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CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL 225. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 13th MARCH, 2006. Present :- Cllr. L. Benson - in the Chair Cllrs.
Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. V.G. Brandon and R. Davis Disclosure of Interest None Minutes of Meeting held 13th February were agreed and signed as correct. MATTERS ARISING Home Watch Karen Daythorne received no response following her article in The Bridge. Ask her to attend the Open Meeting. B.B.C. Development Framework Comments will be taken into account before document is submitted to the Secretary of State in July/August. Villager Bus Mr. Bain apologises, it was Harrold Parish Council who were to fund driver training. Bridgend Parking Beat Manager, Rob Smith, looking into this matter and will update P.C. shortly. Festival of Britain Sign received. Stagecoach - they replied 17/2 with apologies for the occurrence. Want to know specific dates and times, when buses do not appear round the village, telephone number to contact 01234.212852.B.C.C. have not replied - send the same letter to Councillor Tom Wootton. B.C.C. Reception 7/3 Chairman reported it was a good reception. Thousands of houses to be built in Bedfordshire and crime is to go down. Waste collection is going to be better , intending to look in the bins to check whether people are re-cycling or not, fines for putting stuff into wrong bin. There will be less smoking in Bedfordshire, courtesy of the County Council. Short term, medium term and long term items on the agenda, - two years time there will be a report back. Quality P.C. Presentation 8/3. Not attended.
MR. FRANK BRANSTON was welcomed to Carlton - he said he lived here in 1968. He proceeded to update councillors regarding some of the matters he is involved with as Mayor of Bedford. Possible changes in Local Government - Unitary Authorities. Need to ask the people what they want. The cost of going unitary may be considerable but in the long term it could be cheaper. County Council and a lot of District Councils in favour of maintaining two-tier system, Mr. Branston favours unitary. Borough Council Elections - first for two years, it will be interesting and no idea how it will turn out. It will not be about Council Tax, - the Government will cap us if increase is more than 5%. Although they collect the tax for all authorities, the Borough only spend 10% of the total. Bedford Town - over a period of 25 years the town has slid down table of places where people want to live and the aim is to improve housing, shops, clean the place up, make it look better, redevelop certain areas. Currently clearing rubbish along all main roads through Borough, installed litter bins in lay-bys. Cllr. Tusting mentioned the roads and ditches around our area are disgusting and Cllr. Devine said Bedford must be the biggest town without a by-pass. Western By-pass - persuaded three M.P.s to arrange a meeting with the Minister to argue for the by-pass. Mr. Branston explained about the proposed funding available, partly by the 106 development of 700 houses, but money had to be spent within two years which is up at the end of this month. Still awaiting signatures on the agreement. Cllr. Devine pointed out that when the Independent Schools are on holiday, there is no traffic on roads. Park and Ride - The Mayor would like schools to use park and ride but this would need 4/5 sites and cannot make people use them. If there was a strict no parking system around schools, probably get something done. Roads are C.C. problem. C. Cllr. Gershon suggested asking offices and schools to stagger their hours and Mr. Branston said he will pursue this. Due for a Park & Ride at Clapham. Wind Farms/Global Warming. If the threat to the globe is man made, we cannot go around saying it is somebody else's problem. Are wind farms an effective method of producing electricity, or not? Are there better ways? We do not know but we have to do something about it. The Borough Council is going to do something about it.Cllr. Simpson asked how are people being encouraged to visit Bedford? Town Centre. Bus Station Development, investing £115m., will include a new department store and major food store. Riverside Development, plans for offices and shops, a couple of good restaurants and bars, the Borough Council will retain part control to ensure quality. Castle Lane Area improve-ments, looking for artisans. Commerce. A lot of businesses have fled the town. The Chamber of Trade creates a fuss if anyone reduces the amenities of the town. Parking. The Riverside site will be built on but there will be more parking provided in the town centre redevelopment. £2.9m. has been spent on refurbishing car parks, Harpur Centre, Lurke Street and Queens Street. Visitors should not be frightened to use them, more policemen in town centre, and now the Bluecaps escort service happy to accompany people to their cars (telephone 0800.0130339.) Rural Bus Service. Cllr. Jenkins mentioned lack of buses going to town in the evening and coming back to Carlton. Stagecoach could be asked to provide evening buses but it would cost the County Council. There is the Home Hoppa and a taxi service available. The Darts do not come beyond the town. Council Tax. Mrs. Adler asked about the 90% available for other authorities and Mr. Branston said these are the County Council, Fire Authority, Police Authority and Parish Councils. The B.B.C. has no say with regard to the Police, the only people with authority over Police are the Home Office. Canal Link. Very interesting discussions going on. Calling people, trying to get £50m. out of a Rail-way. Apart from social point of view, it would provide a means of bringing water from Wales to a dry part of England. Landowners not happy about canal going through land which has planning permission. Great Crested Newts all over Bedfordshire ! We have got to do something about the water situation. Railway Station, North of Bedford. There is a landowner who is prepared to have a station and put the proposition to planners and there are a couple of other sites. Problems -Thames Link trains cannot get under the bridge at Bromham Road and it may well be that the fast trains do not want to stop within 5 miles of Bedford. New railway station planned at Wixams, south of Bedford. Some people may prefer to drive there. Rural Grant Scheme. Mr. Branston reminded councillors about this fund - £450,000. and it is not being used. Could have a new kitchen in the Village Hall ! Mr. Branston was thanked for attending the Parish Council and he left with Mrs. Gershon at 8.40. p.m. Councillors agreed it had been a very interesting talk, clerk to write and thank The Mayor. BAPTIST BURIAL GROUND - STONE WALLS Quotation from Stanmac, dated 20th July, 2005, discussed and all agreed the work should be carried out. Clerk to ask solicitors to check who owns the wall between the burial ground and The Chapel, and confirm to Stanmac to go ahead with the work apart from that wall and pier. Two gravestones are propped up and this matter is in hand. ST. MARY?S CHURCH Since P.C.C. letter 23/8/2005, the situation ref. overcrowded burial ground has changed and they are now investigating : After 100 years, allowed to re-use the ground, and re-place old stones around wall of church. Creating a garden of remembrance by west door. Plans being prepared for consultation in village. STONE BARN LEASE Agreed to increase rent to £1,668.00., to be held for three years, and request solicitors to extend lease accordingly. The down pipe has come away from the barn and the water is running down the wall. Clerk to ask B.J. Wood to fix same. NO COUNTY COUNCILLOR?S REPORTS BOROUGH COUNCILLOR?S REPORT - see Mr. Brandon?s News from the Council Chamber in BEDFORD NEWS, March, 2006. SCHOOL GOVERNOR?S REPORT Cllr. Emma Simpson said she entered some children from year IV, Recorders, into the music festival. They won their class, receiving a distinction and medals. CORRESPONDENCE B.B.C. - Agenda for Rural Affairs Committee, 14th March. B.B.C. letter 22/2, Rural Bulky Waste Collection Service - Carlton 20th/21st May and 7th/8th October. B.C.C. letter 3/3, Environment Services Users Forum, 11/4. Declined Bedfordshire Police, February,?Operation Mullion : Tackling Autocrime?. Harrold United Reformed Church, - Flower Festival, Weekend 29th April/1st May. Declined. B.B.C. calendar of meetings, June 2006 - May 2007. Society of Local Council Clerks, 23/2, Membership lapsing. Agreed. CIRCULATE :- B.C.C. letter 16/2, Parish Profile statistics derived from Census 2001. - copy to David for website. Chellington Centre Newsletter, February. Emmaus Turvey Limited, Emmaus Village Carlton, Financial Statements - 30th June, 2005. The Clerk magazine, Vol. 36, No. 2, March 2006. School Sport Co-ordinator Partnership, First Edition Newsletter PLANNING APPLICATIONS 06/00396/FUL, Single storey rear extension and conservatory, Laverock, School Lane. 06/00427/COU, Change of use of agricultural land to garden (paddock), same address. No objections to the proposed extensions or change of use, with the proviso that there should be no further dwelling or building on the land, ever. 06/00511/ADV, St. Mary?s Church, Erection of non-illuminated notice board in grass verge. No objections provided the County Council is in agreement.06/00121/FUL, The Rectory, planning permission granted 1st March. 05/03234/FUL, Victoria Farm, 3 houses and 2 flats, planning permission granted 13th February. Letter 9/3 - Under policy LR15, The Provision of Outdoor Playing Space for Sport in line with NFPA standards, the applicants have agreed to a financial contribution of £6,908. It is unlikely that upgrading the school playing pitches would meet criteria. Discussed and agreed that Carlton Childrens Playing Field should have the award as that facility is available for use by the whole community. FINANCIAL REPORT Cheques prepared for Mrs. Allsopp £259.46., Benson Electrical £456.54. for hedge trimmer and lawn mower and glass for shed, Mr. Crammen £100.00., February, and Signs of the Times £103.99. Bank balances £281.39. Current Account and £19,779.35. Capital Reserve, still no recent statements have been received. PLAYING FIELD REPORT Fence is being repaired and some trees are being set. Had the hedge cut and fixed a padlock on the gate. Arranging a Fete on 24th June, meeting on Wednesday. VILLAGE HALL REPORT Nothing to report, meeting arranged for 21st March. VILLAGE MAINTENANCE MATTERS Cllr. Goggins. Lot of concern regarding the footpath between The Fox entrance and the Baptist Chapel, which has been blocked off. Clerk to check 1. whether it is a public footpath, 2. if not, who owns it. Ask solicitors. Cllr.Devine. The footway outside the Baptist Chapel has been broken up and is dangerous. Tell C.C. Bus shelter glass - matter in hand, Cllrs. Benson and Chapman. Ask B.C.C. to plant a tree in front of the pier in the wall, Baptist Burial Ground, also to replace the Red May on splay, entrance Street Close. Ask B.J. Wood to quote to fix three seats on the playing field. Rural Housing Trust - do P.C. agree to housing needs survey - yes - and invite them to meeting - yes. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50. p.m.DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 10th April, 7.00. p.m. to be followed by THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING at 8.00. p.m. |