BROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
|
BROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL |
|
|
|
| Present | Cllr. Mrs MC Rust (in the Chair). Cllrs. R Baxter, Mrs. HJ Bull, P Chaplin, Mrs. RA Gresham, LA Manning, Mrs. JR Page, R Shrive, and AJP Stamper. PCSOs Peter Firth and Jayne Breeze of Northamptonshire Police. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6017 |
APOLOGIES. Apologies were tendered by Cllrs. Mrs. PA Cope and Mrs. JL Farenden. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6018 | MINUTES. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on
21 May 2008, copies having been circulated, were approved by members and signed by the Chairman.
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. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6019 | RIGHT TO SPEAK. No members of the public took advantage of this facility. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6020 |
POLICE REPORT. Councillors heard from PCSOs Peter Firth and Jayne Breeze, who first confirmed that the local police surgery dates were now up and running; with posters being displayed to
publicise. In respect of the ‘abandoned’ property in Riggall Close, it was reported that the owner had now been traced and engaged in dialogue about the future of the property given it was unlikely he would be returning to it. Councillors agreed the neighbour who had done much to limit the potential for nuisance should be thanked for his assistance. Thanks also should be passed on the Sergeant Hopkins who had worked hard to address the issues arising here. An incident of unauthorised camping had been dealt with near the brook, and arrangements had been made to clear some resulting glass litter. The new initiative, ‘Street a Week’, was mentioned and members heard that Carter Avenue would feature from 14 July, with the focus being on that locality. The reported crime figures for May (as appended), and for June so far, were outlined and councillors also heard that there had been some recent significant thefts (from motor vehicles) in Pytchley village in addition. The Chair reminded the attending officers that the publication deadline for the Four Spires newsletter was the 10th day of the month, if any police related articles were intended for submission (the possibility of this having previously been mentioned). The attending officers left the meeting at 7.20pm. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6021 | MATTERS ARISING. Arising from 08/6006, and building upon the information heard in the police report earlier, the Chair advised that there had been significant activity connected with the Riggall Close empty house in that there had been two fires affecting the caravan there. The first of these had been dealt with by a
neighbour, but the second had been more serious; resulting in considerable damage. Consequently, a site meeting had occurred on 6 June, where representatives of the Police, Parish Council, Borough Council, and local residents had agreed various measures. These included the boarding up of the property, the removal of a car that posed an arson risk, the replacement of damaged fencing, and the provision of security lighting. Members were informed that the garden to the property had been tended by a neighbour, who had also made available an electricity supply where needed. The Police had taken away an amount of documentation from the address to assist attempts to trace the owner and, in the meantime, the Borough Council were to secure the costs incurred in making the property safe pending recovery. Arising from 08/6007, Councillors heard that the Kettering & District Art Society had now been contacted with a view to possibly commissioning the creation of suitable artwork to incorporate in the village sign display. The contractor who had produced the media used for the Kettering heritage quarter displays had now been identified also, and would be approached in due course. Members considered a print taken from the ‘Google Earth’ website and agreed this facility might prove useful in furnishing a basis for the map, subject to any ideas the artist might have. In respect of the same item, the meeting then heard that the Chair and Vice-Chairman had discussed the project with the local blacksmiths firm, who had confirmed that they had also been involved in similar projects and had the capability to produce signs should this be of assistance. Councillors were reminded, however, that there was the possibility of significant development occurring over the next few years and an elaborate/expensive display would be subject to the need for amendment with attendant costs if this occurred. Arising from the issue of the A43 junction and related highway issues, the Chair reported on the site meeting held with County Cllr. Harker and Casualty Reduction Officers of that authority, on 9 June. This meeting had proved very beneficial in that at the time the junction was inspected (during the evening peak period), those attending were able to witness several examples of the sorts of problems that arise here due to the junction layout. In particular, one incident of overcrowding of the central reservation had been observed that was considered especially hazardous. As a consequence, the County Council were to consider how the junction layout, markings and signage might be revised so as to address these issues. The reinforcement of traffic separation was considered to be a necessary outcome. A commitment had also been secured to attend to the white-lining that was outstanding or obscured, and the question of ownership of the landscaping bund between the A43 and Kettering Road was to be further investigated. In response to a question from Cllr. Baxter, it was confirmed that the re-opening of the former slip road (now the allotment access) was not a favoured option. Arising from 08/6009, Cllr. Mrs. Bull queried the acronym ‘NNDR’ that was referred to in the minute in relation to the Village Hall business and it was confirmed this stood for National Non-domestic Rates (ie business rates). Arising from the windfarm proposal, Cllr. Bull asked that Mawsley Parish Council be informed of Broughton’s stance that comment be reserved until such time as a formal application was submitted and consulted upon. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6022 | 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)
A letter received from Sergeant Hopkins of Northamptonshire Police, providing information about the force’s ‘Street-a-Week’ initiative, where individual locations will be focused upon and attempts made to engage with a minimum of 75% of residents there. Each household will be given the opportunity to identify 3 priorities for policing as occurs to them.
b) A communication received from Anglian Water, updating as to progress on the Empingham to Hannington pipeline project. It was heard that the scheme was running ahead of schedule and, as a consequence, works within the parish were now due to commence during this summer, rather than spring 2009 as originally programmed. c) A letter received from the British Red Cross, providing information about the charity’s ‘Dial a Wheelchair’ service in Northamptonshire; publicity material for display also being furnished. d) An update received from Kettering Borough Council, advising of recent work done by the Development Services unit and notifying of proposed changes to the consultation process being employed. Like the Joint Planning Unit, considered at the last meeting, the Borough Development Services unit was moving to an electronic system but, given the limitations of this for Parish Council purposes, members agreed to opt for continuation of paper based consultations for the time being. e) Notification from the County Council of a summer event, the ‘Pocket Parks Summer Sortie’, being an outing visiting various locations on Sunday 22 June. Information was placed on circulation. Whilst this item was being considered, it was raised that tools belonging to the Parish Council and previously held by the former local Pockets Park co-ordinator had somehow been deposited at Brixworth depot; agreed steps would be taken to recover the same via the County Pocket Parks Officer. f) A letter from the Police Authority, publicising the ‘Unsung Heroes’ awards scheme. Members agreed two possible nominations came to mind; former Parish Cllr. Malcolm Darlow if awards were possible posthumously (for his long and generous services to the village), and the neighbour of the ‘abandoned’ property at Riggall Close who had acted selflessly in order to minimise the various serious problems recently experienced there.
g) Cllr. Mrs. Bull informed the meeting that the Borough Council planning policy unit had requested sight of the material generated by the recent Parish Plan outcomes day, and this had been provided.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6023 | REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDING MEETINGS OF OTHER BODIES. Councillors heard that as Cllr. Mrs. Farenden had apologised and was therefore unable to present her usual report on the business of the latest Village Hall committee meeting, the minutes of that meeting would be added to the circulation bundle. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
08/6024
|
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL. Planning Applications submitted for the Parish Council’s observations:- The following application was considered with no observations resulting:-
During the consideration of this item, it was agreed the Borough Council should be asked to provide a copy list or map showing the Tree Preservation Orders that are in force in the Parish.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6025 | FINANCE The following items of income and expenditure were agreed:-
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6026 | PARISH NEWSLETTER. . Members discussed this proposal further, settling on principles that 940 copies would be needed, perhaps quarterly but actual regularity dictated by content, limited to a single sheet of A4 containing brief summaries of newsworthy items or messages the parish Council desired to convey. Subject to space, there was clear potential for other groups to use the sheet as a vehicle for their news too provided of community benefit. The cost for each edition was estimated to be in the order of £50 for printing and £25 for delivery, assuming Mr Marriott would be willing to undertake this in the same manner as Broughton News. On the basis of these principles, Cllr. Manning offered to produce a sample draft for consideration at the July meeting, when matters of content and style could be further refined if necessary. The Chair asked that it be borne in mind that there would be a burden associated with ongoing production and this should not be left to any individual. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6027 | COMMITTEE AND OUTSIDE BODY APPOINTMENTS. This was deferred until the July meeting. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6028 | GENERAL INTEREST ITEMS..
The condition of the former Memorial Garden was raised and whilst it was noted there was a commitment from the Borough Council to comprehensively refurbish this area at the end of the year, it was in need of some attention now. The meeting was reminded that a request should be made to the Rector for support in leading the Armistice Day service of remembrance at the War Memorial. An overgrown hedge at The Hollies, Cox’s Lane, was reported. Cllr. Mrs. Page reported that Cox’s Lane was also being affected by cases of dog fouling at present. Once more at Cox’s Lane, the grassed area at the junction with Cransley Hill was looking untidy due to the way mowing had been undertaken. A further overgrown hedge was reported, at West View, on Wellingborough Road. The Vice-Chairman offered to raise this with the householder. Cllr. Mrs Bull mentioned that another hedge was in need of attention, at 3 Donaldson Ave. Cllr. Mrs. Bull also reminded the meeting that The Broughton Challenge Cup needed to be retrieved from the belongings of former Cllr Darlow decd. The issue of the programme of removal of traditional telephone call boxes was discussed, following publicity of the recent list affecting East Northamptonshire. Pre-empting any similar exercise in Kettering District, it was proposed and RESOLVED that retention of the Broughton village box be supported as a matter of policy both on grounds of preserving local facilities and preserving the traditional street scene. Cllr. Chaplin reported that there had been considerable episodes of ponding water at Northampton Road and Church Street recently, and this might indicate a need for gullies to be emptied. On behalf of Cllr. Mrs. Cope, Cllr. Baxter reported that there was some overhanging vegetation affecting the walkway between Wellingborough Road and Hutchinson Avenue that was in need of attention. The Chair agreed to inspect this and pass on details as appropriate. Cllr. Baxter then reported the issue of the ivy growth affecting the stone wall bounding the recreation ground at High Street. Despite recent cutting back, this had regenerated and needed root killing work to be done this time. Cllr. Mrs. Bull reported that the application for funding to the FA for the recreation ground goal mouth had been successful. The Chair queried the procedure for reporting defective street lamps, as these were not being accepted by the Street Doctor service presently. It was agreed this might be due to the County not appreciating the local arrangement with the Borough Council for maintenance. The Vice-Chairman reported (following a debate last meeting) that litter picking does occur informally in the village, with certain public-spirited people attending to problems voluntarily for which thanks were due. The Chair queried responsibilities for keeping public footpaths on the rights of way network clear, and the meeting heard complaints of obstruction should be made to the County Council in the first instance. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6029 | DATE OF NEXT MEETING. It was reported that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be on
Wednesday 16
July 2008, at 7:00pm in the Village Hall; |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08/6030 |
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 9.55pm..
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
16
July 2008
Chair |