|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
Minutes of January 2007 Meeting |
|
|
The verified minutes of the meeting held in Keysoe Village Hall on Monday 15th January, 2007;
1. MEMBERS PRESENT
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore (Chairman), Cllr. Bates, Cllr. Mrs Browning, Cllr. Bryans, Cllr. Dix, Cllr. Mrs Landmann, Cllr. Worth and seven members of the public. The Clerk Mrs Maddison and Co. Cllr. Tom Wootton were in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEETING
Bor. Cllr. Ian Clifton
3. DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS IN THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED HEREUNDER
Cllr. Mrs Landmann declared a personal interest in planning application No. 06/03289/OUT to be discussed in item No. 9
4. TO VERIFY THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2006 AND PLANNING MEETINGS OF 11th and 18th DECEMBER
These were all signed as true records.
5. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
- Sewage smell – Replies had been received from Anglian Water who have added the pumping stations at Colmworth and the areas in Keysoe to their jet cleaning programme which should solve the problem, also a letter from the Environmental Dept. at Bedford Borough Council has been received offering Odour Diary Sheets should the problem still occur. – Cllr. Worth reported that the smell in Bolnhurst was emanating from the recycling plant at Ravensden.
- Palmer Sports – A reply to the noise complaint to Bedford Borough Council had been received – They appointed a consultant to monitor the noise levels during October. Once the findings have been put together, they will write again with any details of action against Palmer sport, if any.
- Policing in the Parish – Cllr. Bryans reported that he had put questions to the police and is waiting for the minutes from the NEBCLF meeting for the answers.
- Parish Plan – Cllr. Bates reported that the first meeting for the Parish Plan did not come to fruition as only 2 Parish Councillors and 2 members of the public attended. Another meeting is scheduled for the 26.02.07
6. OPEN FORUM FOR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore reported that she, Cllr. Bryans, Cllr. Worth, Cllr. Mrs Landmann and the Clerk will be attending the North Beds Play Partnership Scheme seminar on Thursday 18th January. Cllr. Mrs Whitmore reported that the Beds Assoc. Town and Parish Councils were asking for nominations of Chairmen to attend the Queens Garden Party in July. It was resolved to nominate Cllr. Mrs Whitmore. Cllr. Bryans reported that he had spoken to Malcolm Roxburgh regarding the North Beds Dart Bus Service and although the money will be running out as of July 2007, there will still be a bus service. Mrs Heming from the floor asked the Parish Council if they were aware that Kymbrook Lower School, with the support of the County Council, were planning to build a new bigger school in the village. The Clerk informed her and the Parish Council that a letter had been received at 3.30pm before the meeting and that she would be bringing this to the attention of the Parish Council at the next meeting in February.
7. FINANCE
Cllr. Bates proposed that the following accounts be paid. This was seconded by Cllr. Worth and agreed unanimously.
| Bedford Borough Council (dog waste bin) | £ 293.75 | | Mrs J Maddison – Clerks Account | £ 473.04 |
|
| | Cheques raised in the month; |
| | - Lubbock Fine (Audit) | £ 141.00 | | - Rural Grant for Kymbrook After School Club | £1494.02 |
|
| | Cheques received in the month; |
| | - Rural Grant | £1494.02 | | } RW & JR Maddison | £ 75.00 | Rents } TG Elliott
| £ 125.00 | | Return of surplus cava from opening of playing field | £ 25.97 |
8. SETTING OF THE PARISH PRECEPT FOR 2007/2008
The Clerk had circulated the predicted expenditure for the year 2007/8 prior to the meeting, which was £8000.00. Cllr. Worth proposed setting the precept at £8000.00. This was seconded by Cllr. Mrs Landmann and with all in favour was agreed.
9. PLANNING
For discussion:
06/03289/OUT – Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of replacement dwelling (all matters reserved) to Park Farm Bungalow, Riseley Road, Keysoe, MK44 2HU – The neighbours to Park Farm had been contacted and are happy with the proposal. It was agreed to support the application as this would be architecturally better than the existing.
06/03162/COU – Change of use of land and buildings from residential care home (Class C2) and school room to one residential dwelling (Class C3) and office block (Class B1 (a)) and associated garden land and car parking to Elm Farm, Keysoe Row East, Keysoe, MK44 2JB – It was resolved to support this application as it will be a benefit to reinstate the building back to its original purpose.
10. REPORT FROM MEETING WITH BEDS COUNTY COUNCIL ON THEIR UNITARY AUTHORITY BID
Cllr. Bates attended a presentation by the County Council for their Unitary Authority Bid. He reported that the County Council would be pulling in the Borough and District Councils therefore all services would be amalgamated. The County manages a much bigger budget than the Borough Council with a much larger staff. Recognition was made of their previous ‘poor performance’ record but they are improving. The bids are being made by 27/1/07.
11. DRAINAGE PROBLEMS AT MILL HILL IN KEYSOE
Cllr. Bryans reported that there was a problem with excess water on 31.12.06. He had received a call from a resident in Mill Hill regarding the storm drains, but unfortunately none of the residents knew where they were. Cllr. Worth has since asked the County Council for a plan of the drains down Mill Hill. Cllr. Worth reported that the water travels down the drains through pipes then into an open ditch near the old post office. He reported that the ditch had been cleaned out and the water was not flowing properly. The County Council are looking into this.
12. UPDATE ON THE RURAL HOUSING TRUST
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore reported that she had received a letter from the Borough Council and none of the eight sites suggested for the siting of the new homes scored particularly well with them. They have however, suggested one more site. Mrs Bishop is meeting with Cllr. Mrs Whitmore next week to look at the site suggested by the Borough Council.
13. ADDITIONAL OFFICE FURNTITURE REQUIREMENTS
The Clerk reported that she had run out of space to store all documents. She therefore asked if a cupboard could be purchased as she had seen one for £140.00. Cllr. Mrs Browning proposed that this be purchased, seconded by Cllr. Mrs Landmann and with all in favour was agreed.
14. GRASS CUTTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE YEAR
Cllr. Mrs Browning suggested that Alan Summerfield be given the contract for the cutting of the verges for another three years which was an option when it went out to tender last year. This was seconded by Cllr. Bates and with all in favour was agreed. It was agreed that the Clerk would seek tenders for the cutting of the Playing Field separately. Tenders should be sent to Alan Summerfield, Stephen Day and John Maddison.
15. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING REQUIREMENTS
The dates for 2007/8 were agreed and the Clerk will print the agendas as in previous years. The Cllrs. will provide the refreshments.
16. REPORT FROM MEETING REGARDING THREATS OF CLOSURE TO LOCAL HOSPITALS
Cllr. Worth attended a meeting in December and reported that Bedford hospital will not close; however, it would appear that Bedford is likely to become a ‘Cottage Hospital’. There is a large deficit however; closing 2 theatres, 30 beds and 120 wtes have so far saved £5m. However, £93m has to be saved. More routine services will be provided at community clinics.
17. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Bedford County Council – Proposed temporary road closures – B660 Pertenhall from Green End Pertenhall to Brook End, Keysoe for patching works in Jan/Feb and surface dressing works during May and October 2007 – School Lane in Bolnhurst for patching and surface dressing works, three separate closures between Monday 29th January and Friday 26th October 2007, Keysoe Row West, Keysoe Row and C22 Keysoe Road Thurleigh – three separate closures between Monday 8th January and Friday 26th October 2007 for patching and surface dressing works. – Clerk to file.
- Bedford County Council – A draft Bedfordshire Highway Design Guide has been received. A questionnaire has been included to be returned by 01.02.07 – Passed to Cllr. Worth.
- Bedford County Council – New procedures for the Implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders in Parish and Town Councils has been received. - Clerk to file.
- Bedford County Council – East of England Plan – The Secretary of State proposes to change the Draft Revision of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England and would encourage Parish Councils to comment on the changes. These can be read online in depth.
- Bedford Borough Council – Planning Briefings – Planning Policy Statement 3
- Housing (Nov. 06) and Planning Policy Statement 25
- Development and Flood Risk (Dec. 06) received (copied to all Cllrs. prior to meeting).
- The Royal British Legion has written to thank the Parish Council for their donation. – Clerk to file.
- Alistair Burt MP has written and asked for the Parish Councils view on the Local Government White Paper - Strong and Prosperous Communities. – Any response would be appreciated by 27th January 2007. (Copied to all Cllrs. prior to meeting).
- A Letter has been received from Ann and Alison Jones from The Old Granary, Brook End Keysoe, asking if the parish has any land available to rent for summer grazing her horses. – There is no parish land available - Cllr. Mrs Landmann will ring her.
18. CLOSE OF BUSINESS
There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 20:45 hours. |
Show comments (0) - Add comments to this article:
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
