Council Meeting, 25 September 2013

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 25th September 2013 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 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of 24th July 2013
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Meeting of 24th July 2013
5. Introduction from Rev. Carole Peters
6. Invitation to Special Church Service (Celia Terrey)
7. Open Forum
8. Superfast Broadband – to receive an update from Cllr Moody regarding the Tove Valley
Project Meeting at SNC, responses to the survey on Helmdon.com and any other relevant updates
9. To receive updates from the Clerk regarding flooding issues
10. Finance a) Financial statement b) To note payments received c) To consider bills for payment d) To consider any issues arising from the External Auditor’s Report e) To consider correspondence relating to works regarding to Helmdon
Primary School Field f) To consider latest correspondence from SNC on grants and any actions arising therefrom g) To consider tenders receives regarding the replacement to the slide steps
11. Planning:
a) To receive update regarding the Broadview Energy Ltd Wind Farm development b) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 24/07/13
c) Update from Parish Clerk regarding outstanding applications
12. To receive an update from the Helmdon Parish Plan Group on:
a) The proposed cycle route from Helmdon to Brackley b) Progress of the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy and Site
Specific Development Plan Documents
13. Correspondence Review
14. To receive update regarding the Jubilee Wall
15. Update from Playground Committee
16. To receive recommendations from the Allotment Committee

17. To consider whether to send a representative to the NorthantsCALC AGM
18. 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 25th September 2013 at the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 7:30pm
Present: Councillors Burns, England, Simpson, Garner, Adhemar, Duncombe, Moody
Parish Clerk: Liz Hart
Six members of the public were present.
Action
1 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Coatsworth has sent had his apologies sent due to being away; these were accepted by the meeting. Audrey Forgham had also sent apologies.
2 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Moody declared an interest in the following items:
Item 8 – Superfast Broadband (as a member of the Superfast Broadband Northamptonshire board) and 10c- Bills for Payments (as webmaster for www.helmdon.com) and item 17 – as an employee of Northants CALC.
3th Approval and Signature of the Minutes of Ordinary Meeting held on 24 July 2013
It was resolved to approve the Minutes with one amendment: Cllr Duncombe was deleted from the list of attendees. .
4th Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Meetings of 24 July 2013
4 Matters Arising – the Clerk confirmed that she had spoken to MGWSP and that the cats’ eyes would be re-instated when the road resurfacing was complete.
6 Open Forum – it was noted that the contractors had removed the tree trunks in the brook; Cllr
Adhemar would make a site visit to the allotments to check if there were any obstructions in the brook which would be the Parish Council’s responsibility to remove.
Cllr Burns closed the meeting for two public speakers.
5 Introduction from Rev. Carole Peters
Cllr Burns formally welcomed Rev. Peters to the parish; Rev. Peters gave a short introduction; since arriving in July she has tried hard to meet as many people as possible form the six parishes. She made mention of the forthcoming “Meet the Rector” evening and thanked the
Parish Council for the opportunity to speak.
6 Invitation to Special Church Service (Celia Terrey)
Celia Terrey informed the meeting that a special church service would take place on Saturday nd 2 November at 11am to mark the 70 years since the US airplane crash; it was hoped that a
Guard of Honour and a formation of troops from the US Base at Croughton would attend. All members of the Parish Council and the public are invited. There would also be an All Souls’
Service at 4pm the same day; Celia would let the Clerk know of any changes to the schedule.
Cllr Adhemar

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Open Forum
No matters were brought up for discussion.
Cllr Burns re-opened the meeting.
8 Superfast Broadband – to receive an update from Cllr Moody regarding the Tove Valley
Project Meeting at SNC, responses to the survey on Helmdon.com and any other relevant updates
Cllr Moody had circulated a report; it was hoped that BT would implement Superfast Broadband in the village in the period summer/autumn 2014. Cllr Moody had seen a demonstration by the
Tove Valley Broadband Project team which indicated that the service would be very fast. He pointed out that it would, however, take a year to implement and that it was dependent upon a consistent number of volunteers. The co-ordinating group at Weedon had started with five volunteers but he understood there was now only one.
Cllr Barnes queried how the final 0.5 miles between the cabinet and the householder works;
Cllr Moody confirmed that there would only be fibre optic just to the cabinet and it would be 5-
10ys before it was available right up to the householder’s residence.
It was resolved to adopt both resolutions in Cllr Moody’s report. Cllr Burns thanked Cllr Moody for submitting the report and recommendations.
9 To receive updates from the Clerk regarding flooding issues
The Clerk gave an update regarding Anglian Water’s reports. The Tims have done some excellent drainage work on the west side of the embankment from the STW to the westerly direction and had been very co-operative and receptive to meeting to sort out any issues. They had been trying to obtain the drainage maps; Cllr Burns noted that he has a contact as BRB
and would try and obtain them to pass on.
It was noted that Bulkhead Properties had done some digging of the verges on Grange Lane but felt that this was inadequate. It was felt that the Parish Council should continue to build on the good relationships with the Tims and Deveralls as cooperative farmers. It was resolved that the Clerk should write to Bulkhead Properties to confirm if further works were to be carried out.
Cllr Burns would approach the Tims to arrange a site meeting to discuss the best way forward.
It was noted that the school was in the process of addressing drainage issues on the field.
10 Finance a) Financial statement
It was resolved to accept the following financial statement:
Current Account (Coop) 25944.79
b) To note payments received
The following were noted:
Payments Received Amount
Interest (August) 2.88
Interest (September) 2.75
Precept 6831.50
Cllr Burns
Clerk
Cllr Burns

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c) To consider bills for payment
It was resolved to pay the following bills:
Accounts Payable NET VAT GROSS Cheque
Brown and Barden – 3624 July 195.71 39.14 234.85 500355
Brown and Barden – 3638 – August 195.71 39.14 234.85 500356
E Hart – Clerk’s Wages 750.74 0.00 750.74 500357
BDO LLP 100.00 20.00 120.00 500358
E Hart – expenses – new ink toner + stamps 28.01 0.00 28.01 500359
Sue Lidgley – bulbs 45.00 0.00 45.00 500360
Top Print (August newsletter) 138.75 0.00 138.75 500361
Helmdon.com 150.00 0.00 150.00 500362
The request from HSGWAG for financial support with the public inquiry was considered; it was noted that the village was virtually unanimous in its opposition to the proposal.
Cllr Burns closed the meeting and Keith Jones, Chair of HSGWAG, clarified why the request had been made and for what it was needed. It was commented that the Parish Council should exercise caution when supporting a campaign group and noted that not all the electorate would support a donation. It was resolved that the Clerk should call an Extra Ordinary meeting on st Tuesday 1 October at 7:30pm and the agenda should be to consider making a grant, determine the budgetary heading and approve a cheque if necessary.
d) To consider any issues arising from the External Auditor’s Report
It was noted that there were no issues arising from the report and so action was required; the
Clerk was thanked for her diligence.
e) To consider correspondence relating to works regarding to Helmdon Primary School
Field
The Clerk clarified the project aims; the Clerk was asked to invite the Head Teacher to the next
Parish Council meeting to present the project in more detail. It was felt that it was important that the aims of the Parish Plan be considered when reviewing projects.
f) To consider latest correspondence from SNC on grants and any actions arising
It was noted that the Parish Council is to apply for a small grant from SNC. It was resolved to ask that the PPMG review the Parish Plan with the aim of identifying possible projects.
Resolved to ask to Parish Plan for ideas.
g) To consider tenders receives regarding the replacement to the slide steps
It was resolved that the Clerk be authorised to accept the revised quote from Playdale provided that it did not exceed £3500 plus VAT.
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11 Planning:
a) To receive update regarding the Broadview Energy Ltd Wind Farm development
The Clerk updated the Parish Council on the ongoing preparations for the Public Inquiry.
b) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 24/07/13
Application: S/2013/0946/OUT
Location: 6A Church Street Helmdon
Proposal: Single storey detached dwelling (outline)
Cllr Burns clarified that a site visit had taken place; Cllr Garner summarised that main issues impacting the application. It was resolved to object to for the following reasons:
The Parish Council believes that the application does not conform to the criteria for new developments in the Local Plan namely section H5 as it does not fit the scenarios described in either (i) (ii) or (iii) AND is a tandem development of the type specifically opposed to in SNC’s
SPG point 1.4. In addition the Parish Council OBJECTS because:
• No tree survey has been submitted
• A number of mature trees and a large section of hedgerow will need to be removed
• The access road is not wide enough to accommodate passing vehicles or according to policy conditions.
• The applicant has omitted to state that there are watercourses in close proximity to the site which have in the past caused flooding to nearby properties. The applicant has not proved that a soakaway is therefore a viable option. This watercourse has been highlighted by Anglian Water as causing overload issues in its system.
• The foul water system into which the applicant proposes to discharge is private and nearing the end of its natural life and cannot be expected to accommodate another property – SNC has already received detailed correspondence on this from a neighbouring property owner.
• When planning permission for the development was granted, a previous application to put more houses than the current three on the whole site (adjoining the access road)
was refused.
For all the reasons above, the Parish Council requests that, should the planning officer be minded to approve the application as a delegated decision, that the application be CALLED IN
to the Development Control Committee.
Application: S/2013/0967/FUL
Location: Emmonsails 9 Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: Single storey side extension
It was resolved to support the application.
Application: S/2013/0977/LBC
Location: The Old House, 35 Wappenham Road Helmdon
Proposal: External alterations including installation of roof lights new door and replacement of the existing corrugated tin roof covering with slate. Internal alterations include the removal of internal walls, a ceiling and roof structure and installation of new partitions a new floor structure a replacement roof structure and new insulation
It was resolved to support the application.
Cllr Barnes noted that the officer’s report for 6A Church Street did not seem of have taken into account all the valid reasons submitted for refusal.
c) Update from Parish Clerk regarding outstanding applications
The Clerk updated the meeting.
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12 To receive an update from the Helmdon Parish Plan Group on:
a) The proposed cycle route from Helmdon to Brackley th A meeting had been held on 28 August with Alan Smith but Adrian Colwell (SNC) has not been in attendance. Cllr Barnes would attend the HS2 meeting in October.
The group had been granted funding of £100 from the proceeds of the Helmdon Hurler.
It was noted that Natural England would be giving a talk on the SSSI in November and hoped that they would clarify some of their objections to the proposal at that point.
b) Progress of the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy and Site Specific
Development Plan Documents
There was no further update on the above.
13 Correspondence Review
All correspondence as Appendix A was noted.
There had been issues with odour in the area which had been attributed to either fields adjacent to the Radstone Road or along the old railway where waste product had been spread.
14 To receive update regarding the Jubilee Wall
Cllr Coatsworth had circulated an update; the stone from Mr Finn had not yet been delivered.
15 Update from the Playground Committee
It was noted that the bark needed renewing; the Clerk was asked to obtain some prices.
16 To receive recommendations from the Allotment Committee
It was resolved that the Clerk should let the plot adjacent to the brook to Clare Nash under the normal tenancy agreement.
17 To consider whether to send a representative to the NorthantsCALC AGM
It was felt that it was likely that Cllr Coatsworth would attend.
18 Councillors’ Questions
Details were given to the Clerk of street lights currently not working. The Clerk was asked to report that the verge at the B4525 junction needed cutting as did the hedge along Station
Road.
The Clerk would send a note of thanks to Phillip Ward for planting bulbs throughout the village and to Audrey Forgham for her continued work on the village website.
Verge at entrance to footpath on the Weston Rd – the Clerk would check with Carl Evans to see if MGWSP would take ongoing responsibility for the mowing.
It was confirmed that works at the Sawmills were a foundation for a debarking machine.
The meeting closed at 9:42pm
.
Clerk

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Appendix A – Correspondence Received – 22nd
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th July – 24 September 2013
South Northamptonshire Council
• Weekly Planning Application listings
• Press releases regarding Play Rangers Scheme, Walk, Eat and Drink in Central South
Northamptonshire guide, new recycling scheme
• Planning Applications:
o S/2013/01085/FUL- 8 Shortlands Close, Helmdon – two storey side extension and porch
• Overview of grants available from SNC
• Electoral role changes
• HS2 Stakeholder Workshop, 5.00pm – 7.00pm, Tuesday 22nd October at SNC – response required
• Pest Control Service Charges
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) update
• Parish Clerk Forum details
• Update on SNC Settlements and Development Management Local Plan
Northamptonshire County Council
• Policing updates
• Notice of temporary closure of Astwell Road, Helmdon/Syresham
• Highways Newsletters
• Consultation on 13/00088/WASVOC – Blackpits Farm, Helmdon
• Superfast Northamptonshire – update
• Consultations on Northamptonshire Transportation Plan: Fit for Purpose, Minerals and Waste
Development Framework (partial review)
• B4525 Engineering report and subsequent additions
NCALC
• Update July/August
• Details of Focus on Employment Training Course
• AGM details and reminder
• Reminder on consultations
• Training Schedule
• Notice of Parish Clerk Vacancy in Brixworth
Miscellaneous
• SNVB information and newsletters
• Helmdon Primary School – request to Parish Council to apply for funding from New Homes Bonus for the School Field
• Richard Farquharson – regarding dead trees in brook (cleared)

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• Anglian Water –update on outstanding works
• Keith Jones, HSGWAG – letter requesting financial support for the forthcoming inquiry
• Colin Wootton, HSGWAG – update on the inquiry
• BDO – completed Annual Return and figures
• Coop : bank statements – August and September 2013
• ACRE – announcements regarding Best Community Website competition
• HMRC –confirmation of RTI submissions
• SNAG updates
• CPRE – Countryside Voice
• CPRE – CPRE Autumn Road Show on Planning: 6 November 2013
• Correspondence from Viv Watson regarding odour in the village
• Response on above from Ed Bastow
• Louise Stothard – details of the “Meet the Rector” evening
• King’s Sutton – survey on play equipment – response sent
• Robin Digby – expressing support for Parish Council’s comments regarding 6A Church Street
• Jayne Brown – regarding concerns over 6A Church Street – proposal for new dwelling
• South Northants Homes – 5 birthday presentation details th
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