Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 13 th April 2006 in Clifton Community and Sports Centre, Whiston Crescent , Clifton at 7. 30 pm

Present:, Mr B. Livesey (in the Chair)

Mr A. Burnage

Mr M. Ephgrave

Mr B. Hudson,

Mrs P. Livesey,

Mr J. Stevens

1. Public Forum : There was no Public Forum:

2. Apologies: Apologies were received from Cllrs T. Cobb, D. Duff, S. Fish, I. Pacey,. Dr R. Puritz, J. Wall District Cllr P. Carne and County Councillor T. Rogers.

3. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 9 th March 2006 , a copy of which had been circulated to each member, were agreed to be a true record and signed.

4 Matters arising

4.1 “Cold calling” Leaflets had now been delivered throughout the village. Those responsible for doing so, the members of the Resident's Association, Home Watch, the Clerk and Rev P. Lanham were thanked from the Chair.

4.2 Garden of Rest : It was noted that the transfer of ownership had now been completed. A copy of the Land Registry Title Information document had been received. Woodfine Batcheldor's account had been paid..

4.3 Revision of Byelaws : Since no reply had been received from the OPDM the Clerk had written to request one.

4.4 Mower : The insurers have been notified that the mower is no longer owned by the Parish Council.

4.5 Planning Application 06/00121/FULL 65 Shefford Road It was noted that this had now been refused by Mid Beds District Council. Those known to have written objecting had been notified .

4.6 Golden Lion Football Team Mr Stevens reported that this team was unlikely to be playing on the Clifton ground.

4.7 Land Registry : It was reported that the fee for registration would be £30.00. The necessary forms had been received.

4.8 Mid Beds Link a Ride An acknowledgement for the donation was submitted

4.9Organising for excellence – opinions on future structure of schools in Bedfordshire. It was agreed that a letter should be sent pointing out that the closure of Lower Schools was to the detriment of community life in the villages. The Parish Council is in favour of retaining the tree tier system.

4.10 Litter picking on Playing Field It was noted that Mr Morris had now returned his keys. Mr Stevens reported that a young neighbour (accompanied by his father) was willing to continue and asked for the Parish Council to approve payment of £50.00 per month. This was agreed.

4.11 Calor Village of the Year Booklets to commemorate the 2005 Village of the Year were presented. It was agreed that one should be given to the Residents Association and a second one to the Care Scheme.

5 . Outstanding Matters: No lists of Outstanding Matters were circulated.

6. Correspondence :

6.1 e-mail from Pc N. Battams notifying the Parish Council of his new appointment. It was agreed that a letter should be sent from the Parish Council thanking him for all he had done for the village during his time as Beat manager for Clifton .

6.2 Crime figures.for March

6.3 Letter from Nadine Dorries enclosing poster for public information. This had been displayed .

6.4 Beds CC Town and Parish Council Highway Maintenance Annual Survey. This was referred to the Highways Committee for completion.

6.5Beds CC Circular letter concerning Rural Grass Cutting.

6.6Beds CC Town and Parish Highway Maintenance Partnership Scheme 2006/2007 This was read and referred to the Highways Committee

6.7 Tarmac: Potential Mineral Extraction – Invitation to Council to attend exhibition at Broom Village Hall on 20 th April or on either of the public days 21/22 April.

6.8 MBDC. Invitation for 2 representatives of the Parish Council to attend the Mid Beds Community Safety Conference at the Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade on Wednesday May 24 th 2006 7.30 – 9.30 pm (buffet from 6 pm ). Mr Burnage and Mr Livesey agreed to attend.

6.9MBDC Grant Aid for Voluntary Groups and Not for Profit Organisations & Grant Aid for New/extended burial facilities

6.10 MBDC: Easy Access to Local Services. It was noted that this information had been included in the forthcoming issue of Clifton Chronicles –

6.11 Defra: Getting to grips with the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 – a Parish council guide to environmental enforcement. It was agreed to obtain two copies for consideration by the Highways Committee.

6.12 MBDC: Letter concerning Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

6.13 Beds and Luton Combined Fire Authority Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006/07.

RoSPA ; Postcard advising of the forthcoming inspection of play equipment in May..

DSD Notification of Commercial Waste collection charges increase of 11p per bin per week. Grantscape: Outlook
Standards Board: Bulletin 28

CPRE Countryside Voice Spring 2005

Heartlines Headlines

Bedfordshire Bugle Vol XIV Issue 2 March 2006

7. Management Committee :

The report of the meeting held on Wednesday, 15 th March, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted:

7.1 Fence between the end of the hedge and Clifton House. This would be repairedshortly. The fence would then be treated with anti-vandal grease.

7.2 Dog signs The sign had been with the mower and steps were being taken to recover it.

7.3. A quotation to landscape the soil removed from the kicking wall installation had now been received.

7.4 Amendment to byelaws : A copy of the draft bylaws had been sent to the OPDM for advice and comments.

7.5 Car park . A third estimate should be obtained.

7.6 Mower. Mr Whitbread had paid the invoice submitted. He had also collected the replacement mower.

7.7 Side Gate It was reported that Mr Granger had given a verbal estimate for a gate and mesh fencing. He had been able to get the required palisade fencing at a reduced rate but the cost would be £850.00. It was agreed that since his original quotation had already been accepted he should be asked to proceed. It was estimated that the work should start in 3 weeks time.

7.8 Yew Tree Walk Mr Stevens reported that he had met Mr Martin Freeman from the County Council and had received an assurance that the work would be done by the end of the week.

7.9 Dog Bin. Notices requesting that dog owners do not use the litter bins near the Youth Shelter for dog detritus had been removed and should be replaced. A dog bin has now been installed in Yew Tree Walk near the entrance to the school and it was not clear whether this was the one requested for the playing field. Since Health and Safety regulations do not allow the dog wardens to work before 9.00 am consideration might be given to employing an alternative agency.

7.10 Tables: The tables had been repaired.

7.11 Roller: Mr Mackay informed the Committee that Langford Football Club were in need of a roller and would be happy to collect and store the roller on their premises. With the Committee's approval he would negotiate a “permanent loan” agreement. There was no objection to this proposal.

7.12 Fire Policy Mr Stevens had attended a seminar and reported on it. In future it would be the responsibility of the Council to make a Risk Assessment for the premises, which would then be reviewed annually and from that draw up a Fire Policy.

7.13 The ‘Policy for Children'needs to be reviewed.. Mr Stevens would be attending a seminar in Roxton on Thursday 16 th March.

7.14 Mr Morris : The Clerk had written to him on 24 th February 2006 thanking him for past services and informing him that after 31 st March 2006 a groundsman would be employed.

7.15 Football Mr R. Mackay reported that following the establishment of the Under 10's football team it appeared that there was the possibility of more youth teams in the village and asked for time to finalise matters. In view of the application from the licensee of the Golden Lion he was requested to submit a definite decision by May.

7.16 Adrian Crawley Mr Stevens reported that he had spoken to Mr Crawley. The latter has advised that he will maintain the dogwood.

7.17. Finance

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

(b) The balance sheet showed a balance of income over expenditure of £3443.15

(d) Following the jumble sale it was noted that the thermostat in the gents' toilet had been turned up. There had been damage caused after a party on Feb. 25 th. The bolt on the store cupboard door had been broken. and the deposit had been retained. It was recommended that this deposit should be increased to £50.00 and this was agreed.

7.18 Correspondence :

(a)Worboys: Quotation for spraying the playing field @ £200.00 + VAT. Mr Crawley was obtaining a second one.

(b)N. Jeffery: Quotation to shape up and landscape the soil heap @ £300.00. Mr Ephgrave proposed that this should be done.

(c)Beds RCC: Details of Training Events: Mr Ephgrave and Mr Mackay agreed to attend a “Landfill Tax Information Event on Thursday, 30 th March at 7.00 pm in Wilstead Village Hall.

(d)Village Halls Newsheet.

(e)Mr Stevens submitted a letter detailing an incident following a football match when Mrs Yarwood was subjected to verbal abuse after having requested that a player should remove his muddy boots before entering the changing rooms. It was agreed that the Clerk should send a strongly worded letter to the Chairman of the Sugar Loaf team pointing out that the Committee would not tolerate this kind of behaviour towards any of its employees in future. A change of title for Mrs Yarwood was also suggested ; this will be considered at a future date.

7.19. Any other Business

(a)Tractor shed . Mr Mackay asked permission to have water and electricity laid on to the erstwhile tractor tractor shed in order that it might be used for changing purposes for the youth football teams. The Committee did not object in principal to this proposal as long as the drainage was satisfactory.

(b)Village representatives Mrs G. Dawson was elected. Mr Stevens would ask whether Mr Beaumont would be willing to continue; if not the Residents Association would be asked to nominate another representative.

The report was then adopted

8. Highways Committee

The report of the meeting held on Thursday, 16 th March, 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 Bedfordshire County Council would be asked by Stagecoach to remove the redundant post. The Clerk had written to Mr . Gazeley confirming that work on the plaques should be put in hand.

8.2 Section 106 Agreement for Stockbridge Road Development The Committee noted that to date, a reply had not been received to enquiries on this matter.

8.3 Garden of Rest It was reported that the transfer of this to the Parish Council's ownership had been completed. The Parish Council's title was being registered at the Land Registry and a copy of the title deeds would be forwarded. Woodfine Batcheldor submitted an account for their services and this was noted.

8.4 Village Pond – Street light A new column was in place. It had yet to be connected.

8.5 Village Pond – Parking Restrictions etc . At the Residents' Association meeting it was reported that there had been a complaint that excess bread fed to the ducks encouraged rats and a request was made for a notice asking residents not to feed the ducks. It was noted that one of the floats on the island needed attention. It was agreed the matter of access to the pond should be raised again. The Clerk had raised the general matter of vehicles parking on the double yellow lines around the Village Pond with Mid Beds District Council. Their reply was noted. It was determined to query the time of the “hotspot” patrols. It was noted that Mr Taylor had installed pipes on the verge to discourage parking but it was considered that these were unsuitable for the surroundings. The Clerk should write to the County Council .

8.6 Village Litter It was reported that the District Council was unable to advise the Council of which week the streets were due to be visited for litter collection Consideration would be given to the request for the area for weekly attention to be extended along Shefford Road and Broad Street. Further efforts will be made to resolve the situation at the “One Stop” car park. It was agreed to resort to photographic evidence .8.7 It was agreed to obtain further details of illuminated signs reported to have been installed at Houghton Conquest.

8.8 Split barriers: It was agreed to seek the advice of the DDA officer at County Hall.

8.9 Post box : No reply had been received from Royal Mail concerning the postbox at the“One Stop”. The appearance of the exterior of the shop was also criticised. Mr Pacey was investigating who would be responsible for repainting it.

8.10 Entrance to Clifton Fields development . This had been reported and would be inspected..

8.11 Samuel Whitbread Community College : The Clerk reported that she had been contacted by a representative from Galliford Try concerning the state of the verge outside Samuel Whitbread Community College . No reply had been received to the letter sent to the Director of Education, Bedfordshire County Council suggesting a site meeting if necessary . The matter will be taken up with the County Council next week

8.12 Newis Crescent : There had been complaints of the height of the fence at 35 Broad Street as it blocked visibility for motorists exiting NewisCrescent..

8.13 Forward Programme It was noted that £600.00 towards the upkeep of the churchyard had been paid.

8.14 Correspondence : The receipt of a letter and questionnaire from M. Baldwin on behalf of Bedfordshire County Council was noted.

8.15 Any Other Business

(a) Spring Road The appearance of this is far from satisfactory. It was recommended that the matter be referred to Ms Huckle..

(b )Trees (i) Mrs Livesey stated that the tree planting had not yet been completed. The Clerk was asked to contact Mr Alderman and find out when it would be done.

(ii) A survey for large willow trees was being conducted.

(c) Churchyard It was reported that at the Annual Church Meeting the Rector had flagged up a concern that there was a need for space for future cremated burials. This was noted.

The report was then adopted .

9. Planning

The under mentioned plans had been returned to Mid Beds:-

06/00368/FULL Single storey front extension including integral garage and two storey rear extension after the demolition of the existing conservatory and detached garage at 194 Shefford Road (Mr R. Floyd) No objection.

06/00458/ FULL Erection of three detached dwellings (revised scheme to that previously approved under ref: 04/01086/FULL dated 22.12.04) on land adjacent to Clifton House, Church Street , Clifton

There was no objection thereto but it had been pointed out that the question of adequate fencing to the rear of plot No. 2 and to the side and rear of plot N. 3 has still not been addressed. Since the new development will be next to a well used Community Centre and the Playing Fields this matter needs to be settled now.

06/00419/FULL Single storey rear extension and attached garage to side of 6 Spring Road (Mr Sapiano and Ms Oliver) No objection

Mid Beds approved the following applications:

06/00155/TPO: Remove two sycamore trees at 39 Church Street , Clifton (Mr and Mrs Saunders ) on condition that details of replacement trees of an appropriate size and species are to be submitted and approved and planting of these should be no later than the end of March 2007

06/00214/FULL: Land to rear of 200 Shefford Road , Clifton : Erection of 1 no. 4 bedroom chalet bungalow and detached double garage (revised scheme to that previously approved under ref: 04/02195/FULL dated 25.02.05) for Greenpeak Ltd. As the application has been submitted as a full, stand alone proposal it will be necessary to re-impose all previous conditions in an appropriately worded form to reflect that work on the site has already commenced. Amongst conditions laid down the landscaping along the northern border needs to include a number of trees which will help reduce the impact on the adjacent property.

06/00230/FULL: 1 Clifton Farm Barns, Church Street, Clifton: 3 no. up and over timber garage doors to existing car port and 2 Velux windows to front and 1 Velux window to rear (Mr F. Rivett) on condition that the garage doors permitted shall be of aside hung vertical plank door type, details of which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development

06/00231/FULL 2 Clifton Farm Barns, Church Street , Clifton : Enclose car port to form garage and convert part of second car port to form utility room (Mr and Mrs Manning)

Mid Beds refused the following application 06/00121/FULL 65 Shefford Road , Clifton : Erection of seven dwellings with associayted garages and parking and formation of vehicular access. (Mr and Mrs R. Burton) on the grounds that (a) the proposal constitutes a cramped over development and represents an undesirable piecemeal tandem development inappropriate to and at variance with the prevailing character and form of development in the vicinity and is contrary to Policies DPS5 and HO6 of the Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan 2005.

(b) The proposed dwellings by virtue of their size, siting and relationship with adjacent dwellings and boundaries would appear unduly dominant and visually obtrusive and would result in an unacceptable degree of overlooking and loss of privacy to adjoining occupiers contrary to Policies DPS5 and HO6 of the Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan 2005.

(c) The proposed shared access would serve more than five properties contrary to adopted Supplementary Guidance and to the detriment of safety and convenience of users of the highway: as such this is contrary to Policy DPS5 of the Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan 2005

(d) The proposed access by nature of its proximity and relationship with 65 Shefford Road and by reason of noise and general disturbance to the detriment of the amenity currently enjoyed by the occupiers of that property is contrary to Policy DPS5 of the Mid Bedfordshire Local Plan 2005

10. Reports (a) Clifton Lower School: There was no report

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

(d) Other: Mrs Livesey gave a short report on the reception for Bedfordshire Town and Parish Councils.

11 Finance:

It was reported that the bank balances at 31.3.06 were:-

Community Account £3,008.16

Business Premium Account £15,624.89

Business Reserve account £46,356.90

• Village Improvement Fund £40,000.00

Receipts: The following receipts were reported: Barclays Bank Plc ¼ Interest on Business Premium a/c to 5.3.06 £29.29; Mrs C. Price: Hire of Centre on 20.04.06 £9.00; Mr S. Offord: Hire of Centre on 9.4.06 £36.00; Mrs C. Busby: Hire of Centre on 16.4.06 £102.00:Mrs D. Viana: Hire of Centre on 11.6.06 £102.00; Mrs Eastwell: Retained deposit £30.00;Mid Beds Conservative Association: Hire of Centre.on 24.3.06 £18.00; Mr P. Burgess Walker: Hire of Centre.on 26.3.05 £27.00; Ladies Social Hour: : Hire of Centre.in Feb £36.00; Henlow Village Badminton Club: Hire of Centre Jan – Apr 2006 £252.00; Clifton Badminton Group: Hire of Centre Jan – Apr 2006 £252.00; Mrs C. Price: Hire of Centre for 3 weeks £27.00; HM Customs and Excise: Repayment of VAT to 28.2.06 £2,830.74; Ladies Social Hour: : Hire of Centre.in March £36.00: Mrs T. Castle: Hire of Centre on 9.4.06 £55.00; Mrs T. Chiswell: Hire of Centre for Aerobics Jan – Apr £414.00; Clifton 1 st Brownies: Use of Centre Jan- Apr £66.00

Retrospective approval was given to the payment of £513.07 to Woodfine Batcheldor for cost of transfer of Garden of Rest + VAT

Payments Payment of the following accounts was approved:

M rs Yarwood £340.00 ( Ch101126)

Mr Yarwood £240.00 (Ch101127)

Mr Bull £100.00 (Ch101128)

Mr Morris £90.00 (Ch 101129 )

Powergen: Electricity in March +VAT £351.96 ( Ch101130 )

D. J. Granger: Grass cutting in village and round S bends +VAT £286.11 ( Ch 101131)

Beds Association of Town &Parish Councils: Annual affiliation fee £420.00 ( Ch 101132)

R. Gazeley: For repainting roundels for Clifton Village sign +VAT £528.75 (Ch 101133)

Herts CC: For cleaning materials +VAT £11.61 (Ch 101134)

Dates of next meetings, , 11 th May 2006

8 th June 2006 ,

20th July 2006