Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 8 th June 2006 in Clifton Community and Sports Centre, Whiston Crescent, Clifton at 7. 30 pm

 

Present: Mr B. Livesey (in the Chair)

Mr A . Burnage

Mr D. Duff :

Mrs P. Livesey,

Mr I. Pacey,.

Dr R. Puritz

Mr J. Stevens

Mr J. Wall

 

 

1. Public Forum: There was no Public Forum

 

2. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Mr T. Cobb, Mr M. Ephgrave, Mr S. Fish, Mr B. Hudson, Mr I. Pacey and County Councillor T. Rogers

 

3. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 11 th May 2006, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council were agreed to be a true record and signed.

 

4. Matters arising

4.1 Public Forum : It was noted that following the decision taken at the last meeting a letter of support for the Residents Association action had been sent to the County Council and copied to Bedfordshire Police. The Residents Association had made a survey of traffic using Stockbridge Road on Friday 26 th May 2006 and presented the results to the Parish Council. It was agreed these should be sent to the Road Safety Section of the County Council.

4.2 Getting to grips with the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act . It was noted that the copies of this publication had been re-ordered from Defra Publications.

4.3 Community Centre . It was reported that the side gate has been installed.

4.4 Illuminated signs : Information on these was being sought.

4.5 Section 106 Agreement “Clifton Fields development” It was noted that the Council had replied saying that the proposed shelters were not required as (i) they might affect visibility for road users . (ii) the Parish Council was not willing to maintain them and suggested that the cost of these shelters should be given to the village for other purposes.

4.6 Section 106 Agreement Highways Depot Site . It was noted that this agreement had not yet been signed but provisional details were noted. It was agreed that these should be clarified and also query the proposed allocation of money to Robert Bloomfield Middle School. – e mail from Richard Murdock

4.7 MBDC: Empty Homes Awareness Session 15.5.06 The Clerk had attended this and reported.

4.8 Car park . It was noted two further estimates had been obtained and would be considered at the next meeting of the Playing Field Committee.

4.9: RoSPA Inspection: The annual inspection of playground equipment had taken place. A report and an invoice had been submitted:.

4.10 Broad Street It was noted that the old bus stop post had been removed.

4.11 Samuel Whitbread Community College: It was noted that no further action to improve the surroundings would be taken by the County Council. It was agreed that the e-mail reply from Carolyn Huckle should be forwarded to the Chairman of the Governors and to Mr Ostler.

4.12 Beds CC's Review of School Structures Organising for Excellence: This was submitted and the contents noted.

4.13 Alternative Heating: Mr Stevens reported briefly on his discussions with Sue Norman of Beds Rural Communities Charity and outlined the perceived benefits. It was agreed that investigations should continue .

4.14 Street Lighting - Conservation Area: Mr Livesey presented details of the scheme as proposed by the County lighting engineers, which had previously been circulated. It was unanimously agreed to authorise them to proceed and confirm that the Parish Council would invest £20,000.00 in the scheme in addition to £8,500.00 accumulated Highway Partnership money. Mr Livesey would inform the County Council of this decision.

 

5. Outstanding Matters: No lists were presented.

 

6. Correspondence :

6.1 Beds CC: Notice of Proposed Temporary Road closure in Newis Crescent and Brickle Place for patching/resurfacing works. This was noted.

6.2 Beds CC Highways Works Programme 2006/2007: This had been circulated. It was agreed that this should be handed to Mr Cobb.

6.3 MBDC Identification of Houses in Multiple occupation in Mid Beds . It was agreed that there were no houses in that category in the village.

6.4CPRE: Fieldwork June 2006

6.5 Charter 88 Unlocking Democracy.

6.6 Mid Beds Local Steering Group – Minutes and Newsletter

6.7 Commentree Spring/Summer 2006

6.8 Mid Beds DC Forward Plan

 

7. Management Committee: There was no report as the Committee had not met during May. It was noted that the hornbeam trees on the playing field would require watering during the dry weather.

8. Highways Committee The report of the meeting held on Thursday, 18 th May 2006 (a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council) was presented and discussed.

 

The members of the Committee had met at the Pond. Councillor B. Livesey reported on his meeting with officers from Bedfordshire County Council and outlined the proposals for a new lighting scheme which would meet with the latest British Standards requirements. The design differed from that favoured by the Parish Council. The latter did not conform to British Standards requirements. The Committee then walked to the Community Centre noting the proposed locations for the new lamp standards. Mr Livesey informed the Committee that he had informed the officers that Clifton Parish Council would contribute £20,000.00 and there was a further £6,000.00 available from the Town and Parish Highway Maintenance Agreement. The Committee was in favour of the proposals subject to the relocation of the lamp standard adjacent to 28 Church Street. Mr Livesey would circulate the proposals to other members of the Council for their approval .

 

8.1 Election of Chairman : Councillor T. R. Cobb was unanimously elected Chairman.

8.2 Election of Vice Chairman: Councillor Mrs P. Livesey was unanimously elected Vice Chairman.

8.3 Festival of Britain Sign : The redundant post had not been removed Bedfordshire County Council would be asked to do so. Mr Livesey reported that Mr Watts had obtained the wood and would be collecting it shortly. It would then be shaped and returned with the plaques to Mr Gazely for painting and reassembling .

8.3 Section 106 Agreement for Stockbridge Road Development Information was still being sought.

8.4 Village Pond – Parking Restrictions etc . A notice asking residents not to feed the ducks as there were fears excess bread fed to the ducks would encourage rats had been submitted to the forthcoming issue of Clifton Chronicles. Possibly further notice mounted on one of the platforms in the pond was also required. Straw was required on the platforms now that it was nesting season. It was noted that one of the floats on the island needed attention, but it was agreed to await the return of Mr P. Hodges before taking action. The pipes on the verge installed by Mr Taylor to discourage parking had been removed.

8. 5 Village Litter The condition of the “One Stop” car park had improved recently. It was agreed to resort to photographic evidence and to keep the matter under review

8.6 Illuminated signs. A short verbal report from Maulden Parish Council had been received. There was a long discussion on the perceived values and merits of such signs. It was agreed to obtain full details and costings of signs from the County Council. It was also agreed that a letter should be sent to the Road Safety Officer concerning discretionary mobile sites and sites of Community Concern and Councillor T. Rogers informed . Mr Wall undertook to speak to a friend in Dunton Bedfordshire Police should also be consulted on current policies. Mr Livesey agreed to obtain details from Herts County Council. It was noted that following the Council meeting on 11 th May 2006 a letter supporting the Residents Association's request for a crossing in Stockbridge Road. had been sent and copied as requested.

8.7 Post box : Since no replies had been received from Royal Mail concerning the postbox at the“One Stop”..Mr Wall was asked to write to Bedfordshire on Sunday to find out whether there was a greener letterbox in Bedfordshire

8.8 Entrance to Clifton Fields development . Mr Wall reported on the hazards experienced by his neighbours entering or exiting the private road when vehicles turned in or out of Clifton Fields. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the County Council from the Parish Council. Mr Wall would encourage neighbours to write similarly detailing personal experiences.

8.9 Samuel Whitbread Community College: . It was agreed that in view of the Community College being a “flagship project” the importance of its surroundings being equally impressive should be stressed and a request to have the verge flattened so it could be mown should be conveyed to the County Council with copies to the Chief Executive and Mr Ostler. This letter had now been sent It was agreed a works number for this action should be obtained.

8.10 Spring Road Mr Livesey agreed to contact Mr N. Carafalo on this matter.

8.11 Trees Mrs Livesey reported that heavy rain had caused a branch to break off the Norway Maple near the Village sign. Mr Alderman had the matter in hand and had arranged for the rest of the tree to be removed. He suggested replacing it with a cherry tree of which there was one specimen left in the County Council nursery.

8.12 Grass cutting It was noted that the County Council contribution 2006/07 of £1510.57 had just been received

8.13 Defra: Getting to grips with the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 – a Parish council guide to environmental enforcement. Two copies of this publication had been requested.

8.14 Potholes It was noted that there were still potholes down the Baulk , Pedley Lane and Spring Road.

•  Stanford Lane The repair had now been completed.

8.16 Forward Programme The Forward Programme was circulated and expenditure noted. The hanging baskets were on order and would be collected by Mr and Mrs Livesey.

8. 17 Trees Clarification was sought on the tree clearance around the village sign. It was further noted that a cherry tree was growing close to 9 Shefford Road and concern that the roots might affect the foundation was expressed.

 

The report was then adopted.

 

9. Planning

The under-mentioned plans had been returned to Mid Beds with no objection:-

 

06/00518/FULL; Full Change of use of former agricultural/haulage premises to mixed B1 (light industrial ) and B8 (storage and distribution use) at Knolls Farm, Shefford Road, Clifton (Mrs C. Brown)

06/00637/FULL Land at 2 and 4 New Road Full: Single storey first floor extension to rear. (Messrs. P. Cooper and S. Joynes)

06/00689/TPO: Work to TPO trees: Cutting back yew trees by 20-25% and shaping them at 9 Clifton House Close. (Mr M. Jaggard)

06/00644/FULL: Full: Part single storey, part first floor rear extension at 30 Newis Crescent (Mrs M. Reynolds)

06/00814/FULL: Full: Single storey garage and porch to front elevation of 49 Whiston Crescent (Mr and Mrs M. Chase)

06/00845/TPO Tree Preservation Order : Works to 1 Lime, 1 Horse Chestnut, 1 Turkey Oak and to fell 1 Lime at 2 Clifton House Close, Clifton (Mr O'Callaghan)

 

Mid Beds approved : 06/00154/ CAC : Conservation Area Consent: Total demolition of dwelling at 39 Church Street, Clifton and also 06/00146/FULL Replacement dwelling and detached garage at 39 Church Street, Clifton (Mr and Mrs I. Saunders)

 

Tree Works Notice of the intention of carrying out tree works in a Conservation Area had been received;- Work to a Horse Chestnut tree at 41 Church Street .

 

10. Reports (a) Clifton Lower School: Mrs Livesey reported briefly.

 

(b) Mid Beds District Council: No report was presented.

 

 

(c) Beds CC: No report was presented

 

 

11. Finance :

 

It was reported that the Bank balances at 30.5.06 were:

Community Account £ 3,646.02

Business Premium Account £12,099.89

Business Reserve account £61,356.90*

 

*With the addition of £10k. from the ½ precept received in April the Village Improvement Fund stands at £50,000

 

2005/2006 Accounts: It was noted that the balance carried forward at March 2006 was £64, 778.81. The detailed accounts will be circulated in due course. With that proviso Part 2 of the Annual return was completed.

 

Receipts: The following receipts were reported: - Mrs M. Scorah: Hire of the Centre on 28.5.06 £27.00; Beds CC: Hire of Centre for German and Keepfit Jan – Mar £351.00; Beds CC Grass cutting grant £1510.57; Henlow Village Badminton Club: Hire of Centre on Tuesday evenings Apr/May £126.00; Clifton Badminton Group: Hire of Centre on Wednesday evenings Apr/May £126.00; Mrs D. Priestley: Hire of the Centre on 24.6.06 £92.00: Barclays Bank plc: Interest on StepSaver Account March 6 th – May 12 th 2006 £101.30.

 

Payments Payment of the undermentioned accounts was authorised.:

Mrs Yarwood £340.00 ( Ch101144 )

Mr Yarwood £240.00 ( Ch101145 )

Mr Bull £100.00 ( Ch101146 )

Adrian Crawley: Playing Field maintenance + goal mouth reseeding in May £305.00 ( Ch 101147 )

D. J. Granger: Fencing and gate at side of Community Centre + VAT £992.88

“ : Grass cutting in Clifton Village + VAT £229.13

“ Grass cutting in village, Cutting round S bends and strimming weeds in path in Church Street + VAT £275.00 (£1497.01) ( Ch 101148)

` Bedford Borough Council: Trade Refuse collection for ¼ + VAT £51.94 (Ch 101149)

Mrs J. C. Lanham: Salary for1/4, ¼ equipment allowance; approved expenses for ¼; Postages for ¼ £948.41 (Ch101150)

Play Safety Ltd: For annual inspection + VAT (£88.13) (Ch 101151)

 

The Clerk was given permission to transfer £500.00 from the Business Premium to the Community Account.

Dates of next meetings: Thursday, 20 th July 2006

Thursday, 14 th September 2006,

Thursday 12 th October 2006