CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL 299

MINUTES of meeting held Monday 7th April 2008 at Carlton Village Hall – 6.30pm.

Present: Cllr. L. Benson (Chairman), Cllrs. D. Jenkins, J. Tusting, R. Davis,

T. Coles, L. Dempsey, A. Geerts, E. Devine, Jim (V) Brandon (late arrival).

1. Apologies: C. Cllr. Mrs P. Gershon.

2. Disclosure of interest: Cllr. Tusting declared a personal interest for point (10) Planning application No: 08/00364/FUL.

3. Confirmation of minutes from meeting held 10th March 2008 confirmed as a true record of the meeting.

4. Emmaus report: None.

5. Borough Councillor’s report: None.

6. County Councillor’s report: None. However, in Mrs Gershon’s absence, Cllr. Geerts gave a brief summary of the recent Harrold Forum meeting held on 31st March. The main topics were Police Safer Neighbourhood Team and the unitary bid won by the Borough council. There will be no elections this year. An implementation Committee has been set up to oversee Borough and County Council responsibilities. Clerk to write to B.B.C. to ascertain how parish councils will be affected by this.

7. Matters arising from March meeting; No cold Calling scheme – road signs are in position at entrance roads into the village (still awaiting one sign for the Carlton Road approach into Carlton from Harrold). Leaflets/door stickers to be distributed by councillors to all properties for general information on the scheme. Village Handyman – due to illness, did not work December 2007, January, February 2008. Some work carried out March 2008 – Cllr. Benson to confirm hours worked (should be approx. 6 hours per week for a period of 4 weeks). Additional help with work around the village may be required in the future, suggested that Trevor may be able to help. Village green – urgently requires cutting and brambles cleared. Clerk to contact grass contractor (Warner’s of Bedford) for a quotation (one off cut/clearance and annual quotation for this additional area to the main cut).

8. Highways report: Cllr. Coles reported – The Moor/Carlton Road – work has been carried out by Highways to dropped kerbstones and a pothole. Another pothole has appeared at The Causeway/High Street (same area as previously repaired). School sign on The Causeway still not repaired – Cllr. Coles to chase up. Railings (Carlton Road) ascertain who is dealing with this area at Highways – Clerk to make enquiries. Speeding is still an issue, especially along The Causeway – speed checks will be undertaken by the Police.

9. Finance report: Six cheques drawn for payment/signature: E-on £1,127.57 (street lighting 2007/08), B.B.C. £155.29 (street lighting repairs), Warner’s £64.63 (playing field grass cutting), Warner’s £188.00 (main village grass cutting), Nina Bransgrove-Knight (salary and expenses), W. Crammen (wages – agreed by parish council @ 24 hours).

Finance report circulated to all councillors.

Current account - £970.10 (note – transfer of £1,000. from Capital Reserve account to cover March payments).

Capital Reserve account - £17,933.59. Clerk to check current interest rate.

Cheques received from C. Horne £139.00 (Stone Barn) and B.B.C. £227.27 (Mrs Gershon’s fund) – this money will be allocated to the annual Pensioners Christmas lunch fund – Clerk to contact Rosemary Davies (W.I.)

10. Planning application: 08/00831/FUL – St. Nicholas Church, Felmersham

Road – erection of single storey office building. Note – Cllr. Tusting left the meeting whilst a discussion took place regarding this application. The parish council had no objections to this application, but a noted that more traditional materials would have been an improvement to those listed on the application.

Cllr. Tusting retuned to the meeting.

11. Correspondence: a list of correspondence had been circulated to all

Councillors, refer to apex. Sheet (i) for general reference and actions taken.

12. Village matters: Village website – Cllr. Jenkins advised all councillors to look at the updated website. If there are any changes/improvements necessary please contact him.

     

Village litter pick – Cllr. Devine suggested this would be a very good idea.

12.1 Resolved unanimously by parish council to hold a litter pick. Clerk to confirm date at next meeting.

Playing field – Cllr. Geerts advised that it would cost approx. £1,500 to replace the goal posts on the children’s playing field. No action taken at present time.

Baptist graveyard – Cllr. Benson advised the need to purchase black/green refuse bins (handyman’s use) as soon as possible.

School Lane ditch – needs clearing – Cllr. Benson to contact land owner.

Joe Goggins (The Fox) – Cllr. Benson suggested a letter of thanks be written to Joe and Geraldine for their hard work over the years in running The Fox and their contribution to charity work.

War Memorial – This matter will be discussed further at the Annual Parish Meeting which follows this meeting. Cllr. Benson will propose Cllr. Brandon to Chair any committee (if such is formed at the meeting) and the Clerk will contact all village organisations to ascertain their interest and ideas.

12.2 Resolved that the parish council will fund a limited number of 4 meetings (cost of meeting room charges).

13. Date of next meeting: Monday 12th May Annual General Meeting 7.30pm