Council Meeting Minutes

BROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL

WebSTAT - Free Web Statistics


Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council, held at Broughton Village Hall on 
Wednesday, 20 February 2008, commencing at 7.00pm.

  (Please note these minutes are not a definitive record until they are approved, and may be subject to amendment)

Present Cllr. Mrs. MC Rust (in the Chair).

Cllrs. R Baxter, Mrs. HJ Bull, P Chaplin, Mrs. PA Cope, Mrs. JL Farenden, Mrs. RA Gresham, 
Cllr. R Shrive and AJP Stamper.

PCSO P Miller of Northamptonshire Police.
Prior to the commencement of business, those present observed a minute in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of former Councillor and Chair of the Parish Council, Mr. Malcolm Darlow, who had passed away on 23 January 2008.
08/5960 APOLOGIES.  Apologies were tendered by Cllrs.LA Manning, Mrs. JR Page, 
08/5961 MINUTES. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 16 January 2008, copies having been circulated, were approved by members and signed by the Chairman after it was agreed that minute 08/5949 should reflect the festive lights belonging to the Parish Council had yet to be returned
08/5962 RIGHT TO SPEAK. No members of the public took advantage of this facility.
08/5963 POLICE REPORT.  Members received a briefing from PCSO Paul Miller who first introduced himself as a further member of the new local Safer Community Team.

PCSO Miller briefed councillors on recent reported crimes, these being four minor items only (breakdown appended), and then updated those present on the current focus of police activity in the village. Specifically, the meeting heard that traffic speed checks were continuing, and that high visibility patrolling would be in evidence. In response to a question on the former, it was confirmed that although no figures were kept as to the number of drivers dealt with, it was considered the initiative was working as less were now being caught.

Also in respect of speeding, Cllr. Baxter mentioned that there were a number of temporary interactive signs, that displayed actual recorded speeds, that had been seen in various locations around the County. It was wondered whether such would be of benefit in the village? The meeting heard these were likely to be a County Council initiative but enquiries would be made.

PCSO Miller raised a query as to whether it would be possible for a police bicycle to be stored at the Village Hall, to be accessed and used for patrolling the village. It was agreed this should be referred to the Village Hall Committee.

Cllr. Bull raised the issue of damage being caused to cars, and mentioned two specific cases in Baker and Donaldson Avenues in order that local officers could be aware of the problem. 

PCSO Miller left the meeting at 7.10pm. 
08/5964 MATTERS ARISING. Arising from 08/5950, it was confirmed that following further consideration of the proposed locations for the lighting columns on the new development off High Street, concern did exist that the extent of the site furthest off High Street might prove to be rather dark and this should be advised to the developer.

Arising from 08/5949, it was reported that an enquiry of the current Emergency Planning Team had not resulted in any information being revealed about facilities in Broughton. In connection with the forthcoming seminar events, the material provided to the chair by the County Council was placed on circulation for members’ reference.

Arising also from 08/5949 and in connection with the village map project, it was reported that enquiries of Cranford Parish Council had revealed that the display in Cranford comprised a print of the County supplied Definitive Map of public rights of way, and not a bespoke map commissioned or produced by the council. Accordingly, it was agreed to make this issue an agenda item for the March meeting and to make further enquiries of the Borough Council and another local parish where there was thought to be such a display.

Arising from 08/5950, the Vice-Chairman reported that the High Street notice board had now been erected at its new location on the flank wall of the premises adjoining 19a High Street (adjacent to the Co-op store entrance), and this was thought to be an ideal position. Whilst considering notice boards, it was reported that keys to the Grange Road cabinet were now held by Cllr. Baxter, who could facilitate access. 

Arising from 08/5955, Cllr. Shrive advised that the photographs of members and the Clerk taken at the last meeting had now been uploaded to the parish council area of the Broughton Village website. 

Arising from 08/5953, Cllr. Mrs. Bull requested and it was agreed that a ‘thank you’ be sent to Borough Cllr. Perry for the contribution of £65 that had facilitated the policing of the last Tin Can Band event.

Arising from 08/5949, the Chair reported a further ‘near miss’ arising from the missing road markings off the A43. On this occasion, cars had been positioned incorrectly within the confines of the junction such that the entrance to the road into the village was obstructed. Members heard the reservation was frequently affected by this problem too and a danger clearly resulted. Additionally, in respect of this junction, the meeting was reminded that the bund and verge on the Kettering Road approach was still in serious need of tidying/maintenance and this should be pursued with the County Council.

Arising from 08/5957, the Chair reported that the stile footplate had been repaired but that, as a consequence, the drop into the field was now too high.
.
08/5965 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:  

  1. A letter received from the Borough Council’s Head of Housing, in response to the concerns raised about proposed changes to the organisation of warden provision for sheltered housing schemes, including that at St Andrews Court. Members noted what was said but also noted that little information was given concerning the actual resulting levels of service to be enjoyed at the facilities affected. Additionally, it was reported that at a recent Borough budget consultation meeting, when this issue had been raised, council officers had indicated further consultation around the proposed changes was to occur. Consequently, it was agreed that the Head of Housing should be written to again, seeking further information. 

  2. A letter received from the Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer for Kettering Area, seeking financial assistance to support the continuation of her post, which was explained as being under threat due to funding constraints. Members agreed to respond, declining assistance on the basis of fundamental opposition to being asked to underwrite facilities that were more properly funded directly. 

  3. A letter from the co-ordinator of Barton and Cranford First Responders, a volunteer group established to provide support to the East Midlands Ambulance Service by attending Category A emergencies alongside regular ambulance crews. By being on call from local communities, the meeting heard a quicker response is often possible and volunteers are fully trained in emergency life-saving techniques, including defibrillator use where necessary.  

    The purpose of the letter was to seek financial assistance toward the cost of acquiring a number of defibrillators (cost estimated at approximately £2,500 each), to be used by volunteers. After some discussion, councillors agreed to support this initiative by way of formally pledging to contribute 10% towards the cost of such apparatus as will be used to cover the area including Broughton, to a maximum of £250, provided sufficient funds are secured from other sources in order for the proposed purchase to proceed. 

  4. An invitation from Northamptonshire ACRE, to the launch of a new green space toolkit for local communities. Where this event was of interest but coincided with the meeting date for the council meeting to be held on 16 April, it was agreed to decline the invitation but request sight of any related literature. 

  5. A letter from Family Housing Ltd of 42 High Street, confirming that the overgrown hedge at that property (notified to the proprietor in December of last year) would be dealt with ‘as soon as possible’. 

  6. A consultation received from the County Council, seeking views on proposed standards of operational response. This was referred to the County Matters Committee. 

  7. A letter from Inspector Aistrop of Northamptonshire Police, seeking attendance of a parish representative at the next meeting of the Rural Community Panel, on 16 April at 7.30pm. 
    Cllr. Shrive agreed to attend notwithstanding this clashed with a parish council meeting. 

  8. A consultation received from Kettering Borough Council, concerning the Choice Based Lettings initiative proposed by that authority for introduction by 2010. This was referred to the District Matters Committee for consideration. 

  9. A letter received from the Monitoring Officer, providing information around the possibility of obtaining dispensations to facilitate member discussion of matters that they might otherwise be precluded from on the basis of prejudicial interest. Councillors noted the information but agreed there was little likelihood of such circumstances arising in respect of Broughton. 

  10. Notification from the Audit Commission that BDO Stoy Hayward LLP has been appointed as auditor to the parish council for a further five year period, commencing from 2007/08. 

  11. A letter received from the Campaign to Protect Rural England, notifying of an event to be held on 15 April, at Cranford; being on the theme of ‘Northants Planning and Landscapes’. After hearing the intended programme, it was agreed to consider the need to attend at the next council meeting, in March. 

  12. A letter received from Northamptonshire Carers Forum, seeking support for a proposed information initiative involving visits to various local villages in partnership with Corby Voluntary Community Services. The Chair offered to liaise with the project co-ordinator in order to facilitate. 

  13. Cllr. Mrs Bull reported that a communication had been received from Kettering Borough Council indicating that previously allocated funding, to be used for improving the facilities and environment of the High Street recreation ground, had been withdrawn. Despite this disappointing news, steps were still being taken by Borough officers to secure assistance from other sources to secure the provision of a replacement football goal there following removal of the previous equipment. Whilst considering the recreation ground, Cllr. Baxter reminded the meeting that there remained outstanding the need to replant the damaged/missing Horse Chestnut trees to complete the sequence there

08/5966 REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDING MEETINGS OF OTHER BODIES.
 The Chair reported upon her attendance at the Borough Council budget consultation meeting held at the end of January, where it had been reported that the Government had imposed a three year grant settlement on the Borough, with a tapered reduction in grant level. 

Contrasting with this, there were significant service pressures arising from the introduction of new waste collection arrangements in 2010, the planned redevelopment of the Kettering town centre area, and the introduction of the new statutory concessionary travel scheme. Additionally, it was reported that the activities of private search agents had resulted in a substantial downturn in fees being collected by the Council.

Those in attendance had heard that the Council Tax as applied to Kettering was likely to rise by an amount in the order of 4.75%.

Arising from the imposed constraining of the parish grant system, the meeting had heard of a proposal by Wilbarston parish Council that an entirely precept based system should be introduced, with Kettering town being parished too.

In respect of the changes as they affected Broughton, the Chair reported that the Borough Head of Finance had been provided with a copy of the related Broughton News article and had been requested to add an explanation. 

Cllr. Mrs. Farenden then reported upon the business of last meeting of the Village Hall committee, with members hearing that progress was being made with the provision of a broadband service at the hall, that the car park gate had been repaired and reset, that bookings remained healthy and the new cash deposit system had received no resistance from hirers. 

Work continued on improving the second committee room, consideration was being given to the provision of a secure external play area to assist the development of the playgroup, and a key parish-planning meeting was to occur on 10 May.

08/5967 




 * 
 #  

 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL.
Planning Applications submitted for the Parish Council’s observations:-
The following applications were considered with no observations resulting:-

5 Meachem Close Rear extension Mrs Wildash
8 Cransley Hill Hardstanding, vehicle access etc Mr Nichols
1 Crane Close Sunroom to rear Mrs Cortis
Rathmine Farm Approval reserved matters Grace Homes Ltd
1 Church Street Rear extension and conservatory Mr Santoriello
              
NB Prejudicial interests were declared by Cllr. Mrs H Bull in respect of that item marked ‘*’ and by Cllr. R Baxter in respect of that item marked ‘#’, with both councillors withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the respective items.

The following application was considered and it was RESOLVED to notify the local planning authority of the Council’s formal objection to the proposed development on the basis the site is in open countryside, outside the village boundary, and not in a sustainable location; thus being contrary to national and local planning policy:-

Headlands Farm 4 dwellings in place of farm buildings Mr Redden

Planning Decisions reported:-
The following decisions, being Approvals with conditions, were reported:-

The Rectory (rear of)    Single dwelling Mr Bailey
Cransley Grange Wooden garage/store Mr Heggs
 

The following decision, being a Refusal with reasons, was reported:-

13 Church Street Extension of garage for gym etc Mr P Horrix

 
08/5968 FINANCE (including precepting). 
The following items of income and expenditure were agreed:-
Income

£
No income was reported to this meeting

Expenditure

£
GA Duthie Salary and WP (101280) 287.99
HM Inland Revenue Income tax (101281) 70.40
GA Duthie Telephone/electricity exps (101282) 51.57
Cash Petty cash advance (101283 ) 15.00
Police Authority Tin Can Band policing (101284) 64.80
Broughton PF&VHA Parish plan room hire (101285) 30.00

An invoice had also been presented by Matters of Fact Limited, a contractor engaged in providing services in connection with the Parish Plan project; this being drawn in the sum of £2,300 plus VAT and in the name of the parish plan group. Given the current unconstituted status of the group (and the fact that grant monies provided for the project were held by the parish council), the VAT element involved, and the fact that such payments had to pass through parish council accounts (and be subject to audit), the Clerk advised the invoice should be redrawn in the name of the parish council.

08/5969 HIGH STREET BUS SHELTER LEASE. Due to the lateness of the hour, members agreed to defer this item until the March meeting.
08/5970 BROUGHTON NEWS. The meeting received a briefing from the Editor, who confirmed that a final proof of the work had been received and was due to be corrected in one or two minor respects within the next day or two. The publication was on target for distribution as planned.
08/5971 GENERAL INTEREST ITEMS. The Vice-Chairman raised a complaint that had been brought to his notice, arising from residents in Hutchinson Avenue suffering nuisance from dog fouling in the vicinity. Agreed this should be reported to the Borough dog warden.

Cllr. Mrs. Bull asked that an agenda item be included for the March meeting, in connection with a proposed parish council update or newsletter. It was suggested there was a need for the council profile to be raised in the village, as was illustrated by two recent issues, being the Tin Can Band and problems with vandalism to the bus shelter.

Both had been dealt with by the council but local people would not generally be aware of what had been done. Cllr. Mrs. Bull circulated a draft, illustrating how such a newsletter might be comprised, and it was agreed this should be discussed at the next meeting.

Cllr Mrs. Bull then raised an issue of footway fouling by horses, which were inappropriately using the paths linking Baker Ave, Podmore Way, Donaldson Avenue, and Riggall Close etc. This was agreed to be referred to the dog warden in case any controls existed.

Cllr. Baxter then proposed and it was subsequently RESOLVED that, in memory of former Parish Councillor and Chairman, Malcolm Darlow, the name ‘Darlow’ be suggested to the Borough Building Control service for use in connection with future street naming at the Rathmine Farm development. 
08/5972 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. It was reported that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be on Wednesday 19 March 2008, at 7:00pm in the Village Hall; this also being the date for the Annual Meeting of local government electors, that meeting being due to commence at 8.00pm. 
08/5973 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 10.32pm.

 

         19th March 2008

  Signed..............................

            Chair