Council Meeting, 25 November 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 25th November 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 23 September and th the Extra Ordinary Meeting of 5 November 2009
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of 23 September and 5 November 2009
4. Open Forum
5. Finance rd rd th a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Financial statement
Bills for Payment
Payments Received
To receive information update on costings for village pump restoration
Talkabout – to consider providing financial support to allow the next issue of
Talkabout to be published.
f) To consider quote from Reading Room for remedial works to exterior g) To consider request from School regarding installing dog bins
6. Correspondence Review
7. To receive update regarding new additional War Memorial
8. To receive update regarding Grand Union Housing proposal and consider the criteria proposal
9. Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 23/09/09
10. Footpaths a) To receive report from Roger Miles, Paths Warden b) To consider issues regarding permissive footpaths
11. To receive update on flooding relating issues
12. Play/Leisure Matters a) To report on action required regarding RoSPA inspection and secondary school inspection b) To consider making an application under the Playbuilder Scheme c) To receive update regarding possible Tennis Court
13. PPMG
a) to receive update on the application for a grant to renew Parish Plan and to consider whether to accept the Terms and Conditions of the Award and sign the appropriate documentation b) to consider on-going arrangements regarding the relationship between the PPMG
and the Parish Council
14. 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
25th November 2009 in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 7:30pm
Present: Councillors Barnes, Burns, Crouch (until 8:25pm), Duncombe, Thorne, Earl,
Coatsworth
Parish Clerk: Liz Hart
Six members of the public were present. Cllr Andrew Grant was present.
Action
1 Apologies
The following apologies were received and accepted:
Cllr Turner – work commitments; Cllr England – illness.
2 Approval and Signature of the Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting held on 23rd
September and the Extra Ordinary Meeting of 5th November 2009
rd Cllr Crouch proposed, seconded by Cllr Barnes that the Ordinary Meeting Minutes of 23
September be approved.
Cllr Duncombe proposed, seconded by Cllr Coatsworth that the Extra-Ordinary Meeting th Minutes of 5 November be approved.
All were in favour and Cllr Burns duly signed the minutes.
3 Matters Arising from the Minutes of 23rd September and 5th November 2009
The Clerk was asked to check the situation regarding the planning speed monitoring programme.
Clerk
Village of the Year Competition – the Clerk gave an update regarding the competition next year – there is no national Calor competition.
4 Open Forum
Village of the Year – ACRE is hoping to raise funds to hold a county competition.
Church Street Closure – the Clerk clarified the reason as being due to trees in the vicinity of power lines needing to be removed.
Andrew Grant, County Councillor – highlighted the success of the Empowering Councillor’s
Scheme and confirmed that the full allocation for the current year was to be spent in
Brackley on a Youth Café to be run by the YMCA. He emphasised that he preferred to make a big difference to projects by donating to them rather than providing a small amount to large projects and invited village organisations to apply for the financial year commencing
March 2010.
Incidents with Jeffs Coaches – parents at the school are concerned about near-misses with pedestrians and will be approaching the company in the first instance.
War Memorial – Cllr Thorne confirmed that he would be delighted if the Gardening Club would continue to maintain the garden.
Pump Garden/ War Memorial maintenance – thanks was given for the efforts of the
Rainbows and Guides and the members of the Gardening Club. The Clerk will correspond accordingly.
Clerk

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Cllr Earl – Phil Earl was welcomed back to the Parish Council.
New Bus Timetables – issues regarding timetable changes had been highlighted in the local press. The Clerk informed the meeting of the changes to the bus stop from Station Rd to
The Square.
5 Finance a) Financial statement
Cllr Crouch proposed, seconded by Cllr Coatsworth that the financial statement be accepted. All were in favour.
Cash & Investments
Current Account (Coop) 21, 644.79
Nottingham Bond 500.00
Total 22,144.79
b) Bills for Payment
Accounts Payable NET VAT GROSS Cheque
Helmdon Acorns 200.00 0.00 200.00 500137
EON 151.41 7.57 158.98 500138
EON UK (lighting maintenance) 104.11 15.62 119.73 500139
Clerk’s Wages (Sept and Oct) 398.41 0.00 398.41 500140
Reading Room 60.00 0.00 60.00 500141
Paul A Lewis 220.00 0.00 220.00 500142
Northamptonshire ACRE 34.00 0.00 34.00 500143
Cllr Earl proposed seconded by Cllr Barnes that the above bills be paid.
c) Payments Received
The meeting noted the following payments had been received.
Precept 5139.50
NCC (50% payment for fence repair) 124.00
Allotment Key Deposit (not yet banked) 5.00
Nottingham Bond (not yet banked) 1.25
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d) To receive information update on costings for village pump restoration
Cllr Coatsworth informed the meeting of the results of his enquiries. Estimated repair costs were £350-400 for the Church Street pump and £500- £550 for the Wappenham Road pump. It was agreed that this issue be considered at the next Finance meeting when the budget for 2010-11 would be considered.
Clerk e) Talkabout – to consider providing financial support to allow the next issue of
Talkabout to be published
Cllr Crouch volunteered to contribute funds personally to allow the next issue to be printed.
Cllr Barnes and Sarah Adhemar volunteered to help in the short time regarding organising the advertising revenue.
f) To consider quote from Reading Room for remedial works to exterior
Cllr Crouch proposed, seconded by Cllr Thorne that the amount remaining in the budgeted expenditure for grant payments be used to support the project. This was thought too be in the region of £300. All were in favour.
Clerk g)To consider request from School regarding installing dog bins
Clerk
The Clerk was asked to obtain costing and contact Syresham Parish Council regarding their budgeted expenditure for review at the next Finance meeting.
6 Correspondence Review
The correspondence as per Appendix A was reviewed.
7 To receive update regarding new additional War Memorial
Cllr Burns confirmed that the US Airforce was delighted with the new memorial and a short service for the family of one of the lost Airmen was to be held the following weekend.
Unfortunately the date of the accident had been omitted from the inscription; it was hoped that this could be rectified.
8 To receive update regarding Grand Union Housing proposal and consider the criteria proposal
The planning application was yet to be submitted to SNC. Regarding the criteria proposal,
Cllr Coatsworth proposed, seconded by Cllr Thorne that the criteria be accepted. All were in favour.
9 Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 23/09/09
There had been no applications during this period.
10 Footpaths a) To receive report from Roger Miles, Paths Warden
The report in Appendix B had been submitted by Roger Miles:
Cllr Burns thanked Roger for all his work.
b) To consider issues regarding permissive footpaths
Cllr Barnes reported that two landowners had been approached (Mark Oakey and the
Watsons) regarding the possibility of instating a permissive footpath. The landowners were receptive but had queried the issue of insurance.

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NCC had provided a Draft Agreement to the Paths Group; it was resolved that the Paths
Group should complete it and pass it to the Clerk so that it could be submitted to the
Insurance company to check that the PC insurance covered any public liability issues.
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Paths
Group/Clerk
To receive update on flooding relating issues
Cllr Burns reported that a meeting had been held in November and generally people were appreciative of what had been achieved. He thanked the Clerk and Cllrs Duncombe and
Barnes for their efforts in this area. The Clerk was requested to continue chasing Anglian
Water for an update.
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Clerk
Play/Leisure Matters a) To report on action required regarding RoSPA inspection and secondary school inspection
The report was reviewed and no matters requiring action were identified.
b) To consider making an application under the Playbuilder Scheme
The Clerk informed the meeting that the Primary School was intending to make an application under this scheme to provide enhanced facilities.
c) To receive update regarding possible Tennis Court.
As the site was totally overgrown and its ownership unclear, a short term proposal was made to ask permission of Philippa Lloyd at Fountain House to use the court there; Cllr
Coatsworth volunteered to make an approach to Philippa.
Cllr Burns will continue to try to identify the ownership of the old site.
13 PPMG
a) to receive update on the application for a grant to renew Parish Plan and to consider whether to accept the Terms and Conditions of the Award and sign the appropriate documentation
Cllr Earl proposed seconded by Cllr Coatsworth that the terms be accepted and the form completed to release the funding. All were in favour.
b) to consider on-going arrangements regarding the relationship between the PPMG
and the Parish Council
The original Terms of Reference had been circulated; it was felt appropriate that these arrangements continue.
14 Councillors’ Questions
Cllr Duncombe informed the meeting that there had been some issues with a high spirited horse; NCC had visited the landowner concerned.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm
Cllr Thorne
Cllr Burns

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rd nd Appendix A – Correspondence Received – 23 Sept – 22
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November 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 one & half storey garage – decision notice – approval.
o
S/2009/0857/FUL – 47 Station Road Helmdon – Bay window & porch to front, with single storey extension to rear – amended plans for information only – decision notice
– approval.
Register of Electors – monthly alterations
South Northamptonshire Economic Development Strategy 2010-2014 South Northamptonshire –
th State of District’s Economy 2009, Consultation Questionnaire – consultation date 11 January th Details of Local Strategic Workshop – 10 December
Casual Vacancy – confirmation that the PC could co-opt a new member
Alice Izzett – poster for Affordable Housing Consultation and local connection criteria proposal –
on Agenda
General Election – notice that staff are required for polling stations and count th Details of PC Reception on 16 December
Northamptonshire County Council
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New Bus Timetables for RL 1-4 (replacement for 250 and 255)- displayed on notice boards and in the shop
Safer Winter Driving in Northamptonshire – Winter Salting Network – in Reading Room
Highways Rep Conference details – forwarded to Cllr Burns
Spotlight – Report to the People 2009
rd Temporary Road Closure notice – 3 Dec – Church St – clarification on date sought
Pocket Park Information,pack
Details of Electric Blanket Testing Week
MGWSP – details of gully cleaning schedule (Helmdon in November)
Richard Hall – ROW – details of works in Helmdon (response to Cllr Barnes’ second letter)
NCALC
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Update Sept/October
Information regarding s137 expenditure limit (£6.15 per elector)
Information regarding permissive footpaths
Training Statement of Intent-Sample Document and Guidance – for January Agenda
Miscellaneous

Universal Services – quotation for repair of shackle on chain bridge from summary report of inspection of play equipment carried out for Helmdon Primary School
Victim Support – Annual Review and request for financial contribution
Coop bank statements – October, November statement
Northamptonshire Link – poster for notice board
Northamptonshire ACRE – Annual Report and Accounts
Northamptonshire ACRE – Award letter regarding Parish Plan renewal
SNVB – Link Up Oct/Nov newsletter, details of 50+ forum launch
South Northants Homes – major works briefing paper
Nottingham City Council – replacement bond certificate
EON – request for confirmation that the lighting inventory is unchanged since 2003
Niki Phillips – letter of thanks from PCC for £200 grant for new shed
New war memorial – various emails from Les Finn, Will Adams and Rick Schlachter, US Army
Towcester Partnership – details of “The Bus”

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Northants Touring Arts – website details
NHS Northamptonshire – Annual Report
Northants 50+ Network – Autumn newsletter
Oxfordshire Advice Centre – request for funding th Northants Police – consultation event details – 6:30 – 8:30pm on 7 December at Towcester
Town Hall
Roger Miles – footpaths report
Mike Barnes – details from NCC regarding permissive footpath agreements
Anglian Water – two updates from Liz McBreen (discussed at November’s flooding meeting)

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Accounts received
Reading Room (April – Sept) =.£60
EON (Lighting Maintenance) £104.11 + £15.62 VAT= £119.73
EON (Electricity Bill) – £151.41 +£7.57 VAT = £158.98
Paul A Lewis – dig out ditches by railway bridge – £220
Northamptonshire ACRE – Support for 2009/10 – £34.00
NCC remittance advice – £124.00
Nottingham Bond – £1.25 cheque

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Appendix B- Report by The Paths Warden for the Parish Council meeting Nov 2009
HELMDON PARISH PATHS REVIEW
During the summer I have reviewed all the paths within the Helmdon parish boundary and discussed various problems with the Rights of Way officers at Northamptonshire County Council (NCC). I am pleased to report that they have responded well on a variety of matters. Although some work has been delayed, various problems with landowners were resolved informally, and an agreed list of priorities for further works is in hand.
This summer’s wet weather promoted rapid growth of crops, hedges and weeds! Farmers were not always able to keep paths clear and volunteers have done a lot of work on growth around stiles and bridges, and alongside paths. Now that crops have been cleared many of our paths are readily accessible, and all but two (18 & 41) are at least passable.
The Parish Council is invited to note this report and to comment on the action points and priorities that the Parish Paths Warden is working to, in collaboration with the Paths Group that was set up after the
Parish Plan survey of village needs in 2004. This group, chaired by Cllr Mike Barnes, is active in monitoring and clearing paths and in producing maps and leaflets on circular walks.
Helmdon’s Paths
The County Council’s definitive map dated July 2005, which is due for revision in 2010, currently shows that Helmdon has 44 paths, which provide 31256 metres of rights of way in the Parish. Each path is identified by the prefix AP for Helmdon and numbered between AP2 and AP51. Some paths were removed before the current map (AP1, 3, 8,17,19, 26 and 37) and AP12 was extinguished recently.
In addition we have two permissive paths allowed by landowners: one around the churchyard and the other is the popular walk along part of the former railway towards Astwell; unfortunately the current landowner has withdrawn the continuation to join AP24 near Astwell Castle Farm but the Paths Group is working on agreeing an alternative with landowners.
Condition notes
1. Firstly it is important to note that within the last few years NCC have improved many of our paths by replacing stiles with gates and installing bridges over streams and ditches; some of these are a distance from the village and so not well-known (eg. AP42, 43 and 48 near Syresham). However, the new gates on AP25, (from Cross Lane towards Astwell) have been praised by many walkers.
2. Bridleway AP4 was greatly improved by new gates and a bridge about two years ago; recently the stoning of the gateways was completed. Bridleways AP21 and 40 each have a boggy section where churning by horses makes walking difficult; some drainage and surface improvement would be helpful.

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3. Criticism of the replacement bridge on AP29 continues as the wider crossing was better for children and the elderly but costs prohibit any change.
4. Several of our paths are difficult to use because of fields having been divided into pony paddocks and so there are too many stiles close together for all but the most agile. These are AP11, 30, 31. Part of AP41 is blocked because some of the pony fencing does not have any stiles; this has been reported to NCC.
5. AP13/14. These two paths join near the end of the Viaduct and the ground is deeply rutted and wet; this has been raised with the landowner and NCC notified. Similarly the regular ponding in a gateway on AP25 has been discussed.
6. AP 14 needs the high stile opposite the school to be replaced by a gate and the stiles and planks at the old railway crossing are in poor condition.
7. Access to AP18 from the B4525 is very difficult, but this is not a priority concern as this path is little used. A proper style is needed at the B4525 end of AP22; the fixed iron gate is hard to climb and this path would be useful.
8. Path AP16 through Grange Farm continues towards Greatworth as AN19, which crosses fields used by the tank driving enterprise at Spring Farm. The Greatworth PPW and NCC have raised public safety concerns with the land owner and the condition of this path is monitored regularly.
Action Points
1. No bids for changes in the next revision of the definitive map.
2. A gate to replace the stile on AP 14 is our top priority request to NCC.
3. Several paths need drainage improvements; in priority order these are:
AP14, AP21 and AP 25. These are actions for the landowners and NCC.
4. Volunteers will need to continue cutting and clearing hedges, and repairing stiles.
5. Extension of old railway permissive path towards Astwell.
6. Paths Group will shortly issue a second circular walk leaflet and others are being prepared.