CARLTON & CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - HELD ON MONDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2007 in the Village Hall, Carlton, 7.30 pm.

Present: Cllr. L Benson (Chair), Cllrs. D Jenkins, T. Coles, L. Dempsey, E. Devine, A. Geerts, J. Tusting, B. Cllr. J. Brandon.

In attendance: Mike Barker (Emmaus), Julia Sharman (Extended Services).

1. Apologies for absence: Cllr. R . Davis, C. Cllr. P. Gershon.

 2. Disclosure of interests: Item 9 (Planning application- 07/03027/FUL) Prejudicial interest – L. Benson. Personal interest – D. Jenkins, J. Tusting, T. Coles, L.Dempsey.

3. Confirmation of minutes from meeting 12th November 2007 – confirmed and signed off as a true record of the meeting.

4. 7.35 Close main meeting – open meeting to the public.

Mike Barker (Emmaus) – confirmed there are currently 28 companions in residence. Everything is running well and the recent Fireworks display was well attended. Cllr. Brandon suggested that more advertising would be a good idea to encourage people along to Emmaus events (ie; the recent event featuring the ‘Kempston’ Choir was not widely advertised). Mike agreed, and the parish council encouraged Emmaus to use the parish notice boards more.

 Julia Sharman (Extended Services – B.C.C.) – Julia explained that her   organisation covers supporting community issues/relationships. Funded through the Government, it is aimed at the 4 – 19 age group, she is trying to establish close links with local schools and youth groups. There is a possibility of a small amount of funding, and various information/website addresses were left with the Clerk.

 The Chairman asked for the County and Borough councillors reports to be brought forward to this section of the meeting. All councillors agreed to this request.

C. Cllr. report – not present.

 B. Cllr. report

• Bedford – the Riverside and Bus Station developments have been passed by Planning. Castle Lane – work continues at this venue.
• Unitary status – still awaiting the judicial revue.
• The Playing Field have been granted funding for nets/posts from B.B.C.

 Close public meeting – re-open parish council meeting at 8.10 pm.

5. Matters arising from October meeting – R.H.T. – communications have been received from Anne Bishop, but no further forward. Cllr. Brandon will

   speak to John Copeland this week.. Parish council resolved to nominate Cllr. L. Benson and D. Jenkins to oversee this project. Highways – allotment Causeway hedge will be cut by Will Shellard and Cllr. Benson to liaise with the lady who lives next to the allotment and is responsible for this area. Cllr. Benson will ask Billy to trim around 30 m.p.h. road signs in this area and also contact David Alderman (B.C.C.) for free hedging plants/trees.

6. Finance – Five cheques drawn for payment/signature. Warner’s (3 cuts Childrens playing field) - £193.89, Warner’s (main village cut) £188.00,Beds Police (P.C.S.O. 1st payment) £165.00., Mrs N Bransgrove-Knight (wages and expenses). Mr W Crammen (wages).

Payment received – C.Horne £139.00.

Current account - £6,005.78 and Capital Reserve account - £18,827.85.

7. Planning Applications.

• 07/02874/FUL – 4 The Marsh, Carlton – front & rear extension – comments were that this would enlarge this property considerably, reducing the number of affordable houses within the village. The architecture of the extension could be improved visually.
• 07/03027/FUL – Carlton School – erection of single storey extension.
• Cllrs. Benson, Jenkins, Tusting, Demsey and Coles left the meeting whilst the remaining councillors, Devine & Geerts discussed the proposal. Brandon stayed in the room (no comments made). It was decided that there were no objections to this development.

8. Correspondence.  A list of correspondence had been circulated prior to the meeting.

• B.C.C. Cold calling – circulate information to councillors. Agenda Dec. meeting.
• B.C.C. Confident Communities Fund – information handed to Cllr. Jenkins.
• Emmaus – letter of confirmation from the Trustees over future plans for Emmaus/liaison with the parish council.
• B.B.C. Standards Com. – minutes of meeting 8.10.07 – circulate to P.C.
• B.B.C. 2007 Env. Services leaflets – circulate to P.C.
• B.B.C. Registration of new village greens/update. Clerk to talk to Stan Smith.
• B.B.C. Core Strategy plan – circulate to P.C.
• BAPTC – Bugle circulated to P.C.
• B.C.C. Local Gov. reorganisation in Beds – circulate to P.C.

9. P.C.S.O. report – not present, but report read out. 9 reported crimes these past few months (includes Emmaus). 2 crimes relate to theft of metal. Theft of BT cable is also a problem. Allan Taylor will be present at the Christmas Fair on 17th December.

10. School Governor’s report – one of the teachers, Mrs Treverton is retiring at Christmas – letter of thanks from the P.C.

     

 11. Playing field report – a meeting is scheduled for this week.

 12. Village Hall report – require a new commercial dishwasher. Plaques which were removed from the Baptist Chapel need a re-homing. Cllr. Tusting to look into this.

13. Village matters of general interest – Cllr. Tusting to inspect fallen tree near flood sign on the Carlton Road. Hedge planting on The Moor grass verges – check with Highways (Celia) on licence update. Cllr. Coles to inspect Bridgend footpath alley way (barriers). Carlton Road ditches – check again with land owners to clear out debris. Cllr. Coles would like to discuss the Carlton Road area at the next meeting.

14. Date of next meeting – Monday 12th December 2007 -7.30pm.

There being no further business, the parish council meeting was closed at 10.15 p.m.