CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL 261

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 26th APRIL 2007

Present: Cllr L Benson (Chair)  Cllrs G Chapman, E Simpson, J Tusting In attendance: C. Cllr Mrs P Gershon, Mrs I Allsopp (R.F.O.)

The meeting started at 6.30 p.m. – in the main Village Hall, Carlton.

1)      Apologies for absence – received from Cllrs. R Davies, D Jenkins, J Goggins, B. Cllr V (Jim) Brandon.   

2)      Disclosure of interest – none received.

3)      To confirm Minutes of meeting held 12th March 2007 – the Clerk pointed   out section (5) Baptist Chapel Graveyard – quotes from Stanmac Builders   were incorrectly reported – this should read “Quote 2086 – pointing back of   front wall - £580.00 - ONLY these works to be carried out at this point of   time”. Amended. The minutes were then agreed and signed by the   Chairman.

4)      Matters arising form meeting 12/03/07.  Rural Housing Trust – date of meeting between Cllrs Benson and Tusting to   be agreed and finalised with Anne Bishop of the R.H.T. Clerk to advise.  B.C.C. Proposed Mineral Extraction Plan MD46 and MD4 – all Parish   Council members present stated that they are against the Proposal.  Draft letter produced by Cllr Tusting – and after discussion it was agreed that   the Clerk should construct a letter to B.C.C. (using the information from Cllr   Tusting’s draft and information currently on the village website and B.C.C.   website). Draft letter to be sent to Cllr Benson for approval and then to be presented to the Parish council at the next meeting on 14th May 2007.

5)      Highways Maintenance Partnership – ‘The Gannick’ – a quote has been  received from Celia Sellars (Highways) - £2,600 to carry out repairs on the Gannick footpath. The issue of concrete bollards, to be situated in Street Close, had been discussed – Cllr Benson has approached all residents, but two, who were in agreement. Highways will finance installation of the bollards. Iris Allsopp pointed out that there is still £1,350 left over from 2006/07 – Clerk to contact Highways to see if this money can be used for ‘dropped kerb’ work.

6)      Correspondence.

·         BRCC – letter 17/04/07 – Survey of Rural Services – Clerk to action with Cllr. Tusting.

·         East of England Reg. Ass. – letter 19/04/07 – Regional Gypsy & ~Traveller Public Engagement Event at Shefford on 4th June, ask at next meeting if any parish councillors would like to attend.

·         Burt – letter 11/04/07 – information on Highways (V.A.S.signs). Noted.

·         Calor Gas Village of the Year 2007 – information noted – circulate to P.C.

·         Burt – letter 2/04/07 – general information on services, comments required from the community.  

·         Standards Committee – minutes received 11/04/07 from the meeting   26/03/07 – circulated.  

·         Rural Affairs Comm. – Agenda for meeting 17/04/07 – circulated.  

·         B.B.C. – future village clean up dates – circulated.  

·         B.C.C. – CD-Rom on landscapes in the area –circulated.  

·         B.C.C. – The Commons Act – new opportunities to register land as Village   Green – letter 2/04/07 – circulate.  

·         J. Economides – letter regarding future of Carlton P.O. & Stores – circulated.  J. Keron – letter 13/04/07 – ditch area. Clerk to reply on behalf of Cllr Benson.  Communities & Local Gov. – The Local Authorites (Model Code of  Conduct) Order 2007 (Sl No 1159) – received 18/04/07. To circulate and   approve at next meeting.

7)      Planning Applications. None.

8)      Financial Report – Mrs Allsopp.   Eight March dated cheques had been drawn for signature, Mrs Allsopp £60.50.,   which includes £25.00 expenses for the last five months, Bedford Borough   Council £65.24 street light maintenance, Mrs N Bransgrove-Knight £214.63,   C.P.R.E. £27.00 subs, Mr Crammen £240.75 for two months, E.ON plc   £1,127.57 street light energy, Village Hall £18.00, and Warners £188.00 for one   Cut. Draft accounts for year 2006/7 had been prepared and copies handed to  Councillors. Bank balances at end of year account £57.12 and capital reserve   £18,634.35 – total £18,691.47. Audit date declared at 29th June 2007. April cheques prepared B.R.C.C. £87.50 for half of the Clerk’s course, Beds   Assoc. T. & P.C. £146.00. subs and Donna Goggins £26.00 for delivering   Leaflets regarding Annual Meeting. The first half of the precept, £6,250.00   Received and Carlton Children’s Playing Field have paid £183.35 in respect of   Billy’s work on the field.    The accounts for 2006/07 were proposed by Cllr J Tusting and seconded by Cllr  G Chapman. All those present in favour.

9)      General village matters. Clerk to notify Warners that the Parish council felt the grass had been cut too  short at the last cut. 7.35 p.m. – the meeting was closed. This was to enable the Parish Council to discuss the end of probation period (6 months) of the current clerk. The clerk left the room. 7.45 p.m. – the meeting was re-opened. Parish Council have decided to employ  Mrs N Bransgrove-Knight as part-time clerk with Mrs I Allsopp to continue as Responsible Finance Officer for the next 6 months. Mrs Bransgrove-Knight accepted the Parish Council’s offer of employment.

10)  Date of next meeting – Monday 14th May 2007 in the Village Hall. There being no further business, the meeting finished at 7.55 p.m.