WELFORD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting will be held on Thursday 28th February 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.


Chair: Cllr A. Boardman
Present: Cllrs Ainsworth, Brotherton, Cheshire, Curtis, Frommont, Hayhurst, Lockwood and Smyth and five members of the public
319 Apologies: Dist & County Cllr C. Boardman
320 To Confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of 24th January 2008: Unanimously confirmed as true & accurate record.
321 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Cheshire in respect of the Youth Club, Youth & Community Centre and allotments and Cllr Smyth in respect of the allotments.
322 Public Participation: Villager Sue Brotherton raised issue of noise and nuisance caused by inappropriate use of the tennis courts which are not currently kept locked. Cllr Boardman invited her to raise the issue with the Tennis Club who rent the area from the Parish Council but to revert to the Parish Council if the problem continues. Chris Foster expressed concern that support of initiatives like community Speedwatch give the impression to government that the populace are prepared to police ourselves. He raised concerns about the increasing civilianization of the police force, reduction in police numbers, that the public are not getting what it pays for and as to the correct calibration of the Speedwatch equipment. Cllr Boardman reported upon the joint working group between the police and other local villages. He reported that Welford has been visited 7 times in the past 3 months and that 4 fixed penalty notices have been given. The police should be visiting more often now as a result of this working group which will hopefully act as a deterrent. There will be a meeting on 9th June in Brixworth with John Spencer of the Casualty Reduction team. Dan Kavanagh provided details of a planning application he is proposing to make for a building near to Ashby Lodge.

323. Matters Outstanding and Arising from previous Minutes
a. Youth Shelter/ Anti-social behaviour/Vandalism: Please report problems on 08453 700700. If it is reported and gets into police statistics then the Police will have to put in the resources to deal with the problem. In the past month the police have moved on lorry drivers who were sleeping in the lay by- so it is worth reporting all incidents.
b. Dog Fouling: Daventry do not have a dog warden at present, but please continue to report all incidents including a description of the dog and if possible the address of the owner to the Environmental Health Department at DDC on 01327 871100.
c. Bruntingthorpe Proving ground- transporter movements: Clerk to report to Harborough DC that transporter movements have increased in the last 2-3 days.
d. Windfarm proposals at Kelmarsh (exhibition in Naseby Village hall on 20th Feb) and Yelvertoft (exhibition at Yelvertoft Village hall on 26th Feb 1pm-8pm): Cllrs attended the various exhibitions and asked Clerk to arrange for Welford to be statutory consultees on both proposals. Details of visits open to all members of the public to the Burton Wold windfarm have also been given to Cllrs.
e. Inter-society Quiz on 15th March: Cllrs to let Cllr Hayhurst know if they want to enter a team.
f. Empowerment Grants from NCC: applications via County Cllr C. Boardman: Details passed to the Sportsfield Association. Suggestions as to what the Parish Council might apply for next time were finger posts for community buildings and repairs to the play area. Cllr Cheshire to investigate cost of finger posts signs.
g. Overhanging hedges & fences: Thanks were expressed to Cliff Marlow for arranging for the overhanging hedge at the allotment to be cut. Clerk to write again to owners of Salford House saying the over hanging hedges must be cut back within the month. Clerk to ask building control at Daventry to check if the wall on Butchers close at Salford House is dangerous. Fence at Atterbury House has been removed.
h. Grant application from Sportsfield Association: letter dated 22/2/08. It was resolved to grant a further £1,500 capital grant to upgrade the electrical and heating system, removing the night storage heaters which will reduce future revenue costs. Proposed Cllr Brotherton, sec. Cllr Frommont, two against, rest in favour.
i. Annual meeting of the Parish: To take place on 1st May in the village hall, Clerk does not need to attend. It is proposed there be a short open session and that Biffa speak perhaps about grant eligibility and the Police come and speak to parishioners. Hopefully there will be cheese and wine. Clerk to liaise with Cllrs Cheshire to arrange. A meeting aimed at the Youth of the village was discussed but details not finalized
324 Correspondence
a. NCALC: Internal audit service terms of reference: Placed in circulation file.
b. ACRE: Village of the Year & Churchyard of the Year: Noted.
c. NCC: Questionnaire re fire service response date 3rd March see www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/Safety/Fire/Response Review.htm: Noted.
d. Audit Commission: External auditor fees £135: Noted.
e. CPRE: Planning & Landscapes road show on 15th April at Cranford hall: Noted.
f. DDC: Year book details: Clerk has responded.
g. Chairman Great Houghton Parish Council: Asda Wind Turbine: Cllrs will respond individually.
h. DDC: Youth Small grants funding programme: Details passed to Cllr Cheshire.
i. DDC : Proposed Welford & Sulby Parish meeting on Wednesday 27th February 2008: Cllr Smyth reported that the meeting took place and a resolution was passed relating to an EU referendum, however DDC have stated that the correct method of calling the meeting was not followed and so the meeting had no legal validity, the organisers were aware of this and went ahead to make a point.
235 Reports
a. Highways :
i. Freight traffic through Welford: Clerk reported that Debbie Strong of NCC had confirmed that the NCC/LCC meeting was taking place this week and Cllr Boardman agreed to collate dates when he, Catherine Boardman and WAG were available to meet with NCC regarding the outcome of that meeting.
ii Environmental monitoring: continuous monitoring equipment costs £4-5,000: Clerk to obtain clarification as to the basis of the existing data; is it cumulative or a max/min.
iii Maintenance: Clerk to write to owners of 30 Westfield Crescent regarding a tree root coming up through the tarmac. Cllr Ainsworth reported that the Atkins maintenance list only includes items they are intending to repair, either the side streets are not inspected at all or only faults which they intend to repair on the main streets are written down. Unsatisfactory repair to High Street where a lorry took out the wall, Cllr Ainsworth is chasing it up. Incident was witnessed by Cllr Smyth who gave details of incident and lorries registration to Police within minutes. She will pass the crime number to Cllr Boardman who will take it up with our local police.
b. Playing Field:
i. Quote of £1300 labour & Materials to affix fence uprights using coach bolts: Resolved for the time being for Cllrs to carry out repairs using coach bolts. When the next annual safety inspection is carried out Clerk get clarification as to whether a fence is required around the children’s equipment.
ii. Preschool request to use recreation ground on 27th April for a Food Fayre: Agreed in principle with the proviso that the ground must be hard enough to carry food kiosks etc. No other vehicles may be parked on the playing field, only those in use as refreshment vans.
iii. CCTV: is being progressed.
iv. Cllr Boardman to get a quote for the Spinney fence.
c. Welford Youth & Community Centre: At the fashion show 4 vehicles were parked across the emergency access. Clerk to write saying that this is not acceptable and reminding Centre that vehicles may not be parked on the playing field and ask for confirmation that the TENS licensing restrictions of 12 per building per year are understood.
d. Pocket Park: Minutes of a meeting on 19th February 2008: Minutes in circulation file. The County Council has had to retain control of the Country Parks and Pocket parks as no not for profit organizations were interested in taking them on. NCC have awarded the Pocket Park a revenue grant to pay for the resurfacing of the path and so the funding from the Parish Council which was held is reserve will now no longer be needed.
e. Allotments: Overhanging hedge has been dealt with.
f. Community Speedwatch: Volunteers needed, contact Cllr Lockwood on 01858 575074
236 Planning Matters
a. Doctors Barn: Outcome of DDC Planning meeting 30 January 2008:The matter was deferred on 30 January when it was considered again it was refused as inadequate marketing was carried out.
b. Minutes of a planning committee meeting on 13th February 2008: Confirmed as a true and accurate record by members of the planning committee who attended.
c. DA/2007/1286 10 Avon Fields, Welford: Single Storey side and front extension, raise height of roof and insert front dormers to form bedrooms & roof space: Permission granted: Noted.
d. DA/2008/0177: 19A High Street, Welford: Demolition of existing outbuilding and construction of detached dwelling: Parish Council delegated responsibility to the planning committee who are to check whether local plan policies are the same for demolition and to respond to DCC.
e. Local Plan: Clarification as to which policies in the Local Plan have been ‘saved’ and copies of the Planning Policy Statements quoted by DDC in their decisions are to be requested.
237 Finance
a. Bank statement figure as at 1st February 2008- £14562.16
b. Financial receipts/payments £
Receipts NIL
To approve payments
i. Clerks Salary 1st October to 31st March 2008 1360.03
ii. Fisher German- allotment rent 225.00
Prop. Cllr Cheshire, sec. Cllr Frommont;unan.

238 AOB
i. More complaints had been received about lateness of buses, Clerk to raise with NCC.
239 Date of next meeting: The next meeting will be on 27th March 2008. The meeting closed at 9.20pm.

 

Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 27th March 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.


Chairman: Cllr A. Boardman
Present: Cllrs Hayhurst, Smyth, Lockwood, Ainsworth and Frommont
240 Apologies: Cllrs Turnell, Curtis and Cheshire
241 To Confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of 28th February 2008: Unanimously confirmed following an amendment proposed by Cllr Hayhurst that the grant referred to in item 235d was from Daventry District Council and not NCC.
242 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Smyth in respect of the allotments as she is an allotment holder and on the committee.
243 Public Participation: Chris Foster who raised the issue of antisocial behaviour. For ease of reference the comments of Geoff Woolley and Dist & County Councillor Catherine Boardman though made in public participation are detailed at item 246(a)(i) below when the matter was discussed by the Council.
244 Matters Outstanding and Arising from previous Minutes
a. Youth Shelter/ Anti-social behaviour/Vandalism: Council reiterated that all incidents should be reported to the police with full details such as registration numbers so that the Police are aware of problems and can deal with them. Concerns were raised that youths were behaving in an unsafe and antisocial way on mini motorbikes. Cllr Boardman reported that a covert camera was available from the police and he would enquire further about this. Clerk to inquire of DDC and ACRE about the rental of mopeds to youths.
b. Dog Fouling: Clerk & Cllr Lockwood to arrange for a note to be placed in every villager’s letterbox.
c. Bruntingthorpe Proving ground- transporter movements: Please email the clerk if volume of transporter traffic increases so that a report can be made to Harborough DC planning department. Harborough DC are taking external legal advice as to future action.
d. Windfarm proposals at Kelmarsh and Yelvertoft: One Cllr went on a visit to Burton Wold wind farm. Parish Council to await a planning application before considering further.
e. Overhanging hedges & wall at Butchers Close: No response from owners, DDC building control consider that the wall is not dangerous. Cllr Boardman to check if tree is obstructing the light.
f. Annual Meeting of the Parish on 1st May in the Village Hall: Clerk instructed to purchase cheese and wine to a total cost of £100. Biffa and Sgt Mike Grady of Northants Police will be speakers. Posters are to be put up in village and a notice put in the Bugle. Societies and groups are to be specifically invited but the evening is an open event for the whole village and everyone is invited.
g. Youth Day: Clerk to speak to the youth involvement officer
h. Lateness of buses serving Welford: Things have improved. Clerk to write to NCC regarding the timetable and the unfortunate increase in fares for pensioners getting the morning bus to Harborough as their free passes do not apply until 9.30am.
245 Correspondence
a. Northants NHS Trust: Mental Health Conference on 18th April: Noted
b. DDC: Lifestyle Survey: Noted
c. DASH: request for donations: Resolved to pay the cost of the village hall when DASH visit on 30th April between 2-4pm. Cllr Hayhurst reported that whilst there is a long list of people who requested items in Welford nothing much has happened.
d. DDC: Textile Recycling Scheme Changes: Details have been passed to the Bugle and every house should be made aware by DDC.
e. Audit Commission: appointment of external auditor: Noted
f. BDO Stoy Haywood : Local Council Briefing 2008: Noted
g. DDC: Sustainable communities Strategy Consultation: see also www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/Community/Sustainable Communities.htm: Cllr Boardman to complete.
h. Atkins: Urban Mowing 2008- 136 Agreement: Completed and returned to Atkins.
246 Reports
a. Highways :
i. Freight traffic through Welford: County Cllr C. Boardman reported that she has spoken to Bob Seery about the letter recently received from the County Council and his meeting with Leicestershire County Council and from which it is clear that Leicestershire will not agree to a weight limit. She is ready to lobby on behalf of the village to continue to press for a solution but reminded Cllrs that road surface improvements to mitigate the noise problems which had been mentioned in earlier meetings are unlikely to be done as part of a maintenance programme as there is insufficient money to address all the highway repairs needed across the county. Jeff Woolley reiterated that a weight limit is the solution that WAG are continuing to press for and said that Bob Seery’s letter was no different to the report that was obtained from the County Council some months ago. He noted that three points were not addressed; that LCC’S objections are not based on hard facts & figures to justify them and that when road closures have occurred it has not caused problems; that within Northamptonshire there is no objection to a weight restriction and thirdly the major works at junction 19 which the parish had previously been told would result in a temporary weight restriction. Various suggestions such as traffic lights, mini roundabouts and a pelican crossing were discussed but discounted. Agreed that Cllr A Boardman on behalf of the Parish Council to liaise with WAG and County Councillor C Boardman to sent a further letter to NCC in advance of the next parish council meeting. Parish Council to pursue a two pronged attack to obtain a weight limit and to improve the road surface on High Street.
ii Environmental monitoring: Data collection is cumulative and it is therefore not possible to provide the information that Cllrs would like to see.
Iii General: Root damage has been repaired at Westfield Crescent. John Mills and Jeff Newman and Cllr Alan Ainsworth widened the path on West End by Hall Lane. On High Street Anglian Water have promised that the leaking water main will be repaired imminently. Cllr Ainsworth to continue to make numerous reports on High Street to encourage a more robust response from the highways contractor.
b. Playing Field
i. Play area fence & Spinney fence: Mancraft are providing a quote for the fence and Cllr Boardman will obtain the parts for the play area fence shortly.
ii. CCTV: No report.
c. Welford Youth & Community Centre: No report.
d. Pocket Park: Due to wet weather path works have not commenced yet. On 13th April a mulching day will take place and the AGM and previous meetings minutes are in the correspondence file.
e. Allotments: Nothing to report.
f. Community Speedwatch: There is a shortage of volunteers. There is a casualty reduction team meeting on Weds 11th June in Brixworth at 7.45pm.
247 Planning Matters
a. DA/2007/1321: Doctors Barn, Northampton Road: Permission refused as insufficient evidence that a robust marketing exercise had been carried out: Noted
b. Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England & Wales) 1999 Request for scoping opinion in respect of proposed wind farm on land adjacent to the east side of the M1 motorway (J18/19): Noted
c. NCC: Northamptonshire Minerals & Waste Development Framework: Control & Management of Development-A discussion Paper: response date 1st May see www. Northamptonshire.gov.uk/Environmenal/Planning/policy/Minerals/Plannews.htm: An initial response that ‘the effects of cumulative impact’ should be a policy to be made and item is to be on Agenda for the next meeting.
248 Finance
a. Bank statement figure as at 1st February 2008- £13942.70
b. Financial receipts/payments £
Receipts
i. Morley Allotment Association 225.00
ii. Interest 116.98
To approve payments
i. ABB Ltd 313.09
Prop. Cllr Frommont, sec. Cllr Ainsworth, unan.
249 AOB
i. Cllr Hayhurst reported on the difficulties posed by the current position with Local Plan. She has details of the saved parts of the Local Plan but in many cases applicants are citing Planning Policy Statements which are voluminous and generic.
ii. Cllr Boardman to investigate the loud bangs heard by the canal which is reported to be to remove rabbits using gas.
iii. The Elizabethan owner has offered villagers use of his recycling bins.
250 Date of next meeting: The next meeting will be on 24th April 2008 in the Chapel School Room on West End at 7.30pm. The meeting closed at 9.45pm


Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 24th April 2008 in the Chapel School Room on West End at 7.30pm


Chairman: Cllr A. Boardman
Present: Cllrs Hayhurst, Smyth, Lockwood, Ainsworth, Cheshire(who left early to attend the Y&CC AGM) Brotherton, Dist & County Cllr C. Boardman and Peter Walton

251 Apologies: Cllrs Curtis, Frommont and Turnell
252 To Confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of 27th March 2008: Unanimously confirmed as a true & accurate record.
253 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Smyth declared a personal interest in respect of the allotments as she is an allotment holder and is on the committee. Cllr Cheshire declared a personal interest in respect of the Youth & Community Centre of which he is Chairman and the Youth Club.
254 Public Participation: Peter Walton from Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground invited Parish Cllrs to visit the facility to see what goes on. He stated that 90 vehicle movements a day are currently permitted. Cllrs expressed their concerns about the numbers of large transporters which go through High Street which is a narrow road. Cllr Boardman expressed a wish that Mr. Walton do what he can to mitigate the problems caused by the speed and volume of transporter traffic.
255 Matters Outstanding and Arising from previous Minutes
a. Youth Provision & possible Youth Day: Clerk reported that Street Football or other sports could be provided via the County Council for youths aged 15-18, the coach would be free and the Parish would need to provide a venue and 1-2 adult helpers. Cllr Turnell has agreed to speak to the youths and ask them what they would like. Cllr Hayhurst suggested that something like the Youth Club for older youths in Lutterworth which is connected to the School might be successful at Guilsborough School. Resolved to authorise the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman to spend £200 hiring a skate ramp or climbing wall so that a Youth Day can be held.
b. Anti-social behaviour in village and by quad bikers on village outskirts: NOW scheme has stopped and so any scooters in the village are not rented from the County Council. The use of land owned by Mr. Pratt by quad bikers who are parking their trailers inappropriately and leaving litter is to be mention to the PCSO. The villager most affected is to be invited to report incidents to the police and contact DDC Environmental Health Department.
c. Dog Fouling: Reminders to dog owners to clean up after their dogs have been delivered to all houses in the village.
d. Bruntingthorpe Proving ground- transporter movements: Minuted at item 254.
e. Overhanging hedges & wall at Butchers Close: It is considered that trees do overhang the path but at great height and the light is not obscured. Cllr Ainsworth to investigate placing a further light on Butchers Close.
f. Annual Meeting of the Parish on 1st May in the Village Hall: Fair Trade products to be offered as refreshments. 11 acceptances from village organisations received. All villagers invited.
g. Bus service: DDC are providing more than the statutory minimum, bus pass holders getting on a bus in Daventry District can use their pass at anytime, in other districts such as Northampton Borough and South Northants passes can only be used from 9.30am. If villagers are experiencing any further problems please let the Clerk know.
256 Correspondence
a. Casualty reduction team question time on 11th June in Brixworth: questions to be submitted by 9th May: Questions are: What efforts are put into and what are the policies relating to curbing dangerous on-street and pavement parking? What efforts are being put into ensuring that Neighbourhood Watch still goes on? How much time can you spend in each parish? What are your views on an Amenity Weight Restriction through Welford? Traffic speeding through the village has so far caused no accidents so what can be done in advance of an accident? When there are accidents on the A14 this has an immediate effect on Welford; what support can Welford expect from the police in monitoring and directing traffic through the village?
b. DDC: renewable energy questionnaire and email form Preston Capes Parish Council concerning the questionnaire: Noted.
c. Welford parish Council insurance renewal quotation form Allianz for £1489.29: Increase of £80 from last year, defer until another quote is obtained.
d. Carillion Utility Services: new electricity overhead lines on Northampton Road, Newlands and West End: Work to remove overhead lines and to lay new cables is programmed to start on 15th July 2008.
257 Reports
a. Highways:
i. Freight traffic through Welford: County Councillor Boardman has received only an acknowledgment card in response to her last letter requesting an explanation of the circumstances which preclude NCC from seeking a weight restriction and evidence to support the assertion that weight limits in Leicestershire prevent confirmation of an order for Welford. She will take it up with Cllr Seery and then with Katherine Kerswell if a response is not forthcoming. Cllr Ainsworth and another villager have spent a lot of time producing a draft letter, the contents of which are available to the Council or to WAG to use as they wish, which challenges some of the data in the original highways report produced by Debbie Strong. Cllr Ainsworth asserts that Welford is in a unique position with such a high number of houses so close to the carriageway. For the time being it was decided to focus on getting a response on the legal background to the apparent impossibility of getting Leicestershire to agrees to a weight restriction and to defer focusing on the factual inaccuracies in the Debbie Strong Report highlighted by Cllr Ainsworth.
ii General: Cllr Ainsworth and the Clerk to liaise to send letters to May Gurney WSP detailing problems with Street Doctor and the list of defects prepared by Cllr Ainsworth on High Street. Clerk and Cllr Ainsworth to liaise to produce a list of items wanted under the Whole Village Scheme including drop crossings, possibly bollards and pavement improvements in at least three areas. To be successful under the Whole Village Scheme a financial contribution from the Parish and the support of the County Councillor would be required.
iii. Email from Ian Wardleworth re petition regarding shelved plans to upgrade Catthorpe M1/M6/ A14 junction see: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Catthorpe : Noted.
b. Playing Field
i. Play area fence & Spinney fence: Resolved to accept the lower quote of £545 plus VAT to replace the Spinney Fence. Prop. Cllr Brotherton, sec. Cllr Ainsworth; unan. Bolts to repair play area fence to be passed to Cllrs Lockwood and Brotherton. Resolved to have additional cuts at a cost of £180 to bring down the length of the grass in the playing field. Cllr Boardman to obtain two quotes for crown lifting trees on verges which are impeding mowing.
ii. CCTV: Monitors have been donated a demo is being set up.
c. Welford Youth & Community Centre: AGM is being held on 24th April 2008.
d. Pocket Park: pond clearance and path re-surfacing- withdrawal of original contractor- re-application for grant from Parish Council for £ 371. The DDC grant expires in March 2008. More quotes to be obtained by Pocket Park Committee.
e. Allotments : Fibre glass removal and ownership of access road: Allotment Association should presume they are responsible for the access road and so maintain it. Clerk to write to Karl Garrood to ask him to remove the fibre glass left at the allotments.
f. Community Speedwatch: No volunteers have come forward therefore is not happening this year.
g. Safer Community Team: Police advice to prevent oil thefts is to padlock the tank and keep supplies low over the summer.
h. Quarry liaison meeting to be held on 11th June: Noted.
258 Planning Matters
a. NCC: Northamptonshire Minerals & Waste Development Framework: Control & Management of Development-A discussion Paper: response date 1st May see www. Northamptonshire.gov.uk/Environmenal/Planning/policy/Minerals/Plannews.htm: Clerk to reply that the effect of cumulative impact should be a discrete policy area. It should be considered in relation to other waste and mineral developments and not all development. Cllr Boardman expressed thanks to Cllr Frommont who had looked into this in detail.
b. DA/2008/0350 Operational development comprising a caravan/building for agricultural purposes Dragon Wood, Northampton Road, Welford: Parish Council are in favour of the application. Prop. Cllr Brotherton, sec. Cllr Hayhurst; unan.
c. DA/200830335 Conservatory to side of dwelling Court Lane House, South Kilworth Road, Welford: Parish Council object as the application contravenes planning policy guidance relating to rural workers housing in the countryside. Prop. Cllr Brotherton; sec. Cllr Hayhurst; unan.
d. Planning Portal on line survey: response date 13th May: Cllr Brotherton to complete expressing Cllrs concerns that full size paper plans are needed to fully consider applications.
e. DA/2008/0177: Land adjacent to 19a High Street Welford: Demolition of existing outbuilding and construction of detached dwelling: Permission granted: Noted.
259 Finance
a. Bank statement figure as at 1st March 2008- £13942.70
b. Financial receipts/payments £
Receipts
To approve payments
i. ABB Ltd: installation of new pole bracket 443.00
ii. Northants CALC
Internal Audit 132.30
Membership 195.00
Local Council Review 14.00
iii. Bringford Ltd: Domain name renewal 28.20
iv. DDC: Expenses for un-contested election 3/5/07 45.21
v. The Bugle - grant 150.00
vi Morley Allotment Association -grant 300.00
Prop. Cllr Brotherton, sec. Cllr Smyth; unan.
c. Audit papers from BDO Stoy Haywood: Audit Date is 18th July: Noted.
d. NCC: re changes to payments method & request for information: Noted
260 AOB
i. Gassing of rabbits which has been taking place near the Wharf is apparently legal.
ii. Villagers are reminded not to park on pavements, this impedes access for pedestrians.
261 Date of next meeting: The meeting closed at 9.40pm.The next meeting will be on 22nd May in the Village Hall at 7.30pm