Mr S Clifton, Mrs Hayman, Mr B Whalley, Mrs M Whalley, Cllr Hughes, Cllr Lee, PC Driver

2:      The Moorings – Postal Address. East Northants Council advised that the problem with misdirected post to the Moorings Woodford would soon be solved. The development in Thrapston is called the Moorings, but the correct postal address will be “The Willows” (June - 31)

3:      Mr and Mrs J Green. The Clerk’s letter thanking Mr and Mrs Green (formerly of the Post Office) and wishing them a happy retirement was readout.

4:      E Hackney Memorial Seat. The Clerk’s letter the Hackney family expressing the Council’s views with regard to the E Hackney Memorial Seat was read out.

5:      H Coales Memorial Seat. The Clerk’s letter of thanks to Mr Kidman for looking after the H Coales Memorial Seat was read out.

6:      Audit. A letter of thanks to Mr L Essam for his audit report was read out.

7:      Playing Field Hut. Mr Colson reported that the remaining shed on the playing fields was to be moved nearer the Working Men’s Club. A certain amount of tidying had already taken place.

8:      Police Roadshow. The Clerk reported that the Police caravan had visited the village earlier in the month dispensing Crime Prevention information. (July -17)

9:      Mill Road Development. The Clerk’s letter to the Chief Executive of East Northants Council was read out expressing the Council’s dissatisfaction regarding the way the Planning Application for the Mill Road development had been handled was read out. A copy had also been sent to Phil Hope MP.

10:  Youth Council. Mr M Vaughan said that Sam Horner of East Northants Housing would be willing to attend the October meeting to talk about “Youth Councils” (June -32)

12:  Planning Committee Comments

a)           The Planning Committee had not considered any plans in the intervening month since the last Parish Council Meeting.

13:  East Northamptonshire Council Decisions

a)           8A Church Street – Conversion to two dwellings - Rejected Alterations would have an adverse effect on the street scene,

b)           Land rear 84 High Street – Change of property type – Permitted

c)           16 Church Street - Work on tree covered by Tree Preservation Order – Permitted. 

14:  New Planning Applications

15:  Licensing Act 2003. The new East Northants Policy for dealing with this act was discussed. Councillors were in agreement with the draft policy but felt that it should be made clear that the Police and Local Councils would be consulted as appropriate. Additionally that noise from establishments and from persons / vehicles leaving the establishments would be strictly controlled / monitored, and parking facilities especially in residential areas

16:  Borrowing Approval System. East Northants Council had written outlining the revised Borrowing Approval Scheme (Local government Act 2003). Approval would need to be sought under this scheme before funding could be sought from most lenders including the District Council.

17: Carillon-URS. A letter was to hand informing the Parish Council of their highways responsibilities. In this area of Northamptonshire it is the A14 and A45

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

a)           Environment Agency Flood Action Newsletter

21:  The salient points of the of the lengthy discussion were that there was a general agreement with regard to the plans for Thrapston Town Centre and concern at the present lack of facilities in what is a fast growing town. Councillors did not believe that locals saw Woodford as local service centres. Councillors also agreed that the District Council should seek financial contributions for smaller developments than 15 properties – perhaps five. It was also agreed that brownfield sites should be used where at all possible. Councillors agreed that just because Woodford has a shop, Post Office and Doctors, it should not necessarily be the only village to be developed. Many villages other villages are calling out for development and in doing so they could probably then support such facilities. The infrastructure of Woodford – especially the High Street is not conducive to increased traffic, and with a further fifty houses in the pipeline the implications are yet to be fully realised. Concern was expressed at the way that the potential sites in Woodford have been suggested by local land owners without any overall strategy. The Clerk was asked to forward these comments to the District Council in a format that answered the questions raised within the document produced by East Northants Council.

23:  The Clerk mentioned that the noticeboard had once again been vandalised. A discussion took place as to a more suitable location for the board, and it was agreed that the site offering the most potential was the bus shelter. The Clerk mentioned that the Perspex “glass” was also in need of replacing or cleaning. (Agenda Item next meeting)

24:  Mr Sharples mentioned that the footpath between the shrubbery and Woodford Grange Farm had been blocked by straw bales, and a further footpath near the farm had been ploughed over, and not reinstated. The Clerk to investigate and refer to the Rights of Way team as appropriate.

25:  Mr Sharples drew attention to the number of HGV lorries moving through the village. Clerk to refer this problem to the Clarence Helpline. It was also recommended that the number of potholes appearing near the ford should also be referred.

26:  The Clerk reported that some of the verges had been cut late this month due to machinery problems encountered by the contractors.