Woodford Parish Council Minutes May 2007

Present:	Mr P Bird (chair), Mr P Colson, Mrs S Hayman, Mr B Mearns, Mr D Sharples, Mr I Vaughan, Mr M Vaughan and Mrs D Woods.
In attendance:	PCSO G Cross, Mrs E Reid, Mr P T Bird (Clerk)
Apologies for absence:	Mr S Clifton, Cllr Hughes, Cllr Langley
Signing of Declarations	Those listed above as present, signed their Declarations of Office.
Minutes of last meeting:	The minutes of the Parish Council meeting having been circulated, were proposed by Mr Woods, seconded by Mrs Hayman, and agreed as a true record by those present. It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman sign them as such.
Youth Forum Update:	1: Mr Vaughan reported that there had been no further meetings of the Youth Council.
Police Report:	2: PCSO Cross informed that in the previous month one theft and one burglary non dwelling had occurred. Councillors discussed policing in the village (generally) and also the safety of children misusing the village green. The PCSO reported that PCSO Ali Deemer would also be working in Woodford. 3: A number of Section 59 notices had been issued to persons misusing motorcycles/ vehicles. 4: The Mobile Police Station would hopefully be present near the village green between 2pm and 4pm on 21^st June for villagers to express any concerns. 5: The Chairman thanked the PCSO for his attendance and said the Council looked forward to meeting him again in the near future.
Comments from Electors:	6: No members of the electorate were present.
Cllr Langley’s Comments:	7: Cllr Langley was not present
Cllr Hughes Comments:	8: Cllr Hughes was not present
Matters arising from the minutes:	9: Clerk’s Attendance. Mr M Vaughan congratulated the Clerk’s attendance record mentioned in the previous minutes, and thanked him for his dedicated service to the Council since 1998. This was wholeheartedly agreed by those present. 10: Sewerage Main Thrapston Road. The Clerk’s letter to Anglian Water regarding Sewage Problems in Thrapston Road was readout. No reply. 11: Mill Road - Orbit Housing. The Clerk had written to Orbit Housing regarding proposed Social / Low Cost housing off Mill Road informing that the Council was not in support of such a venture. Correspondence copied to ENC Planning Policy. 12: Land off Rose Terrace. Mr Orlebar had written regarding the chained off piece of land suggesting that he had chained it off in order to “flush out” the owner, in the process suggesting that it is the Parish Council. Clerk asked to respond that land was part of the field purchased by Oundle and Thrapston Rural District Council when the Shrubberies were first built and that ownership would now be with Spire Homes. 13: Seat - Mill Road. William Davis had been in touch informing that they were not happy with the Council’s suggestion of the location of the seat, and also that having discussed the matter with the County Highways it was not likely that the pavement would be adopted by the authority. Mr M Vaughan proposed, Mr I Vaughan seconded that the seat be relocated to just outside the 30mph zone on the south side of Mill Road (four in favour, three against). Clerk to inform William Davis. 14: Bus Timetables. Mr Sharples asked who was responsible for keeping the bus timetables up to date. The Clerk suggested that it was NCC but would follow up. 15: Waste Rose Terrace. Mrs Hayman reported that there was still a considerable amount of rubbish in Rose Terrace. Clerk to follow-up with ENC. 16: Chairman. The Chairman thanked Councillors fro their support over the previous twelve months and vacated the chair.
Election of Chair	17: The Clerk requested nominations for the position of Chairman. Mrs Hayman proposed Mr Bird and this was seconded by Mr I Vaughan. There being no other nominations, and Mr Bird being willing, it was unanimously agreed that he be chairman for the forthcoming year.
Election of Vice-Chair	18: The Chairman requested nominations for the position of Vice Chairman. Mr M Vaughan proposed Mr I Vaughan and this was seconded by Mr D Sharples. There being no other nominations, and Mr Vaughan being willing, it was unanimously agreed that he be Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year.
Appointment of Planning Committee	19: Following discussion Mr I Vaughan proposed that the Planning Committee comprise, Mr Woods, Mr M Vaughan, Mrs Hayman and Mrs Reid and the Chairman. This was seconded by Mr Mearns and unanimously agreed.
Appointment of two General Charity Trustees	20: Following discussion Mr Sharples proposed Mr M Vaughan and Mr B Mearns to be the Parish Councillors on the Woodford General Charity. This was unanimously agreed.
Appointment of three Temperance Hall Charity Trustees	21: Following discussion Mr Colson proposed that Mr I Vaughan, Mr M Vaughan and Mr Sharples. Mrs Hayman seconded the proposal and this was unanimously agreed. The Clerk was asked to inform Mr R Railton that he had not been re-appointed, but to thank him for his services in this capacity for the past years.
Other Appointments	22: Playing Fields Committee. Mr Sharples proposed, seconded by Mrs Hayman that Mr Colson continues in his capacity as Parish Council Representative to the Playing Fields Committee. This was unanimously agreed. 23: Youth Co-ordinator. It was unanimously agreed that Mr M Vaughan continue in this role.
Co-option of Parish Councillor	24: The clerk reported that only one person had come forward for co-option to the Council. Consequently Mrs Elizabeth Reid was unanimously co-opted to the Council.
Planning Issues:	25: Planning Committee Comments a) The Planning Committee had not commented on any plans since the last meeting. 26: East Northamptonshire Council Decisions a) Stone Croft Rectory Lane (07/00404/FUL) Removal of conservatory and construction of garden room. Permitted. b) Riverview House Church Green (07/00472/FUL). Extension to store and workshop and conversion to studio Annex. Permitted. Note:- To be used as ancillary accommodation to main property address only. 27: New Planning Applications a) Temperance Hall High Street (07/00842/FUL) Revised plans were discussed. Objection due to the lack of on site parking, style of egress / entrance to high Street, and loss of High Street Parking. Councillors were in agreement with the reduction in the number of units from three to two.
New Correspondence:	28: Oundle Cinema. The Oundle Cinema is a mobile Cinema which visits rural locations. Agreed to forward to Working Men’s Club. 29: NHS Trust. Northants Healthcare Trust is seeking new board members. Applicants over the age of 12 years can apply. Clerk has number of Application forms. 30: Community Funding Day. ENC are hosting a Community Funding Day on 15^th June 2007. 31: Revised Code of Conduct. Clerk explained the revised Code of Conduct and the provision of paragraph 12(2) which enabled Councillors with a prejudicial interest to remain in the meeting to make a representation if necessary, answer questions but then withdraw whilst the matter was discussed (and voted upon). Mr Woods proposed that the Code be adopted with this provision. Seconded by Mrs Hayman and unanimously agreed by those present. 32: The Chairman asked that the following items of correspondence be circulated: a) East Northants Council Minutes and reports b) Northants County Council Minutes c) ENC Community Safety Forum Minutes
Finance:	Balance brought forward			£32,828.01
	Plus
	Precept 1^st quarter			£2,500.00
				£35,328.01
	Less
	1434	Clerk	£200.00
	1435	Mrs Bosworth 13 hrs litter picking £5.35+£3.98 expenses	£73.53
	1436	ENC Verges August – March)	£805.31
	1437	Zurich Municipal Insurance	£693.23
	1438	Wicksteed Leisure Inspection and adhesive	£103.40	£1,875.47
	Balance Carried forward			£33452.54

	Represented by:-
	Current Account			£2,177.00
	Investment Account			£31,275.54
	Balance Carried forward			£33,452.54

	33: Mr Woods proposed, Mrs Hayman seconded, and it was unanimously agreed that the above accounts be settled.
Salary Reviews:	34: Litter Picker. Councillors agreed that as the Litter Picker’s Wage had been previously agreed in October 2006 then a further review should not take place until October 2007 when the National Minimum Wage would be increased. 35: Groundsman. Councillors agreed on the proposal of Mr M Vaughan (seconded Mr Colson) that the Groundsman’s salary should increase to £6.00 per hour from 1 June 2007. 36: Clerk. Councillors expressed appreciation of the Clerk’s work and Mr Sharples proposed the monthly salary should rise to £220. Mrs Hayman seconded the proposal and it was unanimously agreed by those present. Note: Clerk Mr P T Bird withdrew from the meeting for this item. Chairman, Mr P J Bird declared a non-prejudicial interest but remained in the meeting but took no part in the decision making.
Playground update:	37: The Clerk reported that he had successfully reaffixed the safety tiles in the playground so it had not been necessary to close it. The Heras security fencing would have cost in the region of £55.00 per week. Councillors reaffirmed their request that All Seasons take steps to repair the existing fence. 38: Two prices had so far been received for the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in the region of £35,000. Discussions regarding grants had taken place and application forms obtained. A third quote was still awaited. 39: The safety report was to hand from Wicksteed Leisure. Much of the repairs were required were in order to replace items damaged through wear and tear as opposed to vandalism. The total cost for replacement parts, and fitting was £1532 and it was agreed that the work be carried out 40: The fencing around the area could now be address and Mr Sharples proposed, Mr Woods seconded that the work be carried out. This was agreed
Parish Meeting	41: Potholes Thrapston Road Mr Woods reported a large pothole outside the Doctor’s surgery in Thrapston Road which had caused a cyclist to fall from his cycle that evening resulting in hospital treatment – to be reported to Street Doctor.
Any other Business:	42: Weeds in the High Street. The number of weeds in the High Street on the pavements was raised. Clerk to forward to Street Doctor.

Woodford, Near Kettering, Northamptonshire, England