CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL - HELD 14th May 2007.

Present: Cllr L Benson (Chair)

Cllrs D Jenkins, Jane Tusting, E. Devine, Louise Dempsey, A Geerts.

B. Cllr V (Jim) Brandon.

Mrs I. Allsopp (R.F.O.)

In attendance: Mr Brian Hillyer (representing St. Mary’s Garden of Remembrance).

The meeting started at 7.30 p.m.

1. Apologies for absence – C.Cllr Mrs P Gershon.
2. Disclosure of interest – Cllr Benson stated he had an interest in section (12) Planning application No: 07/01223/FUL – 2 The Marsh, Carlton.
3. Resignation of Chair and Vice-Chair – Cllr L Benson (Chair) and Cllr G Chapman (Vice-Chair) duly resigned, this being the end of their term of service.

   Three new members of the Parish council were warmly welcomed (Mrs Eileen Devine, Mrs Louise Dempsey and Mrs Anne Geerts) and introduced to the other members of the council. ‘ Declaration of Interest’ forms were given to the new members and Clerk will supply’ Declaration of Acceptance of Office’ forms when they arrive from B.B.C. Clerk will also source ‘Parish Councillor Guidance’ information for all Councillors.

   The meeting then moved on to the election of a new Chair and Vice-Chair.

   • Chair – it was proposed by Cllr Tusting and seconded by Cllr Brandon that Cllr Les Benson become Chairman. Cllr Benson accepted the post.
   • Vice-Chair – it was proposed by Cllr Brandon and seconded by Cllr Benson that Cllr David Jenkins become Vice-Chair. Cllr Jenkins accepted the post.
   • Formation of sub-committees.
   • Highways – Cllr Benson.
   • Playing Field – Cllrs Geerts and Devine.
   • Planning – Cllrs Jenkins, Tusting and Dempsey.
   • School Governor – Cllr Jenkins.
   • Village Hall – Cllr Brandon.
   • H/O Country Park Liaison group – Clerk.
4. Co-Option of parish council members (2 vacancies).
   Cllr Benson stated that Graham Chapman and Richard Davies were prepared to be co-opted. Mrs Allsopp stated that Tim Coles was also very interested. The Parish Council decided that notices would be placed on all notice boards in the village, for 28 days, advertising the vacancies, in case anyone else wished to consider becoming a candidate. The matter of co-option for two parish councillors be decided at the next meeting on 11th June.

5. Minutes of meeting 26th April – confirmed as a true record of the meeting.
6. Report from Emmaus – no report as no member present.
7. Matters arising from April meeting.

• Rural Housing Trust – There will be a site meeting between Anne Bishop and Cllrs Benson and Tusting on 17th May, to survey possible areas within the village for possible future housing needs.
• B.C.C. Proposed mineral Extraction – Clerk produced draft letter of objections to the proposed project, duly circulated to the parish council.
• 7.1 Resolved. Letter agreed and will be sent to B.B.C.
• St. Mary’s Garden of Remembrance – Brian Hillyer produced detailed plans and gave an outline talk about the general need for such an area to be built within St. Mary’s Church yard. There has already been a public exhibition of the plans (14th April 2007) and Mr Hillyer was seeking guidance from the parish council on funding. Monies in the region of £35K would be needed to finance this project, part of this will come from the Dio. of St. Albans The council are happy to endorse the need for such a project, and suggested, that as this would be a community project, some funding could be applied for from the Rural Grant Commission. In particular the parish council would be looking to carry out repairs to the main entrance path (£4 – 5 K plus VAT). Any Rural Grant has to be endorsed by the parish council, applications for the next period need to be in by the end of July. Brian Hillyer will liaise with the Clerk and a proposal outlining repairs/costing will be submitted at the next parish council meeting.
• P.C.S.O. – Cllr Tusting proposed that the parish council should definitely go ahead with the shared contract with Harrold (Carlton & Chellington will have the P.C.S.O. for a third of the contract time). Clerk to check start date of the contract.
• Traffic Calming – Cllr Benson had received an e-mail from a concerned parishioner over the issue of high speed in evidence on the village roads. The Parish Council has looked at this particular problem before, and no viable solution has been forthcoming. The parish council agreed that the presence of a P.C.S.O. would help enormously to slow the traffic down. Await the arrival of P.C.S.O. and then review this problem in six months time.

8. Highways Maintenance Partnership – Repairs to ‘The Gannick’ – Celia Sellers has advised us that work is scheduled to be carried out during July. A tree in the garden at No. 13 Street Close is causing problems with roots growing under the tarmac – Clerk to advise Celia and Pilgrim Housing that the tree may have to be removed.
9. C. Councillor’s report. None, as C.Cllr P. Gershon not present.
10. B. Councillor’s report. Cllr Brandon reported that the planning application in respect of the Wind farm at Podington was due to go to the B.B.C. Planning Committee in June – he would advise council of exact date when he is notified.
11. Finance report.

    Two April dated cheques prepared for signature. Mrs Bransgrove-Knight £208.38 and Billy Crammen £133.75. Bank balances £6,072.07 current account and £18,634.35 capital reserve. Funds to be transferred from current to capitalaccount.

    New Bank Mandate to be prepared, signatories agreed as Mrs Anne Geerts, Mr David Jenkins and Mrs Jane Tusting. Forms to be completed accordingly.

    In response to our letter of complaint to the Bank, dated 26th March, they have responded on the 27th April agreeing not to charge interest of £2.73 in respect of the alleged overdraft. They apologised for the error that occurred in December 2006.

    Notice has been exhibited in the shop to say that the 2006/7 accounts are available for viewing at the appropriate time. It was agreed that Mr Bellamy should be asked to do the internal audit again this year.

    In view of the Review of the Effectiveness of the System of Internal Audit, Mrs Allsopp, explained that the method for reimbursing the clerk for any expenses incurred needs to be formalised, particularly with regard to V.A.T., because Mrs Bransgrove-Knight is also clerk for Harrold Parish Council. Also confirmation that P.A.Y.E. is in order.

12. Planning applications.
    • 07/01133/LBC – Replacement cast aluminium guttering on rear elevation – Chellington House, 1 Bridgend, Carlton. No objections.
    • (Cllr Benson left the room before the next planning application).
    • 07/01223/FUL – Single storey front and rear extensions, rebuild and extend Garage with pitched roof, canopy to side – 2 The Marsh, Carlton. No objections.
    • Cllr Benson returned to the room.
    • 07/01285/FUL – Single storey side extension – 20 Rectory Close, Carlton. - No objections.
    • Note: Mrs Allsopp and Mr Coles left the meeting at 9.20p.m.

13. Correspondence.
    • 25/4/07 DSD Contracting – explanatory schedule relating to invoice for the financial year 2006/07.
    • 26/04/07 B.B.C. Code of Conduct training – Parish Councillors. 18th June – Cllr Les Benson and Cllr Jane Tusting to attend.
    • B.C.C. Town and Parish Spring briefing sessions – they will write again with more information.
    • Form for Unitary Authorities – no action.
    • 2/05/07 Ethical framework – revised code of conduct to be adopted by P.C. by 1st October 2007. All parish councillors to have access to information.
    • 3/5/07 BATPC – Quality Parish & Town Council Scheme – request Jemma McDonald to attend a future P.C. meeting.
    • 4/5/07 – BATPC – New councillor InductionTraining Sessions – Cllr. Les Benson and Cllr Anne Geerts to attend.
    • 4/5/07 B.C.C. Better Buses for Beds Survey – given survey to Cllr Geerts to complete.
    • 4/5/07 BRCC – Parish Action Plan (funding process information). No action taken at the moment, but possible consider in the future.
14. School Governor’s report – no report.
15. Playing field report – Letter received from Emma Simpson – regarding Rent from Stone Barn – pass to Mrs Allsopp to action.
16. Village Hall report – nothing to report.
17. Village matters of general interest.
    • Rectory Close – street light on corner , concern from resident over brightness. DSD to be contacted.
    • Traffic lights at Bridge – bicycle button not working. Advise Highways.
    • Planting of small hedging trees at ‘Wytchtree’, The Moor. Check that permission has been granted.
    • Carlton P.O. & Stores – letter to new owners to thank them for reopening.
    • Trevor – write a letter to thank him for his input to Carlton P.O. & Stores over the past years and to wish him all the best for the future.
18. Date of next meeting: MONDAY 11th JUNE 2007 AT THE CHELLINGTON CENTRE – 7.30p.m.