Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council, held at Broughton Village Hall on Wednesday, 17 October 2007, commencing at 7.00pm.

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

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

Ms. E Bradshaw, Webmaster of the Broughton village website, www.broughtonvillage.co.uk.

07/5900 MINUTES. The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 19 September 2007, copies of which had been circulated, were approved by members and signed by the Chairman after it being clarified how the minutes record non-attendance by members who have not tendered apologies.

07/5901 RIGHT TO SPEAK. No members of the public took advantage of this facility.

07/5902 MATTERS ARISING. Arising from 07/5896, Cllr. Mrs. Cope reported that the complainant in respect of the caravan at 33 Wellingborough Road was unhappy with the Parish Council’s decision that this was an issue over which it had no remit, and was proposing to raise the matter with the Borough Council. The Clerk confirmed the Borough Council did have the contractual ability to enforce the terms of the covenant that was believed to exist if it was thought expedient by that body.

Arising from 07/5889, the Vice-Chairman reported that despite the assurances received from the contractor concerned, no draft artwork had been delivered in connection with the village map project. Consequently, it was agreed to write formally, enquiring as to the situation.

Arising from 07/5825, Cllr. Mrs. Bull drew members’ attention to a ‘new’ form of two-piece barrier, taking a ‘waisted’ form that left an opening narrower at the top than bottom, which might be suitable for use at the alleyways such as those between Thoday and Riggall Closes, and Hutchinson and Glebe Avenues etc. Councillors heard that these should overcome the County Council concerns around barriers at these locations impeding access/egress by people with disabilities. Consequently, it was agreed to re-raise the issue with the County; also offering (in principle and subject to costing) to contribute part of the cost if that assists in securing them.

Arising from 07/5883, Cllr. Mrs. Page confirmed that the issue of inconsiderate parking in West Street and associated with the school had been raised with the school authorities. Cllr. Baxter advised that no difference had been noticed as a result however, it consequently being agreed that the police be requested to attend periodically; the best time for viewing the problem being around 3.15pm on school days.

Arising from 07/5874, Members heard that representations had been made to the Borough Council concerning the former Garden of Remembrance but that initial feedback, via the Chair, was that there was some disputing of the fact that the Parish Council had surrendered the lease of the site. Accordingly, the Clerk had looked out the retained correspondence that evidenced this, which was handed to the Chair (within the file relating to the War Memorial project) in order to assist.

Arising from 07/5875, councillors were informed that information had now been provided by the police in connection with the purpose of the ‘JAG’ meetings sometimes referred to at the likes of the Rural Forum. It had been advised that the acronym stood for ‘Joint Action Group’, and comprised the principal authorities with any interest in the relevant Safer Community Team area. For the present, Parish Councils were not included in these meetings but were proposed to be included in the forthcoming Community Panel, which was being established to capture local community input.

Arising from the issue of the intentionally damaged trees at the High Street recreation field, it was reported that the Borough Council had now quoted the sum of £1,667 for providing four suitable examples, both to replace the damaged ones and to ‘complete’ the planting sequence there. The question was asked as to whether the Parish had the means to contribute toward this. Given that no budgetary provision had been made, this was deferred until the issue of Precepting was considered.

07/5903 BROUGHTON VILLAGE WEBSITE. Ms. Elaine Bradshaw was welcomed to the meeting and introduced as the Webmaster of the independent Broughton village website. Councillors received a presentation from Ms. Bradshaw that included the history of the site and an explanation of the sort of content that was carried. Information was also provided as to the possible format of any content to be provided by the Parish Council. Following some debate, it was agreed that Council agendas and draft minutes would be furnished for publication on the site at the time they were issued generally, and, in time, a specific Parish Council area on the website would be developed, to include useful information such as the photographs and contact details as were appropriate. In this regard, it was agreed the agenda for the November meeting include an item in order that ideas around how best to use this facility and issues of style might be considered. During the debate, it was learned that an individual member had established an email address in the name of the Council, and the Clerk requested this either be closed or renamed to reflect its private ownership.

07/5904 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 DEFRA, enclosing the Government guide, ‘Ways to Tackle Climate Change’. This was placed on circulation for Members.

b) Notification received from the County Council of a consultation exercise around the preparation of the new Minerals and Waste Development Framework, intended to replace the Minerals and waste Local Plans. A preferred options consultation document was provided and placed on circulation; the period for comments being open until 13 December 2007.

c) An invitation relating to the Mayor of Kettering’s Charity Ball, to be held on 16 November at Wicksteed Park Pavilion.

The Chair reported upon the last meeting of the Kettering Rural Forum, where the principal business had included the proposed intensification of the wind farm development at Burton Latimer. Members heard that another 7 turbines were being planned, being sufficient to serve approximately 7,000 homes; the turbines having a claimed design life of 25 years. The forum had been informed that only 6 months of operation was needed to offset the carbon footprint of the development, and that other forms of green energy were being investigated on-site although the location was particularly suitable for wind-dependent forms of production.

Also at the Rural Forum, it had been confirmed that no additional gritting routes had been added for this winter and the County Council were again making available community speed signs for local display as part of the rollout of the ‘Community Speedwatch’ initiative. The meeting had been further informed that improvement works to the Pytchley crossroads had now been programmed for the next financial year.

The next meeting of the forum was due to occur on 29 November, when local council precepting would be an agenda item.

The Chair then reported upon her attendance at the recent planning training event, organised by Kettering Borough Council, and there followed a brief debate concerning proposed changes to the suggested ‘tariff’ system that had been consulted upon as a replacement for the ‘Section 106’ (of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) mechanism presently used by local planning authorities to secure developers’ infrastructure contributions.

Cllr. Mrs. Farenden briefed members upon the business transacted at the most last meeting of the Village Hall Committee (on 9 October), which included consideration of banking issues, bookings (including particular difficulties being experienced by the Scouts), a new polishing machine, a further auction event planned for 12 January 2008, and various minor works including door reversals to increase storage capacity. The next meeting was scheduled for 13 November.

07/5906 POLICE REPORT. No officer was in attendance at this meeting but the regular monthly crime report for September was received and noted (copy appended).

The following application was considered and it was agreed that the Council would object, as the proposed location within a residential area was considered inappropriate for a use of this nature and likely to impact upon the amenity for neighbours due to smell, noise and possible vermin attraction. Additionally, further traffic movements on the already busy Northampton Road in proximity to the ongoing Charles Church development, where parking congestion issues are already arising, were considered to be harmful in terms of highway safety. Finally, the built form of the proposal was considered over-large and incongruous, being likely to have an overbearing relationship with adjacent dwellings and harmful to visual amenity enjoyed by neighbouring residents:-

Income			£
Barclays Bank PLC	Interest – Premium A/c		28.62
Expenditure			£
Barclays Bank PLC	Commission	(Direct debit )	6.00
Barclays Bank PLC	Store fee	(Direct debit )	1.00
GA Duthie	Salary and WP	(101264 )	281.98
HM Inland Revenue	Income tax	(101265 )	68.64

In connection with the move to precepting imposed on the Parish by the Borough Council due to the tapered cutting of revenue support grant, the Chair advised members that it was clear from estimates that the levels of grant being awarded would not cover even the bare running costs of the Council; with no discretionary activity being allowed for at all. Consequently, it was essential the Parish Council engaged in a dialogue with householders who will be funding the shortfall and members agreed this dialogue should be informed and assisted by the Borough Council given the circumstances. Accordingly, and building upon the offer of assistance previously made by Mr Sutton of the Borough Council, it was RESOLVED that a presentation/information event for parishioners be arranged towards the end of November; the Chair to liaise with Mr. Sutton in order to settle a suitable date and venue (the Chapel rooms being a favoured suggestion due to their accessible and central location, subject to availability).

07/5909 NOTICE BOARD. The Vice-Chairman provided the meeting with an update concerning the removal of the Council notice board from the wall of the former Bellamy’s store; this having been required by the new proprietor. Consideration of possible alternative sites had proved to be difficult in terms of finding a location as centrally sited, but one possibility had been identified on the return wall of the High Street shop occupied by Rock Revelations. An approach to the occupier had been favourably received but, as the premises were tenanted, it would also be necessary to seek consent from the freeholder. The Clerk agreed to put this in hand.

07/5910 TIN CAN BAND. A further discussion concerning this tradition occurred, following the reporting of the police response to the request for attendance for the event from midnight on 15 December. Members heard that the police had declined support for an ad-hoc gathering with no organisation or direction and were also concerned at the timing, and the potential for precedent setting in terms of the call against available police resources.

It was indicated that this might be reviewed if the Parish Council was able to convert the tradition into an organised event with set parameters but otherwise there was the possibility that the police would seek to stop the gathering on any report of disorder.

Following significant debate, no consensus emerged, with doubts remaining that the Parish Council had any effective ability to intervene in what many local people regarded as a historic, if sometimes boisterous, tradition. It was accepted that experience indicated the tradition would likely be observed, to some extent or other, regardless of attempts to suppress or direct it although it was also acknowledged that the Parish Council should not passively accept that criminal damage or vandalism was an acceptable or inevitable consequence. Given the difficulties apparent, it was agreed that publicity should be given to the issue via the vehicles of the ‘Down Your Way’ column in the Evening Telegraph and the ‘Four Spires’ newsletter, which might include an appeal for historical information where such information was sparse. Members seemed of the view that the best means of moderating behaviour was by ensuring, if possible, that any gathering was attended by as mixed a cross-section of the community as possible although the customary timing did serve to inhibit this. Notwithstanding the police response, it was also agreed to invite Sergeant Hopkins to the November meeting in order to further discuss the issue.

07/5911 GENERAL INTEREST ITEMS. The Vice-Chairman reminded the meeting that a poppy wreath was needed for the Armistice Day event.

Cllr. Mrs. Bull reported that ‘magic’ mushrooms had again been occurring at a particular location in the village and, given the controlled status of these, the police were aware; two arrests having been made for suspected offences arising from misuse.

Cllr. Mrs. Bull reported receipt of material in connection with the Community Speedwatch initiative and this was placed on circulation.

Cllr. Mrs. Page informed the meeting that the field hedge at Coxs Lane had yet to be cut.

Cllr. Chaplin raised the issue of parking difficulties on Wellingborough Road (where double parking recently had the likely effect of impeding emergency vehicle access should this be necessary), and on High Street in the vicinity of the Co-op store. Members agreed the latter was a known issue and had frequently been raised with the Highway Authority, especially since installation of the crossing, but the former had not previously been raised as a problem.

Cllr. Baxter requested that the issue of the landscape bund at Kettering Road (and its maintenance) be included as an agenda item for the November meeting, this again being a problem.

Cllr. Shrive asked that the police be thanked for their efforts recently as a marked increase in force activity had been noticed and was appreciated.

The Chair suggested that a request be made for the provision of a further dog waste bin at the junction of Butts Lane and Gate Lane, which was a popular dog walking area with no existing facility.

07/5912 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. It was reported that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be on Wednesday 21 November 2007, at 7:00pm in the Village Hall.

07/5913 URGENT ITEMS ADMITTED BY THE CHAIR. The following items were admitted for discussion by the Chair:-