Present: Cllr. Mrs C Sawyers – in the Chair.
Cllrs. P Moody and R Webb.
County Cllr. R Younger and District Cllrs. L Birt, A Brown and M
Chapman were also present.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. N Francis and Pc S Busby.
33/08 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
34/08 REPORTS BY COUNTY / DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
District Cllr. L Birt outlined the reasons why the District Council had
objected to the proposal to site an Eco-town in the Marston Vale.
Further to Minute 24/08, District Cllr. A Brown reported that the
condition of the footway alongside the A507 was likely to be improved
in October, when works related to the speed limit and pedestrian
crossing were scheduled. He also indicated that there was no news about
a reduction in the height of the chevrons on the roundabout but
responsibility for repairing the fence adjacent to the MOD entrance was
being investigated. In addition, Cllr. Brown referred to weight limits
for handling refuse and recycling materials; the Parish Survey; the
second phase of LDF consultations on sites put forward for development;
and the Farmers’ Market in Shefford. The Parish Council was pleased to
note that the District Council had rejected Government proposals to
weigh the amount of refuse per household and, if appropriate, impose
financial penalties.
District Cllr. M Chapman referred to the pressure on Members and
Officers to maintain existing services and, at the same time, shape
service delivery in Central Bedfordshire. He also referred to Members’
surgeries at Priory House, and Cllr. Brown outlined the restructuring
of Chief Officer posts.
County Cllr. R Younger reported that he had been allocated £2,500
to make grants to community groups within his County Electoral
Division. He also provided information about Summer Holiday activities
and the Orchards Childrens’ Centre.
(Note – The County and District Councillors withdrew from the meeting
after this item)
35/08 MINUTES
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 June 2008, be
signed as a correct record.
Members commented on the visit to the Sandy Smith Nature Reserve, and
the need to progress the Parish Plan.
Further to Minute 30/08, it was noted that Cllr. R Webb had confirmed
his interest in attending the Affordable Village Housing Seminar and
arrangements were in hand.
36/08 CASUAL VACANCY
Further to Minute 22/08, the Clerk reported notification from the
District Council that, by virtue of an un-contested election, Mr R W
Radley (a resident of Greenway) would become elected on 17 July 2008.
The Council was pleased to note that the District Council would not
re-charge the cost of the limited amount of work carried out.
37/08 POLICE ISSUES
In the absence of Pc S Busby, the Clerk submitted the crime statistics
for Shefford Rural from 1 January to 30 June. It was noted that, in
June, there had been six recorded crimes and two anti-social behaviour
incidents in the parish.
38/08 CONFIDENT COMMUNITIES FUND
Further to Minute 20/08, the Clerk reported that he had attended the
meeting at the Rufus Centre, Flitwick on 17 June, when representatives
of the Police and the County Council had explained why grants from the
Confident Communities Fund could not be used to fund Police Community
Support Officers. Information had been provided about other options,
and the Clerk indicated that he had subsequently entered into
discussions about the provision of childrens’ activity sessions and
additional landscaping works at the Recreation Ground.
The Council noted that the District Council’s Play Rangers had agreed
to provide Summer Holiday activity sessions at the Recreation Ground
and at Chicksands, within an existing budget. Additional activity
sessions would then be provided at Chicksands in September/October on
the basis that the cost of £500 could be met from the Confident
Communities Fund. The Landscape Manager of Bedfordshire Highways had
indicated that a further £500 of the approved grant could be
spent on planting a hedge/trees along the northern boundary of the
Recreation Ground.
The Council endorsed the action taken.
39/08 PLANNING
The Council noted that, since the last meeting, planning applications
08/953/F and 08/955/LB had been circulated to Members and no objections
had been raised to the grant of planning permission and listed building
consent for a framed canopy to provide a covered external play area at
Campton Lower School. It was also noted that planning application
08/253/F had been circulated in May and no objections had been raised
to the erection of a stable (and ancillary works) at 5 The Old Dairy,
Beadlow.
The Council then considered a further application (08/1011/F) by the
Management Committee for front and rear extensions to Campton Village
Hall. Members expressed some concerns but no objections were raised to
the grant of planning permission.
The Clerk submitted Mid Beds LDF Newsletter, together with details of a
second site allocations consultation. It was noted that developers and
landowners had put forward a further 70 sites, and comments had been
requested by 19 August. Information about the locations would be
available on the ‘Talk to Mid Beds’ website from 7 July, and details of
a site in Campton and Chicksands would be displayed at an Exhibition in
Maulden Church Hall on Friday 11 July. The Chairman and Clerk indicated
that they would attend.
40/08 PARISH PLAN
No further information was available.
41/08 HIGHWAYS
For information, the Clerk submitted Bedfordshire Highways Major
Roadworks Bulletin, a Bedfordshire Highways Customer Service Bulletin,
and public notice of the County Council’s intentions to introduce a
permanent 40mph speed limit on the A507 and provide a ‘Toucan’ crossing
immediately east of the Chicksands roundabout. The Council welcomed the
A507 proposals but Members reiterated comments about the chevrons on
the roundabout and the speed limit in Priory Road.
The Clerk also reported confirmation from Bedfordshire Highways that
Brookside was to be resurfaced and the kerbing work in Greenway was to
be commenced in July.
42/08 RECREATION GROUND
In the absence of Cllr. N Francis, the Clerk submitted details of a
play area inspection carried out on 29 June. It was noted that Cllr.
Francis was obtaining information about the repair of the safety
surfacing and that, although most of the rubbish had been removed, the
Football Club had been contacted about roofing materials stored at the
rear of the building.
The Chairman reported on discussions with Dr. W Radley (the Chairman of
the Governors) about formalising use of the Recreation Ground by the
Lower School. She hoped that, whilst there were still issues to be
resolved, the School would enter into an appropriate legal agreement,
meet the costs involved, and agree a modest annual payment.
The Council noted that Hilliers, Solicitors of Kempston, would be
prepared to draft an agreement and had advised that the legal costs
involved would be in the region of £350 to £450. Members
discussed the level of the annual payment having regard to the
arrangements with other users, and commented on issues such as health
& safety and insurance. In particular, the Council agreed that it
would not be possible to exclude residents so that the School could
have sole use.
Members raised other issues regarding activities at the Recreation
Ground, and it was agreed to consult Cllr. N Francis about the wording
of the notices to be displayed. The need for a second dog bin was noted.
43/08 EXISTING AND FUTURE PROJECTS
Further to Minute 19/08, the Council noted that, as discussed, Anna
Maudlin had made changes to the Good Neighbours leaflet and would be
ordering 500 copies from Paul Crowley. She had also contacted the
photographer about the postcards.
The Clerk reported that, as Cllr. L Jackson had been incapacitated, no
further information was available about repairs to the ‘Festival of
Britain’ sign. He also reported that a draft agreement was still
awaited from the County Council to site the new seats/benches on
highway land.
44/08 CORRESPONDENCE
For information, the Clerk submitted correspondence received since the
last meeting. He drew attention to the first newsletter about progress
to create the new Central Bedfordshire Council, and a Town & Parish
Council Survey to give the District Council a better understanding of
the needs and aspirations of the local Councils in Central
Bedfordshire. The Chairman and Clerk were authorised to complete the
survey (by 19 September).
Members commented on matters arising from Bulletin 39 of the Standards
Board for England, the Minutes of the Ethics and Standards Committee,
and notice of a change of process in respect of complaints against
Elected and Co-opted Members.
45/08 FINANCE
The Clerk reported that, as at 27 June, there were balances of
£18,008.74 in the Community Account and £22,639.40 in the
Business Reserve Account. He then reported on invoices received since
the last meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the following payments be approved:
St. Mary’s, Haynes – photocopying
newsletter
£93.60
D J Granger Landscapes Ltd. – grass
cutting
£384.86
The Clerk indicated that, as the Audit situation had not been resolved,
he had asked a recently retired Finance Officer to assist.
46/08 REPORTS BY MEMBERS
Cllr. P Moody referred to a recent meeting of the Campton &
Shefford Joint Burial Board and reported on the condition of the
Cemetery. Further to Minute 16/08, the Clerk reported that a local
Funeral Director had telephoned to express interest in using the
Cemetery Chapel, and had been asked to write formally.
The Chairman closed the meeting and confirmed that, unless it proved
essential, the Council would not meet in August.
Chairman.
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