CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL                                                                                  328

MINUTES of the meeting held on 8^th June 2009 at the Chellington Centre – 7.30pm

Present:  Cllr. D Jenkins (Chairman),  Cllrs. T. Coles, L. Dempsey, A. Geerts, Jane Tusting,  Jim (V) Brandon  (B. Cllr).

In attendance:  Mayor of Bedford – Frank  Branston,  Phil Loton, Sarah Lister (Amey – Highways),

Helen Jago and Garry Allen (Emmaus), Stan Smith.

1.       Apologies for absence:  Cllr E. Devine, Susan Owen, PC Rob Smith (Bedfordshire Police).

2.       Co-option of new Parish Councillor: Susan Owen is happy to stand as a co-opted councillor – proposed by David Jenkins and seconded by all councillors present at the meeting.

(2i) Resolved to co-opt Susan to the Parish Council.

3.       Disclosure of interest: none.

4.       Minutes of meeting held 18^th May 2009:  confirmed as a true record of the meeting.

5.       Emmaus report:  community at Emmaus are very happy, there is a good family feeling at the village.  There are currently 21 companions on site.  This Wednesday, the 17^th, is the grand opening of the Bistro by Gerry Hall – all welcome, opening is at 2.30pm.

6.       Mayor of Bedford Frank Branston:  a warm welcome to the Parish Council was given by David Jenkins to Frank Branston, Phil Lotan (PA) and  Sarah Lister (Amey – Highways).  Frank was introduced to the Council and began by saying how pleased he was to attend the meeting and the wonderful building and surroundings that the Chellington Centre provided.  He commented that our Borough Councillor, Jim Brandon, was to be congratulated on 50 years service to the Borough Council.  The main area of discussion was the School Consultation paper regarding three tier to two tier (the parish council will make their response to this paper at the July meeting).  Frank said  “ There is a need for change as it has been proved that it is better to only have one major change of school in a child’s school life.  There is also an ever increasing problem in recruiting Middle School teachers”.  Rural transport was discussed and the Borough Council are looking into the need to improve the links with Bedford Town.  Cllr Jenkins mentioned that Carlton & Chellington and Harrold Parish Council had been recently trialling a Saturday night taxi service.   Waste/recycling issue – the Borough Council do need to find a satisfactory solution to he huge problem of landfill sites, which needs to be improved in the future.  A discussion followed regarding the Council’s need to provide pitches/sites for ‘Travelling people’ –  there is no current requirement in our local area for this provision.  Sarah Lister then answered general questions regarding road repairs.  An extra million pounds has been allocated to Bedford Borough Council over the next year and a priority list will be published to show the priority areas in each village.  These areas will then be worked on, working with the Parish Council for advice on the priority areas.  The ongoing problem with the old railings at Bridgend will be looked at in the near future by Neil O’Leary.  Frank was questioned about his views on the proposed Nun Wood Wind Farm development – but no definite answer was given.  There being no further questions, Frank and his companions left the meeting at 20:35, with thanks from the Parish Council for their attendance.

7.       Police report:  none.

8.       Matters arising from May meetings:  refer to appendix (i) attached to these minutes.

9.       Borough Councillor’s report:  none, as all matters discussed with Mr Branston at point (6).

10.   Highways:  several areas in The Causeway need attention, these have been reported.  Still awaiting feedback from Neil O’Leary on the Bridgend railings, a site inspection will take place once the current works on the ditch area is completed.

 11.   Finance report:  7 cheques were agreed and signed – Warners (main cut) £207.00, Warners      (children’s playing field) x 2 cuts £126.50, R.A. Sinclair (village handyman salary and expenses),  Chris Johnson payment for leaflet delivery £20.00, Harrold Parish Council 3 month office rental - £112.50, N. Bransgrove-Knight (salary and expenses), Chellington Centre – hire £30.00).  Balance in current account - £5,730.02.  Balance in deposit account (to include all reserves) £21,116.48

12.   Planning applications:  none.

13.   Correspondence:  list circulated to councillors before meeting – refer to appendix (ii) attached to these minutes.

14.   School Governor’s report: none.

15.   Playing Field report:  new seats on the swings.  Replacement log in the stepping logs area.

16.   Village Hall report:  none.

17.   Village matters:  Bus shelter at The Causeway.  Although this matter had previously been decided to allow Harrold-Odell Country Park to have this shelter free of charge, as long as it was dismantled and taken away, it was felt that the matter should be reassessed as a parishioner had complained about its removal.  Councillors discussed this matter and it was agreed that the original decision to get rid of the bus shelter should remain.  (17.1) Resolved to allow HOCP to have the bus shelter).

Rubbish bins at the playing field and the village green are not emptied by DSD.  Request that the village handyman, Richard Sinclair does this on a weekly basis.

18.    Date of next meeting:   Monday 13^th July at Carlton village Hall – 7.30pm start.

There being no further business, the meeting finished at 21:20,