Present: Cllr. Mrs C
Sawyers – in the Chair.
Cllrs. N Francis, L Hamilton, L Jackson, and R Webb.
County Cllr. R Younger and District Cllrs. L Birt and A Brown were also
present.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. P Moody and District
Cllr. M Chapman.
1/08 CASUAL VACANCY
The Council noted with great regret that, shortly before the meeting,
Mrs. M Olley had advised the Chairman and the Clerk that she was
standing down as a member of the Parish Council.
The Chairman paid tribute to the help and advice received from Mrs.
Olley and the Clerk indicated that he would advise the District Council
of the casual vacancy.
2/08 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED:
That Cllr. Mrs C Sawyers be elected Chairman of the Parish Council
until a successor is elected at the Annual Meeting in May 2009.
3/08 APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED:
That Cllr. L Hamilton be appointed Vice Chairman of the Parish Council
until the Annual Meeting in May 2009.
4/08 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
5/08 MINUTES
The Clerk submitted:
1. The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5 March 2008,
amended in accordance with Minute 148/07.
2. The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 2 April, 2008.
3. The draft Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 18 April,
2008 (for information).
The Council agreed that, in future, a list of matters arising from the
Minutes should be included in the Agenda.
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 5 March (as
amended) and 2 April 2008 be signed as correct records.
6/08 ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS
The Council agreed that:
Whilst all Members would serve on the Campton & Shefford Joint
Burial Committee, Cllrs. P Moody and R Webb would be responsible for
reporting back to the Parish Council.
Cllr. L Hamilton would represent the Council on the Village Hall
Management Committee.
Cllr. N Francis would be responsible for undertaking regular
inspections/ safety checks of the play area at the Recreation Ground.
Cllr. L Jackson would liaise with the County Council about highway
issues.
7/08 DATES OF MEETINGS
The Council agreed to continue meeting in the Village Hall on the first
Wednesday of every month (except August) at 7.30pm. Having regard to
the Clerk’s holiday arrangements and a possible visit to the Sandy
Smith Nature Reserve on 4 June, it was however agreed that the next
meeting would take place on Wednesday 11 June.
It was noted that efforts were being made to book the Village Hall for
the Annual Parish Meeting on Friday 24 April 2009.
8/08 REPORTS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
District Cllrs. L Birt and A Brown referred to the difficulties being
experienced in carrying out the ‘normal business’ of the District
Council and servicing the ‘shadow’ Unitary Authority. Cllr. Brown also
reported that the waste food refuse collection would be available in
Chicksands from December and that implementation of the permanent 40mph
speed limit on the A507, together with provision of a pedestrian
crossing, was scheduled for January/February 2009. Further to Minute
149/07, Members requested plans of the crossing and referred to the
School transport issue. It was agreed that, even after provision of a
crossing, walking from Chicksands would not be a safe route to School.
A Member suggested that, following the introduction of the permanent
speed limit on the A507, it would be appropriate to reduce the size of
the chevrons on the roundabout.
(Note – Cllrs. Birt and Brown withdrew from the meeting after
presenting their reports.)
County Cllr. R Younger, who arrived from another meeting during
consideration of the Recreation Ground, also commented on the proposed
pedestrian crossing and the School transport issue. He referred, in
particular, to the need for a footway in Rectory Road and additional
parking in the vicinity of the School.
In addition, Cllr. Younger provided information about ‘Cold Calling
Zones’, the use of PCSOs, and the formal consultation arrangements in
respect of Post Office closures.
Cllr. Younger was reminded of the suggestion at the Annual Parish
Meeting that, following the withdrawal of Bus Service 201, the M1
service should be diverted through Campton.
9/08 POLICE ISSUES
Although the crime statistics were not available, the Council noted
that Pat Williams was the new ‘Neighbourhood/Home Watch Co-ordinator’
for Greenway.
Members commented on the use of Campton Plantation and the new
footpath/cycleway alongside the A507 by trial (motor)bikes and
expressed concern that the riders were not wearing helmets. Reference
was also made to the Cherokee Jeep which had been left in Rectory Road.
Although it had a flat tyre, it appeared to be taxed/insured and was
not causing an obstruction.
10/08 PLANNING
The Clerk submitted information about the Bedfordshire and Luton
Minerals and Waste Development Framework, local validation requirements
in relation to standard planning application form 1APP, and adoption of
the Planning Obligations Strategy by the District Council. The Council
considered planning application 08/543/F in respect of a single storey
rear extension at 4 The Old Dairy, Beadlow. Although concerns were
expressed about over-development and impact on the listed building, no
objections were raised subject to any neighbour representations.
11/08 HIGHWAYS
For information, the Clerk submitted Bedfordshire Highways Major
Roadworks Bulletin and two Customer Service Bulletins. It was agreed to
make further representations to Bedfordshire Highways regarding the
missing sign in Greenway (not Priory Road), the damaged sign in Priory
Road, potholes in Rectory Road, the condition of the under-pass, and
the issues raised by Cllr. N Francis. In relation to the condition of
the fence at Monks Walk, it was suggested that an approach be made to
the Adjutant at MOD Chicksands.
Further to Minute 152/07, the Council assumed that the resurfacing of
Brookside was being funded by Bedfordshire Highways and accordingly
confirmed that the Enhanced Parish Partnership funding should be
allocated for the continuation of the works in Greenway, with any
surplus being allocated for the design costs involved in providing a
footway in Rectory Road.
In relation to the issue raised at the Annual Parish Meeting, it was
noted that the County Council had been consulted about Grishams Lane
but it appeared that a landowner could resurface a public bridleway.
12/08 RECREATION GROUND
Cllr. N Francis reported on a recent play area inspection and work to
be carried out. The Council noted that the bench had been repaired, and
agreed to contact Campton Football Club about strimming or spraying
around the fence. The extent of the proposed work to cut back and
remove underqrowth (financed by the Confident Communities Fund) was
reviewed. A Member reported that the remnants of a bonfire had been
visible at the weekend.
Further to Minute 153/07, the Clerk reported on the meeting with the
Treasurer of Campton Football Club to discuss payments due to the Club
for maintenance of the Recreation Ground since 2005, and the payments
due to the Council for use of the football pitch since the 2004/5
season. It was noted that the Club had subsequently agreed a schedule
of payments for maintenance up to and including 2008 and hire charges
to the end of the 2007/8 season. A payment of £236 was due to the
Football Club and it had been agreed that, in future, a reasonable cost
of living increase would be applied each year to the maintenance
payments and hire charges to enable a settlement to be made in each
close season (say, by 30 June) to take account of games played in the
past season and the maintenance payment for the whole of that calendar
year. Provision had been made for both parties to request a review at
any time. The Council endorsed the agreement and approved a payment of
£236 to Campton Football Club. It was, however, accepted that (in
the long term) there was a need to review the formal agreement
regulating the use of the Recreation Ground by Campton Football Club.
The Council was pleased to note that the Club had recently won the
Bedford & District League.
The Clerk also reported that the Head Teacher of Campton Lower School
had requested permission to use the Recreation Ground on Friday 20 June
(or, if wet, on Wednesday 25 June) for the School’s Annual Sports Day;
and that Premier Sport wanted to hire the Recreation Ground from 21 to
24 July for a Summer Football Course. The Council approved the use by
the School (subject to adequate insurance cover) and agreed to the
Course at a hire charge of £21 per day.
In relation to the day to day use of the Recreation Ground / Play Area
by the School, the Chairman referred to advice received from the
National Association of Local Councils (that the Council’s position
should be safeguarded by formal agreement and by making a charge for
use of the facility) and reported on a subsequent meeting with the Head
Teacher. Members noted that the use was continuing but there were
issues to be resolved in respect of the agreement, the costs involved,
and the School’s desire to have exclusive use of the facility at
certain times. In anticipation that there would be a further meeting
with the Head Teacher / Chairman of the Governors, the Council took the
view that it would not be possible to agree to exclusive use, and
endorsed the view that an agreement was necessary and that a nominal
annual payment was required from the School (or Local Education
Authority). It was, however, agreed that the Chairman could discuss the
possibility of sharing any legal costs.
(Note – Cllr. N Francis declared an interest in the above item (as the
parent of a child attending Campton Lower School) and took no part in
the discussion.)
13/08 PARISH PLAN
No further information was available.
14/08 VILLAGE CARE SCHEME
The Council was pleased that a resident had volunteered to deliver the
welcome pack in Chicksands and noted that the Clerk had exchanged
emails with Anna Maudlin about printing costs. It was estimated that
400 copies of the leaflet would be required and the Chairman reported
that MOD Chicksands was unable to assist. Cllr. L Jackson
indicated that he would obtain a quotation.
The Chairman referred to minor changes to the leaflet which she would
discuss with Anna Maudlin and the Council endorsed the view that there
was a need to differentiate between voluntary and semi-commercial
activities.
(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.)
15/08 EXISTING AND FUTURE PROJECTS
Further to Minute 156/07, the Clerk was authorised to liaise with
Bedfordshire Highways about the installation of four seats/benches in
the agreed locations. Consideration of the provision of an oak
seat/bench near the new notice-board in Greenway was deferred.
The Clerk reported that Metrosigns 2000 (Bedford) Ltd. intended to look
at the existing ‘Festival of Britain’ sign before submitting a
quotation.
As no progress had been made with the provision of village entry signs,
it was agreed to discuss village entry features at a future meeting.
16/08 CORRESPONDENCE
For information, the Clerk submitted correspondence received since the
last meeting and drew attention to information from the Bedfordshire
Association of Town and Parish Councils, information for potential
complainants (Code of Conduct for Members) from the District Council,
and a letter from Shefford Town Council about the possible use of the
Cemetery Chapel as a Museum.
Having regard to practical problems and on the basis that the Chapel
had been consecrated in 1902/3 and was still available for ‘other
faith’ services, the Council was opposed to the suggested use as a
Museum.
17/08 FINANCE
The Clerk reported that, following receipt of the precept, there was a
balance of £21,108.16 in the Community Account on 29 April. He
then submitted invoices and requests for grant aid received since the
last meeting. In relation to the insurance premium it was noted that an
alternative quotation had not been forthcoming.
RESOLVED:
1. That (in addition to the payment referred to in Minute 12/08 above)
the following payments be approved:
Campton & Shefford Joint Burial Board – half year
precept £690.50
D J Granger Landscapes Ltd. – grass
cutting
£609.97
Allianz Insurance Plc – Insurance renewal
premium
£1014.90
2. That no action be taken in respect of the requests for grant aid
from WRVS Emergency Services, Vitalise, Macmillan Cancer Support, and
Milton Keynes ADHD Group.
Further to Minute 158/07, the Clerk reported on discussions with BDO
Stoy Hayward LLP about the Audit for 2007/8. As it appeared that
Lubbock Fine would be responsible for the Audits still outstanding, it
was necessary to resolve any issues in respect of the submitted return
and continue to progress the backlog.
Consideration of Financial Regulations was deferred.
18/08 REPORTS BY MEMBERS
Cllr. L Hamilton reported on recent actions by the Village Hall
Management Committee.
Chairman.
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