Mr P Bird (chair), Mr P Colson, Mrs A Fulcher, Mrs S Hayman, Mrs E Reid, Mr D Sharples, Mr I Vaughan, Mr M Vaughan and Mrs Whalley.

Mr P T Bird (Clerk)

The minutes of the December Parish Council meeting having been circulated, were proposed by Mrs Reid, subject to minor textual corrections as a true record of the meeting. It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman sign them as such.

6:         Repairs to bridge at the ford - closure of Thrapston Road. The Clerk had written to WS Atkins regarding the closure of Thrapston Road expressing the Council’s disappointment at the lack of consultation and notice of the impending works. Questions included the use of a temporary bailey bridge, the diversion route, timing of the work, and changes to bus routes etc. Copies of the letter had also been sent to Dodson and Horrell and SMC Construction.
WS Atkins had responded with an apology over the late notification stating that the timing was due to funding becoming available just prior to Christmas and it was necessary to complete the work in the current financial year. The diversion route was set in order to keep traffic flowing rather than “turning it around”. A revised bus service would be in operation for the period that the work was being carried. A temporary bridge had been considered at the ford but was discounted due to the space around the area being needed for storing equipment and supplies.

7:         Electric Cables Mill Road. Mr M Vaughan understood that the cables were high enough where they left the pole but were too low at the point they reached the houses. It was understood they were to be re-routed.

8:         Cherry Tree on Village Green. Whilst looking precarious the Clerk said having inspected it, it appeared quite strong.

9:         Allotment 12, Thrapston Road. The Clerk said he had queried with East Northants the construction of the building on the allotments in Thrapston Road and they had responded that they had received notification last September of the proposed building and that it was to be used solely as an agricultural store, and consequently did not need planning permission.

10:     Planning Committee Comments

a)         The Planning Committee had not commented on any plans since the last meeting.

11:     East Northamptonshire Council Decisions

a)         No decisions had been made by East Northants Council

12:     New Planning Applications

a)         Sunnyside – Vehicular Access to Caravan. An application was to hand but without a plan showing the exact location of the entrance, The Clerk was asked to convey concerns to ENC if the entrance was to be opposite the school.

b)        5 Club Lane - Two Storey Rear Extension and associated works It was noted that this property was a listed building but, No objections raised.

13:     Other Planning Matters

a)         Dwelling, Glebe Farm, Addington Road. East Northants had informed that the application for a Stockman’s cottage at Glebe Farm had been withdrawn. In order for such a building to be constructed in open countryside it was understood that the supporting business must have been operating for at least three years. This was not the case for this particular smallholding.

b)        Allotment 12, Thrapston Road. Since the last meeting the Clerk had raised with East Northants Council the issue of the new building being constructed in Thrapston Road. ENC had responded that the building had been constructed with permission and was for use as an agricultural store only.

14:     Children’s Playground. Wicksteed Leisure had written offering to carry out an annual safety check for the cost of £40.00. It was unanimously agreed that this be accepted.

15:     Northamptonshire Association of Local Councils. The annual report was to hand. Discussion took place as to whether the Council should rejoin the NALC. The Clerk said he would prefer membership of the Association of Local Government Clerks. The chairman asked that he find out details of the membership cost and benefits.

16:     Children’s Playground. Wicksteed Leisure had written offering a safety inspection. It was agreed that this be ordered at a cost of £40.00.

17:     Footpaths. ENC had written informing that there may be funding available from the Landfill Tax Scheme for improving well walked public footpaths in the Parish. The Clerk was asked to follow up with the council.

18:     Alcohol Restriction Area, Raunds. Details were to hand regarding the designation of many of the streets in central Raunds as an alcohol free zone.

19:     ENC Concessionary Travel Scheme. ENC had written informing that from 1^st February £45.00 of travel tokens would be available to anyone over the age of 60 years or was disabled in such a way that affected their ability to walk. Tokens were available form the Council Offices or The Shrubberies (13^th February morning)

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

a)         Community Safety Forum Minutes

b)        East Northants Council Minutes

c)         Standards of Conduct in Local Authorities Consultation

d)        North Northamptonshire Development

22:     Lawn Tractor. The Clerk had spoken to Mr Cullum who was now using his own lawn tractor to cut the village greens as the old Parish Council Mower was no longer serviceable. This was the only purpose he used it for and was agreeable to continue using it. It was agreed that the Clerk negotiate a separate hourly fee for the use of this machine in the foreseeable future.

23:     Club Lane. Mrs Hayman suggested that Club Lane should receive consideration again as a one way street. It was agreed that the Clerk write to County Highways requesting that consideration be given to such a change.

24:     Vehicles at Club Lane. The issue of commercial vehicles being parked at the top of Club Lane opposite the entrance to Whittlesey Terrace was raised. It was suggested that they not only cause an obstruction to vehicles coming up Club Lane they are also parked opposite a conjunction which contravenes the highway laws.