NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Transcription

1 NORTON PARISH COUNCIL Date: Tuesday 16 th March 2010 Time: Venue: Norton Village Hall : Angela Feltham Minute Agenda Item/Outcome Action Record Attendance, Apologies, Absence. Council Attendance: Cllr M Goodman (Chairman) Cllr S Yates Cllr K Russell Cllr N Allcott Invitees Cllr Amos DDC Public no attendees Apologies Cllr Noha Cllr Davidson Cllr Jenkins Declaration of Interest on the Agenda none Open Section Cllr Amos asked if NPC had been contacted about the bus service from Norton to Northampton. The majority of the parishioners who use the service had been contacted and had responded to J Watts of NCC to explain that the village passengers used the service as they had no other form of transport and / or their incomes restricted the use of other forms of transport. i.e. Taxi fares Cllr Amos also reminded NPC that the Appeal regarding the proposed housing developments around Daventry were due to be released on 8 th April. The results will impact on Core Strategy. In Cllr Amos' opinion it would be unlikely that all 3 sites would be approved. The meeting to discuss the Weedon Bypass The A45 Stakeholder meeting has been moved to June 17 th. NPC has received notification. Cllr Amos reported that the Council Tax increase for a Band D property will increase by 5p per week in the forthcoming year (2010/11). Cllr Goodman announced that NPC were able to keep the parish precept at 8K for the 2010/11 year. Village precepts are exempt from 'capping' unlike District Councils. The recent announcement regarding application for sites in villages (in Norton it is a site on Weedon Lane) is an audit of land and should not raise concern. The current projects that are Joint Planning Unit, the land for junction 16 of the M1 and affordable housing are all in their infancy for the Core Strategy. Decisions will be evidence based. Open section closed Approve Minutes of the meeting held on 16 th February

2 It was unanimously agreed to accept these minutes as a true record Actions from Previous Minutes (not covered on agenda) AWC Services Ltd have completed their work on the war memorial & benches at a cost of 73. Their invoice was received after the deadline to be included in this month's payment. AWC have been informed that payment will be delayed Cllr Goodman advised that there had not been a response to NPC's letter to Mrs Waterfield dated 26 th February Survey Group for Tree Preservation Orders. This announcement had been included in the parish newsletter that is in its' draft form Cllr Goodman confirmed the Fidelity Guarantee cover had been increased to 40K to accommodate the increase in funds from grants in relation to Jacks Patch. Once these funds are spent the insurance company will be advised to reduce cover. This should be before renewal date of the policy (June 2010) PLANNING There were no new planning applications submitted for consideration Note/Comment on recent planning applications decisions received Outstanding applications DA/2009/ Daventry Road Enforcement Cllr Yates reported Dave Smith, DDC has current photographs of the work that is required of Mr Cook to comply with DDC. The yellow stripes have been removed from the barrier and it now has reflectors. The CCTV camera pole has been moved into the background. DDC will contact Cllr Yates, NPC when there is more news. DA/2010/0097 The Old Toll House, Norton Junction Although the DDC Planning Officer had recommended approval of the application, the DDC Planning Committee unanimoulsy refused the application. Councillor Osborne (NCC) had supported Norton Parish Council's view that the application be refused. Cllr Russell suggested NPC look into having the property listed. It would not involve fees or the owners knowledge. Cllr Yates reported he had looked into the procedure for making villages a Conservation area. This does not involve costs to the villages; DDC has to do the work which involves a cost to them. Norton Junction is already a conservation area. It was suggested Norton should be considered Update from Cllr Yates regarding planning application Cllr Yates reported he had received an from Dave Smith, Planning, DDC. Dave Smith had been contacted regarding Manor Farm Barns, Bakers Lane, Norton. This address is not known and has been interpreted by NPC as Manor Farm House barn, known as The Granary as Manor Farm Barns were sited at the bottom of Valley Road and demolished some 25 years ago. 2

3 From the information supplied by Dave Smith, the owners of the property have developed the property without planning permission. A retrospective application is required. Cllr Russell stated that it involved the installation of dorma windows and had not altered the footprint of the property FINANCE /RFO has submitted the Bank Mandate document to HSBC and informed Cllr Noha and Cllr Davidson so they could visit the bank with the necessary documents required for proof of identification. Neither councillor was in attendance. Item carried forward to next meeting Grant application from All Saints Church has contacted Ian Fraser (Internal Auditor) who confirmed a grant could be awarded to All Saints Church for grasscutting if it is paid under S137 and minuted as such. The original grant application was for the sum of which in relation to the cost of grass cutting for the village was considered to be disproportionate. Cllr Goodman therefore proposed a grant of which was unanimoulsy agreed. A cheque be be presented for approval at the next meeting. It was also agreed that NPC would recommend their recently appointed grass cutting contractor whose costs, it appears, would benefit the Church. To avoid this situation arising next year NPC should write to local organisations (Parochial Church Council and NVCA) in advance of the preparation of the precept in Cllr Noha Cllr Davidson presented the current Bank Reconciliation HSBC Playing Field Account 15, HSBC Current 4, HSBC Savings 15, , Cheques to be presented Soverign Design Play Systems cheque Revised bank balance as at 28 February produced a paying in slip as a record of a cheque from NVCA for 1300 which had been banked into the Playing Field Account on 11 March This increased the funds sufficiently to cover the net cost of the invoice from Admiral Play being presented at this meeting Councillors approved the following payments and signed the cheques Cheque No. Amount Payee Details Northants CALC Model Standing Orders Angela Feltham s Salary for February Angela Feltham Expenses for February This cheque was spoiled and cancelled as incorrectly written out before the meeting. 3

4 N.V.C.A. Room hire Jan March , Admiral Play Installation of play equipment at Jacks Patch All Cllrs agreed to sign cheques signed by Cllr Russell & and Cllr Goodman. informed the meeting that two invoices arrived after the agenda was published. These are from AWC Services Ltd, who have been informed payment will be made next month and Eon. will contact Eon regarding the timing of receipt of their invoices NCC MWGSP Inflationary increase not received has contacted Lara Inglott at MWGSP as the inflationary increase on last years financial contribution from NCC for grass cutting has not been included in the payment. was instructed to present a supplementary invoice for This was actioned by 11 March There is also an outstanding issue with regard to quoting NCC purchase order numbers on future invoices. This was raised in the to Lara Inglott who has confirmed this should not be a problem when the invoice for a financial contribution toward grass cutting at the end of 2010 is submitted Review the effectiveness of the internal audit 2008/9 This minute is as a response to an from NCALC. The effectiveness of the internal audit for 2008/9 had previously been reviewed and accepted under minute May Appointment of Internal Auditor for 2009/10 Cllr Goodman asked if the councillors would accept Mr Ian Fraser as Internal Auditor for the forthcoming year. All Councillors agreed they were delighted with his services last year. It was asked that Mr Fraser confirm his fees for the forthcoming year. Cllr Yates asked if it is under model standing orders to change auditors and how frequently? Cllr Goodman replied that Mr Fraser had been a stranger to the council last year which was an advantage given the financial situation. Cllr Goodman recommended that NPC continue with Mr Fraser's services for at least two more years. This was unanimous HIGHWAYS GENERAL is continuing to log problems with the roads which includes potholes, flooding at the Weedon Lane & Daventry Road junction and the dislodged kerbstone at the junction of Bakers Lane. The reported issue of white line road markings 'fading' remains outstanding. New signs have been installed by Lovers Lane which include 2 zig zag bends & 2 black & white cheveron signs. The moving of the 30mph signs remains unofficial. The Gouldens View sign has been re-erected after the recent accident. Cllr Yates has ascertained the 2 lamposts situated along Gouldens View are 4

5 under the possesion of NRHA (Northamtpn Rurual Housing Association). It has yet to be confirmed there are no outstanding pre-agreements that will affect the responsibility, liability, maintenance and electricity supply. If the file shows no agreements, all concerned will be notified that NPC no longer have an interest in these 2 lamposts Safety implications on the visibility at junction of Weedon Lane and Daventry Road Since the Parish Council Meeting on 16 th February DDC, Planning Dept are now involved. They have ed Cllr Yates to confirm the fence is unauthorised but it is in the place of the hedge as shown on the planning application. DDC will be contacting the site owner for a retrospective planning application. The Councillors agreed that NPC have taken the necessary action to ensure as much visitbility and safety as possible at this junction. The responsibility is now with DDC. Cllr Yates asked about the maintenance of the plants that will form a hedge outside of the fence. These have been planted on the council highway. Who should take responsibility for these in future years as they have been planted on council land? Cllr Goodman reported the grass verge will be cut in accordance with the grass cutting contract but the hedge trimming will not fall under NPC's maintenance. Cllr Yates Cllr Yates reported his concern over future visibiltiy Dog Fouling Signs is waiting for Cllr Davidson to provide the cable ties to secure the signs. In Cllr Davidson's absence this item will be carried forward to next meeting Replacement Litter Bins Cllr Goodman asked if the order could be placed this month in advance of the new financial year. (The precept allows for the purchase of the bins.) is waiting for a response to his written communciation to DDC to place the order and obtain authorisation and clarification on the process to reinstate regular cleansing. Cllr Alcott will speak with the supplier of the bins to find out the process of ordering / delivery etc. So that next month this minute can be closed. DDC offer a choice of only three colours. Green was considered the acceptable choice of colour OTHER MATTERS Installation of equipment on Jacks Patch reported that the equipment is on order and installation is scheduled for week commencing 19 April The Steering Group are planning to hold an open party the weekend following installation. Cllr Davidson The invoices for the equipment and installation have been received and included in the accounts for March. One supplier has been paid and the cheque has cleared. The main contractor's cheque was authorised earlier in the meeting. The installation aspect to be carried forward to next month. Cllr Goodman asked if the contractor would be responsible for safely removing 5

6 the existing bench and if a suitable site for storage had been designated until it can be permanently re-sited. Various options were discussed. and Cllr Goodman to arrange. Cllr Goodman NVCA is working on a sign for the entrance that will identify the fund providers. These include the villagers, Big Lottery fund, DDHA and Barclaycard. Signs will also include 'No Dogs', 'Litter to be taken home' and a plaque acknowledging the fundraising work by the late Mr Bill Weatherall. provided details of the Maintenance Plan, the RoSPA Risk Assessment and safety standards, inspection surveys and maintenance of the site. These include the removal of grass cuttings, hedge trimming and replacing the ground cover bark. These will all be the responsibility of NPC. A routine weekly inspection and the hedge trimming will be undertaken by members of The Steering Group. These are members of the local community who have children who will be using the site. provided a draft Inspection and Maintenance Plan and draft Safety Procedures for approval. There were unanimously approved. will have the document bound and available for reference Jacks Patch Insurance from date of ownership The current plan is for contractors to landscape and install the equipment during week commencing 19 April Upon completion the site will be the responsibiliity of Norton Parish Council. to contact the insurers to instruct them to include the equipment on the policy from 19 April NALC Model Standing Orders Cllr Noha and Cllr Russell have worked on amendments to NPC's Standing orders. Cllr Russell has a draft document and would like the remaining Councillors comments so that these can be collated and alterations made to the draft. The payment was authorised earlier in the meeting for Part I of the Standing Orders available from NCALC. Cllr Russell asked to deliver them to her home when received.this will enable Cllr Russell to complete a draft set of Standing Orders for adoption at the next meeting Report into Financial Irregularities In Cllr Noha's absence this item is to be carried forward to the next meeting Parish Newsletter Cllr Russell distributed a draft newsletters to the Councillors and. Cllr Russell asked for any amendments to be with her by Friday 19 th March so that it can be printed and distributed before Easter Installation of hearing loop in the Village Hall has researched but it is difficult to understand which product would best suit the Village Hall. has found a system that covers a 50m sq room for a cost of 84 +VAT. This includes 33m of cable, microphone and a compact unit for discreet installation. 'Plug in turn on.' would like to read through the literature further before proposing a system. Cllr Russell Cllr Goodman 6

7 The costs have been included in the precept for the year ending It was hoped this project could be agreed at the next meeting. The other system was aware of cost 300. He would like to ensure the less expensive system would cover the parishioners needs and NPC's obligations Review Correspondence List No Comments Matters for report only NCC have announced a conference for a Tree Warden Scheme. has registered a place in lieu of a date and venue being announced. CPRE have announced a date for a Road Show on 8 th April. Cllr Yates has arranged to attend. reported receiving the report from the Parish and Town Councils Meeting held on Tuesday 15 th December Cllr Goodman asked that they are circulated to all Councillors Close of Meeting The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm. Signed Cllr Yates... Cllr Mike Goodman Chairman Date... 7