Parish Council Notices and Village News Items
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clerk@woodfordpc.co.uk
Parish
Council June Meeting 2008
At the June meeting
Parish Councillors approved the Councils accounts for the year ending
March 2008 in preparation for the formal audit which will be carried out
shortly. Anyone wishing to query the accounts should contact the Clerk on
01832 734329 or email
clerk@woodfordpc.co.uk.
At the May meeting
Councillors learnt that funding had been received from WREN which would
allow the construction of a Multi Use Games Area to go ahead on the
playing fields, behind the existing playground. This new area will be
suitable for a variety of ball games including basketball and football on
an all weather surface.
Councillors learnt at
the June meeting that construction work could start as soon as 30th
June when the whole area including the existing playground will be fenced
off for safety reasons. Additionally the safety flooring will be upgraded
in the existing children’s playground as it has now reached the end of its
natural life. Please make younger members of the community aware of the
dangers of construction sites. The safety fencing is there for a reason
and anyone who enters the fenced of zone is not likely to be covered by
insurance should they be injured. Weather permitting the work should last
about three weeks.
The village telephone
box is under threat. It is presently one of the last coin operated boxes
in the area. The Parish Council is keen to retain this piece of village
history. If you have any views please write to Mrs Sue Scott, Planning
Department at East Northants Council, Thrapston.
Keeping alive a long
tradition the fair will be visiting the village from Sunday 6th
July and will be on the green until 14th July. It will open on
the evenings of 9th-12th July.
Thrapston Town Band will
be performing their annual open air concert outside the Working Men’s Club
at 7.30pm on 6th July. If you have a spare half hour or so why
not go and listen to this thriving band, whose conductor, Mr Ray Jeffery,
was mentioned in the Queen’s birthday honours list this year.
Parish
Council Meeting April 2008
At the April Parish
Council Meeting, councillors learned that a bid to WREN for additional
funding for playground equipment for teenagers had been successful and the
sum of £20,000 had been offered. The funding would be used for a multi use
games area which would be suitable for a variety of ball games on an all
weather play surface.
A number of untaxed
vehicles parked on the highway were reported to the Police.
Two replacement street
lamps were reported as being required, one in Alledge Drive and one in Mill
Road. Councillors agreed that these should be ordered.
Outline planning
permission for a detached dwelling to the rear of 25 Mill Rd with access
from Highfield was discussed. Whilst there were no specific objections,
concerns over the visibility for vehicles entering the highway and the size
of the garden were raised.
The new Cleaner
Neighbourhoods Act of Parliament was discussed and the effects it will have
on dog walkers. Essentially anywhere in East Northants with public access
will require dogs to be kept under control and dog owners will also be
required to clear up after there dogs in all areas with public access,
including all roads, public footpaths and bridleways. These changes will
become law later this year so look out for more details in the Nene Valley
News.
Parish
Council Report March 2008
The March Parish Council
Meeting was attend by the Police who reported recent burglaries in Woodford
and Little Addington and also thefts from outbuildings. Please ensure
outbuildings and garages are locked if they contain items you do not wish to
lose.
Councillors learnt that
recent planning applications for properties in Club Lane and Long Row had
been turned down by East Northants Council.
The Clerk reported that
the result of the grant application for the Multi use Games Area and
improved safety matting for the children’s playground should be received at
any time.
East Northants Council had
previously circulated the latest version of the future development plan for
this area of the District. The Council had previously agreed with the report
but other respondents had not and had now made counter submissions. These
sites included a development along Thrapston Road between the surgery and
the Farm buildings, development of allotments between the SMC site and
Alledge Drive, part of the field to the southwest of Rectory Lane (behind
the properties in part of Rectory Lane), and the field between the playing
fields and the present Paddocks development to the west of West Street.
Councillors discussed all sites individually but unanimously agreed that all
sites would make increased demands on the infrastructure of the village – of
which several aspects are already reaching or at full capacity. Any
residents wishing to respond can view the documents at East Northants
Council in Thrapston, or on the East Northants Website (Planning Policy
Section) or via the Woodford Parish Council Website –
www.woodfordpc.co.uk. Closing date for responses is 25th
April.
The Parish Council website
is presently being updated, and many businesses have been contacted in order
that they may be included in the Business directory. If you run a business,
and are based in Woodford and would like to be included, please contact the
Clerk, Mr P T Bird on 01832 734329 or
clerk@woodfordpc.co.uk. There is no charge to be included or to place
and advertisement.
Parish
Council Report February 2008
Police Sergeant Rae was present at the Parish
Council meeting and he elaborated upon the crime figures for Woodford. Over
the past twelve months there has been a significant increase in thefts,
particularly from gardens and outbuildings. The sergeant reiterated the need
to ensure sheds and garages are securely locked and items should not be left
in gardens where they could be easily taken. The Police were advised of the
misuse of the Shrubbery by quadbikes and motorcycles and will look into the
problem. If apprehended the owners of these vehicles could lose the vehicle
in question.
The issue of dog fouling was raised, Alledge
Drive and the High Street were reported to be areas particularly affected.
Dog walkers are reminded that a prosecution by the Dog Warden service could
lead to a fine of up to £1000. Please clean up after your pets and use the
bins provided throughout the village or take the waste home. The Dog Warden
is also to be advised of the problem.
Fly-tipping around the village was mentioned,
and Cllr Hughes (ENC) said that these incidents should be reported to East
Northants Council who have an officer who investigates the rubbish which has
been dumped and attempts to find the owner.
The Clerk was asked to clarify with the County
Council the line of the highway outside of the White Horse where picnic
tables have been erected.
The Police are keen to reintroduce a
neighbourhood watch scheme into Woodford, and over the coming weeks
representatives from other neighbourhood watch groups will be visiting the
village to publicise the scheme and gauge the level of support.
A number of queries have been received regarding
“barking dogs” and untaxed vehicles on the highway. The former should be
reported to the East Northants Council Environmental Health Department and
untaxed vehicles to the DVLA on 0800 0325 202
A number of properties are available for rent
through Spire Homes on the new estate in Mill Road. Interested persons
should be on the housing register contact Spire Homes on 08456 034 340, or
email
bids@nvhomechoice.co.uk
Woodford
Parish Council December 2007
At the December Parish
Council, Woodford’s Police Community Support Officer was present. He
reported that following burglaries in the village residents should make
every effort to safeguard their property, by not leaving valuables on
display (either in cars or their houses) and to always lock the doors,
always ensuring that the back door was locked before answering the front
door. The many parking problems were raised with the PCSO, who explained
that following the decriminalisation of parking, the police were now
powerless in certain circumstances; however, they would act in instances of
obstruction.
Councillors agreed to
replace the Public lamp in Highfield on the approach road to the Working
Men’s Club. This would cost in the region of £650. The existing lamp had
been damaged by a vehicle and anyone who may have any information as to the
vehicle involved should contact the Clerk in order that the Council may
recover some of these costs.
The budget for the new
financial year was discussed and it was agreed that a precept of £11,000 be
requested from East Northants Council. Copies of the budget are available on
the website
www.woodfordpc.co.uk, or from the Clerk.
Parish Council October 2007
The October Parish Council was attended
by a number of supporters of the Dukes Arms seeking to make their views
known with regard to a review of their Entertainment Licence conditions.
Following their departure councillors agreed that such a licence was almost
a necessity for Public Houses as entertainment assisted in attracting
clients to the premises. The Council could not however, condone events
operated outside of the present license conditions. The Clerk was asked to
contact the Licensing Authority with this view.
A planning application for a property
off Club Lane was discussed. A previous application for this site had been
rejected by East Northants Council last year, yet it appeared that only one
of the three reasons for the rejection had been addressed by this
application.
A letter from the Church confirmed that
the Henry Coales Memorial seat had now been repaired and installed adjacent
to the South Porch.
Reports of smells from the sewers in
Mill Rd, Thrapston Rd and High St were mentioned again.
Drayton Estate has confirmed that the
land to the side of the High Street between Addington Road and Eady’s Row is
part of Village Green Settlement rented by the Council. As a result the
Council has agreed to review how this land is used and also how it might be
improved.
The Clerk was asked to report to “Street
Doctor” that some of the storm water drains in the High Street were blocked.
Clerk reminded Councillors that anyone can report such defects to the County
Council by ringing the Street Doctor on 0845 601 1113 or logging on to
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk.
Parish Council August 2007
The August Parish Council meeting was a brief
affair. Mention was made of a number of blocked drains around Highfield and
in the High Street. These will be reported to the County Council “Street
Doctor”. Anyone can ring the street doctor if you are aware of problems with
road, pavements, street lights, drains etc. The number is 0845 601 1113.
Councillors were reminded that the new parking enforcement scheme is now in
place so be careful where you park in the village.
No planning applications were dealt with this
month although Councillors learnt that the application to convert Wold Lodge
(Cranford Road) into a bus storage area had been withdrawn.
Some brief information was reported that
overhead electric cables are possibly to be put underground. The clerk was
asked to investigate. Once further information is known it will be reported
here.
Finally residents are now moving into the new
development off Mill Road and we extend a welcome to them to Woodford
Parish Council July 2007
At the July Woodford
Parish Council meeting Councillors discussed the deregulated parking scheme
to be introduced in the County from 5th August. It was agreed the
parking restriction areas frequently abused included the High Street,
Whittlesea Terrace and the High Street outside of the school. This
information would be passed on to East Northants Council.
East Northants had
rejected a “Change of Use” application for the building constructed on the
allotments in Thrapston Road. Consequently the owner had been asked to
return its use to that of an agricultural store.
Woodford’s Police
Community Support Officer had been reassigned to Irthlingborough, and the
replacement officer had then been reassigned to Rushden. A new officer is
expected in late July.
The Council’s Accounts for
the year ending March 2007 were approved and sent for auditing. Anyone
wishing to view the accounts should contact the Clerk, or view the summary
on the Councils website
www.woodfordpc.co.uk/ie.htm
Parish Council June 2007
At the June meeting the
Parish Council co-opted three further members of the community and is now up
to full strength. A list of Councillors is displayed on the new Parish
Noticeboard near the school and also on the village website.
A report was received that
the Little Owls Pre-school now had it’s own premises which would be located
adjacent to the Working Men’s Club on the edge of the recreation field.
A trustee of the Woodford
General Charity (Temperance Hall) reported that the hall had now been sold
and the new owner had succeeded in obtaining planning permission to convert
it into two dwellings. (The Parish Council had objected due to the lack of
parking). However, the Hall was now apparently up for sale again. The
Charity’s Trust Deed requires the proceeds of the sale to be invested but
income from the investment can be used annually for the benefit of the
residents of Woodford. More details about this will appear here later in the
year.
Two planning applications
were discussed. Sub division of 1 Rectory Lane into two properties
(Councillors expressed concern over access for an increased number of
vehicles) and Conversion of a former agricultural store in Thrapston Road
into a plumbers store, to which Councillors objected as this property had
been constructed without planning permission and was outside of the village
development zone.
Thrapston Town Band will
be making their annual Woodford Feast visit playing outside the Working
Men’s Club on Sunday 8th July in the afternoon at 2.30pm.
Woodford Feast / Fair
2007
Following the flooding
of the recreation ground in Kettering "the Fair" has asked permission this
evening to be allowed to park on the village green from tomorrow - Wednesday
28th June. Parish Councillors agreed to the request citing that the
extraordinary weather of the past few days is reason to accommodate such a
request.
Normally "the Fair"
visits Kettering for about a week and a half and follows this with a visit
to Woodford for one week. These two periods have been swapped for this year
only and we look forward to welcoming the Fair for the correct week in 2008.
At the time of writing
it is still hoped the open air service organised by the Church for 10th July
will still go ahead on the village green albeit not on the fairground.
Further details will be
posted here as and when available.
P T Bird
Wednesday 27 June 2007 10:02pm
Parish Church News
Reminder that Gardens in Woodford
will be open on Sunday 17th June 2pm -5pm and the Flower
Festival starts on 7th July
Parish Council May 2007
At the May Parish Council
Meeting the nine nominated Councillors (details on Parish Noticeboard)
signed their declarations and voted that Mr P J Bird should be the Chairman.
Mr I B Vaughan was voted Vice Chairman.
Only one member of the
public had contacted the Clerk in time to be co-opted to the Council at this
meeting and Mrs Reid was duly appointed. Three vacancies still exist and
anyone who is interested should contact the Clerk in person by Friday 15th
June to be considered. Please email the Clerk at
clerk@woodfordpc.co.uk, or telephone 01832 734329. The Council meets on
the third Tuesday each month and each meeting usually lasts between 1 ½ and
two hours.
The Clerk reported a new
Parish Noticeboard was now
in place near the school drive. This was made possible by a grant from East
Northants Council in celebration of the Queen’s 80th Birthday and
by Drayton Estate who permitted the sign to be installed on their land.
Councillors had hoped that
the seat which was formerly located near the development in the Paddock in
Mill Road could be relocated in the vicinity, but the design of the site
frontage and County Council restrictions mean that it needs to be relocated.
It is hoped that it will be relocated just beyond the 30mph sign on the same
side of the road as before.
The faulty matting in the
playground has now been re-fixed thereby enabling the area to remain open.
(Closing the playground with security fencing would have cost the Council
approximately £60.00 per week). It is intended to apply for grants to
upgrade this area and also develop a hard surface 5 a side / basket ball
court with the funds received from William Davis Ltd. Obviously if the
grants are not forthcoming a re-think will be required.
The Police also attended
the meeting, and informed that now the PCSO scheme was running within the
area more frequent patrols would be possible. Concern was expressed at the
amount of “low level” crime within the village and steps would be taken to
address it. One of the current “hot” topics is mini motorcycles. “Section
59” notices are now being handed to riders which can result in the seizure
of the rider’s vehicle if they or the vehicle is stopped again within twelve
months.
The Council had received a
proposal for the development of more “affordable housing” in the field
(adjoining the William Davis Site) to the rear of the terraced houses at the
west end of Mill Road. This field is outside the village development zone so
for it to be considered for such a scheme a convincing result from a village
wide Housing Needs Survey would need to be made. Councillors agreed not to
support the proposal at the present time, as a number of “affordable homes”
were still to be built within the Paddocks development, which would
obviously affect any survey that took place at the present time.
Additionally a number of other infill sites for affordable homes are
currently being developed within the village.
Parish Council
April 2007
The April Parish Council
meeting was the last meeting of the present Council. Nominations for the
thirteen available places to form the next Council totalled only nine,
consequently the Council needs to co-opt in order to fill the remaining
places. Anyone Woodford elector interested in becoming a Parish Councillor
should therefore contact the Clerk for further information or to put forward
their name by 6.00pm on Monday 14th May. The Annual Parish
Meeting and the Annual Parish Council Meeting take place on 15th
May at 7.00pm and 7.30pm respectively.
At the April Meeting
Councillors learnt that much of the safety matting had been loosened or
lifted and moved in the Children’s Playground. The Annual Safety inspection
had also taken place and it was understood that the recommendation would be
to close the playground to all, until a decision could be made to as to the
long term prospects of the playground. Sadly this has happened at a time
when the Council had secured a sum of money from William Davis who are
responsible for the new estate of Mill Road. One of the strings attached to
this funding is that it is used for new equipment rather than maintaining
existing provision and the Council at the March meeting had agreed that a
new multiuse games area (for basketball / five a side football etc) would
provide the best use of the funding. Repairs to the safety matting are
likely to exceed the Council’s entire budget by a considerable sum, so if it
is not possible to secure significant grants the playground is likely to be
closed for long period of time.
Chief Superintendent Dean
Smith who is the Police commander of north Northamptonshire attended the
meeting and listened to the Council’s concerns over rural Policing. He also
elaborated upon the new Community Safety Teams that have now been set up in
the East Northants Area, which should ensure a higher level of Police
presence in the rural area. He urged those present to report all aspects of
crime. Whilst a Police Officer may not always attend Policing priorities are
based upon the number of incidents reported. Therefore if incidents are not
reported it is assumed there is no crime. All non emergency crime should be
reported to 08453 700700.
The two roads in The
Paddocks Development have now been formally named and will be known as
Paddock Road and Windmill Close.
The new position of the
seat formerly located in Mill Road at the corner of this development is
still being negotiated with the developer.
Despite notices being
displayed on the village green requesting that no ball games be played, it
is still happening. If you have a child who plays there please urge them to
play somewhere safer such as the recreation field or back green (between
Rectory Lane and Church Green). The Council is now pursuing the introduction
of by-laws to govern the use of the green and anyone which could result in
anyone using the green (which is privately owned) without the Council’s
permission being subject to a fine.
Crime - February
2007
There have been reports of damage to
vehicles at the SMC site in Thrapston Rd and on the domestic front also
thefts from buildings in the Newtown area of the village. Please secure your
belongings and make sure outbuildings are locked
Saints Alive February 2007
"Money raised for the Children's Society
in 2006 was the best ever £1639. Thanks to all who contributed.
Woodford open gardens will be held later
this year on Sunday 17th June. If anyone would like to open their garden
please contact Mrs A Middleton on 734024.
The Flower Festival
will be held from Saturday 7th July to Sunday 15th July this year. Kettering
operatic Society will be giving a concert on Wednesday 11th July as the
theme is Memorable Musicals."
Parish
Council January 2007
At the January meeting
Parish Councillors heard that a Police Community Support Officer had been
allocated to Woodford and hopefully this would improve liaison between the
Parish Councillors and residents, with the Police.
A planning application for
conversion of barns at River View (Addington Road) into living accommodation
was viewed and there was no objection in principle to the application.
However, concern was raised that this could become a separate dwelling at
sometime in the future. Councillors also learnt that a planning application
for a house between De Capel Close and Club Land had been refused. Plans to
demolish the garages in Rose Terrace and also The Leys, and to replace them
with housing had now been withdrawn. Plans for a single property adjacent to
11 The Leys had been approved.
Actions to prevent a
potential accident in the High St caused by the footballers misusing the
village green were also agreed. This will ultimately involve the
introduction of by-laws preventing the use of The Green. Despite requests in
this publication and also the press, these dangerous games still continue on
this privately owned land which the Parish Council rents from Drayton
Estate. Anyone wishing to make use of the village green should do so by
writing to the Parish Council c/o The Clerk, Rosedale, Old Kettering Rd
Woodford; or emailing
clerk@woodfordpc.co.uk
Parish Councillors learnt
that the new drainage system for The Paddocks development had been connected
at the site end of the new pipeline however a connection was yet to be made
near Alledge Drive. Discussions are planned to take place with the site
manager as to the locating of the seat formerly situated at the corned of
the site.
Parish Council December 2006
At the December Parish
Council meeting Parish Councillors heard a report from Mr P Colson and Mrs E
Reid about a Police information evening they had attended. The evening had
primarily been to hear the Chief Constable explain the reasons behind the
poor performance statistics that had been quoted in the press; also about
the new Police Constable Support Officers who are being deployed around the
County, and how the scheme is to be expanded. Much of the evening however,
was spent discussing the quality of the service received by rural areas in
the county. It seemed many parishes held the same view as Woodford Parish
Council i.e. Police presence and visibility was negligible with the majority
of officers spending their time in the towns.
Cllr Hughes (ENC) and Cllr
Langley (NCC) were both present. Both talked with differing views of the
potential changes facing local Government in Northamptonshire. There is
pressure from Central Government for district and borough councils to be
abolished or have their powers greatly reduced with the major powers being
taken on by the County Council and some being devolved to Parish and Town
Councils. From the comments made by the Councillors at meeting it was
obvious that common ground has yet to be found amongst the authorities in
Northamptonshire. Both did agree that the nine week consultation period that
has been allowed (which ends at the end of January) had not been thought
through by the Government considering that many councils either close down
provide a reduced service over the Christmas or New Year period.
A draft budget was
provided to the Council by the Clerk and Councillors discussed the content
and as a result the agreed that the precept for the forthcoming year would
be set at £10,000 – reduction of £2,000 on the present year.
A planning application for
a property in Club Lane above Priory Mews was discussed. Councillors were
concerned that the design could lead to other properties being overlooked.
The greatest concern however was road safety in the of road users in Club
Lane. It was agreed that if the site could be accessed through DeCapel Close
and the issues of privacy could be addressed then this would be a more
favourable situation.
Parish Councillors agreed
to re-install the bollard on the village green. An agreement was also made
to continue with the present arrangements for cutting the verges within
Woodford on a monthly basis rather that the minimum of four cuts required by
the County Council. Whilst this would incur additional cost (as in previous
years) the benefits were agreed to outweigh the unkempt appearance of the
verges they were only cut every eight weeks or so.
Please report any
defective street lamps to the Clerk in order that repairs can be authorised
quickly (01832 734329 or
clerk@woodfordpc.co.uk)
Parish Council October 2006
At The October Parish
Council meeting Parish Councillors discussed the state of the vandalised
fence around the children’s play area and also the safety matting which has
been lifted. An order was placed for the safety matting to be re-laid as
soon as possible and a further order for the removal of the broken fences. A
decision will be made at a later meeting whether the fence should be
replaced and also how it will be funded.
The use of mini
motorcycles around Highfield is to be reported to the Police and formal
enquiries have been made regarding the accident which took place on the
village green in order to recover costs for the reinstatement of the bollard
removed in the incident.
Plans for stables in
Addington Road were discussed and no objections were raised. It was also
understood T Mobile wish to upgrade their transmitters on the water tower.
Mention was also made of
the poor state of the gate at the top of Eady’s Row and the missing “Cycling
Prohibited” sign. A discussion took place as to whether a pedestrian gate
could also be erected on the public footpath at the top of Eady’s Row to
stop cyclists using the pavement. It was agreed that the first step would be
to have the sign replaced as a reminder to cyclists.
The Council is still
pursuing the extension of the 30 mph zone in Thrapston Road so that it
extends past the industrial buildings in that road.
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