|
BROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL |
 |
|
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council, held at Broughton Village Hall
on Wednesday, 16 June 2010, 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, S Collins, Mrs. JL Farenden, Mrs. RA Gresham, Mrs. JR Page, C Reilly.
PCSO J Parish of Northamptonshire Police.
|
|
|
| 10/6353 |
APOLOGIES. Apologies for absence were tendered by Cllrs. Mrs. PA Cope, LA Manning, and R Shrive.
|
| 10/6354 |
|
|
CO-OPTION OF NEW COUNCILLOR. The statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office having been duly completed in the presence of the Clerk prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Chair formally welcomed Cllr. Collins to his first meeting as a parish councillor.
|
|
|
| 10/6355 |
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
No declarations of interest were made
.
|
|
|
| 10/6356 |
MINUTES.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19 May 2010, copies having been circulated, were approved by members and signed by the Chair.
|
|
|
| 10/6357 |
RIGHT TO SPEAK. No use was made of this facility at this meeting..
|
|
|
| 10/6358 |
POLICE REPORT. Members received a briefing from PCSO Parish, including a breakdown of the 9 reported crimes affecting the village over the last month. Councillors heard that amongst these was a non-house burglary, theft from a construction site, interference with a motor vehicle, and the evasion of a taxi fare. Cllr. Mrs. Bull queried the report as this was not a complete record of incidents that were known to have occurred and had been brought to police attention.
The issue of vehicle speed in the village was again raised and it was confirmed that a number of checks had been carried out recently. During this discussion, a suggestion was made that it may be worth investigating with the County Council whether the interactive speed signs might be configured to display alternative messages or images upon being triggered in case there was now some over familiarity with these given the time since their commission.
The Chair sought assurance that the High Street pedestrian crossing remained on the list for checking when patrols were occurring as problems continued with illegal parking there. This assurance was provided.
There followed a discussion of various locations in the village apparently being used as ‘meeting points’, and it was confirmed that patrols also included these locations in case this activity was for some unlawful purpose.
Finally, in response to a query, it was confirmed that police surgeries continued in the village on the third Saturday in each month but the Tuesday surgeries had ceased due
to lack of interest/support from residents. Accordingly, local publicity for the surgeries would be revised to reflect this.
PCSO Parish left the meeting at 7:15pm.
|
|
|
| 10/6359 |
MATTERS ARISING.
Arising from 10/6345, the meeting heard that works had commenced at the pocket park and were now largely complete; with one large sycamore to finish and a further large tree to the north of the spinney. These required the use of a mobile elevated platform to complete and this was in the course of being arranged. The contractor had confirmed that his survey prior to commencement had revealed no evidence of bird or bat habitation and none had arisen during the conduct of the works. Cllr. Baxter reported that he had attended on site whilst works were ongoing and had been impressed with the contractor and could also confirm that he has seen nothing to indicate any harm to wildlife interests was being caused by the works. He remained concerned for the future maintenance of the spinney however and it was agreed the way forward would have to be considered once the current works were completed.
Arising also from 10/6345, the meeting heard that the suggested scheme for reorganising the layout of the pedestrian crossing at High Street, and the nearby traffic calming and junction priorities had been acknowledged by the County Council, with a commitment being given to revert once this had been considered. An initial estimate had been provided of ‘in excess of £100,000’ for all of the works but councillors agreed the way to proceed was to receive and consider advice on the feasibility from en engineering point of view before addressing how any improvements might be funded. The County officer had indicated a further site visit might be needed and it was agreed interested members would readily accommodate this.
Arising again from 10/6345, members heard that Cllrs. Shrive and Baxter had now completed the repairs to the various planters and, with the assistance of Mrs. Shrive, those at Northampton Road had been replanted and the surrounding grass been given a cut. Accordingly, councillors agreed that a vote of thanks was due to all involved on these tasks for their generous donation of time and materials/plants that had resulted in this pleasing outcome. In terms of replanting the Kettering Road boxes, enquiries were to be made of the Womens Institute in case that organisation wished to look after this now that the planters were ready for reuse.
Arising from the issue of the ‘forgotten’ bench on the Wellingborough Road, Cllr. Baxter advised that a closer inspection had revealed the concrete support at one end at least was badly damaged and any repair would be rather more involved that perhaps had been envisaged. Where the County Council had yet to clear the overgrown vegetation as had been offered, and where there were concerns expressed that current traffic levels and speed on that road might not render the bench as attractive to users as it once would have been, it was agreed to include an agenda item for the July meeting in order to decide whether any actions should be pursued in respect of the issue.
Arising from 10/6346, Cllr. Mrs. Bull mentioned that the Northampton Road approach to the village was becoming very shabby and untidy looking, in no small part due to rubbish and rubble having been deposited in that area, perhaps associated with occurrences on adjacent land. This to be raised with the Borough and County Councils.
Arising once more from 10/6345, Cllr. Mrs. Page queried whether any update had been received from the Borough Council in respect of enforcement against dog fouling. It was confirmed nothing had been heard and the matter would be re-raised as the issue remained a concern.
Arising from 10/6350, the Chair advised those present that unfortunately the commencement of the next round of the Silver Surfer programme could not commence until the September school term as the school IT suite was in the process of being upgraded and would not be available for use until then. Given concerns about darker evenings and perhaps poorer attendance that might then result, it was proposed to run a shorter programme than last time.
|
|
|
| 10/6360 |
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 the Secretary of the local branch of the Womens Institute, expressing thanks to those concerned for the repair work done to the various planters in the village.
|
|
|
b) |
A letter received from Mr AJP Stamper of Northampton Road, raising concerns about the discolouration now affecting the war memorial stonework, believed to be due to algal growth. Members heard that Mr Stamper considered this rendered the names inscribed on the memorial difficult to read. After some discussion, it was agreed to initially raise the matter with the Borough Council in order to ascertain whether some proprietary treatment might be available to remove the growth concerned. Alternatively, the stonemason who originally dressed the stonework might be able to advise a way forward.
|
|
|
c) |
A letter received from the Chief Executive of Northamptonshire CALC, expressing that organisation’s regret at the decision of the parish council not to renew its membership. A number of perceived benefits of continuing membership were set out in this and an offer of informal support was extended for what was hoped by the author to be a temporary period whilst the parish council was not in membership. After considering the letter, it was agreed to write to NCALC pointing out that membership was simply too expensive in the context of currently available resources and perhaps the situation could be reviewed if the various bandings used to set subscriptions could be revised such that the cost of membership was substantially reduced.
|
|
|
d) |
A communication received from the County Council, advising that the Northamptonshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Core Strategy Development Plan Document had been formally adopted from 20 May 2010.
|
|
|
e) |
Communications received from the County Council, notifying of funding and training opportunities that might assist pocket park management groups. Details to be held pending the way forward in respect of Parsons Spinney being settled.
|
|
|
|
| 10/6361 |
REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDING MEETINGS OF OTHER
BODIES.
Cllr. Mrs. Page reported upon the business considered at the meeting of the Village Hall Committee on 11 May 2010. Notes were placed on circulation and these reflected that, after discussions, Mr Booker had now decided to remain in office, that the Bookings Secretaries posts remained in need of filling, that the Crime Prevention Officer had recently inspected the hall and made recommendations, that income remained generally buoyant, and that arrangements continued for the village produce show later in the year. The next meeting was scheduled for 8 June 2010.
Following the postponement of the Rural Forum at short notice due to officer illness, members heard that a replacement date of 1 July 2010 had been arranged although the venue was still to be advised.
|
|
|
|
10/6362
|
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL.
Planning Applications submitted for the Parish Council’s
observations:-None were reported at this meeting.
Planning Decisions reported:-
The following decision was reported, being an approval with conditions:-
| 15 Cransley Hill |
New dwelling |
Mr Underwood |
| * Headlands Farm |
Replacement dwelling |
Mr Redden |
In respect of the decision marked ‘*’, members agreed this was a disappointing outcome given the objection that had been lodged and asked that Cllr Hakewill of the Borough Council be notified of this disappointment.
|
|
|
| 10/6363 |
FINANCE
The following items of income and expenditure were noted/agreed:-
|
| Income |
|
|
£ |
| None was reported at this meeting. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Expenditure |
|
|
£ |
| GA Duthie |
Salary and WP |
(101406 ) |
250.33 |
| HMRC |
Income tax |
(101407 ) |
141.20 |
| GA Duthie |
Electricity exps |
(101408 ) |
12.35 |
| To cash |
Petty cash advance |
(101409 ) |
15.00 |
| BPF&VH |
Assn. Room hire fees |
(101410 ) |
61.20 |
| Mrs. MC Rust |
Reimburse framing costs |
(101411 ) |
33.99 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 10/6364 |
ANNUAL AUDIT RETURN. Councillors heard that the audit date for financial year 2009/10 had been set for 23 July 2010 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 an opportunity for questions, the Statements were approved for submission within the Annual Return and signed by the Chair and by the Clerk (copies appended).
|
|
|
| 10/6365 |
GENERAL INTEREST ITEMS..
Cllr. Baxter requested that the pocket park be kept as a regular agenda item for the time being.
Cllr. Baxter then reported that the former Garden of Remembrance site adjacent to the High Street recreation ground was again looking rather unkempt, with no evidence of the same being cared for by the Henley Centre or anyone else. Agreed to query with relevant Borough Council officers.
Cllr. Reilly queried whether any approach or update had been received from the school governing body in accordance with the commitment that had been given at the last meeting. It was confirmed that none had been.
Cllr. Mrs. Page reported that, once again, the house at the corner of Silver Street and Coxs Lane had a very overgrown boundary hedge that was impinging upon the adjacent footway.
Cllr. Mrs Bull mentioned that there was a planter near to the Red Lion public house that was looking rather derelict and perhaps represented a danger to passing pedestrians.
Cllr. Mrs. Bull than asked that enquiries be made to finally establish whether the CCTV protecting St Andrews Court was now functional.
It was reported that the ‘abandoned’ house in Riggall Close seemed to have been sold.
It was mentioned that significant signage had been erected in connection with a Borough Council refurbishment programme affecting certain council owned housing and it was wondered whether advertisement consent for this should have been obtained.
Cllr. Collins reported that he had picked up issues affecting three public rights of way, being GD 15 (obstructed), GD2 (rerouted), and GD3 (defective bridge) that would be pursued with the County Council.
Cllr. Baxter reported that although the gate remained in need of repair, the Cemetery presently looked well cared for.
In response to the recent complaint by Mr Thompson, it had been established that the visibility from Kettering Road bus shelter was actually impeded by overgrowing vegetation from the neighbouring garden and the householder concerned should be asked to address this.
The Chair displayed the watercolour that had been donated for auction and this was agreed to be much improved in appearance through having been mounted and framed.
A framed print of a poem about Broughton by believed local writer, George Harrison was produced by Cllr. Mrs. Page and read by the Chair.
|
|
|
| 10/6366 |
DATE OF NEXT MEETING. It was reported that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be on Wednesday 21 July 2010, at 7:00pm in the Village Hall.
|
|
|
| 10/6367 |
URGENT ITEMS ADMITTED BY THE CHAIR. The following items were admitted for discussion by the Chair:-
None were raised.
Meeting closed at 9:00pm
|
| |
|
21 July 2010
Signed..............................
Chair |
|