Minutes of the Meeting of the Helmdon Parish
Council held on
Wednesday, 27th March 2002
in the Reading Room, Helmdon at 7:30 p.m..
Present:
Councillors Ayres, Bearman, Brookhouse, Burns (in the Chair),
England, Glassett, Gittens, Harrold and Spendlove.
There were 10 members of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
No apologies had been received.
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 23rd January 2002, having
been circulated prior to the meeting were approved subject to
item 2001/1518/CLO in Planning being amended to read "supported".
3. Matters arising
The item concerning the Brackley Cottage Hospital ( item 8 page
4 )is not shown in the agenda for this meeting and will be considered
under " Any Other Business ".
4. Open Forum
(i) The matter of the safety of pedestrians crossing the bridge
by Jeffs Coaches was brought to the attention of the Council by
a member of the public. A discussion involving possible action
which included the School Road Safety Traffic Plan and alternatives
for reducing the speed of road traffic. The Chairman said that
the matter of traffic calming will be considered at the next budget
review.
(ii) Mrs Harwood congratulated those responsible for the excellent
show of daffodils throughout the village.
(iii) Mr Phil Earl offered to cut the grass around the War Memorial
weekly at no charge to the Council and this was received with
thanks by the Council. The Clerk will write to Mr Earl confirming
his offer.
(iv) Mrs Lidgely asked if she should plant begonias around the
War Memorial and this was agreed to by the Council.
(v) Councillor Harrold said that vandals were causing problems
with the remedial work being carried out at the school and asked
anyone who witnesses any damage to report it to the Police who
have been informed.
(vi) Mr Moody referred to the matter of a Helmdon Village appraisal
which he has raised at previous meetings of the Council and he
handed in a document (attached to these minutes) he had prepared
about it. After discussion it was agreed that Mr Moody presents
a proposal at the Annual Parish Meeting on 24th April together
with a display inviting signatures of support in order that an
application for grant aid be presented to SNC in July for the
2003 period.
(vii) Mr Moody asked the Council to agree to a new picture of
Council members being placed on the web Site and this was agreed
to.
(viii) The matter of rubbish on the allotments was raised and
Clr Gittens said that action is being taken to remove it after
Easter. He reported that a meeting of the Allotment Sub Committee
will be held shortly and it will report back to the Council.
(ix) Mrs Lidgely raised the question of the missing Village sign
in Station Road and the Clerk reported that it is hoped the new
sign will be positioned in its new location early in May.
(x) Mrs Lidgely raised the question of an Annual Spring Clean
of the Village and Councillor Glassett said that plastic bags
etc are available from previous years' Spring Cleans to those
who are prepared to undertake it.
5. Planning
(i) Councillor Brookhouse reported having received two planning
applications for consideration by the Council,
a) Ivy Cottage - an amended dimension to the previous application
- it was agreed to support it.
b) The Warren, Falcutt - an amended plan for a two storey extension
was submitted and it was agreed.
(ii) Waste Disposal Unit at Redlands House Farm - the Clerk reported
on receiving the planning approval and the conditions included.
It was agreed that a copy should be circulated to all Councillors.
6. Correspondence
The Clerk reported on the correspondence received since the last
meeting of the Council. Various items were queried by Councillors
and were answered to their satisfaction. It was agreed the Clerk
should write to the Helmdon School informing them that the goal
posts are not a Council responsibility. It was agreed to enter
the Village of the Year Competition in the following categories:
i) Best Kept Village.
Ii) Most Active Community Village.
iii) Best Kept Churchyard.
iv) Calor Gas IT Award.
Councillor Glassett agreed to complete the application forms for
(i) and (ii) and Mrs Lidgely agreed to progress item (iii) and
Mr Moody item (iv).
It was agreed that in future the Clerk will circulate all councillors
seven days in advance of the PC meeting with details of correspondence
received and will invite comments on any specific items prior
to the meeting.
7. Finance
(i) Current Financial Position : The Clerk reported the Council
Balances on the 27th March 2002 were as follows
Current Account ……………… £ 1505.73
Savings Account …………….. £ 7478.74
Nottingham Bond ……………. £ 500.00
(ii) Bills for payment : It was proposed by Cllr Glassett and
seconded by Cllr Harrold and carried unanimously that the following
bills be paid -
|
Cheque no.
|
Item |
Amount (£)
|
|
199
|
Viking Direct |
51.45
|
|
200
|
ABB |
99.69
|
|
201
|
W Forgham (Avatar Systems) |
35.00
|
|
202
|
W Forgham (Salary) |
208.33
|
|
203
|
W Forgham |
Postage |
23.00
|
|
|
|
Ink refills |
41.98
|
|
|
|
Copying |
9.63
|
|
204
|
NALC Membership |
138.90
|
|
205
|
NACRE Membership |
30.00
|
|
206
|
Multiflow |
72.00
|
8. Northamptonshire County Council
(i) The Clerk reported on the current position concerning from
John Robinson of WS Atkins (copy attached to these minutes together
with report from Clr Bearman). The Council's appreciation was
extended to Clr Bearman for the work he has carried out in compiling
the report and it was agreed that the Clerk should send a strong
letter giving full details of the items requiring attention to
the County Councillor and to the officials responsible for the
carrying out of the work.
(Ii) Waste Strategy : It was agreed that the Clerk complete the
questionnaire concerning Waste Strategy. Councillor Brookhouse
asked that his vote against such action be recorded.
9. South Northamptonshire Council
(i) Model Code of Conduct : After a lengthy discussion concerning
the Code of Conduct received from the SNC Standards Committee
it was agreed to hold a special meeting of the Council on Monday,
22nd April 2002 at 7.30pm in the Reading Room to discuss and finalise
the question of the Model Code of Conduct after three Councillors,
The Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and Clr Glassett have attended
the NALC Meeting on the 11th April. The Clerk to confirm the meeting
on the 22nd April to all Councillors.
10. Helmdon Parish Council
(i) Reading Room : It was reported that the AGM of the Reading
Room Management committee will be held on May 27th 2002.
(Ii) Jubilee Mugs: The Clerk reported the position to date and
informed the meeting that any Parishioner wanting to purchase
a Mug should notify him no later than the 24th April 2002 together
with the relevant payment (see attached notice).
(iii) Jubilee Seat
(a) It was agreed to order the slatted seat No JS102 made by Olleron
Engineering of Preston at a cost of £598 +VAT + carriage etc.
(b) Clr Brookhouse reported that the following immediate action
can be taken : chopping down bushes etc - Cllrs Brookhouse and
Bearman clearing away - Richard Watson- costs to be determined
clearing away roots etc - Jim Mumford - cost 170.00 (Clr Brookhouse
declared an interest in the last item. It was agreed that all
the last item be carried out immediately.
(c) it was agreed that the Clerk should contact the following
local builders to ascertain if they are prepared to submit prices
for the supply and laying of the paving of the area in Church
Street together with the small wall and the fixing of the Jubilee
seat: Messrs Wilson, Holt, Payne, and Humphrey.
(d) Grass Cutting: The Clerk reported that he has invited five
contractors to tender for the grass cutting involving maintenance
of the following areas: The front of the Reading Room, Jenners
Hill, Wappenham Road, The Play areas at the rear of the School.
Only one contractor, G & M, has confirmed their willingness to
tender and it was agreed that when they confirm the price they
will charge and after obtaining approval from all Councillors
a contract should be placed with this contractor.
(e) Central Railway; The Clerk reported on the current position
and informed members that the latest details are available for
inspection.
11. Any Other Business
(i) Brackley Cottage Hospital : Clr Brookhouse gave a detailed
reply about the current position concerning a complaint received
about the availability of BCH for emergencies and explained that
between the hours of 7pm to 8am on weekdays and between 12pm and
8am at weekends when all requests for doctors are diverted to
a Health Call Centre which is an advisory center. If a Doctor
is needed the person be asked to visit either Buckingham, Bicester
or Brackley hospitals where a doctor will be available.
(Ii) Councillor Ayres reported the car parking facilities in Hintons
Close have been completed satisfactorily but there have been complaints
about safety. It was agreed that the Clerk write to SNC asking
for the position to be resolved.
(Iii) Councillor England reported the railway bridge by Station
House requires an immediate inspection after recent impact damage.
(Iv) Councillor England reported fly tipping along Welsh Lane
and it was agreed that the Clerk write to NCC suggesting that
the area be made into a proper lay by.
(v) Councillor Spendlove raised the question of the conditions
of various footpaths and the Parish Paths Warden, (Clr Glassett),
took note and will investigate.
There was no further business and the meeting was closed at 9.56pm.