|
CAMPTON
& CHICKSANDS
PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held at
Campton Village Hall on Wednesday 16
January 2008.
Present: Cllr. Mrs C Sawyers – in the Chair.
Cllrs. N Francis, P Moody, Mrs M Olley and R Webb.
District Cllrs. L Birt and A Brown, and Pc S Busby were also present.
Apologies for absence were received from County Cllr. R Younger and
District Cllr. M Chapman.
The Chairman referred to the postponement of the meeting scheduled for
2 January, and wished everyone a Happy New Year.
102/07 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident of Mill Lane referred to recent concerns about flooding in
Mill Lane and asked if there was any news about works to improve the
situation. Cllr. Mrs M Olley and the Clerk referred to past
consultations with Bedfordshire Highways, and it was agreed that
further information be sought.
103/07 MINUTES
In relation to the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December, the
Chairman drew attention to two minor amendments; commented on the
possible provision of extra car parking at the School; and indicated
that:
Planning application 07/1896/F had been approved but the Case Officer
had not imposed conditions in respect of overlooking or surface water
disposal (Minute 93/07).
Pursuant to Minute 95/07, she had prepared a draft agreement in
respect of the School’s use of the Recreation Ground and play area.
It was inappropriate for the Council to indicate a willingness to
provide funding for the Village Care Scheme (Minute 97/07) without
having an indication of the level of support required.
The Council agreed to the Clerk’s suggestion that Minute 97/07 be
amended by replacing ‘provide’ with ‘consider’ in the last sentence.
Approval of the Minutes was deferred to enable the necessary changes to
be made.
104/07 REPORTS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
District Cllr. L Birt indicated that the Government was expected to
complete its review of unitary authority proposals in Bedfordshire by
the end of February. It was noted that further statements had been
issued by the County Council, Mid Beds District Council, and South Beds
District Council.
District Cllr. A Brown provided further information about recycling,
refuse collection and disposal. The Council was pleased to note that
the food waste trial was likely to introduced throughout the District.
In response to a question, Cllr. Brown agreed to investigate why the
blue litter bins had been removed from most of the lay-bys in Mid Beds.
105/07 VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR
The Clerk reminded the Council that past efforts to fill the remaining
vacancy for a Councillor had been unsuccessful. It was agreed that, in
addition to the display of notices in Campton and Chicksands, the
vacancy should be publicised in the parish newsletter.
106/07 POLICE ISSUES
Pc S Busby reported on the number of calls and referred to criminal
damage to a vehicle at Chicksands. It was noted that no information had
been received about the missing Union flag.
Pc Busby indicated that speed checks would be carried out, and he
reminded the Council about the new procedure for requesting a Police
presence at community events.
The Council received the Winter issue of (Home) Watch Wide News, and
noted a response from the Admin. Officer at Shefford Police Office
about the reporting and recording of crimes.
107/07 CONFIDENT COMMUNITIES FUND
Further to Minute 92/07, the Clerk reported on satisfactory
consultations with Bedfordshire Police about the deployment of a PCSO
at Chicksands, for approximately 154 hours, during School holidays.
Having noted that the Confident Communities Fund application had to be
submitted to the County Council by the end of January, the Council
confirmed that the remainder of the parish allocation should be spent
on cutting back and clearing vegetation at the Recreation Ground.
The Clerk also reported receipt of an information pack from the County
Council.
108/07 FINANCE
The Vice Chairman reported that, as at 28 December, the Council had
balances of £22,366.39 in the Business Reserve Account and
£10,116.70 in the Community Account. The Council received and
accepted a quotation from Andy Muskett Ltd. for street lighting
maintenance in 2008/9.
The Clerk submitted invoices received since the last meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the following payments be approved:
E.ON Energy – street lighting energy
charges
£44.70
Andy Muskett Ltd. – street lighting
maintenance
£77.55
Campton Village Hall – hall
hire
£40.00
Further to Minute 100/07, the Clerk reported that the District Council
required details of the precept for 2008/9 by 23 January, and submitted
a revised budget statement for 2007/8 and draft budget for 2008/9. The
Council discussed the items of income and expenditure, and agreed minor
amendments. In relation to the provision for audit fees, it was noted
that Lubbock Fine had requested that further efforts be made to submit
overdue Audit Returns by the end of March. 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. The Council discussed the continuation of
reciprocal arrangements with Campton FC and was pleased to note that
the Clerk would be meeting a representative of the Club to agree
payments and receipts since 2006/7.
The Council reviewed balances and the rolling budget provision.
RESOLVED:
That the revised budget for 2007/8 and the draft budget for 2008/9 be
approved (copy appended to the signed copy of the Minutes); and that
Mid Beds District Council be advised that a parish precept of
£16,500 will be required in 2008/9.
109/07 PLANNING
Further to Minute 93/07, the Clerk confirmed that the planning appeal
in respect of Beadlow Manor Hotel (07/0049) had been withdrawn.
The Council considered and raised no objections to planning application
07/2105 in respect of the erection of a training building
adjacent to 135 Trenchard Avenue, DISC Chicksands.
Information from the County Council about the introduction of National
Standard Planning Application Forms was noted.
110/07 HIGHWAYS
For information, the Clerk submitted the Bedfordshire Highways Major
Roadworks Bulletin and reported on the Road Show at Maulden on 7
January. It was noted that a Freight Strategy was being developed and
attention had been drawn to the problems created by Hanlon’s Depot.
Notification was received from the County Council that a Public Path
Diversion Order had been made to alter the route of Bridleway CA1 in
the vicinity of East Lodge School.
Cllr. N Francis reported that although the new sign had been erected
alongside the A507, the path was still in poor condition and, as a
result of tree work, a recently erected fence had been damaged.
It was noted that the Vice Chairman had agreed to complete a customer
satisfaction questionnaire for Bedfordshire Highways.
111/07 RECREATION GROUND
Cllr. N Francis referred to a play area inspection carried out on 27
December and the Council agreed to obtain a quotation from Mr T W
Langley or Dawsons of Shefford for re-fixing the bench outside the play
area.
The Clerk indicated that there was no further information about the
signs but Wicksteed Leisure had confirmed that the remedial work at the
play area would commence on 15 March.
The Council approved the attendance of Cllr. Francis at a Play Area
Management Information Day at Shuttleworth on Saturday 1 March.
Concerns were expressed about the arrangements for emptying the dog
fouling bins, and the Clerk was asked to raise the issue with the
District Council.
The Chairman indicated that the draft agreement in respect of School
use of the Recreation Ground and play area had been referred to Beds
RCC / NALC for comment.
(Note: Cllr. P Moody declared an interest in the above item as a
neighbour of Mr T W Langley)
112/07 PARISH PLAN
The Council noted that arrangements were in hand for a further public
meeting in the Village Hall on Wednesday 30 January.
113/07 VILLAGE CARE SCHEME
The Clerk indicated that no further information was available.
114/07 EXISTING AND FUTURE PROJECTS
The Clerk indicated that there was no further information about village
entry signs but, following the meeting with Mr G Dulson, Royal Mail had
agreed to replace the existing post box with a ‘rural lamp box’,
capable of taking A4 letters. The Council was pleased to note that the
new post box would be moved closer to the back edge of the footpath,
and that the owners of the property had no objections.
In relation to the new notice board to be erected in front of the
Church by Bedfordshire Highways, the Clerk was authorised to complete
the County Council’s licence agreement, on behalf of the Parish Council.
Consideration of locations for new public seats was deferred.
115/07 CORRESPONDENCE
For information, the Clerk submitted correspondence received since the
last meeting and drew particular attention to a number of invitations;
Bulletin 36 from the Standards Board; and new Declarations of Interest
forms issued by the District Council.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman agreed to attend a Civic Reception
hosted by the Chairman of the District Council on 15 February, and the
Council agreed to nominate the Chairman to attend a Buckingham Palace
Garden Party.
116/07 FINANCIAL REGULATIONS AND BANK MANDATE
Consideration of this item was deferred.
117/07 REPORTS BY MEMBERS
Members reported on a recent meeting of the Campton & Shefford
Joint Burial Board.
Cllr. R Webb drew attention to a dropped inspection cover in Rectory
Road, and Cllr. P Moody reported on flooding in the underpass.
Chairman
|
