BROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
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BROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL |
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| Present | Cllr. Mrs. MC Rust (in the Chair). Cllrs. R Baxter, P Chaplin, Mrs. JL Farenden, Mrs. RA Gresham, LA Manning, Mrs. JR Page, R Shrive, and AJP Stamper. Sergeant T Hopkins of Northamptonshire Police. |
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| 07/5931 |
APOLOGIES. Apologies were tendered by Cllrs. Mrs. HJ Bull and Mrs. PA Cope. |
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| 07/5932 | MINUTES. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 21 November 2007, copies having been circulated, were approved by members and signed by the Chairman after it being agreed that the issue concerning Friends of Broughton Cemetery (07/5920) had been raised by Cllr. Baxter, and that the minutes should also record the Council’s view that the new development at Gables Farm was better named in terms of being a ‘Close’ or ‘Court’, rather than a ‘Lane’; this view having been communicated to the Borough Council. |
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| 07/5933 |
POLICE REPORT. Members received a briefing from Sergeant Hopkins who first raised the issue of distraction burglaries locally; it being confirmed that one individual had been targeted on repeat occasions. Councillors were accordingly requested to raise awareness of this type of offence with their more vulnerable constituents. The meeting then heard that steps were in hand to address the ongoing issue of roof lead thefts that had impacted locally; Operation ‘Pilfer’ having been set up to focus particular resources and counter-measures on the issue. In terms of recent crime reports, and in addition to the usual monthly crime report breakdown (copied herewith), members heard that a report of blackmail had been received and police were also investigating an air-weapon offence. Sergeant Hopkins then reported upon the meeting of the Community Panel that had occurred on 18 December, where the Parish Council had been well represented. This had been effective in setting three local priorities for the ensuing period and members heard these would be traffic speed (especially on Kettering and Northampton Roads), enhancing perceived police presence through increasing visible patrolling, and anti-social behaviour/juvenile nuisance affecting Mawsley. In respect of the police presence issue, the meeting heard that this would be assisted by the planned rollout of the network link and workbook based ‘mini-station’ to be provided at the village hall from around the end of January 2008. This would be of considerable assistance in enabling police officers to remain available locally for longer given it would lessen the need for office based working. Sergeant Hopkins left the meeting at 7.13pm |
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| 07/5934 | RIGHT TO SPEAK. No members of the public took advantage of this facility. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 07/5935 | MATTERS ARISING. Arising from 07/5920, the meeting heard that a detailed letter had now been received from the County Highways Engineers following the recent village walkaround. Given the degree of detail in this, it was agreed the letter be placed on circulation at the January meeting. In respect of the High Street zebra crossing in particular, and the proximity of this to the adjacent access serving the new housing development there, Cllr. Manning proposed and it was duly agreed that additional information be requested concerning the safety audit stated to have been undertaken, as the stated position did not appear to reflect the process as was understood to be lawfully required. Specifically, there was no mention of a ‘stage 3 safety audit’ as was believed necessary under the applicable Section 278 agreement provisions. Arising from the same issue, the Chair reported that notwithstanding the indication contained in the letter received from the County Council, it had been ascertained that the proposed improvements for the Pytchley crossroads junction were still included on the programme for 2008/09. Arising from 07/5911, it was reported that the request for addition dog waste or dual use bins at Butts Lane and at Northampton Road had been acknowledged by the Borough Council and referred for inclusion in any future provision lists. Arising from 07/5924, the Chair confirmed that the continuing maintenance difficulties with this area had now been referred to Andrew Leighton at the County Council, building upon the existing dialogue concerning village highway related matters. Arising from 07/5917, the Chair reported that due to ongoing reorganisation of the Borough Council housing function, her discussions with the St Andrews Court manager had necessarily been held in abeyance but would be revisited following the Christmas break when some outcomes should be known. Arising from 07/5928, the Chair confirmed contact had been initiated with the County Emergency Planning team in order to explore how local contingencies might best be worked up. Arising from 07/5917, and in response to concerns expressed in relation to the late provision of the festive lights, the meeting heard that there was some difficulty being reported by the Borough Council with capacity to undertake the work and this was also being attributed to perceived ‘lateness’ of the request made by the Parish Council. Notwithstanding this had now been a regular arrangement for some years, and that the same was generally communicated around the same point in the year, it seemed notification was preferred during the summer. Members noted the exchanges that had occurred, noted that the display should be provided ‘shortly’, and agreed that festive lights be an item for the July agenda next year in order to avoid similar difficulties arising. Arising from 07/5909, the Vice-Chairman enquired whether anything had been heard from the Co-op in connection with the request to erect a village notice board on the flank wall of the premises adjacent to the High Street store. The Clerk confirmed an acknowledgement had been received by telephone that was favourable so far as the local manager was concerned and the matter had been referred to the Co-op head office for the necessary licence to be issued. Arising from 07/5926, the Vice-Chairman confirmed that an inspection of the war memorial had been undertaken and the same had been found to be in good repair with no safety issues apparent. Arising from 07/5928, it was reported that three quotations had been received from local print contractors in respect of the production of Broughton News 2008. These were as follows, all not being subject to VAT:- Printhaus - £1,105 Admiral Design and Print - £690 Marchean Press - £560 Consequently, it was agreed to accept the quotation received from Marchean Press, although it did need to be clarified that a slightly increased number of copies of the finished publication would be needed over previous years given the amount of new development in the village recently. 1000 copies (as opposed to 970) were considered to be sufficient. |
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| 07/5936 | CORRESPONDENCE. The following items of correspondence were reported and action, as detailed, was agreed to be taken, with other general items being placed on circulation:- a) An invitation to renew membership of the Society of Local Council Clerks. At the suggestion of the Chair, this was agreed to be held over until the January meeting. b) A communication received from Bee Bee Developments Ltd, providing a copy of that company’s ‘Working Together’ proposal for delivering the growth agenda in North Northamptonshire. This was placed on circulation and members were reminded the document had no official status. c) A copy of a letter as sent by the County Pocket Parks Officer to the St Andrews Church Youth Group, expressing thanks to all members involved in the recent work party held on 18 November. Councillors heard this had been a successful event and that much foreign matter had been removed from the pond, thus improving the habitat afforded by it. The group had been awarded a reference book on dragonflies in recognition of their hard work. d) A pack of the most recent edition of the Highways Agency roadworks and journey planner leaflet, for local distribution. e) A letter received from Mr A Betts, proprietor of Personalize Imaging and Graphic Services, confirming his wish to withdraw from the village map project. Members agreed that this project should be an agenda item for the January meeting. |
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| 07/5937 | REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDING MEETINGS OF OTHER BODIES. Cllr. Baxter reported that the annual distribution of the Broughton Charities of Bentham and Others had occurred successfully during the week. Cllr. Shrive reported further upon the meeting of the Community Panel, particularly touching upon the frequency of meetings of this body (three monthly), the ability for the Parish Council to participate in and influence it, and the process of residents’ survey that was being used to inform business. Cllr. Mrs. Farenden then reported upon the last meeting of the Village Hall committee, with members hearing that booking levels were steady, electrical work to the hall was ongoing, a system of separate key to distinct areas was being introduced to better control access and security, the main hall floor was to be stripped and refinished, and a system of deposits against rubbish disposal had been adopted following a recent hiring where unacceptable mess had been left. The minutes of the November meeting were placed on circulation. Cllr. Mrs. Page then reported upon her attendance at the feedback session for the ‘Kettering Futures’ event considering current town centre development proposals for Kettering. The meeting heard that there had been five working groups looking at issues concerning the core town centre, the Market Place, transport and parking, the railway station, and the area around Ebenezer Place and Jobs Yard, with many ideas being captured. A further meeting was to occur on 5 February 2008. |
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| 07/5938 | DEVELOPMENT CONTROL. Planning Applications submitted for the Parish Council’s observations:- The following applications were considered with no observations resulting:- The Rectory (rear of) Single dwelling (plot 1) Mr. Bailey 13 Church Street Extend/enlarge garage Mr. Horrix The following application was considered and it was agreed that the Council would object on the basis that the submitted proposal envisaged an over-large dwelling that would be out of keeping with surrounding properties that would, in turn, be over-dominated. Members agreed they would prefer to see a more modest design on this plot:- Gables Farm (plot 4) Convert barn and extensions Polpark Ltd Planning Decisions reported:- The following decisions, being Approvals with conditions, were reported:- 46 High Street Convert outbuildings to annex Mr. C Hughes 58 High Street Extension and garage Mr. D Hill Millbank, Kettering Rd Retain garden store and alter shed Mr. Hammond |
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| 07/5939 | FINANCE (including precepting). The following items of income and expenditure were agreed:-
Precepting |
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| 07/5940 | TIN CAN BAND. The meeting heard that this event had gone off ‘quietly’ this year, with no reports of damage being caused on this occasion. In the order of 52 attendees had been present and no objections to the marshals had been received on the night although here had been some disquiet expressed and brought to members’ attention in advance. The more organised/planned route seemed to have been successful and the attendance of two Community Support Officers had been beneficial, with thanks being due for the police support shown. |
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| 07/5941 | TIME CAPSULE. Members noted this was due to be retrieved and opened on 4 December 2094. |
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| 07/5942 | GENERAL INTEREST ITEMS. Cllr. Shrive reported that the Parish Council page on the local website was building nicely, with more content steadily being added. In this respect, it was agreed that the agenda for the January meeting include an item for the agreeing of arrangements for providing member photographs. In respect of the Parish Plan project, it was reported that ACRE was making available an additional grant of £1,000 given that associated expenses had been rather higher than anticipated largely due to the level of local interest and initiative uptake. |
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| 07/5943 | DATE OF NEXT MEETING. It was reported that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be on Wednesday 16 January 2008, at 7:00pm in the Village Hall. |
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| 07/5944 |
URGENT ITEMS ADMITTED BY THE CHAIR. The following items were admitted for discussion by the Chair:- None were raised. The meeting was closed at approximately 9.00pm.
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16 January 2008 Chair |