Oct07Minutes

Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 11 th October 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 T. Cobb

Mrs I. Cook

Mr M. Ephgrave

Mr S. Fish

Mrs P. Livesey,

Mr S. Melia

Mr I. Pacey,.

Mr J. Stevens

District Cllr P. Carne County and District Cllr T. Rogers and one member of the public

1. Public Forum: (a) Mr M. Burbidge, Clifton Residents Association attended. There are 23 children in Bilberry Road who are unable to access the play facilities on the playing fields and there is a proposal to provide some there. There is a question over the ownership of the land proposed for this and it was agreed that this should be investigated..

(b) Mr D . Fensome concerning the re-establishment of a Youth Club and the availability of the Community Centre for such an activity. This matter was referred to the Playing Field Committee to be discussed at the Committee meeting the following Wednesday.

(c) Mr B. Padgett , 12 Hitchin Lane spoke of his proposal to build a support activity to develop initiative and enterprise within the village. The Council suggested that this should be publicised in the Clifton Chronicles

2. Apologies: Apologies were received from Pc S. Busby, Mr A. Burnage and Dr. R. Puritz.

3. . Minutes : The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 11 th September, 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 New bank signatory: It was reported that the new mandate has now been accepted.

4.2 War Memorial : It was reported that the Loss Adjusters had been provided with tenders for effecting the remedial works and are awaiting instructions from Cornhill as the costs of carrying out repairs substantially exceed the policy sum insured. A payment on account of £11,587.22 will be issued to the Parish Council to pay an account of £11,712.22 to Dawsons Further advices would be following in due course. In discussion it was queried whether the Parish Council should be wholly liable for damage caused by other parties and it was agreed that this should be clarified. The Highways Committee would continue to monitor the situation.

4 3 Electricity : The Clerk reported that an account for £685.37 had now been received from Powergen. This was for electricity supplied between April and September 26 th . The County Council would be changing their suppliers to Scottish & Southern and the Parish Council was notified of the forthcoming energy charges. These were noted..

4.4 Memorial bench: Mr Rees had selected model A of the options suggested by the Highways Committee. He would like a small memorial plaque> Mr Stevens undertook to ring Mr Rees and discuss the wording on this plaque before the order was placed..

4.5 Admiral PH has been redecorated. As requested by the Highways Committee a letter congratulating the licensee on the transformation had been sent to Ms Shadbolt.

4.6 A letter endorsing the PCC's seeking grants from the District Council had been sent to Mid Beds

4.7 Mr R. Mackay A message of thanks had been sent to Mr Mackay following his resignation..

4.8 Mid Beds Green Infrastructure Plan Mr Livesey gave a short report on the meeting held at Langford Village Hall on 25.9.07

4.9 Path to Community Centre Work to remedy the problem of flooding had been completed Thanks to Mr Stevens and Mr Cobb was recorded.

5. Outstanding Matters : The lists of outstanding matters were circulated to the Highways and Playing Fields Committees.

• Correspondence :

6.1 Planning and compulsory waste development - Issues and Options and Core strategy

6.2 LDF: Core Strategy and Development Control policies – Preferred Options.

6.3 : Beds Association for Town and Parish Councils: Notice of Beds Association Annual General Meeting 24.10.07 at Toddington Village Hall at 7.30 pm

6.4 Bedfordshire Police – Neighbourhood Policing Report (Nigel Denham)

6.5 Police Warning of Distraction Burglaries

6.6 County Councillor R. Younger : Notice of meeting of Chief Constable with Town and Parish Councils in Mid Beds to be held on Thurs 1 st November 2007 at 8 pm in the Rufus Centre, Flitwick .

6.7 MBDC Forward Plan

6.8 Notice of Playing Fields Association Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 23 rd October 2007 at Priory House, Chicksands

6.9 Invitation to the opening of the Robert Bloomfield Games Association MUGA on 13 th October 2007.

• Community Centre and Playing Fields Management Committee:

The report of the meeting held on Wednesday, 19 th September, a copy of which had been sent to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted:-

7.1. Mrs Joyce Tiney, Secretary of the Residents Association is the new representative on the Committee and was welcomed to her first meeting.

7.2 Dog Signs.: These had been removed illegally. New ones were on order and would be erected when available.

7.3 Fire Policy: Advice on a draft policy was being sought from a member of the fire brigade.

7.4 Policy for Children: A policy is to be formulated.

7.5. Heating: An order has been placed with Mr Harvey.

7.6 Alternative heating: Guidelines are to be drawn up to minimise the wastage of energy

7.7 Dog fouling The Chairman has discussed the matter with the police about action being taken against offenders. Evidence is being collected.

7.8 Referees Changing Room : Some work remains to be done

7.9 Re-decoration of interior and damage to doors: Quotation awaited.

7.10 Hot water supply to Disabled Toilet: An order has been placed for this work

7.11 Water on path to the entrance: The path has been re-laid.

7.12 Register for fire alarm testing is required.

7.13 Locking plate on the side gate is to be secured.

7.15 Clock for the main hall should be purchased.

7.16 Finance: Mrs Yarwood's, Mr Ansell Carter's and Mr Ferguson's accounts had been authorised.

7.17 Correspondence/Communications

(a) Village Hall Bulletin Sept. 2007-

(b) Licensing Policy Review

(d) Bedfordshire Bugle

(e) Local Area Agreement

(f) The Playing Field

(g) Funding and Grant opportunities

7.18 Any Other Matters (a) Village Fair: Minimal damage to the field has been repaired. Payment for use and return of keys is being pursued.

(b) Re-surfacing of main hall: ABCleaning Services have suggested a maintenance specification for the floor. They have a reconditioned mechanical washer/cleaner similar to the model used commercially. Mr Stevens to arrange a demonstration

(c) It was suggested that the tap used to stop water supply to the outside tap should be changed to a more user-friendly model. This is to be costed..

The report was then adopted.

8. HIghways Committee:.

The report of the meeting held on Thursday 20 th September, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Committee was presented and discussed: It was noted:-

8.1 War Memorial : It was noted that information on the current situation was still awaited from the Insurers, If the work was unable to be completed before 11 th November the Clerk was asked to find out whether the old stone could be replaced on the site for the Remembrance Day service.

8.2 Drain by War Memorial : The Clerk was asked to find out what action the Highways Authority proposed taking to solve the problem of flooding in that vicinity.

8.3 Admiral PH. A letter is to be sent to the licensee of the Admiral congratulating her on the work undertaken by the decorators and the effect it has on the street scene.

8.4 Matters referred from Council : There were no matters for consideration

8.5 Correspondence There was no correspondence presented.

8.6 Outstanding Matters: There were no outstanding matters for consideration

8.7 Forward Plan: The current situation was noted.

8.8 Any other matters (i) New Trees: Members were asked to notify Mrs Livesey if they had any suggestions for the siting of new trees.

(ii) Bollards outside cottages adjoining the Admira l: The damaged bollards outside the cottages adjoining the Admiral had not yet been replaced.

(iii) Traffic Survey: A brief resume of the results of the Police Traffic Survey was presented. The figures were noted and the Chairman's proposal to submit them to Amey for consideration in producing a report on traffic calming measures and to the police with a view to having speed checks on all roads throughout the village was approved.

(iv) Further Village enhancement: A report from Mr Livesey outlined possible further enhancements in the village. Members were asked to consider the matter with a view to further discussion at a later meeting.

The report was then adopted. The Tree Warden reported that the list of new trees required had been sent to Mr Alderman. It was also noted that All Saints School had put together a proposed future travel plan for submission to the County Council.

• Planning

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

07/014575/FULL: First floor rear extension at 200 Shefford Road (Greenpeak)

07/01563/FULL- 12 Clifton House Close

07/01343/FULL : Pre –school unit, covered play area, fenced hard play area and footpath at All Saints Lower School, Church Street, Clifton subject to (a) Fire Brigade fully consulted on suitability of building's construction and proposed use (b) The Police are consulted on road safety/traffic issues. (c) the colour of the building should be sympathetically co-ordinated with its surroundings and (d) that with the exception of 5 sycamore trees and 1 Horse Chestnut tree the others be replanted (and where necessary pruned) in sites agreed with the school and Mr Morwood.

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

(b) Mid Beds District Council:. Councillors Carne and Rogers gave short reports

• Finance

:Current bank statements at 30.9.07. stood at:-

Community Account £ 899.70

Business Premium Account £ 20,460.36

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 is earmarked for cost of lighting, It was noted that more of the reserves will be used for grass cutting which has exceeded estimated expenditure.

Receipts: The following receipts are reported; :Mid Beds DC ½ Precept £15975.00; Mrs C. Triner : Hire of Centre £40.00 on 12.10.07: Mrs L. Abbott:Hire of Centre £40.00 : Miss L. Woodhams £50.00: Mrs Parr: Hire of Centre on 29.9.07 £40.00; Mrs S. Cullip: Hire of Centre on 19.10.07 £30.00: Mrs S. Shanley: Hire of Centre £30.00 Mr R. Mackay: Hire of football pitch in Aug. £28.00.

Payment of the undermentioned accounts were authorised:-

J. Ferguson 1 Months Litter collection £55.00 (Ch101337 )

Adrian Crawley: Playing Field maintenance in Sept £280.83 ( Ch 101338 )

Mrs J. Yarwood: Wages for October(less tax and NI ) £580.39 (Ch 101339/40)

I. Ansell Carter; Wages for October (less tax) £85.89 ( Ch101341)

J. Stevens: Refund of costs for materials used in changing rooms etc+ travel. £107.96 ( Ch101342)

Powergen: Electricity supply to Sept 26 th + VAT £685.37 (Ch 101343)

Suni Signs: Dog signs + VAT £126.90 (Ch101344 )

B. Livesey: Refund of cost of plants (Ch 101345 )

Transfer : The Clerk was given authority to transfer £2,100.00 from the Business Premium Account to the Community Account

17. Dates of next meetings : Thursday, 8 th November 2007

Thursday, 13 th December 2007

Thursday, 10 th January 2008