5:         Cllr Hughes spoke briefly of the County Council Budget, and that the East Northants Council Tax portion was to increase by 2%. The number of refuse bags that are put out a full six days before refuse collection was discussed. Cllr Hughes stated that there were no bylaws to cover these acts and that the Council would only become involved if there was a public health issue.

6:         Cllr Hughes also drew attention to the fact that next years local elections may be delayed as once again there were plans to merge Councils to give each Council an electorate of around 250,000.

7:         Drayton Estate. The estate had considered the idea of improving the surface through the Shrubbery and requested that a meeting be convened with the Parish Council and the funding officer of East Northants Council. Clerk to arrange.

8:        Letter to Police. The Clerk’s letter to the Police regarding vehicles parked at the top of Club Lane was read out – no response.

9:         Club Lane. The Clerk’s letter to WS Atkins regarding making Club Lane one way was read out – no reply.

10:     Mr D Hackney. The Clerk had spoken to Mr D Hackney. He responded that he was unable to carry out work on the children’s playground as he was frequently contracted to work for Wicksteed Leisure. The seat in memory of the late Mr E Hackney was discussed and it was suggested that a solid steel seat be purchased from the Wicksteed range and be located nearer to the Working Men’s Club. Clerk to investigate cost.

11:     Glebe Farm. Berry Bros had emailed the Clerk suggesting a meeting with Councillors regarding the building of a stockman’s cottage at the Glebe Farm Barn, Addington Road. Councillors adamantly commented that this was not an opportunity that would be extended to other planning applicants, neither the applicant nor agent were Woodford electors at present, and any such development did not conform with East Northants Development Policy.

12:     Telephone Kiosk. The Clerk reported that BT had contacted him regarding the repainting of the telephone box but were having difficulty in locating the box within their inventory!

13:     Children’s Playground. Wicksteed Leisure had carried out the assessment of the playground and submitted a report for consideration.  The total cost of the works amounted to £475– of which £343 was for labour. The report drew attention to the poor state of the safety matting and that it was nearing the end of its serviceable life. Mr Woods proposed, Mr Sharples seconded that the work be carried out, and that a grant be pursued for the laying of new safety material. The Clerk reported that he had also made emergency repairs purchasing the fixings from Wicksteed’s and carrying out the fitting.

14:     Thrapston Road Bridge. The Clerk understood that work was progressing well and the bridge would be open ahead of schedule. The Clerk also reported that he had informed “Street Doctor” that many of the diversion signs for the road closure were incorrectly placed / and referred incorrectly to Addington Rd being closed. Copies of correspondence between Dodson and Horrell and WS Atkins had been received were read out.

15:     Planning Committee Comments

a)           Barn Conversion at Manor House Farm Addington Road. There had been no objections to the conversion of the barns but concern over the location of the relocated vehicular entrance. The Clerk had referred these two matters to the Council.

16:     East Northamptonshire Council Decisions

a)           5 Club Lane - Rear Extension – Permitted

b)           Land adjacent to Church St / Club Lane – Outline application for a detached dwelling  - Permitted

c)           The Caravan, Sunnyside – Vehicular access from High St – Refused

d)           48 High Street (The Closet) - Conversion of shop to ground floor flat – Refused.

17:     New Planning Applications

a)           There were no further planning applications for discussion.

18:     Other Planning Matters

a)           ENC had written confirming that they had investigated the new building in Thrapston Road (Allotments) and found that it had not been built for agricultural use. The owner had been informed of the consequences of deviating from the agreed use.

19:     Green Waste Plan. ENC had written asking whether Parish Councils would be interested in providing recycling facilities for green waste. Councillors asked that the Clerk respond informing that this would not benefit those who relied upon the former collections service offered by the Council needed the collection facility as opposed to somewhere to take the waste.

20:     External Auditor. BDO Stoy Hayward had written with their new address.

21:     Verge Cutting. The new contract from ENC was to hand and it was proposed by Mr M Vaughan and seconded by Mr Woods that the document be signed. The Clerk also signed the documentation agreeing with WS Atkins that the Parish Council would be responsible for the verges.

22:     Thurston’s Fair. Mr Bugg had written confirming that the fair would be on the village green from 9^th July until 17^th July, and would be open from Wednesday 12^th July until Saturday 15^th July.

23:     Little Addington Parish Council. Little Addington Parish Council had written requesting that local parish councils inform  each other of any planning applications near their parish boundaries which could have an effect on a neighbouring parish. Clerk was asked to respond that ENC provide a list of all planning applications, which can be emailed or posted to any interested party.

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

a)         Cllr Langley’s Report (See above)

b)        Village Champions

c)         ENC Preferred Options (Development)

d)        ENC Minutes

e)         ENC Councillor Information Circular

f)          ENC Standards Board Review

g)         NHS Consultation – Reconfiguration of the Primary Care Trusts

h)         ENC Draft Sustainability Appraisal Report

i)           ENC Guidance on Developer Contributions

26:     Dukes Arms. Mrs Hayman asked whether any planning laws were being contravened by the bright lights recently added to the front of the building. Councillors agreed suggesting that initially it had been thought they were installed for Christmas. The Clerk was asked to make enquiries of ENC (as opposed to referring the matter for investigation)