Present:

Cllr. L. Benson- in the chair

Cllr. E Simpson

Cllr. R Davies -19.35

Cllr. S. Devine

Cllr. J. Brandon

Cllr. J. Goggins

C. Cllr. Gershon

Miss G Forde – Clerk

Parishioners: Mr T. Coles.

Apologies received from Cllr. J.Tusting, Cllr. G. Chapman and Cllr. D Jenkins.

Cllr. Simpson declared interest in the application for Staynesmore Manor.

Minutes of meeting for 8th November were agreed and signed as a true record.

1. Mr. Paul Rowland –B.B.C Planning Department

The Parish Council welcomed Mr Rowland from B.B.C. Planning Department, who clarified the following points for the Parish Council.

Councillors who are affected by the planning application should disclose an interest and leave the meeting while it is being discussed.

If an application due date is before the Parish Council meeting the sub committee can make the decision.

It is acceptable for plans to be made available to parishioners. The Fox would be a suitable place to hold the plans.

Parish Councillors can speak to the applicant and affected neighbours.

Parish Councillors should look at the building and its surroundings.

It is preferable that extensions are in keeping with the original building however there will be exceptions.

The Parish Council should submit all comments as a result of their site visit/meeting and the B.B.C will discount what is not necessary and measure it against their policies.

Parish Councillors can contact the case holder for guidance.

The appeal right lies with the applicant only.

B.B.C Planning Department are proposing a link to all Parish Councils and applications can be viewed via this link. Hard copies of plans can still be made available.

Cllr.Davies referred to the Village Plan as there is no room for growth within the village. Mr Rowland advised that there are policy's within the plan for exceptions like affordable housing and local needs. The Local Plan is to be reviewed over the next two to three years. There will be Parish Council workshops taking place in the next few months.

Cllr. Brandon referred to the delegation of Planning Powers to planning officers. Mr Rowland advised that over 70% of all applications are dealt with by delegated powers. There is an improvement plan in place so that all household decisions will be made by delegated powers, unless a member of the committee asks for the application to go to the committee.

2. Carlton Village Shop

There are fears that the village shop will close. To be brought forward to the January meeting.

3. Affordable Housing (Social Housing)

To be brought forward to the January meeting.

4. NATWEST Mandate

Mandates distributed to Cllrs. Simpson, Goggins, Benson, Brandon and Miss Forde.

5. Parish Precept

To be discussed further at the January meeting. Suggestions for next year’s precept are to make provisions for the completion of work on Long Stile and provide a shed or lockable box £200.00.

6. County Councillor’s Report

None

7. Borough Councillor’s Report

Cllr. Brandon advised that tax is now down to 9.3%. The Borough Council have paid a visit to Coventry to get ideas for the Riverside Project.

8. School Governor’s Report

Cllr. Simpson advised that the OFSTED visit has taken place, the report will be available to parents the second week of January.

9. Correspondence

B.C.C. – Letter from Celia Sellers advising of all Highways Works completed in the Parish in the last eighteen months. Cllr.’s advised that Pavenham Hill is still a problem.

B.B.C. – New recycling and Greenwaste Collection Scheme has now been rolled out to 35,000 properties in the Borough.

B.C.C.- Letter advising that the verges and highway boundaries will be cut back between now and the end of February.

Standards Committee – Minutes of meeting held on the 11th October.

Rev. J. Burrows – Invitation to attend the carol service at ST. Mary’s Church, Carlton.

B.C.C. – Best Value review of Cultural Services, parish Councils view required by 14th January. Cllr. Tusting to deal.

B.C.C. – Copies of the salting leaflet for this year.

BRTA – Letter objecting to a proposed new rowing lake at Willington, which is on the Bedford/Cambridge rail link.

Sir Alistair Burt – Invitation to attend a meeting at Sharnbrook Village Hall on 21st January 2005.

CPRE – Current Government Consultation on massive growth proposals for Bedfordshire, by 2021 Bedfordshire and Luton will have an additional 45,800 homes.

The Standards Board for England - Guidance booklet that explains regulations and procedures for monitoring officers.

B.C.C. – A new local Transport Plan for Bedfordshire. Workshop taking place at County Hall 14th December.

BRAF – Rural Renaissance Funding 2005/6 now available for groups or projects interested in applying for grants of between £5,000 and £50,000.

Bedfordshire Police – An invitation for Parish’s to register heir interest in having the Rural Skate again next year.

C.C. Bell & Sons Solicitors – Notice of Application for the transfer of the Off Licence relating to Carlton Post Office and Village Stores.

B.B.C. – Register of Electors 2004/2005

Wallet

Bedfordshire Bugle –Issue 6 November 2004

CPRE – Newsletter, December 2004

Six cheques prepared for signature, Miss G Forde £218.50 for salary, Miss G Forde £28.44 for expenses, Mr Crammen £172.50 for handyman duties, McAlpine £48.96 for street light maintenance, McAlpine £48.96 for street light maintenance, Zurich £1583.96 for insurance.

Current Account balance £2269.64 and Capital Reserve Account balance £22,243.05.

04/03220/FUL . Staynesmore Manor, 56 High Street. Erection of conservatory to side elevation, erect new entrance gate and wall. No objections.

04/03221/LBC . Staynesmore Manor, 56 High Street. Erection of conservatory to side elevation, remove existing entrance gate and posts. Erect new entrance gate and wall. No objections.

04/03220/FUL . Staynesmore Manor, 56 High Street. Erection of swimming pool building in garden area . Erect new entrance gate and wall. Concern raised regarding the height of the building and its modern look is not in keeping with the house.

None.

None.

The grass at the Baptist Church needs cutting. Mr. R Bambridge advises that the grass is too long to cut without damaging equipment. If it only to be cut once or twice a year in Autumn, it would be better to let it die away naturally.

Street light C09 in Rectory Close is not working.

There being no further business, meeting closed at 21.30 hrs.

Date of next meeting set for Monday 10th January at 19.30.