|
CAMPTON
& CHICKSANDS
PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
at
Campton Village Hall on Wednesday 6
February 2008.
Present: Cllr. Mrs C Sawyers – in the Chair.
Cllrs. N Francis, L Hamilton, P Moody, Mrs M Olley and R Webb.
County Cllr. R Younger and District Cllr. L Birt were also present.
Apologies for absence were received from District Cllrs. A Brown and M
Chapman.
118/07 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
Further to Minute 102/07, the Vice Chairman and the Clerk confirmed
that Bedfordshire Highways had not programmed further works in respect
of flooding in Mill Lane. As the highway drainage had coped with the
recent heavy rainfall, it was agreed to monitor the situation.
119/07 MINUTES
The Council noted that the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December
2007 had been amended in accordance with Minute 103/07.
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5 December 2007
(as amended) be signed as a correct record.
In relation to the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2008, the
Chairman commented on the accuracy of Minute 108/07 in relation to the
outstanding Audit Returns. It was agreed to replace the sentence
commencing “It was agreed, as a temporary measure….” with “ It was
agreed that the Clerk should keep a note of the additional hours
required to complete the overdue Audit Returns and inform the Council
in order that additional payment may be considered.” Approval of the
Minutes was deferred to enable the necessary change to be made.
The Clerk indicated that the budget statement had been revised pursuant
to Minute 108/07 and he submitted a copy to be appended to the signed
copy of the Minutes. It was agreed that a copy of the revised budget
statement should be circulated to Members in advance of the next
meeting.
120/07 REPORTS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr. R Younger and District Cllr. L Birt commented on the
review of unitary authority proposals and Members expressed concern
about the apparent political animosity between the two authorities.
They were assured that the normal workload of both Councils was being
progressed, but it was hoped that the judicial review and the
Government review would be completed by the end of February.
Cllrs. Birt and Younger also reported that procedures were in hand for
a permanent 40mph speed limit from west of the new Chicksands
roundabout to the Shefford roundabout; and it was anticipated that,
following the necessary consultations, a pedestrian crossing would be
provided. It was noted that further concerns had been expressed about
the chevron signs on the Chicksands roundabout.
Cllr. Younger also referred to concerns about heavy goods vehicles,
‘rat runs’ through Campton, and on-street parking problems near the
School. It was understood that the Diocese was not prepared to make
land available for off street parking near the School.
Members reminded the Clerk about the need to write to the Traffic
Commissioners and other interested parties regarding the problems with
heavy goods vehicles.
Further to Minute 104/07, the Clerk reported that the District Council
was not aware of any decision to remove the blue litter bins from
lay-bys in Mid Beds. Members referred to the need at Rowney Warren.
In relation to the Police Authority budget, Cllr. Younger commented on
the funding of PCSOs and was advised of the Parish Council’s
application to the Confident Communities Fund.
121/07 POLICE ISSUES
The Council noted a letter from Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant N
Denham about the re-launch of ‘signal crimes’ as ‘parish community
safety priorities’, and the opportunity to consult residents and
highlight local issues.
122/07 PLANNING
The Mid Beds LDF newsletter was received and Cllr. R Webb was appointed
to attend an LDF Site Allocations briefing at the District Council
Offices on 11 February 2008.
Further to Minute 103/07, the Council noted the planning permission
granted by the District Council in respect of the extensions at 63
Greenway (07/1896F).
123/07 HIGHWAYS
For information, the Clerk submitted the Bedfordshire Highways Major
Roadworks Bulletin, confirmation of the Order to divert Bridleway CA1
in the vicinity of East Lodge School, information about the appointment
of an Assistant Highways Technician, and details of outstanding issues
reported to Bedfordshire Highways. He also referred to reports
submitted in respect of a damaged highway verge in Priory Road, a
‘missing’ road sign in Greenway, and a defective street light.
Members reiterated concerns about the road surface in Brookside, and
whether it was an adopted highway or the responsibility of Aragon
Housing Association. It was noted that the Housing Association owned a
strip of land adjacent to the Village Hall (previously considered for
car parking) and might be prepared to discuss future responsibility.
Cllr. L Hamilton indicated that he would raise the matter with the
Village Hall Management Committee.
It was noted that the wooden sign in the village flower bed was
decaying, and the Clerk advised that a local firm specialized in this
type of restoration work.
Further to Minute 110/07, Cllrs. L Birt and R Younger were made aware
of the outstanding issues raised by Cllr. N Francis in respect of the
condition of the footpath alongside the A507 and the damaged fence.
124/07 RECREATION GROUND
Cllr. N Francis referred to the recent play area inspection and advised
that there had been little change. The Clerk confirmed that he had
contacted the District Council about emptying the dog fouling bins, and
that he had asked Mr T W Langley to provide Cllr. P Moody with a quote
for re-fixing the bench outside the play area. It was suggested that a
quotation should also be obtained from Dawsons of Shefford.
The Clerk indicated that he had ‘chased’ Bedfordshire Highways about
the signs for the Recreation Ground / Play Area. Further to Minute
111/07, the Chairman reported that comments were still awaited from
NALC about the draft agreement in respect of school use, but she had
obtained the necessary documents to register the Council’s ownership of
the Recreation Ground with HM Land Registry.
The Clerk confirmed that he was arranging a meeting with a
representative of Campton FC to agree the up-to-date payments for
grounds maintenance and the hire fees due for use of the football
pitch. Cllr. R Webb was asked to attend the meeting.
125/07 PARISH PLAN
The Council noted that information was awaited about the public meeting
held on 30 January. Cllr. R Webb indicated that he would contact former
Cllr. B Thompson.
126/07 EXISTING AND FUTURE PROJECTS
The Clerk indicated that, whilst there was no further progress in
respect of the village entry signs, it was hoped that Bedfordshire
Highways and Royal Mail would shortly progress the erection of the new
notice boards and the replacement post box. The licence agreement in
respect of the notice board in front of the Church had been completed
and returned to the County Council. Members expressed the hope that,
following erection of the new notice board, the Parochial Church
Council would remove the old notice board standing in the Churchyard.
Further to Minute 114/07, Members discussed possible locations for new
public seats and the costs involved. The Clerk submitted information
from a Company in Suffolk (employing disabled workers) which produced
vandal resistant seats and offered free installation, if a certain
number of seats were ordered. It was agreed that confirmation of the
offer should be obtained.
It was noted that a resident had expressed interest in providing a
memorial seat by the river, and had been advised to contact the
landowner.
127/07 CORRESPONDENCE
For information, the Clerk submitted correspondence received since the
last meeting and drew attention to funding available from the WREN
Challenge 2008 (a copy of which had been passed to Cllr. L Hamilton for
the Village Hall Management Committee), the January 2008 newsletter of
the Countywide Partnership, and a Government consultation document in
respect of Orders and Regulations to revise the Code of Conduct for
Local Councillors. The Clerk circulated Register of Councillors’
Interest Forms, together with guidance notes produced by the District
Council.
Cllr. Mrs M Olley was authorized to attend the County Council’s
Reception for Town and Parish Councils.
The Council noted that the Clerk had completed an Open Spaces and
Sports Facilities survey for the District Council.
The Clerk reminded the Council that the Director of the Greensand Trust
had presented information to the Annual Parish Meeting in 2007 about
the acquisition of land between Beadlow and Chicksands for the Sandy
Smith Nature Reserve. He then submitted an email from Liz Millbank, the
recently appointed Countryside Ranger responsible for the site, who was
interested in local publicity and arranging a visit by the Council. It
was agreed that a site visit be arranged in Spring / early Summer.
128/07 FINANCE
The Vice Chairman reported that, as at 30 January, the Council had a
balance of £9,841.65 in the Community Account. The Clerk
submitted invoices received since the last meeting and reported on a
request for grant aid from Mid Beds Citizens’ Advice Bureau. He also
requested part payment of his fee for 2007/8.
RESOLVED:
(1) That the following payments be approved:
E.ON Energy – street lighting energy
charges
£44.70
Bedfordshire RCC – fee for Cllr. N Francis to attend the
Play Area Management Information Day on 1
March.
£10.00
Mr D G Irons – part payment of Clerk’s fee
2007/8.
£1000.00
St. Mary’s, Haynes – newsletter
photocopying
£46.80
(2) That no action be taken to grant aid Mid Beds Citizens’ Advice
Bureau in 2007/8.
Further to Minute 108/07, the Clerk submitted reconciliation of the
Accounts for 2001/2, together with the partially completed Audit Return
for that year. He consulted Members on the value of the Council’s fixed
assets, as at 31 March 2002.
RESOLVED:
That, having regard to the information available to the present
Clerk/ Responsible Financial
Officer and the Council, the Accounts and Audit Return for 2001/2 be
approved for submission to Lubbock Fine (External
Auditors).
129/07 FINANCIAL REGULATIONS AND BANK MANDATE
The Council deferred consideration of the Financial Regulations but
agreed to vary the Mandate to Barclays Bank Plc to enable cheques to be
signed by (any two) Cllrs. N Francis, L Hamilton and P Moody. It was
noted that the issue of cheques being counter-signed by the Clerk / RFO
was to be resolved under the Financial Regulations.
130/07 REPORTS BY MEMBERS
Cllr. R Webb reported that a School bus had caused minor damage to a
street light in Rectory Road.
The Chairman referred to the desirability of inviting a speaker to
attend the Annual Parish Meeting.
Chairman.
|
