Parish Council Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 April 2008
LONG BUCKBY PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Monday 14th April 2008
1. OPENING PROCEDURES1.1 APOLOGIES: P Davis (holiday), M Hill (work), M Leach (holiday), District Councillor – D Osborne (illness), 1.2 PRESENT: J Christie, S Davey, James McDonald, John McDonald, C Myers,S Osborne (Chairman), S Shardlow, C Spokes, P Townsend, A Webb, W Wiggins,10 members of the public, 1.3 THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on Monday 10th March 2008 were agreed as correct and signed as correct by the chairman.
1.4 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTSPersonal: Nil
Personal and Prejudicial: Nil 2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Churchyard – Debris on paths – Reply received from Rev Clive Evans stating that the debris has been removed.2.2 Long Buckby Wharf – Grand Union Canal Signage – A letter has been received from British Waterways that says that we can have signs stating the Grand Union Canal but they would need to be funded by ourselves.
2.3 Multi-Play Equipment – Recreation Ground – A quotation has been received for £7,603.00 plus VAT to replace the damaged equipment. This item was deferred to be discussed during 5.2 later in the meeting.2.4 Youth Club – With District Councillor Diana Osborne unwell, possible ways of proceeding with the Youth Club will be discussed at the next Recreation & Youth Committee Meeting at the end of April. It was asked that G Draper complete the building frontage work. Clerk will contact to arrange.
2.5 20mph Speed Limits – The Clerk is yet to hear further details on any schemes from NCC that are available around the Long Buckby Schools. The Clerk will chase up for a reply and details for the May Meeting.
3. PUBLIC TIME
Planning Application DA/2008/0340 – Local residents are unhappy with this planning application and feel that the plans are too large for the area. Residents also feel that the procedure with which DDC handle planning applications is insufficient as far as making neighbours aware of the application.
4. COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
NCC – Northamptonshire County Council are busy re-structuring their departments. The new contractors for the road maintenance are now in place from the start of April.DDC – The planning application for a major development in Daventry by Danetree Consortium has now gone to appeal as they are unhappy with the way the planning application is being dealt with.
5. BUSINESS5.1 Recommendations from Highways & Environment Meeting – 25th March 2008
Replacement Litter Bins are required as damage has been caused to the ones along Station Road (opposite Library and opposite Rugby Club) – The Clerk will order from ESPO at a cost of £108.00 each
Fingerpost Sign – Market Square – This item will be incorporated into the Station Road project.
2 new Village Signs will be ordered from DDC for the West Haddon gated road and also Brington Road. Clerk to order.
Long Buckby Wharf – Signs for road naming project - We are still awaiting costs from DDC due to Fiona Dillon being off work. The project has been taken over by a colleague and we are hoping to obtain prices by the end of this week.
King Street – Condition of Road – S Osborne has been asked as our County Councillor to try and get King Street sorted as a matter of urgency.
5.2 Recreation Ground
Robin Lock has put forward his proposals to form a Recreation Ground Committee, the Parish Council are fully supportive of this being set-up and the Clerk will notify Robin Lock that they have the go ahead to proceed and report to us at a Parish Council Meeting the intentions they have. The Parish Council will consider funding from their budget following proposals received. Chris Spokes has offered to be the Parish Council representative on the Committee.
C Spokes proposed, W Wiggins seconded and the votes were 9 in favour and 1 against that we remove the multi-play equipment as soon as possible for health and safety reasons. Clerk will contact Graham Draper and ask him to undertake this.
5.3 Station Road Improvements – A meeting was held with S Osborne, M Leach and S Shardlow along with Mike Greaves and Robin Lock. Design plans will be on display at the Annual Parish Meeting. 3 quotations for the work to be undertaken will be sought. Within 13 months we are hopeful to have around £20,000 to spend on these improvements.
5.4 Mill Park Reserve – Funding Request 2008/09 – The bank balance that was submitted from Mill Park was dated 31 August 2007. An updated statement of accounts will be requested along with their projected expenditure for the year ahead and then this request for funding will be considered at the May meeting.
5.5 NALC - Review of Standing Orders & Chairmanship (2003)
Any comments to NALC with regards to local variations to the Standing Orders or any other amendments were requested to be submitted by 2nd May 2008.
5.6 New Road Markings – The Banks – A letter was received from a resident stating concerns that the Keep Clear sign that has been painted on the road does not allow for a car passing place along an extremely congested part of the village. The Parish Council are in agreement and the Clerk will ask N Gore (NCC) if the gap could be widened to allow for a “pulling-in” space to be achieved.
5.7 Annual Parish Meeting – 30th April 2008 – The Clerk will place a notice up to inform residents that the new design plans for Station Road will be on display at the Annual Parish Meeting and also that the Recreation Ground Committee is being re-formed and we are hopeful that improvements/developments are to be made in this area.5.8 Footpath – EY2 – Salem Close – The developer in Salem Close has laid topsoil and stones onto this footpath making the surface unsuitable for the elderly and pushchairs.
This was done without permission, N Wedgbrow will be contacted by the Clerk and asked that the original surface be re-instated as a matter of urgency and this letter will be copied to the Senior Rights of Way Officer, Jim Cosford.
The lorries coming onto this development have also damaged the fence at the end of Greenhill Road and the Clerk will contact DDC to inform them of this damage.
5.9 Hidden Dips – Wharf Road – The Clerk will contact Nick Gore to ask if double white lines can be painted along this part of the road in light of the accidents that have occurred in this area. 6. FINANCE6.1 Expenditure Update enclosed with minutes
6.2 ACCOUNTS TO BE PAID
It was agreed that the following accounts be paid:
S Porter Clerk Salary March 2008 £ 656.22
Expenses Postage/Phone/Internet £ 51.21 Inland Revenue PAYE March 2008 £ 113.14
C M Grainger Public Toilets – February 2008 £ 433.33E-On Public Toilets – March 2008 £ 27.02
Village Shuttle Parish Transport – March 2008 £ 135.00
Community Centre Hire of Rooms for Meetings Jan-Mar 08 £ 147.00
ESPO Stationary £ 29.39
ABB Replace Street Light 166 – The Leys £ 241.40
Scott’s Grass Verges & Allotments – March 08 £ 270.25
G Kenning Street Warden/Cemetery – March 08 £ 749.91
DDC Returning Officer Fee - 05/2007 £ 90.43
NCALC Membership 2008/09 £ 622.00
NCALC Internal Audit Service 2008/09 £ 386.40
G Draper General Maintenance 2007/08 £ 2,295.95Mill Park Precept Funding 2007/08 £ 300.00
DDC Public Toilets – Rates 08/09 £ 1,270.50
DDC Cemetery – Rates 08/09 £ 50.38
L B Wharf Hire of Village Hall – 08/01/2008 £ 10.00
TOTAL £ 7,879.53PAYMENTS RECEIVED
Allotments Rental £ 12.00John Ward Cemetery Services £ 184.00
TOTAL £ 196.00LATE ACCOUNTS
DACT Parish Transport £ 188.20
E-On Hockey Pavilion Jan-March 08 £ 48.02 BALANCES AT BANK £ 56,727.72
7. PLANNING
PLANNING APPLICATION
DA/2008/0340 – First floor extension over existing garage, construction of single storey rear and side extensions – 6 High Stack, Long Buckby
Objections: Voted 6 for and 3 against1) Out of keeping with the area
2) Over development of the site
PLANNING PERMISSIONS GRANTED
These planning permissions were noted:DA/2008/ 0118 – Construction of conservatory to side of dwelling – 5 Newbridge, Long Buckby Wharf
DA/2008/0130 – Conservatory to rear of dwelling – 14 Watts Way, Long Buckby
DA/2008/0144 – Extension to existing industrial unit – Goodman Glass Fibre, Ryehill Farm, Long Buckby Wharf
REQUEST FOR A SCOPING OPINION
Proposed Wind Farm on land adjacent to east side of M1 motorway (J18/19) - No comments from the Parish Council until a planning application has been submitted.
8. COUNCILLORS REPORTS and RISK ASSESSMENTS8.1 Recreation Ground
G Draper has been asked to top-up the bark under the Junior Slide and re-cement the bin in at the Ryehill Close entrance.8.2 Cemetery
P Townsend has requested that white lines be painted on the edge of the steps in the Cemetery to make them more visible. 8.3 Allotments 9. CORRESPONDANCE9.1 Community Centre – Revised charges – These were noted by the Parish Council.9.2 NCC – Minerals & Waste Development Framework: Control and Management of Development - Paul Whiffin will be contacted by the Clerk for his comments.
Meeting Closed 9:20pm