CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL                            255

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 12^TH FEBRUARY 2007

Present – Cllr. L Benson (Chair)

                 Cllr. G Chapman, R. Davies, D. Jenkins, J. Tusting

                 C. Cllr P. Gershon, B. Cllr V. Brandon

                 Mrs I Allsopp, Helen Jago (Emmaus), Anne Geerts

Meeting started at 7.30 p.m.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -  received form Cllr.J Goggins and E. Simpson.

2. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST – None.

3. MINUTES of meeting held 8^th January 2007 were agreed and signed.

4. REPORT FROM EMMAUS – overall another very good month.  Two companions have moved on to take up full time work.  A list of future dates were given to Cllr Jenkins to post on the Village website.

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM JANUARY MEETING:-

Rural Housing Trust – the full written report has not yet been received.

Action – Clerk to investigate.

Rural Grants – St. Mary’s Churchyard repairs to footpath – decision to be made after Garden of Remembrance meeting on 16/04/07 .

Unitary Proposal – Still ongoing – Cllr. Benson and Chapman will attend a B.B.C meeting on 21/02/07 .

C.P.S.O. – will be discussed at the Parish Council Open Meeting on 26/04/07 .

      6.  HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE PARTNERSHIP – The area needing repairs to ‘The Gannick’ footpath was discussed. 

Action – Clerk to request a quotation for repair work from the Highways Department.

7.   COUNTY COUCILLOR ’S Question/Answer section – the issue of Unitary status was discussed.  County has generally received good reports on road repairs, although the problem of Street Close, from our Parish Council’s point of view, is unsatisfactory.  Action – Clerk to write to Tom Wooton (Highways) regarding Street Close.

8. VILLAGE MATTERS.  Baptist Chapel – Action – Clerk, letter to be sent to owner, requesting cars do not park on the grass area by the lay-by.

Mineral Site proposal – plans examined of the proposed sites for mineral extraction (gravel).  A exhibition is planned for March (date not announced) in Pavenham.   Action – Clerk to request an exhibition site in Carlton ( possibly in the vicinity of the Chellington project area).

Harrold/Odell Country Park – Clerk to liaise with Harrold Parish Council and obtain figures for Skate Park facilities – for further discussion at ‘Open Meeting of C. & C. P.C. on 26/04/07 .

9. BOROUGH COUNCILLOR’S Question/Answer session.  Councillor Brandon stated that the Council Tax will be increased by 2.7%.  Free Bus pass to continue for another year.  Rural Grant has been granted for the shed area at the School (£1000.00 awarded).

10. SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT – reported that the school is currently full – which is excellent.

11. CORRESPONDENCE

BATPC – copies of the Beds. Bugle distributed.  Local Council Clerk Core Skill’s Course – discussed, Parish Council require the new Clerk to work for minimum of 6 months before attending course.

Letter from B.Hillier – St. Mary’s Church.

B.C.C. – Beds & Luton Minerals and Waste Dev. Framework – consultation.

B.C.C.  – Cllr. M Russell  Unitary Proposal

B.C.C. Highways – Beds. Highways Area Road Show.

Clive Wiley – proposed property development.

Environment Agency – general information.

Beds. Rural Com. Charity – general information on starting a Parish Action Plan.

B.B.C. – Code for Sustainable Homes & Statement of Com. Involvement.

Emmaus – Signage.

B.B.C. Baptist Chapel – grass area – lay-by.

B.C.C. – Outdoor Access Improvement Plan 2006-2011.

B.B.C. – Rural Affairs Com. – Agenda 7^th Feb. 07

ROSPA – annual inspection. 

B.C.C. – Highways 5 year programme.

B.C.C. Highways – Maintenance Survey.

B.C.C. East of England Plan.

A. Burt – Meeting 16^th Feb. 07.

Telecom from Paul Sandler (Warner’s) – village grass cutter.

      12.  PLANNING APPLICATIONS.

             App. No:  06/03155/FUL – 5 Pavenham Rd , Carlton , single storey rear        

              Extension – Refused by Planning Dept at B.B.C.

             App. No:  07/00032/FUL – 66/72 High St. Harrold – retention of 2.4m temp.

              Hoardings.

13.  FINANCIAL REPORT (Mrs. Allsopp) – Four cheques prepared for signature, Mrs Allsopp £35.50, Mrs Bransgrove-Knight £200 + expenses £12.34.  Kevin Jones £45.00 to remove filing cabinet to Harrold, and Billy Crammen £120.35.  Rural Grant received, £1,500 for the seats.  Bank balances £2,464.04 Current Account and £18,561.37 Capital Reserve.  Mention was made of the Sharnbrook Upper School request for a donation towards cost of extra buses.  Confirmed that children from Carlton use this service and agreed to donate the £200 as promised.

Paul Sandler, the grass-cutting contractor (Warner’s) had contacted Mrs Allsopp with regard to the 2007 season.  Discussed and it was agreed that he should carry on this year, and also to pay him the additional £20. per cut, in respect of the area he omitted to quote for last year.

14. PLAYING FIELD REPORT – Next meeting in March.  Issue of VAT to be discussed – possibility of P.C. involvement.

15. VILLAGE HALL REPORT – Repainting and decorating being carried out at present.

16. GENERAL VILLAGE MATTERS.   B. Cllr Brandon mentioned Mr Stiles funeral to be held 13/02/07 – agreed a member of the P.C. would attend.

17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Monday 12^th March 2007

                                                                  7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.