Present:

Mr P Bird (chair), Mr P Colson, Mrs M Colson, Mrs S Hayman, Mr N Holben, Mr B Mearns, Mrs E Reid, Mr D Sharples and Mr M Vaughan.
 

In attendance:

Cllr D Hughes, Cllr A Langley & Mr P T Bird (Clerk)
 

Apologies for absence:

Miss L Blanchard, Mr S Clifton, Mr I Vaughan & Mr D Woods
 

Minutes of last meeting:

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting having been circulated, were proposed by Mr M Vaughan, seconded by Mrs Colson. It was unanimously agreed that the Chairman sign them as such.
 

Youth Forum Update:

1:         Mr Vaughan had no comments to make. Clerk informed him that he still had not received correspondence from the Youth Council in support of the Multi Use Games Area. M Vaughan to pursue. Additionally the Clerk reported that he had not received any information from the Playing Fields Committee. Mr Colson to follow up.
 

Police Report:

2:         A Police Officer was not present. The Clerk reported on Crime details for Woodford for the month of October. These were one theft of a motor vehicle and three “other” crimes. Total Crime for Woodford for the period of April to October – 1 burglary dwelling, 1 theft of motor vehicle, 3 thefts from moor vehicles, 23 other crimes totalling 28 incidents.
 

Comments from Electors:

3:         No members of the electorate were present.
 

Cllr Langley’s Comments:

5:         Cllr Langley suggested that he follow up a bid for funding for the MUGA with the County Council. – Clerk to forward details.
 

Cllr Hughes Comments:

6:         Cllr Hughes reported that East Northants Council had money available for youth projects but bids must be made by 11 December 2007.
 

Matters arising from the minutes:

10:     Dukes Arms Entertainment Licence. East Northants Council had responded by apologising for not consulting the Parish Council on the review of the Duke’s Arms Licence (Consultation period had ended prior to the October meeting when members of the Duke’s Arms had attended a Parish Council meeting). Additional terms on noise abatement and permitted times had been applied to the licence but these were open to appeal.
 

Planning Issues:

a)           None
 

New Correspondence:

e)         Winter Salting Network information
 

Donation to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

17:     Donation – Royal British Legion. Mrs Colson proposed that £80.00 be donated to the Royal British Legion. This was seconded by Mr Sharples and agreed by those present.
 

Donation – St Mary’s Church

18:     Donation - Upkeep of Churchyard. Councillors reviewed the figures supplied by the church acknowledging that the Council is able to support the primary graveyard in the village. Councillors were surprised at the cost of maintaining the area, when compared to the cost of maintaining the village greens / or verges in Woodford. Mrs Reid proposed, seconded by Mr Holben that a donation of £300 be made. Unanimously agreed. Clerk asked to point out the costs incurred by the Council for grass maintenance and the relative areas of land concerned.
 

Finance:

Balance brought forward

£34,368.59

Less

1461

Mrs D Bosworth Litter Picking

£94.51

1462

East Northants Council Election Expenses

£166.52

1463

P T Bird Clerk

£220.00

1464

BDO Stoy Hayward Audit Accounts 2006/7

£334.88

1465

St Mary’s Church Woodford

£300.00

1466

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

£80.00

£1,195.91

Balance Carried forward

33,172.68

19:     Mr Colson proposed, Mr M Vaughan seconded, and it was unanimously agreed that the above accounts be settled.

 

Replacement No Parking Sign on Village Green

20:     The Clerk reported that the no parking sign on the Addington Road corner of the village green had been damaged beyond repair. Councillors agreed that the clerk order a replacement sign so long as it was reasonable cost. The sign should also include text requesting “No Ball Games”
 

Any other Business:

24:     Street Lighting. A number of streetlights were reported as being defective in Highfield and Baker’s Lane. Clerk to request maintenance visit from ABB.