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A Parish Council meeting was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Mrs S Saunders Chairman, Mr D Lanning Vice-Chairman, Mr N R Pridmore, Mrs K Humphries, Professor N Witts, Mrs E Clarke, Mrs R Roberts, Mrs G M Wilkinson Clerk, Dr H E G Rees County Councillor for the Ketton Ward, Mr B W Roper County Councillor for the Ketton Ward, 10 members of the public
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES None
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None.
3.(a) MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 26th February 2008 Councillor Lanning proposed, seconded by Councillor Pridmore, that the minutes were correct.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 1. Standards Board: Councillor Roper said that he had taken advice about whether the Parish Council should adopt paragraph 12 (2) of the new code of conduct for councillors. This allows members to speak on matters in which they have an interest, but they are not allowed to take part in the decision making. Councillor Witts proposed, seconded by Councillor Clarke, that we adopt the section, agreed unanimously.
2. Planning Meeting: Councillor Saunders said that she, together with Councillors Witts and Roberts, attended a meeting with Carolyn Cartwright. Councillor Witts said that there was a process going through which would enable restraints to be put on certain villages to stop any more development, and Barrowden was getting towards this point. He felt that it had been a good meeting, and he was encouraged that a further meeting had been arranged on April 22nd for Councillors from all parishes in Rutland. Comments have to be in before 11th April. Nominally two members from each parish are invited, but Councillor Rees said that more could go if they asked.
3. Padlock for Allotment Gate: Councillor Saunders said she has now received the lock and combination number for the padlock.
4. Name for New Development Back Road: Councillor Saunders said this was to be discussed at the parish meeting.
5. Village Maps: Thanks to Councillor Roper for the village maps.
6. Pond Fence: Mr Story said that he was unable to repair the fence around the pond as he was too busy. Councillor Pridmore said he would have a look tomorrow to see what he thought needed doing, Councillor Saunders thought there may only be one rail that needs replacing at present.
7.The Hey Court: The lay-by has now been tarmaced and the verges have been reseeded and fenced off to allow the seed to grow.
5. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE The following correspondence was received and discussed:
1. Mr Ling: Burghley Estate will look into the overhanging bushes and trees in question.
2. Barry Briggs: (Dog Warden) saying that the Dog Trust is encouraging local authorities to launch a spring campaign for Parish Councils to join forces as part of the “Poop Scoop” campaign running through April. Councillor Humphries said she would deal with this.
3. Stuart Crook: (Public Rights of Way Officer) said that RCC may be able to offer a small sum towards the display board on land adjacent to public footpath E321, although it is not strictly with the remit of his section. Councillor Lanning to discuss with the environment group.
4. Steve Preston: asking permission from the Parish Council to use the village greens for this year’s fete on June 28th, and also the power supply on the village green for the PA system and disco lighting. He also asked if the supply had been checked in the last five years, and whether the green cut is cut in time for the fete. Councillor Roberts proposed, seconded Councillor Clarke for this to go ahead, Councillor Pridmore said he would check with Barry Long regarding the electricity supply.
5. Peter Voller: asking permission for the gardening club to set up a stall on the village green on 24th May. The purpose is to sell plants, vegetable seedlings and other garden produce to raise money for the Barrowden Tree Group nursery project. Councillor Lanning proposed, seconded by Councillor Pridmore, that permission be granted.
6. Valerie Jones: congratulated the Parish Council on arranging the meeting with the Planning Officer. She also asked if a roving microphone could be installed in the Village Hall as it was difficult to hear at the meetings. Councillor Saunders said that due to the cost of this it was not viable at present.
7. Scott Blockley: Wheel Lane, advising that he was having a garden party for the CPRE and asking where cars may be parked for the event. The King’s Lane Surgery was suggested.
8. Voluntary Action Rutland: details of an Open Day on Friday 18th April, notice to be placed in notice board.
9. Mr Ainley: advising of the discussion that has taken place about de-cluttering the street scene of unnecessary signs and other street furniture in the county. He would welcome any Parish Council comments by the end of May. Councillor Lanning said he would deal with this.
10. Arthur Maguire: with an update from the Environment Group.
11. Dr Merritt: asking permission for a specified area in the allotments where residents could take gardening waste for composting, He said that Mr Clayton and he would build three or four pens using old pallets. Councillor Pridmore proposed, seconded Councillor Humphries, for this to go ahead. All agreed.
12. Rospa: we are due a safety inspection of the Recreation Ground play equipment in May. Councillor Humphries to inform them that there is now more play equipment.
6. PLANNING MATTERS - Report by Councillor Witts (a) To Consider Planning Applications still under review None.
(b) To Minute Planning Applications Received Since Last Meeting and Responses None.
(c) To Report Results of Previous Applications The following planning applications have all been granted planning permission:
1. Mrs Dowman: construction of dog kennel/implement shed to side (east) elevation of outbuilding to replace existing timber lean-to. FUL/2008/0027NT, listed building LBA/2008/0028NT, 14 Main Street.
2. Mr & Mrs Facer: for construction of singe storey extension and conversion of attic space to living space, Pollards Close. FUL/2008/0045/JR.
3. Mr & Mrs Wise: 15 Main Street, conversion of barn to form ancillary residential accommodation and associated works amended scheme. FUL/2008/0019/JR.
4. Barrowden Parish Council: various works to various trees, Recreation Ground, CAT/2008/0080/CN.
There was a visitation from the Planning Dept to 14 Main Street last weekend for the extension to 14 Main Street, which was passed last evening in Oakham. Councillor Saunders thanked Councillor Witts for his work on planning.
7. FINANCE (a) To Report Account Balances Recreation Land £134.21 Parish Council Account £7,958.61 (of which £578.70 is defibrillator fund)
(b) To Minute Any Payments Made Since Those Sanctioned at the Last Meeting None. (c) Any Outstanding Accounts
1. A letter was received from Caroline McBain stating that the bill for the website is due at the end of the month which would be £23.50.
2. Leicestershire & Rutland Parish Councils Association annual subscription £153.41
3. Rural Community Council annual subscription £35.00.
4. Allianz Insurance plc, public & employers liability fidelity guarantee, including defibrillator £320.40. It was agreed for Councillor Roberts to read the details of this insurance to see if it needs to be updated, due to all the new equipment purchased over the past year.
5. D G Norman, for chain and padlock for allotment gate into Recreation Ground. £29.06 + £5.08 = £34.14. Councillor Humphries proposed, seconded by Councillor Pridmore and agreed, that these accounts all be paid.
8. PRACTICAL JOBS Councillor Pridmore said he had spent several hours pulling the ivy off the Recreation Ground wall. He felt that the weed killer he had put on last autumn had worked fairly satisfactorily, and said that he would put more on.
9. TO CONSIDER ANY ITEM PUT FORWARD FOR THE BENEFIT OR IMPROVEMENT OF THE PARISH Village Hall A letter was received from George Smith, chairman of the Village Hall Committee, saying that they had been discussing how to make improvements to the Village Hall, and asking the Parish Council for any suggestions. The following ideas were put forward:
Paint the entrance ramp with a bright, non-slip surface, as it was felt that it needs to be non-slip and visible, particularly for the disabled who are not wheelchair-bound.
Entrance mat need replacing. Replacement needs to be larger and fit into a well, with a more adequate, dirt-attracting mat.
Main heating system very noisy, could this be reduced?
Sliding doors to be replaced or to have improved sliding mechanism, as at present they are difficult to operate.
Would like an extra notice board for Parish Council notices, on the right hand wall of the entrance porch.
If a major extension is considered, it would benefit Parish Council to have a parish office.
A member of the public has requested a PA system, as there is difficulty in hearing at meetings particularly when the heating is on. Traffic Calming Councillor Lanning said since the last meeting he had received a letter from Mr Ainley saying that the costs for speed humps and associated works have increased by approximately 3%. Councillor Lanning said that he had asked the residents of Morcott/Seaton Road whether they wished to have speed indicating lights installed rather than the humps, but they all preferred the humps. Mr Ainley said that a funding scheme has been placed in the forward programme of improvement works for 2009/10, subject to members’ approval. If the Parish Council opted to have speed indicative devices the County Council would be looking for a contribution from the Parish Council due to the extra expense. Barrowden was13th on the list of 25. Councillor Pridmore proposed to wait for County Council rather than go it alone. It was indicated that there was to be a change in the Highways management at the end of May, which may bring a change in strategy.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Councillor Saunders that she had attended a meeting with Burghley Estate regarding the proposed quarrying at Wakerley. Burghley Estate said that Mark Oldridge their Surveying Consultant would come and talk about this to a public meeting on May 13th in Barrowden Village Hall if the Parish Council agreed. All agreed for Councillor Saunders to arrange this.
Rutland Forum – Councillor Saunders said that she attended a Parish briefing at Catmose. Issues included help for vulnerable adults and youth education, and an update of refuse collection and kerbside recycling.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING It was agreed that the next meeting would be the Annual Parish Council meeting which will take place on Tuesday 20th May 2008.
There being no other business the Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and declared the meeting closed at 8.30pm.
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For details of other minutes, please click on the appropriate date |
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2nd April 2008 (APM) |
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