Woodford PC Minutes December 2007

[Minutes Index]

Minutes of a meeting of Woodford Parish Council held on Tuesday 18^th December 2007
in the vestry of the Baptist Church, Rose Terrace, commencing at 7.30pm

Present:	Mr P Bird (chair), Miss L Blanchard, Mr S Clifton, Mr P Colson, Mrs M Colson, Mrs S Hayman, Mr B Mearns, Mrs E Reid, Mr D Sharples, Mr I Vaughan, Mr M Vaughan and Mr D Woods.
In attendance:	Mr P T Bird (Clerk)
Apologies for absence:	Mr Holben, Cllr Hughes, Cllr Langley
Minutes of last meeting:	The minutes of the Parish Council meeting having been circulated, were proposed by Mrs Colson, seconded by Mr M Vaughan, and agreed as a true record by those present. It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman sign them as such.
Youth Forum Update:	1: The Clerk reported that he still had not received any correspondence from the Playing Field Committee regarding the MUGA.
Police Report:	2: PCSO Taylor was in attendance and reported that there had been a burglary that day in the village. A theft of goods from a motor vehicle had taken place and a spate of egg throwing at a house in Mill Road. 3: Mr Clifton expressed concerns regarding speeding in the village. 4: Mr M Vaughan mentioned that the Working Men’s Club sign had been broken again. 5: Parking issues at junctions in Church St, Mill Rd, High St, Addington Rd and especially outside of the school were raised. The PCSO said that with the decriminalisation of parking offences he could now only act on obstruction occurrences. 6: A number of Councillors drew attention to the large number of vehicles parked in Rose Terrace (adjacent to 27). It was suggested these were blocking footpaths, vehicles were untaxed and parked in the turning circle. The Clerk was also requested to refer the matter to ENC Environmental Health Service and Planning, as it was believed that the Planning conditions for the building were frequently broken and caused a public nuisance.
Comments from Electors:	7: No members of the electorate were present.
Cllr Langley’s Comments:	8: Cllr Langley was not present
Cllr Hughes Comments:	9: Cllr Hughes was not present
Matters arising from the minutes:	10: Royal British Legion. The Clerk’s letter to Mrs Forscutt regarding the donation to the Poppy Appeal was read out. 11: Parochial Church Council. The Clerk’s letter to the PCC detailing the value of the donation and also a breakdown of grass cutting costs was read. 12: Spire Homes. The Clerk had written to Spire Homes requesting they investigate the poor state of the “apron” of garages in West Street. 13: WS Atkins. The Clerk confirmed he had written to WS Atkins confirming that the Parish Council would be responsible for the cutting of the village verges. 14: Car in Addington Road. This had now been removed.
Planning Issues:	15: Planning Committee Comments a) Allotment 12 Thrapston Road 07/02062/FUL Change of Use of Agricultural building. This application had been considered by some of the planning committee was discussed again at this meeting. Councillors were overwhelmingly against the development of the allotment and cited reasons as with the previous application, i.e. outside of the village development zone, exit / entrance on a dangerous stretch of road, loss of another potential allotment site - none of which had been addressed by the resubmission 16: East Northamptonshire Council Decisions a) 1 Rectory Lane. 07/00705/FUL - Sub-division into two properties Granted. 17: New Planning Applications a) There were no other planning applications
New Correspondence:	19: New Street Lamp. ABB had written informing that PL17 in Highfield had been hit by a vehicle. This was thought of be the lamp near the Working Men’s Club. Councillors agreed that the lamp be replaced at a cost of £688. The Clerk was also asked to enquire whether there was a solution for a better lamp at the playground. Additionally the Clerk was asked to write to the person who had contacted ABB to try to find out whether there was any further information regarding the vehicle involved. 20: Concessionary Fares. ENC had sent details of the sale of Travel Tokens / Bus Passes etc. (Available from The Shrubberies on Monday 11^th February (am). 21: Service 16. There had been minor changes to the Service 16 bus timetable (did not affect Woodford). 22: Sewage Sludge Spreading. AN ENC briefing note was to hand. Clerk asked to file. 23: There were no items for circulation
Finance:	Balance brought forward			£33,172.68
	Less
	1467	Mrs D Bosworth litter-picker	£67.94
	1468	ABB lighting maintenance	£283.02
	1469	P T Bird Clerk	£220.00
				£570.96
	Balance Carried forward			£32,601.72

	24: Mrs Hayman proposed, Mr Sharples seconded, and it was unanimously agreed that the above accounts be settled.
Budget 2008/09	25: The Clerk provided Councillors with a draft budget and after discussion and questioning Mr Clifton proposed and Sharples seconded that the figures be agreed. All in agreement.
Any other Business:	26: Youth Panel Funding. MR M Vaughan mentioned funding for the youth panel informing that Spire Homes would be willing to make a donation and asked whether the Parish Council would also be willing to donate. Once funding was in place the panel would be in a position to raise further funds. Councillors agreed in principle but would await correspondence from Spire Homes confirming their input.

There being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.35pm.

Signed P J Bird Dated 17 January 2008

Woodford, Near Kettering, Northamptonshire, England