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

Mrs Blanchard, Mrs Colson, Mr Holben, Mr P T Bird (Clerk)

Mr B Mearns, Cllr Hughes, Cllr Langley.

The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting having been circulated were unanimously agreed by those present as a true record of the meeting and the Chairman signed them as such.

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. It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman sign them as such.

1:         Mr Vaughan had no comments to make

6:         Seat Mill Road. The clerk’s letter to William Davis Ltd regarding the repositioning of the seat in Mill Road was readout. No action yet.

7:         Fenced Land in Rose Terrace. The Clerk’s letter requesting the removal of the post in Rose terrace was read out.

8:         Temperance Hall. The Chairman reported that the Temperance hall sale had now been concluded and the proceeds invested by the Temperance Hall Charity.

9:         Planning Committee Comments

a)           Agricultural Building, Thrapston Rd (07/ 00755/FUL). Objection. Concerns expressed that this property was never used as an agricultural building and that conversion will lead to further infill developments. Outside village development zone.

b)           1 Rectory Lane – Conversion to two dwellings (07/00705/FUL). No Objection so long as remainder of site is not used as a separate building plot resulting in vastly increased housing density.

10:     East Northamptonshire Council Decisions

a)           Temperance Hall High Street (07/00842/FUL) Permitted. Conditions applied include: the first floor windows to be obscure glass; revision to the visibility splays to be submitted to highway approval before development commences.

11:     New Planning Applications

a)           There were no further applications for consideration

12:     Other Planning Matters

a)           Property Adjacent to 76 Highfield. This new dwelling was officially numbered as number 78 Highfield.

13:     Precept 2007-08. East Northants Council, despite complaints from a number of Parish Councils (including Woodford) had given notice some two years ago that the Precept would be paid quarterly from April 07. Further complaints had given rise to a reversal of this decision and a second payment for the present year had now been made.

14:     Community Safety Forum. The next Safety Forum would be on Wednesday 27^th June at Higham Ferrers.

15:     Phil Hope MP. The Member of Parliament’s surgery dates were to hand. Details on website or Parish Noticeboard.

Co-option of New Councillors:

18:     The Clerk produced a list of four names to be considered for the remaining three positions on the Council. The four persons expressing an interest being Mr s Blanchard, Mrs Colson, Mr Holben, Mr Hurst. It was unanimously agreed that all four persons be considered and that an election be held. Following the election, and counting of votes the Clerk was asked to write to the following, informing them that they had been co-opted to the Council:
                 Miss L Blanchard,
                 Mrs M Colson,
                 Mr N Holben

21:     Little Owls Pre-School. Mr M Vaughan reported that after discussions with the Working Men’s Club / Playing Fields committee the Little Owls Pre School had obtained and were due to locate a portable building near the Working Men’s Club to be used as the Pre-School Premises.

22:    Hedges Highfield. Mr M Vaughan raised the overgrown hedges at the entrance to Highfield. Clerk to follow up with Spire Homes

23:     Bakers Lane / Club Lane. Mrs Hayman raised the overgrown shrubs obstructing the path between Club Lane and Baker’s Lane.

24:     Audit of Accounts. The Clerk said that an auditor was required to “internally audit” the accounts prior to the next meeting. Various suggestions were made and the Clerk was asked to organise.

25:     Blocked Footpath. Mr Colson asked that the blocked footpath near Ringstead Mill receive attention. Clerk to follow up with Rights of Way Team.