CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL 

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 12th DECEMBER, 2005.

Present: 

• Cllr. G. Chapman - in the Chair
  Cllrs. S. Devine
• J. Goggins
• D. Jenkins
• Mrs. E. Simpson 
• Mrs. J. Tusting 
• L. Benson 9.00 p.m.
• County Councillor Mrs. P. Gershon.

Apologies for absence received from Cllr. Brandon. 

Disclosure of Interest 

None.

Minutes of Meeting 

held 14th November were agreed and signed as correct. Mention was made that the Minutes of Open Meeting this year do not appear to be in the book. Clerk to write to Gabrielle.

MATTERS ARISING

Affordable Housing. Reply from County Council Head of Property & Facilities Management, 2/12, confirming they have been contacted by Affordable Houses Co. Ltd. Discussions suggest that the Council-owned site is one of a number under consideration in Carlton. B.C.C. also state discussions are progressing with the Borough Council regarding the need for accommodation in Carlton, although it would appear at the current point, this has not been identified. They ask for Parish Council's views.

With regard to the Rural Housing Trust, Mrs. Tusting requested someone else examine the paperwork and Mrs. Simpson suggested her husband could look at it. Bring forward January, 2006.

Festival of Britain sign. Agreed to purchase 1951 circle from Signs of the Times Ltd., £80.00. + £8.50. delivery + V.A.T.

Wheelie Bins, Manor Close. Reply from B.B.C. Environment and Street Services, 18/11. Spoken to both crews to ensure if a mistake did occur, it should not happen again. Dog bin has been moved.

Hedging . Reply from David Alderman with dates available - given to Mr. Benson.

Street Light Maintenance Contract. Reply from D.S.D. with prices for replacements/repairs. Agreed . Schedule to be updated and sent to D.S.D.

Baptist Chapel. A letter had been sent to Planning Department 3/12 for clarification about the length of the lay-by being provided. No reply received as yet.

GRASS-CUTTING 2006/7. 

Mr. Chapman produced amended map , clerk to contact Chris Home,  Paul Sandier (Wamers of Bedford) and A.R. Worboys to submit tenders.

RURAL GRANTS. 

Playing Field would like to apply for 3 more seats. Village Hall for a covered notice board. Clerk to ask other organisations. H.D.C.L.F. grant up to £500. form given to Mrs. Simpson for Playing Field - rope ladder - Fete this year ? Chellington Project - seat where stile was ?

HOME WATCH. 

Mr. Chapman knows someone who may be interested - if not, put a note in The Bridge.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

Mrs.Gershon explained about resignation of 4 senior officers.  Responsibility for Education now combined with Social Services ?

BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT. 

1. Government giving more money towards concessionary fares. 

2. Council must not increase rates by more than 5% otherwise they will be capped. 

3. New toilets opened in town (behind the old tourist office). 

4. Town Centre Development hopefully will be officially agreed before Christmas.

5. River site, meeting 9th January to select design. 

6. Bid in to the Government for Castle Lane development.

Councillors commented, it is to be hoped that Mr. Brandon will support Parish Council's views with 
regard to the Wind Farm planning application.

SCHOOL GOVERNORS' REPORT. 

School received award following OFSTED assessment, one of five Bedfordshire top-performing schools. Clerk to write to Mrs. Cantwell and staff, congratulate them on their excellent achievement.

CORRESPONDENCE

B.C.C. Planning and Transport Policy Group, 1/12, "Quiet Lanes in Bedfordshire" Survey, respond by  20th January.
B.C.C., Director of Finance, 5/12, Weighing up the Options, - Mr. Chapman will reply. 
B.C.C Parent Partnership Service, 24/11, with newsletter and posters. 
Christmas card from Chairman of Council, Richard Baker. 
Cllr. L.J. Benson, 9/12, with resignation as Chairman. Councillors not in favour of accepting and offer wholehearted support to Les. Clerk to reply accordingly. 
Rob Smith, P.C 428, 6/12, reply to P.C. letter 21/11 reporting recent vandalism. He would ask all residents to report any crimes, suspicious persons or incidents and anti-social behaviour in village. 
Tele. No. at Riseley, 275175.
Rt.Hon. Alistair Burt M.P., 17/11, ref. Police Force Re-organisation, for comment. Discussed. P.C. biggest concern is lack of policemen in rural areas. If Bedfordshire is merged with a larger Authority, we may get more police Reply to Mr Burt - We Want to See Policemen in the Village. 
B.B.C. Community Welfare Assistant, 16/11, Event for the Elderly, 2/12, with posters. 
Minutes of Rural Affairs Committee, 15/11. Meeting 13/12 cancelled - next committee 24/1/2006. 
Minutes of Standards Committee, 21/11. Agenda for Committee, 13/12. 
Electoral Registration and Elections Officer, 1/12, with Register of Electors 2005/6 for displaying in Post Office and St. Mary's Church 
Planning Briefing No. 120, 11/05, Wind Energy. 
Christmas card from The Pride in Bedford team. 
W.R.VS, 18/11, with survey form in respect of fund-raising. 
Good Relations 29/11 Airfield Wind Farm, Podington, Statement of Community Consultation. 
Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, "Wind Power and the U.K. Wind Resource". 
Data Creative Limited, 15/11, "Our Parish Council" interactive website available. 
Glasdon Local Councils News-Sheet. 
C.P.R.E "Fieldwork", December, 2005.

PLANNING APPLICATION 

• 05/03158/LBC, Conversion of Baptist Chapel - Removal of internal wood panelling. No objections provided acceptable to English Heritage.
• 
  05/02640/FUL, 69, The Moor, permission granted 11/11.

FINANCIAL REPORT 

Four cheques prepared for signature, Mrs. Allsopp £276.86., Village Hall £36.00., Chellington Project £2,000. grant received from B.B.C. and Mr. Crammen £95.00.
Current Account balance £2,039.15.., 

Capital Reserve £20,651.82. 

Accounts for year 2004/5, as presented by Mrs. Allsopp, were approved and will now go to internal auditor. Required by Lubbock Fine 18th January, 2006, for their audit. Draft Budgets presented to councillors for Precept purposes, next month.

PLAYING FIELD REPORT 

Mrs. Simpson mentioned the incident when the new seat round the oak tree had white paint spilled over it. There is a possibility of holding a village fete in 2006.

VILLAGE HALL REPORT 

Mrs. Tusting said the new flooring has been fitted in the lavatories.

VILLAGE MAINTENANCE MATTERS 

The Causeway sign is being dealt with this week. Billy has suggested one of the salt bins should be moved to the other side of the village. The school will allow it in the grounds. Clerk to write to Celia Sellers.

Having enjoyed wine and mincepies, courtesy of Graham Chapman and Emma Simpson, there being no 
further business, the meeting closed at 9.30. p.m.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday, 9th JANUARY, 2006.