The minutes of the Parish Council meeting having been circulated, were proposed by Mrs Hayman, seconded by Mr I Vaughan, and agreed as a true record by those present subject to the phrase “Penny Rent” being substituted by “Peppercorn Rent” and the following paragraph being included.

Rural North, Oundle and Thrapston Plan. The first draft had been submitted to the Secretary of State. The Clerk said that the proposals were in line with the Council’s previously published views and was asked to write to ENC confirming this. Mr Woods asked to view the document.

2:         Police Sergeant Ali Rae was present. He elaborated upon the January Crime figures informing that most were opportune and it was advisable for resident to keep their outbuildings locked. (1 burglary, 1 theft from motor vehicle, 2 other crimes). Also a spate of crimes in Northamptonshire had been caused by persons leaving car engines running (to defrost the vehicle) unattended.

3:         Sergeant Rae said he intended that most meetings would be attended by an officer.

7:         Cllr Hughes reminded Councillors that funding for various projects was available from East Northants Council and the first point of contact should be Sue Davies.

9:         Development Club Lane / De Capel Close. The Clerk’s response to ENC regarding this planning application as detailed in the minutes of the last meeting was read out.

10:     Playground Upgrade Grant application. WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental) had written requesting additional information which the Clerk had provided. The Clerk had been unable to supply additional written support from the electorate for the scheme. The clerk suggested that without this written support the application would be weakened. Additionally the clerk suggested that other bids may be compromised without such support and that it might be applicable to create a “questionnaire” for circulation to all households.

11:     Rural North, Oundle and Thrapston Plan. Mr Woods, who had reviewed the document, confirmed that it met the Council’s wishes. Additionally the Clerk confirmed that he had written to East Northants confirming the Council’s agreement to the proposals of this plan.

12:     Conservation Area Review. The Clerk had written to East Northants Council seeking details of the Conservation Area Review in respect of Woodford.

Planning Issues:

14:     Planning Committee Comments

a)           Land Adjacent 8 Long Row EN/07/02427/OUT Detached Dwelling. The planning committee had reviewed this application and whilst not objecting to the development of the site with an appropriate sized property it was essential that sufficient parking (~1.5 cars per property) was allowed. Concern was also expressed over the potential congestion caused by deliveries to the site during construction. No comments from those present.

Mr D Sharples declared a Prejudicial Interest and to No Part in this agenda item

15:     East Northamptonshire Council Decisions

a)           36 Mill Road. Single Storey extension EN/07/02000/FUL - Permitted

16:     New Planning Applications

17:     Parking adjacent to White Horse. An email was to hand from Mr Wright, a resident in Whittlesea Terrace complaining about the tables outside the White Horse, which appeared to have been located on the Highway. Clerk asked to query extent of highway with County Council Highways Dept. Comment was made that the lack of cars parked at the top of Bakers Lane had made the junction safer.

18:     Visit of Fair. The Fair had asked to attend on the village green from Sunday 6^th July until Monday 14^th July. Clerk to inform Church and confirm with John Bugg (Fair representative).

19:     Eady’s Row gate. Mrs Keane of Eady’s Row had written complaining about the state of the gate at the top of Eady’s Row. Councillors asked the Clerk to inform the correspondent that the gate was originally a field gate to the field that had “Highfield” built on it. Consequently the field was probably owned by Spire Homes if the land transfers had taken place as ownership of the houses had changed. Failing this the gate belonged to the residents of Eady’s Row as it was a private road (with the exception of the footpath).

20:     Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Mr Robins - Police Community Watch Liaison Officer, had written informing he would like to start more Neighbourhood watch schemes in the village. Two schemes were suggested either a street level scheme co-ordinated by a resident in each street or a village scheme co-ordinated by the parish Council. Councillors agreed that the “street level” scheme would be best as a village scheme would be quite large. Consequently the Clerk was asked, through the Parish Magazine to inform residents that officials may be visiting various householders to gain an indication in the level of interest. Clerk also to respond to the officer concerned

21:     Appointment of external auditor. BDO Stoy Hayward had been re-appointed by the Audit Commission as External Auditor

22:     Graffiti policy. East Northants are seeking to introduce a District wide graffiti Policy, and requested details of any problems in Woodford to be reported.

23:     Village of the Year competition. Councillors agreed not to enter this competition.

24:     Circulation. There were no items for circulation

Represented by:-

Current Account

£426.11

£32,010.20