Mr P Bird (chair), Miss L Blanchard, Mrs M Colson, Mr B Mearns, Mrs E Reid, Mr D Sharples, Mr I Vaughan and Mr M Vaughan.

Mr P T Bird (Clerk), PCSO Cross.

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting having been circulated, were proposed by Mrs Colson, seconded by Ms Blanchard, and agreed as a true record by those present. It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman sign them as such.

1:         Mr M Vaughan had no comments on this matter.

2:         PCSO Cross was present although had nothing to report. Councillors mentioned a number of vehicles in High St, Rose Terrace and Newtown that were believed to be infringing traffic regulations. PCSO agreed to investigate.

3:         PCSO Cross mentioned that PCSO Taylor had now left the force.

7:         Trees in High Street. Drayton Estate had replied to the Clerk’s letter regarding pruning the trees. The Estate have taken the decision to only prune trees that are dangerous, but permitted the Parish Council to carry out the work at their own expense given sufficient insurance is in place. Given that no budget had been set aside for this type of expenditure during the year ending March 2009. The Clerk was asked to respond to Mr Coles accordingly.

8:         Land in Rose Terrace. The resident who has chained off some of the verge in Rose Terrace had not responded to the Clerk’s recent email.

9:         Rural North, Oundle and Thrapston Plan. The Clerk’s letter to East Northants in response to the Local plan was read out and agreed.

10:     The Shrubbery. The Clerk had written to Drayton Estate about the poor state of the shrubbery and the damage presently being caused by horses and motorcyclists. No response.

11:     Planning Committee Comments

a)           The Planning Committee had not commented on any plans since the last meeting.

12:     East Northamptonshire Council Decisions

a)           No decisions had been made by East Northants Council

13:     New Planning Applications

a)           Rear 25 Mill Rd (Off Highfield) New dwelling EN/08/00466/OUT. Outline Planning Permission was fought for a detached dwelling. No objections were raised but attention was drawn to the size visibility splays and the size of the garden. Clerk asked to respond with these comments

14:     Other Planning Matters

15:     Eady’s Row. A letter complaining about the surface in Eady’s Row, motorcycles / traffic and the gate had been received from Ms Cullum. The clerk was asked to respond that the “road” was in fact private (with the exception of the public footpath – right of way) and consequently the maintenance fell to the residents, as did the gate at the top. The Clerk was asked to report the incidents of motorcyclists using the route to the Police. Councillors also agreed that the Clerk contact the County Council asking whether there was any form of barrier which could be erected at the top of Eady’s Row permitting pedestrians, to pass through but stopping motorcycles.

16:     St Georges Day Parade. An invitation had been received to the Scouts’ St. George’s Day Parade.

17:     Dog Control Orders. Details of the new dog control orders had been received. All areas of public access would be covered (including public footpaths across fields, grass roadside verges), requiring dog owners to clean up after their pets. Relevant orders would be put into place by East Northants by the end of 2008

18:     Public Lamps. E.on / central networks had written requesting that the Council confirms the number and types of street lamps in Woodford – Clerk to organise.

19:     Mencap. A request from the charity requesting support was discussed. Councillors unanimously agreed that any donations should be given to locally based charities.

20:     Street Lamp Repairs. A new lamp was required in Mill Rd (pl20), near junction with High Street at a cost of £345.00 and a further lamp – pl22 at a cost of £235.80 in Alledge Drive. Both lamps had succumbed to “old age”. Councillors agreed unanimously that they be repaired. Clerk to organise.

21:     The Chairman asked that the following items of correspondence be circulated:

a)         NCC Minutes

b)        ENC Minutes

23:     The Clerk reported that and Internal Auditor needed to be appointed and Mr L Essam was suggested as a potential nominee. Clerk to contact Mr Essam.

24:     A letter from WREN revealed that the Council had been awarded £20,000 towards the cost of the MUGA. A number of matters needed to be qualified and the Clerk was asked to respond appropriately. It was agreed that the Clerk be authorised to sign any documentation on behalf of the Council in connection with the grant.

26:     Eady’s Row, Orchard Court. The Clerk reported that Eady’s Row and Orchard Court were known on some well known mapping websites as Lady’s Row and Zander Court. Councillors agreed that the Clerk try to get the data corrected.

27:     Shrubs in The Leys near Rose Terrace. Mrs Hayman (via the Clerk) had asked whether the Council knew if Central Networks would be removing the shrub, cut down when overhead power cables were re-routed. The Chairman suggested that it would most probably be left for the landowner as whilst they would have the right to prune the shrub it did not belong to them so they could not remove it.