Council Meeting, 28 November 2007

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
All Councillors are summoned to a meeting of Helmdon Parish Council to be held in the
Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon on Wed. 28th Nov 2007, 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 26 September 2007
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of 26th September 2007
4. Open Forum
5. Finance th a) Financial statement b) Bills for Payment c) Payments Received d) Conflict between Standing Orders and Financial Regulations regarding tender process
6. Correspondence
7. Blackpits Recycling Monitoring Group Report
8. Village of the Year 2007 – suggestions for spending the prize money
9. School Playground update a) Lease agreement – update on revised document submitted to NCC
b) Repairs/improvements to the play area – review of submitted tenders
10. To receive the decisions of the Planning committee on applications since 26th September
11. Helmdon Talkabout
12. Report from SNC reception – Cllr Burns
13. Report from NCALC AGM – Cllr Thorne
14. Arrangement of Planning Committee Meetings
15. Pavements – Church Street and Shortlands Close
16. Rural Reach Project SNVB
17. Consideration of the Draft Proposal of the Proposed Cycle Path to Brackley
18. Parking on the Pavements of Wappenham Road
19. Reading Room – legal relationship with the Parish Council
20. Allotments
21. Helmdon information board – installation and timescales
22. Risk Assessments
23. Tennis Courts – Cllr Crouch
24. Councillors’ Questions
Signed _______________________
Liz Hart, Parish Clerk
[address removed]

07/26
HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Helmdon Parish Council held on Wednesday 28th November 2007
in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 7:30pm
Present: Councillors Barnes, Burns, Coatsworth, Duncombe, England, Thorne, Turner, Crouch
Parish Clerk: Liz Hart
Ten members of the public were present.
Action
1 Apologies
Apologies had been received from Cllr Stothard.
2 Approval and Signature of the Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting held on 26th
September 2007
th Cllr Thorne proposed, seconded by Cllr Turner that the minutes of 26 September be approved. All were in favour and Cllr Burns duly signed the minutes.
3 Matters Arising from the Minutes of 26th September 2007
5 Repair of bridge damaged by the flooding
The Clerk gave an update regarding communication with Rights of Way at NCC. Atkins are due to remove the debris from the brook and finish off the bridge properly.
14 Parish Survey – NALC
This had been completed and sent to NALC (now NCALC) but unfortunately the Council was not lucky enough to win a training voucher.
16 Issues regarding Groves’ development
Cllr Thorne informed the meeting that he had met the new owner of the property which boundaries the footpath who seemed extremely cooperative; the existing vegetation is set to remain.
4 Open Forum
Wicket’s Mead Bridge – concern was raised regarding the lack of vehicular access for maintenance of the electricity supply. The Clerk is to write to the electricity company highlighting the issue. There was further comment regarding whether a wider bridge should be requested from NCC; it was pointed out that there are other gates and stiles in the parish requiring NCC funding and by making this a priority, other needs might suffer. Council will await the response from the electricity company before making a formal request to NCC.
Clerk
Speed of Traffic on Station Rd – it was suggested that this should be raised at the Police
Consultation Event in December. It was noted that a mobile van warning drivers of their speed has been used in other parishes.
Remedial Work to the Footpath at the bottom of Shortlands Close
Cllr Burns will approach Groves and request that this be completed and suggest a donation for the upkeep of the Pump Garden would be a generous gesture.
Cllr Burns
Incorrect positioning of the white lines on Jeffs Bridge
Clerk to contact Atkins. Clerk
Surface repairs necessary to Station Rd
The Clerk is to contact NCC to see if there will be any provision in the budget for this work. Clerk

07/27
Query regarding ad hoc funding from SNC
The Clerk had not received any information; she suggested the reference might be to the
“Empowering Councillors” scheme at NCC.
Atkins and NCC
It was noted that the highways contract is being renegotiated.
5 Finance a) Financial Statement
Cash & Investments
Current Account (Coop) 21,837.20
Nottingham Bond 500.00
Total 22,337.20
Cllr Barnes proposed, seconded by Cllr Coatsworth that the statement be approved. All in favour.
b) Bills for Payment
The Clerk clarified that the clerk’s wages included an annual incremental rise for having completed one year’s service together with the back dated pay increase from April 2007
according to the new pay rates issued recently by NCALC. Cllr England proposed, seconded by Cllr Duncombe that the presented bills be paid. All in favour.
Accounts Payable NET VAT GROSS Cheque
Powergen 97.63 4.88 102.51 500043
C + E Grass Cutting 340.00 0.00 340.00 500044
Helmdon Reading Room 72.00 0.00 72.00 500045
Louise Carroll (key deposit refund) 5.00 0.00 5.00 500046
Sue Lidgley 21.00 0.00 21.00 500047
Brackley Cottage Hospital (3/4) 250.00 0.00 250.00 500048
Clerk’s Wages (September and Oct) 375.86 0.00 375.86 500049
Clerk’s Expenses (paper and stamps) 11.27 0.00 11.27 500049
Clerk’s Telephone 8.74 0.00 8.74 500049

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c) Payments received
The following were presented:
Nottingham Bond 9.38
Interest Oct/Nov 71.51
Precept 4962.50
Total 5043.39
d) Conflict between standing orders and Financial Regulations regarding tender process
Council noted a conflict in the tendering process between Standing Orders Policies and
Practices and Financial Regulations 11b) and 11i). In order to resolve this, Cllr Burns proposed, seconded by Cllr Crouch that £100 be replaced by £500 under 11b) and 11i) be deleted. All were in favour. Clerk to amend documentation for sign off at the January meeting.
6
Clerk
Correspondence
See Appendix A
Cllr Burns had received further communication regarding logs on the verges at Falcutt; the complainant will be approaching NCC.
7 Blackpits Recycling Monitoring Group Report
David Powell has been making frequent visits to the facility and meetings have taken place regarding odour control. Members of the public should report any issues to Blackpits. The majority of the complaints come from the Falcutt and Stocking Farm areas.
New signage is now in place. The group continues to raise public awareness via various media. It was noted that the Group had been showed the contents of the green wheelies bins collected from the parish which contained non compostable materials.
Cllr Thorne is to attend a meeting in December of the Traffic Action Group at which it was expected that a petition would be raised. Given the expected short timescales for a required response, Cllr Barnes proposed, seconded by Cllr Turner, that once the Clerk receives the petition, its contents should be circulated, and provided that a majority of the Councillors were in favour, that Cllr Burns and Cllr Thorne would be mandated to sign on behalf of the
Council. All were in favour.
8
Clerk
Cllrs Burns and Thorne
Village of the Year 2007 – allocation of prize money
Cllr Crouch proposed, seconded by Cllr Duncombe that a sun of not more that £120 be used to purchase new shrubs for the War Memorial. All were in favour.
Cllr England will update the next meeting regarding the remainder of the money being put towards a new sound system for the Reading Room.
9 School Playground update a) Lease agreement – update on revised document submitted to NCC
The revised document had been received that day by the Clerk. The Playground Committee are to review changes and present back to an Extra Ordinary Meeting in early January if appropriate, otherwise the ordinary January meeting.
Cllr England

07/29
b) Repairs/improvements to the play area – review of submitted tenders.
Three tenders had been received; these will be reviewed in detail at the next meeting. It is hoped that Andrew Grant will be able to release funding of between £4,000 and £5,000 in addition to funds already raised.
10th To receive the decisions of the Planning committee on applications since 26
September
Application number: S/2007/1254/LB
Location: The Old Cross, Cross Lane, Helmdon
Proposal: Internal and external alterations to provide a hallway and WC on the ground floor and bathroom and dressing room at first floor level. The works include the removal of an existing staircase, the erection of partition walls, the introduction of a first floor over an existing single storey element of the buildings and alterations to the fenestration.
The Committee supported the application.
Application number: S/2007/1262/LB
Location: 35 Wappenham Road, Helmdon
Proposal: External alterations including the installation of rooflights, new door and window openings, and the replacement of the existing corrugated tin roof covering with slate. Internal alterations including the removal of internal walls, a ceiling and a roof structure, and the installation of new partitions, a new floor structure, a replacement roof structure, a new staircase and new insulation.
The Committee had no objections to the application but wished to bring to the attention of
SNC the fact that the applicant is using the chapel wall which is not in his ownership.
Comments received from the Tove Valley Baptist Fellowship and accompanying photos are to be attached to the consultation.
Application number: S/2007/1362/P
Location: 57A Church St, Helmdon
Proposal: Two garden sheds, greenhouse and play equipment.
The Committee supported the application in general but drew attention to the possible invasion of privacy due to the position an height of the playtower.
Application Number:S/2007/1262/LB
Location: 35 Wappenham Road, Helmdon
Proposal: External alterations including the installation of rooflights, new door and window openings, and the replacement of the existing corrugated tin roof covering with slate. Internal alterations including the removal of internal walls, a ceiling and a roof structure, and the installation of new partitions, a new floor structure, a replacement roof structure, a new staircase and new insulation
Amendment details: Removal of rooflight in rear elevation and confirmation on proposals to roof
The Committee supported the application.
11 Helmdon Talkabout
Council was not aware of any new volunteers for the roles of editor and advertising editor.
12 Report from SNC reception – Cllr Burns
The Local District Plan has been discontinued with no replacement yet in place. The main new developments being considered are to be located in Brackley and Towcester and
Silverstone.

07/30
13 Report from NCALC AGM – Cllr Thorne
Cllr Thorne had circulated full details of the AGM prior to the meeting. NALC is now to be known as Northants County Association of Local Councils or NCALC. The annual subscription for Helmdon will increase by £8 next year. NALC has had input into committee work prior to the drafting of the White Paper for the new local Government Bill.
14 Arrangement of Planning Committee Meetings
Cllr Thorne and other Councillors had experienced difficulties recently in attending planning meetings called at short notice. Cllr Burns emphasised the unusually high levels of planning applications were unlikely to continue and suggested reviewing the situation after six months. In the meantime, the Clerk would request two options for meeting dates from Cllr
Burns and select the one which most Cllrs could attend.
15 Pavements – Church Street and Shortlands
This is to be put on the Agenda for the next meeting for Cllr Stothard.
16
Clerk
Rural Reach Project SNVB
The Clerk had circulated this as requested. No further comments.
17 Consideration of the Draft Proposal of the Proposed Cycle Path to Brackley
Cllrs had received details of the proposal; Cllr Barnes stated that the Paths Group was seeking ongoing support from HPC to contact all landowners to ask for their support. Cllr
Turner proposed, seconded by Cllr England, that the Clerk contact all three landowners. All were in favour.
18 Parking on the Pavements of Wappenham Road
The police had confirmed that it is illegal to park on the pavements and an owner is liable were an accident to occur, with insurance deemed invalid. The Clerk will put a note in the next Talkabout and obtain cards from the Police.
19
Clerk
Clerk
Reading Room – legal relationship with the Parish Council
Cllr England gave a report from a general meeting of the Reading Room held on 23rd
November which questioned why Cllr Thorne had pursued the issue of the misplaced deeds so vigorously. Cllr Thornes explained that he merely wished to ascertain all the facts relating to the legal relationship between the Parish Council and the Reading Room. It was proposed that Cllr England should investigate any further options relating to this matter;
Pam Whilton at NCALC may have details of the deeds.
20 Allotments
The Clerk had requested that the Allotments Committee be reinstated to address any ongoing issues. Cllrs Turner and Barnes volunteered to stand. All were in favour.
The Clerk had spent eleven hours on additional administration relating to the allotments since Cllr Gittens had resigned. It was proposed by Cllr Turner and seconded by Cllr Barnes that this be paid and that the Clerk be paid an extra hour per month to cover this in the future. All were in favour.
21 Helmdon information board – installation and timescales
No further update from NCC.
Clerk

07/31
22 Risk Assessments
These will be issued next week.
23 Tennis Courts
Cllr Crouch will cover this at the next meeting.
24
Cllr
Coatsworth
Cllr Crouch
Councillors’ Questions
Cllr Duncombe provided the Clerk with a list of failed street lamps to report.
The meeting closed at 9:55pm.
Clerk

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th rd Appendix – A Correspondence – 27 Sept 2007 – 23 November 2007
South Northamptonshire Council
Weekly Planning Application listings – 19/09, 26/09, 03/10, 10/10, 17/10, 24/10, 31/10, 07/11,
14/11, 21/11
Notice of Application for S/2007/1362/P – 57A Church St and plans – planning meeting held
Notice of Application S/2007/1202/P – Astwell Mill, Helmdon – Single storey extension
Notice of Amended Application for S/2007/1362/P – 57A Church St – two pergolas – for information only
Notice of Decision for S/2007/0707/P – Stone Gables – permission granted for replacement porch and garage
Notice of Decision for S/2007/0708/LB – Stone Gables – consent to internal alterations with conditions
SNC Observation on S/2207/1328/PC – Blackpits Farm – circulated
S/2007/1262/LB – 35 Wappenham Rd, Helmdon
S/2007/1254/LB – The Old Cross, Cross Lane, Helmdon
S/2007/1328/PC- Blackpits Farm
S/2007/0708/LB, S/2007/0707/P – Stone Gables
Request from Dick Parris for information on roads with restricted access – responded
Landlord News and Views – Autumn 2007 newsletter
Northamptonshire Waster Partnership -Let’s Talk Rubbish Leaflets” – for distribution at meeting
Northamptonshire County Council
• Details of Planning Permission conditions for Blackpits Farm – in-vessel composting, anaerobic digestion plant – for information only
• Poster for Bus Service Consultation to be held on 29th November – displayed
• “I’m in Control” leaflets – leaflets and DVD
• Safer Winter Driving Leaflets
• Details of Strategic Funding Programme – deadline of 13th Dec 2007
NALC/ACRE
Newly agreed pay scales for clerks (increase of 2.475% to be backdated to April) and information and advice on calculating Spinal Column Points – both circulated
Village Viewpoint Winter 2007 x2 – for distribution at the meeting
Letter from Vof Y Judge regarding Helmdon’s results in the category for “Older People”
Miscellaneous
Tenders for Playground Works x 3
SNVB – details of Rural Reach – poster for noticeboards and information for Cllrs – on Agenda

07/33
SNVB – Link Up Newsletter – October and November
Brackley Cottage Hospital– letter of thanks for second £250 donation
SLCC – Training Strategy Booklet on Continuous Professional Development
Hands Off Our Horton – posters and copy of letter sent to Alan Johnson, Minister for Health
Coop Bank Statement – October, November
Allianz – receipt for £49.89 – additional premium
Anglian Water – details for applying for a connection – in case PC were to consider water connection to the allotments
Alzheimer’s Society – newsletter
Phil Hope MP – letter of thanks for hospitality
Encams – leaflets on dog fouling and litter
Police – Safer Community Team – details of meeting in December – for website and noticeboards
Policing in Your Community Newsletter
Accounts received
• Cheque payment – £9.38 – Nottingham bond
• Powergen – Electricity bill – £102.51
• Helmdon Reading Room Invoice- £72.00
• C + E grass cutting – final invoice of year – £340.00
• Sue Lidgley – bulbs for Pump garden – £21.00