CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 11th JUNE 2007 AT THE CHELLINGTON CENTRE.

Present: Cllr L Benson (Chair)

Cllrs D Jenkins, J. Tusting, A. Geerts, E. Devine, L. Dempsey. Mrs I Allsopp (R.F.O.)

In attendance: C.Cllr Mrs P. Gershon, Tim Coles, Helen Jago (Emmaus).

The meeting started at 7.30p.m.

1. Apologies for absence: B. Cllr. V (Jim) Brandon.

2. Disclosure of interest: There were no personal or prejudicial interests from the council present to items on the agenda.

3. Confirmation of minutes 14th May 2007 – confirmed as a true record of the meeting.

4. Co-option of two Parish council members.

There were four candidates who had put their names forward – Graham Chapman, Tim Coles, Richard Davies and Sharon Jackson. Chairman read out profiles on all candidates and then asked the council to nominate the two candidates they preferred, by secret vote. The Clerk counted and recorded the votes in a separate room. As a result – Tim Coles and Richard Davies were co-opted onto the Parish Council. The Chairman thanked all candidates for standing.

5. Report from Emmaus – Helen Jago reported that they have had a good trading year with many new visitors. Currently there are 23 companions

Helen left the meeting at 8.05p.m.

6. Matters arising from May meeting.

R.H.Trust – Site meeting between Anne Bishop and Cllrs Benson and Tusting took place on 17th May. Future meetings of planners/developers necessary.

Rectory Close – Street light problem has been reported.

Highways hedging – Still awaiting site report from Highways.

Highways – Bridgend water leak – contact Highways and Anglian Water again for a site visit.

Street Close – patching work needed in garage area – site inspection needed.

The Moor – clerk to check the areas of grass cut by the Contractor.

Allotment hedge, The Moor – hedge needs trimming . Clerk to contact CGAS.

Weeds – rear of two houses at Bridgend – Clerk to contact Council for treatment.

Billy (handyman) – must wear all safety clothing/equipment whilst carrying out parish council work. Les Benson to advise.

7. Highways Maintenance Partnership – contact Highways for report on tree roots ‘Gannick’ area. Hedge at no. 12 Street Close very high - Les Benson to talk to owner.

8. County Councillor’s report. None.

9. Borough Councillor’s report. None.

10. Finance Report.

Two May dated cheques had been drawn for signature, Mrs Allsopp £56.51, includes £21.01 expenses, and Warners £180.00. June dated cheques prepared for Mrs Allsopp £40.50, Mrs Bransgrove-Knight £207.00, Stanmac £580.00 (burial ground wall), Warners £376.00 and Mr Crammen £171.20. New mandate Having been arranged with Natwest Bank, cheques were duly signed by Cllrs. Jane Tusting and David Jenkins. Beds. County council have paid £642.10 towards this year’s grass cutting. Bank balances are: current account £1,225.46 and capital reserve £22,634.35. V.A.T. claim amounting to £968.47 has been sent to H.M.Customs & Excise.

Audit Commission Annual Return for Year ended 31st March 2007 was duly approved and signed by Chairman. Mr Bellamy has agreed to undertake the Internal audit of the accounts.

It was agreed that Mrs Bransgrove-Knight will be taking over the Parish Council’s accounts from Mrs Allsopp, effective 1st August 2007. I t was also agreed that Mrs Bransgrove-Knight will work with Mrs Allsopp during the month of July.

11. Planning applications – none.

12. Correspondence.

B.B.C. 2/6/07 – copy letter to County Council re: Minerals Extraction objections. Circulate.

C.P.R.E 24/5/07 – general information.

Carlton Lower School 11/5/07 – letter re: Walking Bus. Clerk to respond.

Marston Vale leaflet – place on school notice board.

Police 5/6/07 ringmaster email – Visit to Call handling centre, Kempston – not this time.

B.C.C. 21/5/07 – letter re: P3. David to post information onto village website.

B.B.C. Standards Committee – Agenda for 13/06/07 – circulate.

Victim Support (Beds) – general information and request for donation. No.

St. Mary’s Church – Garden of Remembrance. 11/6/07 – letter/plans from

Brian Hillier. P.C. will require two quotes for intended work on the pathway area.

13. School Governor’s report – no report.

14. Playing Field report – Cllr Geerts is now Secretary, Emma Simpson is Chair.

15. Village Hall report – no report.

16. Clerk’s contract. Parish council would like Mrs Bransgrove-Knight to take over the accounts as from 1st August. She will work with Mrs Allsopp during July, and it was agreed that she will be paid 33 hours per month, which will cover her holiday entitlement. The contract will be subject to a yearly appraisal. Job description and contract to be agreed by both parties at next meeting. Risk assessment to be carried out.

Note – suggested that the Clerk will be available 10am to 12 noon Monday to Friday for general parish council work – put this onto the village website.

17. Village matters of general interest.

CCTV camera on Felmersham Road – check with Council intention.

Traffic lights at the bridge still causing problems, contact Highways again.

Jane Tusting to be paid for hire of Chellington project facilities for this meeting. Cllr Benson proposed that a yearly meeting will be held on the second Monday in June every year. All agreed this was an excellent idea.

18. Date of next meeting – Monday 9th July 2007 at 7.30p.m. Carlton Village Hall.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30p.m.