CARLTON AND CHELLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 11th SEPTEMBER, 2006.

Present :-

Cllr. L. Benson - in the Chair
Cllrs. V.G. Brandon
R. Davis
D. Jenkins
Mrs. E. Simpson
Mrs. J. Tusting
C. Cllr. Mrs. P. Gershon,

Mrs. Nina Bransgrove-Knight, Harrold.

Mr. M. O’Meara and Miss H. Jago from Emmaus Village.

Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. G. Chapman and J.Goggins.

Disclosure of Interest None

Minutes of Meeting held 14th August were agreed and signed as correct, with one addition to para-graphs regarding Emmaus - “Mr. O’Meara said he would attend every Parish Council meeting”.

First three years’ loose leaf minutes, 2001-2003, have been sent to book-binder, as required, and previous minute book deposited in County Records Office with others.

Emmaus Village. Mr. O’Meara apologised for the trouble at the Royal Oak last week when one of the companions went wild and damaged all the windows. He was arrested on site and is no longer in the community. It was totally out of character, he did not show any sign of bad behaviour. Three others have been seriously reprimanded. Emmaus have agreed to pay for the damages that happened. All companions have been warned that if they are seen to be drunk or coming out of public houses in Carlton or Harrold, they will be banned from the village.

Mr. Benson mentioned that the village’s litter bins have been free of tins and bottles recently. Apparently the companions have been collecting them all up for recycling. Their purchase of drink was discussed; Trevor at the shop will not serve them any alcohol, it is difficult to police the Co-op in Harrold. Emmaus are taking this matter quite seriously. Four of them got a bad name but it was only one of them caused the damage. Mr. Davis asked, would it be better if drinking was managed at Emmaus but Mr. O’Meara explained they are unable to support people with a serious drinking problem and have refused some recent referrals because of it, even a local person from Harrold who wanted to become a companion. Chairman of the Trustees would uphold their decision. He reiterated, councillors welcome to go up to Emmaus office and see recent assessments, personal development plans, etc.

This is the first major incident Mike has had to deal with in more than two years and the threat from him is over their rights now. The companions finish work at 4.30. p.m. and if he said they could not go out, it would cause problems in the community. Companions receive £34. per week pocket money. It is important Parish Council are kept informed and Mr. O’Meara & Miss Jago will attend October meeting.

They left at 7.45. p.m.

Matters Arising from August Meeting

Stone Barn Lease - Solicitors waiting for Chris Horne to return signed lease.

Rural Housing Trust - Still awaiting the housing survey forms. Donna will deliver them, agreed £25.

Parish Plans - Stevington have not finished theirs yet, Oakley Chairman happy to come along and talk about theirs. As we have a tight boundary around the village we will not have any developments. It was decided to leave the matter for the time being, as Parish Council election in Carlton next year.

A.W.A. Pumping Station - Remind them it is still waiting to be repaired, it is dangerous and eyesore.

The Bridgend leak has been marked with blue paint so presumably work is in hand.

Rural Grants - Application in respect of seats is being considered at 19th September meeting. The Village Hall would like to convert an old building at the back of the school into a secure shed for the Pre-School and other storage and wish to apply for a grant of £2,000. Clerk to obtain necessary forms, next applications will be discussed in February, 2007.

Highways Maintenance Partnership. Balance 2006-7, £1,350.00., confirmed allotting this to lowering the kerbs, Rectory Close. 2007-8, £3,000. Could this be used to restore Street Close ? before re-surfacing, the camber and drainage needs sorting outside no. 13. Chairman to meet Celia Sellers 20/9.

Community Emergency Plan - This is going to involve a fair bit of work, do we want to go ahead ? It was agreed Councillors Jenkins and Tusting should have a further look at same.

County Councillor’s Question and Answers. - Mrs. Gershon updated councillors with regard to:

Amey Infrastructure Services, sorting out highway problems,

Scrutiny Committee meeting this day, trying to get the Executive to take on some of their suggestions,

The NIRAH project - County Council still support same.

There is concern about all the street name signs being replaced in Carlton, without being requested, and the unnecessary cost of same. This matter was discussed with Mrs. Gershon who suggested we contact the Borough Council. Also discussed, why is there not an Unitary Authority for Bedfordshire.

No Borough Councillor’s Report.

School Governor’s Report - meeting in a couple of weeks’ time.

Correspondence

E.ON Energy, 22/8, changes to account for supply of electricity, new ref. no. 011397633580.

E.ON Energy, September, - source of generation for electricity supplied to Carlton: coal 23%,

natural gas 38.7%, nuclear 25.6%, renewable 7.1%, other 5.5%, for year 2004/5.

B.B.C., Community Partnerships Officer, 11/8, ref. Pride in Bedford Community Clean Ups.

Declined participating as we have our own handyman.

Carlton Village Hall - list of keyholders and rota covering period to Christmas.

B.C.C., Councillor Richard Baker BEM, Chairman of the Council, 6/9. Date for Town & Parish Council Reception, 3/11, at County Hall. To be discussed at October meeting.

B.C.C., letter ref. Minerals Waste programme, they are contacting landowners. Given to Mr. Davis.

Bedford Community Rights Centre, 27b, Tavistock Street, Bedford, seeking a donation. Declined.

Road Victims Trust, August, Request for Funding. Declined.

W.R.V.S., 30/8, asking for support and a donation. Declined. We should support local concerns.

B.A.T.P.C. with September Bedfordshire Bugle (handed to councillors), see article on Project Involve,

an East of England Regional Assembly initiative to provide every parish & town council with a website.

B.C.C., Service User Engagement Officer, Adult Social Services, 6/9. The Festival for Older People

taking place on Wednesday, 27th September, at Bedford Corn Exchange.

Correspondence to be Circulated

B.R.C.C. Field Officer, 14/8, Local Democracy Week, 16th-20th October.

H2O leaflet - “Kill Your Speed” stickers available.

Forest of Marston Vale, 8/8, ref. Bedford’s River Valley Park, plans for a massive new country park close to the River Great Ouse. Special Edition “Commentree”. Issue No. 41.

B.R.C.C. Annual Review 2005/6, and Minutes of A.G.M., 14/11/2005.

Local Council Review, Vol. 58, No. 3, September.

There were no Planning Applications this month.

Financial Report - 5 cheques prepared for signature : Mrs. Allsopp £316.75., Knight Security £240.00.,

Legend Communications £ 117.44., Warner’s £164.50., B.R.C.C. subs. £30.00. Mr. Crammen seems not to have worked during August. Cheques received from Chris Horne £142.24. for barn insurance and Playing Field £984.15. to cover insurance and engineering inspection. Bank balances £1,005.82. current account and £19,350.87. Balance of Precept due this week. It was agreed to make donations next month, The Bridge Magazine £100. and The Villager Bus £200. Before any grant received for the secure storage at the Village Hall, could this project meanwhile be financed from the V.H. reserves held by the Parish Council ? This was agreed.

Playing Field Report - Nothing to report.

Village Hall Report - Going to do some decorating and smartening up the front entrance hall, this autumn.

General Village Matters - Dreadful state of the gutters to be dealt with.

Ditch filling with water in School Lane - Trustees say it is a spring, but there are no springs running at the moment. Tell A.W.A. there is a leak outside Pine Trees.

Speeding in village - the police have been out this week checking.

Harrold Bridge, problem with the arches. The grass has grown very high in front of the arches, by the traffic lights, looks untidy and could cause blockage in the event of a flood. Tell B.C.C.

Village Handyman Billy Crammen has lost his time sheets. He did not work in August. Discussed. Chairman will see him.

Signatories in the event of councillors retiring at next year’s election. Clerk to ask Louise Ashmore at B.A.T.P.C. for advice.

Sadly Jim McKeown died on 26th August. Could his Mayor’s Award certificate and photograph be exhibited somewhere in the village hall ? Yes, this could be arranged.

Having applied for the post of clerk, Mrs. Bransgrove-Knight was thanked for attending Parish Council meeting and arranged to telephone Mrs. Allsopp with a view to learning all about the clerk’s duties. A formal interview will subsequently be called for.There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30. p.m.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 9th October , 7.30. p.m.