PCMinutes

Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 11th March 2010 in Clifton Community and Sports Centre, Whiston Crescent, Clifton at 7. 00 pm

Present: Mr B. Livesey (in the Chair)
Mr T. Cobb
Mrs I. Cook
Mr M. Ephgrave
Mr S. Fish
Mr S. Langton
Mrs P. Livesey
Mr I. Pacey
Mr B.Padgett
Dr R. Puritz
Mr J. Stevens,
Cllr T. Rogers:. Cllr J. Clarke

1.Public Forum: There was no Public Forum.

2.Declaration of Interests:.There were none declared

3. Apologies: Apologies were received from Mr T. Edwards

4.. Police Report: No report from the Police team was received

5..Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 11th February 2010, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council, were agreed to be a true record and were signed .

6..Matters arising:

6.1 Public Forum; It was reported that following Mr John Pasquet’s request concerning trees on the Playing Field, Mrs Livesey had spoken to Mr Morwood and got his advice. Estimates for the tree work had been sought and quotations received. A verbal one from Mr Mayor quoted £700.00 for work to the beech trees. A1 Tree Specialist £780.00 + £240.00 for extra work on ash tree to right of gate leading into car park as requested by Mr Stevens. It was agreed to ask Mr Mayor to supply a quotation for the latter work and to seek a third estimate.
6.2War Memorial: It was reported that photographs had been submitted. The Council was notified that a grant of £2,500.00 would be paid into the Parish Council’s account.from the War Memorials Trust.. It was further noted that a letter expressing total dissatisfaction with the way in which Davies Loss Adjusters handled the case had been sentto Allianz..
6.3 Allotments:.-Names on the list of those wishing to have allotments had been submitted to Mr Brace,
6.4 Bus shelter There was nothing further to report. Central Beds had been asked again to let the Council know the supplier of those near Samuel Whitbread .
6.5 Byelaws Mr Stevens presented the draft byelaws having altered Clause 23 to read “there are no public right of ways across the playing field. The amendment was agreed and the Clerk instructed to proceed..
6.6 LDF: Mr Cobb reported on the meeting held on 20th February at which two members of the LDF team at Central Bedfordshire were present . Over 200 members of the public had attended and there had been much jnterest shown in information provided. In the light of comments received and the replies to questions to the members of the LDF team the response to the consultation from the Parish Council has been amended and would be delivered to Central Beds offices on Monday. Mr Cobb was commended for all his work on the response.
6.7 Electricity: it was noted that a cheque for £386.87, being the credit of the account with Southern Electricity, had been received.. nPower had re-submitted the October 2009 account and enclosed a credit note for the account which had been paid.
6.8 An acknowledgment from Mr A. Clarke, Treasurer All Saints Church for the donations made towards the churchyard maintenance and to Clifton Chronicles was noted.
6.9 Whitbread Wanderbus: Receipt of the donation towards the running costs of Whitbread Wanderbus was received.from the Co-ordinater, Mrs SheridanCole
6.10 Dog Control Orders It was noted that there are no blanket Orders covering the Playing Field. In future the contact person at Central Bedfordshire would be Craig Siddle.
6..11 Numatic Scrubber/dryer: Aquotation to service this had been received and a visit from the engineer.booked.
6.12 Victor Polisher It was noted that this had been serviced and an invoice was awaited.
6.13 Village Award: It was proposed by Mrs Livesey and seconded by Mrs Cook that the first recipient of this award should be Mrs G. Dawson. All those present were in favour of the proposal.

7. Outstanding Matters: Lists will be presented at committee meetings

8. Correspondence:

8.1 BATPC: Letter to the Chairman notifying him that he had been selected to attend a Royal Garden Party on 22nd June 2010 with Mrs Livesey. This news was warmly welcomed by all present.
8.2 Arlesey Town Council: Invitation to attend Arlesey Civic Service on Sunday 25th April 2010. Mrs Cook agreed to represent the Parish Council
8.3 Highways Town and Parish Annual Satisfaction Survey 2010: The survey was duly completed by those present and will be returned.
8.4 ROSPA: Playsafety: The annual safety check of equipment would take place in May. This was noted.
8.5 David Granger Quotation
8.6 Network Feb 2010: It was noted that Calor had ended the sponsorship of Village of the Year and there was an article in this issue commending Clifton’s 3 wins in the decade. It was agreed that this should be framed and hung in the meeting room together with the certificates.
Central Bedfordshire; Get Out Winter 2009- 2010
Bedfordshire Bugle Vol IX Issue 2
Open Space Spring 2010 Vol 20 No. 7
Standards for England Bulletin 47

9. Playing Fields Committee

The report of the meeting held on Wednesday, 17th February 2010, a copy of which had been sent to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted:-
.
9.1 Water heater in Gents Toilet. Mr Good had been asked to replace it with a new one. An alternative suggestion had been made to replace it with an under sink heater serving two wash basins. Mr Good is to be asked to discuss this proposal
9.2Access from changing rooms to field used by football teams. Action should be taken soon as the recent weather conditions had made this a necessity.
9.3 Children’s play area update. . A layout of the proposal with a budgetary product price to supply and install of
£ 52,240.40 had been supplied. Grant aid is being sought
9.4Electricity Meter. Maximum demand readings for January were: 3460 and 3280..
9.5 Table to be repaired
9.6 Dog fouling At the December full council meeting they the proposal to make Control Order banning dogs from entering the Playing field had been approved. A statement of the intention would be in the next issue of Clifton Chronicles, A letter had been sent to Mr. Whitaker Central Bedfordshire notifying the Council of the intentions and asking what Blanket Orders they have on the field but no response had been received..
9.7 Tables and Chairs. . Investigations to replace the chairs is on going. All the examples seen on the various websites so far have had fabric cushioning and would be difficult to keep clean with the equipment at our disposal. Members were asked to continue to search for suitable replacements..
9,8. It was decided to increase the shelving.in the store. Support brackets to be purchased,; the timber is available.
9.9. Sunday Football fees.:The Clerk had reminded the Sunday teams them that payment was due. It was noted that the Adult Sunday reserve team is still in existence. £200.00 had been received and it was noted that £87.00 remained outstanding.
9.10 Flood lights in the car park.: Forde and McHugh.were to be asked to make adjustments to the angle of the lamps to complete the installation.
9.11 Football Matters (a) The clerk has not received the receipt for the £70.00. Mr Darnell should supply it before reimbursement can be made.
(b) Flood light on the field. Feed back from the football club is awaited. Mr Stevens reported that the weight of the old floodlights made it impracticable to re-use them and the contractors had removed them. An external socket would shortly be installed. He suggested purchasing mobile floodlights which could be used in various locations to avoid undue wear on the playing field. If the managers of the teams were happy with this proposal quotations could be obtained and grants sought.
(c) Parking bays to be marked.
(d) Tractor shed doors.
(e) Flood light usage to be charged at £0.50 / hour. This was agreed; Mr Shacklock would make monthly payments 9.12 Power to the Tractor Shed A quotation of £650.00 to supply and install a new distribution box, cabling to the tractor shed, strip lights, switches and a !3 amp socket in each end of the shed has been approved by the full council. An order has been placed with Mr Nott. Work had not started during the week commencing Feb 8th.as promised and a reminder is necessary.
9.13 Outside electrical power point. A quotation of £240.00 to supply and install a new external quality 30 amp socket and internal isolation switch. An order has been placed with Mr Nott. Work had not started during the week commencing Feb 8th.as promised and a reminder is necessary.
9.14 Floor scrubber service: It was noted that the callout charge was £35.00 and £30.00 per hour. The Clerk was asked to arrange a service.
9.15 Polisher service;This had been requested.
9.16 Hard wire testing One item requires immediate attention. Mr Knott has been asked to rectify it and install a new circuit breaker as the heaters in the meeting room are more powerful than those originally installed.
9.17 Car park fencing. The council do not accept ownership of the fence recently erected by the construction company. The Clerk had written to Black Horse, the developers and had been in contact with them. A letter confirming ownership of the fence by the property developers had been promised..Mr Stevens informed the Council the temporary fencing was to be taken down and the panels offered to residents..
9.18 Finance (a)The accounts for Mr Ferguson’s and Mr Anderson had been authorised. (b)The balance sheet showed a balance of £2227.58 of income over expenditure..
9.19. Correspondence: (a) DSD Contracting advertising a new venture “Commercial Recycling Service”. After consideration it was agreed to be impracticable for the Community Centre and to take no further action.
(b) Southern Electric: Cheque for £386.87 in settlement of outstanding credit.
9.20 Any other matters:
(a).1 It was noted that following a blockage in the drains it had been necessary to have them jetted. It was found that they had been blocked by paper towels . A temporary notice asking users not to do so had been put up; this should be replaced.
(b) Mrs Cook noted that a shop in Letchworth sold vinyl which would be suitable for table covers.
(c) Mr Stevens was considering approaching Sunni Signs to have a “Keep Clear” sign suitable for mounting on the traffic signs kept in the store for putting out when there is an event on at the centre.
(d) It was agreed to delay marking out disabled parking bays until the weather is drier.
(e) Mrs Tiney asked if it would be permissible to send a substitute from the Residents’ Association to meetings if she was unable to attend. This was agreed.

The report was then adopted.

10. Highways Committee
The report of the meeting held on Thursday 18th February 2010, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted;-

10.1. War Memorial: Applications were being submitted for a grant towards the cost of the repair. However photographs of the memorial before and after the damage were needed. Allianz have reported that on advice from Beachcroft Solicitors they are not pursuing claims from those who damaged the memorial. As reported at the Parish Council meeting a letter will be sent expressing dissatisfaction at the way the loss adjusters handled the matter. It was agreed that the damaged stone should be offered to the War Graves Commission so that they might use it to make stones for other memorials. Mr Green, the stonemason should be asked for his contacts and the Clerk then write to the War Graves Commission. Mr Pacey would get rid of the board used as a temporary measure.
10.2. Allotments: Mr Brace is providing four plots for allotments; Names of those interested have been submitted to him. Mr Padgett had put an article into the Clifton Chronicles
10.3. Hedge Cutting The hedge around Samuel Whitbread had been cut. It was commented that the hedge cuttings were still lying on the footpath. A new inner fence had been noted. Mr Livesey agreed to send an e-mail to the school.
10.4. Grassed Area at entrance to Community Centre. The Clerk had written to Mike Gallagher of Central Bedfordshire Council. No reply had been received. She and Mr Pacey will pursue the matter. Councillors Clarke and Rogers would be asked to take the matter up.
10.5. Samuel Whitbread Community College. It is not clear whether planning permission had yet been given for the Nursery development. There had been complaints about parking on the main road and spacess within the premises were also inadequate. Mr Langton will follow this up.
10.6 . Section 106 Agreements: Mr Cobb is investigating the situation. Questions were asked about how much money was left from the development near Samuel Whitbread Community College. It was noted that the Parish Council should get contributions from up to 70 new properties within the parish which have been given planning permission. The Clerk will e-mail Mr Lamb of the Planning Department about whether restoration work was being done at Clifton House, this being a condition for planning permission for the houses in Clifton House Gardens.
10.7. Provision of bus shelter: Central Beds Council have been asked for the name of the supplier of the bus shelters in Shefford Road near the College. No reply has yet been received.
10 8. Lights; It was reported the old columns in Grange Street had been removed or would be once power is connected to the new standards.
10.9.Shefford Road. The white line up the centre still needs replacing after the recent resurfacing.
10.10. Parking on the Pavement. This was a problem in Newis Crescent, otherwise the situation was improving. It was agreed that this was an insoluble problem owing to the number of vehicles on the road nowadays.
10.11. Bollards at the top of New Road. These were on order and Mr Pacey was following the matter up. The County Surveyor had visited the site and the request was being assessed..
10.12. Path to the Cricket Club. This matter would not be funded by money received from Section 106 agreements but by continuing to cut the grass a pathway was being formed..
10.13. Pond. It was agreed that a clean out was not necessary at present. However Mrs Taylor should be asked to remove the broken willow tree branch that had fallen into the pond.
10.14. Traffic Calming. Mr Langton was investigating. It was reported that he was happy to help with SID checks.
10.15Litter picking; It was reported that Central Bedfordshire had been contacted about the litter pick on 27.3.10 .and sacks and litter pickers requested . A note had been put in Clifton Chronicles asking for volunteers to help.
10.16 Dropped.Kerb in Spring Road. This had not been installed at the bottom of Spring Road as an exit from the garage of the new dwelling on the corner of Pedley Lane. Mr Pacey would investigate.
10.17. Finance. The Forward Planners were circulated and the expenditure of £1200.00 on churchyard upkeep noted.
10.18 Other matters (a) Trees. The commemorative tree was due to be planted on the playing field on Monday. Mrs Livesey would be assisting. She would endeavour to find a cage for it
(b) Clifton House Gardens. It was noted that there was an established lime tree on which would be affected by the building of the proposed 4th house. The developers had apparently taken down trees which were marked to be preserved on the plans and the driveway altered. The Clerk was asked to re-submit comments reversing the earlier “no objection” and also raise the matter of trees being removed.
(c) Garden of Rest. This needs to be tidied.
(d) Wall to Clifton House Gardens; Ownership of the wall should be established.

The report was then adopted.

11. . Planning

Central Beds approved the following application:-
CB/09/07023/FULL Demolition of existing double garage and construction of a 2 storey 3 bed. Detached dwelling on land adjacent to 1 Whiston Crescent. (Mr C. Pepper)

Central Beds refused permission for the following:-

CB/09/06925/FULL: 1 5 bed detached house on land adjacent to Clifton House (Black Horse Developments)

It was noted that a revised application for the nursery development at Samuel Whitbread Community College had been received. The Chairman had received a copy of a letter of objection from a neighbour and emphasised that the concerns of local residents should be considered seriously.

12 Reports (a) Clifton Lower School: Mrs Livesey made a short report noting that the headmistress would be leaving at Easter. No new appointment had been made.

(b) Central Bedfordshire Council: Councillors Clarke and Rogers gave brief reports apologising for computer failures at Central Bedfordshire offices and inter alia, noting that free school transport had been withdrawn. A brief discussion of the recent accident on the A507 ensued.

It was noted that in view of the under insurance of the War Memorial it had been thought prudent to get an independent valuation of the Community Centre. This had now been obtained and would be considered at the time when the insurance renewal is due.

:Current bank statements at 23.2.10 showed;-
                                Community Account                                          £10,649.61
                                Instant Access Business Premium Account £ 43, 846.15
                                New Treasury Deposit Bond                          £30,000.00 bond

Outstanding accounts: Clifton (Sunday) Football teams £63.50; Providence Baptist Church £132.00 for hire of Centre in December.

Receipts: The following receipts were reported : Mrs B. Turner: Hire of Centre on14.2.10; £48.00; Ladies Social Hour: Hire of Centre in January; £33.00; Southern Electric: Repayme nt of over payment £386.87; Henlow Village Badminton: Hire of Centre in Jan £88. 00 and in Feb £88.00. Mrs A. Heaps: Hire of Centre 1.5,10 £76.00

Payments Payment of the following accounts was authorised :-
Mr R. Anderson: Wages for month less N.I £748.31( Ch101721)
W. J. Ferguson: Litter picking for month £60.00 (Ch 101722)
Mr A Crawley: Playing Field Maintenance during February£292.50 (Ch101723)
nPower electricity bills for Oct.2009 and Jan. 2010 + VAT £213.00 (Ch101724)
Bedford Borough Council; Waste collection for ¼ +VAT £60.18 (Ch 101725)
Mrs J. C. Lanham ¼ salary + expenses for ¼ £1362.93 (Ch101626)

Transfer It was agreed to transfer £950.00 from the Instant Access Business Premium Account to the |Community Account. Mr Fish would make the necessary transfer.

15. . Dates of next meetings              Thurs 8th April 2010
                Thurs 13th May 2010
                Thurs. 10th June 2010
                Thurs 22nd July 2010