Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 8 th November 2007 in Clifton Community and Sports Centre, Whiston Crescent , Clifton at 7. 30 pm

Present: Mr B. Livesey (in the Chair)

Mr R. Bullen

Mr A . Burnage

Mr T. Cobb

Mr M. Ephgrave

Mr S. Fish

Mrs P. Livesey,

Mr S. Melia

Mr I. Pacey,.

Dr R. Puritz

Mr J. Stevens

County and District Cllr T. Rogers :

1.Public Forum

2. Apologies: Apologies were received from Mrs I. Cook, District Cllr P. Carne and Pc S. Busby.

3. . Minutes : The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 11 th October 2007, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council, were agreed to be a correct record and signed.

4 Matters arising :

4.1 Mr Truett: No progress was reported. Mr Livesey would raise the matter at the Parochial Church Council meeting.

4.2 Youth Club Following the request made in the Public Forum, the Playing Field Committee suggest that Friday evenings are presently available and there should be a six week trial period.

4.3 War Memorial: The Chairman reported on his negotiations with Ms:Eleanor Monneke. She had been given details of the vehicles which hit the War Memorial. She later reported that she had been unable to trace the Ford Mondeo M419AUF and the Clerk had passed the name and address of the driver to her. Allianz Cornhill had forwarded an interim payment to Dawsons ; this has duly been paid.. A copy of a letter from Mr Nick Germann ( Dawsons ) to Andrew Bussey (SP Property Services) was read and the contents noted. Members questioned the potential cost of repairs and it was determined to try to obtain some idea of likely costs. Mr Fish undertook to investigate sources of financial aid.:

4 4Electricity : The Chairman reported that Powergen had refunded a sum of £717.81 as the Council had been overcharged on its accounts after transferring to the Bedfordshire County Council contract. This was noted. County Council's account. .

4.5 Memorial bench : Mr Stevens reported that he had been unable to contact Mr Rees to discuss the wording on the plaque.

4.6.. Confident Communities: This matter was referred to the Highways Committee for further discussion.

4.7 62 Church Street It was noted that the postal address of The Onion Loft is now 62 Church Street not 60 as previously notified.

4.8 Audit 2006/2007: The auditors Messrs Lubbock Fine had returned the Annual Return and the audit for 2006/2007 is now complete. The Parish Council is required to have Standing Orders incorporating a record of internal controls updated to reflect current laws, regulations and procedures. It should also raise the level of fidelity guarantee insurance to approx £89,000. This was noted and the matter referred to the Finance Committee.

5. Outstanding Matters : The lists of outstanding matters were circulated to be considered at the committee meetings.

6. Correspondence :

BRCC Bulletin Oct 2007

MBDC: Gipsy and Traveller Development Plan Document: Second Issues and Options consultation

Laurie Hurn (Beds RCC) Multi Use Centres in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

D. Rollings: Mid Beds CCTV and Radio Link Launch on Tues 27 th Nov. 2007. Mr Melia expressed an interst in attending.

Beds Association : Bedfordshire Bugle Vol XV Issue 6 .

Open Space Autumn 2007 Vol 28 No 10

Clerks and Councils Direct Nov 2007 Issue 54

Local Council Record

MBDC Forward Plan.

It was also noted that there was a letter in circulation from the Clifton Pre-School concerning the accessing of grants and asking for support of the project to relocate to the grounds of All Saints Lower School. It was understood that in order to obtain a grant from Mid Beds District Council the Parish Council should support the application. After discussion it was proposed by Mrs Livesey and seconded by Mr Stevens that in principle the Council supports the Pre School and that a donation of £500.00 be made. The matter was referred to the committees when further details are known.

7. Community Centre and Playing Fields Management Committee:

The report of the meeting held on Wednesday, 17 th October 2007, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council, was presented and discussed. It was noted:-

7.1 Dog signs : The new signs have now been erected.

7.2 Fire Policy Mr Stevens reported that he had asked for advice from a member of the fire brigade on the draft policy. This was expected shortly.

7.3 Policy for Children . It was suggested that the Rural Communities Charity might be able to supply a model policy to assist in the formulation of one for the Community Centre and Playing Field.

7.4 Heating: Mr Harvey had submitted an estimate of £190.00 to modify the heating. Since no progress had been made on this it was resolved to ask Mr Harvey to carry out the repair within the next week or if this is not possible to seek another contractor.

7.5 Alternative heating: . No options would be cost effective or suitable for the Community Centre. Some cost saving measures could be taken with existing facilities and guidelines should be drawn up.

7.6 Dog fouling: The matter was still under consideration.

7.7 Referees Changing Room : Some work still remains to be done.

7.8 Redecoration of interior and damage to doors It was agreed to seek estimates for partial redecoration. The doors will be re-painted with sadolin and appropriate measures to avoid damage caused to the walls at a low level by chairs will be considered

7.9 Hot water supply to Disabled Toilets Mr Harvey is to complete the electrical work.

7.10 Water on path to entrance of Centre This work has now been completed.

7.11 . Section 106 Agreement – Stockbridge Road Development : The Chairman reported that he was consulting with a group of teenagers to get their input.

7.12 Fencing: This matter should be pursued as the new goal posts were currently being stored at the rear of the Community Centre.

7.13 A new register for recording fire alarm testing was required.

7.14 The locking plate on the back gate on the back gate needs attention.

7.15 A large clock for the main hall of the Community Centre is on order.

7.16 Hall Floor During the summer there had been a demonstration of floor machines which would be time saving and eliminate the time required for the drying of the floor. The Parish Council had approved the purchase of a Numatic TT3450T Mains Scrubber Dryer and the order had been placed.

7.17 Fair Mr Manning had left his payment with Mr Cobb.

7.18 . Matters arising from Council; (i) The Chairman reported that in a Travel Plan submitted by All Saints School use of the Community Centre car park was suggested. The Committee did not think this was feasible.

(ii) Youth Club A plea had been made for young people to use the Community Centre. It was agreed to suggest that there should be a six week trial period. The Committee is to draw up a list of conditions and members were requested to consider these.

(iii) Caretaker: The Chairman reported that he and Mr Livesey had met the Caretaker at her request and various areas of concern were raised; (a)Bookings: Recently the Caretaker felt obliged to cancel a personal engagement in order to open the Centre for a private booking. There had also been occasions when there had been private bookings very close together leaving no time to wash the floor before the second one. It was agreed that personal commitments should not be cancelled. The new floor machine should reduce the time required to wash and dry the floor between bookings

(b)Those who booked the Centre for private events were not removing their rubbish. It was agreed that in future £10.00 would be deducted from the deposit and a mileage allowance paid to whoever took the rubbish to the tip.

(c)National Insurance: It was noted that both employer and employee are required to pay National Insurance.

(d).Telephone: At present the caretaker uses her own phone to contact hirers. It is proposed that the Parish Council should purchase and maintain a mobile phone for the caretaker's use and that this proposal should be presented at the next meeting of the Parish Council. Hirers would be asked to restrict calls to this number during hours of hiring.

7.19 Finance (i) Mrs Yarwood's, Mr Ansell-Carter's and Mr Ferguson's accounts had been authorised.

(ii) The balance sheet showed a balance of income over expenditure of £861.30:and it was noted that the electricity account from April to date had been presented.

(iii)The Cricket Club had not paid their account and the Clerk was asked to pursue this matter.

7.20 Outstanding Matters : The list of Outstanding Matters was considered. It was agreed that Item 3.10 (Path to entrance) should be deleted

7.21. Any other Matters ; (i) The oven in the kitchen needed cleaning.

(ii) A new light was required in the gents toilet.

(iii) Light fitments in the kitchen and meeting room needed cleaning.

(iv) Mrs Dawson asked permission to leave her British Legion poppy collecting tray in the Centre.

The report was then adopted. Recommendations concerning the telephone and disposal of hirers' rubbish were discussed. A motion that the caretaker be paid a flat rate of 20p per call was defeated, and Mr Melia was asked to look into the costs of purchasing and maintaining a mobile phone.

8.Highways Committee: .

The report of the meeting held on Wednesday, 17 th October 2007, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council, was presented and discussed. It was noted

8.1 War Memorial: Mr Livesey reported on his recent correspondence with Cornhill and the matter was discussed. The insurance company required bollards to be installed to afford a measure of protection and illustrations of suitable models had been obtained from Mid Beds. The Clerk should ask the insurers to confirm that they had received the money from the first accident. It was noted that an interim payment was to be made to Dawsons for work done. Mr S. Harrower from the latter had advised the Clerk that it would be impractical to have the old stone replaced on site for the service on 11 th November and alternative arrangements were discussed. Mr Bullen undertook to enlarge a photograph and obtain the names of those listed on the memorial. He would also speak to Mr Burnage to obtain crosses. A working party would tidy the site and Mr Burke should be asked if he could cut the hedge behind the memorial

.8.2 Drain by the War Memorial: The County Council had been asked to report what measures they intend to take to remedy the problems.

8.3 The Admiral PH A letter of congratulation had been sent to Mrs Shadbolt, current licensee.

8.4: The bollards on the splay of the AdmiralPH needed replacing. The Clerk had re-contacted the County Council.

8.5 New Trees Mrs Livesey reported that an order for a fir tree to be situated near the village sign, an oak tree for the top of New Road, a new tree outside 45 Pedley Lane and 8 cherry trees for Shefford Road had been sent to Mr Alderman.

8.6 Traffic Calming Survey A copy of the survey had been sent to Amey and a revised format had been forwarded to them. The volume and speed figures in both formats had been supplied and discussed with the Police. Further discussions on future strategy are taking place.

8.7 Enhancement: Mr Livesey's report was discussed and the necessity to encourage businesses to enhance their surroundings emphasised. Henlow's success in the Calor Village of the Year competition was noted and it was agreed that a letter of congratulation should be sent from this village.

8.8. Correspondence : Mrs J. Squires, Clifton Pre School enquiring about accessing of grants towards the proposed new Pre- School. It was suggested that she should contact Mr F. Rivett who had been successful in securing grants for All Saints Church.

8.9. Outstanding Matters .. It was noted that the large vehicles from the One Stop were still turning in the entrance of Fairfax Close and to pursue the matter or moving the bus stop sign outside the “One Stop Shop.” Beds County Council should be chased to carry out the work on the split barriers.

8.10. Forward Plan The Forward Plan for August/ September/ October 2007 was presented and the current expenditure noted. It was noted that the figure estimated for grass cutting had been exceeded owing to the weather and consequent necessity for more cuts. There was still an outstanding bill for plants for the planters. The grant for weed spraying should be pursued

8.11 Planters Mrs Livesey asked members to suggest suitable plants for the tub near the Widow's Cottage.

9. Planning

The under-mentioned plans have been returned to Mid Beds with no objections raised:-

07/01745/FULL Single storey infill of front elevation. Single storey rear and first floor side extensions at 7 Sears Close (Mr and Mrs Page Browne)

07/01684/FULL Dormer to front elevation of Quadrant House, Stanford Lane (Mr and Mrs Cumming)

The under-mentioned plan has been returned to Mid Beds with the following observations.:-

07/01592/RM Erection of 1 no 2 bed dwelling on land adjacent to 8a New Road . (L. J. Edwards)

(a) Insufficient provision of on site parking: Proper Provision will be needed for the regulation of traffic flow whilst the builders are on site and Mrs M. Rincon at County Hall should be contacted concerning this.

(b) Contrary to the plans the proposed tall chalet bungalow will face East thereby causing No 8 New Road to be in permanent shadow.

07/01565/FULL: Conservation Area Consent for the demolition of barns at Pedley Farm. Barns at Pedley Farm:

The Committee raised its concerns about the access to Pedley Lane and the lack of provision for car parking and garage space when discussing.07/01566/FULL: Erection of 11 dwellings and garage to serve Pedley Farm. Mid Beds District Council has been informed of these.

The under-mentioned plan has been returned to Beds County Council with the following observation.:-

County Matter BC/CM/2007/26 ( Clifton Sewage Works). “The Parish Council does not object provided that a full programme of impact mitigation is produce and agreed with the County Council and implemented. This should include hedge and tree planting, earth banks and re seeding and the colouring of new concrete. All this should help the very large industrial site blend in with its rural setting”

Mid Beds approved the following applications:

07/01249/FULL Conservatory to rear of 48 Church Street (Mr L. Harris)

07/01333/FULL: Conversion of loft space at 8 Fairground Way to form habitable accommodation (Mr G. Abbott)

07/01425/FULL Two storey side extension, single storey rear extension and integral double garage at The Dairy, New Road (Ms J. C. Ridley)

(i)Approval of details Conditions Nos. 5(boundary treatment) and12 (bin storage) attached to Planning Permission 05/01707)FULL (Land at Highways Depot) have been approved.

(ii) Notice of an Appeal by Daniels Bros(Shefford) against the refusal by Mid Beds to grant permission to erect a 3 bedroom detached bungalow at Land at Hitchin Lane (07/00013/FULL )

(iii) Cliftonfields Following correspondence on the matter, Messrs George Wimpey would implement a planting programme along the boundary of the estate as laid down in conditions attached to Planning Permission 04/00906 and this would start in December 2007 or January.2008. These were noted.

10 Reports (a) Clifton Lower School : Mrs Livesey made a brief report

(b) Mid Beds District Council : Councillor Mr T. Rogers made a short report mentioning inter alia that Mrs I Cook had been voted the most successful Councillor during the recent Democracy Day Speed Dating.

(c) Beds CC : Councillor T. Rogers reported updating the Parish Council on recent developments.

(d) Other (i) Police: Mr Livesey reported on the informative meeting with the Chief Constable noting that the force's perceived poor performance was linked to under-funding from Central Government sources.

(i). Beds Association: The Clerk attended the Annual General Meeting of Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish Councils meeting This was quite a short business meeting one with no resolutions from Parish/Town Councils discussed but there was an interesting presentation on the Marston Vale Community Forest.

11 Finance

:Current bank statements at 31.10.07. show

Community Account £ 36.99

Business Premium Account £ 18,360.36

Business Reserve account £ 68,710.12

The Village Improvement Fund stands at £72,448.00 with the addition of £10,000 from the ½ Precept received in September £20,000 earmarked for cost of lighting, More will be used for grass cutting which has exceeded estimated expenditure.

Receipts: The following receipts are reported; :Mr R. Farndon: Retained deposit £50.00, Cornhill Allianz Payment for Dawsons : £11587.22:,Henlow Badminton Club: Hire of Community Centre Sept - Dec £252.00 :-Mr H. Manning: Annual Fair £170.00; Mr R. Rogers: Hire of Community Centre on 29.9.07 £70.00; Mrs J. Lanham: Hire of Community Centre on 20 th October £220.00; Powergen: Refund of over payment £717.81; Ladies Social Hour: Hire of Hall in September £36.00; Miss L. Whiteman: Hire of Centre on 25.11.07 £40.00; Mrs J. Knott: Hire of the Centre on 17.11.07; National Childbirth Trust (Shefford and Villages): Hire of Centre 10.11.07 and 18.11.07 £180.00: Mrs C. Rahim: Hire of Centre on 24.11.07 £80.00

It was noted that on 1.11.07 Dawsons had been paid £11712.22 for removal and storage of War Memorial

Payment of the undermentioned accounts was authorised;-

J. Ferguson 1 Months Litter collection £55.00 (Ch101347 )

Adrian Crawley: Playing Field maintenance in Oct £280.83 ( Ch 101348 )

Mrs J. Yarwood: Wages for November (less tax and NI ) £580.29 (Ch 101349/50)

I. Ansell Carter; Wages for November (less tax) £85.89 ( Ch101351)

Suni Signs Junior Area Play: sign + VAT £41.13 (Ch101352 )

CPRE Renewal of subscription £27.00 (Ch101353)

Brookers: Keys and new lock +VAT £46.95 (Ch101354)

D.J. Granger: Grass cutting in village +VAT(£337.23) and treating paths and kerbs with weedkiller +VAT (£68.15)=£405.38 (Ch101355 )

Herts CC: Cleaning materials and mains scrubber/dryer+VAT £950. 07 (Ch101356 )

Anglian Water: Charges for ½ year £23.50 (Ch 101357 )

Lubbock Fine: Audit charges for 2006/2007 +VAT £334.88 ( Ch101358)

Petty Cash £50.00 –(Ch101359 )

J. W. Stevens: Refund of cost of materials for playing field (Ch101360)

Mrs J. Bullen: Refund of cost of poppy wreath ( Ch101361 )

The Clerk was authorised to transfer £2,500.00 from the Business Premium Account to the Community Account.

12. Remembrance Sunday: It was noted that arrangements appear to be in hand – Road closure notices had been posted., . PCSO Gill Richardson would be attending. Bugler had confirmed that she would be attending and will be paid from Petty Cash.. Mrs Livesey had obtained flag/s. Mr Bullen had collected the poppy wreath. Mr Pacey was congratulated on the excellent board bearing the names of those on the memorial stone.

13 Dates of next meetings : Thursday, 13 th December 2007

Thursday, 10 th January 2008

Thursday, 14 th February 2008