Jun07Minutes

Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 14 th June 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

Mrs I. Cook

Mr M. Ephgrave

Mrs P. Livesey,

Mr S. Melia

Mr I. Pacey,.

Dr R. Puritz

Mr J. Stevens

Cllr T. Rogers

PCSO G. Richardson representing Pc S. Busby also attended

1. Public Forum:

2. Apologies: Apologies were received from Mr R. Bullen , Mr S. Fish and District Cllr P. Carne

3. . Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, May 10 th and those of the meeting held on Thursday, 17 th May 2007 were agreed to be correct records and signed.

4 Matters arising . from the Minutes:

4.1 New bank signatory Following the resolution that Councillor T. R. Cobb should replace Mr D. J . Duff as a signatory on the Council's accounts a mandate form had now been been received .This would be completed.

4.2 War Memorial : It was reported that Listed Building Consent is still awaited and the Council had been informed that the Loss Adjusters were awaiting a report from the surveyor.

4.3 Assistant Caretaker ; The Caretaker and Assistant Caretaker are working together well.

• G. Brewer It was reported that work in the referee's room and the provision of a hot water system in the Disabled toilet would be undertaken in approximately two weeks time..

• Electricity : It was reported that the matter had still not been resolved. In the meantime no accounts had been presented.

4.6 Footpath from Newis Crescent : It was noted that this had now been done.

4.7 VAS Sign: It was noted that the cost of £5,000.00 would be met from monies accrued through the Highways Partnership Agreement. This would leave a balance of £1,000.00 in the current year's allocation.

• Flooding in Hitchin Lane It was reported that County Highways had

4.9 Clifton Best Gardens Competition: It was noted that Cllrs T. Cobb and Mrs P. Livesey would represent the Parish Council in this joint village venture and would be judging some of the gardens. The prizes awarded would be in the form of garden tokens.It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that a donation of £50.00 for the purchase of tokens be made under the provisions of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 . A cheque made payable to Mrs K. Blackmore, the organiser was drawn.

4.10 Grass cutting in village The Chairman reported that although there had been no increase in the grass cutting contribution he had negotiated a payment for spraying the footpaths . Mr Granger had done this and it appeared that it had been effective. It was noted that owing to the weather grass cutting and associated works would exceed the amount budgeted.

5. Outstanding Matters : The list of Outstanding Matters would be presented at the Committee meetings.

6. Correspondence :

6.1Mr W. Rees offering the village a seat in memory of Mr and Mrs Dudley and Doreen Larman. The proposed location for this seat was near the village sign in Shefford Road It was agreed this matter should be referred to the Highways Committee for further discussion.

6.2 RoSPA Play Area Safety Inspection Report: This was referred to the Playing Fields Committee for action

6.3 Beds CC Notice of Temporary Road Closure in Stanford Road/Southill/Stanford Lane , Clifton

6.4 Anglian Water : The Chairman read a letter concerning the Upgrade of Clifton Sewage Treatment Works. Residents in the village were requested not to park in front of the gates during work hours owing to deliveries. This was noted.

6.5 Mrs S. Price :(MBDC):Local Government Act 1985 Street Naming and Numbering – Ex Highways Depot: Some suggestions were put forward but is referred to the Highways Committee for further discussion

6.6 Beds County Council: Confident Communities: Letter outlining the initiative. It was agreed that this should be discussed at the Committee meetings and put on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting of the Parish Council

6.7 Community Arts Aloud : Invitation to meeting to be held on 19 th June 6.30 pm at Priory House, Chicksands. Mr Stevens agreed to attend.

6.8 Forward Plan 1.6.07 – 30.9.07

6.9 Open Space Summer 2007

6.10 Commentree Issue 44 Summer 2007

6.11 Horizon: Safeguard Bedfordshire's character

7.Community Centre and Playing Fields Management Committee: The report of the meeting held on 16 th May 2007 , a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted:- .

7.1 Heating: It was noted that the switch had been replaced but had failed again. Mr Harvey had suggested a solution and has been asked to provide estimates.

7.2 Alternative heating: It was agreed that this on–going matter and .whilst no action should be taken immediately it should be kept in mind.for the future.

7.3 Dog fouling It was reported that guidance on possible future measures had been received from Defra. The Chairman outlined the various options which might be taken to control dogs on the playing field.. He undertook to set down the steps necessary to achieve the exclusion order, the agreed option, and circulate them.

7.4 Referees changing room . It was reported that the work approved would be put in hand in June.

7.5 Redecoration of interior and damage to doors It was noted that consideration should be given to a partial redecoration. The doors will be re-painted with sadolin and appropriate measures to avoid damage caused to the walls at a low level by chairs will be considered. Specifications should be drawn up.

7.6 Willow Trees : Mrs Livesey's advice is to be sought over the willow which was thought to have died but was now sending out new shoots.

7.7 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. Mr Stevens to pass copies of these to the Clerk.

7.8 Hot water supply to Disabled Toilets Mr Brewer would be putting this work in hand in June.

7.9 Gutters These require attention. A quotation for the repair or replacement of these was awaited.

7.10 Water on path to entrance of Centre This matter is in hand.

7.11 Clifton Pre School : The proposed fundraising event in the Community Centre would be taking place on July 15 th . The Chairman reported that he was receiving many queries from the Committee but he felt that the Committee would be able to agree to all these requests.

7.12 Letting Agreement : This was in hand.

7.13 Bike racks 6 wall cycle holders had been supplied. Dr Puritz undertook to install them

7.14 RoSPA: It was noted that the annual inspection would take place in May. Contact had been made to ask the inspector to look at the goal posts.

7.15 . Football Matters The goal posts had now been taken down and the modification would be completed. Regretfully some pegs left in the long grass had damaged Mr Crawley's machines. This was noted. Clifton Football Club had now renovated the area of the goal mouths.

7.1 6. Finance (a) , Mr Ansell-Carter's and Mr Ferguson's accounts had been authorised.

(b)The balance sheet showed a balance of income over expenditure of £1882.35 although it was noted that until the electricity accounts were sorted, no demands for payment would be received

7.17 Correspondence (a)7.1 Village Halls News sheet including briefing paper on No Smoking in public places. It was agreed that this requirement should in future be incorporated in the hiring agreement.

(b) The Playing Field Spring 2007

(d) Advance Notice of “Funding Fair” to be held at the Corn Exchange, Bedford on 14 th June 2007 12.30 – 5.00 pm

(e) Advance Notice of a workshop on Energy Efficiency in Community Buildings to be held on 7.6.07 at Tilsworth Village Hall or on 9.7..07 at Renhold

7.18 .Any other Matters ;.(a) Football matters: . Mr Mackay reported on the successful season recently ended. It was noted that next season the 5 Bells team would be playing as part of Clifton Football Club and there would be one Saturday team, one Sunday team and the Colts using the pitch during the season 2007/2008. It would be necessary to purchase a set of intermediate sized goal posts, preferably on wheels: the cost of these and sources of possible funding was being investigated. These should be stored by the tractor shed and it was agreed to seek estimates for fencing in the front of the latter. A suggestion was made that the basins in the changing rooms required support to prevent coming away from the wall. This suggestion will be considered. Payment for the Saturday team 2007/2008 season was presented and would be acknowledged.

(b) Safety on Playing Field Mr Mackay was asked to ensure that the slots for the goal posts were covered in order to prevent possible accidents to members of the public

(c) Power to Tractor Shed; It was noted that with the provision of a hot water supply to the Disabled toilet there would not be sufficient slots on the Community Centre's power supply for to provide a power supply to the tractor shed as well

(d)Damage to gate to junior play area. Mr Stevens reported that persons unknown had damaged the gate to the junior play area. Wicksteeds had been informed and the visit of an engineer to assess the damage was awaited.

The report was then discussed and adopted. The possibility of financial aid to help purchase the intermediate sized goals was raised but no decisions taken. It was noted that Wicksteeds had quoted a sum of £550.00 for the repair of the gate. Mr Stevens would try an alternative solution.

8. .Highways Committee: .The report of the meeting held on Thursday, 17 th May,a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council, was presented and discussed. It was noted:-

8. 1 Election of Chairman : Cllr. T. Cobb was unanimously elected Chairman

8. 2 Election of Vice Chairman: Cllr. Mrs P. E. Livesey was proposed by Cllr. T. Cobb, seconded by Cllr I. Pacey and elected Vice Chairman

8.3 War Memorial: The Committee noted that since the last meeting the Planning Authority had requested that Listed Building Consent should be sought before repair work could be undertaken and this was hampering progress. It was noted that in the Planning Application it was stated that the War Memorial would be repaired as the original and it was determined that Mr Bussey should be written to concerning the minor alterations the Committee wished to be incorporated.

8.4 VAS sign : The Chairman reported on his negotiations. It was agreed that Cllr. T. Rogers should be asked to intervene. An account has been received for payment for the sign. The Clerk has written querying this demand as it was understood that the sign was purchased the terms of 2006/2007 Highways Partnership agreement. Cllr Livesey confirmed that he had received an assurance from Mr A. Prigmore that this was the case.

• Drain by the War Memorial This appears has been cleared. It was agreed to continue to monitor it.

8.6 Footpath to Cricket Club The Chairman reported on his negotiations to provide a footpath/cycleway to the cricket club. It was agreed to resume negotiations with the County Council.

8.7 Dropped kerb A dropped kerb is required at the entrance to 39 Pedley Lane . Mid Beds Development Control should be informed of this need.

8.8 Grass verges; It was noted that the occupants of 214 Shefford Road were still parking on the verge.

8.9 Split Barriers The Clerk reported that she had met Mr Scott Wrighting, Beds County Council concerning the split barriers. He had agreed that some action be taken to modify those in The Joint/Newis Crescent and between Church Street / Whiston Crescent and would report this.

8.10 Bus stop sign : This had been inspected during the visit of Mr Scott Wrighting and he had agreed that measures should be taken to rectify the steep camber or relocate the bus stop sign.

8.11Bedfordshire County Council: Clifton Urban Grass Cutting Agreement 2007. There will be no increase in the contribution of £1510.57. This payment had now been received

8.12 Repairs around village The Clerk had so far been unsuccessful in contacting Andrew Holmes of Langford but had left a message on Paul Watts' answerphone to ask if he would repair the concrete upright of the pond wall and the wall at the bus shelter.

8.13 Traffic Calming Measures : The Chairman reported on his meeting with the representative representative from the County Council. It was noted that following the Parish Council's authorisation of the expenditure of £600.00 on speed checks application had been made to the the Police to provide them. Mr Cobb also had been investigating the reasons why the proposal for a “Walking Bus” had been turned down. It appeared that there were concerns about the safety of crossing by the pond and information on the criteria for the provision of a crossing patrol had been sought.

8.13 : Request for parking spaces in Brickle Place cul- de –sacs: It was agreed that this matter should be referred to Aragon Housing Assocation but the Parish Council's opposition to the removal of grass verges should be recorded.

8.14 The Forward Plan for May 2007 was presented and the current expenditure noted.

8.15 Other matters.(a): It was noted that the AdmiralPH had been taken off Greene King's list for closure.

(b) Fish and Chip van, Church Street : It was established that this was operating legally and therefore no action should be taken..

(d)A load of bags had been dumped in Linkway to the rear of 4 Grange Street .

(e)The bollards on the splay of the AdmiralPH needed replacing.

(f)Whitbread Wanderbus: Copies of the timetable should be displayed throughout the village.

(g) The planters need replenishing. Mrs Livesey would order topsoil and plants. Mr Pacey agreed to collect the former

The report was adopted. It was noted that the planters had now been re-planted. Mrs Livesey was thanked for her work on them. She reported that one of them had been “vandalised seemingly by a fox.

9. Planning

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

07/00739/FULL: Single storey front extension at 47 Whiston Crescent (Ms H. Dade)

07/00641/FULL: Replacement conservatory to rear elevation of 19 Rookery Walk (Mr G. Donaldson)

Mid Beds approved the following applications:-

07/00456/SE Section 73 Determination: Removal of Condition 6 (Agricultural Occupancy Condition) attached to Planning Permission Ref 84/00453 dated 21/08/84 for erection of agricultural bungalow at 188 Shefford Road (Roselea Limited)

07/00308/OUT Detached bungalow and garage on land adjacent to 8A New Road (Mr L. J. Edwards) subject to the following conditions: (a) Application for the approval of reserved matters shall be made to the Local Planning Authority within 3 years of this permission. (b) Approval of details of siting, design, external appearance, means of access and landscaping of the site must be obtained before any building work commences and (c) that the dwelling permitted must not exceed one storey in height with any first floor accommodation provided in the roof space

Notice received that Conditions nos 8 (wheel cleaning) and 10 (hipped roofs) attached to planning permission 05/01707/FULL Residential development on land at former Highways Depot, Stockbridge Road have been discharged.

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

(b) Mid Beds District Council:. Councillor Rogers made a brief report

(d) Other: Police: PCSO G. Richardson presented the monthly Crime report which reflected a growing rate of car crime. In discussion after the report various concerns were raised and an increased police presence on the playing field requested.

• Finance

FinanceCommittee: Mr Livesey, Mr Fish, Mr Stevens, Mr Cobb, Mr Burnage and Mr Melia were elected to serve on the Finance Committee for 2007/2008.

:Current bank statements at 31. 5 .07. show Community Account £-29.90

Business Premium Account £15,417.80

Business Reserve account £68,210.47

The Village Improvement Fund stands at £64,448.00 with the addition of £10,000 from the ½ Precept received in April.

Receipts: The following receipts were reported; : Beds CC: Grass cutting contribution £1510.57; Beds CC : Keep-fit classes Jan-Mar. £90.00; Barclays Bank plc: Interest on Business Reserve a/c for ¼ £490.65:; Mrs L. Meade: Hire of Centre 24.5.07 £40.00; Mrs B. Turner: Hire of Centre on 20.5.07 £40.00; Clifton FC: Fees for 2007/2008 season £315.00; Ladies Social Hour: Hire of Centre in April £36.00: Mr M. Rowe: Hire of Centre on 11.8.07 £38.00;

Payment of the undermentioned accounts was authorised.:

Mrs Yarwood Wages for June less tax £601.50 ( Ch101277/78)

Mr Ansell Carter; Wages for Junes £100. 00 (Ch101279)

W. Jack Ferguson For litter picking in May £55.00 (Ch101280)

Adrian Crawley: Playing Field maintenance in May £280.83 (Ch101281 )

B. Livesey: Refund of cost of compost and plants for planters £89.80 (Ch101282)

Playsafety Ltd: Playing field inspection and DDA Report + VAT £131.01 (Ch101283)

Bedford Borough Council: ¼ Trade Refuse Collection + VAT £53.77 ( Ch 101284 )

D. J. Granger Grass cutting in village x 2, S bends x 2., spraying kerbs etc + VAT £1368.77 s (Ch101285)

Hertfordshire County Council : Cycle racks + VAT £147.35 (Ch101286)

Beds Playing Field Association:Attendance at Play Area Management seminar £10.00 (Ch101287)

Mrs J. C. Lanham: ¼ salary, ¼ Office expenses, Approved expenses and postages for¼ (Ch101288)

* Mrs K. Blackmore: Contribution towards Clifton Best Gardens . (Ch 101289)

Transfer The Clerk was authorised to transfer £3,800 from the Business Premium Account to the Community Account. Authority was also given for the payment of monthly wages in July since the meeting would not take place until 26 th July.

17. Dates of next meetings : Thursday, 26 th July 2007

Thursday, 13 th September 2007

Thursday, 11 th October 2007