“C I P S” Clifton Improvement & Preservation Society

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26th February 2008

The inauguration “Open Meeting” was held in the Church Hall, Stanford Lane , Clifton . There were 41 (forty one) people who registered their attendance and expressed their wish to join the society on the evening and one apology. The meeting was opened by Mr John Taylor QC at 19:30. Mr Taylor welcomed everyone and proceeded to give a brief history about the original society which had been founded some 50 years ago. He suggested sound reasons why it should be re-established as an active society again and quoted recent proposal for an inappropriate Travellers site on Stanford Road , and development in Church Street , Shefford Road and Grange Street . The recent documents produced by the Mid Beds District Council for comment regarding considered site allocations for the village of Clifton was explained by Mr Taylor and there was some discussion on the subject.

All present were in agreement to the society being reformed and the officers were duly elected as follows:

Dr David Lincoln – Chairman.

Proposed by Mr John Taylor & seconded by Mrs Dorothy Brown.

Mr Jim Peacock – Secretary

Proposed by Dr David Lincoln and seconded by Mr John Whitbread

Mr John Whitbread – Treasurer.

Proposed by Dr David Lincoln and seconded by Mrs Jean Taylor

Committee:

Mrs Ruth Gray – Proposed by Mr Jim Peacock and seconded by Mrs Jean Taylor.

Mr Peter Ames – Proposed by Mr Mark Burbidge and seconded by Mr Denis Fensome

Mr John Taylor was co-opted as Planning Consultant.

Mr D Killick was later co-opted to serve on the committee.

Dr David Lincoln then chaired the meeting. The annual membership fee was agreed at £5.00 per person and £2.00 for Senior Citizens. This was proposed by Mrs Dorothy Brown, seconded by Mrs Joan Dann and agreed unanimously.

It was considered that the constitution would limit the number of full meetings per year but members would be invited to raise and submit any appropriate issues for consideration to the Secretary via post or e-mail via cips@clifton-beds.co.uk or any member of the committee. A committee meeting would be held prior to agreeing any strategies or responses to local or national government.

It was generally agreed that the Clifton Improvement & Preservation Society, in addition to the Clifton Parish Council and Clifton Residents Association, could add a valued opinion and help safeguard the character of the village. The Residents Association now has a representative on the Committee and the Chairman of the Parish Council agreed to enquire whether a representative from the Council would also agree to serve.

There was considerable discussion about the Mid Bedfordshire District Council's proposed exhibitions for reviewing possible development sites. A ‘Clifton Exhibition' initiative was agreed, which would be organised by the Clifton Parish Council.

Dr Lincoln thanked everyone for their enthusiastic response and attendance.

A record of members can be found here..... New members are welcome – please contact:

The Secretary – Mr J A Peacock 61 Shefford Road , Clifton , Beds. SG17 5RQ cips@clifton-beds.co.uk

signed: Date:

Chairman