Council Meeting, 26 July 2023

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
of the meeting of Helmdon Parish Council, held in the Reading Room, Church
Street, Helmdon on Wednesday 26th July 2023 at 7:30pm.
Present: Cllrs Harris, Marchant, Moody (Chair), Plunkett, Wheeler (Vice-Chair) and
Charmaine Jay (Clerk)
In attendance: 2 members of the public.
161. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs Bearman and Hosea
RESOLVED: To approve Cllr Hosea’s absence. To not approve Cllr Bearman’s absence
162. Declarations of Interest
It was noted that Cllrs Marchant, Moody and Wheeler have a declaration of interest in item 168b
163. Approval and signature of the minutes of June 28th 2023
RESOLVED: That the minutes of June 28th 2023 are approved and signed
164. Matters arising
None
165. Open Forum
-Concerns raised regarding increased traffic flow in the village.
-It was queried why the school zone has no 20mph limit. To be investigated.
-An email is to be circulated regarding waste clearance from West Northants
Council.
166. To receive an update from HS2 liaison officer from recent meetings
– Communications masts are being explored for communications between each train and traffic control.
– In August, HS2 moves to nighttime phase
– Schedule 17 is going to be rescheduled. No more details.
167. To fill the vacancies on the council by co-option
There was an expression of interest from Faye Holloway, a resident from the village since 2012. Faye would like to join the council to express her views.
RESOLVED: To coopt Faye Holloway in to Helmdon Parish Council
168. Finance:
A. To receive the financial statement: note payments received and consider invoices to be paid (Appendix a)
RESOLVED: That the following bill(s) be approved for payment:
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Payee
RoSPA Play Safety
Reading Room
Invoice Number
72466
378
Reason
Annual Inspection
Room Hire
Amount
94.20
112.50
B. To recommend Small grants scheme applications
RESOLVED: That the following Small grants scheme applications are approved under the circumstances that the Community Larder receive £250
instead of £200:
Organisation
How much?
Purpose of the grant
The replacement of the digital mixer and remote controller for the church's audiovisual system
Helmdon Church Council
£250.00
Helmdon Local History Group
Due to this being a new group- this is for
£250.00 setting up costs and a consultant to advise on a strategy for records already held on the internet
Helmdon Acorns Pre-School
To provide more outdoor equipment for
£250.00 the children including a large sandpit, sports equipment and sensory tables
Helmdon Bridge Players
£250.00 To invest in some more costumes, lighting, sounds and costume rails storage
To invest in a events shelter to be able to cook under when away with the girls. It
£250.00 would be 4 x 4m at a cost of around £245.
Happy to lend to other groups in the village.
Helmdon Guides
The Community Larder
Total
£250.00 To pay for one months rent of the reading room
£1,500.00
169. To consider training needs for both clerks and councillors
RESOLVED: Councillors to let the clerk know what courses they would like to attend by
9th August 2023.
170.
To consider a welcome pack for new residents
A discussion was held with what content to put in the welcome pack.
It would be difficult to pass information on when it is constantly changing.
A Welcome card was suggested as more appropriate to allow new residents to familiarise themselves with the village and groups.
RESOLVED: Clerk to research prices of cards and printing costs.
171.
To receive an update regarding the Pump Garden and War Memorial maintenance
An estimated quote was given to the council. As there is no budget facilitated in
2023/24, the council are to continue the search for volunteers.
RESOLVED: Clerk to research.
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172.
To receive a draft proposal for alternative website providers
Working group have met and are in the process of exploring the market and pricing for the council’s needs.
RESOLVED: Proposal in due course. Update in September meeting.
173.
To consider quote for service and replacement of skirt for the flag pole
RESOLVED: Clerk to get more quotes for services and replacement of skirt for the flag pole.
174.
To note RoSPA inspection report
RESOLVED: The RoSPA inspection report was noted and clerk to get quote for work to be carried out.
175.
To consider:
Application No. 2023/5858/FULL
Proposal Installation of new 2-bay car port to front of existing dwelling.
Minor landscaping to enlarge gravel parking area.
Location 84 Wappenham Road Helmdon West Northamptonshire NN13 5QA
Due to a conflict-of-interest Cllr Wheeler has been temporarily approved to join the planning committee for one meeting on 2nd August 2023.
RESOLVED: To defer consideration for Application No: 2023/5858/FULL for 2nd
August 2023.
176.
To consider a councillor to carry out weekly playground inspections
RESOLVED: Cllr Holloway was approved to carry out weekly playground inspections with both Cllrs Wheeler and Moody as back up.
177.
To consider 2 delegates to attend NCALC 76th Annual Conference
RESOLVED: Clerk to circulate the date to councillors to see if they are able to attend.
178.
Close
Meeting closed: 20.50
Next meeting is on Wednesday 27th September 2023
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