CARLTON WITH CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT CARLTON VILLAGE HALL

ON MONDAY 9TH AUGUST 2010

Present:            Chairman D Jenkins, Vice Chairman J Tusting, Parish Councillors J Brandon, T Coles, E Devine, A Geerts, D Neil, S Owen, RFO I Allsop, Clerk L Jeffs

Actions   APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 12TH JULY 2010

With amendments to Cllr Owen’s Highways report, to indicate that Alex Cattanach of Amey is dealing with the railings issue, it was RESOLVED that the minutes were an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. Louise Dempsey.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Clerk       There were no members of public present.

FINANCIAL REPORT

It was RESOLVED by full council to authorise the following accounts for payment and two authorised signatories were instructed to sign the below cheques:

£64.77              Mrs I Allsop                  RFO’s Salary

£195.00             BATPC                         Clerk’s Training Course

£10.00              Cllr. T Coles                  Village Map

£61.20              HMRC                           Clerk’s Income Tax

£244.15             Ms L Jeffs                    Clerk’s Salary

£15.04              Lasertype Ltd                Stationery

£160.00             Mr Sinclair                     Maintenance

£72.00              SLCC                            Arnold Baker Book

£129.26             Warners                        Grasscutting

£423.00             Warners                        Grasscutting

£293.75             Zurich                           Engineer’s Inspection

£3,525.00          Robertsons                   War Memorial Costs*

* This invoice received after RFO had prepared monthly financial data, thus not taken account of in the following figures.

Reserves stand as follows:

The Village Hall was £93.03 over-drawn but £3,000.00 grant leaves a balance of £2,906.97.

The Gannick      £  2,000.00

Street Lighting   £  2,094.11

Burial Ground    £  3,265.21

Playing Field     £  2,002.72

War Memorial    £  3,000.00

£15,269.01 SUB TOTAL

£15,648.49 ACCUMULATED PC FUND

£30,917.50 BALANCE

Cashbook balances were as follows:

Current account             £14,301.24

Capital deposit account £18,191.74

Half yearly precept of £7,446.00 due in September.

REPORT FROM BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

Borough Cllr. J Brandon reported that Bedford were doing their best to maintain staff but some necessary casualties had occurred.

Clerk    Cllr. Brandon informed the meeting of the forthcoming Planning Policy Workshop.  Clerk to circulate details to Planning Committee.

            The Executive Director for Children’s Services has reported that plans to adopt a 2 tier schooling system were not to go ahead at present on the basis that no ‘Building Schools for the Future’ promises had been met.

FOOTPATHS / HIGHWAYS REPORT

TC        Cllr. Tusting reported that the bridge over the footpath at ‘Great Oaks’ has become dangerous.  Cllr. Coles to investigate.

Clerk    Cllr. Coles reported that footpath FP19 was supposed to have been reinstated and clearly marked with a footpath sign.  The Clerk to follow this up, and investigate footpath close to Cllr. Tusting’s farm.

Clerk    Cllr. Braindon reported the condition of the Carlton sign close to Carlton Church.  Clerk to follow up with Highways.         

            VILLAGE HALL REPORT

Cllr. Tusting informed the meeting that the Village Hall Committee had been grateful for the Rural Grant received as they are currently liable for 6 months of unpaid sewerage charges.

STANDING ORDERS WORKING GROUP REPORT

DJ        Chairman D Jenkins asked that, as the SAWG had not met yet, a date be scheduled at the end of the meeting.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman D Jenkins explained that the primary goals of the Finance Committee over the last few months had been to ensure the submission of three Audits, to appoint a New Clerk (although delegated to a further working party), and to compile a set of working documents for the Committee.  He outlined the Risk Assessment, Terms of Reference and Timetable produced by the Committee and asked for any proposed amendments to be raised at September’s meeting.

AMENDMENTS TO FINANCIAL GOVERNANCE

It was RESOLVED that the issues raised above had been dealt with satisfactorily and therefore there was no need to pursue this item.

SPECIAL AREA CHARGES REVIEW

IA / JT  Documentation from Bedford Borough Council was reviewed and RFO I Allsop, together with Vice Chairman J Tusting, agreed to take care of this matter.

RENEWAL OF PARISH COUNCIL INSURANCE

IA         RFO I Allsop explained that, due to the change in Clerk, renewal documentation had been received late and therefore the Council’s insurance had lapsed 9 days ago.  Cllr. E Devine confirmed the current equipment installed at the Playing Field, together with amendments required.

It was RESOLVED to renew the current policy at a sum of £1,934.70, and ensure a review takes place prior to the preparation of the 20111/2012 budget, with 2 further quotations obtained.

GRANT FOR WAR MEMORIAL

Cllr. A Geerts was in receipt of a letter from the War Memorial Working Party requesting a donation.

It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council pay for the preparation of the base to the memorial, to be undertaken by a local contractor, under Section 137.  The donation to be a maximum of £200.00.

HARROLD BRIDGE RAILINGS

Clerk    It was RESOLVED to defer this item to the September agenda when a response had been received from Alex Cattanach.

              PLANNING MATTERS

10/01603/FUL

Hillside Forge, 18 Bridgend, Carlton, MK43 7LP

Porch extension to front.

It was RESOLVED that no objection be made to this application but that note be made to Bedford Borough Council re. possible loss of parking space and that the development is within a conservation area.

10/01497/FUL

Royal Oak PH, 23 Bridgend, Carlton, MK43 7LP

            The Clerk reported that she had received communication from Paul Battye of Bedford Borough Council who was interested in assisting the community in retaining the Royal Oak as a village facility.  He would like to urgently meet with representatives of the Council.

Clerk    It was RESOLVED that the Clerk arrange a meeting for Thursday 12th August and circulate details to all Councillors.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

1.     Email from Rob Smith of Beds Police re. speed checks in Carlton

2.     Insurance renewal from Zurich (forward to I Allsop)

3.     4 no. invoices from Warners (forwarded to I Allsop)

4.     Invoice from Lasertype (forwarded to I Allsop)

5.     Invoice from SLCC for Arnold Baker book (forwarded to I Allsop)

6.     Planning application for Hillside Forge (forwarded to Louise)

7.     Introduction to ‘Pride in Bedford’ from Bedford Borough Council

8.     Bedford Borough Council, Special Area Charges

            MATTERS OF INTEREST / ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON NEXT AGENDA

Adoption of financial arrangements

Royal Oak planning application

Standing Orders Working Party report

To discuss speeding report

Clerk    Adoption of Code of Conduct (Clerk to circulate)

            Crash barrier planting

            Planting at Wychtree

            Billy’s Plaque

            Trees on The Causeway

Clerk    Baptist Church grass cut (Clerk to arrange)

IA         Missing correspondence from previous Clerk (RFO to advise to Cllr. Owen)

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 13th September, 7.30pm at The Village Hall, Carlton.

The meeting closed at 9.35pm.

Signed…………………………………………………………….Dated…………………………………