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Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 11th September at 7.45 pm 2007.
PRESENT Mrs S Saunders Chairman; Mr D Lanning Vice-Chairman; Mr N R Pridmore; Mrs R Roberts; Mrs E Clarke; Prof N Witts; Mr B Roper County Councillor for the Ketton ward; Dr H E G Rees County Councillor for the Ketton ward; Mrs G M Wilkinson Clerk
7 members of the public were also present.
OPEN MEETING
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and invited members of the public to speak.
1. Miss J Hughes-Nurse asked what was happening regarding the low cost housing. The Chairman said that there was no more information at present. 2. Miss V Jones asked if there was any change in the builders for the low cost housing. Councillor Saunders said she was not aware of any changes to the builders. 3. Mrs Clayton asked about the community shop project. Councillor Saunders said it is still being dealt with and things are moving closer to a lease agreement for the land with Burghley. 4. Miss Jones asked if there was any more news regarding the surgery extension and the proposed pharmacy. Councillor Saunders said that she had had a meeting with the practice manager, the pharmacist and the architect, which would be discussed at the next Burghley Finance meeting in November, and a public meeting would take place before any planning application was submitted. She then read a letter confirming this from Mrs Harvey, practice manager of Uppingham Surgery. 5. A suggestion was made to have speed awareness flashing signs and guns rather than humps. The Chairman passed this over to Councillors Lanning & Pridmore, who said that flashing signs were expensive, and they had been negotiating with Morcott & Seaton Road residents for humps on Seaton Road. 6. Mrs Clayton pointed out that there was a lot of dead boughs in the recreation ground trees and she was concerned regarding the safety of children playing there, and felt that they should be look at professionally. Councillor Saunders said that Councillor Humphries is contacting the Forestry Commission to ask them if they would come and assess the trees. Councillor Saunders said the trees should be checked before the precept is set in case of any heavy expense. It was agree that Councillor Pridmore would contact Terry Humphries to look into this. The open meeting then closed.
Councillor Saunders introduced Mrs Helen Briggs, Chief Executive of Rutland County Council and Mrs Carolyn Cartwright, Principal Planning Officer, who had agreed to attend tonight’s meeting. Councillor Saunders proposed dealing first with the issue of the granting of planning permission for a development on an “important open space”, and then resuming the normal business of the meeting. This was seconded by Councillor Lanning and agreed by all members.
Councillor Saunders said that she had invited the two guests to explain why the application for a conservatory for Mr & Mrs Holland had been given full planning permission on The Hey development on land designated important open space in the Village Design Statement and the Rutland Local Plan.
Councillor Saunders produced a map which was received from the RCC in 2004 when the plans for the Hey were submitted, but when the planning application for a conservatory was received the line delineating the open space on the plan was different. Carolyn Cartwright did not explain clearly why this was changed, but admitted that a recent survey had not taken place. Councillor Pridmore asked if this meant the area approved by the RCC in 2004 and used by the Parish Council in all previous planning applications was no longer applicable. There was no clear response except that there might have been discrepancies in transferring details from map to another. Mrs Cartwright said that the Planning Department consider two types of open space, village greens which are sacrosanct where no buildings are allowed at all, and others which are often privately owned. Planning applications may be considered favourably on the latter type if they were not too large or obtrusive. There were questions on how this related to the Village Design Statement. In this case it was felt that according to the Local Plan small extensions such as conservatories and sheds would not make a substantial difference especially as it was at the lowest point of the plot. Councillor Saunders thanked Mrs Briggs and Mrs Cartwright for attending the meeting. But the murmurs from the public suggested a strong feeling that they had not given a very satisfactory explanation.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
1. APOLOGIES
Mrs K Humphries
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18th JULY 2007
Councillor Pridmore proposed, seconded by Councillor Lanning that the minutes were correct, all agreed.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
1. Overhanging Trees Shrubs Despite an article printed in the magazine requesting residents to trim overhanging vegetation on their property, none seemed to have been done so. Councillor Roberts, Clarke, Witts and Pridmore agreed to visit the offending householders. 2. Bollards Mill Lane It was reported that the bollards had been erected at the top of Mill Lane, but were not yet locked. There were mixed feeling about them both among Councillors and the residents in Mill Lane. 3. Land Registry Nothing to report at this meeting, hope for completion by the next meeting.
4. Patient Participation It was disappointing there appeared to be no interest from residents to attend the meeting on Patient & Public involvement in Health. 5. Traffic Calming Councillor Lanning said that he had asked RCC Highways to put the Barrowden speed humps on their list of projects in case there was any money left over at the end of the financial year. 6. Litter Bins Councillor Clarke said that no one was keen to have litter bins down Mill Lane and thought that the best place was to erect a further bin beside the existing one in Main Street. 7. Expenses for Councillors The Chairman said that more time was needed to discuss expenses for Councillors, and it was agreed to defer the subject to another meeting.
5. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE
1. Mrs Last, also representing Miss J Hughes-Nurse, Miss V Jones, and Mrs Mitchell with their concerns regarding the now approved planning application for affordable housing in Back Road. 2. Mrs Harvey, Practice Manager, Uppingham Surgery, informing the Parish Council that the Uppingham Surgery is hoping to extend the doctors surgery in Barrowden. 3. Mr & Mrs Maguire with their concerns regarding a planning application for the conversion of existing double garage into living accommodation for disabled persons for Mr & Mrs Halls, Lambsden, King’s Lane. 5. Miss J Hughes-Nurse regarding the increasingly loud sound from parties held in the village over the past two years. Discussion on the most appropriate way of dealing with this including the possibility of an article in the magazine was considered. However further discussion reflected this might be an isolated incident with three parties in one evening. 6. Ketton Community First Responders Group asking if Barrowden would be interested to join their group. It was agreed for Councillor Saunders to contact them for more information after consultation with Mrs Clayton. 7. Mr Ellis objecting to the bollards erected at the top of the footpath E321 Mill Lane. He felt there should have been more consultation with residents by the Parish Council.
6. COMMUNICATION PROPOSALS
Councillor Witts circulated to Parish Councillors a copy of his report, which he suggests to circulate to every resident in the village when approved by the Council. He said that he would like them all to be laminated, and would look into the cost of this. It was agreed to have an advertisement in the parish magazine displaying all the responsibilities of the Parish Councillors.
7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Councillors Clarke & Witts
(a) To consider the following planning applications None.
(b) To minute planning applications received since the last meeting 1. Mrs Dowman 14 Main Street LBA/2007/0732/NH for conversion of outbuilding to annexe. The Parish Council’s response was: (a) No objections to the conversion to an office provided it is for personal use. (b) Do not support addition of toilet and washbasin as there is concern that the addition of a toilet indicates potential business use or an additional bedroom. Both would intrude on a neighbour’s privacy. (c) The application should be refused until parking problem is solved. (d) It is noted that the applicant has agreed to demolish large wooden chalet which has been recently erected in the garden and that retrospective planning approval will be sought for the second wooden building.
2. Mr & Mrs Tipping, 21 Main Street, FUL/2007/0752/CN for the erection of two storey garage. The Parish Council response was as follows: 1. This has always been a hazardous corner especially for pedestrians. 2. Garage needs to be set back as far as possible from Main Street. 3. If garage was sited behind the house there would be maximum visibility. 4. Refuse application for height and position of garage and change of entrance. 5. Original entrance for 21 and 21a to be restored to previous position, as no application was sought to demolish stone wall and move entrance nearer to the dangerous corner.
3. Mr & Mrs Wise, 15 Main Street, FUL/2007/0685/NH, for conversion of barn to form ancillary accommodation, first floor dormer window to front elevation of main house and first floor balcony to rear. The Parish Council’s response: (a) Main house dormer window and balcony: no objections. (b) Conversion of barn acceptable in principle. (c) Object to addition of lounge 4.73 metres long. This leaves large section of barn unused (ready for a subsequent application). (d) This is in effect a new house in the garden. In Barrowden there are more than sufficient new houses in gardens. It is hoped no more will receive permission.
(c) Results from previous planning applications 1. Mr & Mrs S Preston planning permission approved for the construction of single storey extension to rear (north) elevation and installation of solar heating panels to front (south). Clipsham House, Chapel Lane. FUL/2007/0522/NH.
2. Plot 1 Durant Farm, refusal of planning application of three storey dwellinghouse attached double garage and associated works on grounds out of scale with overall development of site. FUL/2007/0107/CC.
3. Mr & Mrs Holland, Padbury Lodge, The Hey, planning permission approval for the construction of sun room to the rear (west) elevation, with condition regarding hedge.
4. Mr Paul Evans, 4 Durant Farm Drive, approval for retrospective application for installation of satellite dish, erection of garden shed and pergola.
5. Mr & Mrs Lucas, 6 Durant Farm Drive, approval for retrospective application for installation of satellite dish, erection of pergola and shed. FUL/2007/0690/CN.
6. Mr P Humphreys, Plot 4 Durant Farm Drive, approval for the removal of 11 Leylandi trees and replacement with hedgerow. CAT/2007/0636/CN.
8. FINANCE
(a) Current balances Parish Council £11,800.00 Recreation Land £126.20
b) Accounts to be considered for payment Gardens and Greens, grass cutting £200.00 Chubb Fire Ltd, Village Hall - £78.40 +£13.72 VAT £92.12
(c) To minute any payments made since the last meeting Gardens and Greens, grass cutting £200.00 Rutland County Council, street lights £300.00 It was unanimously agreed for all these accounts to be paid.
9. PRACTICAL JOBS
Councillor Pridmore said that some strimming needed to be done in the recreation ground and that the ivy and the brambles on the allotment wall needed removing. Councillor Saunders proposed that Councillor Pridmore organise a working party to remove the ivy & brambles from the wall. He agreed to do this when his work load permitted. There were complaints that the grass had not been strimmed often enough and was looking untidy. The Contractor said he does not have suitable machinery to mow the top area until the grass has died back in late autumn. It was noted that residents are using this area for exercising dogs and leave excrement. Councillor Pridmore proposed that we should to get a quote for 2 strims of this area next year, also for trimming growth near the allotment wall. It was also requested by the Environment Group that the responsibility to cut the grass around the pond posts should be transferred from their group to the Parish Council, Councillor Humphries to include these extra areas when seeking quotes next year.
10. TRAFFIC CALMING
This was dealt with earlier under Matters Arising.
11. GRASS CUTTING
Councillor Lanning reported that he had received complaints concerning the following:-
Rutland County Council Urban Grass Cutters Lack of cutting of verges in Seaton Road, Morcott Road, Back Lane to 30mph signs, and cuts not being done every three weeks.
Rutland County Council Rural Cutters Seaton, Morcott, Wakerley Roads and Back Lane to Live Hill have only been cut once so far this season, and should be done three times. Another area of concern is the hedge of the paddock which borders Wakerley Road & King's Lane - vision being obscured for pedestrians. Footpaths leading from/to Dovecote Close behind Redland Close, and the footpath down past Treetops, Wakerley Road still have not been cut down. It was reported that trees in Church Lane on land belonging to Burghley estate are choked with ivy also an oak tree on Cuckoo Corner. It was agreed to get these checked out.
12. ALLOTMENTS
The Clerk said that there were four residents interested in having an allotment, but Mr Eckton had still not cleared his machinery away. It was agreed to chase this up.
13. HIGHWAYS & TIPPING’S LANE
Councillor Pridmore said that water is now running very well into the pond, and proposed that we do not go ahead with the installation of the water chamber at present. It was agreed to contact Alan Mitchell and Paul Logue for advice.
Grass Verges Although a second letter had been sent to Brown & Jones, no reply had been received. It was agreed to write a further letter. Councillor Saunders proposed we write for quotes for more No Parking signs to be erected. It was proposed that the signs read “Please Do Not Park”.
Road Naming It was agreed by vote to leave the name of the road past the allotments as previously agreed, i.e. as “Back Lane”.
14. ENVIRONMENT & THE MILL POND – Councillor Roberts
Councillor Roberts gave a report on the latest activities of the Environmental Group:
1. Burghley Estate has agreed for the erection of seat and information board by the Mill Pond, with conditions regarding positioning. 2. Concern regarding greens being used for car parking, and requesting Parish Council for a written policy on the grassed areas. 3. A complaint had been received saying that the reeds in the pond were too high; Mike Conway had agreed to look into and trim if necessary. 4. Bollards were now in place on the footpath E321, padlocks to be fitted shortly. 5. Letters had been written to the Environment Agency and Anglian Water regarding restoring a fresh water supply to the Mill Pond. 6. They would like the Parish Council to take responsibility for cutting round the village pond posts. 7. Mr Maguire will not retire as Chairman for the time being.
15. RUTLAND PARISH FORUM - To consider questions on Waste & Amenities management
Councillor Saunders said that she had attended the recent Parish Forum meeting, at which a presentation was given on the introduction of an alternate week kerbside recycling scheme for Rutland. Copies of the presentation were circulated to each Councillor. The Councillors were adamant that the boxes should be provided with lids, and agreed to discuss this further at the next meeting.
16. TO CONSIDER ANY ITEM PUT FORWARD FOR THE BENEFIT OR IMPROVEMENT OF THE PARISH
The Parish Council were contacted regarding the possible of combining with the North Luffenham village transport scheme; Councillor Saunders said she would contact them to discuss this further.
17. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There being no other business, the Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and the meeting closed at 10.30pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 30th October 2007.
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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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