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Minutes of July 2006 Meeting |
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The verified minutes of the meeting held in Keysoe Village Hall on Monday 17th July, 2006 were:
1. MEMBERS PRESENT
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore (Chairman), Cllr. Bates, Cllr. Mrs Browning, Cllr. Bryans, Cllr. Dix, Cllr. Mrs Landmann, Cllr. Worth and six members of the public. Borough Cllr. Ian Clifton and the Clerk Mrs Maddison were in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEETING
Co. Cllr. Tom Wootton
3. DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS IN THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED HEREUNDER
Cllr. Bryans declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning Application No. 06/01570/FUL.
4. TO VERIFY THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 19th JUNE 2006 AND PLANNING MEETING OF 3rd JULY 2006
These were both signed as a true record.
5. OPEN FORUM FOR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
Cllr. Mrs Browning had been asked if the Parish Council would provide a bus shelter in Bolnhurst. It was agreed that the Clerk would put this on the next agenda for greater discussion. Cllr. Bryans left the room. Ms. Wendy Levey from the floor informed the council of her concerns regarding planning application no. 06/01570/FUL. She reported that this was the third application that has been submitted for a new dwelling which would be built extremely close to her property. She was worried that the digging of the new foundations etc. might create problems with her own property as this proposed property is below hers on a slope. No other members of the public wished to speak.
6. PLANNING
For information only:
06/01201/FUL - Single Storey front extension incorporating garage. Pitched roof over flat roofed wing to rear at Avalon, Kimbolton Road, Bolnhurst - Permission granted.
For discussion:
06/01570/FUL - Erection of detached dwelling at Mill Hill Cottage, Mill Hill, Keysoe
Following considerable discussions is was agreed unanimously to oppose this application as it is against the local structure plan and it is also very close to the neighbouring properties.
Cllr. Bryans re-entered the room
06/01586/TPO - Felling of trees at the New Vicarage, Church Road, Keysoe
It was agreed unanimously to support this application provided that the trees were being removed for structural reasons.
7. FINANCE
Cllr. Bates proposed that the following accounts be paid. This was seconded by Cllr. Bryans and agreed unanimously:
| HFR Banks & Son (shrubs in playing field) | £489.47 | | Mrs J Maddison - Clerks Account | £674.90 |
8. PLAYING FIELD - TO DISCUSS THE OPENING OF THE FIELD and RISK ASSESSMENT AND SAFETY
Several options were discussed regarding the opening of the field however, it was agreed that it would be opened at 2pm on Sunday 24th September incorporating a fun family afternoon with games, competitions etc. and also a licensed bar. Cllr. Mrs Browning was asked if she was willing to open the field as she had spent many many years trying to obtain a playing field. She accepted this offer and agreed to open the field. The Clerk will write to Biffa and invite them to come along also. Cllr. Worth reported that there are two plastic overflow pipes with sharp edges coming from the village hall that he felt needed to be either capped or cut off so as to avoid any accidents. It was agreed that two poles with signs on would be placed on the edge where village hall functions are not allowed to pass. Cllr. Worth will have these made up. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Village Hall Committee to inform them of this and also ask them to inform the hirers of the village hall that their guests etc. are only allowed to use the field directly behind the hall and up to the posts.
9. AFFORDABLE HOUSING - The Rural Housing Trust
The survey had been received and circulated amongst the Cllrs. prior to the meeting. It was agreed that the survey was very well presented and the response was very good. Some Councillors had met with Jean Fox from the Rural Housing Trust to discuss the findings. If it is the wish of the Parish Council to proceed with the proposed 8 to 10 dwellings then she will require a map of the parish in order for her to locate some suitable land. It was agreed unanimously that the Clerk instructs her to proceed further with this. The Clerk will obtain a map and forward to her.
10. POLICING
Cllr. Worth reported that last week he saw a suspicious car in School Lane in Bolnhurst which was then seen in Keysoe. He reported this to the police in Bedford. Two hours later he called the police again and they informed him that they didn't have any cars available to come out to investigate. Burglary etc. is on an increase at present in this parish especially farms and equestrian holdings and Cllr. Worth feels that the police are not being responsive enough. It was agreed that Cllr. Bryans would go and speak to PC Gary Baldwin about this.
11. LIGHT POLLUTION
Clean Neighbourhood & Environment Act - Cllr Worth reported that he had read in the press that there is now an act in place which covers light pollution. He felt that it was worth mentioning that if residents do have problems with their neighbour's outdoor lights etc. then they should report this to the Environment Dept. of Bedford Borough Council on 227257 where they can get advice.
12. SPEEDING TRAFFIC ALONG ROW WEST AND JUNCTION OF HATCH END
Cllr. Worth reported that he had received some complaints regarding speeding traffic along this stretch of road and had been asked if traffic islands could be put in place. It was agreed that the whole junction is a problem and the council aren't sure is traffic islands would be the solution as this is an agricultural area and large machines need to be able to use the road. It was resolved that Cllr. Worth would ask the highways dept. to look at the whole junction.
13. HIGHWAYS
School Lane Junction
The Clerk had received two copy letters from residents in School Lane which had been sent to the Borough Council regarding the overgrown hedge on the corner of School lane which blocks the visibility when exiting School Lane. No action required information only.
14. PLANNING GROUPS -The Chairman reiterated that when a planning application is received, the Clerk passes it onto one of the 3 Cllrs. nominated for that area. It is the responsibility of one or two of those Cllrs. within the planning assessment group to make a site visit and to inform the applicant that they may come and address the parish council during the open forum at the meeting. The group also has the responsibility to speak to any neighbouring properties that may be affected by the proposal.
15. BEDS & HERTS AMBULANCE SERVICE
At the North East Beds Community Liaison Forum the possibility of holding some CPR road shows was discussed. A letter has now been received asking for some dates in which these could be run. It was agreed that Cllr. Mrs Landmann will contact them direct to see if this could be run along with other parishes.
16. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Bedfordshire County Council - NEBCLF Small Grants Initiative 2006/7 - application forms have been received - The Clerk will distribute these
- Bedfordshire County Council - Your Landscape - Your Say - There is a workshop being held in Bromham Village Hall on Weds. 19th July
- 6.30 - 9.30pm - Cllr. Worth may attend
- Bedfordshire County Council - Due to the temporary closure of Barkers Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre there will be an additional skip in the Keysoe Village Hall car park on Saturday 26th August from 8.30am to 12.30pm
- Bedfordshire County Council - East of England Plan - The Panel Report is available for inspection from the library and County Hall
- Bedford Borough Council - Bedford Development Framework, Statement of Community Involvement was adopted on 17th May 2006
- Bedford Borough Council - 2006/2007 Best Value Performance Plan received - Clerk to file
- Bedford Borough Council - Bedford Development Framework Development Plan Document, Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Submission Version received - passed to Cllr. Worth
- Bedford Borough Council - Bedford Development Framework Development Plan Document, Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan Submission Version received - Clerk to file
- Bedford Borough Council - Gambling Act 2005 - Draft Statement of Gambling Principles received - Clerk to file
17. CLOSE OF BUSINESS
There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 20:55 hours
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