Monthly Meeting Monday 12th September 2005 at 19.30hrs

Present:

• Cllr. L. Benson- in the chair
• Cllr. J.Tusting
• Cllr. E. Simpson
• Cllr. J. Goggins
• Cllr. D. Jenkins
• Cllr. R. Davis
• B. Cllr. V. Brandon
• Cllr. Mrs. P Gershon
• Miss G Forde – Clerk

Cllr. S Devine.

None

Minutes of meeting for Monday 8th August were agreed and signed as a true record.

. It was agreed that only one new notice board be put up (in the Baptist Chapel graveyard) and that the remaining boards be painted. Maximum total cost to be £100, saving £1400 of the original budget.

It was reported that a strip of grass at the entrance to Rectory Close has been killed, possibly by weed killer. Les Benson to investigate with village handyman.

It was agreed that because of Health and Safety concerns that weed killing by the handyman will be discontinued and Graham Chapman will dispose of any weed killer owned by the Parish Council.

The Causeway sign has been damaged and is to be replaced or mended.

The rails at the side of the road from Bridge end towards Harrold are still in need of repair. Steve Devine to contact C. Sellers.

Drains checked.

6. Affordable Housing.

Mr J. Bird Affordable Housing Ltd has distributed leaflets throughout the village. R. Davis remarked on the professionalism of the leaflets. Jane Tusting to get an update from Mr Bird.

7. Trafalgar Day.

It was decided after much debate that the Parish Council could not justify spending public money on a one off event with no return. Jane Tusting said that a beacon would still be lit at an event celebrating Trafalgar Day at Hill House farm.

8. County Councillors question and answer session.

• Cllr Gershon reported that the CC partnership with HBS, Rainesway is now at an end and a new one begins in October with Amey. HBS staff will now be employed directly by the CC.
• Cllr Gershon was then questioned about the money wasted by the CC with the recent road safety markings used as an example.
• A letter from Mr T Coles, The Moor Carlton was then read out complaining about too much road markings and street furniture being ugly and arguing the case that less of it could lead to slower and safer driving. The PC would try to speak to the Road Safety engineer who advised Mr Coles that the PC had requested the changes.
• “Dragons teeth” at the entrances to the villages had not been requested by the Parish Council and had appeared with no consultation.
• Bollards and Chevrons have been installed at the School Lane junction with Turvey Road and councillors thought that this was not an accident black spot.
• Bollards at the entrance to the High Street from the Causeway were supposed to be temporary (6 months)
• White lines painted in the village despite the Parish Council being assured to the contrary.
• The 30 mph sign approaching Harrold Bridge is much to high and looks out of place.
• It was agreed to write to Mr Coles, Borough Engineer and CPRE

• Cllr. Brandon said that the Borough Council was debt free unlike the County Council.
• He also reported that the redevelopment of the centre of Bedford was progressing very well. He advised the P C to write to S Briggs at the Borough Council to ask if the Dog Bins and Litter bins around the village could be emptied every week. PC to make a list of bins and send it with the letter.
• Cllr Tusting pointed out a problem with fly tipping around the village and said that there might not be such a problem if the Borough Council didn’t charge so much for the collection of waste items such as freezers etc.

Cllr Simpson said that the toilets in classrooms 1 and 2 are now ready for use.

11. Correspondence.

B.DAT invitation declined

BBC Rural issues workshop

BCC Provisional local transport plan

CLOWD Information pack about the Airfield Wind Farm Project

Their offer to visit PC to give a talk was rejected by 5 votes to 2

The PC hopes that they can succeed in preventing the planned wind farm at Santa Pod going ahead.

BRCC Network Summer issue of magazine

Local Works magazine summer issue

Bedford Development Frame work Questionnaire. Given to Cllr Jenkins

North Beds Council Voluntary Service. List of community groups. Cllr Jenkins to update on website.

12. Planning

05/02209/FUL – 63 The Moor First floor extension and bay window to the rear. No objections.

13. Playing Field Report

No report

14. Village Hall report

No report

! 5. General Village matters

Cllr Jenkins reported that the PC now had 5 email addresses available for use by the councillors

Cllr Simpson reported that the Pre school shed and the school shed were broken into and damage was done to a gate. Also she reported a spate of thefts from unlocked cars when parents dropped their children off at the school.

It was agreed that the Minutes are to be hung up in the Post Office/ Shop after they are agreed as a true record by the Parish Council.

It was also agreed that the minutes should go out to Councillors sooner than at present. 7/14 days being the longest time before being received by councillors.

Cllr Davis advised that income i.e. Precept and Interest should be shown. This was agreed by the council.

16. Financial Report.

Cheques presented for signature

Miss G Forde £218.50 for salary Miss G Forde £32.04 for expenses

Mr Horne £204.05 for grass cutting Zurich £1735.97 for insurance

Mr Crammen £192.50 for Village maintenance Mr D Jenkins for web site

Current Account balance £5283.71 Capital reserve Account £16557.54

Cllr Benson read out the following statement. “ In accordance with the paragraph 2 of the Public Bodies (admission to meetings act) Act 1960, public and press will be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of Item 17.

17. Other financial matters.

Date of next meeting set for Monday 18th October 2005 at 19.30hrs