Jan07Minutes

Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 11 th January 2007 in Clifton Community and Sports Centre, Whiston Crescent , Clifton at 7. 30 pm

Present: Mr B. Livesey (in the Chair)

Mr A . Burnage,

Mr T. Cobb

Mr D. Duff :

Mr M. Ephgrave

Mr S. Fish

Mrs P. Livesey,

Mr I. Pacey,.

Dr R. Puritz

Mr J. Stevens

Mr J. Wall

, Pc S. Busby and 3 members of the Public.

1. Public Forum: Mr R. Smith, 30 New Road informed members that from the start of next year the Patients' Forum for NHS Bedfordshire Heartlands Primary Care NHS Trust would cease to exist. It would become LINK (Local Involvement Network for Bedfordshire)

2. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor T. Rogers and District Cllr P. Carne

3. Minutes The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 14 th December 2006 , a copy of which had previously been circulated to each member of the Council were agreed to be a true record and signed.

4. Matters arising

4.1 War Memorial: It was reported that Graham Rhodes, the Loss Adjuster had instructed Dawsons to repair the War Memorial. A copy of the invoice already paid by the Parish Council should be forwarded to him

• Pre–School Premises : The Chairman submitted a letter from Mrs J. Squire, Chairman of Clifton Pre-School Committee informing the Council that a site for new purpose built premises had been found in the grounds of All Saints Lower School.

4.3 Hitchin Lane flooding . This matter was ongoing. County Highways had been advised to consult Mr Hyde. It was also reported that Mr S. Thomas (Mid Beds District Council) would be raising the matter with surveyors.

4.4 Outside power point - Community Centre: There had been no reply from Mr Manning.

4.5. Garden rubbish- Shefford Road : This had now been removed.

4.6 Garden of Remembrance – All Saints Church: A proposal for this is currently in circulation. Mrs Livesey had not yet seen the plans but felt this was a matter that needed discussion by the Council.

4.7. BATPC: Quality Town and Parish Councils: It was noted that Mr Cobb was investigating the benefits of this status.

4.8 Ramps for fire doors at Community Centre : It was noted that an application for a grant had been submitted to into “Awards for All” .

4.9 Heating in Community Centre. It was reported that the repaired switch had jammed again. Mr Stevens explained the current situation. It was agreed that Mr Duff as an electrician should be asked to give his opinion and make recommendations on a solution to the problem.

4.10 Referees Changing Room A written quotation for this work had now been received.

4.11 Spring Robin ..It was noted that this could not be repaired. Since there had been little expenditure on Playground equipment maintenance during the current year approval was sought to place an order for a replacement Proposed by Mrs Livesey, seconded by Mr Wall and all were in favour that t the order should be placed.

4.12 Bulrushes on Pond: Mr Wall stated that owing to the number of ducks currently on the pond there would be little point in trying to establish any at the moment. No firm decision was made.

4.13 Street lights ; These were currently being installed Some were yet to be connected.

5. Outstanding Matters: Copies of List 82 would be circulated at the Committee meetings.

6. Correspondence :

6.1 Mr E. and Mrs J. Lakin, 3 Knolls Way : Letter concerning damage caused by gate crashers at birthday party on 6 th January 2007 .

6.2 Malcolm Roxburgh: re withdrawal of services by Stagecoach. This letter had previously been presented at the meeting of the Highways Committee and a letter was sent expressing the Council's concern about East West services being curtailed.

6.3 BATPC (a) Circular letter from Sue Norman asking about special events at the Community Centre. This was referred to the Playing Fields Committee.

(b) Circular letter from Jemma Macdonald concerning presentation to those intending to stand as Parish Councillors. This was referred to Mr Cobb to suggest to the Residents Association that a presentation might be done at one of their meetings.

6.4 Whitbread Wanderbus: Letter from the Hon Secretary asking for the annual promised donation. It was agreed that a donation of £250.00 should be made under the provisions of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972. It was also requested that timetables should be advertised in the village.

6.5 MBDC; Forward Plan 1.1.07

6.6 MBDC: The future of Bedford Hospital , a report of the meeting held at Mid Beds District Council in December 2006

6.7 Mid Beds District Council/South Beds District Council: “The future of local government in Bedfordshire” a statement of the preferred option for proposed local reorganisation. It was agreed that this should be circulated.

6.8 Go East:

6.9 Local Council Review Vol. 50 No 5

6.10 Clerk/Councils Direct

6.11 Bedfordshire Nov. 2006

7. Management Committee: The report of the meeting held on Wednesday 20 th December, a copy of which had apreviously been circulated waspresented and discussed. It was noted:-

• Dog signs : Two signs had now been erected.

7.2 Fire Policy Mr Stevens had obtained a model policy and would formulate one tailored to the needs of the Community Centre. An application to “Awards for All” toward the costs of materials for ramps was had been submitted and would be considered on 3 rd January 2007 .

7.3 Policy for Children . Policy has to be formulated

7.4 Weed spraying: The order has been cancelled for this year. It was agreed that Mr Crawley will co-ordinate the spraying program early next year; he had submitted an estimate to include Clifton on his schedule for next financial year.

7.5 Heating: It was noted that the switch had now been replaced.

7.6 Alternative heating: This is still an on–going matter

7.7 Investigation of nets to prevent balls going into neighbouring gardens was ongoing. Mr Stevens reported that he had received a quotation which would receive consideration when the next year's budget is discussed.

7.8 Dog fouling It was reported that guidance on possible future measures was being sought.

7.9 Notices asking users of the hall not to touch the shutters are to be put up.

7.10 The new light over the porch is now working after Mr Stevens replaced the bulb.. .

7.11 The fair uses an electricity supply from the centre during its stay. Mr Harvey had submitted a quotation to install a 32 amp socket for outside use in one of the changing rooms to reduce the safety hazard. This had been sent to Mr Manning for his consideration.

7.12 Toilet facilities for Under 10's/Supporters. Mr Harvey had also provided an estimate of £175.00 for the installation of a wash hand basin heater in the Home dressing room. This had been approved by the Parish Council. Mr Brewer would be asked to plumb it in.

7.13 Referees changing room . It was reported that there had been a verbal quotation of £225.00 for the necessary work. This is to be confirmed in writing.

7.14 The robin may need replacing. Since it was originally donated by the Clifton Fun Run Committee it was suggested that an explanatory note should go in the Clifton Chronicles. It was noted that little money had been spent on play equipment repairs during the current year so it would be possible to replace it and still remain within the budget set. Mr Stevens reported that his grand daughters had looked at the catalogue and selected the elephant as the model which would be most enjoyed by both sexes. It was determined that subject to the approval of the Parish Council that this should be ordered.

7.15 Damage to doors No further damage has been noted. The doors will be re-painted. Appropriate measures to avoid damage caused to the walls at a low level by chairs will be considered.

7.16 Willow Trees : Mrs Livesey has obtained two new willow trees free of charge to replace those which died. Volunteers to plant them will be required.

7.17 Availability Sheet . It was agreed that copies of the Availability Sheet accompanied by a list of current hire charges should be put on the village noticeboards.

7.18 Sports Hall Athletics This is an idea to be followed up in due course.

7.19 Assistant Caretaker; It was noted that Mr M. Spalding had applied and had resumed his former duties.

7.20 Electricity It was noted that Bedfordshire County Council had agreed to add the Community Centre to its contract at a charge of 7.117 per day unit, 4.726 per night unit and £7.49 standing charge per month. Powergen had been notified of this.

7.21 Finance (a) Mrs Yarwood's and Mr Ferguson's accounts had been authorised.

(b) The balance sheet showed a balance of income over expenditure of £2, 820.79. It was noted with regret that as Kumon would be ending at the end of December

(c)The Forward Planner for November was circulated and expenditure to date was noted.

7.22Correspondence : (a) Quotation from Mr A. Crawley for grass cutting for the playing field for the 2007/2008 season at a cost of £3370.00 plus £200.00 to cut and weed the dogwood and approximately £250.00 to weed kill the main field.

(b)Mid Beds District Council/Beds Probation Service: Community Service Project Work. This was noted.

(c)Beds RCC: Village Halls Newsletter.

7.23 Budget 2007/2008 : Mr Stevens had prepared a detailed budget based on the previous year's precept and actual expenditure and this was considered. After discussion it was agreed that the following figures should be submitted for the 2007/2008 precept:

Servicing Mowers 250 Grass cutting 4000

Spraying Field 500 Play equipment maintenance 1500

RoSPA Inspections 100. Wages:(Caretaker, Asst.+Litter) 10000

Electricity 1600 Water 70.

Cleaning materials 400 Building maintenance/repairs 2500

Contingencies 1000

In addition to these items a list of possible projects to be undertaken in 2007/2008 was drawn up:

New goal posts, 2 sets of sockets + installation at an estimated cost of £4,000

Replace the robin (if not already done) £1000.

Green Energy Project £10000

Resurface the floors in the Community Centre £1600.

Repair the goal areas £100

Supply floodlighting on a time switch to allow for evening play on SMP installation. An estimate should be sought for this.

Internal decoration of the Community Centre. Estimates would be sought for this.

Mr Mackay had queried the need to replace the goal posts. Clifton Football Club was prepared to replace the hooks on the existing posts for minimal cost. After discussion it was agreed that if the present posts could be renovated to comply with legal requirements within the next 2 months it would be unnecessary to purchase a new set. However it was thought prudent to make provision for a new set.

Hire charges After due consideration it was agreed that charges should be put up from May 1 st 2007 to

£20.00 for 1 st hour, £10.00 for each following hour for use of the main hall/kitchen. Hire of the meeting room £8.00 per hour. If hired in conjunction with the main hall the charge would be £4.00 per hour

There would be no All Day rate. Block bookings and concessionary rates would remain unchanged. Hire of the football pitch and use of changing facilities would also not change. Ad hoc hire of the football pitch would be £35.00 which would include a fee for marking out the pitch payable to Clifton Football Club would be £8.00

7.24 Any other matters . (a)Mrs Dawson asked if it was possible to have further dog bins provided in the village.

(b) Gates from back gardens giving access to the playing field A request for one had been made. This will not be permitted.

8(d) Permission was sought for the spectators of junior football matches to sell refreshments. It was agreed this should be allowed but they would have to provide their own kettles. Since there might be a private booking of the hall running concurrently no equipment could be loaned from the Community Centre.

(e) Picnic Table The purchase of a picnic table to be sited near the children's play equipment was suggested. This will be considered at a later date

.The report was then adopted. However the Parish Council requested that the Committee should reconsider the decisions made in respect of charges to the football clubs

8. Highways Committee The report of the meeting held on Thursday 21 st December, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted:-

8.1 Hitchin Lane Flooding: It was reported that Mr T. Hyde, 35 Hitchin Lanehad received a letter from the County Council requesting permission for a pipe to cross his mother's land. He was not in agreement and had written to the Parish Council explaining his reasons . A copy of this letter is to be sent to the County Council with the suggestion that an on site meeting is set up..

8.2 The Pond: A letter had been sent to the County Council to establish whether the letter reporting the improved state since the introduction of parking restrictions had been received at County Hall.

8.3 War Memorial: It was reported that the Loss Adjuster had written to the Parish Council enclosing a copy of Dawson 's estimate and asking for the Council's approval that work should go ahead. It had been noted that there was shaleing at the top right hand of the main stone and that this ought to be attended to as well as attending to slates on the roof . Subject to this the Council was happy to approve the repair.

8.4 Garden Refuse – Shefford Road . Mid Beds District Council had been asked to remove this

• Samuel Whitbread College . Galliford Try are to be asked what they propose to do about replacing dead or damaged trees on the college's boundary. It was noted that this was a condition written into the planning permission

8.6 Shefford Road – Drain . The Highways Helpdesk had been contacted about the blocked drain opposite lighting column number 17 Shefford Road

8.7 Church Street – Drain. The Highways Helpdesk had been contacted about the blocked drains outside the Clifton Bury Farm entrance.

8.8 The Baulk The Highways Helpdesk had been contacted about attending to potholes, and to arrange for retagging the ‘grips', in the Baulk.

8.9 Henlow High Street – Cyclists. The Clerk had requested P.C. Steve Busby to speak to the Henlow Middle School Head Teacher about the dangerous practice of some of their pupils in riding on the pavement down Henlow High Street.

8.10 Sam Whitbread College.: The Clerk reported on her meeting with the Head Master . Clarification on the times that students are allowed out of College – lunch time and if they had no classes for 6 th formers and as a privilege for some of Year 11 students was given and an assurance that the school would intervene if they were notified of litter, inappropriate language, and congregating in different parts of the village, especially in the alleyway between Shefford Road and Bunyan Close. The matter of parking outside the school was also raised.

8.11 Beds County Council:Guidance to producing a local rights of way improvement plan: Councillor J. Wall reported. After discussion it was agreed that no further action be taken.

8.12 VAS sign: The matter was in hand

8.13. Matters referred from Parish Council (a) Beds Assn. for Town and Parish Councils : Quality Parish Councils. The Chairman would ascertain the precise requirements for Quality status in order that an informed decision can be taken.

(b) Mid Beds District Council/Beds Probation Service : Community Service Project Work. It was agreed that a letter should be sent asking about specific requirements and the responsibilities of prospective users.

8.14 Correspondence (a) Letter from Mr Deane, 38 Whiston Crescent ,detailing a fall suffered by a neighbour.

(b) Mr Robson: Headmaster of Samuel Whitbread College; Circular letter distributed to those living in the vicinity of the school concerning parking on Shefford Road . It was agreed that a reply should be sent from the Parish Council. It was suggested that individuals should also be encouraged to write.

(c)E mail from Cllr T. Wootton asking for comments on the service of the Helpdesk and Bedfordshire Highways in the past 12 months. It was agreed a reply should be sent.

(d) Mr M. Roxburgh, Transport Project Manager Beds CC concerning the withdrawal of services by Stagecoach. It was agreed that a letter should be sent. The Council's dismay should be expressed and a request for alternative arrangements made because the loss of these services means that young people will be unable to access sporting facilities in Biggleswade or Flitwick unless they rely on private transport which is not always readily available.

8.15 Finance These had been no further paymerts made during the past month .

8.16 Other matters (a) Drain by the War Memorial .This requires attention

(b) Fairfax Close There is a large pothole at the junction of Fairfax Close and Shefford Road . .

(d) Flooding on Pedley Lane Councillor Wall reported flooding in Pedley Lane . It was thought that this could be caused by an accumulation of leaves and this could easily be removed.

(e) Dropped kerb A dropped kerb is required at the entrance to 43 Pedley Lane . Mid Beds Development Control should be informed.

The report was then adopted. It was noted that the footpaths around Newis Crescent and Rookery Walk needed attention. Light B4 Newis Crescent was out and the condition of the road surface of Broad Street/Shefford Road should also be reported.

9. Planning

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

06/01728/FULL: Dropped kerb outside 91 Broad Street (Mr J. Batchelet)

06/01888/FULL:Erection of 2 no 6 metre high lamp posts to light existing menage at 98 New Road (Mr R. Daniels)

By a majority decision there were no objections to the amendments proposed for 06/01484/FULL: 2 storey rear extension to 65 Shefford Road but it was queried whether there would be sufficient parking space for a 6 bedroomed house. Similarly by a majority decision there were no objections raised to the amendments proposed for a front extension to the house. Objection to the removal of a tree was noted.

There was also an application for a Certificate of lawful use (existing) Use of building as a self contained residential dwelling at Chequers, New Road, Clifton. A certificate was refused in October 1997 . Mid Beds has been notified of this fact.

Mid Beds approved the following applications:-

06/01649/FULL: New porch and conversion of loft space including provision of new dormer windows to front and rear of 31 Pedley Lane (Mr N. Panton )

Mid Beds refused the following applications: -

06/01209/FULL Retention of conservatory to rear of 216 Shefford Road (Mr S. Gradwell) on the grounds that the conservatory by reason of its siting and overall excessive depth affects the outlook from and general amenities of 218 Shefford Road, by general dominance and an oppressive impact. This would be contrary to Policy DPS6 of the Adopted Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan and the Council's Supplementary Planning guidance:House Extensions and Alterations: a Design Guide for Householders

06/01526/FULL Two storey and single storey side extensions at 35 Broad Street (Mr and Mrs A. Edwards) on the grounds that (a) the application lies within the Clifton Conservation Area and would neither preserve or enhance this part of the Area; as such the proposal is contrary to PPG 15 and Policy CBE 11 of the Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan First Review 2005 and (b) the proposed extension would not be subservient in scale in relation to the main building…thus resulting in an undesirable and unacceptable form of development such that it would have an adverse visual impact on the street scene; as such the proposal is contrary to the Council's Supplementary Planning guidance (House Extensions and Alterations) and Policy DPS6 of the Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan First Review 2005.

Trees in a Conservation Area

Notice has been received to carry out work to trees in a Conservation Area : Deadwood one sycamore tree at 43 Church Street .

Mrs Livesey voiced concern about the amount of tree work being carried out in Church Street . It was feared that the Horse Chestnut tree near the Golden Lion was diseased and would have to be felled. After discussion it was proposed by Mrs Livesey, seconded by Mr Stevens that Mr Morwood should be written to suggesting that the tree should be pruned in the first instance.

. 10. Report of the Finance Committee: The report of the Finance Committee held on 4 th January 2007 , copies of which were circulated to each member of the Council was presented, discussed and adopted.

Precept 2007/2008 It was agreed that the Precept for 2007/2008 should remain at £31,950.00

11 Reports

(a) Clifton Lower School: Mrs Livesey gave a short report.

(b) Mid Beds District Council:. There was no report.

(d) Police: Pc S. Busby presented the Crime figures for the month. There had been 4 recorded crimes for Clifton in the past month. Under new rules for crime reporting no feedback could be given. Two tickets for parking too close to a junction had been issued. The issue of cycling on the pavement raised by the Parish Council had been passed to Ps M. Wherry for action.

12 Finance : Current bank statements at 23.12. 06. show

Community Account £ 7969.66

Business Premium Account £ 9345.92

Business Reserve account £67781.03*

* The Village Improvement Fund stands at £54,448.00 ( the cost of renovating the Festival of Britain sign and resurfacing of the car park being drawn from that fund.

Receipts: The following receipts were reported: Barclays Bank plc: ¼ interest on Business Premium Account £38.40: Retained deposit HS Running Club £30.00; Ladies Social Hour: Hire of Centre Nov and Dec. £63.00; Leeson: Hire of Centre on 2.1.07 £36.00; 5 Bells FC: Hire of pitch on 2 occasions £40.00;

Payment of the undermentioned accounts were authorised.:

Mrs Yarwood £.582.30 ( Ch101221/222 )

M. Spalding £100.00 (Ch101123)

W. Jack Ferguson For litter picking in December 50.00 ( Ch101224)

Adrian Crawley: Playing Field maintenance in December£275.00 ( Ch101225 )

Powergen: Electricity + VAT £226.27 (Ch101226 )

J. W Stevens:Refund of cost of replacement water heater unit and toilet seat (Ch 101227)

*Whitbread Wanderbus:Donation towards running costs £250.00 (Ch 101228)

Mrs J. Thompson: Refund for cancelled session of Kumon Maths on 19.12.06 (Ch101229)

The Clerk was given authority to transfer £1600.00 from the Business Premium Account to the Community Account.

* Section 137 payment

Dates of next meetings: Thursday 8 th February 2007

8 th March 2007-

12 th April 2007

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Chairman Date