Council Meeting, 22 July 2015

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
All Councillors are summoned to the Ordinary
Meeting of Helmdon Parish Council to be held in the
Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon on Wednesday 22nd July 2015 at 7.30 pm.
Members of the public and Press are invited to attend and to participate in the Open Forum. This meeting may be recorded, filmed or broadcast by members of the press or public without prior notification to the Parish Council, provided such action does not impede the conduct or progress of the meeting
AGENDA
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16
17.
18
19
Apologies for Absence
Declarations of Interest
Open Forum
Approval and Signature of minutes of meetings
Ordinary meeting held 27th May 2105
Extraordinary meeting held 9th June 2015
Extraordinary meeting held 9th July 2015
Matters Arising from the Minutes of the above Meeting a) Transfer of ownership of land in Station Road b) Transfer of ownership of posts from Western Power c) School drainage project
Finance a) Financial statement b) To note payments received c) To consider bills to be paid d) Confirmation of new bank account
Correspondence Review
To consider decisions of the Planning Committee since 25 May 2015
To consider footpaths issues
To consider Highways Issues, including wall by 27 Wappenham Rd
To receive update from the Playground Committee
To receive update from the Allotment Committee
To receive update from Parish Plan Group
To receive an update from the Reading Room Committee
To receive an update from School Liaison Councillors
To consider co-option of councillor to fill vacancy.
To consider training arrangements
To consider War Memorial competition
Councillor questions and any other business
Signed _______________________Dated________________________
Simon Loake,Clerk to Helmdon Parish Council,1 Meadow Rise,Tiffield,12 8AP [phone number removed])

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
of a meeting of the Council held in the Reading Room, Helmdon, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 22 July 2015.
PRESENT: Cllrs Coatsworth, Adhemar, Duncombe, Garner, Hart, Moody, Vicars, Wheeler
IN ATTENDANCE: Simon Loake (Clerk)
6 members of the public attended.
1) APOLOGIES there were none.
2) DECLARATIONS of INTEREST: There were none.
3) OPEN FORUM:
1) A member of the public enquired about action to resolve the flooding in the village. Cllr
Coatsworth outlined the progress between the Parish Council, Bulkhead Properties, and the Tims family. Anglia Water are happy to locate the pipe that goes under the access road to the sewage treatment works, and the Mr Tims will then dig an appropriate ditch which should alleviate the problem.
2) It was noted that, following the judge’s decision not to allow the wind-farm , Broadview are intending to appeal this decision.
4) MINUTES: It was agreed that the minutes held on 27 May were a true record of the meeting, and the minutes were duly signed by the Chairman. Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on the same date, and of additional meetings held on 9 June are carried over to the next meeting.
5) MATTERS ARISING
1) The Clerk confirmed that he had again contacted Annabel Ellis at South Northants Homes, but there has been no further progress with the transfer of land in Station Road
2) Posts in Wappenham Road: The Clerk reported that there had been a site meeting with two representatives of Western Power, and the Clerk, Cllr Vicars, Cllr Duncombe and Cllr Hart. It had been agreed that the relevant poles would be shortened and shaped following the removal of the cables. It is currently anticipated that work will commence on 17 August. There will be temporary traffic lights where the cabling has to cross the road.
3) School drainage project. Cllr Hart reported on the meeting held between herself, Cllr Vicars, the
Clerk, and the School Bursar. In spite of the agreement reached at that meeting, there had been a change of wording instigated by NCC. The Clerk confirmed that he had signed the grant agreement on behalf of the Council. He agreed to verify the power under which the PC may contribute towards the maintenance of the field.
The Chairman brought forward item 18 from the agenda to this point
16) COOPTION of COUNCILLOR: It was reported that Chris Thorpe had expressed an interest in becoming a councillor. Mr Thorpe stated that he had attended many Parish Council meetings, and served on the Reading Room Committee, the Parish Plan Group and the Café. It was proposed by Cllr
Moody, 2nd Cllr Adhemar and unanimously agreed that Mr Thorpe be co-opted as a Councillor. Mr
Thorpe joined the Councillors, and the Clerk presented him with the acceptance of office documents and the register of interest forms, which Mr Thorpe duly completed and signed.
6) FINANCE
1) The Clerk presented the finance report for the four months to July 2015, a copy of which is attached to the file copy of these minutes,
2) It was noted that there were still allotments payments outstanding.

3) It was noted that, because of the change of bank account, no payments had yet been made in this financial year, but now that the new online bank account has been activated, it was agreed that all the outstanding payments as listed should be made.
4) The Clerk confirmed that the full amount of the funds has left the Co-operative bank account, and that the signatories (Cllrs Coatsworth, Garner and Moody) had received the relevant documentation for the new bank account to be operated. It was agreed that the new members of the Finance
Committee (Cllrs Vicars and Hart) should become signatories to the account. The Clerk also recommended that a considerable part of the £18000 held should be transferred to the new deposit account, leaving the precept amount in the current account. This was agreed.
7) CORRESPONDENCE: The Clerk presented the list of correspondence, a copy of which is attached to the file copy of these minutes. He drew attention to the “SPLAT GAMES” to be held on the School
Field on 31 July, to the request for use of the field on 22 August, and two reports of odour from
Blackpits, which the Chairman agreed to refer to the Monitoring Group.
8) DECISIONS OF PLANNING COMMITTEE: It was reported that applications for a replacement wall and gate at 12 Wappenham Rod, and the erection of a storage building at 74 Wappenham Road had both been supported. However, objections were raised to the application for a detached house at
Marriotts, 15 Wappenham Rd, because there would be considerable visual impact for properties opposite, it was not felt that the plans were in keeping with surrounding buildings, and there were inadequate provisions for vehicle access and parking. In addition, previous applications for this site have been declined on the basis that it would constitute over-development of the site, and it is felt that this continues to be the case.
9) FOOTPATH ISSUES: The Footpaths Warden reported that there had been a working party on the old railway line, whose efforts were much appreciated. The fifth in the series of circular walk leaflets was is to be published in the near future. There is considerable frustration at the demise of the NCC
Rights of Way Team; footpath issues are now handled by NCC Highways, and there is a lack of support that is now available for wardens, and although the area officer has said there will be improvements in the Helmdon area “in the summer”, there is no indication as to what work will be undertaken, or when. It was agreed that the Footpaths Warden would in future contact the Chairman if there were any matters of interest to be included on the PC agenda. The Chairman thanked Mr
Miles for his report.
10) HIGHWAYS ISSUES: Cllr Vicars reported that he retaining wall at 27 Wappenham Road appeared to be in a dangerous condition, and has moved several inches since the support posts were installed –
it is now leaning against the posts. The owners are aware that remedial work needs to be undertaken and are considering their options. Cllr Moody to contact NCC Highways Dept before any further response is considered
11) PLAYGROUND ISSUES: Cllr Adhemar reported that she and Cllr Wheeler had met with the Clerk at the playground, and had conducted a detailed review of the annual inspection report. The Clerk confirmed that he had applied for quotations from three companies, but these had not yet been received. Cllr Duncombe was thanked for receiving and spreading the new play-bark for the climbing area. It was agreed that a further three bags should be obtained to complete the surface of the climbing area and the area at the top of the slide steps.
12) ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE: It was reported that the notice board has not yet been erected, and the clerk reported that there were still allotment fees outstanding. There were no other matters to report
13) PARISH PLAN GROUP: Cllr Moody reported that there was a possibility that the Helmdon-
Brackley cycle route may be included in the construction of the HS2 line. He also reported that in the
Joint Core Strategy Helmdon is earmarked for an additional 35 dwellings, of which 6 have already been completed, with commitments for a further 6, leaving a balance of 23. The Parish Plan Group will continue to monitor this as more detailed plans are produced by SNC.
14) READING ROOM REPORT: Cllr Moody reported that the AGM had been held and officers elected.
There has been a request for free wi-fi to be installed in the reading room.

15) SCHOOL LIAISON COUNCILLORS: There was nothing to report
17) COUNCILLOR TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES: The Chairman stated that he had attended a course for new chairmen, and recommended that new Councillors should register themselves for the “Off to a
Flying Start” course run by NCALC
18) WAR MEMORIAL: Cllr Coatsworth reported that he had entered the War Memorial, and the memorials inside the church, into a competition organised by ACRE, but had not yet received a response to this.
19) COUNCILLOR QUESTIONS
1) In answer to a question from Cllr Adhemar, the Clerk confirmed that the recycling poster will be included with the next issue of The Voice
2) Cllr Duncombe enquired if a quotation had been obtained for mowing the verges from Welsh Lane.
The Clerk stated that this could be done as soon as the payment to the mowing contractor had been made. Cllr Duncombe agreed to continue mowing this area on a temporary basis.
3) Cllr Coatsworth reported that Mr Bill England would like to be replaced as Neighbourhood Watch
Co-ordinator in the medium term, but is happy to continue for the moment
4) Cllr Coatsworth also reported that Mr Peter Burns had once again agreed to organise the remembrance poppies for the village.
The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the Clerk, who is leaving because of health issues. The
Clerk stated that he was sorry to be leaving, but felt that it was better for him to do so now before his efficiency is further compromised. All present gave a round of applause.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40pm