BUGBROOKE PARISH COUNCIL 

Minutes of the Meeting of the Full Council

held on Monday 14th January 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

at the Community Centre, Bugbrooke. 

                                PRESENT:

Chairman - Councillor Philip Bignell    

Councillor John Bignell                                           Councillor David Jeffery

Councillor Mrs Diana Cockrill                                   Councillor Alan Kent      

Councillor John Curtis                                            Councillor Brian King

Councillor Ken Gardner                                           Councillor Dr. Jonathan Shribman

Councillor David Harries                                           Councillor Neil Sturdy

Councillor Mrs Brenda Inch                                      Councillor Terry Ward                                                                                                                 

                                IN ATTENDANCE: 

Mrs Emma Bignell - Clerk to the Council

Three parishioners

District Cllr. Graham Smith                                

                                APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:                                            ABSENT: 

Councillor Mrs Cherry Pilcher (illness)

County Cllr. Mrs Joan Kirkbride                

Mr Scoble had tendered his resignation, a letter of thanks would be sent to him for his time on the Parish Council.  

PC08/1/1                DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: 

No interests were declared. 

PC08/1/2                POLICE MATTERS: 

A number of issues were raised including damage to the telephone box on the High Street, damage to a wall on the corner of Johns Road/Levitts Road, problems with the post box on Meadway and Community Speedwatch. It was hoped that PCSO Charlotte Pearson would be able to attend the February meeting. The Clerk advised that it was no longer possible to contact her via her mobile as these had been withdrawn from the CSOs. 

PC08/1/3                MINUTES: 

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th December were approved as a correct record and duly signed by the Chairman. 

REPORTS ON ISSUES PREVIOUSLY RAISED:

PC08/1/4                STREET LIGHTING QUOTES: (Previously minuted at PC07/11/207) 

Mr Millard had provided quotes for the remaining concrete columns across the village which would be replaced with galvanised steel ones. All would be replaced at the same locations with the exception of PL28 which would be moved from the field to the other side of the fence so that it was on the path on the Millennium Green.

RESOLVED: To accept the quotes and the work to proceed

ACTION: Clerk

PC08/1/5                YOUTH FACILITIES PROVISION: (Previously minuted at PC07/12/232) 

The Clerk confirmed that she had written to but here had been no response from the teenagers who had previously applied for the SNC Youth Funding scheme. It was suggested that a broader spectrum of youth views be sought, possibly via Campion.

RESOLVED: To give the teenagers a further month to make contact, before pursuing an alternative avenue of youth discussions

Meanwhile the progress on the under 7s play area had slowed again as whilst the County Council agreed to the siting of the equipment at the Primary School in principle, they wished to lease the land to the Parish Council to cover themselves against future maintenance and insurance claims. The Parish Council was not adverse to this arrangement, subject to the period of lease being at least the length of the life of the equipment.

RESOLVED: To liaise with Bob Cotter & NCC further on the practicalities of the lease arrangement

ACTION: Clerk 

PC08/1/6                FOOTPATH ISSUES: (Previously minuted at PC07/12/233) 

The Clerk reported that she had contacted BT for an update on the fence on the public right of way which had been scheduled for inspection on 06/12/07 and had been advised that the inspection had been put back until 25/1/08.

RESOLVED: To check again at the end of January

ACTION: Clerk

Mr Curtis reported that a number of stiles and hedges on rights of way covering land belonging to Messrs. Heygate had been damaged.

ACTION: Clerk had already brought to the attention of the landowners 

PC08/1/7                LAND AT KISLINGBURY ROAD: (Previously minuted at PC07/12/234) 

Mr Townsend had arrived to carry out the fencing work opposite the garage but had been unable to do so as there were parked vehicles on the land. The Clerk had spoken with the owner of the vehicles who advised that permission had been granted by BT. The Clerk had asked him to produce evidence of this agreement to park the vehicles. To date, no further information had been received.  

PC08/1/8                PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: 

The meeting was adjourned between 8.10 p.m. and 8.14 p.m. to allow questions and comments from parishioners. 

PC08/1/9                PLANNING:

PARISH MATTERS:

PC08/1/10                COMMUNITY CENTRE: 

The Committee had met on 12/12/07 and the Chairman gave a brief report of the main topics for discussion at the meeting, including improvements to the lighting in the Small Hall and Lounge and also to the internal decor. 

PC08/1/11                PARISH NOTICE BOARDS: 

The notice board on Camp Hill needed re-setting in the ground as it was wobbly.

ACTION: Chairman

The notice board on Meadway would be replaced as it had been removed. It was thought more practical that the new board had metal legs.

RESOLVED: To ascertain prices

ACTION: Clerk

The old notice board adjacent to the bus shelter on Kislingbury Road, whilst not in excellent condition, would be retained as it did provide an opportunity for the public to use.  

PC08/1/12                WEIGHT LIMIT – BIRDS HILL: 

Mr John Bignell voiced his concerns that heavy goods vehicles, including those belonging Heygates, were using this unclassified road on a regular basis. Members were in agreement with this issue and it was:

RESOLVED: to ask NCC to consider a weight restriction on the Pattishall Road

ACTION: Clerk 

PC08/1/13                ARCH OVER GATE – JUBILEE HOUSE: 

The Clerk reported that Tony Lovelee had apologised for the delay in this work being undertaken and that a contractor had now been appointed. 

PC08/1/14                PROVISION OF BURIAL SPACE: 

The Jesus Fellowship had indicated that they would be willing to enter into discussions regarding the provision of land behind New Creation Hall for an extension to the churchyard. It would be necessary for the land’s suitability for burials to be ascertained before any further progress could be made.

RESOLVED: to ascertain whether there were specialist surveyors available to undertake this type of work within Northamptonshire

ACTION: Clerk 

PC08/1/15                ENVIRONMENT AGENCY RESPONSE – CORNHILL: 

The Environment Agency had confirmed that they were aware of the works to the railway sidings and were monitoring the situation. Mr Curtis reported that the right of way which ran under the aqueduct was impassable due to the deep mud.

ACTION: Clerk had already brought to the attention of the ROW Department 

CORRESPONDENCE:

PC08/1/16                For Action –

SNC – Parish Precept 2008/09 & information evening 22/01/2008

RESOLVED: Precept request had already been submitted by the Clerk

and it was agreed to send a representative to the Council tax base meeting

 ACTION: Clerk

SNC – Housing Stakeholder Event 2008 – Towcester Racecourse 23/01/2008

RESOLVED: to send a representative

 ACTION: DH

Mid Northamptonshire Parishes – 16/01/08 at Bugbrooke Community Centre

RESOLVED: to send a representative

 ACTION: JC

NCC – Review of subsidised bus services

RESOLVED: to oppose any changes to the existing D3

Service from Northampton to Daventry

 ACTION: Clerk

For Report -

SNC – Strategic Housing team Newsletter – empty housing

SNC – Annual Civic Dinner – 11/04/2008 at Whittlebury Hall

SNC – Arts News

NCC – Draft Budget Consultation & Priorities for 2008/09

Royal Mail – Letter of apology to all Businesses & investment programme

Government Office for the East Midlands – Publication of EM Plan Panel Report

NHS – Extract from Minutes of Pharmacy & Dispensing meeting 11/12/2007

NCALC – Confirmation – Derek Lovell, Internal Auditor for 2008/09 

                                 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

PC08/1/17                LINK PERSON SALARY REVIEW: 

Mr Walton had been in post for twelve months and it was considered appropriate that his salary should increase.

RESOLVED: to increase his salary to £6.00 per hour with immediate effect

ACTION: Clerk 

PC08/1/18                MONTHLY BUDGET SPENT FIGURES: 

The monthly figures were circulated. It was noted that following the issue of an invoice in October, the cheque for the annual reimbursement for the grass mowing from NCC was still outstanding. The Clerk was pursuing with some vigour as this was an unacceptable length of time for payment. 

PC08/1/19                ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:                

the accounts presented for payment be approved

 RESOLVED: That all the accounts prepared for payment be approved.  That sufficient funds from the deposit account be transferred to the current account to cover payments

PC08/1/20                DATE OF NEXT ORDINARY MEETING: 

                                Monday 11^th February 2008 at 7.30 p.m. (DWP – 23/01/08) 

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.03 p.m.

CHAIRMAN -                                                                                                         DATE -