Council Meeting, 24 March 2010

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 24th March 2010, 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 27 January 2010
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of 27 January 2010
4. Open Forum
5. Finance th th a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Financial statement
Bills for Payment
Payments Received
To review quotes for tree work on the allotment and to consider next steps
To consider whether to renew Nottingham Bond agreement and if so at what rate
To review system of internal control and effectiveness of internal audit th 6. To consider correspondence regarding planning meeting on 11 March
7. To consider response to Parish Partnerships – the Northamptonshire Councils’ Charter
8. To consider adopting a Training Statement of Intent
9. To consider review of “Standing Orders” in light of newly published Model
10. Review of general correspondence
11. Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 27/01/10
b) To consider response to Northamptonshire County Council’s consultation on the
“Creating Sustainable Communities” document
12. To consider measures to address litter
13. To consider arrangement for the Annual Parish Meeting
14. To receive update on flooding relating issues
15. Councillors’ Questions
Signed _______________________
Dated________________________
Liz Hart, Parish Clerk
[address removed]

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HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Helmdon Parish Council held on
24th March 2010 in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 7:30pm
Present: Councillors Barnes, Burns, Duncombe, England, Earl, Turner, Thorne
Parish Clerk: Liz Hart
Five members of the public were present.
Action
1 Apologies
The following apology was received and accepted:
Cllr Crouch – work commitments
2th Approval and Signature of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 27 January
2010
th Cllr Earl proposed, seconded by Cllr Barnes that the Ordinary Meeting Minutes of 27
January be approved with the following amendment:
Agenda Item 14 (Page 09/38) inserted after the first sentence: “requested the attendance register of the life of the Council”
All were in favour and Cllr Burns duly signed the minutes.
3
4
th Matters Arising from the Minutes of 27 January 2010
Agenda Item 5 (g) – Clerk to query progress with Cllr Coatsworth regarding the repair of one pump as provided for in the budget for year ending 2011
Clerk
Agenda Item 16 (a) – Clerk to query future provision of new salt bins. Clerk
Open Forum
Current Issues – general reference was made to the HS2 rail link and the expected planning application for the installation of Wind Turbines. Cllr Burns updated the meeting on the planning application progress for the temporary mast.
SHLAA documentation – It was confirmed that a subsequent meeting had taken place, all sites had been reviewed and that the Clerk had submitted a response to WNJPU. Cllr Burns confirmed that under SNC’s Interim Rural Housing Policy, Helmdon had not been one of the villages earmarked for any future development. Cllr Burns had recently attended a
Presentation at SNC and would provide a report of the information for the May meeting.
Annual Parish Meeting – Sarah Adhemar volunteered to hand deliver any leaflet required to advertise this event.
Items of correspondence – Cllr Burns confirmed these would be discussed under Item 6.
Abandoned Car on the Green – the police had advised it would be best to wait until the tax disc had expired to ease its removal.
5 Finance

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a) Financial statement
Cllr Earl proposed, seconded by Cllr Thorne that the financial statement be accepted. All were in favour.
Cash & Investments
Current Account (Coop) 18, 922.08
Nottingham Bond 500.00
Total 19,422.08
b) Bills for Payment
Cllr Earl proposed seconded by Cllr Thorne that the above bills be paid.
Accounts Payable NET VAT GROSS Cheque
EON UK (lighting maintenance) 104.11 15.62 119.73 500152
EON UK (lighting repair – Church St) 345.68 60.49 406.17 500153
Clerk’s Wages (Jan+Feb) 419.19 0.00 419.19 500154
Total 868.98 76.11 945.09
c) Payments Received
It was noted that none had been received.
d) To review quotes for tree work on the allotment and to consider next steps
The Clerk had received two quotes for the work; Cllr Thorne proposed, seconded by Cllr
England that the quote for £250 be accepted and that the Clerk should raise a works order.
All were in favour.
e) To consider whether to renew Nottingham Bond agreement and if so at what rate
Cllr Barnes proposed, seconded by Cllr Earl, that the Bond not be renewed and the money withdrawn. All were in favour. It was further resolved that the interest rates on the current account be reviewed at the next Finance meeting to ascertain whether better rates were available.
f) To review system of internal control and effectiveness of internal audit
The system of internal control and effectiveness of internal audit was reviewed; Cllr Earl proposed, seconded by Cllr Duncombe, that the report be accepted and that the Council should record that the system was robust. All were in favour.
Clerk

09/
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To consider correspondence regarding planning meeting on 11th March
Letters had been received from Jean Spendlove and Rachel Wheeler regarding procedures followed at the meeting. The Councillors considered in depth whether or not the meeting had been conducted in public. Cllr Burns was of the opinion that the Public had not been excluded and that there was no intention to do so; Cllr England had attended as a member of the public and commented that it had seemed strange that the Committee had retired to the back of the room to consider their response. Cllr Burns considered that the meeting was valid whilst Cllr Barnes and Thorne felt it was questionable whether this was the case with
Cllr Thorne stating that the meeting should have been more transparent. It was agreed that the actual outcome was unaffected by the discussion having taken place at a distance from the public. Cllr Burns felt that the comments submitted reflected an even-handed view given the building was outside the village line whilst accepting the community benefit of the building.
Cllr Duncombe proposed, seconded by Cllr Thorne, that Cllr Burns draft a response to
Rachel Wheeler’s letter to be circulated to all Councillors prior to posting with a full explanation of how the decision was reached. All were in favour.
Cllr Burns
Cllr Burns had already responded to Jean Spendlove’s letter as it was addressed to him personally.
7 To consider response to Parish Partnerships – the Northamptonshire Councils’
Charter
The meeting reviewed the document. Cllr Barnes proposed, seconded by Cllr Earl that a response be submitted stating that the Parish Council would be willing to consider the
Charter as long as the decrease in services provided by SNC and NCC was accompanied by a decrease in the appropriate budget to allow the Parish Council to budget for the increase in their provided services without impacting the public. All were in favour.
8
Clerk
To consider adopting a Training Statement of Intent
Cllr Thorne proposed, seconded by Cllr Barnes that the submitted document be adopted. All were in favour and Cllr Burns signed the documentation.
9 To consider review of “Standing Orders” in light of newly published Model
Cllr Earl proposed, seconded by Cllr Thorne, that a working party consisting of Cllrs st Barnes, Earl and Burns meet on Thursday 1 April to review the Standing Orders and prepare a proposal for consideration by the Council at the May meeting. All were in favour.
10 Review of general correspondence
Letter from Fiona Kelly – Cllr Duncombe proposed, seconded by Cllr Earl that the Clerk write to SNC as outlined in the correspondence. All in favour bar Cllr Barnes who abstained due to having a prejudicial interest in the forthcoming wind turbine application.
Letter from Richard Farquharson – the Clerk would respond thanking him for his interest stating that there was no provision in the budget for dog bins and that the meeting had noted the other points made.
11 Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 27/01/10
Application number: S/2010/0086/FUL
Location: 39 Church Street Helmdon
Proposal: Replacement detached garage
Clerk
Clerk

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The Committee supported the application.
Application number: S/2010/0116/FUL
Location: Upper Court Station Rd Helmdon
Proposal: Removal of agricultural occupancy condition.
Condition 9 of planning permission BRAR/66/30
The Committee objected to the application for the following reasons:
The Parish Council comments that it is of the opinion that there is not sufficient justification given to warrant removal of the occupancy condition. It would further comment that if the decision is made to allow the restriction to be lifted, a restrictive covenant be placed on the property to prevent any further development on the site. In addition there are concerns that further applications may be made to develop adjacent land.
Application No:S/2010/0196/FUL
Proposal: Erection of a new Pre School Building
Location: Land adjacent to Hintons Close Helmdon
The Committee had no objections to the proposal and commented as follows: We are concerned that the proposition is not within the village confines which have been strictly protected by the Parish Council. This community project would have definite benefits to the future of the village, however we would wish to see sensible controls to minimise any unnecessary problems for their neighbours, i.e. traffic and hours of operation, (school hours).
Cllr Barnes declared a prejudicial interest and did not take part in the following discussions.
Application number: S/2010/0075/FUL
Location: Land between Greatworth and Helmdon
Proposal: 60 metre high wind monitoring mast (temporary for two years).
The Committee objected to the application for the following reasons:
The second paragraph of section 4 of the Supporting Statement states that “despite being a development proposal in its own right, the temporary meteorological mast proposed forms an important element of a proposed renewable energy development and should be considered in this light. Given that the applicant has apparently been preparing for this application for two years but has only recently shared this knowledge with the parish, the application is felt to be pre-mature with too little time being allowed for the parish to review data and analyse information b) To consider response to Northamptonshire County C.ouncil’s consultation on the
“Creating Sustainable Communities” document
After due consideration, it was resolved to submit no response.
12 To consider measures to address litter
Cllr Turner informed the meeting that the Blackpits Monitoring Group had raised the issue of plastic litter in the verges and on land on the Radstone Road; the Clerk was requested to write to Material Change, highlighting the Parish Council’s concerns.
13
Clerk
Cllr Coatsworth had previously agreed to arrange a Litter Pick; the Clerk was asked to contact him for details for circulation.
Clerk
There was discussion on where the responsibility lies for removing litter; the Clerk was asked to check that Highways was responsible.
Clerk
To consider arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting
Cllr Burns volunteered to provide the liquid refreshments; the Clerk will send out invites to all Clerk

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village groups and organisations as well as the District and County Councillors and the
Police. She will also purchase light refreshments.
14 To receive update on flooding relating issues
The Clerk gave an update on the works completed to date; it was noted that the issues with the storm drain in Grange Lane were still outstanding; the Clerk will follow this up.
15
Clerk
Councillors’ Questions
Salt bins – Cllr Duncombe suggested new locations in Wappenham Road at Jenners Hill and opposite Rose Gulliver’s.
Cllr Thorne informed the meeting that Talkabout was going to print.
Cllrs Thorne and Turner both expressed an interest in becoming Tree Wardens.
Cllr England gave an update on the progress of the Reading Room fundraising campaign including a submission made to Awards for All. A full report would be provided to the next
Finance Committee meeting.
The Clerk was asked to ascertain responsibility for the broken slabs in Hintons Close as
Highways was not responsible.
Clerk
The poor state of the school crossing bump was highlighted.
Cllr Duncombe asked if a Toad Crossing could be signed at Astwell Mill; Clerk to progress. Clerk
Cllr Turner queried the progress on arranging use of a Tennis Court; Cllr Coatsworth was progressing this (Clerk to check).
Clerk
Cllr Turner highlighted the issue that no Councillors now had regular family links to the school; he intended to approach the school regarding liaison.
Cllr Turner
Cllr Barnes raised concerns over a duty of care to the Clerk; Cllr Earl volunteered to draft a policy to be reviewed at the next meeting.
Cllr Earl
The meeting closed at 9.28pm

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Appendix A – Correspondence Received – 26th January – 23rd March 2010
South Northamptonshire Council

Weekly Planning Application listings
Planning Applications:
o
S/2009/1282/FUL – The Old Dairy Falcutt Brackley – decision Remove stained timber window and replace with stained timber fully glazed window with vertical divider.
Alteration of opening to lower cill. Retain existing brick arch and brick quoins to the upper opening –decision notice – approval o
S/2009/1197/FUL – Station Rd – new roof over conservatory – decision notice –
approval o
S/2010/0010/FUL – Land adjacent to 55 Church Street Helmdon – Detached Dwelling
– decision notice approval o
S/2010/0075/FUL – Land between Greatworth and Helmdon – 60 metre high wind monitoring mast (temporary for two years) – planning meeting held – subsequent communications from Michael Warren regarding deadlines for consultation comments o
S/2010/0086/FUL – 39 Church Street Helmdon – Replacement detached garage –
planning meeting held o
S/2010/0116/FUL – Upper Court Station Rd Helmdon -removal of agricultural occupancy condition (Condition 9 of planning permission BRAR/66/30) – planning meeting held o
S/2010/0188/NMA – Astwell Mill, Helmdon – notice of consent to Non Material
Amendment o
S/2010/0196/FUL -Land adjacent to Hintons Close Helmdon-: Erection of a new Pre
School Building – planning meeting held th Invitation to Interim Rural Housing Policy Presentation on 4 March
General notice regarding General Election
Register of Electors – monthly alterations
Draft Economic Development Strategy for South Northamptonshire 2010-14 – notes from Parish
Council Workshop including family tree for Strategic Policy Team, SNVB contact details, confirmation that changes to villages confines are likely within 12-18 months under the Core
Spatial Strategy
Housing 4U newsletter
Northamptonshire County Council
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Updated invoice procedure
New Licence Agreement for the Playing Fields – confirmation of receipt
Notice of Annual Conference for Tree Wardens
Household Waste Recycling Centre Contract – changes to the service
Newsletter for Highway Reps, Parish Path Wardens, Tree Wardens
Helen Howard – update on the speed limit extensions
Draft Northamptonshire Council Plan – consultation details
Consultation on “Creating Sustainable Communities” Document
NCALC
•
•
•
•
Update – March/April
Parish Partnerships – the Northamptonshire Councils’ Charter – consultation reminder – on
Agenda
New Model Standing Orders – on Agenda
Information regarding assessing the Effectiveness of the Internal Audit
Miscellaneous

Quotes for allotment tree work X 2
Energy Saving Trust – promotional literature
Grand Union Housing Group – guide to developing rural affordable housing and associated literature
Coop bank statements – February, March

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BTCV – promotional literature for environmental works (Registered charity)
SNVB LinkUp – newsletter
SNVB – South Northants 50+ Forum
Brown and Barden – copy of insurance certificate for public liability
Alzheimer’s Society – poster and leaflet
Clerks and Councils Direct – March issue
Inland Revenue – notice to complete Employer Annual Return
BDO – Local Council Audit Briefing
Nottingham City Council – renewal notice for Nottingham Bond – on Agenda
Land Registry – information on registering land
NSPCC – information on Helpline
Letter from Fiona Kelly asking that HPC write to SNC to request that SNC provide an independent expert Consultant to assess and validate the TNEI data & conclusions for the Broadview Wind
Farm
Letter from Richard Farquharson in relation to dog bins and bridge downstream of new AP29 foot bridge th Letter from Jean Spendlove regarding planning meeting of 11 March 2010
th Letter from Rachel Wheeler planning meeting of 11 March 2010
SNVB – Nick King – offer to speak at APM
Anglian Water – confirmation that all scheduled works have been completed
HSGWAG (Helmdon, Stuchbury,Greatworth Wind Action Group – various emails regarding wind turbine issues
Odette Dawkins (PA to Andrea Leadsom) – information on public meeting on High Speed 2 and
Hustings in Wappenham Hall
CPRE – Roadshow Details
Colin Wootton – scoping report for Broadview Energy Ltd proposed wind farm
Broadview Energy Ltd – information on wind turbine proposal at Spring Ridge Farm, details og meeting in Brackley and subsequent public meeting
Accounts received
• EON (Lighting Maintenance) £104.11 + £18.22 VAT= £122.33
• EON (Lighting Repair – Church St) – £345.68 + £60.49 VAT= £406.17