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, Mrs. HJ Bull, P Chaplin , Mrs. PA Cope, Mrs. JL Farenden, Mrs. RA Gresham, Mrs. JR Page, and R Shrive (from 9.05 pm). PC Ian Cotterell of Northamptonshire Police. Two members of the public. |
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| 08/6031 |
APOLOGIES. Apologies were tendered by Cllrs. L Manning, R Shrive (for lateness due to also attending the meeting of the Community Panel, which clashed with this meeting), and AJP Stamper. |
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| 08/6032 | MINUTES.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18 June 2008, copies having been circulated, were approved by members and signed by the Chairman after a correction was agreed to the date of the next meeting at 08/6029 (16 July, not 18 June).
Cllr. Mrs. Bull raised an issue concerning minute 08/6000, relating to the ongoing development at Manor Farm Close and the use of an entrance at Rectory Farm, having not been present at the May meeting when this minute was adopted. With the agreement of the meeting, the former element of the minute was amended to clarify the parking issue referred to was affecting Gate Lane and that the possible encroachment onto the playing field was a matter for Kettering Borough Council. In respect of the Rectory Farm element, the minute was amended such that the reference to the Village Hall committee was omitted; the meeting concurring this issue was not within the remit of that body. |
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| 08/6033 | MATTERS ARISING. Arising
from 08/6028, Cllr. Baxter queried whether any progress had been made on
the tidying of the former garden of Remembrance site and it was agreed to
remind the Borough Landscapes Service this was in need of attention
pending the comprehensive refurbishment that was now programmed. Arising also from 08/6028, Cllr. Baxter reported that the wall to the Recreation Ground at High Street remained in need of attention due to the overgrowth of Ivy there. Additionally from 08/6028, Cllr. Baxter reported that the Broughton Challenge cup had, so far, not been located by those administering the estate of the most recent custodian, who had recently passed away. The process of administering the estate was ongoing, however, and it was possible the cup may yet be found. Arising once more from 08/6028, the Chair agreed to advise of the address of Mr. Marriott in order that a letter of thanks could be sent for his public-spirited actions in voluntarily clearing litter. Arising from 08/5983, it was reported that no draft lease had yet been submitted for approval in connection with the bus shelter site at High Street, and a reminder should issue if this was not received before the next meeting. Arising from 08/6021, it was agreed that a formal letter of thanks be sent to the Police for the assistance rendered by Sergeant Hopkins, who had been very effective in addressing the difficulties there and co-ordinating a multi-agency response. Returning to 08/6028, it was agreed the Borough Council should be formally contacted to advise of the Parish Council’s policy for requiring the retention of the traditional telephone box at High Street, in case any proposal for removal was submitted as elsewhere. Arising from 08/6021, the Chair reported that there had been liaison with the village blacksmith, by herself and the Vice-Chairman, that had established there was local capability to produce a suitably durable map display, although the likely cost was still to be determined. Additionally, an enquiry of Kensigns Limited of Kettering had revealed that company could assist also; it being estimated that the production/installation of the display would cost in the order of £850 plus VAT, and the generation of the artwork, if necessary, would amount to £350 plus VAT or so. Following debate at some length, touching again upon matters of design and form that the facility could take, it was agreed that the draft artwork previously generated by the Vice-Chairman should form the basis of the display once the most recent developments in the village had been added into his proof where not reflected. It was also agreed that a simple angled ‘lectern’ be employed, atop a single pole, placed so as to be accessible/viewable from the High Street at the Recreation Ground. It was envisaged the pole would be located inside the Recreation Ground itself and thus the Borough Council would need to consent although this was thought unlikely to be contentions given that authority had previously indicated an in-principle approval for a more elaborate display involving alterations to the stonework of the wall. Such works would not now be needed. The Chair agreed to follow up by liaising further with the Vice-Chairman and Kensigns Limited. Arising then from 08/6014, the meeting heard that Borough Cllr. J Hakewill had made some representations to the Borough Council concerning the apparent decline of the ‘Friends of Broughton Cemetery’ recently and the possibly related deterioration of maintenance standards. Arising from 08/6018, members were advised that the Borough Council had confirmed no planning application had been made in respect of the access opened onto Mile End Lane from Rectory Farm and that this would not necessarily require such approval as the same might constitute ‘permitted development’. In the circumstances, it was agreed to write to the householder pointing out the council’s concerns about highway safety and to keep the matter under review. Arising also from 08/6018, it was reported that a plan had been obtained from the Borough Council in order that the area of the Village Hall Playing Field boundary, thought to have been breached, could be marked. The area was so marked for notifying to the Borough Council. |
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| 08/6034 | 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:- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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a) A letter received from the County Council Highways and Transportation Service, enclosing a questionnaire concerning the effectiveness of communications with stakeholders. This was completed for return.
b) A communication received from the Planning Enforcement team of the Borough Council, confirming that investigation of the recent complaint concerning the condition of the land at 10 –16 Wellingborough Road had revealed this was now such that formal action was not required. Members noted the position and agreed that matters were much improved. c) A letter from Mawsley Village Surgery, providing publicity material for display. d) A communication received from the Monitoring Officer, providing information concerning a model compact standards initiative being promoted locally where two volunteer councils were being sought. Provided information was placed on circulation. e)
A letter from the Borough Development Manager providing reference copies of the following planning policy documents, which were placed on circulation:- f) A letter received from County Cllr. J Harker, advising of details of his annual tour of villages in Kettering Rural Division, accompanied by relevant County Council officers. Members heard he intended to call at Broughton from 10.30am on 19 August and would meet with interested parish councillors at the Red Lion public house. Cllrs. Chaplin and Mrs. Gresham confirmed they would attend, and Cllrs. Baxter, Mrs. Page, Mrs. Farenden, and Mrs. Cope stated they would attend if possible.
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| 08/6035 | POLICE REPORT. Councillors heard from PC Ian Cotterell who reported that there had been 6 reports of crime in June, including a fire affecting the Village Hall skate-ramp, one burglary, one assault and some minor criminal damage. Members were advised the ‘Street-a-Week’ initiative was ongoing and seemed to be well received. Speeding traffic in the village was still a concern, as was unlawful parking in the vicinity of the High Street crossing. The issue of the Pytchley crossroads on the Wellingborough Road was then discussed; there having been a further serious accident recently. Members agreed to support whatever concerns the Police felt able to raise by writing to the Casualty Reduction Unit seeking urgent improvement measures there. In relation to traffic speed, it was also agreed to include the Cransley Hill issue on the agenda for September with a view to progressing an application for a scheme to be funded by the County Council. |
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| 08/6036 | REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDING MEETINGS OF OTHER BODIES. Cllr. Mrs. Farenden reported upon her attendance at the last meeting of the Village Hall Committee where business had included the issue of roof repairs and anti-theft measures, the reorganisation of sports pitch layouts, the incursion of livestock, the obtaining of a mobile telephone, and works to change some of the internal doors at the Hall. The most recent minutes were placed on circulation. The Chair then reported upon her attendance at the meeting of the Kettering Rural Forum on 19 June. The proposed agenda item for precepting had been postponed, but there had been consideration of the ‘Community Speedwatch’ scheme (agreed to be an agenda item for September), the closure programme affecting small post offices, an explanation of police statistic reporting, and an outline of material planning considerations and the common reasons for refusing planning applications. Additionally, there had been discussion of the Borough Council’s Community Plan, the need to make representations in respect of traditional telephone boxes that were wished to be preserved (and it was noted that affected facilities would be furnished with public notices of any intended withdrawal), and of the weight afforded to properly adopted Parish Plans. N.B. Cllr. R Shrive entered the meeting during this item, at approximately 9.05pm. |
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08/6037
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DEVELOPMENT CONTROL. Planning Applications submitted for the Parish Council’s observations:- None were submitted to this meeting.
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| 08/6038 | FINANCE The following items of income and expenditure were agreed:-
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| 08/6039 | ANNUAL AUDIT RETURN. Councillors heard that the audit date for financial year 2007/08 had been set for 8 August 2008 and, accordingly, the Annual Return had been prepared as necessary. The proposed Statement of Accounts and Annual Governance Statement were presented to members and, after any questions were dealt with, the Statements were approved for submission within the Annual Return (copies appended). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6040 | PARISH NEWSLETTER. . Members agreed to defer this until the September meeting. |
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| 08/6041 | COMMITTEE AND OUTSIDE BODY APPOINTMENTS. Members reviewed the standing appointments and confirmed the following:-
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| 08/6042 | FESTIVE LIGHTS. Members agreed that, as with recent years where the display had been pleasing and well received, the Borough Council should be requested to provide a display of festive illuminations. It was noted that the Parish Council’s own lights were still held by the Borough Council from last year and that an invoice was still to be levied for the previous year’s display, despite reminders. It was also agreed that the Borough Council should be asked that, if possible, the display should be operative from the first week in December to obtain maximum benefit from the same. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6043 | GENERAL INTEREST ITEMS..
Cllr. Mrs. Cope raised the issue of the junction of Cox’s Lane/Cransley Hill and queried whether there was need for a barrier there given the amount of parking on the verge. It was agreed this was a matter suitable for discussion at the scheduled village tour with County Cllr. Harker. Cllr. Mrs. Gresham mentioned that thorn bushes obscured the ‘30’ sign on the left, approaching the village at Cransley Hill. Cllr. Mrs. Farenden reported that the overgrown tree near 38 Wellingborough Road was still causing problems. Cllr. Mrs. Bull reported that there was also an overgrown Horse Chestnut in the High Street Recreation Ground (opposite the take-away restaurant), where the branches were especially low. Cllr. Mrs. Bull also informed the meeting that a number of public seats were looking tired, including at Northampton Road (opposite Tredgetts), at Wellingborough Road (near Headlands Farm), and at Kettering Road (near Gate Lane). Cllr. Mrs. Cope reported that the interactive speed sign at Kettering Road was becoming obscured by vegetation. Cllr. Baxter reminded the meeting that the tree planted at the Village Hall in memory of former Cllr. Anne Esther was suffering a dead branch that needed to be removed. The Chair raised the issue of the Broughton Village website and it was agreed a donation should be made toward the running costs; the Chair to ascertain a suitable amount and report back. The Chair then reported that the new Stagecoach ‘number 17’ bus service (to Market Harborough) was to be withdrawn after only 4 months, apparently in order that another route might be favoured. It was agreed to notify the operator that this was not supported. The Chair asked that the agenda for the October meeting include an item for Councillors’ expenses. |
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| 08/6044 | RIGHT TO SPEAK. Mrs. T Fisher of Tailby Avenue, Kettering, addressed the meeting in respect of the new development in the former grounds of the Rectory (to the rear). Members heard that Mrs. Fisher was a joint owner of one of the three new houses comprising the development and wished to seek the support of the Council for a street naming proposal for the new road serving the same. Although this would be a private road, it did need a name and the new owners were agreed upon ‘Rectory Lawns’ as their preference. After speaking with the Borough Building Control service, it was necessary to canvass the Parish Council’s views too. After some discussion, including around the former use of the site of the new development, it was RESOLVED that provided there was no objection from the Church to the use of the word ‘Rectory’, then ‘Rectory Gardens’ would be notified to the Borough Council as the Parish Council’s preference. Mrs. Fisher noted this and registered her disappointment that ‘Lawns’ could not be supported. Cllr. Mrs. Farenden undertook to consult with the Rector in order to ascertain the Church view. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6045 | DATE OF NEXT MEETING. It was reported that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be on Wednesday 17 September 2008, at 7:00pm in the Village Hall. |
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| 08/6046 |
URGENT ITEMS ADMITTED BY THE CHAIR. The following items were admitted for discussion by the Chair:- None were raised. |
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| The meeting was closed at approximately 9.50pm.. |
16
July 2008
Chair |