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CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Parish Council meeting – held on Monday 10th December 2007 in the Village Hall, Carlton.  7.30pm.

Present:  Cllr. L. Benson (Chairman), Cllrs. D. Jenkins, T. Coles, R. Davis, L. Dempsey (arrived at 8.20pm), E. Devine, A. Geerts, J. Tusting.

In attendance:  C. Cllr. P Gershon, Helen Jago (Emmaus).

1.      Apologies for absence:  B. Cllr. Jim (V) Brandon.

2.      Disclosure of interests:  None.

3.      Confirmation of minutes from meeting 12th November 2007 – confirmed as a true record of the meeting.

4.      7.35pm close main parish council meeting – open meeting to the general public.  Helen Jago (Emmaus) reported that there are currently 25 companions and a new addition to the group – a Billy goat!  Very good relations with all of the companions.  Currently helping BECHAR with finances, especially over the Christmas period, as part of their ethos of helping others.  Borough Councillor’s report – none.  

County Councillor’s report – nothing to report.  The Chairman asked Mrs Gershon for advice on a Highways/hedging issue, which she will look into.

Close public meeting at 7.55pm.  Open parish council meeting.

5.      Matters arising from November meeting – Rural Housing Trust – Anne

Bishop is currently in communication with Mr Copland (B.B.C.), she will advise the council as soon as she hears from him.  Carlton Road ditches – letter from Mr P Mesney read out to council.  Contact Celia (Highways) regarding this issue, as railings alongside the ditch were originally put up by them.  Clerk to contact B.B.C. for any information on who is responsible for clearing these ditches.  Cold calling zone – discus at next meeting.  Confident Communities Fund – councillors in agreement that when the funding become available, it should be spent on P.C.S.O. officer – as this was considered to be the most viable option for the whole village.  Hedging (Highways) – clerk to contact B.C.C. for more details, report back at next meeting.  Hedging plants – clerk to order 100 hawthorn plants.

6.      Finance report – 6 cheques drawn for payment/signature.  Carlton Village

Hall (rent Aug. – Dec. incl) - £40.00, Warners (main cut) - £188.00, Warners

(Childrens playing field) - £64.63, Mr W Crammen (wages – Dec),

Villager Minibus (request for donation, agreed at this meeting) - £250.00, Mrs

N. Bransgrove-Knight (wages and expenses – Dec). Payment received – C. Horne - £139.00.

Current account - £5,179.49 and Capital Reserve - £18,827.85.

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Budget 2008/09 – councillors discussed suggestions for proposed projects which included:- funding of P.C.S.O. officer, War Memorial or similar, repairs to small wall at the Baptist Church graveyard, playing field, street light – Donkey field-Gannick, bollards at School lane, work on Chellington footpath (from St. Nicholas down through fields).  These are suggestions – further decisions at next meeting. Finalise Budget figures at January meeting.

7.      Planning applications – 07/03050/FUL – 21 The Causeway, Carlton –

dormer to front of property.  No objections from parish council.

8.      Correspondence.

B.B.C. New Planning application form – Cllr Jenkins to action and report back to councillors at next meeting.

DSD – information on services.

Clapham P.C. – letter regarding proposed new youth centre at Twinwoods, Clapham – Cllr Benson will attend the meeting on 18th December.

The Villager – request for donation – agreed at this meeting - £250.00.

B.B.C – Local Gov. reorganisation in Beds – circulate.

B.B.C. – Local Development Framework scheme – Cllr Jenkins to read, then circulate.

9.      Harrold Forum Group (Mrs Gershon) – this group meets four times per year in Carlton village hall.  Cllr Benson proposed that £20. be allocated for the part payment of the Harrold Forum clerk (Dr. P Sharp).  This was resolved and agreed by all councillors present.  Next meeting is Monday 31st March.  Cllrs. R. Davis and A. Geerts will attend.

     10.   P.C.S.O. report – in Allan Taylor’s absence, his prepared report for    

             November was duly circulated to all councillors.  Council request Allan to

             inspect the footpath/alley behind Bridgend (safety issues).

11.  School Governor’s report – none.

12. Playing Field report – goal posts/netting – contact B.B.C. Rural Fund to

advise proposed amount of grant (Cllr Brandon).  A third member of the parish council, Louise Dempsey, was nominated to stand on the Playing Field Committee. 

13. Village Hall report – none.

      14. Village matters – Speeding in the village, especially the Causeway area out-

             side the playing fields – talk to Pavenham P.C. on their recent actions.

             Replacement rubbish bin, outside the Fox PH – order a new (black) bin. 

             Carlton Road – railings alongside ditch needing repair.  Cllr. Tusting will

             attend Highways road show on 12th Dec.

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             Clerk to arrange Christmas cards/present for Billy/Iris.

14. Date of next meeting – Monday 14th January 2008 at 7.30pm.

      There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 10pm.

The Chairman would like to express his thanks to Cllr E. Devine for the delicious mince pies and fruit juice, enjoyed by all!