Mr P Bird (chair), Mr S Clifton, Mr B Mearns, Mrs E Reid, Mr D Sharples, Mr I Vaughan, Mr M Vaughan and Mr D Woods.

Cllr D Hughes (ENC), Mr P T Bird (Clerk)

Mrs S Hayman, Mrs Godden, Cllr A Langley

5:         Cllr Hughes discussed different grants available from ENC. He also elaborated upon the NCC’s decision not to pursue Unitary Status. The present three tier system would continue although some services may be either combined or delegated.

6:         Rose Terrace – Claimed Land. The Clerk had written to ENC regarding the piece of verge that appeared to have been claimed by a householder asking whether assistance could be provided in helping identify the owner of the land, but had not received a reply.

7:         Fair 2007. The Clerk had written to Mr Bugg confirming his arrangements for the summer and enclosed an invoice for £60.00 for use of the green in 2006.

8:         Playground. Wicksteed Leisure had acknowledged the Council’s request for a Safety Inspection.

9:         Plot 12 Allotments Thrapston Road. ENC Enforcement Officer had written informing that they had now contacted the owner of this site and that a retrospective planning application had been invited for the construction of the existing building and also the change of use. The Enforcement Officer also informed the Council that they were pursuing the fitting of an alarm panel on the outside of a listed building in Church Street.

10:     Football on the Village Green. Mr Kidman had written complaining about the number of children playing football on the village green. Clerk to respond informing of the many steps taken to prevent the activity. Clerk reported that signs were now in place requesting that “No Ball Games” were played on the green. Councillors authorised the Clerk to write to the parents of any children identified in future who continued this activity as and when they could be identified.

11:     Trees in High Street. Drayton had responded informing that they did not consider the trees were too large and due to the volume of work on the Estate at the present time they would be considered low priority. The Clerk informed he had responded informing that the trees nearest the Village Green were much larger than those at the top and telephone wires did run right through the centre of them. Growth of grass across the pavement had been reported to NCC Street Doctor. Clerk to inform Mr Coles.

12:     Chief Superintendent D Smith. The officer had responded he would attend the April Parish Council Meeting.

13:     Derek Jones Site – Islip. East Northants Council had informed the Clerk that a retrospective Planning Application had been invited.

14:     Planning Committee Comments

a)           57 High Street Replacement single storey kitchen. No Objection.

b)           10 Highfield. Installation of Wind Turbine. No Objection although comments were made stating this location was not particularly exposed.

15:     East Northamptonshire Council Decisions

a)           48 Highfield. Revised parking scheme. Permitted.

b)           Riverview House. Conversion of Outbuildings. Permitted.

16:     New Planning Applications

a)           Temperance Hall. Conversion to three units. Objection. Councillors said that in order to comply with ENC policy there was insufficient parking provision for three dwellings (three spaces only). (P J Bird introduced the item and then declaring a non prejudicial interest took no further part in the discussion. Messrs M Vaughan and I Vaughan also declared a non-prejudicial interest. – All three councillors being Trustees of the Woodford General Charity (Temperance Hall))

b)           Daventry Farm. (Listed building). Reinstate gabled dormer window. No Objection. This gable had been demolished by a storm in 1950’s

17:     Other Planning Matters

a)           The Paddocks. ENC had written asking for suggestions for the naming of two roads within The Paddocks development. Suggestions made included Windmill Close, Coe’s Road, Ridge Road and Furrow Close.

b)           48 High Street. An appeal concerning the conversion of a shop into a ground floor flat with garage had been allowed by the Planning Inspectorate.

c)           Erection of 3 Storey Country Hotel (nr Ringstead Mill). Notice had been received of an appeal against the rejection of this application. Councillors asked the Clerk to restate the objections raised previously and also that the building would be conspicuous from a considerable distance.

18:     County Council Minutes. Latest Minutes were to hand.

19:     NALC. Details of member ship for 2007/8 had been received (£229). Those present agreed that membership would not be pursued.

20:     St Mary’s Church. The PCC had written requesting a donation for the upkeep of Churchyard, to which, as a village resource the Parish Council can contribute. Councillors having reviewed the accounts to decided to make a donation of £300. (S. Clifton declared non prejudicial interest and took no part in the discussion as he acted as Hon Auditor)

21:     County Council Mineral Plan. The County Council had sent the County Mineral and Waste plans which had been approved. However, there was a need to update them to meet with latest requirements and a further document relating to this was enclosed. Land in Woodford suggested as potential sites for further investigation for the excavation of limestone included The Shrubbery, Land to the north of The Shrubbery and land on the ridge between the brook valley and the River Nene Valley to the north east of the Shrubbery. Additionally land in the flood plains to the south of the A14 viaduct was a potential site for sand a gravel extraction. Agreed to circulate the document and discuss at the next meeting.

22:     Litter Code of Practice. ENC had written detailing a new Code of Practise for the collection of litter. The number of Zones had been reduced from twelve to four. Specifically for Woodford there were previously two zones. The High Street and Newtown was previously classed as a “Zone 2” and the remainder of the residential areas of Woodford as a “Zone 3”. Under the new classification the two areas would be considered as Medium Intensity Zones thereby requiring reported litter problems to be addressed by ENC by 6.00pm on the day following receipt of notification of the problem. It was understood that the Zone 2 was presently picked by Cory each week and Zone 3 was litter picked by Cory on a quarterly basis. The Clerk was asked to request that Zone 2 be extended to include Eady’s Row and the Playground; assuming that the litter picking provision was not subject to an alteration of frequency due to the new emergency provisions.

23:     Footpaths in The Shrubbery. Mr Hawes had written asking whether Landfill Tax Credit Scheme could be used to obtain funding in order to improve the surface of the footpaths. The letter received a mixed reception but it was agreed that this was something that could be looked at once the better weather came. Clerk to acknowledge.

24:     Phil Hope MP. The MP had written informing he was seeking confirmation that the use of Lottery cash for the 2012 Olympics would not reduce charity funding in Northamptonshire.

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

a)          ENC Councillor Information Circular

b)        Policing in the Community Newsletter

c)         Alzheimer’s Society Newsletter

d)        North Northamptonshire Core Spatial strategy

e)         ENC Standards Board minutes

27:     Mill Road Seat. The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had met the contractors and agreed subject to the approval of the Councillors that the seat could be placed on the opposite side of the road adjacent to the bus stop. Councillors were no in favour and the Clerk was asked to investigate other alternatives with the Site Manager.

28:     Low flying Aircraft. Mr Woods informed the meeting that his complaint regarding low flying aircraft after dark had been acknowledged but no further action would be taken.