Council Meeting Minutes

BROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL

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Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council, held at Broughton Village Hall on 
Wednesday, 19March 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, LA Manning, R Shrive, and AJP Stamper.

Borough Cllr. J Hakewill and PCSO J Parish of Northamptonshire Police.
08/5974 APOLOGIES.  Apologies were tendered by Cllr. Mrs. JR Page, 
08/5975 MINUTES. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 20 February 2008, copies having been circulated, were approved by members and signed by the Chairman.
08/5976 RIGHT TO SPEAK. No members of the public took advantage of this facility.
08/5977 MATTERS ARISING. Arising from 07/5965, it was reported that the new Horse Chestnut trees needed to complete the sequence in the High Street recreation ground had now been planted. Members heard that two each of pink and white flowering varieties had been provided and that the trees, this time, were rather more substantial and were also root-staked in an effort to assist them becoming established.

Arising from 07/5935, Cllr. Baxter reported that some limited work of clearance at the Kettering Road bund area had now been done, although this had been performed in the end by the Borough Council. Although an improvement resulted, it was the case that significant work was still needed to provide a longer-term solution given the generally over-grown nature of the site.

Arising from 08/5965, in respect of the request for financial assistance received from Barton and Cranford First Responders, and following communication of the Council’s resolution to defray up to 10% of the cost of a defibrillator (up to a maximum of £250), upon receipt of confirmation that the group was otherwise in a position to purchase, the meeting heard that such confirmation was now to hand. Accordingly, it was agreed to release a cheque to the group in respect of the grant resolved to be made. The group had also submitted some information relating to ambulance response times locally, which was noted.

Arising from 07/5917, Cllr. Mrs. Bull reported that as a result of improvements being programmed for the High Street recreation ground by the Borough Council, notwithstanding the withdrawal of capital monies for new equipment etc, it was the case that the site of the former Garden of Remembrance would receive some attention in order to improve its appearance and cut down its potential for misuse causing nuisance. 

Arising from 08/5966, Cllr. Mrs. Bull then advised the meeting that despite the various representations made to recent meetings of the Rural Forum, it was noteworthy that Wilbarston Parish Council had not submitted any precept for the new financial year.

Arising from 08/597, the Vice-Chairman reported on the publication and distribution of the new edition of Broughton News, this being the 34th such and the 29th under his editorship. The meeting heard that although the booklet had not long been distributed, thank you messages were already to hand, some from quite far afield. Production had been generally smooth and trouble-free, and there had been a pleasing number and quality of submissions. Members noted this report and a formal vote of thanks was agreed for the efforts of the editor and those assisting in the preparation of Broughton News.

Arising from 08/5965, the meeting heard that the Borough Head of Housing had been requested to provide additional information concerning the proposed review of warden controlled housing services, including those at St Andrews Court.

Also arising from 08/5965, and in respect of the invitation to the CPRE Northants Planning and Landscapes event on 15 April, Cllr. Chaplin confirmed he had spoken with a CPRE contact and was due to attend a similar event at Leicester as a consequence. 
08/5978 POLICE REPORT.  Members received a briefing from PCSO Jason Parish, a member of the local Safer Community Team.

PCSO Parish circulated details of the recorded crime reports for the previous month, and although he was not in a position to provide details of the 11 ‘other crimes’ noted in this report, he did provide examples of the sorts of matters that could be comprised in such category.

Members heard the most concerning issue, from the policing perspective, was that three burglaries had occurred in the village, all on one night.

Cllr. Mrs. Bull then raised an issue concerning an unoccupied property, at Riggall Close, that was causing concern. The meeting heard this was attracting the attention of certain young people and was becoming unsightly, and a source of nuisance. A discussion ensued on how this might best be addressed where the owner was absent long term, and it was agreed to bring the matter to the notice of the Borough Council.

PCSO confirmed that the Safer Community Team would be represented at the parish plan results event to be held on 10th May.

PCSO Parish left the meeting at 7.25pm. 
.
08/5979 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 copy letter received from the County Highways Engineer, to a resident of Carter Avenue, concerning the issue of the provision of dropped kerbing in the village and responding to various suggestions made by the resident concerned. Members noted the information provided and agreed that the suggestions made were worthy of support.

  2. Two letters received from the County Pocket Parks Officer, concerning initiatives affecting the pocket park. Although councillors noted these, there was some difficulty engaging positively as the local pocket park group had largely disbanded and no formal co-ordination now occurred although there was one person known to be interested in an informal capacity. It was agreed this material be made available to that person and that the County Council be advised of the position.

  3. A communication received from Northamptonshire ACRE, seeking the completion and submission of a feedback questionnaire in connection with that organisation’s service standards. It was agreed to consider this at the April meeting.

  4. In connection with correspondence, the Chair asked that some recent material provided by the Wildlife Trust on encouraging wildlife be looked out, if retained.

08/5980 REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDING MEETINGS OF OTHER BODIES.
 Cllr. Mrs. Farenden reported upon the business of last meeting of the Village Hall committee, including that the new broadband link was now installed and working (thus facilitating the local police mini-office), bookings remained healthy and a new marshal arts class was commencing, various repairs had been undertaken (including to the guttering and to reconfigure the car park gate so as to make locking up easier), the main hall floor had been treated, and there was to be some rearrangement of the football pitch layouts

08/5981 




  
  

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

Broughton School  Extend five class rooms  Brtn School
              
NB a prejudicial interest was declared by Cllr. Mrs Gresham in this matter, who withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item.


In respect of the following application, where representations had previously been made that the proposal was contrary to national and local planning policy, members heard that the application had now been withdrawn and no decision would accordingly be made by the local planning authority:-

Headlands Farm 4 dwellings in place of farm buildings Mr Redden

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

8 Cransley Hill  Hardstanding, vehicle access etc Mr Nichols
 

Members then considered a copy request for a Scoping Opinion, as submitted to the local planning authority, in respect of the proposed windfarm development at Great Cransley. There followed some discussion as to how best to deal with this given the contention around the proposal, and it was agreed for the moment to place the submitted material on circulation. Members were reminded of the need not to commit at this stage to any particular view in order to avoid any future issues of predetermination.

N.B. The meeting was adjourned at this juncture, between 7.59pm and 8.50pm, in order that the Annual |Meeting for Local Government Electors might be held and concluded.
08/5982 FINANCE  
The following items of income and expenditure were agreed:-
Income

£
No income was reported to this meeting

Expenditure

£
Marchean Press Brtn. News printing  (101286) 577.32
Matters of Fact Ltd Parish plan analysis work (101288) 2,702.50
GA Duthie Salary and WP (101289) 287.99
HM Inland Revenue Income tax (101290) 70.40
AJP Stamper Brtn. News expenses (101291) 11.10
B&C First Rspndrs Defibrillator grant (101292) 250.00
AJP Stamper BN Deliveries (101293) 25.00

Cllr. Mrs. Bull reported that, once again, the Broughton Ladies circle had kindly sponsored the stocking of the gateway planters and this had been done directly, a schedule of the stock concerned being handed in. 

08/5983 HIGH STREET BUS SHELTER LEASE. Members considered the question of renewal of the High Street bus shelter lease during the coming financial year, in view of representation made by the landlord concerning problems with nuisance and inappropriate use. It was confirmed that a request had been made for proposed terms for any renewal and, subject to these being acceptable, it was RESOLVED that the lease should be renewed as the public benefit of the facility afforded did outweigh the occasional difficulties that arose, albeit the impact on neighbours was appreciated. 
08/5984 VILLAGE MAP. The meeting received an update from the clerk who confirmed that an approach had been made to Borough Council officers, including Tim Bellamy, for assistance in identifying a suitable artist/contractor. Initial indications were that some suggestions might result.
08/5985 PARISH UPDATE/NEWSLETTER. Cllr. Mrs. Bull spoke in relation to this item, suggesting the Council needed its own regular communication tool to disseminate information and news. This was a clear outcome emerging from the parish plan process, which had illustrated local people do not have a high awareness of what occurs in the village. A village newsletter edited, produced and paid for by the Parish Council would assist in addressing this.

A debate then ensued, during which the ability to access information was discussed, and the possible alternatives that might be available, including commercially in already circulating publications. A view was voiced, by Cllr. Manning, that the cost of such an initiative would be disproportionate in the context of the current and likely future precept.

Accordingly, whilst information on alternatives was agreed to be sought, no resolution was proposed or made in respect of this item. 
08/5986 GENERAL INTEREST ITEMS.The Chair reported that the street nameplate at the High Street/Gate Lane junction was in need of repair or replacement.

The Chair also reported that it was looking likely the goals at least in the High Street recreation ground might be replaced, if not by Kettering Borough Council, then with the support of the Football Foundation.

Cllr. Mrs. Farenden reported upon the result of consideration of the Choice Based Lettings consultation by the District matters Committee, this being thought worthy of support and a well-drafted scheme. The consultation response, as submitted, was placed on circulation.

The Chair reported that certain properties on Wellingborough Road were presently in need of attention, with very untidy gardens. Details to be provided.

Cllr. Mrs Bull reported some press coverage recently, indicating certain villages were to be given a ‘preferred’ status for extra housing. Given the development pressures already known about, it was noted there might be further policy initiatives about to be communicated and members should be alive to this.

Cllr. Mrs. Bull reported that the recent fire response consultation had been looked at and the comments made by the County Matters Committee were on circulation.

The Vice-Chairman reported that the re was an over-growing conifer at 18 High Street that was in need of trimming, and that there was also a persistent puddle forming in the carriageway there too.

The Vice-Chairman mentioned that a new key was needed for the Co-op noticeboard. 

08/5987 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. It was reported that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be on Wednesday 16 April 2008, at 7:00pm in the Village Hall;  
08/5988 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 19.42pm.

 

         16th April 2008

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

            Chair