February06Minutes

Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 9 th February 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 :

Mr M. Ephgrave

Mr S. Fish

Mr B. Hudson,

Mrs P. Livesey,

Mr I. Pacey

Dr R. Puritz

Mr J. Stevens

Mr J. Wall

District Cllr P. Carne and County Councillor T. Rogers. Pc. N. Battams also attended.

• Public Forum:. (a) Pc Ian Sutcliffe made a presentation on “cold calling ” and appealed for help from the Parish Council. This joint initiative promoted by Bedfordshire Police and the County Council is designed to prevent bogus traders operating in the community. Pc Sutcliffe had made an initial survey of the village and had identified locations for warning signs to be erected. It is intended that each household within the village would receive a explanatory leaflet and a sticker; the cost of producing these would be £125.00 and they would need to be delivered to each household in the village. It was agreed that the Residents Association and the Care Scheme should also be informed.

(b) Mr A. King, 6 Rectory Close attended. His concerns were parking, litter, and the state of the highways. These were discussed. Pc Battams had written a letter for Clifton Chronicles in the past and this would be re-submitted for inclusion in the next edition . It was also noted that Church Street was scheduled to be re-surfaced.

• Apologies: Apologies were received from Mr T. Cobb.

• Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 12 th January 2006 (a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council) were agreed to be a true record and signed.

• Matters arising from the Minutes:

4.1 Flooding A letter from Nadine Dorries MP enclosing letter from Yvette Cooper Minister for Housing and Planning was presented and the contents noted. A copy of this should be given to Mr Cobb.

4.2 Garden of Rest : It was noted that matters are in hand. Since the low wall bordering Church Street is not abutting any other properties responsibility of upkeep would be assumed.

4.3 Revision of Byelaws : It was reported that the Playing Fields Committee had discussed and amended the draft copy. A draft copy had been sent to Mrs Nadanahumaran for her comments and advice before submitting them for the Council's approval.

4.4 Mower A letter had been sent to Mr R. Whitbread but no response had been received. Mr Wall undertook to speak to him.

4.5 Gopak tables : 2 sets of replacement legs and retaining straps had been ordered.

4.6 Beds CC Emergency Planning Briefing : It was reported that copies of Mr Cirin's letter had been passed to Care Scheme and Residents Association. Both expressed interest and the Residents Association has invited him to speak at a meeting in June.

4.7 Mid Beds Town and Parish Council reception 21 st March 2006 It was noted that the invitation /programme had now been received.

4.8 Allotments : Following note in Parish Magazine it was noted that the owner of an overlarge garden in Shefford Road had contacted the Clerk.

5 . Outstanding Matters: The lists of outstanding matters were circulated.

6. Correspondence :

6.1 Letter from 8 residents in Alexander Close and Bunyan Close requesting a meeting to discuss Planning Application 06/00121/FULL. The Chairman and Chairman of the Planning Committee will arrange to meet with them.

6.2 Letter from Mr R. Knight concerning erstwhile Crown, Henlow Sunday League Football asking permission to hire the football pitch on Suday afternoons. This was referred to the Playing Field Committee for a decision.

6.3 Letter from Mr Arthur Clarke, Treasurer All Saints PCC applying for the 2005/2006 contribution towards upkeep of the Churchyard and requesting consideration of an increased contribution for 2006/2007. The payment of the 2005/2006 contribution was approved and it was noted that £750.00 had been precepted for the forthcoming year. Mr Clarke is to be notified of this.

6.4 Environment Agency: Application for variation of consent to discharge treated sewage effluent by Anglian Water Ltd from premises at Poppy Hill sewage treatment works. The Council had no objections to raise.

6.5 Standards Board for England - Bulletin 27

6.6 ISG Interior/Exterior plc (acting for Mid Beds) Commencement of Works notification.- Construction of a new roundabout at Chicksands/Campton crossroads.

6.7 Bedfordshire Bugle Vol IX Issue 1 January 2006

6.8 Beds County Council Church Service – Invitation to attend on Sunday 2 nd April at 2 Beds RCC “Events planned for next 3 months”

6.9 Bedfordshire Issue 45 Jan 2006

6.10 The Playing Field Winter 2005/2006

6.11Frank Hendrix re Langford Parish Council website

6.12 Whitbread Wanderbus: Letter of application for contribution for 2005/2006. It was agreed that a donation of £250.00 should be made

6.13: MBDC: Letter confirming that the Council Tax base expressed as Band D equivalent for 2006/07 is 1112

6.14 MBDC Letter confirming that the Postal addresses of Land to rear of 87/89 Shefford Road will be 11A and 11B Knolls Way.

Commentree Spring 2006

7. Management Committee: The report of the meeting held on Wedneday 18 th January 2006(a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council) was presented and discussed. It was noted:-

7.1. Mr. Stevens is awaiting Quotations to landscape the soil removed from the kicking wall installation.

7.2 Amendment to byelaws : The proposed bylaws were discussed and some amendments were suggested. Mr Stevens to seek advice from Mr. Cobb before returning them to the Clerk

7.3 Gardening . Mr Fisher has submitted a quotation to do this work on a regular basis.

7.4 Car park . No further quotations had been received and it was agreed that this should be pursued. Mr Stevens had made enquiries about grants at the RCC and it appeared none were forthcoming.

7.5 Manhole cover. This has been repaired.

7.6 Mower. A response from Mr Whitbread is still awaited

7.7 S ide Gate A written estimate from Mr Granger is still awaited.

7.8 Alcohol Free Zone . It appears that this will be covered by the revised Bye Laws.

7.9 Keys to Tractor shed . Mr. Mackay reported that these were on order.

• Yew Tree Walk . Still awaiting a response from the council.

• Broken Tiles. To be dealt with at the end of the football season

• Dog Bin. Awaiting a response from Mid Beds District Council.

• Tables: The tables can be repaired and the spare parts are to be ordered

• Cleaning of Community Centre. The cleaning and resealing of the community hall floor had been completed.

Mr. Stevens suggested the amount of Granseal sealant should be increased to three containers.

It was suggested that in future this operation should be undertaken during the summer and a professional quotation should be sought.

• Multi-sports area. It was agreed a visit to an installation should be undertaken to try and understand the impact it will have on the playing field. Mr Stevens to arrange and advise the other members of the committee.

• Finance (a) Mrs Yarwood's and Mr. Spalding's accounts had been authorized.

(b) The balance sheet showed a balance of income over expenditure of £3934.33.

7.17. Correspondence : ( a) Quotation from Mr M. Fisher CC/2006/14/Q01

(b) Quotation from Revival Landscapes CC/2006/15/Q02

7.18B rought forward list no 71 The following items were deleted :- Wet floor sign; Weed Spraying: Mark Fisher Quotation received ; Draft byelaws sent for approval; Manhole cover replaced: Alcohol free Zone covered by byelaws. Tables to be repaired.

• Any other Business (a) A switch in the kitchen needs attention.

(b) One of the main heaters in the main hall is not working.

(d) One shutter needs servicing.

(e) The excess sand from the slab relaying project to be disposed of.

(f) Since it is proposed to out source maintenance there appears to be no need for the roller. It should be disposed of.

(g) The policy for fire protection needs to be reviewed.

(h) The Policy for Children' needs to be reviewed.

(i) Mr Stevens showed a logging/filing system to be used for “Quotations for projects”.

The report was then adopted. Mr Stevens observed that notices put on the litter bin near the Youth Shelter had not been removed and that dog owners had ceased to use it as a dog bin.

8. Highways Committee The report of the meeting held on Thursday, 19 th January 2006 (a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council) was presented and discussed. It was noted:-

8. 1 Festival of Britain Sign It was agreed that the Clerk be asked to write to the appropriate authority, seeking the fixing of the bus stop sign to the adjacent lamp post, and the removal of the redundant bus stop post.

8.2 Memorial Seat The Clerk was asked to pursue the County Council for a decision on this matter .

8.3 Section 106 Agreement for Stockbridge Road Development : To date, a reply had not been received to enquiries on this matter.

8.4 Garden of Rest :) The Committee noted the letter received from Messrs Woodfine Batcheldor detailing progress on the proposed acquisition of this land.

8.5 Any Other Business (a) Village Pond – Street Light . The County Council had been contacted about the damaged streetlight immediately abutting the Village Pond .

(b )Village Pond – Parking Restrictions: The matter of vehicles parking on the double yellow lines around the Village Pond.was raised. Attention was also drawn to the blue Renault parking on the yellow lines every morning and evening. The Clerk was asked to raise the general matter of parking on the double yellow lines with the appropriate authorities and the particular issue of the blue Renault with Pc Battams.

(c) Village Litter: The matter of continuing problems with litter being dropped in Shefford Road , Broad Street and the One Stop Shop's car park/forecourt. Attention was also drawn to the apparent lack of visits by the street sweeper throughout the village, The Clerk was asked to pursue the appropriate authorities about litter picking in the village and the need for the street sweeper to visit every road in the village. The Clerk was also to write to the Tesco Head office about regular litter clearing on its forecourt .

The report was then adopted.

9. Planning

The undermentioned application had been returned to Mid Beds:-

06/00025/FULL: Erection of detached dwelling and detached double garage at land adjacent to 21 New Road , Clifton . By a majority decision the Committee objected on the grounds that the development encroaches on land outside the settlement envelope and it was believed that a precedent should not be created by allowing this.

Mid Beds had approved the following :-

05/01960/FULL Two storey rear extension to 46 Church Street (Mr and Mrs Bull) 05/01961/FULL Two storey rear extension to 48 Church Street,(Mr L. Harris) on condition that the two extensions are only built in conjunction with the one being built next door as a single building operation and that the ground floor kitchen window and first floor bathroom window in the South side elevation of the extension at 46 Church Street shall be fitted with obscured glass of a type to substantially restrict vision through it at all times, details of which must be submitted and approved prior to commencement of development.

Mid Beds had refused 05/01907/FULL Detached single garage at 5 Church Street (Mr J. Martin) on the grounds that the proposed garage, by reason of its siting , would have an adverse impact on the character of the Conservation Area and as such is contrary to Policy CHE11 of the adopted Mid Beds District Plan 2005

05/01775/OUT: Erection of detached dwelling (including siting, access and external appearance) on Land adjacent to 8A New Road (Mr L. J. Edwards) on the grounds that the proposal by reason of its size and siting would have an adverse overbearing impact on the neighbouring residential amenity of No 8 New Road and is contrary to Policy DPS5 of the Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan (2005) and as a result of the development asdequate provision cannot be made within the site of 8a New Road for the parking of vehicles clear of the public highway to the detriment of the safety and convenience of users of the highway; as such the proposal is contrary to Policies DPS5 and DPS10 of the Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan (2005)

It was noted that Application No 05/01860/OUT: Land off Broad Street : Outline: Residential Development (All Matters reserved except means of access) has been withdrawn.

Trees in a Conservation Area

Notices have been received to carry out work on Trees in the Conservation Area:-

• Works to walnut tree at the Armoury, Grange Street (Reduce canopy by 25%)

• Removal of 3 Leylandii Jester Firs from the back garden of 9 Broad Street .

10. Reports (a) Clifton Lower School : Mrs Livesey reported that since minor authorities were now no longer represented on the governing body of the school, she believed her term of office had now ended. The Clerk was asked to confirm this .

(b) Mid Beds District Council : Cllrs Carne and Rogers made brief reports. It was noted that the District Council was no longer able to continue to provide funding for local Fora.

(c) Beds CC Councillor T. Rogers made a brief report noting inter alia that Church Street , Clifton and Henlow High Street were scheduled for re-surfacing.

(d) Police Pc N. Battams presented the Crime figures for January. During that period there had been 4 cases of auto crimes, 3 domestic burglaries and 3 other incidents. He commented that auto-crime had increased county wide and satellite navigation systems are being targetted.

(e) Forum Mr Livesey reported on the recent meeting of the South East Bedfordshire Community Liaison Forum. He noted that Clifton Pre School had received a grant of £400.00.

11 Finance :

It was reported that the bank balances at 31.1.06 were:-

Community Account £ 2,348.73

Business Premium Account £13,514.86

Business Reserve account £46,113.70*

* Village Improvement Fund £40.000.00

Receipts: The following receipts were reported: -

Clifton Parent and Toddler Group Hire of Centre Sept - Dec £169.00; Calor Gas Ltd. Regional Category Award – Village of the Year 2005; Mrs T. Chiswell: Hire of Centre for Aerobics Sept – Dec £486.00; National Childbirth Trust: Hire of Meeting Room May – Dec. £132.00; Mrs R. Jarvis: Hire of Centre for Child's party £46.00; Mrs N. Mackay: Hire of Centre for Clifton Colts Nov – Jan £45.00; Mrs T. Perry: Hire of Centre for child's party £46.00; Mrs P. Quinn: Hire of Centre for Child's party £36.00; Miss W. Devlin:Balance of Hire of Centre for Child's party £2.00;Beds CC Hire of Centre for Adult Education classes £408.00

Payments

Payment of the following accounts was authorised:

Mrs Yarwood £340.00 ( Ch101103)

Mr Yarwood £240.00 (Ch101104)

Mr Spalding £80.00 (Ch101105)

Mr Morris £100.00 ( Ch101106)

Powergen: Electricity in Jan +VAT £76.16 (Ch 101107 )

Hasmead plc: 2 Salix Chrysocoma +VAT £340.75 ( Ch101108 )

B. J. Banks: For collecting and planting 2 willow trees £130.00 ( Ch101109 )

Gopak Ltd: Table legs and strap bushes +VAT and carriage £49.21 ( Refund to JC Lanham) (Ch101110 )

T. & J. Fire: For servicing fire appliances +VAT £64.11 ( Ch 101111 )

Bedford Borough Council: For ¼ refuse collection +VAT £50.25 ( Ch 101112)

Mid Beds District Council: Lease of land for bus shelter £1.00 ( Ch101113)

* All Saints Church Clifton PCC: Grant for Churchyard £600.00 ( Ch 101114)

*Whitbread Wanderbus: Donation 2005/2006 £250.00 ( Ch101115 )

Transfer The Clerk was given authority to transfer £750.00 from the Business Premium A/c to the Community A/c

* Section 137 payments

12 Dates of next meetings: Thursday, 9 th March 2006 ( 7.00 pm ).;

Thursday, 13 th April 2006

Thursday, 11 th May 2006