Council Meeting, 24 September 2014

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 24 September 2014 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. Declarations of Interest
3. Approval and Signature of the AGM and the meeting held on 23 July and of the AGM held on 28
May 2014
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the above Meetings
5. Open Forum
6. Finance a) Financial statement b) To note payments received c) To consider bills for payment d) Renewal of insurance e) To consider increase in NCALC subscription for 2015/16
f) To consider changing to on-line banking.
7. Correspondence Review
8. Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 28/05/14
b) Update regarding outstanding applications including the Spring Ridge Farm application
9. To consider Neighbourhood Watch Issues
10. To receive update from the Reading Room Committee
11. To consider Highways Issues
12. To receive update from the Playground Committee
13. To receive update from the Allotment Committee
14. To receive update from Parish Plan Group
15. Councillors’ questions and any other business
Signed _______________________
Dated________________________
Simon Loake
Clerk to Helmdon Parish Council
1 Meadow Rise, Tiffield Nn12 8AP
[phone number removed]

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HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Helmdon Parish Council held on
Wednesday 24th September 2014 at the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 7:30pm
Present: Councillors Burns, England, Duncombe, Moody, Coatsworth, Barnes
Six members of the public were present.
Action
1 Apologies for Absence
Cllrs Adhemar, Garner and Valentine and The parish Clerk had sent apologies due to being on holiday. These were accepted by the meeting.
2 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Moody declared a pecuniary interest in Item 6 (e) of the agenda
3 Approval and Signature of the Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of 23rd July 2014 and the th Annual General Meeting held on 28 May 2014
It was resolved to approve the Ordinary Meeting Minutes of 23rd July with the following amendments: The school head teacher’s name to be corrected from Mrs Jackie Johnson to
Mrs J Crouch. Appendix A and Appendix B to be attached to the signed document.
It was resolved to approve the Annual General Meeting Minutes of 28th May with no amendments
4 Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Meeting of 23rd July and the Annual General th Meeting of the 28 May 2014
23rd July
(1) Cllr Moody made a general point that the content of the document differs from that produced by the previous Clerk and whilst this was to be expected he did feel that some working standards and expectation of particular content should be agreed with the present
Clerk. Cllr Burns agreed to discuss with the Clerk and arrange accordingly
Cllr Burns
(2) Item 7: It was resolved that the correspondence should be categorised and the list circulated on the Thursday prior to any meeting to enable councillors to request further details on any communication of particular interest.
Clerk
(3) Item 11: It was resolved that the Parish Council would adopt all the poles throughout the parish that are fitted with lights and that Western Power should be officially contacted for an inventory.
th 28 May 2014
There were no matters arising.
5 Open Forum
Cec Harrold asked to be informed of the Parish Council’s attitude towards road closures in the village. He explained that he did not have any objection to the Helmdon Hurler arrangements in
Bell Close but was very concerned at the road being temporarily closed particularly in relation to quick access for the emergency services. After some consideration and discussion it was resolved that the Parish Council would communicate with the event organisers in an instructive and informative way and offer them assistance to obtain the requisite relevant approval in

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Clerk future years
Liz Hart reported that Bulkhead Properties had not been contacted regarding their intentions for installation of the drainage pipe across Grange Lane
Audrey Forgham expressed her delight that the school seemed to be getting more involved in the life of the village.
Liz Hart confirmed that the grant form for work at the school, had been completed and submitted
Richard Farquharson reminded councillors that Anglian Water had agreed to fit a non return valve on an exit pipe into the brook but that this work had not yet been done
Audrey Forgham asked who would be producing Helmdon Voice in future and Cllr Burns said the matter was in hand
6 Finance a) Financial statement
It was resolved to accept the following financial statement, noting that the second instalment of the precept had been received.
Balance at Co-op bank September 2014 £12,131.57
b) To note payments received
There were no payments received to report. Cllr Coatsworth advised that a £60 donation had been received from Mrs Lidgely towards the cost of bulbs and that Cllr Adhemar had received the £250 Best Village winner prize.
c) To consider bills for payment
The format of the finance statement was noted. It was resolved to update it at the next meeting and to agree with the Clerk the form and content for presentation in future
It was resolved to pay the following bills:
Accounts Payable NET VAT GROSS Cheque
Brown and Barden –3766 July & 3777 August 391.42 78.28 469.70 500415
S Loake – Clerk’s wages 809.90 0.00 809.90 500418
L P Finn Memorials 483.33 96.67 580.00 500419
Note : Cheques numbered 500416 & 500417 were wrongly completed and have been cancelled.
d) Renewal of insurance
It was agreed to renew the insurance under the existing terms e) To consider increase in NCALC subscription for 2015/2016
Having declared a pecuniary interest in this item Cllr Moody left the meeting room
Clerk

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NCALC have communicated their intention to very significantly increase the membership fee to parish councils in 2015/2016 membership year.
After much discussion it was resolved that the Parish Council would make its view that the increase proposed is unreasonably excessive and unacceptable by written communication to
NCALC and that it intends to move a motion to this effect at the forthcoming NCALC Annual
General Meeting
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Clerk
Cllr Moody rejoined the meeting f) To consider changing to on-line banking
Cllr Barnes informed the meeting that he had experience of both Co-op and Unity on line banking services and in his opinion Unity provide a superior service. They also have a product aimed specifically at parish councils. Cllr Barnes proposed and Cllr Moody seconded that the
Clerk should open a dialogue with Unity with the intention of moving to on-line banking as soon as practicable
Clerk
RESOLVED: That Helmdon Parish Council opens an account with Unity Trust Bank
7 Correspondence Review
Correspondence listed at Appendix A was reviewed. In the absence of the communications it was not possible to obtain any further details of items 16 & 72. The extent of information required in future will be agreed with the Clerk by Cllr Burns.
Cllr Burns outlined the subject matter of relevant correspondence received by him.
The CPRE contribution this year is £36. After brief discussion it was agreed that there was a benefit in being a member. Cllr Coatsworth proposed and Cllr Barnes seconded that membership be continued
South Northants Homes are undertaking a review of parking and how dwellings are affected in the form of a consultation letter to stakeholders. It was resolved to respond that parking is a problem in parts of the village and is likely to worsen with time
Three letters about anti social behaviour in Church Street had been received from concerned residents. It was agreed that as this matter is currently subject to police investigation, no further action would be taken at this stage
8 Planning:
a) To receive update regarding the Broadview Energy Ltd Wind Farm development th It was noted that the decision of Eric Pickles had been expected on or before 28 May 2014.
The village had been well represented at the inquiry and in statements made; it was emphasised that parishioners can still contact Eric Pickles to express their views.
(a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 23/07/14
Application: S/2014/846/out
Location: 6a Church Street, Helmdon
Proposal: Construction of dwelling
This is an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against refusal of the application by SNC. It was agreed to reiterate all previous objections in writing directly to the Planning inspectorate.
The appeal failed and the original refusal was upheld
Application: S/2014/0991/FUL
Location: 32 Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Dropped kerb to front of property
It was agreed to support the application. SNC has subsequently granted approval
Cllr Burns

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Application: S/2014/1124/FUL
Location: Manor View Farm, Welsh Lane, Helmdon
Proposal: Extensions to existing barn
It was resolved to support the application. Decision awaited from SNC
Application: S/2014/1342/OUT
Location: Barnstones, 87 Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Removal of agricultural tie from dwelling house
Helmdon Parish Council had previously been informed that an application had been lodged to demolish the house. It was therefore agreed to seek further information from SNC regarding the forward plans for this site before making any further comment in respect of this application.
Further details are awaited
Application: S/2014/1336/FUL
Location: Astwell Castle Farm, Helmdon
Proposal: New grain store, new storage barn and 1 new dwelling
It was resolved to support the application. Decision awaited from SNC
Application: S/2014/1337/FUL
Location: Astwell Castle Farm, Helmdon
Proposal: Demolition of grain store and conversion to 2 dwellings
It was resolved to support the application. Decision awaited from SNC
Application: S/2014/1336/FUL
Location: Bell Inn, 29 Church Street, Helmdon
Proposal: Change of use from office/store to butcher’s shop
It was resolved to support the application. Decision awaited from SNC
(b) To receive update regarding outstanding applications including the Spring Farm
Ridge application
The progress of the above applications is included in item (a) above. There was nothing further to report in respect of the Spring Farm Ridge wind turbine application
9 To consider Neighbourhood Watch issues
Cllr England stated that there was nothing to report
10 To receive update from Reading Room committee
Cllr England reported that Cec Harrold is now vice chairman and that Barbara Whitlock has resigned from being secretary. Jo Kirkland has agreed to undertake secretarial duties.
The secondary double glazing in the cottage is complete and quotes are being obtained for other maintenance and improvement works. The facility has many forward bookings
11 To consider Highways issues
Cllr Moody reported that during works by western Power to replace poles, the highway verge was being damaged and not repaired. Cllr Moody had pointed this out to the men on site and
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the matter had been rectified to a satisfactory standard.
12 To receive update from Playground Committee
In the absence of committee members, Cllr Coatsworth stated that any repair to the cargo net supporting post was likely to be short term owing to the amount of dry rot in the post, and that the best course of action was replacement. It was not considered appropriate to request HYHO
funds for this purpose and it was agreed to consider the matter again at the next meeting.
Cllr Moody asked to report on his school liaison meeting between Mrs Crouch, Cllr Adhemar and himself. A full report of the meeting was tabled and is attached as Appendix A. After some discussion the recommendations in the report were agreed. Cllr Burns expressed the hope that this would be the start of a better relationship with the school.
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To receive update from Allotment Committee
14 Cllr Coatsworth reported that the problem of rats had now spread to the plot cultivated by Mrs du Bois who had asked for advice. After consultation with the SNC Pest Control Officer, Mrs du
Bois was advised to place a trap close to the problem area and this she has agreed to do.
To receive update from Parish Plan Group
Cllr Moody reported that a meeting of the group took place on 22
summarised the current situation relating to the following nd September 2014 and
Fast broadband – whilst BT are loathe to give a definite date for the system going live, it is expected that this will occur before end 2014
Mobile phone coverage – the progress had stalled for various reasons but action was in hand to move things forward in conjunction with the PCC
Cycleway to Brackley – a possibility exists for this to link into a wider cycleway project associated with HS2 mitigation measures
Joint Core Strategy – the revised document was scheduled to be finalised by July 2014 but further delays have occurred. Not thought likely to be resolved before end October 2014
15 New Homes Bonus – need to ascertain amount of money available and then consider suitable application of the funds.
Councillors’ questions and any other business
Cllr Burns informed the meeting that the parish council was scheduled to participate in a th service at Helmdon church on Sunday 5 October 2014 and invited all councillors to attend Cllr Coatsworth
Cllr Barnes reported that the fence where Station Road joins Jeffs bridge has partly collapsed and gives no protection between pedestrians and a steep embankment. It is believed that this is the responsibility of the current owners of the coach operator. Cllr Coatsworth offered to make personal contact to determine who should be officially advised of the problem
Cllrs Duncombe and Barnes expressed their concern at the state of repair of the raised Cllr Moody

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pedestrian crossing outside the school. Cllr Moody agreed to report the matter on Street Doctor
Cllr Duncombe reported that an egg had been smashed on the notice board in The Square. He agreed to clean as necessary
There was some discussion regarding the reluctance of Bulkhead Properties to undertake the installation of pipes across Grange Lane for which they are responsible as the owners of the land. Cllr Coatsworth suggested that the stalemate should not be allowed to continue and was of the opinion that if the owners were unwilling to commit to the full cost it may be a project suitable for a grant from the new homes bonus. As a first step, Cllr Burns will speak with
Bulkhead Properties to establish a possible solution to the present impasse
Cllr Coatsworth asked what should be done regarding Helmdon Voice and it was agreed to discuss the situation with the clerk on his return.
The meeting wished to place on record its thanks to Cllr Barnes for his time and effort in modifying the signs at all four road entrances to the village to record the Best Village successes in 2011 and 2014 at no cost to the parish council.
Framed photographs of the 2014 Best Village presentation were handed to Cllr England, one to be displayed in The Bell and the other in the Reading Room
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9:37 pm
Cllr Duncombe
Cllr Burns