Mrs Hayman, Mr Whalley, Mrs Whalley. 

1:         Mr M Vaughan had nothing to report.

2:         A Police Officer was not present.

6:         Co-option of Parish Councillor. Letters to both the successful and unsuccessful candidates were read out.

7:         Anglian Water – Thrapston Rd. The Clerk’s letter to Anglian Water regarding potential sewerage problems in Thrapston Road as a result of the development work in Mill Road was read out. A response from Anglian Water said they would investigate any historical problems, but sought to assure that the present sewerage pipes were capable of the additional capacity.

8:         William Davies Ltd. The Clerk’s letter to William Davies regarding the drainage works in Mill Road and Thrapston Road was read out. The response informed that Mill Road would remain open and the work would not affect existing properties. The first properties would be completed in January 2007. Mr Colson informed the meeting that in order to pass these excavations in Thrapston Road vehicles were being instructed to drive on the pavement which had now completely disintegrated. The Clerk was asked to write to WS Atkins requesting that they come and inspect the area.

9:         Street Lamps New Development Mill Road. The Clerk informed the meeting that he had spoken to the designer of the street lamp scheme in the new development and that whilst it was thought that one lamp may be surplus opposite plot 8 a further lamp may be beneficial near plot 2 on Mill Road. Councillors agreed and requested that the Clerk respond accordingly.

10:     Bus Service 16. The Clerk’s letter to NCC complaining about the cut in bus services was read out. No response had been received.

11:     Thrapston Road extension 30mph limit. The Clerk’s letter regarding the extension of the speed restricted zone in Thrapston Road was read out. No response had been received.

12:     Planning Committee Comments

a)           Land Adjacent to Pound Lane. New dwelling. No Objection in principle, but it was commented that the tree in the centre of the site was owned by the Parish Council and perhaps a replacement should be sought.

b)           8 High Street. Rear Extension Revisions to approved scheme. No objection.

c)           Land adjacent 48 Highfield. Pair Semi detached houses. Objection. This revised scheme included extra parking for 48 Highfield but still did not address the suggested 1.5 spaces for the development.

13:     East Northamptonshire Council Decisions

a)           Glebe Farm, Addington Rd. Location of temporary dwelling. Permitted.

b)           Ivy Cottage, Thrapston Rd, Cranford. Extension. Permitted.

14:     New Planning Applications

a)           No further applications were to hand.

15:     Other Planning Matters

a)           Caravan at Sunnyside. Details of an appeal for access off the High Street to the caravan at Sunnyside had been received. Councillors asked that the Clerk respond in the same vain as the original comments to East Northants Council i.e. that this entrance was opposite the school and also close to many other vehicular accesses.

16:     Mill Road Development. William Davies had written to the Council enclosing a cheque to the value £25,000 in lieu of the provision of play equipment off site. Councillors asked that the sum be acknowledged and agreed that this item should be included as an agenda item for the next meeting. (Clerk informed the meeting that an acknowledgement had already been sent.)

17:     Parking in Newtown. Mr Norton had written NCC concerning parking problems in Newtown and had copied the letter to the Parish Council. He had suggested that some double yellow lines at certain junctions in Newtown would ease the parking problems. Councillors agreed that there was a significant problem in the area of the village but did not agree that double yellow lines would be the answer, as parking within 15 metres of a corner already made this type of parking illegal. It was suggested that the main problem in the area was the number of commercial vehicles that were parked in the area (not necessarily belonging to local residents) and the Clerk write to NCC asking whether restrictions on the parking of commercial vehicles in Newtown be a feasible option.

18:     Village Greens. Drayton Estate had written informing that the rent for the village greens would remain at £125 for a further five years (£25 per annum) from September 2006

19:     Islip Garage. The Islip Garage had written informing that as the Council’s monthly account was less than £150.00 per month the monthly invoicing option was to be suspended.

20:     Queen Elizabeth’s 80th Birthday. ENC had written informing that up £400 was available for a capital project in commemoration of the event. A copy of the invoice to be submitted to ENC by 31^st October 2006.

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

a)         East Northants Councillor Information Circular

b)        East Northants Council minutes (etc.)

23:     Thrapston Town Band. Thrapston Town band had performed at the Feast once again and it was agreed that a donation should be made – agenda for next meeting.

24:     Rose Terrace Footpaths. The poor state of the footpaths in Rose Terrace was mentioned and the Clerk was asked to inform WS Atkins.

25:     Playing Fields. Mr Colson informed the meeting that the Working Men’s club were seeking to restrict vehicular access to the playing fields and needed to know whether the permission of the Parish Council was required for the erection of fencing / gates etc. The Clerk responded that under the terms of the lease they did not need such permission. Mr Colson informed the meeting that some posts had been installed and subsequently removed by a member of the public. It was agreed that such action was criminal damage and as such should be reported to the Police.

26:     Shrubbery. Mr Sharples informed the meeting that trees had been damaged in the shrubbery with what appeared to be a claw hammer, and additionally the stile at the top of the Shrubbery had also been damaged yet again.