Council Meeting, 26 November 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 26 November 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 meeting held on 24 September 2014
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the above Meeting
5. To receive an update from Blackpits Monitoring Group (David Powell, Chairman)
6. Open forum
7. Finance a) Financial statement b) To note payments received c) To consider bills to be paid f) To complete the application for Unity Trust Bank
8. Correspondence Review
9. Planning:
a) To receive decisions of Planning committee on applications since 24/09/14
b) Update regarding outstanding applications including the Spring Ridge Farm application
10. To consider Neighbourhood Watch Issues
11. To consider improvements to the access to the Pump Garden public bench
12. To consider South Northants Homes proposal to dispose of land on Station Road
13. To receive update from the Reading Room Committee
14. To consider Highways Issues (including a report from Highways Warden re resurfacing of crossing near the school)
15. To receive update from the Playground Committee
16. To receive update from the Allotment Committee and to consider allotment issues
17. To receive update from Parish Plan Group (to include progress in high-speed internet)
18. To receive an update from School Liason Councillors re appointment of volunteer groundsman
19. To consider any action necessary following the introduction of the Openness of Local
Government Bodies Regulations 2014
20. To consider action to encourage candidates to come forward for the election in 2015
21. Councillors’ questions and any other business
Signed _______________________Dated________________________
Simon Loake,Clerk to Helmdon Parish Council,1 Meadow Rise,Tiffield,12 8AP [phone number removed])

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
Of a meeting of the Council held in the Reading Room, Helmdon, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 26 November 2014
PRESENT Cllrs Burns, Coatsworth, Garner, Moody, Valentine, England, Barnes
IN ATTENDANCE: Simon Loake (Clerk)
10 members of the public were also present
1 )APOLOGIES were accepted from Cllrs Adhemar, Duncombe
2) DECLARATIONS of INTEREST: There were none
3) MINUTES: It was proposed by Cllr Moody, 2nd by Cllr Barnes, and unanimously agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2014 were a true record of the meeting. The minutes were duly signed by the Chairman
4) MATTERS ARISING:
4.1 It was stated that the fence in Station Road has now been repaired
4.2 There has been no response from Bulkhead Properties. The Chairman will continue to pursue them
4.3There has been no response from Western Power concerning the poles taken over by the
Parish Council. Consideration should be given to including these are covered by the insurance policy
4.4 The Clerk stated that he would be interested in undertaking the production ofr the village newsletter on a trial basis.
4.5 It was agreed that Cllrs Burns, Coatsworth and Moody should formalise with the Clerk the procedure for the issuing of minutes, agenda, etc
5) BLACKPITS: It was reported that there had been no further complaints of odour from the site, and no noise or dust complaints. A second building has been constructed, which is a transit point for waste to be sorted. The “Digestate,” developed from agricultural waste, is a potential source of odour. The operators of the site are very helpful, and would prefer any complaints to be addressed directly to them, rather than to the environment agency. Vehicle movements have been within the limits set out in the original agreement. It is hoped that villagers will establish a good relationship with the site, and the operators will encourage the use of the visitor centre when this is completed.
The Chairman expressed his thanks for the quality and detail of the report. A copy of the full report is to be emailed to the editor of the village website.
6) OPEN FORUM: A member of the public asked about the “Sinking Fund” expenditure that was shown on the Finance Report. The Clerk explained that this was repairs the playground, for which provision had been made in prior years accounts. A member of the public raised the question as to whether members of the public could speak on agenda items, or only during the “open forum”. The
Chairman stated that this is at the discretion of the Chairman, and the Clerk stated that the Standing
Orders of the Parish Council state that this is at the sole discretion of the Chairman. The Editor of the village website stated that care must be taken to include members of the community who do not have access to a computer. It was suggested that good use be made of the village notice-boards.
7) FINANCE:
7.1 Finance Report: The Clerk presented the Finance Report , showing a balance of funds at
£9348.44. A copy of the report is attached to the file copy of these minutes.
7.2 Receipts: It was noted that the second half of the Precept had been received in
September, the sum of £250 had been received as the prize for the Best Village Competition, and a donation of £60 had been received towards the planting in the village.
7.3 Payments: It was proposed by Cllr Moody, 2nd Cllr Coatsworth, and agreed that the payments listed by the Clerk be approved, and the cheques were duly signed
7.4 It was proposed by Cllr Moody, 2nd Cllr Valentine, and unanimously agreed that an online bank account be opened with Unity Trust Bank. It was further agreed that members of the
Finance Committee be the signatories to the new account. The Clerk issued the relevant form for completion by members of that committee.

8) REVIEW of CORRESPONDENCE: The Clerk issued a list of the correspondence that had been received and sent. A copy of the list is attached to the file copy of these minutes. The main item of discussion related to the revision of the Quality Parish Scheme, which was explained by Cllr Moody.
As an existing Quality Parish, Helmdon will qualify for the new scheme at the foundation level for 12
months.. There was additional discussion concerning the fact that there is now a charge for the
“Rights of Way” course, which was previously free of charge.
9) PLANNING:
9.1 The Clerk reported on the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 21 October 2014, at which no objections were raised to the application foir a new roof at 7 Wappenham Road, but required further planning application for the change of use of an agricultural building to a dwelling house at Jubillee Farm, Astwell
9.2 At the meeting on 3 November 2014, no objections were raised to the erection of a car port at 33 Station Road, or to a proposed mobile field shelter at South Farm, Wappenham
Road. Whilst no objections were raised to the conversion of an existing barn at Jackson’s
Farm to provide a new dwelling house, concern was expressed as to the efficacy of rear access to the property
10) NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ISSUES: Cllr England reported that there had been an attempted burglary in Wappenham Road on the night of 24/25 November. Cllr England also informed the meeting that the local PCSO, Clive Ashmore, was leaving.. There has not yet been any notification of his successor.
11) PUMP GARDEN BENCH: It was stated that funds should be set aside for the restoration of the
“Jubilee Seat”. At present there is no hand rail, and the surface of the approach is very uneven. The suggestion was made that this might be a suitable project for NHBG funding.
12)LAND in STATION Rd: South Northants Homes have agreed in principle that this land should be transferred to the Parish Council. The PC would have to take on the maintenance of this land. The
Clerk is to discuss further with SNH, and this will be an agenda item at the next meeting.
13) READING ROOM: Cllr England reported that the committee had discussed the renewal of flashing on the gutter, which must be completed before the kitchen is renovated. Damp has been found in the committee room, which will also need attention.
14) HIGHWAYS ISSUES: Cllr Moody reported that the problems with the hump at school crossing had been discussed with Helen Howard of NCC Highways, and the options are either to resurface it or to remove item the latter being the preferred option. It was suggested that the PC might bid for funding for this in the new financial year. The cost of the scheme would be approx. £15k, and a donation from the PC in the order of £5k would considerably improve the chances of the work being completed.
15 PLAYGROUND ISSUES: There was discussion about the depositing of dog waste in the litter bin, but no other matters were raised.
16 ALLOTMENT ISSUES: It was noted that Cllr Adhelmar has given up her allotment. The Clerk is to contact the next person o n the waiting list. There have been no further reports of rats in the allotments.
17: PARISH PLAN GROUP: Cllr Moody reported that the Group had met on 17 November. The
Parochial Church Council has been approached about placing a mobile phone transceiver on top of the church. The PCC would receive a rental income of approx £9k pa, and all negotiations with
Service Providers would be undertaken on their behalf.
The NCC Joint Core Strategy has now been approved, and the next stage in this process is village specific plans
18 SCOOL LIAISON REPORT: Cllr Moody reported that Graham Eccles had agreed to act as volunteer groundsman, pending a letter of appointment – he is both a parent and a professional groundsman.
SNC have stated that they would be prepared to give an award for the improvement to the drainage , but ONLY if it can be shown that the whole community will benefit. This would necessitate the granting of a new licence for 20 years (SNC only has power to approve a 10 year licence). The
Chairman stated that it should not necessarily be accepted that the PC would agree to an extended licence.
19: OPENNESS of LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES REGULATIONS 2014: These regulations permit members of the public or press to record, film or broadcast any meeting of the Council or its committees without prior notice. It was proposed by Cllr Moody, 2nd Cllr Coatsworth and unanimously agreed that the Standing Orders be amended by removing the word “not” from SO 3.k.
The Clerk agreed to prepare a suitable statement for the Chairman to read at the commencement of each meeting.

20: ENCOURAGING CANDIDATES for FORTHCOMING ELECTION: It was reported that on a previous occasion there had been 14 candidates for the nine seats on the Parish Council. The residents of
Helmdon do take an active interest in the Parish Council. It was agreed that the PC should be active in notifying residents of the forthcoming election, starting its publicity at the beginning of 2015. The
Clerk stated that he will be attending a Training Session regarding the election at the beginning of
February, and will clarify all the procedural requirements after that.
21 ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
21.1 It was agreed to hold a meeting of the Finance Committee on 20 January to agree the recommended budget and precept for the forthcoming financial year.
21.2 Thanks were expressed to Cllr Barnes for the changes to the notices at the entrance to the village to include the recent Best Village award.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.26pm