The verified minutes of the Keysoe and Bolnhurst Parish Council meeting held on 20th September 2004 were; 1. PRESENT
Cllr. Mrs Gear (Chairman), Cllrs. Mrs Browning, Mrs Landmann, Mrs Whitmore, Cllr. Worth, Borough Cllr. Ian Clifton, County Cllr. Tom Wootton, Mr Alan Woodward, Mr Colin Burge and one member of the public. The Clerk Mrs Maddison was in attendance. 2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEETING
Cllr. Mrs Pope 3. SIGNING OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16.08.04 AND
THE PLANNING MEETING OF 02.09.04
These were signed as correct. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MEETINGS
Investigation report for the locked barriers on the bridle path along Thurleigh Road Cllr. Mrs Landmann had been in contact with Mr Ed Burnett from Beds County Council who subsequently came and looked at the gates. He will investigate this further and arrange for the gates to either be unlocked or accessible to go around them. 5. OPEN SESSION FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
There were no items 6. CO-OPTION OF NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR
There were two applicants. Mr Burge and Mr Cinnamond who had sent his apologies. Copies of their applications had been circulated to all Cllrs. prior to the meeting. All Councillors made a written vote of which the Clerk opened. The votes were 1 for Mr Cinnamond and 4 for Mr Burge. Mr Burge was then asked to come and sign the acceptance of office and join the meeting. 7. DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS INTERESTS IN THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED HEREUNDER
None declared. 8. PLANNING
04/02372/FUL - The Manor Barn, Pertenhall Road, Keysoe Erection of Stable Block Cllr. Mrs Landmann had visited the neighbours, but unfortunately didnt catch any of them. A note of her visit was left but as she had not heard anything, assumes they have no objections. The Parish Council did not have any objections to this application
04/01109/TELFUL - Installation of 25m slimline lattice tower and associated development at Greensbury Wood, Thurleigh Road, Bolnhurst Permission granted. Cllr. Worth had visited the occupants of Greensbury Cottages who are upset with the decision. They had contacted the Borough Council and asked them to provide them with details of the other sites which were not appropriate. Cllr. Worth reported that the Bedford Borough Planning Office should have a decision/planning policy of telephone masts as they are now in abundance.
04/02119/FUL - Installation of 20m slim-line lattice tower and associated equipment to Brook End Farm, Riseley Road, Keysoe Permission granted.
04/01888/FUL - Single storey rear extension to North View, Keysoe Row West Permission granted. 9. FINANCE
It was proposed by Cllr. Mrs Landmann, seconded by Cllr. Worth that the following payments be made:
£ 540.50 Alan Summerfield Grass Cutting
£ 477.49 Clerks Account incl. stationary, postage etc.
£2000.00 Received from Beds Borough Council balance of Precept 10. PROGRESS OF PLAYING FIELD
Cllr. Mrs Gear reported that she and Cllr. Worth had attended a site meeting with William Ward (owner of the land), Mr Paul Ellerington, Chair of the Village Hall Committee, Mrs Penny Heming, Secretary of the Village Hall Committee and Mr Tim Sills, Solicitor from Woodfine Leeds Smith acting on behalf of Mr Ward and the Parish Council. Mr Sills will be contacting the Village Halls Solicitors in order to legalise the right of way through to the playing field. Once this has been done, he will sell the land from William Ward to the Parish Council. It is understood that the Village Hall Committee is not vested therefore it may not be able to authorise right of way without seeking advice from the Charities Commission. Mr Day, a resident in Elm Tree Grove had approached Mr Ward to buy a piece of land adjoining his property. However, as the Parish Council has already got planning permission for the playing field on this piece of land, Cllr. Worth approached the Planning Dept. and they are not keen to give permission to sell any of the land off. It was agreed that the plans would stay as they are and that the Clerk would write to the Solicitor and clarify the area to be purchased. Cllr. Mrs Gear reported that Mr Sills estimated that the legal costs for the transfer of sale etc. would be approx. £1000.00 and the purchase of the land agreed at £5000.00. She had also been in touch with BRCC regarding a grant for the fencing and shrubbery. She was advised to apply for a BIFFA Award, however the Parish Council do have to do match funding of 10%. The application has to be completed by November however; the decision can take upto 20 weeks. It was agreed that the Clerk seeks 3 tenders for each, fencing and shrubbery. It was agreed to use 1.9m high concrete posts and 50mm galvanised knuckle edged chain link fencing, hung on 3 no. 2.5mm galvanised line wires to the area behind the houses to the west of the field and shrubs to be planted in front. To erect 0.9m high wooden fence posts and wire to be erected to the north of the site and a native hedge to be planted in front. It was agreed to install 2 no. metal gates to the east of the village hall for access. Cllr. Mrs Browning will ask the Tree warden if he can supply approx. 85m of mixed hedging for the north of the site. 11. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
BRCC had written and submitted a support statement to the Planning Dept which the Chairman read out. Borough Councillor Ian Clifton reported that the Planning Dept. did not like the plans submitted and he doubted it would be passed on these. 12. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO BUS SHELTERS AND NOTICE BOARDS
The Chairman reported that the bus shelter outside of the White Horse Public House was in need of slight maintenance to the roof. As Mr Statham has left the village, the Chairman asked if anyone knew of anybody who might be interested in such minor repairs. The Clerk will ask Mr Holdstock if he is interested. 13. POSSIBILITY OF PROVISION OF FOOT PATH IN BOLNHURST
BETWEEN JOHN STONES AND THURLEIGH ROAD
Cllr. Worth had been approached by residents living beyond the Thurleigh Junction in Bolnhurst to ask if a footpath could be installed. The School Children attending Sharnbrook Upper School catch the bus at this junction and are having to walk along the main road very early in the morning whilst barely light and also returning home again late afternoon which in winter is also starting to get dark. Cllr. Mrs Whitmore had been in contact with Mrs Celia Sellars, Highways and reported that the person to write to is Mrs Ferris at County Hall, she will assess this to see if there is a need for one and report back. The Clerk will write. 14. RECENT FLOODING TO 3 PROPERTIES IN KEYSOE ROW WEST
INVOLVEMENT OF HIGHWAYS DEPT
During the exceptional weather conditions in September, 3 houses along the Row were flooded by rain water coming off the road to which the Fire service was in attendance to pump out. Mrs Celia Sellars came out to investigate and reported that the ditch on the opposite side of the houses may be in need of clearing out in order to clear the blocked drains in them. Mr Elliott, the landowner has been approached and he is willing to clean these out after which, Mrs Sellars will arrange for the drains to be flushed out. 15. OVERGROWN HEDGES IN THE PARISH
Cllr. Worth reported that he had not worked on this problem as yet. He has however, had a complaint about the hedge outside of Virginia Cottage in Row West. Cllr. Mrs Pope has already asked the occupiers to cut this back. Also, the hedge along the footpath at Mill Hill, Keysoe is overgrown again. Cllr. Mrs Whitmore will ask Mrs Celia Sellars to cut this back. 16. CORRESPONDANCE - North Beds Community Transport (Door to Door) letter of thanks for the donation of £50.00 received.
- Bedfordshire Rural Affairs Forum What future Rural Bedfordshire conference, is being held on 5.10.04 RSVP Cllr. Burge and possibly Cllr. Worth will attend this.
- BRCC, Morning study tour of North Beds Village Halls on 26.10.04 RSVP passed onto Cllr. Mrs Browning.
- Bedford Borough Council Community and Culture Policy Review and Development Committee Anti Social Behaviour and Youth investigation Review received. Are there any members willing to take part in a special meeting of all the North Beds Parish Council Members? - None
- Raynesway Construction Southern The Annual Gully emptying is taking place in October The Chairman asked Mr Woodward to publicise this in the Village Voice and ask people not to park over the drains during this month.
- Beds Railway & Transport Association Conference is being held on 2.10.04 RSVP None
- At this point Borough Councillor Ian Clifton left the meeting.
- Beds County Council Proposed temporary Road Closures Chawston Road, Staploe and Cross End/Thurleigh Road 1 out of 5 weeks commencing 4.10.04 between 07.30 and 18.00 hours notification received
- Beds County Council Bogus Caller Training Package available to persons who can then pass knowledge onto the elderly/vulnerable people of the parish. - Cllr. Mrs Gear will look into.
- ODPM- Consultations on A Draft Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees and A review of Restrictions on the Political Activities of Local Authority Employees and Pay of Political Assistants received. Any Comments by 19.11.04
There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 21:20 hours | 
