Woodford Parish Council Minutes December 2005

Woodford, Near Kettering, Northamptonshire, England

[Minutes Index]

Minutes of a meeting of Woodford Parish Council held on Tuesday 20^th December 2005
in the vestry of the Baptist Church, Rose Terrace, commencing at 7.30pm

Present:	Mr I Vaughan (chair), Mr S Clifton, Mr P Colson, Mrs I Godden, Mrs S Hayman, Mrs E Reid, Mr D Sharples, Mr M Vaughan and Mr D Woods
In attendance:	Mr P T Bird (Clerk)
Apologies for absence:	Mrs Fulcher, Mr Whalley, Mrs Whalley, Cllr A Langley, Cllr D Hughes. Mr P J Bird arrived later.
Minutes of last meeting:	The minutes of the November Parish Council meeting having been circulated, were unanimously agreed as a true record of the meeting subject to a manual amendment being made to the effect that the cricket club had asked for the H Coales seat to be relocated, not the family. It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman sign them as such.
Youth Forum Update:	1: Mr M Vaughan reported that the football training had now ceased having gained additional numbers through the programme. It was planned to run a longer programme later in the year.
Police Report:	2: The Police were not present
Comments from Electors:	3: No members of the electorate were present.
Cllr Langley’s Comments:	4: Cllr Langley was not present
Cllr Hughes Comments:	5: Cllr Hughes was not present
Matters arising from the minutes:	6: Road adjacent to school rear of High Street. The Clerk’s letter to Mr and Mrs Clipston was read out. Reiterating that as the road was a private road the Parish Council was powerless to assist. 7: Street Signs “Thrapston Road” and “The Moorings”. The Clerk’s letter requesting repair to these signs was read out. 8: St Mary’s Churchyard Maintenance. The Clerks letter explaining the reasons behind the size of the donation was read out. 9: Henry Coales Memorial Seat. The Clerk’s letter to the PCC requesting permission to locate the seat inn the churchyard was readout. No Response. 10: East Northants Local Government Committee. Mrs Ding East Northants Council) had responded to the Council’s letter (Sept minutes para 23) regarding this particular group informing that the District Council is obliged to listen to any comments forwarded to them irrespective of who the group may be, whether they have a published agenda or not and irrespective of how tenuous a link the group may have with the subject upon which comments are made.
Planning Issues:	11: Planning Committee Comments a) No plans had been circulated since the previous meeting 12: East Northamptonshire Council Decisions a) 2 Eady’s Row. Construction of front porch. Permission Granted 13: New Planning Applications a) Stockman Cottage, Glebe Farm Addington Road. An application for a cottage to be built adjacent to the barns in Thrapston Road was considered. It was unanimously agreed to strongly object on the grounds that such a construction would set a precedent for future buildings in the area, that the site was less that a mile from Woodford (not nearly two miles as stated in the application) and that the site was well outside the permitted development zone for Woodford. b) Club Lane / Church Street Junction. Outline Planning Permission for Dwelling. No Objection. c) The Closet (Former Co-op building) An application to change the use of the ground floor from a shop to a flat was discussed. There were no grounds for objection to the change of use but the Clerk was asked to comment that parking was an issue in this part of the village with the ground to the South west of the site being in private ownership. It was also agreed to inform Drayton Estate of the proposed change out of courtesy). As Mr Bird joined the meeting at this point; Mr I Vaughan opted to vacate the chair at this point in the meeting and Mr P J Bird took over the position of Chairman.
New Correspondence:	14: Thrapston Road Closure. A Letter from the County COuncil informed that maintenance work on the bridge adjacent to the ford would necessitate the closure of Thrapston Road for up to thirteen weeks, from an as yet to be specified date. The suggested diversion would be via Great Addington, Ringstead, Denford and Thrapston. The Clerk was asked to write to WS Atkins expressing disappointment that no consultation had taken place. And that notice was very short. Questions regarding bus routes also need to be answered and whether or not the project could be delayed until better weather. Concern over public safety from the HGVs visiting the Farm Site and SMC were also expressed. The Clerk was also asked to point out that the diversion route, for much of its length was a weight limited route. 15: Highways Agency Trunk Road Repairs. A list of major road works in the east of England were to hand, none however, were close to Woodford. The Clerk was asked to put copies in the Doctors and Post Office. Details also were to hand regarding the recently installed footbridge at Blackbridge, Burton Latimer. 16: WRVS. The WRVS had written asking whether the Council would support them with a donation. Councillors agreed not to support the charity this year due to the number of donations that had already been made. 17: Voluntary Sector Support. Details regarding applying for grants from the County Council were to hand. Clerk to retain on file. 18: Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Environment Agency had now declared that most of the former gravel pits in the Nene Valley had been registered as SSSI. 19: The Chairman asked that the following items of correspondence be circulated: a) East Kettering Development Public Forums b) East Northants Council Minutes c) ENC Councillor Information Circular d) Stanwick Lakes News e) North Northamptonshire Growth / Development Plan
Finance:	Balance brought forward		8992.05
	Less
	ABB Lighting Maintenance	253.11
	Mr P Bird Clerk Salary	190.00
	Mrs D Bosworth (15hrs Litterpicking +1.19 bin bags)	78.20
	Powergen Lighting Power	559.82	1081.13
	Balance Carried forward		7910.92

	20: Mr Woods proposed, Mrs Godden seconded, and it was unanimously agreed that the above accounts be settled.
Budget 2006 – 2007 and Precept setting	21: The Clerk provided draft budget proposals for the forthcoming year 2006-07. The proposed budget, with no flexibility required a precept of a minimum of £9700. Mr Woods proposed, Mr Sharples seconded a precept of £12,000. A counter proposal by Mr I Vaughan, seconded by Mrs Hayman for a precept of £11,000 was made and a show of hands defeated the counter proposal 4 – 3 (3 abstentions). A show of hands for the original proposal of £12,000 realised a vote 6 - 2 in favour (2 abstentions). It was therefore resolved that the Precept would remain unchanged at £12,000 for the forthcoming year.
Any other Business:	22: Hackney. Mr Colson asked whether any contact had been made by the Hackney family regarding the vandalised seat in memory of the Mr E Hackney. Clerk to contact Mr D Hackney 23: Cherry Tree. Mrs Hayman mentioned the tree on the small green and that one of the branches may be unsafe. Clerk to speak to Mr D Cullum and ask him to investigate. 24: Mower. The issue of a new lawn mower was briefly discussed and the Clerk was requested to ask Mr D Cullum whether he had any views on a replacement. Agenda item for the next meeting. 25: Wires in Mill Road. Mr Vaughan mentioned that cables had once again been pulled down in Mill Road. Clerk to speak to Central Networks regarding the increasing of the height of the cables. 26: Dog warden for Highfield. Clerk mentioned he had been approached by a Highfield resident regarding a number of dogs that are allowed to rove the streets unattended. It was agreed that he contact the dog warden.

There being no other business the Chairman wished those present a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year,
and declared the meeting closed at 9.00pm.

Signed P J Bird

Dated January 2006

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