MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 14th NOVEMBER, 2005.

Present : 

Cllr. L. Benson - in the Chair

Cllr. G.Chapman 

Cllr. S. Devine 

Cllr.D. Jenkins

Cllr. Mrs. E. Simpson 

Cllr.Mrs. J. Tusting

County Councillor Mrs. P. Gershon.

Speakers : Andrew Lockley and Chris Tyler, from Milton Keynes Friends of the Earth, representing WiSA (Wind Supporters Association), and Steve Chambers representing CLOWD (Campaign to Limit Onshore Windfarm Developments).

5 Parishioners present, Roger Davis, Tony Smith, Julia Street, Nick and Sara Tusting.

Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. Brandon, Davis and Goggins.

Disclosure of Interest None. 

Minutes of Meeting held 10th October were agreed and signed as correct following one amendment - in the Disclosure of Interest, Cllr. Jenkins had indicated he thought all councillors had an interest in the matter of the proposed wind farm.

AIRFIELD WIND FARM PROPOSAL. Mr. Lockley explained there is a huge amount of uncertainty about wind farms at this stage. They are not the whole solution to sustainable energy but an important part of the way we produce electricity and reduce emissions. The effect on house prices is mostly during the construction period, no significant impact after turbines running for 2/3 years, and people get used to them as part of the landscape. Properties likely to be affected by noise are those immediately adjacent to the site. The turbines need the height to generate sufficient electricity, if the wind was assessed as too low it would not be economic to consider building. Mr. Lockley stressed the need to make a big push towards renewable energy and optimise sites all over the country, there is not a direct grant to developers, he explained about the premium available, also about the levy on pollution into the atmosphere. Nuon aim to produce 20% of energy requirement in 20 years.

Questions raised by councillors and parishioners included - 125m height - economical optimum rate of wind power - life of planet or profit - problems in Germany - turbines for houses - impact on landscape - alternatives for generating sustainable energy - statistics ref. energy uses and savings by everyone.

Mr. Lockley considered wind farms will be worthwhile, a significant amount of power will be generated. By the nature of them, there is quite a conflict, controversy about sites around the coast, in cities it is not viable, sparsely populated rural areas not keen on generating electricity for other areas - but it is preferable to nuclear or coal, and worth having as part of a mixture of energy supply.

Mr. Lockley and Mr. Tyler were thanked for their presentation and stayed to listen to Mr.Chambers, who was introduced to councillors as representative from CLOWD. to talk about the Hinwick project.

Questions were asked about problems during construction period, numbers of lorries etc. on country roads and who will pay for wear and tear to roads, connection to the National Grid, reimbursement to the landowners. Mr. Chambers stressed it was important for objectors to respond by 21st November, and he would leave a written copy of the presentation. 

All the visitors were thanked for attending to talk to councillors and left the meeting.

Affordable Housing - Mrs. Tusting - Housing Association report that the County Council are being difficult, they want too much money for the allotments . Need to look for a site which they can buy.

Councillors commented why should other people be expected to give land at a lower price for this type of housing. Clerk to write to the County Council and ask about the price of the allotment site.

Highway Matters - Clerk - litter and dog bins. Reply from B.B.C. 31/10. “Dragons Teeth” - these were painted on Carlton roads in error. Cannot be removed, it will damage the road. Clerk to inform Tim Coles of this response. 30 mph signs, near Harrold Bridge - reply from B.C.C. 26/10. they will investigate. Handrail along Carlton Road, Mrs. Sellers says it all has to be replaced. They will repair it and do the rest over a period of time. Stonework on The Bridge, B.C.C. bridge man, John Slinn will go and inspect the stones. Long Stile footpath , staggered access gate to school. The hedge needs cutting back before the gate can be repaired. Mrs. Sellers in contact with Education Department. Festival of Britain sign. One of the plaques has been removed and it cannot be found. Mr. Jenkins has a picture of the sign and may be able to get a cast made. Inspection plate, The Moor, Mr. Chapman to look.

Highways Maintenance Partnership - Mrs. Simpson - at meeting with Mr. Prigmore it was recommended that with this years money (£3,000.) they are going to start at the bottom of the path and ramp it for buggies and disabled. They will not get all the work on the path done with one years allocation and will carry on the following year. Work will probably start in half term week, February, 2006. For the records, there was no allocation for the year 2004/5. Clerk to confirm back to Andy Prigmore.

GRASS CUTTING Mrs. Tusting proposed the Parish Council should reduce the amount of grass cut, e.g. along The Causeway. Discussed. Splays around the village could be cut by our handyman. It was decided Mr. Benson and Mr. Chapman would walk round the village, note which areas were suitable, and update specification so that the grass-cutting could be put out to tender this year.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Mrs.Gershon said they have a new contract with Amey and it will be better now, hopefully get back to the old days.

NO SCHOOL GOVERNORS’ REPORT

PLANNING

Appl. 05/2589/FUL, 9 Wind Turbines, Airfield Farm, Podington. Discussed at great length and each councillor asked to comment. Following a vote, 5 councillors were against the proposal and clerk to respond to the Borough Council with the following 12 objections :-

• No direct benefit to community. 
• Wind speeds insufficient. 
• Why turbines (high wind) on airfield (low wind) site. 
• Height overwhelming. 
• Out of proportion, detrimental to area. 
• No other U.K. turbines as high. 
• Not economically viable. 
• Query Nuon’s Environmental Statement, Page 4, detrimental elements.
• Disruption before, during and after construction. Heavy vehicles 12 hours per day, 6 days per week.
• Impact on house prices.
•  If wind farm was built, and it proved unworkable, this would corrupt the land for ever for all sorts of uses.
•  

Appl. 05/02884/FUL, 19, Beeby Way, Rear Conservatory. No objections.

Appl. 05/02353, Chellington Centre, and 05/01491/LBC, Baptist Chapel, - Permission granted.

CORRESPONDENCE

Bedfordshire Police, 3/11, introducing P.C.428 Rob Smith. Clerk to reply about vandalism.

Bedfordshire Police, 31/10, Force Restructures, meeting 15th November at Kempston.

B.B.C., Community Partnership Officer, 4/11, Pride in Bedford Community Clean Ups. No.

Alfred McAlpine Infrastructure Services Ltd., 11/10, with statement for outstanding invoice.

Apparently the street light maintenance contract ceased in August. Clerk to ask D.S.D. to quote.

B.C.C. Chief Executive, 12/10, Annual Reception for Town & Parish Councils cancelled this year.

B.R.T.A., 27/10, Rail Development Matters, Bedford-Cambridge rail link.

B.C.C. County Solicitor, 6/10, H.D.C.L.F.agreed to repeat small grants initiative, apply by 16/12.

also Minutes of Forum, 26/9.

B.B.C., Survey of Open Spaces, to Mr. Devine.

B.R.C.C. 25/10, “Your Voice” Website to support public participation in the local community.

B.C.C. Planning & Transport Policy, 26/10, London Luton Airport Master Plan. Would like copies of responses made to London Luton Airport Operators Ltd. ref. the Draft Airport Master Plan.

-Do- 25/10, Beds. Provisional Local Transport Plan 2006/7 to 2010/11, requesting P.C. involvement.

B.B.C. Energy & Waste Efficiency Officer, 2/11, Keeping Warm in Winter advert for The Bridge.

B.B.C. Rural Affairs Committee, Minutes of meeting 18/10 and Agenda for meeting 15/11.

B:DAT Notes of meeting 19/9 and Agenda for meeting 8/11.

B.C.C. Tastes of Bedfordshire, 17/10, Beds. Food Mark to be launched at Barnfield College, 16/11.

B.B.C. Standards Committee, Minutes of meeting 10/10.

Villager Community Minibus, 19/10, Notice of A.G.M., 14/11.

Carlton Home Watch, 14/11, with cheque for £255.57. for safekeeping by Parish Council. This matter to be included in next month’s Agenda.

-do- 9/11, Airfield Wind Farm Consultation Feedback.

B.C.C. Countryside Access Service, 1/11, P3 Newsletter Autumn 2005.

Lubbock Fine, 9/11, Notice of Annual Audit for year ending 31st March, 2005. Accounts require to be internally audited. - Clerk to arrange.

B.C.C. Minerals & Waste Planning Team, October, with draft “Statement of Community Involvement”.

Response required by 2/12.

B.B.C. Access Officer, 31/10, Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

B.B.C. Planning & Housing Services, 19/10, Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan, comments 30/11. - do - 19/10, Statement of Community Involvement, comments by 30/11.

E.M.R.A., 24/10, Review of East Midlands Regional Plan - given to Mrs. Tusting.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Six cheques prepared for signature, Mrs. Allsopp 31 hours @ £7.622. (min.) = £236.28., C.P.R.E. subs. £25.00., Chris Horne Gardens, £667.40. for August and September, Kevin Jones £56.00. to remove filing cabinet from Wollaston to Carlton, Alfred McAlpine £18.95. balance contract, and Mr. Crammen 

£175.00. Current Account balance £5,000.45., Capital Reserve £16,651.82. plus cheque £1,190.99.

received from Playing Field Committee. V.A.T. return to be completed for year 2004/5. Budgets to be discussed next month.

No Playing Field or Village Hall Reports

No Village Maintenance Matters

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 12th December, 2005.