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Minutes of February 2007 Meeting |
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The verified minutes of the meeting held in Keysoe Village Hall on Monday 19th February, 2007 were;
1. MEMBERS PRESENT
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore (Chairman), Cllr. Bates, Cllr. Mrs Browning, Cllr. Bryans, Cllr. Dix, Cllr. Mrs Landmann and Cllr. Worth. The Clerk Mrs Maddison, Borough Cllr. Ian Clifton, County Cllr. Tom Wootton and 9 members of the public were 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. Mrs Browning declared a personal interest in planning application No. 07/00353/FUL and would therefore withdraw from discussions during agenda item No. 7
4. TO VERIFY THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 15th JANUARY 2007, EXTRA ORDINARY MEETING OF MONDAY 29TH JANUARY 2007 AND PLANNING MEETING OF MONDAY 29TH JANUARY 2007
These were all signed as true records.
5. OPEN FORUM FOR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
Cllr. Bryans reported that he had spoken with the County Council regarding cutting the money for the DART bus service as seen in the local press as was informed that the report was premature and that it would be looked into during September 07. He also reported that he had sent two questions to the North Beds Forum to be raised with the Police. What is the ratio of available officers to population in the two urban areas of Luton and Bedford during the day and at night time? And what is the clear up rate for the different categories on crime in these areas and how does it compare with that for rural North Beds? A response had been received. This will be on the next agenda. Mrs Burge from the floor asked if the Parish Council could speak up in future as she is hard of hearing. Mrs Heming from the floor reported that she had received a booking for the village hall and also for 3 marquees on the playing field on 28th July. She asked if this is ok with the Parish Council. The Parish Council stated that when the planning application was made it did state that the field was to be used for activities relating to the village hall so it had no objections, but reiterated that these could only be used up to 9.30pm. The confirmed dates should be forwarded to the Clerk.
6. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED DURING THE MONTH
Cllr. Bryans reported that he and Cllr. Worth attended a meeting with Alistair Burt MP which was very informative. One item on the Agenda was the future of Bedford hospital and whilst he did not know what this would be he did feel confident that it would not close. He also said that the Bedford Borough Council and the Bedford County Council were submitting bids to become unitary authorities and whilst he didnt comment on its benefits he did say that it was costing money to be born by the taxpayer. Also discussed was the future of the Parish Councils and them becoming a Wellbeing Council and the possibility of taking on additional responsibilities within the Sustainable Communities Bill.
7. PLANNING
For discussion:
07/00353/FUL Installation of domestic wind turbine at Keysoe Lodge, Keysoe Row West, Keysoe, MK44 2JG: Cllr. Mrs Landmann had met with the applicants and they are applying for a grant to cover part of the costs of this proposal. She had met with the neighbours and there were no objections to the application. However, Cllr. Worth reported that he had some reservations with the application as he had concerns that this may set a precedent and there would be an influx of applications which could be very noisy. However, with five in favour it was resolved to support the application.
For information only:
06/03172/FUL Erection of porch to front of property to Ceilidh Cottage, Keysoe Row West, Keysoe, MK44 2JJ Permission Refused.
06/03091/FUL Erection of grain store with drying facility to Park Farm, Riseley Road, Keysoe, MK44 2HU Permission Granted.
8. FINANCE
Cllr. Mrs Browning proposed that the following accounts be paid. This was seconded by Cllr. Dix and was agreed unanimously.
| BT (Clerks Telephone) | £ 67.01 | | Old School, Bolnhurst (Rent) | £ 30.00 | Mrs J Maddison Clerks Account (incl. purchase of new cabinet)
| £ 591.15
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9. OPENING OF THE GRASS CUTTING TENDERS FOR THE CUTTING OF THE PLAYING FIELD
The Chairman opened the tenders which were as follows: Alan Summerfield - £65.00 and RW & JR Maddison - £72.00 both per cut and both exclusive of VAT. Cllr. Bates proposed that Alan Summerfields tender be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr. Worth and with all in favour was agreed. Cllr. Mrs Browning will arrange the cuts as and when required.
10. INVITATION FROM KYMBROOK LOWER SCHOOL TO AN OPEN MEETING TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING A NEW SCHOOL
An invitation had been received from the Governors to an open meeting on Wednesday 28th February at 7.30pm to discuss the possibility of building a new school. Most Councillors will attend.
11. UPDATE ON THE RURAL HOUSING TRUST
The Chairman reported that she, Cllr. Bryans and Cllr. Worth had met with Mrs Ann Bishop from the Rural Housing Trust and she has identified a possible 5 sites for the housing and has sent these to the Borough Council for their informal opinion. Cllr. Dix reported that residents in Keysoe Row West are concerned about them being sited there. The Chairman reiterated that five sites had been put forward to the planners for informal input and until they have returned their comments, no site has been singled out as yet.
12. POSSIBILITY OF APPOINTING A NEW VILLAGE HALL REPRESENTATIVE
Due to Cllr. Dix having other commitments on a Monday evening he can no longer represent the Parish Council on the Village Hall Committee and a letter has been received from the Village Hall Committee asking if the Parish Council could appoint another Councillor. The Chairman asked for a volunteer to do this, however, no one was able to commit to this. Cllr. Mrs Browning will report back to the Parish Council with any information as she is already on the Village Hall Committee.
13. OPEN MEETING TO BE HELD ON 24.02.07 REGARDING POTENTIAL PLAY EQUIPMENT
The Chairman reported that an open meeting had been arranged for Saturday 24th February at 10:30am and hopefully members of the Play Partnership Scheme will be present. She thanked Cllr. Mrs Landmann for making the flyers/leaflets. Cllr. Dix reported that residents in Elm Tree Grove were concerned about this and he had hoped that the Parish Council would be sensitive to them and put the equipment behind the Village Hall.
14. HIGHWAYS: CHURCH ROAD
This item was withdrawn from the agenda by the Chairman.
15. PROPOSALS FOR A NEW RECREATIONAL AREA AT CHURCH ROAD, COLMWORTH
A letter had been received from Colmworth Parish Council asking if the Parish Council would write in support of them opening a Recreational Area in Colmworth. There was also an open meeting, however due to lack of time between receiving the letter and the meeting; no one was able to attend. It was resolved not to send any correspondence as the Parish Council felt it was outside of their remit to do so.
16. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Margaret Beaufort Middle School A consultation paper had been received on the proposal to amend their policy on admissions to be returned by 2nd March 2007. A copy of this had been circulated to each Cllr. prior to the meeting and it was resolved to support this.
- Bedfordshire County Council A copy of the Unitary Proposal submission had been received. Passed to Cllr. Bryans.
- Bedfordshire County Council Outdoor Access Improvement Plan 2006-2011 had been received. - Passed to Cllr. Mrs Browning.
- Bedfordshire County Council Town and Parish Council Highway Maintenance Annual Survey 2007 received to be returned by 28.03.07- Passed to Cllr. Worth for completion.
- Bedfordshire County Council Proposed temporary road closures B660 Cleet Hill for resurfacing works expected to be between 26th Feb and 7 March 2007. Clerk to file.
- Bedfordshire County Council Minutes from the North East Beds Community Liaison Forum have been received. Passed to Cllr. Mrs Browning
- Bedford Borough Council An outline of the unitary bid has been received, also a meeting on the Unitary Bid is on Monday 26th February 2007 Cllr. Worth will attend.
- Bedford Borough Council Bedford development Framework Development Plan document and core strategy and rural issues submission Pre examination changes document received Comments by 26.02.07 Passed to Cllr. Bryans who will pass to other Cllrs.
- Bedford Borough Council Code for sustainable Homes received. Clerk to file.
- A Revised Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members has been received comments by 9.03.07 Passed to Cllr. Mrs Whitmore who will pass to other Cllrs.
- Postwatch DTI Consultation Document has been received comments by 8.03.07- Passed to Cllr. Mrs Browning
- NALC Review of the Quality Town and Parish Council Scheme has been received. Clerk to file.
It was at this point that Cllr. Mrs Browning reported that Philip Browning, Stephen Day and Alan Woodward had set a hedge along the post and wire fence in the playing field.
17. CLOSE OF BUSINESS
There being no other business, the Chairman Closed the meeting at 20:35 hours.
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