Present:  Cllr. D Jenkins (Chairman),  Cllrs. Jane Tusting (left meeting 20:30) at  T. Coles (arrived 17:40), E. Devine (left at 21:00), A. Geerts, D. Neal, S. Owen.

In attendance:  Helen Jago (Emmaus).

1.       Apologies:  B.Cllr  Jim (V) Brandon, Cllr L. Dempsey, PCSO Michael Blass.

2.       Disclosure of interest:  Cllr J Tusting  and Susan Owen have an interest in point (15) Village Hall report, regarding the repairs finance for the new boiler at the School/Village Hall.

3.       Minutes of meeting held 12^th October:  confirmed as a true record of the meeting and signed off by the Chairman.

4.       Emmaus report:  a very successful fireworks display took place on 5^th November, which was well supported by the local community.  By holding this event, Emmaus are giving something back to the community.  Currently there are 23 companions, a few have moved on recently, but new people are soon to join the Emmaus site.  There was a concern from the Parish Council about companions being involved with anti-social behaviour around the village, Helen has requested that she is contacted as soon as possible if a problem does arise and she will sort matters out.  There is a new planning application, 09/02505/FUL – erection of covered unloading bay, an extended concrete area for waste management and recycling, together with associated fencing, gates and drainage.  This matter was brought forward to this part of the meeting as councillors wanted to discuss the application with Helen.   She advised that currently skips are being used and the area where they are sited needs to be concreted off, making the area cleaner and safer.  The extension will match the present building in colour and style.  The Chairman thanked Helen for attending the meeting and she left at 19:54.  Cllr Jane Tusting disclosed that the village hall require a loan form the Parish Council reserves, to part fund their contribution to the new boiler at the school/village hall.  Currently the village hall fund has £1,313.00 – Cllr Tusting requested a loan of £2,000.00 from the Parish Council – this request will be discussed at point (15) Village Hall report.

5.       Matters arising from meeting 12^th October:  Bridgend railings –we are still waiting for Neil O’Leary to come back to update the Council on further action for repairs/work to the railings.  Neil had contacted the Clerk to say that the speed limit would not change if the railings were repaired, the Council would prefer the speed limit to be reduced.   Councillors would like to see a continuous stretch of repaired (or new) railings and a vote was taken regarding the height of the railings – same height as present  (5)  lower height (2). Clerk to ask Neil if outside contractors can quote for this work.    VAS signs – try to find out when these are to be put up in the village.  Long stile footpath – brambles have been cut back.  High Elms footpath – rights of way officer will be inspecting in the near future.

6.       Police report:  Clerk circulated the police report which is going into the next edition of ‘The Bridge’ – 3 crimes have been reported in Carlton over the past month, 2 burglaries and one drug related offence.  Speed Watch – Cllrs Jenkins and Geerts have put in a request for the machine to carry out more speed checks.

7.       Borough Councillor’s report:  No report.

8.       Highways report:  Cllrs Neil and Owen put forward a proposal to the Parish Council that in future we follow up all work carried out by Bedford Borough Council Highways (Amey) – from the initial reporting of the problem, through to obtaining a job number and then following up the specifications for the work.  8(i) resolved – clerk will discuss this proposal with B.B.C. and Amey.   Cllr Owen talked about the problem of cars parking illegally at Carlton crossroads (Bridgend/The Causeway/Felmersham Road) – clerk to request that Police inspect and issue obstruction notices to persistent offenders who continually park on the yellow lines at this junction.  

9.        Parish Pathways Partnership:  the Chairman would like to have a parish council representative to cover the public footpaths, Cllr Coles agreed to take this position on.

       Cllr Devine asked to bring forward the Playing Field report (because she had to leave the   meeting at 21:00) – issue of gates from back gardens leading into the playing fields and whether this is allowed?  Clerk to contact B.B.C. planning department for advice.  Someone has planted trees/plants in the playing field, is this allowed?  Cllr Devine will check the area and talk to the Playing Field Committee.  Village Fete – 2010 – Emma Simpson will not be organising the event so a new person is needed to take this responsibility on.  Councillors to talk to parishioners and report back at December meeting.

10.   Finance report:   Three cheques for payment – Warners of Bedford (Inv. 4755 & 4782 – Children’s playing field x 2 cuts) £126.50, Richard Sinclair (village handyman), Nina Bransgrove-Knight (salary).   Current account balance - £6,396.60, Deposit account balance - £21,038.98.  Budget for 2010/11 to be discussed at December meeting.  The Causeway and possibly other areas of the village pavements have a  problem with leaves  (slippery) – clerk to obtain a quotation from Warners for leaf clearance.   Clerk to check with Highways to see if they cover leaf clearance from pavements?

11.   Planning applications:  09/02505/FUL – Emmaus Village – erection of covered loading bay, extended concrete area for waste management and recycling, together with associated fencing, gates and drainage.  Council present had no objections to this application, but clerk will consult with Cllr Dempsey after this meeting in case she has any objections.  Comments before 24.11.09.

12.   Correspondence list:  circulated to councillors – see appendix (i) for actions.

13.   School Governor’s report:  No report, but next meeting is 10^th November 2009.

14.   Playing Field report:  see point (9) for report.

15.   Village matters:  Village Hall – request from Cllr Tusting for a loan of £2,000. from the Parish Council  - resolved 15 (i) Councillors agreed to a £2,000. loan (from the deposit account) , interest free for a period of one year.  Bpha – hedge in Street Close has not been cut back yet, this should be done by Bpha.  Traffic lights at Harrold Bridge – Carlton side – problem with lights – technician to inspect.  Tree opposite Beeby Way (sapling has been knocked over) on Edens Field side – find out what is available through the free parish council planting scheme to replace the tree (suggestion was a Rowan or Ash).  New bench (to replace the bus shelter) to be delivered to Cllr Owen’s house – clerk to chase up order.

16.   Date of next meeting – Monday 14^th December 2009.

There being no further business, this meeting finished at 21:51