Present:

Mr P Bird (chair), Mr S Clifton, Mrs I Godden, Mrs S Hayman, Mrs E Reid, Mr D Sharples, Mr I Vaughan, Mr M Vaughan, Mr Whalley, Mrs Whalley and Mr D Woods
 

In attendance:

Mr P T Bird (Clerk)
 

Apologies for absence:

Mr P Colson, Mrs A Fulcher, Cllr A Langley, Cllr D Hughes.
 

Minutes of last meeting:

The minutes of the June Parish Council meeting having been circulated, were proposed by Mrs Reid and seconded by Mr I Vaughan as a true record of the meeting. It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman sign them as such.
 

Youth Forum Update:

1:         Mr M Vaughan informed the Council that the number of youths attending had increased once again, the latest meeting attracting 12 persons. A list of rules for the group had been drawn up. Mr Vaughan sought part funding for a first aid course (50% of the funding had been obtained form Spire Homes). It was agreed that all other sources be approached as this was not necessarily a legitimate use of Parish Funds
 

Police Report:

2:         The Police were not present. Councillors asked that the Clerk write to the police requesting reasons for non attendance, and lack of reports.
 

Comments from Electors:

3:         No members of the electorate were present.
 

Cllr Langley’s Comments:

4:         Cllr Langley had sent his apologies, but the clerk reported that Cllr Langley had met with W S Atkins and discussed the overgrown verges in Thrapston Road and the matter was now being pursued by Mrs Margaret Andrews who was the new contact.
 

Cllr Hughes Comments:

5:         Cllr Hughes had sent his apologies
 

Matters arising from the minutes:

11:     Mill Road Development. An acknowledgement from the developers was to hand noting the Council’s request that the amount of funding to be devolved to the Council be reconsidered
 

Planning Issues:

a)           No new planning applications were to hand
 

New Correspondence:

e)         Boundary Committee information
 

Finance:

Balance brought forward

7179.15

Plus

Wayleave from EME re underground cable

18.60

7197.75

Less

Clerk’s Salary

£190.00

Mrs D Bosworth (litter picking)

£60.63

The Islip Garage (fuel)

19.05

Powergen (street lighting)

£559.82

Thrapston Town Band

£60.00

£889.50

Balance Carried forward

6308.25

21:     (Note: Cheque for Thrapston Town Band was agreed at para 23 (below) and signed at close of meeting.
 

Future Development of Woodford:

22:     A further Discussion Document was to hand regarding the future development of Woodford. The document explained that of the 9400 houses required to meet the demands Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy Document for housing development between 2001 and 2021 all but 2822 had been allocated. Councillors agreed unanimously once again that Woodford did not need and could not support any further major growth until the high Street infrastructure had been greatly improved.. Councillors then provided a series of answers to the questions raised within the document. I.e. that open spaces were important to the character of a village, and they could be used for village wide events. Of the aspirational sites listed for the village the Council felt that none were required at present, and until the village infrastructure was improved the village should not be developed further. Any traveller sites should be properly managed (wherever located) but should not be located adjacent to small communities where conflicts could arise. Development of farmsteads should ideally be restricted to the conversions of the existing buildings or redevelopment of a site containing derelict buildings within the footprint of those buildings.
 

Declaration of Interest

23:     It was reported that an increased number of villagers attended the concert by the Thrapston Town Band, and that the band should be invited to play once again next year. Mrs Whalley proposed and Mr Clifton seconded a proposal to donate £60.00 to the band in recognition of their attendance. (Mr I Vaughan, being a member of the band, declared a non prejudicial interest).
 

Any other Business:

24:      There was no further business