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CAMPTON
& CHICKSANDS
PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held in
Campton Village Hall on Wednesday 2 April,
2008.
Present: Cllr. Mrs C Sawyers – in the Chair.
Cllrs. N Francis, L Hamilton, L Jackson, Mrs M Olley and R Webb.
County Cllr. R Younger and District Cllr. L Birt were also present.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. P Moody and District
Cllr. A Brown.
146/07 CASUAL VACANCY
Further to Minute 136/07, Mr L Jackson completed the Declaration of
Acceptance of Office and the Chairman welcomed him as a Member of the
Parish Council.
It was noted that an updated list of the names and addresses of Parish
Councillors had been displayed in the notice-boards.
147/07 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
148/07 MINUTES
The Council received the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2008.
The Chairman commented on Minute 143/07 and it was agreed to amend the
paragraph relating to the Audit Return so as to make it clear that a
statement as to the extenuating circumstances would accompany Section 2
of the Return. The Clerk was also asked to amend Minute 145/07 to
indicate that (a) the fence adjacent to the rear entrance to MOD
Chicksands was in a dangerous condition, and (b) concerns had been
expressed that landscaping works around the District Council Offices
had caused drainage problems on the Alington Estate.
Approval of the Minutes was deferred to enable the necessary changes to
be made.
The Council also agreed that, in future, the Minutes (a) should
indicate whether Councillors arrived or left during meetings, and (b)
should not be displayed on the notice-boards or the website prior to
approval.
149/07 REPORTS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
District Cllr. L Birt reported that the new Central Bedfordshire
Unitary Authority had come into being on 1 April as the ‘shadow
authority’ and would continue in that role until the County and
District Councils were abolished on 31 March 2009. It was noted that
the existing Officers were servicing the ‘shadow authority’ in addition
to Mid and South Beds. District Councils; and that meetings of the new
authority would alternate between the existing offices in Mid and South
Beds. Cllr. Birt advised that, in May/June 2009, sixty three
Councillors would be elected for Central Bedfordshire and two Members
would represent Shefford, Campton & Chicksands, and Meppershall. It
was noted that the Shadow Cabinet had been formed and was due to meet
on Thursday 10 April.
County Cllr. R Younger (who arrived from a meeting of Meppershall
Parish Council during consideration of Highway matters) also referred
to the new Unitary Authority and expressed concerns about its ability
to manage a much larger budget over a broad range of services. He
commented, in particular, on the County Council’s property register and
the requirement to establish an energy producing waste disposal plant
by 2011.
Cllr. Younger also reported that, following publication of the
statutory notices, Bedfordshire Highways hoped to provide a pedestrian
crossing on the A507 at Chicksands by the Autumn. The Chairman asked
whether provision of the crossing would impact on the availability of
School transport from Chicksands to Campton, and Cllr. Younger
indicated that the issue would have to be discussed by the County
Council / Central Bedfordshire Unitary Authority.
(Note: County Cllr. R Younger and District Cllr. L Birt withdrew from
the meeting after presenting the above reports.)
150/07 POLICE ISSUES
The crime statistics were not available, but the Council was pleased to
note that the Clerk had been advised that the application for a grant
from the County Council’s Confident Communities Fund had been
successful.
151/07 PLANNING
For the benefit of Cllr. L Jackson, the Chairman explained the
procedure for commenting on planning applications within the parish,
and drew attention to the LDF Settlement Envelope for Campton. It was
agreed to seek information from the District Council as to whether a
‘settlement envelope’ had been drawn up for Chicksands.
The Council noted that outline planning application 08/344 (for the
erection of a building for Class B1 employment use at Top Farm, Rectory
Road) had been circulated since the last meeting and the Chairman had
advised the District Council of the reasons for objecting to the
proposed development. The Council then considered and raised no
objections to planning applications 08/455/F (erection of stable and
ancillary works at 6 The Old Dairy, Speedsdairy Farm Road, Beadlow) and
08/475/F (erection of detached garage and extensions to Wood Farm
House, Appley Wood Corner, Haynes).
152/07 HIGHWAYS
For information, the Clerk submitted Bedfordshire Highways Major
Roadworks Bulletin and notice of a temporary road closure (for one day
between 19 May and 31 July) to enable Brookside to be resurfaced.
Further to Minute 138/07, it was noted that the Parish Highway
Inspection had taken place on 13 March and a letter from Bedfordshire
Highways had subsequently confirmed the issues discussed. It was noted
that:
Marked potholes were to be repaired in April, May and June.
Drainage problems in Mill Lane and Rectory Road / Elm Close would be
investigated when funding was available.
Brookside and Elm Close would be resurfaced when funding was
available.
Sites for four new benches/seats (in Greenway and Priory Road) had
been agreed in principle.
In relation to the Enhanced Parish Partnership Scheme 2008/9, it was
noted that Alan Trille would cost additional works in Greenway
(continuation of scheme), Brookside and Rectory Road. Although the
provision of a footway in Rectory Road was desirable, it appeared that
considerable design work would be involved. Members took the view that,
subject to cost, the completion of the work in Greenway should be given
priority. They did, however, indicate a willingness to consider part
funding the design costs for the footway in Rectory Road on the basis
that the scheme would qualify (as a safer route to School) for
inclusion in the 5 year programme or a future Parish Partnership
Scheme. Reference was also made to the benefits of a Village ‘gateway’
project and the possibility of Bedfordshire Highways confirming the
ownership of the strip of land between the Village Hall and Brookside.
153/07 RECREATION GROUND
Cllr. N Francis reported on a recent play area inspection and, further
to Minute 143/07, advised that he would now be attending the Play Area
Management Course on Saturday 17 May.
The Clerk submitted a quotation from Dawsons (Shefford) Ltd for
re-fixing the bench outside the play area. Having noted the intended
method of fixing, the Council agreed to proceed with the work at a cost
of £182 (exc. VAT).
The Council noted that Clerk, accompanied by Cllrs. N Francis and R
Webb, would be meeting a representative of Campton Football Club on 3
April to discuss the payments due to the Club for maintaining the
Recreation Ground and the payments due to the Council for use of the
football pitch.
Further to Minute 150/07 above, the Council discussed the allocation of
part of the Confident Communities Fund grant to cut back and remove the
undergrowth along the south east boundary of the Recreation Ground.
154/07 PARISH PLAN
Further to Minute 140/07, it was noted that former Cllr. B Thompson was
away and that information/advice was awaited from Bedfordshire Rural
Communities Charity.
155/07 VILLAGE CARE SCHEME
Further to Minute 145/07, the Clerk drew attention to additional
information received from Anna Maudlin about the contents of the
proposed ‘welcome pack’ for new residents, and the costs involved.
Subject to approval of the final proofs, the Council agreed, in
principle, to fund the purchase of 72 postcards in full colour and the
cost of photocopying an up-dated information leaflet.
It was noted that the Committee hoped to arrange for the leaflet to be
distributed to all households in the parish, but had concerns about
delivering the pack to new residents in Chicksands, where there
appeared to be a high turnover of properties.
(Note – The Chairman and Cllr. L Hamilton declared an interest in the
above item on the basis that family members were serving on or
assisting the Committee.)
156/07 EXISTING AND FUTURE PROJECTS
Further to Minute 152/07 above, the Council discussed the provision of
new benches/seats in the locations agreed by Bedfordshire Highways,
having regard to the offer of free installation from Whitehouse
Enterprises. It was agreed, in principle, to purchase four
benches/seats for the following locations –
Opposite 34a Greenway, overlooking the grazing land.
At the southern end of the footway/cycleway under the A507 in
Greenway, overlooking the farmland.
Near the bus stop in Priory Road.
At the eastern end of Rectory Road (to replace an existing bench)
near the Church.
In relation to the above location in Rectory Road, it was agreed to
consult the owner of the hedge/adjacent property. The Vice Chairman
indicated that she would liaise with the Parochial Church Council about
removal of the old notice-board in the Churchyard. Consideration of the
need for a community notice-board at Chicksands was deferred until
later in the year.
The Council agreed, in principle, to provide an oak bench near the new
notice-board in Greenway (in front of the Church), as discussed with
Bedfordshire Highways. Members commented on the need for a gap between
the bench and the notice-board, and for the bench to be forward of the
Churchyard wall for maintenance purposes.
The Council was pleased to note that Royal Mail had completed
installation of the new post-box in Gravenhurst Road.
Further to Minute 141/07, the Council agreed that a quotation should be
obtained from Metrosigns 2000 (Bedford) Ltd for replacing the whole of
the ‘Festival of Britain’ sign in Gravenhurst Road.
157/07 CORRESPONDENCE
For information, the Clerk submitted correspondence received since the
last meeting and drew attention to the LAA Partnership Bulletin, the
March issue of the Bedfordshire Bugle, confirmation that the Greensand
Ridge Local Action Group had applied to the East of England Development
Agency for up to £3m of EU funding, and a meeting at Priory
House, Chicksands on 29 April about ‘Arts Aloud’ – a community touring
scheme for Mid Beds.
The Chairman also referred to an invitation to attend the Civic Church
Service in Arlesey.
158/07 FINANCE
The Vice Chairman reported that, as at 28 March, the Council had a
total of £30,909.48 in the two Bank accounts.
The Clerk submitted invoices received since the last meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the following payments be approved:
D J Granger Landscapes Ltd. – grass
cutting
£51.70
Andy Muskett Ltd. – street lighting
maintenance
£77.55
Wicksteed Leisure Ltd. – works at play
area
£1573.44
Cllr. Mrs C Sawyers – reimbursement of copying
charges £35.00
St. Mary’s, Haynes – newsletter
photocopying
£46.80
Mr D G Irons – balance of Clerk’s fee and
expenses £2002.80
The Clerk referred to the appointment of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP as the
Council’s Auditor for 2008/9, in place of Lubbock Fine.
The Clerk also reported receipt of the Council’s insurance renewal
summary from Allianz Insurance Plc. It was noted that the premium of
£1014.90 would be due on
1 June and the Clerk was authorised to obtain an alternative quotation
from Norwich Union.
Consideration of a request for grant aid in respect of WRVS Emergency
Services was deferred.
159/07 FINANCIAL REGULATIONS AND BANK MANDATE
Further to Minute 144/07, the Clerk reported that the local branch of
Barclays Bank Plc had not accepted the revised Bank Mandate and the
forms would be posted to Birmingham. Consideration of the Financial
Regulations was deferred.
160/07 REPORTS BY MEMBERS
Arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting on Friday 18 April were
discussed. It was noted that Liz Millbank had agreed to speak about the
Sandy Smith Nature Reserve and the Chairman suggested that the District
Council’s Chief Executive should be invited to talk about the new
Central Bedfordshire Unitary Authority.
Cllr. L Hamilton reported on the AGM of the Village Hall Management
Committee and referred, in particular, to the need for new members.
Cllr. R Webb drew attention to a vehicle which had been left in Rectory
Road, and referred to the need for an up-to-date bus timetable on the
Village Hall notice-board.
Further to Minute 145/07, Cllr. N Francis confirmed that the footpath
and fence still required attention. He also pointed out that a vehicle
had damaged a road sign in Priory Road.
The Clerk indicated his intention to draft a Calendar of Meetings for
2008/9 in advance of the Annual Meeting of the Council in May, and
asked if Members wished to continue meeting on the first Wednesday of
each month (except August). Consideration was deferred to the Annual
Meeting on 7 May.
Chairman.
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