Council Meeting, 24 November 2010

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
All Councillors are summoned to an Ordinary Meeting of Helmdon Parish Council to be held in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon on Wednesday 24th November 2010 commencing at 7.30 pm.
Members of the public and Press are invited to attend both meetings and to participate in the Open Forum
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Approval and Signature of the Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting held on 22nd September 2010
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of 22nd September 2010
4. Open Forum
5. Finance a) Financial statement b) Bills for Payment c) Payments Received d) To consider actions required from the External Auditor’s Report e) To consider alternative investment accounts for reserves
6. Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 22/09/10
b) To consider response to re-submitted school fence proposal c) To receive update on Wind Farm application and set date for Public Meeting
7. Correspondence Review
8. Reading Room Project Update
9. To receive report on NCALC AGM
10. Health and Safety a) To receive completed Inspections Reports area b) To address any other Health and Safety Issues
11. Allotments issues – to consider a request from Allotment Holders for gravel at gate entrance
12. To receive update on Helmdon Acorns Pre-School building project and to consider response to request for the Parish Council to act as Custodian Trustee
13. To review arrangements for a Commemorative Event regarding the closure of the village shop
14. To consider issues regarding possible Post Office closure
15. To receive update from PPMG regarding Parish Plan Refresh
16. 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 Wednesday 24th November 2010
in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 7:30pm
Present:
Councillors Barnes, Burns, Duncombe, England, Earl, Thorne, Crouch, Adhemar,
Coatsworth
Parish Clerk: Liz Hart
7 members of the public were present.
Action
1
Apologies
None received.
2
Approval and Signature of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 22nd September
2010
Cllr England proposed, seconded by Cllr Earl that the Ordinary Meeting Minutes of 22nd
September be approved. All were in favour and Cllr Burns signed the Minutes.
3
Matters Arising from the Minutes of 22nd September 2010
Councillor Barnes confirmed some progress had been made on the clearing of the brook but that more would probably need to be done. It was suggested that this should be looked at next year.
Permissive Footpath – Cllr Barnes confirmed that the materials for the new bridge were in hand.
The legalities had been completed.
4
Open Forum
Cllr Burns introduced David Montagu-Smith and Sir Paul Hayter from the CPRE were in attendance to give a short presentation on the CPRE’s involvement with HS2 proposals. It was felt that blanket opposition was not productive and the CPRE was concentrating on reducing the impact on communities by promoting mitigating resolutions such as speed reduction where possible and also ensuring that the issue of blight was properly addressed. Sir Paul Hayter had been heavily involved in organising a meeting of HS2 groups to lobby MPs and had met with Lord
Adonis regarding speed reduction. Andrea Leadsome, MP, had pledged support to the focus
CRPE was giving.
Cllr Burns had watched a documentary reporting that the majority of MPs of constituencies adjacent to the line were against the proposal. Sir Hayter observed that although all three political parties were in favour, it was interesting that the new Government had not specifically identified it as proceeding in the spending review. He clarified the expected timetable as 2011 – consultation,
2012 – Government decision, 2013 – Hybrid Bill. Cllr Barnes commented that the scheme seemed to be aimed at reducing passengers oh the East/West line which would allow more freight to be used. It was said to be an alternative to a new motorway and a third runway at Heathrow. It was noted that the final route of HS1 was vastly different from that first proposed; the importance of questioning the route could not be emphasised enough.
Cllr Burns thanked David Montagu-Smith and Sir Paul Hayter for giving such an informative presentation.
It was queried whether the Parish Council had considered how it might attract candidates; confirmation was given that information would be on the website. A hustings would be included in
Talkabout and allowance made in the budget for the election costs.
Cllr Thorn
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It was confirmed that a review of the allotment rent would be included in the budget.
It was noted that the traditional Police beats have been amended to bring them into line with administrative boundaries.
5
Finance a) Financial statement
Cllr Earl proposed, seconded by Cllr Coatsworth that the financial statement be accepted. All were in favour.
Cash & Investments
Current Account (Coop)
23,203.71
b) Bills for payment
Cllr Earl proposed, seconded by Cllr Adhemar that the accounts below be paid. All were in favour.
Accounts Payable
NET
VAT
GROSS
Cheque
E.ON UK Energy Services
104.11
18.22
122.33
500187
Helmdon Reading Room
60.00
0.00
60.00
500188
Brown and Barden (invoice 3254)
110.00
19.25
129.25
500189
Brown and Barden (invoice 3261)
110.00
19.25
129.25
500191
Clerk’s Wages (Sept+Oct)
416.39
0.00
416.39
500192
Clerk’s Expenses
11.51
0.00
11.56
500193
E-ON
151.41
7.57
158.98
500194
BDO LLP
135.00
23.63
135.00
500195
Total
1098.42
87.92
1162.76
Cheque 500190 was void.
c) Payments Received
Payments Received
Amount
Precept (Sept)
5403.50
Interest (Oct)
2.81
Interest (Nov)
3.08
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These were noted.
d) To consider actions required from the External Auditor’s Report
The External Auditor’s Report was noted; the Parish Council had received a qualified audit as the risk assessment review had not been completed within the financial year. As the review had subsequently been undertaken, Cllr Earl proposed seconded by Cllr Duncombe that the report be accepted with no further action being necessary. All were in favour.
e) To consider alternative investment accounts for reserves
It was agreed to review this at the next Finance Committee meeting.
Clerk
6
Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 22/09/10
Application number: S/2010/1073/FUL
Location: Helmdon Baptist Church
Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Proposed demolition of the existing Baptist Chapel to facilitate the construction of 2 no 2 bedroom dwellings with associated on site parking and hard and soft landscaping. The proposal therefore seeks a change of use from a place of worship ( Class
D1) into residential
The Committee resolved to support the application as the proposal is felt to be in keeping with the street scene and of the right proportions.
Application number: S/2010/1074/LBC
Location: Helmdon Baptist Church
Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Proposed demolition of the existing Baptist Chapel to facilitate the construction of 2 no 2 bedroom dwellings with associated on site parking & hard and soft landscaping.
Part of the existing chapel connected to the outbuilding of the Grade II Listed behind the site
The Committee resolved to support the application as the proposal is felt to be in keeping with the street scene and of the right proportions.
Application number: S/2010/1117/FUL
Location: Spring Farm Welsh Lane Helmdon
Proposal: Helmdon Change of use from agricultural land and buildings to Sui Generis use for corporate and private entertainment business including driving military motor vehicles, use of firearms and storage of both. Creation of pool from agricultural land for same corporate and private use
The Committee resolved to object to the application The plan of the proposed development
(retrospective) does not cover the whole site; the Design and Access Statement 12.0 asserts that it is the southern end of Spring Farm which is used as a tank driving course and that the predominant use of Spring Farm remains agriculture. The Planning Statement (2.3) asserts that the tank business is an ancillary one and that a greater area of Spring Farm remains in agriculture.
The Parish Council would question as to whether this is in fact the case as Google Earth clearly shows tank tracks across a much wider area of the land and therefore a change of use would be necessary for all land regularly used by the tanks (25.11 hectares rather than purely the proposed site.)
The applicant maintains that the business is not an unattractive use of the site and that there is no visual impact. The application states (4.22) that the “character and beauty of the countryside remains intact”. Whilst accepting that the visual impact of the development has been lessened by screening of the site from Welsh Lane, there is a negative visual impact from other locations such as public footpaths in the vicinity and property at Stuchbury. In addition there can be no denying of
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the fact that the business has had a severe negative impact (notwithstanding on whether it impacts on any receptors) on the character of the landscape itself as can be seen from photos of the site and on Google Earth. Many vehicles appear to be stored outside permanently, further detracting from the landscape.
Although the application form states that no waste is produced, there is clearly a disposal procedure which is referred to in the Design and Access Statement. The Parish Council would query whether all waste is actually removed from the site as the photos appear to show wreckage strewn around the fields, Some even appear to be partially submerged beneath the ground.
The application refers to a pool currently 85m in length but does not stipulate how big it will be once fully constructed. The use of the pool is ambiguous; the application mentions it being used
“to expand the direction of the business” and indeed the business website mentions the “thrill…
(of) ..”swimming” an amphibious tank. The Parish Council would question how such a use could at the same time be described as a“ valuable asset to local wildlife” and stocked with carp (Design and Access Statement 2.0).
The application refers to a mobile home used for “occasional” overnighting of staff. The Parish
Council would request that this further quantified by the applicant and confirmation given that it is not used more regularly.
The application acknowledges that tanks are dangerous; with this in mind the Parish Council would request that the applicant produce details of any accidents or accidental damage to property (on site or otherwise) which have taken place since 2002.
The application asserts that at least two bus routes pass the site. The Parish Council would point out that services 499 and 508 are actually the same route, just going in opposite directions and that there is in any case no bus stop in the vicinity.
Application number: S/2010/1156/FUL
Location: 2 Church Street Helmdon
Proposal: Alterations to create family room including internal layout amendments and new windows and door openings
The Committee resolved to support the application as it was felt there was no impact on adjacent properties.
Cllr Thorne declared a prejudicial interest in the three following applications and left the meeting at this point.
Application number: S/2010/1170/FUL
Location: Lilac Farmhouse 55 Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Dismantle and rebuild a 1.5sq m section of the boundary wall using the same stone. Widen the entrance to the property by 0.5 metres.
The Committee resolved to support the application
Application number: S/2010/1171/LBC
Location: Lilac Farmhouse 55 Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Dismantle and rebuild a 1.5sq m section of the boundary wall using the same stone. Widen the entrance to the property by 0.5 metres
The Committee resolved to support the application.
Application number: S/2010/1190/FUL
Location: Lilac Barn 53 Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Installation of wood burning stove to garage and external air source heat pump.
The Committee resolved to have no objections to the application but the Parish Council would query whether the noise produced is of a permitted level.
Application number: S/2010/1117/FUL
Location: Spring Farm Welsh Lane Helmdon
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Proposal: Helmdon Change of use from agricultural land and buildings to Sui Generis use for corporate and private entertainment business including driving military motor vehicles, use of firearms and storage of both. Creation of pool from agricultural land for same corporate and private (retrospective)(RECONSULTATION)
The Committee resolved to object for the following reasons:
This amendment to the planning application does not materially change the Parish Council’s original objections (other than that the amendment to the red line area has been forthcoming) and appears to be materially no more substantiated than the documents originally submitted.
In particular,
The hours of operation are not properly defined
The applicant goes to great lengths to describe the extent to which the footpaths are maintained yet does not make mention of the fact that NCC have needed to intervene to ensure paths were properly maintained requests to the applicant from the Footpaths Group in Helmdon to rectify problems were ignored.
The Parish Council is also aware that apparently this is not the first time the applicant has made a retrospective application for such a business.
Much is made in the application regarding the requirement for stringent safety standards yet the
Parish Council notes that by his own admission the applicant is not aware of the existence of some of the firearms and weapons (recent Court case) – the Parish Council would therefore have concerns regarding this business continuing.
The applicant maintains that the only complaints which have been made are recent and therefore connected to objections regarding the Wind Turbine planning application. This is not the case as the Footpaths Groups have made several complains in the past. In addition, the Parish Council believes that other complaints regarding the operation were not made because a) people thought the applicant had planning permission b) people were totally unaware of the impact which the business has had on the landscape due to the screening of the site and only recently with the use of Google Earth etc has the impact been realised.
The applicant seems keen to reassure the local authority of the compatibility of the tanks business with the farming one; the Parish Council is not convinced of this nor does it accept that the land is properly farmed. Looking at the field cropping schedule no crops have been harvested since 2007
and sheep haven’t even grazed since 2006. The Parish Council fails to find any compatibility at all between radio controlled boat shooting with air rifles and providing an area of nature conservation value.
The assertion in the design statement that tank tracks are regularly changed and this in itself allows the land to recover is questionable as the ground is soft and the impact of the tracks would require the land to be levelled and re-seeded regularly. The applicant has submitted no evidence that this has been done in the past and indeed aerial photos show the huge impact which the tracks have made.
Highway safety at the site is a concern as vehicle loading and off-loading on the highway has been observed taking place on a dangerous stretch of the B4525 at the site entrance.
The applicant mentions clay pigeon shooting and yet has not included this within the planning application change of use.
The Parish Council notes that the record of any accidents previously requested has not been supplied.
b) To consider response to re-submitted school fence proposal
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The Councillors queried why they had been given only 7 days in which to respond to the amendments instead the usual consultation period of three weeks from date of dispatch which would have resulted in a consultation date of 9th Dec.
Cllr Burns proposed seconded by Cllr Coatsworth that the Clerk respond to NCC (cc’ing Andrew
Grant) requesting a time extension to the 7 days to allow a Planning Meeting to be called (this meeting would be on either Wed 1st or Fri 3rd Dec) and to request confirmation that any comments submitted from this meeting could be given as an update at the Development Control
Committee Meeting on 6th December. In the meantime the Parish Council’s original response to the planning application stood. All were in favour.
c) To receive update on Wind Farm application and set date for Public Meeting
The public meeting would take place on Thursday 2nd December at 8pm.
7
Correspondence Review
Correspondence as listed in Appendix A was reviewed.
Specific correspondence relating to the trees on the Helmdon Acorns building site was reviewed; no further action was deemed necessary.
Cllr Duncombe had received adverse comments relating to the quality of workmanship at the extension at Lilac Barn. Cllr Thorne confirmed that the work had been inspected and that any complaints be should be directed to him.
8
Reading Room Project Update
The ceiling and electrical works were completed and a quote was being sought for an audio loop.
There was £6778 in the account of which £3768 was from grants. The 60 day account contained
£7508; once all accounts were settled there remained £4402 for all other purchases.
9
To receive report on NCALC AGM
Cllr Barnes had attended an interesting AGM at which the speaker was Paul Clayton who had outlined legislative changes affecting Parish councils such a Big Society and the Localism Bill.
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Health and Safety a) To receive completed Inspections Reports
These were accepted by the meeting and received by the Clerk.
b) To address any other Health and Safety Issues
None raised.
11
Allotment issues – to consider a request from Allotment Holders for gravel at gate entrance
Cllr Duncombe volunteered to sort out this issue.
12
To receive update on Helmdon Acorns Pre-School building project and to consider response to request for the Parish Council to act as Custodian Trustee
The building works were proceeding to schedule for a January 2011 opening. The Primary School was hoping to gain funding for a new footpath from Gravel Path across the School grounds.
The meeting discussed the implications of becoming Custodian Trustee of the new building; Cllr
Cllr Duncom
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Crouch proposed, seconded by Cll Earl that the Parish Council accept the role of Custodian
Trusttee. All were in favour.
13
To review arrangements for a Commemorative Event regarding the closure of the village shop
This item was carried forward.
14
Cllr Englan
To consider issues regarding possible Post Office closure
Cllr England was due to meet the new post lady together with a Post Office Representative at the end of November with a replacement service expected from February 2011.
15
To receive update from PPMG regarding Parish Plan Refresh
The Group had met to pool information with a view to producing a questionnaire for distribution in the New Year. There would be fewer questions but more background information than the previous one.
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Councillors’ Questions
The process for allocating allotments was clarified by the Clerk.
Cllr Barnes had noticed an article regarding street lighting expenses in the NCALC publication; the
Clerk was asked to check whether Helmdon would be impacted.
Clerk
Cllr Barnes will be contacting Andrew Grant regarding the weight limit issue on the railway bridge.
Cllr Barne
It was noted that the War Memorial garden had looked very well tended for the Remembrance
Service.
The Clerk explained how far into the process the new speed limit extensions; it was hoped that they would become effective before the end of the financial year.
The Clerk was asked to include “To consider appointing flood wardens” as an item on the January
Agenda; Cllr Barnes would investigate the system further.
Cllr Barnes would provide details regarding comments on the 3rd Local Transport Plan to the Clerk.
It was noted that the salt bins had been re-filled.
The meeting closed at 9.37pm
Clerk
Cllr Barne
Cllr Barne
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Appendix A – Correspondence Received – 23rd September – 23rd November 2010
South Northamptonshire Council
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
Weekly Planning Application listings
Planning Applications:
o S/2010/1117/FUL – Spring Farm Welsh Lane Helmdon – Change of use from agricultural land and buildings to Sui Generis use for corporate and private entertainment business including driving military motor vehicles, use of firearms and storage of both. Creation of pool from agricultural land for same corporate and private
– Amended plans o S/2010/1156/FUL – 2 Church Street Helmdon – Alterations to create family room including internal layout amendments and new windows and door openings – decision notice approval o S/2010/1170/FUL – Lilac Farmhouse 55 Wappenham Road Helmdon – Dismantle and rebuild a 1.5sq m section of the boundary wall using the same stone. Widen the entrance to the property by 0.5 metres – plans and decision notice (approval)
o S/2010/1171/LBC – Lilac Farmhouse 55 Wappenham Road Helmdon – Dismantle and rebuild a 1.5sq m section of the boundary wall using the same stone. Widen the entrance to the property by 0.5 metres – plans and decision notice (approval)
o S/2010/1190/FUL – Lilac Barn 53 Wappenham Road Helmdon -Installation of wood burning stove to garage and external air source heat pump – plans o S/2010/0557/FUL – College Farm Weston Road Helmdon – Stables & vehicle shelter including the closure of existing access & creation of new – decision notice approval
Details on Money Advice Services
Confirmation that the September precept payment was being paid into the bank account
Invitation to Forum
Northamptonshire County Council
•
•
•
•
Details of amended proposal for Planning Application from Helmdon Primary School to erect a metal 1.8m fence around the perimeter of the school grounds (including boom barrier) and su
Definitive Map and Statement – New Footpaths Maps
Third Local Transport Plan – consultation (ends 13th January 2011)
Correspondence with MGWSP regarding white lines
NCALC
•
•
•
Update Nov/Dec 2010
Setting precepts information, information regarding elections
Course details
Miscellaneous
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Northants Touring Arts Programme
Borough Council – Central Action Plan – Nov 2010
Post Office – notice of temporary closure of Helmdon Post Office
Coop bank statement – October, November
Broadview – notification of planning application submission for 5 Wind Turbines and associated infrastructure, details of trip to Wind Farm, request to display hard copy of the planning application in public
SNVB – details of Community Shop scheme, posters
BDO – notification of conclusion of audit, report
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Northamptonshire Police – Have Your Say Information from Caroline King and Bill England regarding timescales of a new service to replace the Wappenham Post Office service in Helmdon
Police Authority – Northamptonshire Police – notice of changes to alignments of Wards
Various emails from Mr Phil Bridger regarding the trees at the Acorns site on Hintons Close
Northamptonshire ACRE – request for Parish Plan Progress update by 31st December
Jeffery Williams – objection document for a proposed Wind Farm in Gartree
ACRE – judges’ comments from Village of the Year Competition
Email from Cllr Burns referring to complaints regarding building work at Lilac Barn
George Beyts – Wendover Review of HS2 case
Richard Farquharson – email regarding clearance of the brook by Jeffs Coaches
Request from Jean Blake for gravel at allotment gate
Accounts received
•
•
•
•
•
•
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BDO LLP – Audit Services – £135.00 + 23.63 VAT= £158.63
EON – Supply – £151.41 + £7.57 VAT = £158.98
Brown and Barden Invoice 3254 – £110.00 + £19.25 VAT = £129.25
Brown and Barden Invoice 3261 – £110.00 + £19.25 VAT = £129.25
Reading Room – March to September – £60
EON UK – maintenance – £104.11+ £18.22 = £122.33