Council Meeting, 23 September 2009

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
All Councillors are summoned an Ordinary Meeting of Helmdon Parish Council to be held in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon on Wednesday 23rd September 2009, commencing at 7.30 pm
Members of the public and Press are invited to attend and to participate in the Open Forum
AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Approval and Signature of the Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting held on 22nd July 2009
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of 22nd July 2009
4. Open Forum
5. Finance a) Financial statement b) Bills for Payment c) Payments Received d) To consider recommendations from the Finance Committee regarding additional grant payments e) To consider recommendations from the Finance Committee regarding
Internal and External Auditor Reports f) To receive information update on costings for village pump restoration
6. Correspondence Review
7. To consider proposal regarding potential additional inscriptions at the War Memorial
8. To receive update on proposal from Grand Union Housing regarding Affordable
Housing provision
9. Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 22/07/09
b) To consider consultation response to West Northamptonshire Emergent
Joint Core Strategy
10. Annual Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations – consideration of recommendations from Finance Committee
11. Footpaths – to consider request from Footpaths Group to contact NCC regarding a safety issue with footbridge.
12. To consider correspondence from Anglian Water regarding flooding issues
13. To consider scheme of wheelie bin labels encouraging traffic to reduce speed
14. Councillors’ Questions
Signed _______________________
Dated________________________
Liz Hart, Parish Clerk
[address removed]

09/ 19
HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Helmdon Parish Council held on
23rd September 2009 in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 7:30pm
Present: Councillors Barnes, Burns, Crouch, Duncombe, Thorne, England
Parish Clerk: Liz Hart
Seven members of the public were present.
Action
1 Apologies
The following apologies were received:
Cllr Turner – work commitments; Cllr Coatsworth – holiday; Cllr Stothard – Cllr Burns informed the meeting that Cllr Stothard had regretfully tended his resignation as a Parish
Councillor due to heavy work commitments. The Clerk will put in motion the Procedure for a
Vacancy.
2nd Approval and Signature of the Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting held on 22
Clerk
July nd Cllr Thorne proposed seconded by Cllr Crouch that the Ordinary Meeting Minutes of 22
July be approved with the flowing amendments:
Item 3 – Cllr Burns amended to Cllr Barnes
Item 12- Cllr Burns added to the list of Councillor who had declared a non-prejudicial interest in S/2009/0509/P.
All were in favour and Cllr Burns duly signed the minutes.
3nd Matters Arising from the Minutes of 22 July 2009
It was noted that no update had been received from Anglian Water following their presence at the previous meeting; the Clerk was requested to keep applying pressure for reports.
4
Clerk
Open Forum
Anglian Water – it was reported that Anglian Water had been in the village at the Green,
Church Street and Station Road checking the foul and surface water system.
Village of the Year signs – the road signs were still in place – Cllr England volunteered to remove them.
Cllr England
Speed monitoring – it was noted that the equipment was still in place at Abthorpe – Clerk will contact Steve Barber to ask for an update.
Clerk
Helmdon Acorns New Building Proposal – Cllr Burns confirmed that when an application is submitted to SNC it will be considered in the normal way. It was highlighted that this development is in no way connected to the Affordable Housing Development.
Talkabout Magazine – the Clerk confirmed that there was no money in the budget specifically for the printing. Cllt Thorne advised that although advertising was low is was still being submitted; there may be a shortfall between the printing cost and advertising revenue.
Brackley Cottage Hospital – it was queried why a decision made in January to support the
Hospital now appeared to have been revoked. Cllr Burns explained that David Brookhouse did not feel that a donation was appropriate this year; the Clerk also clarified that no decision of support had been revoked as the budgeted amount in January was for s137
expenditure as a whole, not specifically ring fenced for the Cottage Hospital.

09/
5 Finance a) Financial statement
Cllr England proposed, seconded by Cllr Barnes that the financial statement be accepted.
All were in favour.
Cash & Investments
Current Account (Coop) 18,652.47
Nottingham Bond 500.00
Total 19,152.47
Less 6 unpresented cheques 899.84
Total (reconciled) 18,252.63
b) Bills for Payment
Accounts Payable NET VAT GROSS Cheque
Helmdon.com 150.00 0.00 150.00 500131
C +E 250.00 0.00 250.00 500132
C+E 600.00 0.00 600.00 500133
Clerk’s Wages (July and August) 398.41 0.00 398.41 500134
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP 135.00 20.25 155.25 500135
Playsafety Ltd 66.00 9.90 75.90 500136
1599.41 30.15 1629.56 Total
Cllr Duncombe proposed seconded by Cllr Barnes that the above bills be paid.
c) Payments Received
The meeting noted that no payments had been received.
d) To consider recommendations from the Finance Committee regarding additional grant payments
Cllr Barnes proposed, seconded by Cllr Thorne that £200 be donated to Helmdon Acorns under s137 to be used to meet a proportion of the costs for their planning application. Cllr
England declared a non-prejudicial interest in this matter as he lives on Hintons Close. All were in favour.
Regarding the Reading Room project, the Clerk had requested specific costing and a project plan; Cllr England suggested that a donation towards external works of re-pointing
20

09/
and new guttering would be appreciated. He will submit costing for review at the November meeting.
21
Cllr England e) To consider recommendations from the Finance Committee regarding Internal and
External Auditor Reports
The Finance Committee recommended no action be taken regarding the Internal Auditor’s
Report. This was agreed. No action was required regarding the External Auditor as no commentary report had been needed.
f) To receive information update on costings for village pump restoration
This was to be carried forward to the November meeting as Cllr Coatsworth was awaiting further costing information.
6
Clerk
Correspondence Review
The correspondence as per Appendix A was reviewed.
NCC- it was noted that no response had been received to Cllr’s Barnes’ second letter regarding the footpaths. Clerk will chase up.
Clerk
Licensing application – it was queried whether there was a statutory period for consultation as the deadline for response had been very short.
Highways Conference – Cllr Burns volunteered to attend as Cllr Stothard (Highways Rep)
had resigned.
Clerk
Playground Safety Report – the Clerk will Agenda this item for the November meeting so that the Playground Committee can report back on actions required.
Clerk
Vehicle Battery in the Brook – Cllr Duncombe volunteered to remove this.
ACS Renewables – it was agreed that the Parish Council could offer publicity to any event that may be organised in the village.
7
To receive update on proposal from Grand Union Housing regarding Affordable
Housing provision
A leaflet from SNC explaining more about the proposals had been delivered by a group of
Councillors. Once a revised proposal was received, there would be a consultation event held in the village.
9
Clerk
To consider proposal regarding potential additional inscriptions at the War Memorial
Cllr Burns gave a summary to the meeting; after some discussion with the US Airforce and
Will Adams, it was proposed to order a simple open-book style separate memorial inscribed a short heading and the first and surnames only of the fallen US Air Corps who had crashed at Astwell Farm. All costs incurred were to be reimbursed by the US Airforce. Cllr Burns tabled this proposal and it was seconded by Cllr Duncombe. All were in favour and the Clerk was asked to inform all relevant parties.
8
Cllr Duncombe
Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 22/07/09
Application number: S/2009/0656/P
Location: Field Way House 2 Field Way Helmdon
Proposal: Formation of a stone track
Clerk

09/ 22
Cllr Duncombe declared a prejudicial interest in this item and therefore did not participate in the consultation discussion.
The committee had no objections to the application and commented as followed:
The access should be used purely for the servicing of the stable block. The stable block should be for private use only as stated in the original application so no commercial use should be permitted. The track should not be used for the parking of any commercial vehicles. The track should remain stone and should not be tarmaced
Clerk
Application number: S/2009/0829/FUL
Location: Lilac Barn 53 Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Single storey extension to front, 1 no. dormer window to existing north roof slope. New detached one & half storey garage.
Cllr Thorne declared a prejudicial interest in this item and therefore did not participate in the consultation discussion.
Councillors Burns, Barnes, Coatsworth, Duncombe declared a non prejudicial interest in the application.
The committee had no objections to the application and commented as followed:
The neighbours are of the opinion that the development would be claustrophobic with regard to the position and height of the garage/studio and the proposed wall.
The Council would query whether the applicant has considered siting the garage/studio at the bottom of the garden area away from the neighbouring property and nearer the other garages.
The red line plan indicates that the proposed driveway could not be legitimately accessed by the applicant as he does not own a wide enough strip of land at the entrance point.
It is noted that the development would have the result that the courtyard feel to the front of the property and its neighbours would be lost due to the proposed wall height.
Application number: S/2009/0857/FUL
Location: 47 Station Road Helmdon
Proposal: Bay window & porch to front, with single storey extension to rear
The committee supported the application with regard to the bay window and porch whilst noting that works on the rear extension had commenced before the consultation period had ended.
b)To consider consultation response to West Northamptonshire Emergent Joint Core
Strategy
It was commented that this document was causing concerns throughout Northamptonshire.
2000 houses had been suggested for Brackley with no account taken of the Radstone
Fields Application as it had not yet been submitted.
10 Annual Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations – consideration of recommendations from Finance Committee
The Finance Committee proposed no amendments to the above were necessary and this was agreed.
11 Footpaths – to consider request from Footpaths Group to contact NCC regarding a safety issue with footbridge.
There were safety concerns regarding the footbridge at the bottom of Jeff’s Bridge as it was very slippery. NCC had been informed and a suggestion made to put down chicken wire as a grip. This had been vetoed by NCC; the Clerk was requested to contact NCC detailing concerns and requesting an Action Plan.
Clerk

09/
12
23
To consider correspondence from Anglian Water regarding flooding issues
No update had been received; a flooding meeting will take place in early November to review any new updates.
13 To consider scheme of wheelie bin labels encouraging traffic to reduce speed
It was agreed to put details on the scheme in Talkabout and on the website.
14 Councillors’ Questions
Speed limit extension – the Clerk was asked to request an update. Clerk
Poplar Tree in Shortlands Close – the Clerk was asked to report it as the pavement was heaving.
Clerk
School Field – the school have been experience problems with fox excrement.
License Agreement for the Playing Fields – Cllr Burns will convey the Parish Council’s frustration to Cllr Andrew Grant.
The meeting closed at 8.45pm
Cllr Burns

09/
Appendix A – Correspondence Received – 22nd nd July – 22
24
Sept 2009
South Northamptonshire Council

Weekly Planning Application listings
Planning Applications:
o
S/2009/0829/FUL – Lilac Barn 53 Wappenham Road Helmdon -Single storey extension to front, 1 no. dormer window to existing north roof slope. New detached th one & half storey garage – planning meeting held 17 Sept.
o
S/2009/0509/P – Lilac Barn – 53 Wappenham Road – Single storey extension to front,
2 no. dormer windows to existing house, new single detached garage with studio over
– notice of withdrawn of application o
S/2009/0656/P – Field Way House, 2 Field Way – formation of a stone track – – –
decision – approval with conditions o
S/2009/0857/FUL – 47 Station Road Helmdon – Bay window & porch to front, with th single storey extension to rear – planning meeting held 17 Sept.
Register of Electors – monthly alterations
Housing 4 U newsletter
SPLAT – Autumn Activities – posters
Alice Izzett – Letter of introduction from new Strategic Housing Officer, FAQ/Affordable Housing
Update (amended)– distributed to Parish via leaflet drop, revised proposal to be reviewed by the
Working Group in October
Recession Impact Advice Pack – newsletter article, poster and advice leaflet
Strategic Housing Newsletter
Consultation regarding Country Comforts (Street Trading of Hot and Cold Food), B4525 Welsh
Lane, Helmdon – comments collated by email and returned – response email from Licensing Dept
Copy of Enforcement Notice for The Bell inn to dismantle the timber structure at the front of the building th Strategic Policy Matters – invitation to meeting on 10 August
David Aaronsen – request to community groups to fundraise for one of his nominated charities
Northamptonshire County Council
•
•
•
New Bus Timetables for 499 and 508 – displayed on noticeboards and in Seckingtons
NCC Consultation – Permit Scheme for Road Works
Highways Rep Conference details – response required
NCALC
•
•
Update July/August
Information on Planning Training Events
Miscellaneous

ACRE – details of Village of the Year comments and notice that there will be no competition next year
Coop- bank statements – August and September, details of merger with Britannia
BDO – audited annual return (no additional report) and completion of audit poster for display
Anglian Water – maps of drains and sewers – filed for reference
Northants Touring Arts – Autumn – Spring Programme
Brackley Cottage Hospital Annual Accounts for y/e 31/03/2009
South Northants Homes – Works Briefing Paper
SNVB – posters and details of Rural Reach at the Racecourse
Chris Klein Wassink – letter of thanks from Helmdon Bellringers for £100 grant
Judy Cairns – letter of thanks from Friends of the Churchyard for £200 grant
RoSPA Playground Inspection Report

09/

•
•
•
•
25
Les Finn – two quotes regarding the proposed War Memorial to the US Serviceman, associated corresponded from Will Adams and Rick Schlachter, US Army
Letter of resignation from Cllr Stothard due to work commitments
Confirmation that the Interim Rural Housing Policy has been adopted with amendments
Val Eyre – suggestion that there is an action plan to keep the brook clear, notice of a van battery in the brook
Northants Police – Special Constabulary awareness
Northampton Borough Council – CD on Central Core Action Plan
WNDC – consultation details, amendments and policy documentation on the West
Northamptonshire Emergent Joint Core Strategy – on Agenda
WNDC – notification of Sustainability Manual
Clear Space Marketing on behalf of ACS Renewable Energy – request to hold presentation evening in the village
Accounts received
C + E (grass cutting) = £250 + £600
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP = £135.00 + £20.25 VAT= £155.25
Playsafety Ltd – playground inspection – £66.00 + £9.90 VAT = £75.90
Helmdon.com – £150.00 – website management