November 6th 2008 minutes

PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held in the Village Hall on Thursday 6th November 2008

65 Present: Cllrs Miles (Chairman), Rootham (Deputy), Allen, Rowlett, Waller, Timms (Borough) and Alison McLaven (Clerk). 2 members of the public were also present.

66 Apologies: Cllrs Norton and Watts67 Discussion with Lyn Martin-Bennison and Councillor John Bailey
67.1 Councillor Bailey had instigated meetings between the Parishes and the Chief Executive and himself in order to improve the relationship between the Borough and the Parishes. This was the first of 18 such meetings.
67.2The main points discussed were making communication better and addressing problems associated with planning decisions.
68 Open session for the Public
68.1 Mr Derry addressed the meeting on his concerns that as one of the objectives of the Parish Council was improved communication it was not doing as well as it could. The spending of the Section 106 money had originally had a large meeting of the public and although a working group had been set up little else had been heard. He realised the Parish was land poor and pointed out that the village was unaware of the nature of alternative draft proposals now being discussed. He was advised that work was still in progress and that a very positive meeting with the Borough had already been held. Should draft proposals be formally approved later at this meeting the village would be advised via the Newsletter.

68.2 There was discussion regarding the village web site, which appears not to be fully functional at the moment. Mr Derry had set up a village ‘blog’ and would like to publish draft minutes rather than wait 2 months to see the approved minutes. Lynn Martin- Bennison suggested producing a resume of the meeting, summarising decisions made.

68.3 Councillor Miles proposed and Councillor Allen seconded that the minutes be produced within a week of the meeting and they be published on a notice board and the Blog in total but clearly marked ‘draft’ or ‘unapproved’. Councillor Rootham counter proposed an amendment that we produce a resume reflecting and highlighting topics, but was uniquely separate and not identifiable as minutes. Councillor Waller seconded this. This was defeated by 2 votes to 3.The original motion was therefore, carried. Councillor Rootham and Councillor Waller asked to have their objections minuted because of previous legal advice taken. The minutes would be scrutinised by 2 Councillors before publication. Councillors Miles & Rootham

69 Minutes of meeting 11th September 2008 and matters arising

69.1 Several errors needed correction and it was agreed that following correction they be signed as a true record of the meeting and copies circulated to Councillors.

69.2 The excavations at Orlingbury Hall appear to have stopped but the Clerk to contact Mr Rennie to check the situation.

70 Development Plan
70.1 Councillor Allen proposed that the document previously discussed on spending the S106 money be approved. Councillor Rootham seconded and meting unanimously approved.

70.2 It was noted that Joe Hubbard, Deputy Chief Executive of WBC, was aware of the working document and felt that it should be able to go ahead. The Developers would have to agree the plan but he saw no major problems and hoped the money would be released within the next ten days.

70.3 Councillor Allen was thanked for his hard work on the project.

70.4 Joe Hubbard will contact the Highways about the traffic calming money.

70.5 There is the possibility of highways money being available for small works. Resurfacing the pavement where the bush has been removed, and dropped curbs were discussed. Councillor Allen will contact ACRE as they are the ones liaising for the highways.

71 Progress on Parish Plan
71.1 Communication was discussed earlier

72 New Tenancy Agreement for Allotments
72.1 Councillor Rootham had produced an agreement, and Councillor Miles had an agreement that had been downloaded from the National Society of Allotment owners website. It was agreed that they would get together and agree the final document.

72.2 Councillor Rootham had had sight of a document showing the access to the land was 15feet from the edge of the ditch. Councillor Miles asked to be given a copy of this so that he could consult with the local residents over this. It was agreed important that the access for vehicles should be kept, if only for access for burial purposes, and that land was not lost.

72.3 Water would not be supplied to the site as the only obligation of the Council was to provide ‘earth for cultivation’.

72.4 Rod Derry has done a lot of work making a plan to accommodate 12 allotments on the ground currently available. It was agreed that he should allocate the allotments with current users having priority choice of plot. The agreements to be signed as soon as they are available.

72.5 It was agreed that the rent be set at £5.00 per plot per year.

72.6 Rod Derry was thanked for all his hard work.

72.7 It was noted that an article about the allotments was produced by Councillor Miles for the newsletter, but was omitted at the final cut by the Editor.

73 Adoption of model publication scheme
73.1 It was agreed to adopt the scheme. Councillor Allen had reservations about the document.

74 Correspondence
74.1 NCC had asked if the street lighting installed in Norlinton Close was functioning correctly. It appeared it was but the Clerk would write to confirm that the road had actually been adopted yet.
74.2 WBC had advised that BT was seeking to remove payphones but they could be acquired by Councils for £500 a year serviced or £1 with nothing in it. Clerk to advise both that the Orlingbury one was now a listed building.

74.3 New permitted Development order – copies of regulations to be circulated to individual Councillors.

74.4 Remaining correspondence would be circulated in the pack.

75 Financial Matters
75.1 BDO Stoyhayward (auditors) had approved the annual return with the only issues being asset valuation and fidelity guarantee. It was agreed to pay the accounts to hand and then leave only £2000 in the current account, transferring the remainder to the reserve account.

75.2 Councillor Allen proposed, Councillor Waller seconded, all in favour of the following accounts being approved for payment.
508 E-on (elec supply Jan-Jun) £861.37509
E-on (electricity maintenance) £1209.08
510 S Miles (mower maintenance& petrol) £103.66
595 BDO Stoyhayward (audit) £141.00
596 Royal British Legion ( wreath) £20.00
597 Mrs A McLaven (salary) £282.42

75.3 Current Account balance at 29 October is £7923.73

75.4 Reserve Account balance at 29 October is £7508.9875.5 ACRE had advised of an interim salary increase for Parish Clerks, SCP 15 is now £8.238p per hour increased from £7.846. This has been backdated to 1st April 2008.

Reports from external meetings attended (if any)
76.1 Councillor Miles and the Clerk had attended the Parish Forum.
76.1.1 It had been agreed to continue meeting twice a year in the Council Chamber rather than visit the parishes.

76.1.2 Paul Howard, who is employed by both the Borough and the County, gave a talk on emergency plans and asked to be e-mailed copies of emergency plans.

76.1.3 The Borough had plans for the provision of sport and sporting facilities of all types but did not have the appropriate funding

76.1.4 Next meeting to be on February 25th 2009 is the next meeting and as many councillors as possible to asked to attend.

77 Planning applications and decisions
77.1 WP/ 2008/0519/CA – Demolition of 2 barns, land adjacent to the Lodge, Taggies Yard for Mr Ben Norton and Miss Rebecca Denton. Comments were made rgarding over-development of the site, increased traffic density through Norlinton Close to exit on Harrowden Road and a site viewing would be requested.

77.2 WP/2008/0491/F single storey extension to front & rear including conversion to granny annexe – 6 Isham Road for Mr & Mrs Cole. It would be requested that all site traffic be contained within the site and Isham Road not obstructed.

77.3 Concerns were raised about the two new properties on Harrowden Road not using Norlinton Close for vehicular access. Clerk to contact the enforcement officer.

78. Village Hall Nothing to report

79. Any Other Business
79.1 Councillor Rowlatt had had details (placed through her letter box) of a plot of land for sale on Harrowden Road put through her box. No action could be taken over this unless formal notification of planning intention was received

79.2 Councillor Timms spoke about the availability of Smart-Water at a price. However it was thought that Charlotte Cook could get it free through Neighbourhood Watch, this to be checked out.

79.3 Councillor Allen suggested that once the development costings had been approved then a meeting should be convened to progress matters. This was agreed.

79.4 Clerk to write to Helen Howard, copying John Bailey to ask if the ‘speed review’ has been concluded and what has been approved.

79.5 To comply with new regulations future agendas would have to be more detailed and precise. This could prove problematic, especially with late planning applications.

79.6 The Chairman asked for volunteers to form a flag escort for the British Legion Remembrance Day Service in the Parish Church on Sunday November 9th.

80. Date of the next meeting

80.1 To be held on the Village Hall on Thursday January 8th 2009.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 10.20pm, with thanks from the Chair to those attending.





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Chairman Date