February
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CARLTON AND CHELL1NGTON PARISH COUNCIL.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 13'1' FEBRUARY, 2006.

Present: - Cllr- L. Benson - in the Chair

Cllrs.
  • G. Chapman
  • J Goggins
  • D Jenkins
  • Mrs. J. Tusting
  • R Davis - 7.55. p.m.
  • V.G. Brandon - 9.30. p.m.,
  • Cllr. Mrs. P. Gershon
  • Mike O'Meara, Community Leader, Emmaus Village Carlton.

Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. S. Devine and Mrs. E. Simpson.

Disclosure of Interest None

Minutes of Meeting held 9* January were agreed and signed as correct.

MATTERS ARISING

Affordable Houses Co Letter dated 28th January, addressed to Chairman, seeking explanation for Parish Council's decision. Discussed. Clerk to reply "we are not able to go ahead and we do not feel obliged to go into details". According to the County Council, it was the developers who said there were other sites in the village.

Anglian Water Services Limited have repaired the water main cover outside Peartree Cottage,

Home Watch Association, Wait to hear from Karen Dathorne following article in The Bridge. Mr. Jenkins met her at recent Community Liaison Forum - she said Parish Councils have a duty to try and make villages as safe as they can.

British Telecommunications plc. letter 6/2. They propose to remove the kiosk at High Street and seek PC agreement. Their obligation to provide a Universal Service will be maintained as there is a kiosk at Bridgend. Councillors agreed,

Sharnbrook Upper School. No response received to our letter 10/1.

Community Liaison Forum granted £300. to the Village Hall for a notice board.

MR. O'MEARA welcomed to meeting. He said some of the companions have caused a bit of trouble around the parish, for which he apologised. If anyone sees anything that can be put down to their companions, they should contact Emmaus -24 hour duty telephone number 07931,292691 -and if there is a problem they will come out. They take any complaints very seriously; they want to be part of the community. Every week they have a companions' meeting and discuss any concerns. They will be asked not to drink in the village and if they do, they will be asked to leave Emmaus. Regarding drug involvement, there was one person staying last June but he was soon banned and is no longer a member. They also take the problem with drugs very seriously,

Mr. Goggins mentioned problems with objectionable language and behaviour of some companions when visiting The Fox Inn and having to ask them to leave. It is becoming tedious and he is thinking of banning them all together. Mr. O'Meara said he would read them the riot act at Friday's meeting.

The matter of Emmaus' involvement with the village was discussed. The soccer pitch is being used. They are holding a games evening in March, and Tuesday, 28/2, 2.00.-4.00, p.m. open afternoon to see the new accommodation Invited councillors to come and see behind the scenes. Spring Fair in May, inviting local groups to have a stall. Mr, O'Meara was asked to keep P.C, informed of future events and said he will attend the Annual Meeting. Their Email address is emmausvillage@aol.com.

There are 16 companions at present, will be space for an extra 12. He explained a little about referrals, application forms, and interviewing prospective members and said Emmaus will be employing an extra manager. Mr. O'Meara was thanked for talking to councillors and left the meeting at 8.00. p.m.

Councillors discussed. It is hoped prospective companions will be vetted more rigorously. After 5.00. p.m. they are allowed to come to the village. The Fox Inn supports Emmaus but not when it affects the public.

STONE BARN LEASE has expired and it was agreed the rent should be increased. Currently it is £1,584.00. p.a. This will be discussed at March Parish Council, and clerk to inform Chris Home accordingly.

GRASS-CUTTING CONTRACT, Two quotations received, Chris Horne £165.00 per cut plus 2 times x £42.00 to strim FP. 1. Warner's of Bedford £140.00 per cut, to include strimming FP. 1 twice. Both are registered for V.A.T. This matter was discussed at great length, particularly as Chris Home is the esteemed tenant of The Stone Barn on the Playing Field. It was considered that the Parish Council had no option, in accordance to abide by current best value policy, but to accept Warner?s quote. Clerk to inform both parties and thank Mr. Horne for his past services. A.R. Worboys declined quoting.

B.B.C. DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK - Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan - Response form. Councillors Benson, Davis and Tusting to submit comments. Richard explained background to new Key Service Centres in the rural area, highlighted by the Borough Council as strategic villages:-Bromham, Clapham, Great Barford, Harrold, Oakley, Riseley, Shambrook and Wilstead. 17 Parishes had been considered as key service centres including Carlton and Chellington which scored 87 points for services and facilities in village. Another key point, on affordable housing, they want to encourage Housing Associations to come in and work with Parish Councils or villages to set up their own village trusts. No reason why we should not be doing it ourselves.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT Budget coming out on Thursday, not bad, 4.8% increase, tried to keep it down. Hoping to get better road service, catch up on all the jobs that did not get done. Mrs. Gershon was asked about the County Council's final salary pension scheme for employees. She suggested the Parish Council should write to the C.C. Chief Executive about this. Asked about non receipt of responses to various letters written to the C.C., she suggested mentioning this as well.

NO BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT NOR SCHOOL GOVERNOR'S REPORT

CORRESPONDENCE

Carlton V.C. Lower School, 10/2, stating that all the gas appliances in the school kitchen have been found unsafe and must not, under any circumstances, be used.

B.R.C.C. 23/1, Core Skills course for Quality Clerks. Declined. Notice of future events planned to cover Drugs, Fire Safety Order, Wheeled Sports Seminar, and Child Protection Policy Training.

B.A.T.P.C. 16/1, Ref. Quality Council Seminar, 28/2, also providing hourly rates of pay for part-time clerks, effective 1" April.

Pavenham Parish Council is having a workshop, 8th March, when Louise Ashmore will talk about Quality Parish Council status. Mr. Benson will attend. Shambrook P.C. also arranging a workshop.

Office of the Mayor, 18/1. Mr. Branston would like to attend Carlton P.C. Clerk to invite him to March meeting.

Chairman, B.C.C., Richard G.Baker, 30/1. Town and Parish Council Reception, 7th March, inviting two representatives. Chairman and Vice Chairman to attend. Next Reception will be 3rd November.

B.C.C., Civil Contingencies, 12/12. Emergency Planning Briefing. Is this something Parish Councils will become responsible for? Invite Vladek Cirin to the Annual Meeting.

B.C.C., Highways, 10/1. Gully Cleansing. Report any gullies that have been missed in the past.

Villager Community Minibus, 19/12. concerns about current plans re. concessionary fares. Subsequent press release states that the facility will continue but with some limitations. Mr. Bain had telephoned the clerk regarding Parish Council financing the MIDAS training for two representatives from Harrold. Write to Mr.Bain, councillors know nothing about this.

Stevington Parish Council, 11/12, applying to DEFRA for funding towards producing a Parish Plan.

Bedfordshire Police Authority, 21/12, three meetings to discuss policing budget for 2006-7.

B.B.C., Environmental Services Manager, 19/1, FreeFone Help Desk Number 0800 121 8888 from 1/2

Highways Help Desk number is 01234.228661. David Jenkins to include on website.

B.C.C., Countryside Access Service, 20/1, outdoor access improvement plan. Which are 5 most important paths in parish ? FP.l and FP.A1, FP.A2 and FP.A6, comprising Long Stile, Allotments, Chellington Church, and BWA.3 to New Barns Farm.

B.B.C., Scrutiny and Policy Review and Development Committees' Work Programmes 30/l. Comments by 21st April.

B.C.C., Director of Environment, 13/1 - Bedfordshire Energy and Recycling Project (BEaR) - developing ways to deal with household waste more sustain ably than the current practice of land filling. H.D.C.L. Forum - Agenda for meeting 30/1.

Standards Committee - Minutes of meetings 13/12 and 6/1 and Agenda for meeting 30/1. Rural Affairs Committee - Minutes of meeting 24/1. Date of next meeting 14/3. B.C.C. Planning and Transport. Policies W5 and W6, Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2005, adopted. Consultation period up to 13th February. Workshop 23rd February. B.B.C. Community & Culture Policy Review - Introducing the Bedford Leisure Card scheme. CORRESPONDENCE to be circulated :-B.B.C. Planning Briefings Nos. 122-125. B.C.C. Making Bedfordshire Thrive, Strategic Objectives 2005-2009. Office of Deputy Prime Minister - Standards of Conduct in English Local Government - The Future. Bedfordshire Bugle, November, 2005 and January, 2006. Clerks & Councils Direct, January, 2006, with suppliers guide and yearbook. B.C.C. "Bedfordshire" Issue 45, January, 2006. Local Council Review, Volume 57, No. 6, March, 2006.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

06/00093/FUL, 94/LBC, Marsh Farm, Alterations to outbuilding to form ancillary accommodation. Is it setting a precedent? It is a barn used for storage. The external view will not change. Discussed and voted on. Clerk to respond we have no objections. 06/00121/FUL, The Rectory, The Moor. Single storey front extension and rear conservatory. Provided the neighbours around The Rectory do not protest. Council has no objections to plans. 06/000263/FUL, 63, The Moor. Single storey rear extension and front porch - amended plans. Councilors object to building extensions on extensions, also replacing pitched roof with flat roof.

04/0972/FUL, Conversion of Chapel to Dwelling, provision of lay-by. Developers have yet to submit plans in respect of the lay-by. Length envisaged 12.7m. 05/03158/LBC - Internal alterations to Chapel - granted.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Cheques prepared for Mrs. Allsopp £251.90., Eon Energy £958.44., Lubbock Fine £399.50. for two years' audit, 2003/4 and 2004/5, also Mr. Crammen £172.50. Bank balances £380.38. Current Account and £20,718.91. Capital Reserve, but no recent statements have been received. The ongoing problems with Natwest discussed, decided Cllr. Tusting and Clerk will visit Olney Branch and see if accounts can be transferred there. Inland Revenue contacted ref. Mr. Crammen's remuneration. Being clarified.

VILLAGE HALL REPORT/KITCHEN FACILITIES. Mrs. Tusting said the school would like to use their kitchen for other purposes. Possibly use the Village Hall kitchen, but not sufficient for school and would have to install a steriliser. Also committee room would have to be altered, tiled floor instead of carpet. Ill feeling at Village Hall meeting. Mention was made of possible changes in education, i.e. reversing 3 tier system to 2 tier system and how this will affect Carlton V.C. Lower School. The Head Teacher, Mrs. Cantwell, is shortly due for retirement.

VILLAGE MAINTENANCE MATTERS

Mr. Benson said the County Council have planted new trees down The Causeway and have replaced the Golden Tree - should we plant it outside the Chapel Burial Ground? Agreed. Festival of Britain sign found beyond the wall of Stayesmore. Could the kerbs both sides Rectory Close be dropped for wheel chairs? Dangerous manhole outside metal gates of the playing field. Clerk to inform B.C.C. both these items and about pothole developing up Pavenham Road, top comer before Hill House. Parking Bridgend problems - something has got to be done about this - clerk to write to P.C. Rob Smith for his views. Early morning buses not coming round the village, 7.30 and 8.30., happening on a regular basis. Clerk to write to B.C.C., with copy to Stage Coach.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.15. p.m. DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 13th March, 7.30. p.m.