KILSBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 12^th January 2010 in Kilsby Village Hall commencing at 7.45pm

Present: Councillors R Dunn (who chaired the meeting), M Cahill, W Clark, A Cole, J Lathan, P Martin, C Mills, C Smedley, E Taken Cllr V Penman arrived at 21.10pm. Clerk – Mrs Catherine Camp.

Also present 1 member of the public, County Councillor R Brown, District Councillors B & C Lomax.

Apologies. Apologies were accepted from Cllr R Chamberlain and from PCSO L Humfress.

1. Declarations of Interest – a) Personal. – None b) Personal and Prejudicial - None.

2. Minutes of the Meeting of 8^th Dec 2009 were signed and agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

The meeting was closed at 19.50 for comments from parishioners.

Public Participation (Notes to be published as Appendix)

the meeting reconvened at 20.35pm.

3.Matter Arising from minutes (f.i.o).

a) Update on installation of sign on Church Walk. The Councillors discussed a letter from Kilsby PCC who have objected to the wording on the sign in Church Walk. Since the sign was purchased following a request from the PCC, and the wording was printed in the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 10^th February 2009, it was felt that if a change of wording had been requested at that stage it would have been reasonable, but now the sign is in place the Parish Council are not prepared to replace the sign. The Clerk to write to the PCC. Clk

4) Quality Status. The Chairman and Clerk attended the Accreditation Panel Meeting on 11^th January and are delighted to report that Kilsby will become the 13^th Quality Council within Northamptonshire. The Panel had studied the submitted portfolio in depth, and commended Kilsby on being a pro-active Council trying to protect their rural village from the surrounding industrial and urban development. The panel were very impressed with the village website. Thanks were express to all those involved in obtaining this quality mark.

5) Policing. The contract has been signed and has a requirement for bi-monthly progress meetings with DIRFT, Kilsby and Crick parishes. Recruitment is underway.

6) Environment

a) Byelaws for the Recreation Ground. Councillor Cahill reported that bylaws had been updated about 2 years ago, and sent to the Home Office for approval. The Clerk to contact Mr David George for the most recent bylaws to ensure that they have been rubber stamped by the Home Office. Clk

b) The Clerk to progress with registering Butts Lane with Land Registry. Clk

It was reported that Malt Mill Green and Devon Ox Green are registered Village Greens registered 1^st October 1970 and 19^th December 1977 respectively.

7. Correspondence

Cllr V Penman arrived at 21.10

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Item 2 – It was agreed to write to the WCC and School Governing boards asking for Kilsby to be included in the Rugby area in terms of admissions to the grammar schools in Rugby.

Item 17 – E.ON bulletin stating that any telegraph poles carrying street lighting brackets but no overhead power lines will no longer be maintained by Central Networks. This was noted.

It was agreed to include an item in Kilsby Kronickle encouraging residents to purchase Smartwater security marking packs at a cost of £19. C Mills

8. Finance

a) Overall financial state at 27^th Dec 2009 Natwest C/A £50, D/A £ £37310.13 Unpresented cheques of £ 288.30. Total Funds:- £ 37071.83

b) INCOME since the last meeting:

c) The accounts were proposed for payment at the meeting by Cllr E Taken, seconded by P Martin and agreed.

d) Notification of contribution to grass cutting from NCC of £1114.29. This is awaited.

e) Request from Clerk to attend SLCC Practitioners Conference (Cost £32.50 plus fuel) This was agreed.

f) Councillor P Martin requested that he attend the Parish Councillor Training arranged by NCALC.

g) It was RESOLVED that the Council will purchase 6 signs at a cost of £10 each stating that the village is protected by “Smartwater” security.

9. Planning

a) NEW APPLICATIONS

i) DA/2009/0974 Refurbishment of properties including replacement of external wall structures and windows 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8, Smarts Estate, Kilsby, CV23 8XY. KPC have no objections to this application.

b) APPROVALS or REFUSALS

i) DA/2009/0857 Construction of detached dwelling and garage. Land to Rear of 22 Rugby Road, Kilsby. This application has been withdrawn.

ii) DA/2009/0856 Remove tree subject of a T.P.O. 31 Hall Close. Granted.

iii) DA/2009/0801 Construction of a building for use for B2 and /or B8 purposes (Revision to building approved under DA/2009/0166 to include 5% increase in floor area) Butchers Pet Care Ltd, Dockham Way, Crick. Approved 16^th Dec.

c) Decisions Awaited:

i) DA/2009/0830 Demolition of existing buildings. Former Midland Meat Parkers Ltd, Dockham Way, Crick, Northamptonshire, NN6 7TZ. Decision postponed until 27 Jan.

ii) DA/2009/0736 New commercial vehicle maintenance unit, offices, trailer parking for sale of trucks and trailers, access from A5 with exit onto A428 and Sales Officer (Revised scheme) Land Off A5/A428 Junction 18 of M1. Decision awaited.

iii) DA/2009/0731 Construction of Windfarm, comprising 8 wind turbine generators up to 125m high, access tracks including access off public highways, a control and a maintenance building, crane hard-standings, cable trenches, anemometer mast up to 80m high (for a period of 25 years). Lilborne Fields Farm & Lilborne Lodge Farm, Yelvertoft.

d) Other Planning Matters

i) Draft West Northamptonshire Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. –comments accepted until 11 Feb 2010.

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This can be viewed electronically on www.westnorthamptonshirejpu.org and follow the link to the Strategic Housing Land Availability assessment. Cllr C Smedley agreed to draft a response to be discussed and approved at the next Parish Council meeting prior to submission.

ii) Barby Sporting Club. It was RESOLVED to write and obtain details of a similar case, and request and pay for information under the Freedom of Information, if necessary. Mr Massey provided the Council with a draft letter, and the Council thanked him for his help in this matter. Clk.

10. Highways

a) General Road conditions are very bad following the severe weather. Cllr Dunn will continue to report problems to the Highway Authority. The footpath in Chapel Street has been reported but cannot be fixed until the weather improves.

i) Road Sign Improvements. A survey of road signs has been carried out and forwarded to NCC. The Clerk to obtain a replacement “Rugby Road” sign outside the entrance to the Village Hall. Clk

ii) Notification of M1 southbound closures.

iii) Urban Highway Grass Mowing. It was RESOLVED to enter into s 136 Agreement and continue to mow the village verges on behalf of NCC. Grant for mowing will be £1114.29.

iv) It was noted that the Salt Bin on Manor Road has been located within the school grounds so salt cannot be accessed for pavements during school holidays or evenings. Clerk to raise this with NCC. Clk.

v) Salt Bins at the bottom of Malt Mill Green and The Banks are still awaited. RD

b) A5 matters

i) The roundabout is going to be resurfaced. It will be monitored and remedial repairs carried out until such time as the resurfacing takes place.

ii) A response is awaited regarding the grass growing through the cycle way to the Halfway House.

iii) A5/A361 Kilsby Roundabout Sponsorship. Cllr Dunn reported that he has approached a local company for sponsorship and is awaiting a response.

11. Village hall . It was reported that rubbish bins have been set alight. The village hall committee have purchased lockable bins. Following the AGM. Nigel Gostick has taken over as Chairman.

Cllr Mills agreed to ask Barbara Marlow if she wished to continue as Daventry Express village correspondent. If not, as request for someone to take on the role to be published in KKronickle. CM

12. Cemetery .

Cllrs Cahill, Smedley and Cole have inspected the Cemetery and have no objection to tree planting. There is about 4 – 5 years space left in the Cemetery based on current uptake. It was RESOLVED to write to Mr and Mrs Lee to arrange a meeting to discuss extension of the Cemetery. Councillors Cahill and Smedley agreed to meet and discuss this with them if they are agreeable to a meeting.

Until such time as an extension is agreed it was agreed that tree planting should be restricted to Evergreen trees planted on the Right hand side of the cemetery.

It was agreed that Garden Graves must adhere to the Cemetery rules from now on. The Clerk to re-issue the rules to all Undertakers in the area. Non conforming graves pre-dating 2009 to be left as is. Clk

13. Rights of Way a) It was reported that the gate on Public Footpath EW8 where it joins Nortoft Lane is locked. This to be reported to NCC Rights of Way Officer. Clk

14. Parish Plan Schemes for Implementation

Councillors Smedley, Cole, Cahill, Mills and Clark to meet to review the Parish Plan. S/AC/MC//CM/WC

The Clerk reminded Councillors that they can print a copy of the Parish Plan off the Website.

15. Lights Councillor Penman gave a report on the problem areas.

It was RESOLVED to obtain quotes for additional street lights at the top of Rugby Road, and outside No 3 Cowley Way. VP

16. Dates for Bi-Monthly Surgery These to be held from 10 – 11am in Village Hall on:-

SAT 13th FEB - MC/CM, 17th APRIL- AC/RC, 12th JUNE –WC/RD, 17th JULY – JL/CS, 18th SEPT – VP/ET, 13th NOV –PM/CM. Councillors were asked to attend on these dates, or swop with a colleague. Clk to send them reminders.

17. CCTV This to be discussed at the next meeting.

Items for inclusion on February Agenda – Review of Cemetery Fees, Clerks Appraisal, Youth Shelters, Bus Stop near the Red Lion on Rugby Road.

The meeting closed at 21.50pm.

Signed: ……………………………………….CHAIRMAN Date: ……………………. 2010

Dates of next meetings 9^th February 2010 – Full Council Future full council meetings on second Tuesday of the month.

Power of Well-Being Training Monday 25^th January 7.30pm Barby Village Hall.

APPENDIX Public Participation Tuesday 12^th January 2010

Report from District Councillor Catherine Lomax

Mrs Lomax apologised for not attending the Parish Council meetings for the last two months. She did produce a report for the December meeting which contained very similar material to that published in the Kronickle.

Mrs Lomax reported that Daventry District Council have decided on 15% cuts across the board, whatever the budget of the department.

The District Council is market testing public space refuse collection and management which includes the Country Park. The requirement is that the Country Park produces an income which is difficult. The Country Park staff have assured her that a commercial firm might be interested in managing the park.

Bus Fares – Daventry has cut back the scheme so that free travel is only available to over 60s after 9.30am. This is causing inequality as Warwickshire residents can travel free whatever time they board the bus. Mrs Lomax will raise this issue with the scrutiny committee next week.

Land Availability Assessment – shows 2 plots of land in Kilsby deemed suitable, available and achievable for building of 70 houses on Barby Road, and 10 houses on the “Halfway House” site.

The assessment points out that when the Core Strategy is completed the policies in the document may make them unavailable.

Mrs Lomax said that Councils need to be on the ball when the criteria are decided as the status of Kilsby may change from the present “limited-infill” status.

Councillor Smedley asked if Mrs Lomax had studies the Strategic Employment Land Assessment. The Clerk to forward it to her. She stated that there are concerns that the employment associated with future development is insufficient and not diverse enough to sustain employment in the area.

Report from District Councillor Brian Lomax

Councillor B Lomax added that the number of houses quoted as being the target for Daventry District is 28,000.

Capital Investments and reserves-

Approximately another £400,000 is expected to be reclaimed from the Icelandic Banks but that still leaves a loss of £6.3M.

There have been procedural defects in the signing off of such investments. The whole duty and responsibility for investments lies with the Chief Financial Officer with no consultation with elected members. Councillor Lomax is proposing a constitutional amendment to give more frequent reporting and consultation on investments.

A 3% increase in Council precept can be expected from Daventry District Council.

Report from County Councillor Robin Brown

Councillor Brown is extremely busy dealing with the portfolio of Care for the Vulnerable in the County.

NCC feels that to face the recession there is a need to avoid duplication and strip out levels of bureaucracy. Bureaucracy costs a lot, but you need to remember that it is people’s jobs.

The empowerment fund will continue with £10K available from May, and Kilsby will be allocated about £3,000. The Parish need to prioritise as he has been asked for money for the Recreation Ground and for traffic mirrors. He can allocate £3K to a specific youth project.

Councillor Mills asked whether this might be available for the Pre-School. Councillor Brown said that if it could be shown to release other funding then he would consider it.

A question was asked about the number of County Councillors there are. There are 73 who deal with a budget in excess of £1 Billion and each County Councillor serves 7-9000 electors.

Mr Ian Massey gave an update on Barby Sporting Club and suggested that a similar site be contacted to gain information in case the bunds are not built, or do not lead to any significant reduction in noise levels.

The Chairman thanked Mr Massey for his help and guidance in this matter.