CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 9th JULY 2007

AT THE VILLAGE HALL, CARLTON.

Present: Cllr L. Benson (Chair)

Cllrs D. Jenkins, J. Tusting, A. Geerts, E . Devine, L. Dempsey, T. Coles,

R. Davies, B.Cllr V(Jim) Brandon, Mrs I. Allsopp (R.F.O.).

In attendance: Helen Jago (Emmaus), Mrs J. Keron.

The meeting started at 7.30p.m.

2. Disclosure of interest: Cllr J. Tusting declared a personal interest in item (11) Planning Application No: 07/01321/FUL – Emmaus Village.

3. Confirmation of Minutes: meeting 11th June 2007 – confirmed as a true record of the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 7.40p.m. Open public meeting.

Report from Emmaus: Helen Jago reported that there are currently 28 companions and 2 French students, on work vocation, at the site. A separate area for clothing has recently been opened. There was a break in recently, but nothing was taken. On the whole, everything is going well.

Close public speaking meeting. Parish Council meeting recommenced at 7.45p.m.

5. Matters arising from June meeting.

R.H.Trust – Clerk to contact Anne Bishop (R.H.T.) as no reply to date. Highways – hedging – Clerk to contact Highways concerning issue of ‘licence to plant’. Highways – forthcoming work in The Gannick/Street Close – Clerk to check start date.

Clerk’s Contract – Cllr Tusting and Jenkins to agree contract with Clerk.

 

7. C. Councillor’s report: None.

9. B. Councillor’s report: Cllr Brandon commented on the water feature project in ‘pigeon square’ and the ongoing project in the Castle Lane area (both in Bedford) . Advised the Parish Council that the Podington planning application for the Wind Farm has been refused. Unitary status – this should be decided by 28th July.

10. Finance report.

Five cheques had been drawn for signature, Mrs Allsopp £45.50, Mrs Bransgrove-Knight £291.58., (259.00 new rate of pay plus £32.58 expenses), Mr Bellamy £80.00 for two year’s internal audit, Warners £188.00, and Mr Crammen £149.80. V.A.T. refund received, £968.47 and Bank interest £84.04. Bank balances are current account £2,802.05 and capital reserve £21,218.39. Mrs Allsopp reported that a request to the Bank on 18th May to transfer funds between accounts had not been actioned and the matter has been taken up with Natwest again. It was agreed that Mrs. Allsopp should be paid for attending Parish Council meetings in April, may, June and July.

The Stone Barn on the Playing Field. Arrangements have been formalised with Chris Horne Gardens Ltd. for the rental to be paid to the Parish Council, effective August instalment. Annual rental for the Barn is £1,668.00 fixed until 31st March 2009, and this will be used for the grass-cutting on the field and the Zurich inspection report, thus enabling the Parish Council to claim back the V.A.T. Warners of Bedford will invoice the Parish Council direct for the grass-cutting and the annual cost, based on 16 cuts, is £880. + V.A.T. The inspection report has been received from Zurich Insurance and was handed to Cllr. Geerts. The charge for this is £250.00 + V.A.T.

In a full year, any balance from the rent will be utilised towards the insurance cost of the playing field.

COMMA – Community Aggregates Fund – copy details to be given to Village Hall, Playing Fields Ass. and Sharon Jackson for general information.

Confident Communities Fund – possible areas where funding may be useful (P.C.S.O. and general village maintenance). Cllr Jenkins to complete the application form.

11. Planning Applications.

Application no: 07/01677/FUL – 5 Manor Close, Carlton. 1st floor extension over garage and balcony to rear. No objection.

Application no: 07/01321/FUL – Emmaus Village. Refurbishment and extension to Bistro/Bric-a-Brac building. Objections on the basis of access to the main site, via very narrow lane, being very dangerous. Clerk to advise B.B.C. over this issue and arrange a meeting with Emmaus to discuss the application.

12. Correspondence.

Letter Mr F C Jeffrey – complaint about Gannick footpath hedge. Action: advise hedge is cut by resident and village handyman.

BBC Planning application no: 07/01223/FUL 2 The Marsh, Carlton – permission granted for single storey front and rear extension, rebuild and extend garage with pitched roof, canopy to side.

BBC – Residents groups in the village needing support? None .

BBC – letter, response to Cllr Stay’s letter on unitary submission, from Mayor Frank Branston.

Sharnbrook Comm. Sports centre – play scheme to keep children entertained. Pass to Emma Simpson (Playing Field Ass.)

Sharnbrook Upper School – Foundation proposals (not Carlton VC school – already in a Trust).

BBC – INFORM 19 – poster to go on notice board.

BBC – Planning information on Government White Paper – passed to Planning sub-committee.

Beds and Luton Fire & Rescue Service – Best value performance information – poster to go on notice-board.

BBC – Carlton/Turvey Road Closure – information on notice-board, website and general notices put up by Highways Department.

BBC – Standards Committee agenda for 9th July and minutes of meeting 13th June 2007. To circulate.

BRCC – information on training courses – to circulate.

CRPE – raffle tickets – no.

Phillipa Harris (Citizen’s Advice Group) – promoting welfare benefit to those people not aware of their entitlement – letter passed on to Mrs. Keron.

13. School Governor’s report – Cllr Jenkins is meeting the new Head Teacher this week.. Letter to be sent to Mrs Cantwell, thanking her for keeping the school going over the past years.

14. Playing Field report - there is a meeting this week.

15. Village Hall report – nothing to report.

16. Village matters of general interest.

Causeway sign on Turvey Road – sign needs repairing (Cllr Benson to instruct Billy).

Footpath hedge (near the school) needs trimming – letter to Mr Butler, 21a The Moor, requesting a cut.

The Moor – different sizes of pipes in the ditch. Ask Highways to inspect.

Bridgend – Water leakage still apparent on road – Anglian Water. Also, check if work to eradicate weeds is scheduled –Highways.

Parishioner asked if a footpath could be made between Beeby Way and Rectory Close, crossing the playing fields, Parish Council agreed no path necessary.

Moor allotments – tree on corner of site, branches growing into overhead wires – ask CGAS if possible to trim.

Cllr Bandon – requested site visit from Highways – potholes on tarmac outside no. 22 The Causeway.

17. Date of next meeting: Monday 13th August 2007 7.30p.m. in the Village Hall.

There being no further business the meeting finished at 10p.m.