students to undertake project work in the village linked to their studies.  It was also agreed that getting historical information from older residents will be vital.  Novel and original ideas are required to keep interest alive.  ACTION:  Everyone to think of ideas.

In September it is hoped to launch the first draft for consultation with a final draft ready for December.  This will probably go to the Project Board in January 2003 before going to ENC for endorsement.

(iv)  Fundraising.  The total cost will be in the region of £3,500 - £5,000 depending on the final production.  The Parish Council have given £300.  ACTION:  We need volunteers to help with this as a priority as letters to potential supporters will need careful preparation.  A small sub-group should be set up.

(v)  Organising ourselves.  Opening a bank account is the first step.  Jane Brant was asked to pass a Barclays information pack to Robert to start proceedings.  Copies of agendas and minutes need to be circulated to Steering Group, Project Board, Parish Council, District Councillor, County Councillor, Elton Estates and Warmington Website to keep all informed.  It was agreed to have main meetings in the Village Hall but sub-group meetings could be at other venues to include as many people as possible.

(vi)  Consulting with Residents in Warmington.  Prior to the Workshop a newsletter/leaflet must be sent to every house in the parish.  Ideas need to be circulated before the next meeting.  A Village Walk and a Farm Walk were agreed.  Robert Bosworth has agreed to write a history of Warmington and might lead a village walk for us.  Old photos, aerial photos and books need to be sought too.

(vii)  Involving Others.  The key to success is how the VDS will be used when produced.  It was agreed to consider holding a meeting/debate with planners, developers, builders estate agents, landowners and others to find out what influences development.  If held once the first draft was completed this would help in its revision.  RFT agreed to help.  Also dialogue with relevant organisations was considered important eg Countryside Agency, Wildlife Trust, CPRE, other villages engaged in VDS process or completed one.  The Warmington Website will be important.  ENC are aware that Warmington are carrying out a VDS and have wished us well.  It was suggested that a Village Design Noticeboard with photos would be useful.  There is no noticeboard at all in Nene Pastures.  ACTION:  Mike Dixon to discuss this with the Parish Council.

5.  Any Other Business.  Amanda Forest showed us photos of the telegraph poles at Eaglethorpe and everyone was invited to sign a letter of objection about the poles.

6.  Date of next meeting.  Thursday 21 February 2002, Village Hall, 7.30 pm.

Close of meeting 9.10 pm