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Minutes of August 2007 Meeting |
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The verified minutes of the meeting held in Keysoe Village Hall on Monday 20th August, 2007 were;
1. MEMBERS PRESENT
Cllr. Mrs Whitmore (Chairman), Cllr. Bates, Cllr. Mrs Browning, Cllr. Bryans and Cllr. Mrs Landmann. Bor. Cllr. Ian Clifton, Mr Alan Woodward, three members of the public, Mrs Gill Wiggs, new Clerk and Mrs Maddison, existing Clerk were also in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEETING
Cllrs. Dix and Worth and County Cllr. Tom Wootton.
3. DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS IN THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED HEREUNDER
None
4. TO VERIFY THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON MONDAY 16th JULY 2007 and MONDAY 6th AUGUST 2007
These were both signed as true records.
5. MATTERS ARISING
- Missing Standpipe cover in Keysoe Row West The Clerk reported that Anglian Water was investigating this.
- Residents parking on the footpaths The Chairman reported that it is not within the Parish Council remit to ask residents to refrain from this; instead it should be addressed to the local beat manager. It was agreed that Cllr. Bryans would speak to PC Rob Smith.
6. HELLO AND FAREWELL TO CLERKS
The Chairman gave a warm welcome to Mrs Gill Wiggs, the new clerk and said that she hoped that she would be happy working with them and hoped that she would stay for a long time and also reported that she was sad to say good bye to the existing Clerk Mrs Maddison and thanked her for all her hard work and efficiency especially in helping to achieve the Quality Status award. This was also echoed by the rest of the Parish Councillors.
7. OPEN FORUM FOR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
- The Clerk read out a letter from Cllr. Worth in his absence which stated that he was appalled at the way a member questioned the Chairman as to why she had not declared an interest over the planning application 07/01973/FUL [relates to The Mission Hall, Bolnhurst - link to previous minutes] at the meeting on 6th August. He felt in doing so, they questioned the Chairmans integrity both as a person and as a Chairman and by association, the Parish Council, and in by doing so, brought the Parish Council into disrepute. He stated that he had no doubt whatsoever that the Chairman always acted in an honest and impartial manner for the good of the Parish.
- The Clerk also read out an email from Alistair Burt MP, which stated that he has crime worries in North Bedfordshire and as such would be holding a meeting at Riseley on 7th September and any comments should be directed to him before hand.
- Cllr. Mrs Whitmore reported that she had received an email from Andy Prigmore regarding the work in School Lane, Bolnhurst which stated that he hoped to arrange for the trees to be cut down in the autumn. Cllr. Mrs Whitmore also reported that she had been contacted by a resident living in School lane who has offered to carry out the works. It was agreed that this would be put onto the next agenda for further discussion.
- Cllr. Mrs Whitmore reported that she had received an invitation to attend the BRCC AGM on 12th September at which time the results would be announced for the Village of the Year competition. It was resolved that Cllrs. Bates, Bryans, Mrs Whitmore and Worth would attend.
- Cllr. Bates reported that the steering committee are still working on the Parish Plan and that they are carrying out a Youth consultation on 16th October.
- Cllr. Bryans reported that he had spoken with the environmental health dept. of the Borough Council who has contacted Anglian water regarding the smell at Brook End, Keysoe. They will put more chemicals in when they are pumping from the station but the Parish Council will have to keep reminding them to do this.
- Cllr. Bryans reported that the No Cold Calling Zone signs are getting tatty and that he would contact them to see if new signs could be erected. Cllr. Bryans also reported that he had received a phone call from Wendy Usher regarding the lottery grant bid which will be submitted as a whole from Bedfordshire on 7th September and that she should hear sometime after Christmas.
- Cllr. Bryans also reported that there are still continual problems with the DART bus service. He asked Alan Woodward to publish in the Village Voice that if anyone experiencing any problems then they must report it either to Malcolm Roxburgh at the County Hall or to Cllr. Bryans himself so that the problems can be ironed out.
- Cllr. Mrs Browning spoke in response to Mr Worths letter read out by the Clerk and said that she had asked the Chairman at the last meeting why she hadnt declared an interest in one application and did on another when both applications referred to properties on the same boundary. Cllr. Mrs Whitmore stated that the question had already been adequately answered and wasnt prepared to discuss it in public any further unless the Parish Council as a whole wished her to do so.
- Cllr. Mrs Browning also reported that the Village Hall has a booking on Saturday 25th August and they would now like permission to erect two marquees on the playing field. This was agreed.
- Cllr. Mrs Whitmore reported that she had received an invitation to attend an open day at the Woodland Burial Ground on Saturday 25th August between 2 7pm.
- The Chairman said that she understood that Cllr. Mrs Browning intended to speak at the next committee meeting of the Planning Department to object to planning application No. 07/01973/FUL. Cllr. Mrs Browning confirmed that this was so. The Chairman said that in that case, she felt this should be properly proposed and seconded and recorded in the minutes, and subsequently Cllr. Mrs Landmann proposed this which was seconded by Cllr. Bates and with 3 in favour was agreed.
No members of the public wished to speak.
8. PLANNING
Decisions made by the Borough Council for Information Only:
07/01560/FUL Erection of two flood light columns on eastern boundary at College Farm Equestrian Centre, Church Road, Keysoe Permission granted.
07/01657/FUL Detached garage with store above to side of dwelling at Laburnham Cottage, Kimbolton Road, Bolnhurst Permission granted.
07/01631/FUL Erection of detached garage with ancillary accommodation at first floor level at Janets Place, Kimbolton Road, Keysoe Permission granted.
07/01370/FUL Erection of two storey house (following demolition of existing bungalow) at Park Farm Bungalow, Riseley Road, Keysoe Permission granted.
07/01492/FUL Erection of double garage with room in roof to the east of existing farmhouse at Brook End Farm, Riseley Road, Keysoe Permission refused.
Planning Applications for Discussions:
07/02157/FUL Single storey side extension at 3 Elm Tree Grove, Keysoe, Beds, MK4 2JE Cllrs. Bryans and Mrs Landmann had visited the applicant and the neighbours and there were no problems with the application. It was therefore unanimously resolved to support the application.
9. FINANCE
Cllr. Bryans proposed that the following accounts be paid. This was seconded by Cllr. Bates and was agreed unanimously.
| British Telecom Clerks telephone | £ 63.40 | | Lubbock Fine External Auditor | £158.63 | Mrs J Maddison Clerks Account
| £471.35 |
Cheque raised during the month to LSN Media (Clerk vacancy in the Beds on Sunday) for £326.06
10. REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED DURING THE MONTH
Cllr. Mrs Landmann reported that she and Cllr. Mrs Browning had attended the Liaison Forum and felt that it was a very useful way of speaking with other Parish Councils within the area. The next forum is scheduled for 24th September.
11. UPDATE ON THE RURAL HOUSING TRUST
Cllr. Bates had met with Mr and Mrs Ward to discuss the possibility of them offering some land for the development. They were keen on the land opposite Elm Tree Grove in Keysoe Row West and also that beyond the Playing field behind the Village Hall. Cllr. Mrs Whitmore had received a telephone call from the Rural Housing Trust to state that she had discussed options with Mr and Mrs Ward and would contact the Parish Council in due course.
12. ANNUAL RETURN YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2007
The clerk reported that Lubbock and Fine had now completed their audit procedures and have returned the signed audit certificate accordingly. The audit is now closed.
13. APPOINTMENT OF A NEW TREE WARDEN
The Clerk reported that Mr Roy Barnes, with the help of Mr and Mrs Browning had volunteered to carry out this role. It was resolved that the Clerk writes to him and accepts his kind offer.
14. PLAYING FIELD
- A copy of the Risk Assessment report carried out Cllr. Dix, Cllr. Mrs Whitmore and Cllr. Worth had been copied to all Cllrs prior to the meeting. Cllr. Bryans wished to congratulate Cllr. Worth for the succinct report and reported that the items that needed attention around the village hall should be passed onto the village hall committee for completion. It was resolved that the Clerk would write to them. Cllr. Bryans offered to look at resolving the problems with the big gate himself with the help of Cllr. Worth. This was agreed.
- Possibility of purchasing some mulch to put around the smaller shrubs and also spraying off bind weed It was resolved that this was not the right time of year to be carrying out the above works and this would be re-addressed in the spring.
15. KEYSOE WOMENS INSTITUTE
The Clerk had received a letter from the WI offering to donate a bench to the Parish to be sited in the new playing field. It was resolved with all in favour to accept their offer. The Clerk will write and accept.
16. BEDFORDSHIRE PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION
Would the Parish Council feel it beneficial to become members of the association? The minimum membership fee is £20.00 It was resolved that the details would be passed around the Parish Councillors during the course of the month and that this would be on the next agenda for discussion.
17. POSSIBILITY OF INCLUDING A BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT ONTO THE AGENDA
Cllr. Mrs Landmann had spoken to Cllr. Tom Wootton who felt that he didnt have the opportunity to speak at the Parish Council meetings and that quite a lot of Parish Councils provided an agenda item at which time to give their reports. Most Cllrs. felt that they had ample time to speak in the open forum and that the Chairman always gave them time to speak whenever necessary and was therefore resolved not to include this on the agendas.
18. COMMUNITY CLEAN UP
A reminder that the community clean up is on Saturday 8th September 10.00am at Bolnhurst old School and 10.30 at Keysoe Village Hall. The Clerk had also received a letter confirming that there were no members from the Pride in Bedford team available on the day and therefore one person had to be at each site to sign people in etc. It was resolved that Cllr. Mrs Whitmore would be at The Old School, Bolnhurst and that Cllr. Bryans would be at the Village Hall in Keysoe.
19. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Bedford Borough Council Review of parliamentary constituency polling districts/places received any comments by 19 September 2007 Passed to Cllr. Mrs Whitmore.
- Bedford Borough Council The New code of Conduct Requirement to have regard to any applicable Local Authority Code of Publicity copy of the document received. Passed to Cllr. Mrs Whitmore
- Bedford Borough Council A letter regarding Parish Councillor interests following appointments to outside bodies received copied to all Cllrs. with agenda. Clerk to file.
- Bedford Borough Council Planning Briefing Heritage Protection for the 21st century White Paper received. Passed to Cllr. Bates
- Bedford Borough Council Planning Briefing Helping people with disabilities live independently in their own homes received.- Passed to Cllr. Mrs Landmann
- Bedfordshire County Council Town and Parish Highways Representative Scheme They would like one Cllr. as a nominated highways representative. It was resolved to nominate Cllr. Worth.
- Bedfordshire County Council New Community Safety Initiative Scheme consultation papers to be completed and returned by 29 August 2007 (Previously copied to all councillors) Passed to Cllr. Bates for completion
- Bedfordshire County Council Proposed Temporary Road Closure B660 Kimbolton Road on Wednesday 29th August between 0900 and 1600 hours. Clerk to file.
- Bedfordshire and Luton Green Infrastructure plan received comments and feedback welcomed. Passed to Cllr. Bates.
20. CLOSE OF BUSINESS
There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 20:31 hours.
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