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Minutes of July 2008 Meeting |
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The verified minutes of the meeting held in the Village Hall, Keysoe on Monday 21st July, 2008 were;
MEMBERS PRESENT: PCllr Bates, PCllr Whitmore, PCllr Browning, PCllr Bryans, PCllr Landmann, PCllr Turner, Mr Alan Woodward, BCllr Clifton, CCllr Wootton, 6 members of the public, and Mrs Gill Wiggs (Clerk).
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEETING
PCllr Worth
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 MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 19th MAY 2008
These were agreed to be a true record.
4. MATTERS ARISING
- Janet’s Place – The Clerk reported that an Enforcement Officer from BBC Planning Authority had raised an investigation case.
- Website – The Clerk reported this had now been updated.
5. OPEN FORUM FOR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
- Bolnhurst Bus Shelter – PCllr Whitmore asked that a thank you letter be sent to Malcolm Whitmore for providing the base free of charge – Action The Clerk. She also suggested that the seat be moved from round the corner and put inside the bus shelter, but she understood PCllr Worth was not in support of this idea. It was agreed that a consultation slip would be circulated to Bolnhurst residents via the Village Voice on this matter – Action PCllr Whitmore
- Play Partnership Meeting – will be held on 7/8/08 2pm – 4pm. Anyone interested in attending to let PCllr Whitmore know.
- Janet’s Place – BCllr Clifton reported the owners of Janet’s Place, had enquired with him about the possibility of being allowed to retain the original building for storage.
- Land r/o Sundew – The neighbour of this land, Mrs Bell, expressed concern over the close vicinity of the proposed stables to her property. They would be approximately 18 meters from her kitchen. The smell and noise would cause an environmental intrusion. Another neighbour expressed the same concerns. Mrs Bell said she had spoken to the applicant who had indicated he would be willing to erect the stables further away from her property, which would be more acceptable.
6. PLANNING
Decisions made by the Borough Council (for information only):
08/01206/S73 – Application withdrawn for ménage at Wychtree Farm, Keysoe
08/00784/FUL – Permission refused for ménage Chasers, Riseley Rd, Keysoe
08/00867/FUL – Permission refused for erection of bungalow The Mission Hall, Kimbolton Rd, Bolnhurst
08/01552/AOC - Discharge of condition 2 (materials) – Old Mill House Mill Lane, Keysoe
08/01099/FUL – Permission granted for single storey side extension, conservatory and garage – Ashwood Lodge, Keysoe Row West
08/01546/AOC & 08/01544/AOC - Discharge of condition 3 (repair specification) on conversion of redundant barns to form dwellings – Brook End Farm, Riseley Rd, Keysoe
07/00338/AOC – Permission refused for discharge of condition 4 (window details) on conversion of redundant barns to form dwellings – Brook End Farm, Riseley Rd, Keysoe
Planning Applications for Discussion:
08/01743/FUL – 2 storey side and single storey front extensions. Sundew, Wybridge Keysoe
There were no objections to this application
08/01088/S73 – Change of use of land to private paddocks (development already carried out) and erection of stable block and associated works – Land r/o Sundew Wybridge Keysoe. A letter had been received expressing concern about this application from a neighbour, Mrs Bell. This had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. The siting of the stables was unacceptably close to the neighbour’s property, causing an environmental intrusion from the noise and smell. This seemed unnecessary when the stables could be erected elsewhere in the field further away from the neighbour’s property. The Parish Council decided to OBJECT to this application on this basis.
7. FINANCE
It was agreed to sign the following cheques:
Mr G Beverley – Bus Shelter
| £15.00 | Mrs G Wiggs – Clerks Account
| £433.76 | Allianz Insurance - Additional premium
| £385.74
| BPFA - Membership
| £25.00
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8. AUDIT 2007/8 – Update from Clerk
The Clerk reported that she expected the External Audit to be slightly delayed, as she had been asked to provide some additional information. She had made the submission based on expenditure excluding VAT, whilst the previous Clerk had included VAT on the previous year’s submission. The Auditors had advised that either method was acceptable, but because the method had changed they had asked for the previous year’s expenditure to be resubmitted without VAT, so they could compare “like with like” when carrying out the audit. Future audit submissions would continue to be made exclusive of VAT.
9. TO CONSIDER RURAL GRANT APPLICATION FROM KYMBROOK LOWER SCHOOL
The Pre School were applying for a rural grant from BBC for £506.96 for a CD Player with headphones and microphones. This needed endorsement for the Parish Council. The Parish Council RESOLVED to support the application.
10. PLAYING FIELD
- Equipment – PCllr Whitmore reported this had started to be installed, but cannot be used until has been completely finished and the safety check carried out.
- Official Launch – PCllr Whitmore reported an official launch would be organised later in the summer.
- Notice board – PCllr Bates advised that “pictograms” are being added. The 9pm closure was discussed, and it was agreed that this was not practical given that we are hopefully having a Youth Shelter for older youngsters, plus it is not enforceable. It was therefore RESOLVED to remove the closure time. PCllrs Bryans & Whitmore raised a concern about the designers “logo” going on the sign. As the work was being done free of charge, it was suggested that this would be acceptable, providing it is small and discreet.
- Annual Safety Checks – The Clerk pointed out that these needed to be done for Insurance purposes. A decision would need to be made who to use. It was agreed that this would be decided early next year.
- Bin – The waste bin had been installed and the Clerk was asked to ensure it was on the refuse collection route – Action The Clerk
11. REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED DURING THE MONTH
Planning Workshop – This had been attended by PCllrs Bryans and Turner, and a report had been circulated. The principal purpose of the workshop was to acquaint Parish Councils with the methodology which could be used to define the area which could be designated an SPA under the Bedford Development Framework (BDF). Submissions from developers (including SPAs) must be in by 18/8/08. Following this the sites put forward for development will be published in the autumn and they will be reviewed against the methodology. This will be followed by consultations about how sites might affect the drawing up of SPA boundaries. It was agreed to complete the consultation form after the meeting for urgent submission.
12. HIGHWAYS CURRENT INFORMATION
PCllr Worth had sent his report - Wybridge Footpath has been sprayed for weeds, & this will be repeated at least twice. It will then be scraped and hot rolled to restore the surface. It is unlikely that there will be spare money from the Parish Partnership fund to put a hard standing in front of the school bus shelter. CCllr Wootton suggested the Highways local area team could be asked to tarmac the area next time they are in the village. It was agreed this would be the best solution, and the Clerk would advise PCllr Worth.
13. BUS ROUTES
PCllrs Whitmore and Worth had met with the County Council Public Transport Team Leader, Mr Simon Ayres to discuss the loss of a bus service for the residents at the southern end of Bolnhurst. Under the new arrangements the bus will pass through Bolnhurst along the St Neots Road, to and from Keysoe or Colmworth depending upon direction. The bus will no longer (and never has according to the County Council) serve other parts of the village. It was pointed out that the old 152 bus had served the lower end of the Village and had done so for well over 40 years. It was also pointed out that this section of the B660 is probably the busiest section of minor road in North Beds, has no footpath, and is dangerous to walk along. Mr Ayres said that usage was minimal through Bolnhurst, and Colmworth had priority due to numbers of passengers. He did suggest that passengers could be picked up at 07.28 and 09.22 hrs, when the respective buses travelled through Bolnhurst on their way to Little Staughton to commence their service to Bedford. Passengers returning from Bedford could return to Bolnhurst on the 14.30 and 15.45 hrs buses. None of these suggestions could be confirmed at this stage.
BCllr Clifton reported he had raised the matter with Simon Ayres himself as he had received complaints about it, and he had been assured that the service would be reinstated.
CCllr Wootton reported he would be meeting Simon Ayres on 22/7/08 and he would also ask for it to be reinstated. He was also asked to raise the problem with the last time tabled bus back to Keysoe being approximately 3pm.
14. TO CONSIDER “HANDYMAN” VACANCY THAT WILL ARISE WEF 1/10/08
The Clerk reported that George Beverley had advised he will no longer be able to carry out this work from October. He had offered to put an advert in the Village Voice free of charge. It was agreed to do this in readiness for the September meeting.
15. UPDATE ON RURAL HOUSING
PCllr Whitmore had received an update from the Rural Housing Trust to say 10 2/3 bed homes would be built, 3 of which would be shared ownership, and 7 would be rental. They would need to identify a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) for the rental properties, and had asked if the Parish Council had a preference. The Parish Council were concerned and surprised about the involvement of a RSL, and were all of the opinion the Trust would be the landlord. It was therefore decided to ask the Trust for a meeting as soon as possible to discuss this matter – Action PCllr Whitmore
16. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
- Mr and Mrs Clark, Lingfield Keysoe Row West – (circulated prior to meeting) asking questions about the local need for Rural Housing. It was agreed to reply to Mr and Mrs Clark to update them on the need for this housing – Action The Clerk
- BBC – BDF update, all sites for consideration must be submitted by 18/8/08. It was agreed that the Rural Housing Trust would be asked if they are submitting details of the proposed rural housing – Action PCllr Whitmore
- BCC – Update on transition arrangements for new unitary council – file.
- BPONCG – details of proposed post office closures (circulated prior to meeting) - file
17. CLOSE OF BUSINESS - 9.15pm
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