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Minutes of January 2008 Meeting |
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The verified minutes of the meeting held in Keysoe Village Hall on Monday 21st January, 2008 were;
MEMBERS PRESENT
PCllr Whitmore (Chairman), PCllr Bates, PCllr Browning, PCllr Bryans, PCllr Worth, PCllr Landmann, PCllr Turner, CCllr Wootton (until 8pm), Mr Alan Woodward, ten members of the public, and Mrs Gill Wiggs (Clerk).
Prior to the main meeting there was a presentation by Geoff Willis and Steve Catley from St Johns Ambulance on the First Response scheme. The scheme generally worked well in rural areas by providing emergency first aid, whilst awaiting an ambulance. They focussed on the provision of oxygen and the application of a defibrillator to restart the heart. Geoff explained that we would need a minimum of 5 volunteers to run the scheme and that 5 12 was a good number. A defibrillator would be provided by the Trust, and the volunteers would work on a rota basis. Training would be provided that is usually carried out over two weekends. Any adult over 18 could volunteer and would have to have a CRB check, and an annual revalidation would take place after the initial training. If the Parish Council wanted to go ahead with the scheme, they would need to identify their volunteers and then contact Geoff Willis.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEETING
BCllr Clifton
2. DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS IN THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED HEREUNDER
There were none
3. TO VERIFY THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON MONDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2007 & THE PLANNING MEETING ON 17TH DECEMBER 2007
These were agreed to be a true record
4. MATTERS ARISING
Bus Shelter The Clerk had chased BCC several times for a site inspection, and was still awaiting the date.
VAS The Clerk was still awaiting confirmation that the VAS was working correctly. However BCC did state that the VASs are often not exactly in sync with all car speedometers.
Replacement No Cold Calling Signs PCllr Bryans had now been assured these should be done by the end of January.
5. REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED DURING THE MONTH
Meeting with Jonathan Palmer - PCllr Whitmore reported several Parish Councillors had attended a meeting with Jonathan Palmer on 16th January 2008 to discuss the problems there with noise particularly on track days. Mr Palmer had assured everyone that the new Bund will be effective in reducing the noise to a satisfactory level, but if there were any concerns after the Bund had been installed he would be happy to discuss the matter again, and offered have a meeting in a years time to review the situation. BCllr Clifton had advised the Parish Council that his experiences using Bunds, were that they were very successful.
6. OPEN FORUM FOR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
Oil Drums - PCllr Landmann had reported the oil drums dumped in Keysoe Row East, and Mr Woodward confirmed he had also reported it. The Clerk was asked to report it again.
Bedford Autodrome - Jill Peters expressed concern about the noise issues at the track. She had consulted experts at Millbrook and Chelmsford who were of the opinion that the type of Bund proposed would not be sufficient. She had spoken to Thurleigh Parish Council and was also addressing Riseley Parish Council, and would encourage anyone who had concerns to contact the Planning Authority before the Planning Meeting on 25th February 2008. A representative from the Environment Department was visiting her on 30th January 2008 and anyone interested in coming along would be welcome.
Village gateway signs - Penny Heming from the Village Show Committee reported that BCC Highways had informed her that the proposed village gateway signs would have be put in abeyance for the time being as the speed limits are about to be reviewed.
Jenny Johnson raised the matter of the 10 year ruling on planning consent in relation to Jonathan Palmer. PCllr Whitmore said her understanding was that if a scheme that should have had planning consent had been in situ without proper consent for 10 years or more, but that during that period no one had objected, then consent could be waived. It was not thought this would apply to Palmers.
7. PLANNING
DECISIONS MADE BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
07/02814/S73 Application Withdrawn - Alterations and extension to north track/construction of 3 5 meter acoustic bund. Variation to planning condition 8 of permission granted to allow time extension until December 2008 for completion of bund Former DRA site - Thurleigh Airfield Business Park.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
07/03550/S73 Alterations and extension to north track/construction of 3 5 meter acoustic bund and associated landscaping along eastern & northern boundary. Variation to planning condition 8 of permission granted 06/02918/FUL to allow time extension until 31st October 2008 for completion of bund Bedford Autodrome Thurleigh Airfield - No objections
07/03396/FUL Erection of fence, gate and detached shed (already carried out) Virginia Cottage, Keysoe Row West - No objections
8. FINANCE
It was agreed to sign the following cheques:
| Glasdon Manufacturing Bench | £492.79 | | Mr G Beverley Bus Shelter | £15.00 | | BATPC Subscription | £136.00 | | Bolnhurst Old School hire charge | £10.00 | | Bedford Borough Council Code of Conduct | £14.20 | | Mrs G Wiggs Clerks Account (includes telephone bill for J Maddison £159.68) | £698.60 |
9. BUDGET & PRECEPT 2008/9
The Clerk presented the proposed budget for 2008/9. This was agreed and it was agreed to set the Precept at £9000.00. The paperwork was signed by the Chairman
10. HIGHWAYS CURRENT INFORMATION
PCllr Worth had attended the BCC Freight Strategy meeting on 3rd January 2008. Concern was raised about the lack of understanding that they have about the movement of heavy freight vehicles in the area. In particular that the Eaton Socon/Bushmead/Bolnhurst/Thurleigh route is so heavily used to reach the Airfield/Wind Tunnels developments and the A6, and the amount of freight traffic associated with Staughton Airfield and its effect on Little Staughton and the surrounding area. The Clerk was asked to write to Highways to express concern about this.
He had also attended The BCC roundtable meetings with PCllr Turner, where they were advised that BCC have no available funds for major projects, and would only be patching and mending roads.
Amey would be reviewing speed limits and Gateways, and the Parish Council would be consulted.
Trees had been removed from outside the Mission Hall in Bolnhurst which had raised questions about the oil tank there on Highway land.
The hedges have been cut back on Hatch Lane.
11. UPDATE ON RURAL HOUSING TRUST
PCllr Whitmore had attended a meeting where she was advised that good progress was now being made with the landowner, and the outcome was hoped to be reported within the next few weeks.
12. CONFIDENT COMMUNITIES FUND
The Parish Council decided to use the fund towards the purchase of a second VAS location to be determined.
13. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The Clerk was asked to invite reports from local representatives and issue an agenda to each household via the Village Voice.
14. FIRST RESPONSE
It was agreed the in the first instance PCllr Bryans would put an article in the Village Voice to ask for volunteers, so that the Parish Council could gauge the level of interest.
15. RISELEY POLICE STATION
Concern was raised that this station is no longer manned. It was agreed that PCllr Bryans would contact PC Smith the invite him the address the Annual Parish Meeting.
16. LAND AT SCHOOL LANE
PCllr Whitmore reported that Highways had confirmed the exact location and boundary of Highways land, and that they planned to start work on it w/c 4th February 2008, providing the neighbours were happy with the pegging out.
17. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- BCC Footpath diversion order Bridleways 34 & 40 for info
- BBC Update on Lottery Funding application - for info
- BCC Update on Unitary status for info
- BCC Invitation to Town and Parish Council Reception 19/2/08 6pm County Hall PCllr Worth to attend
- CGM Invitation to open meeting on 26/2/08, 7.30pm Corn Exchange
- regarding review of conservation areas for info
18. CLOSE OF BUSINESS 8.50pm
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