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Present:  D Jenkins (Chairman) Cllrs. J Tusting, T. Coles, A. Geerts, D. Neal, S. Owen, E. Devine,

L. Dempsey.

In attendance:  Helen Jago (Emmaus), Peter Martin (B.B.C. Safer Neighbourhood Team)

1.       Apologies:  Jim (V) Brandon

2.       Disclosure of interest:  Cllr Tusting regarding Village Hall matters.

3.       Minutes of meeting held 14^th December 20009:  one correction – point (9) Cllr Coles.  Signed off and confirmed as a true record of the meeting.

4.       Emmaus report:  Currently 27 companions on site.  Held a Christmas meal for 24 on site.  Garden area project to grow more produce and plants becoming more established; for sale on site and for use in the Bistro.  Work commenced on new area for scrap materials (permission garanted by B.B.C. Planning).  Village closed for past couple of weeks due to snow/ice.    Soon to finalize programme of events for 2010.

5.       Peter Martin (Safer Neighbourhood – B.B.C.):   Peter introduced himself to the Council and explained that he would explain the new implications of the ‘No Cold Calling’ statement.  The law states that although it is possible for people to call on the doorstop, if the resident is not happy they have every right to report these people to the Cold Calling Team (08454040506).  If people are unhappy about the caller they should either call the ‘No Cold Calling’ number or call the Police.   Very soon, a new leaflet is to be given out to all residents  “Your doorstep, your decision”  - this will be particularly at residents who may be at risk or vulnerable.  Peter’s tam want to target people who might be at risk, request the Parish Council to help identify these people in their community.  Bedfordshire Fire Service also offer a similar service to include checking of Christmas lights, electric blankets, smoke alarms.  Council thanked Peter for attending and asked him if he would be able to attend as a speaker at the Annual General meeting – Peter would be happy to do this.  Council asked if they could take down the ‘No Cold Calling’ street signs – this is not allowed at the Borough Council put them up.  Council to make a decision at the February P.C. meeting.

6.       Police Report:  No police presence at meeting.

7.       Matters arising from December meeting:  Bridgend railings and VAS signs – no further information/update, despite Clerk’s requests.   Borough Councillor Brandon has a pot of money for his Ward, request if some of this money could be put towards the repair of the railings.  Speed Watch machine – obtain from the Police for Cllr Geerts, Neil and Jenkins to use.  Anglian Water – Carlton crossroads – water and hole in the road still a problem , Clerk to advise again (this has been reported on at least 3 occasions in the last month).  FP 19 – ask the Rights of Way officer again to inspect.  25 The Moor – hedging plants – Highways to inspect  verge as soon as possible

8.       Borough Councillor’s report;  not present.

9.       Highways update:  Cllr Owen suggests that a thorough walk around the village is carried out in February to ascertain and hi-light potential areas in need of repair/attention.  Cllr Neal produced a list of street lamps which need attention – passed this to the Clerk for report to Highways.

10.   Parish public footpaths:  Clerk to chase up Rights of Way officer to check FP19.  Footpath behind houses in High Street needs attention – stile needs replacing – refer to R.O.W. officer.  Cllr Coles requested a copy of the Definitive Map of Carlton & Chellington  10.(i) resolved – Clerk to  order this.

11.   Finance report:  3 cheques for approval – Clerk’s wages, R. Sinclair (village handyman) wages and expenses, BAPTC yearly affiliation fee (£168.00).  Request from ‘The Villiger’ minibus for a contribution to the service.  Council to consider this and agree at February meeting.  Precept agreed at £14,892.00 for 2010/11 – there is no increase from the precept set by Council for 2009/10. 

12.   Planning:  none.

13.   Correspondence:  see apex. (i) list read out to Councillors and actions taken at this meeting noted on the correspondence list.

14.   School Governor’s report:  none.  The school was shut for one day last week due to the snow.

15.   Playing Field report:  none.  Next meeting of the Playing field committee is this Wednesday.

16.   Village Hall report:  reminder of quiz night 30^th January at Village Hall.  Tickets from Jane Tusting.

17.   Village matters:  DSD collection of black rubbish bins – not recently collected from side roads (Beeby Way, Street Close, Carrier Way) due to snow and ice.  Clerk to check when next collection will be.  Gritting – no gritting in High Street and The Moor in recent snow/ice period – clerk to talk to Highways and B.B.C.  Newly installed dog bin – clerk has advised DSD collection service about new bin and relocation of old bin to The Moor (allotments gate).  Check location of Grit bins – purchase a grit spreader for Richard Sinclair to use to spread grit when necessary.  Clerk to source price of rubbish bin (wooden type with metal lining, like the one on the village green).  Chris the postman to be asked if he will deliver ‘Villager’ leaflets to community – payment as before.

18.   Date of next meeting:  Monday 8^th February 2010   7.30pm

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 22:00.