Present: Cllr. L Hamilton – (Vice Chairman) in the Chair.
Cllrs. N Francis, L Jackson, P Moody, R W Radley and R Webb.
District Cllr. L Birt and Pc S Busby were also present.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Mrs C Sawyers, County
Cllr. R Younger, and District Cllrs. A Brown and M Chapman.
47/08 CASUAL VACANCY
Further to Minute 36/08, the Chairman noted that the necessary
Declaration of Acceptance of Office had been completed and welcomed
Cllr. R W Radley to his first meeting of the Parish Council.
Cllr. L Jackson referred to the benefits of attending a training course
for new Councillors.
48/08 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
49/08 MINUTES
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 2 July 2008, be
signed as a correct record.
Further to Minute 39/08, the Clerk referred to the Exhibition at
Maulden Church Hall on 11 July, and reported that Members had
subsequently agreed to object to a site in Meppershall Road being
allocated for housing in the Mid Beds LDF.
The Clerk also reported that Members had been consulted about an
application by the County Council (BC/CC/2008/27) to retain existing
single and triple temporary classrooms at Campton Lower School. Having
regard to the increased demand, lack of play space, and inadequate
parking/drop-off facilities, the Council had expressed the view that
there was a need for a new School in the parish but had supported the
retention of the temporary classrooms for a further period of two years.
50/08 POLICE ISSUES
Pc S Busby referred to the crime statistics for Shefford Rural from 1
April to 31 August, and pointed out that there had been no recorded
crimes in Campton, Chicksands and Beadlow during August, and only one
incident of anti-social behaviour in Chicksands.
The Council noted that, following a visit by the mobile Police Office,
action was being taken in respect of graffiti in the underpass and
unacceptable comments submitted to the Campton & Chicksands Parish
Website. It was also hoped to carry out speed checks in Greenway.
A Member referred to cars being driven round the car park at the
District Council Offices, in late evening.
51/08 CONFIDENT COMMUNITIES FUND
Further to Minute 38/08, the Clerk reported that the trees and hedges
around the Recreation Ground had been cut back and the District
Council’s Play Rangers had provided the Summer Holiday activity
sessions in both Campton and Chicksands. He also reported that efforts
were being made to finalise the allocation of additional funds for
landscaping and activity sessions.
Members commented favourably on the work at the Recreation Ground but
it was noted that a fence was in need of attention. Cllr. N Francis
indicated that the activity sessions at Chicksands had been welcomed by
residents.
52/08 REPORTS BY COUNTY / DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
District Cllr. L Birt commented on a further Government consultation
about devolving functions to Town / Parish Councils, and the
possibility that Parishes would ‘group together’ to undertake
additional responsibilities.
(Note – District Cllr. Birt withdrew from the meeting after this item)
53/08 PLANNING
The Council noted that, since the last meeting, planning applications
08/1409/TPO (works to a sycamore tree at the rear of 20/22 Gravenhurst
Road) and 08/1546/F (erection of a barn at 1 The Old Dairy, Beadlow for
stables and storage) had been circulated and no objections had been
raised to the grant of consent. The Council then considered and raised
no objections to planning application 08/1598/F by MOD DISC Chicksands
for a single storey extension to training building 380 at Wellington
Drive, Chicksands.
The Clerk submitted a consultation document from the East of England
Regional Assembly in relation to a review of the East of England Plan.
54/08 PARISH PLAN
Cllr. R W Radley stated that, having attended a public meeting to
‘launch’ the Parish Plan, he was disappointed by the lack of progress.
Following the departure of former Cllr. Chris Eden, there was a need to
identify a Chairman, to involve the residents of Chicksands, and
arrange a further meeting.
Cllr. N Francis offered to assist as a link with Chicksands, and the
Council authorised Cllr. Radley to liaise with Beds RCC and other
interested parties about arrangements for a further public meeting to
‘kick-start’ the Parish Plan.
It was suggested that children at the Lower School could help in
preparing maps.
55/08 HIGHWAYS
For information, the Clerk submitted Bedfordshire Highways Major
Roadworks Bulletin, Bedfordshire Highways Customer Service Bulletin,
and letters from the County Council about the diversion of bridleway
CA1 and the temporary closure of Campton Road, Meppershall. The Council
was pleased to note that Bedfordshire would review the design of the
chevrons on the Chicksands roundabout when the permanent 40mph speed
limit was implemented.
Members welcomed recent highway improvements in Greenway, and noted
that Cllr. L Jackson and the Clerk would be meeting Emma Kynes (in
place of Alan Trille) on 11 September for a highway maintenance
inspection. It was suggested that further information be sought about
the resurfacing of Brookside and the flooding problem in Mill Lane.
The Clerk reported that, in addition to the existing revenue scheme,
the District Council had approved a capital scheme for the replacement
of street nameplates and had asked Parish Councils to identify missing
street nameplates or those in need of replacement. It was agreed that
Cllr. Jackson and the Clerk would undertake a survey during the highway
maintenance inspection.
56/08 RECREATION GROUND
Cllr. N Francis submitted details of a play area inspection and
reported that a local Company, Clements Play Management Ltd., was
prepared to repair the safety surfacing at a cost of £400 -
£500 (exc. VAT) or would supply the necessary materials, on a
sale or return basis, at a cost of £105 (exc. VAT). The need for
wood shuttering was raised and it was agreed to defer the work pending
a safety inspection by Wicksteed Playscapes.
Cllr. Francis asked the Clerk to contact Campton FC about storage of
the roofing materials and weed spraying.
It was noted that a letter had been sent to the Chairman of the
Governors about use of the Recreation Ground by the Lower School, and
that a response was awaited.
Further to Minute 42/08, it was noted that the Clerk contacted Cllr.
Francis about the wording of the notices to be displayed in the
Recreation Ground. Members discussed the draft wording and, in the
light of suggestions made, the Chairman indicated that he would prepare
amendments for further consideration.
The Clerk reported on an exchange of emails with Mr M Tyler, a resident
of Rectory Road, who was concerned about the use by Campton FC because
of noise nuisance, parking problems, restrictions on use by residents,
and the proximity of the football pitch to residential properties.
Although the Council took the view that football had been played at the
Recreation Ground for many years and Campton FC adopted a responsible
attitude, Members suggested that (as part of the Parish Plan process)
it might be appropriate to consider extending the Recreation Ground to
cater for a wider range of uses, provide a new multi use Pavilion and
car park, and improve the play area. It was agreed to discuss the
suggestion at the next meeting.
57/08 EXISTING AND FUTURE PROJECTS
The Council agreed that it would not be appropriate to pursue the
provision of village entry features at the present time.
The Clerk indicated that he would speak to Emma Kynes about the
agreement to site new seats/benches on highway land.
Cllr. L Jackson reported that, as Alan Trille had been prepared to
provide new letters for the repairs to the ‘Festival of Britain’ sign,
he would now speak to Emma Kynes and finalise the costs involved.
The Council was pleased to note that the Good Neighbours leaflet had
been printed and was now being delivered to every household. Thanks to
Anna Maudlin and ‘her team’ were recorded.
The Clerk advised the Council that Jess Sawyers, after three years as
temporary editor of the parish newsletter, would have to concentrate on
her professional qualifications after publishing the October issue.
Thanks to Jess Sawyers were recorded and, in the absence of any
‘volunteers’, it was agreed to approach residents who might be prepared
to take on the responsibility.
58/08 CORRESPONDENCE
For information, the Clerk submitted correspondence received since the
last meeting and drew attention to a number of invitations. Cllr. L
Hamilton was authorised to attend the Civic Church Service in Stotfold
on Sunday 12 October 2008.
59/08 FINANCE
In the absence of Bank statements to the end of August, the Clerk
reported on income and expenditure since the last meeting, together
with the invoices for payment. The Council noted that the (second) half
year precept to the Joint Burial Board was due, and considered renewing
membership of the Bedfordshire Playing Fields Association for 2008/9.
RESOLVED:
That the following payments be approved:
Campton & Shefford Joint Burial Board – half year
precept £690.50
Beds. Assoc. of Town & Parish Councils – affiliation
2008/9 £211.00
Beds. Playing Fields Association – membership
2008/9
£20.00
Andy Muskett Ltd. – street lighting
maintenance
£80.37
D J Granger Landscapes Ltd. – grass
cutting
£716.47
St. Mary’s, Haynes – photocopying
newsletter
£93.60
E.ON – lighting energy
charges
£89.40
Further to Minute 45/08, the Clerk reported that, from 1 October, he
would have experienced help in bringing the audited accounts up-to-date.
60/08 REPORTS BY MEMBERS
Cllr. R Webb reported on his attendance at the Affordable Village
Housing Seminar, and it was agreed that further copies of the
information pack should be obtained; that the provision of affordable
housing should be considered as part of the Parish Plan exercise; and
that Julia Mackie be invited to speak at the Annual Parish Meeting in
2009.
Cllr. P Moody referred to the forthcoming meeting of the Joint Burial
Board and it was noted that young offenders undertaking Community
Service had been clearing undergrowth in the Cemetery extension.
Cllr. L Jackson reported on his attendance at the training course for
new Councillors, and expressed interest in a training session for
Parish Council Highway representatives.
The Chairman referred to a fundraising event and reported that the
Management Committee was still considering proposed improvements to the
Village Hall.
Chairman.
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