|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
Minutes of July 2007 Meeting |
|
|
The verified minutes of the meeting held in Keysoe Village Hall on Monday 16th July, 2007 were;
1. MEMBERS PRESENT
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore (Chairman), Cllr. Bates, Cllr. Mrs Browning, Cllr. Bryans, Cllr. Dix, Cllr. Mrs Landmann and Cllr. Worth. Co. Cllr. Tom Wootton, Bor. Cllr. Ian Clifton, PC Rob Smith, Mr Alan Woodward, eighteen members of the public and the Clerk Mrs J Maddison were also in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEETING
None
3. DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS IN THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED HEREUNDER
Cllr. Bryans declared a personal interest in Planning Application No. 07/01742/FUL.
4. TO VERIFY THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 18th JUNE 2007 and PLANNING MEETINGS HELD ON MONDAY 25th JUNE and MONDAY 2ND JULY 2007
These were signed as true records.
5. MATTERS ARISING
Highways Cllr. Worth to investigate why the Co. Council resurface roads without repairing them first Cllr. Worth reported that Helen Dow from Amey had informed him that small pot holes are not filled prior to resurfacing as the materials will not adhere to them. If any members of the public wish to report pot holes etc. then they should contact Helen Dow on 0845 3656184 and she will come out and assess the area.
6. GUEST PC. ROB SMITH from Riseley Police Post
PC Rob Smith reported that he is the beat manager for a total of 15 parishes with Bolnhurst and Keysoe being one of them. He reported that overall crime in the parish is down 57% on the same period of 2006 and he hoped that this trend would continue through to the end of 2007. He reported that theft from church buildings is a problem at the moment as scrap value is very high, but this is a problem nationwide and not just locally. He reported that the police post is not manned in the mornings anymore due to lack of resources however, telephone calls would be diverted to Bedford if they were not answered at Riseley. He did encourage everyone to report all incidents whether it was an attempted break in or anything bigger. Questions were then taken from the floor. The Chairman thanked PC Smith for his attendance.
7. OPEN FORUM FOR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
- Cllr. Mrs Landmann reported that Stephen Day could not put a combination lock on the playing field gate as there was nothing to lock it to; however, he had offered to put a post in to lock the gate to. It was resolved that he should go ahead and that Cllr. Mrs Landmann would liaise with him.
- She also reported complaints of overhanging trees outside of the White Horse pub which she is prepared to cut back herself. This was agreed also.
- She also reported that the noise from the White Horse pub on the evening of Saturday 14th July was extremely loud up until 11pm which could be heard a long way from the pub. She asked for this to be recorded for future reference should it happen again.
- Cllr. Worth asked if some mulch could be brought to put around the shrubs in the playing field and asked for this to be put on the next agenda. He also reported that the canes put in to mark the shrubs were a hazard to youngsters playing in the playing field as they could fall on them and suggested they be removed. He also asked if the bind weed could be sprayed off this would be on the next agenda also.
- He also reported that he had asked the Highways dept. to cut back overhanging trees along the main road in Bolnhurst from the plough to the Grange and this was carried out within 24 hours.
- He also reported that he had received a letter from Mr Banks from Manor Farm Bungalow, School Lane, Bolnhurst relating to the land dispute at School Lane which he read out. The content of which stated that he had no claim to the highway land within the laurel and conifer hedges. There is no gate and he had never prevented public access and that he would happily go along with any decision made by the Parish Council or County Council however he would be happy to continue to maintain the hedges and land at his expense.
- Cllr. Bryans reported that he had received a complaint of dog fouling down Mill Hill. He subsequently asked Alan Woodward to put an article in the Village Voice.
- He had also received a complaint of overgrown hedges outside of Winnats down Mill Hill. Cllr. Worth will report this to the highways dept.
- He also reported a complaint from Mr Colin Burge of a sewage smell reoccurring. Anglian Water had written to Mr Burge in February 06 and said that the pumping station would be cleaned every two months; however, the smell has come back on 7th July and 14th July. Cllr. Bryans asked the Clerk to write to Anglian Water and he would ring the environmental dept. of the Borough Council.
- Mrs Heming from the floor reported that there was a lot of dogs on the playing field during the Church Fete and felt that the No Dogs sign was in the wrong place as it couldnt be seen when the large gate was open. It was agreed to relocate the sign.
- Mr Felts from the floor asked if the overgrown vegetation obstructing signs in the parish could be cut back. Also the hedge on the corner of Hatch Lane was overgrown. Cllr. Worth will report this.
- Mrs Levy from the floor reported that item no. 17 of the agenda is of interest to her and asked that when it is considered by the Parish Council only the highways area of land be discussed and not that of boundary disputes with neighbours. Several residents then spoke on the land dispute in School Lane, Bolnhurst with the majority of them wanting the land to be reinstated as an open space with the hedges and trees removed as already agreed by the Parish Council at the previous meeting.
8. RESIGNATION OF CLERK AND APPOINTMENT OF REPLACEMENT
Cllr Mrs Whitmore reported that she had received a letter of resignation from Joy giving two months notice. She reported that an advert had been placed in the Beds Bugle and a flyer had been put out in the parish. A quote had been received for an advertisement in the Beds on Sunday of £277.50 plus vat. Cllr. Mrs Browning proposed that the advert be placed straight away. This was seconded by Cllr. Mrs Landmann and agreed unanimously. The Clerk will place the advert.
9. PLANNING
Decisions made by the Borough Council for Information Only:
07/00866/FUL - Erection of single storey prefabricated nursery school building at Kymbrook Lower School, Kimbolton Road, Keysoe, MK44 2HH Permission granted.
Planning Applications for Discussions:
07/01719/FUL - Installation of solar water heating panels on rear roof slope at Nashleigh, Pertenhall Road, Keysoe, MK44 2HR Cllrs Mrs Browning, Bates and Dix decided that a visit was not necessary due to the application which would not affect any neighbours. With all in favour it was resolved to support the application.
07/01742/FUL - New vehicular access drive area to The Ashes, Mill Hill, Keysoe, MK44 2HP Cllr. Mrs Landmann had visited the site and thought that the extra entrance onto the main road would be dangerous due to the location. However, with five in favour of the application it was resolved to support it.
10. FINANCE
Cllr. Worth proposed that the following accounts be paid. This was seconded by Cllr. Bates and was agreed unanimously:
| Alan Summerfield (grass cutting) | £ 663.88 | Mrs J Maddison Clerks Account
| £ 520.29
|
A VAT return had been received for £663.03
11. REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED DURING THE MONTH
- CALOR GAS JUDGING DAY EXHIBITION FOR THE BEDFORDSHIRE VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION: Cllr. Mrs Whitmore thanked Alan Woodward and Mrs Wendy Bryans for all their hard work and contributions towards the exhibition at the Old School, Bolnhurst. The judges were shown around the parish. The winners will be notified in September when four members of the Parish Council will be invited to attend.
- PLAYING FIELD SAFETY SEMINAR: Cllrs. Mrs Whitmore and Worth attended the seminar which took some 4 hours. All legal aspects of looking after the playing field were discussed. Cllr. Worth proposed that the Parish Council holds an extra ordinary meeting to go through all the legislation etc. This was seconded by Cllr. Bryans and with all in favour was agreed for Monday 6th August 2007.
12. UPDATE ON THE RURAL HOUSING TRUST
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore had received a letter from Robinson Hall the land agents on behalf of Mr Ward updating her on the status of the affordable housing which concluded that they had written to Mr John Copeland at the Planning Dept of Bedford Borough Council offering a plot of land on the main B660 in Keysoe for the affordable housing, the new school and market value housing. Following much discussions, it was resolved that Cllr. Mrs Whitmore would ring Mrs Ann Bishop from the Rural Housing Trust to ask what their present position was and that Cllr. Bates would contact Mr Copeland from Bedford Borough Council Planning Dept. and ask him to propose some more possible sites for the affordable housing.
13. HIGHWAYS CONCERNS WITH PEOPLE PARKING ON THE NEWLY RESURFACED FOOTPATH IN BOLNHURST
Cllr. Worth reported complaints regarding cars being parked on the footpath on the main B660 in Kimbolton. Cllr. Worth proposed that the Clerk writes a letter to ask residents and their guests to refrain from parking on the footpath, then he and Cllr. Mrs Whitmore would hand deliver them to the houses along the stretch of the footpath. This was seconded by Cllr. Bryans and with all in favour was agreed.
14. PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE ANY OTHER BUSINESS ON AGENDAS
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore reported that she had sought advice on this and it is not best practice to re introduce Any Other Business onto the agenda and even if it was included this could only be for Parish Councillors and no resolutions could be made. Cllr. Bates reported that he and the other members of the Parish Council are available both before and after the Parish Council meeting if any persons wished to speak with them. Both Cllr. Worth and Cllr. Bryans were also against the idea of reintroducing this. Cllr. Mrs Browning could see why the members of the public wanted it and felt that they should be given the chance to speak whenever they felt it necessary before an item on the agenda. Cllr. Worth proposed that the agenda be kept as it is now and not to include Any Other Business. This was seconded by Cllr. Bryans and with six in favour it was resolved to keep the agenda as it is.
15. PROPOSAL TO CIRCULATE AGENDAS (VIA EMAIL) TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore had sought advice on this and was informed again that this is not best practice. The dates of the meetings are published in the annual parish meeting agenda and also quarterly in the newsletter. The agendas are displayed on the three parish council notice boards five days prior to a meeting. She also reported that Dave Brealey who is the webmaster for Keysoe.info said that members of the public can have the agendas and minutes delivered to their mailbox automatically if they choose to on the website. With all in favour it was resolved not to circulate the agendas to members of the public.
16. PROPOSED FELLING OF TREES ON COUNTY COUNCIL LAND NEXT TO LABURNHAM COTTAGE, BOLNHURST
Cllr. Worth had received a letter from the Beds County Council Highways Dept. stating that they would like their arboricultural team to clear the conifer trees that run along the side of Kimbolton Road as they should not be there, provided that the Parish Council had no objections to this. Cllr. Worth had contacted all of the nearby residents and had received no objections so with all in favour it was resolved to support the removal of these trees.
17. UPDATE ON REMOVAL OF HEDGES/TREES IN SCHOOL LANE, BOLNHURST
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore read out a letter received from Beds County Council which gave three possible options. These being, 1. To issue a license to plant for the area of enclosed highway land. 2. Remove the trees and hedging and return the land to part of the highway verge, with some of the costs being borne by the Parish Council or 3. Remove the hedging, retain the more mature trees and have this land dedicated as a village amenity, the only costs being that of registering the land and that of maintaining it. After much discussion, Cllr. Dix proposed that option No. 3 be decided upon. Cllr. Bates seconded this and with all in favour it was resolved to opt for No. 3 and ask for the hedges to be removed at the same time as those outside of Laburnham Cottage in Bolnhurst.
18. COMPLAINT OF INCOMPLETE STAND PIPE IN KEYSOE ROW WEST
The Clerk had received a letter from Mr and Mrs Clarke from Lingfield in Keysoe Row West stating that the top was still missing from the standpipe and it was agreed in 1994 that it would be replaced. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Anglian Water.
19. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Bedfordshire County Council Notices of Public Path Diversion Orders received. (to go onto notice boards) Passed to Cllr. Mrs Landmann
- Bedfordshire County Council Notice received for temporary closure of Byways Open to All Traffic Clerk to File.
- Bedford Borough Council Scrutiny and Policy Review and Development Committees work programme suggestions forwarded to them can be viewed at www.bedford.gov.uk/scrutiny
- Bedford Borough Council Planning for a Sustainable Future PB No. 135 received. (copied to each Cllr. with agenda)
- Bedford Borough Council Medium Term Financial Strategy received Passed to Cllr. Worth
- Bedfordshire County Council Launch of Inform 0-19 documents received.
- Bedford Borough Council Pride in Bedford, Mayors Community Awards summary of winners and photos of the event received Clerk to file
- Letter of thanks received from Bolnhurst PCC for the cheque towards the upkeep of the burial ground.
- Defra/Acre/Comma details of grants available received (copied to all Cllrs. with agendas).
- Beds Assoc. Town & Parish Councils AGM 24th October 2007 Resolutions for consideration should be sent by 12 noon on 12th September 2007
- Bedfordshire County Council Invitation to nominate two representatives to attend the Councillor Liaison Forum meeting on Monday 30th July at Keysoe Village Hall at 7.30pm Cllrs. Mrs Browning and Mrs Landmann
20. CLOSE OF BUSINESS
There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 21:44 hours
|
Show comments (0) - Add comments to this article:
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
