MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 11^th DECEMBER  2006

Present – Cllr. L. Benson (Chair)

               Cllr. G. Chapman, J. Tusting, D. Jenkins (arrived 8.55pm )

               C. Cllr. Mrs P. Gershon

               B.Cllr. V. Brandon

               Mrs Iris Allsopp                                                       

                                                                                             Meeting started at 7.30 p.m.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Received from Cllrs. R. Davies, E. Simpson,  J. Goggins, S. Devine.

2. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST – none.

3. MINUTES of meeting held 13^th November – amendment to Section 5. Rural Grants – 3 seats purchased and installed for Carlton Playing Field.  Agreed and signed as correct.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM NOVEMBER MEETING.

Rural Housing Trust - Results and written report will not be available until January 2007, but we should be advised verbally on the general results as soon as they are collated.

Anglian Water Authority – Bridgend – now repaired.  Clerk to write to A.W.A for details of work carried out..  Pumping Station –work now completed.

Rural Grants – 3 seats now installed in Carlton Playing Field.  Cllr Branson stated that the footpath in St. Mary’s Churchyard (gate to porch area) urgently needs repairs as it is very dangerous.  Clerk to contact Revd. Jean Burrows requesting the Church to obtain an estimate for this work. 

Hedging plants ordered (Red May Tree not available until early 2007) – Cllr. Tusting will collect.

Street Close – Main problem is outside Mrs. Geerts House, gully collecting rainwater due to previous work carried out by B.C.C. Highways several years ago.  Clerk to write to Celia Sellers regarding this ongoing problem – in addition to ask why the problems with High St/The Moor (footpath and kerbs) and Rectory Close (dropped kerbs) have not been actioned yet.

5. HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE PROJECT – Several ideas discussed, repairs to The Causeway and the possibility of installing Vehicle Activated Speed signs.  Clerk to contact B.C.C. Highways and find out more details.

6. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN – no action.

7. C. COUNCILLOR’S QUESTIONS & ANSWERS – none.

8. B.COUNCILLOR’S  QUESTIONS & ANSWERS – Parish Council not happy with  Baptist Chapel area -Cllr. Brandon suggested we write to B.B.C. requesting returfing/ tree planting to improve the general area. 

9. SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT – a new Headteacher has now been selected – to commence duties September 2007.

    10.   CORRESPONDENCE.

Community Support Officer – agreed a good idea.  Clerk to contact Harrold P.C. for their comments.

BATPC – copies of The Bugle distributed.  Two points of interests brought up by Cllr. Benson – National min. wage for any handyman jobs etc and Budget ‘setting’ (Mrs Allsopp advised our accounts are in order).  

BATPC – ‘Quality’  parish status idea – Council declined.

B.C.C. Bedfordshire Highway Design Guide – Cllr. Chapman to read and advise P.C. at next meeting.

Letter – Alistair Burt  MP – Local Government unitary status within Bedfordshire - discussed at meeting.

Letter – Madeline Russell – County Unitary Proposal – discussed at meeting.

Bechar – request regrettably declined.

B.Highways Maintenance Council letter – Clerk to reply on general usefulness of this particular area.

B.C.C. Information pack for the Elderly – Mrs Allsopp to distribute.

Cllr. S. Devine – regrettable letter of resignation – Clerk to reply and acknowledge.

10. PLANNING  APPLICATION – 06/02723FUL  Windfarm, New Road, (Nuns Wood), Harrold.  All P.C. members present against this application, objections of environmental grounds, generated power from wind turbines not financially viable, will not reduce the need for conventionally generated power, cost of the project, pay back period and disruption during and subsequently after construction.  Clerk to respond.

Proposed planning for Biddenham ‘ Loop ’ and Kempston area– discussed, no action.

11. FINANCIAL  REPORT.

Five cheques prepared for signature :- Mrs Allsopp £35.50, Mrs Bransgrove-Knight £200.00 + expenses - £2.50, B J Wood £511.13 to fix seats on playing field, Village Hall £30.00 (hire of hall) and Billy Crammen £148.25 (which includes agreed increase in minimum wage effective 1^st October to £5.35 per hour).  Bank balances £1,764.71 current account and £19,480.90 capital reserve.  Mrs Tusting requested a cheque be prepared for Greenbarnes Ltd., to cover new Village Hall notice board.

Draft Budget 2007/08 was presented to councillors for consideration.  Agreed to increase precept for next year by £1,000 to £12,500., total receipts £13,500., an include in expenditure, £1,500 for the handyman’s wages and £1,500 for the Village Hall.  Total expenditure £13,900., any shortfall to be paid for from Accumulated Fund.

12. PLAYING FIELD REPORT – 3 benches now installed, by B.J.Wood.

13. VILLAGE HALL REPORT – nothing to report.

14. GENERAL VILLAGE MATTERS.

Cllr. Tusting to represent P.C. at St. Marys Christmas Service 17/12/06 .

15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Agreed that Clerk may purchase a new four drawer lockable filing cabinet to replace the old, broken one currently in use.

Mince pies (kindly supplied by Cllr. Simpson) and Chistmas wine were enjoyed by the Councillors at the end of the meeting,

There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 9.15 p.m.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING – MONDAY  8^th JANUARY  2007  

                                                      7.30 pm in the Village Hall.