Grendon Parish Council Clerk: Deborah Rush (01933) 663918 Email clerk@grendon-pc.org.uk www.grendon-pc.org.uk Minutes of the Meeting of Grendon Parish Council held on Monday 10 th December 2018 at 7.30 pm in The Village Hall, Main Road, Grendon. 136. Open forum -No members of the press or public attended the meeting. 137. County & Ward Councillor Reports -To receive reports, from county and ward councillors if able to attend. -CCllr Martin Griffiths explained to the council where the Unitary process had got to; the Secretary of State has now launched his consultation on the unitary proposal and postponed the elections that were due to be held in May 2019 until May 2020 to bring them in line with the proposed new unitary authorities. He also explained that finances at the County Council are looking better after government permission was given to transfer 70m of capital monies to revenue expenditure, thereby repaying last year s deficit and ensuring a balanced budget for this year. This will also ensure that the new unitary authorities if they go ahead, do not inherit large debts. With his borough council hat on he also explained that Wellingborough Borough Council have several projects that they will be implementing over the next few months, particularly targeting the huge problem of a shortage of affordable housing that the borough has. 138. To receive and accept apologies for absence. Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr Blacklee. Present; Cllr Smith (Chairman), Cllr Bailey, Cllr Butcher, Cllr Denton, Cllr Field, Cllr Herron, Cllr Howell, & the Clerk. CCllr Martin Griffiths & the flood warden, Tony Knuff also attended. 139. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non-statutory disclosable interests from Councillors for items on the agenda. None 140. To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 th November 2018. The minutes of the meeting held on 12 th November 2018 were signed. 51
141. Matters arising from previous minutes (for information only) 13.9.18 ref 954570 -Condition of White lines on Road to Wollaston reported 9.10.18 956445 Problem: Vegetation Description: 13-SEP-2018 18:45 Received. 14-SEP-2018 12:54 Under Investigation. Referred to Ben Wright. Now Referred to Ben Wright. 10.10.18 No Action Necessary inspection undertaken footpath clear. Referred to Sue Taylor. Overgrown/Overhanging Street/Town: Station Road, Grendon Location: Church Way - Station Road Details: vegetation is over hanging the footpath making it difficult to use. 9.10.18 956446 Problem: Vegetation Description: Restricted 16.10.18 Resolved letter sent to residents requesting cut back of vegetation. Referred to Sue Taylor. Visibility Street/Town: Easton Way, Grendon Location: outside 1 / 2 Easton Way Details: vegetation is restricting visibility for pedestrians trying to cross the road on a very fast corner. 9.10.18 956455 Problem: Road Markings 52 Date & Time Details 09-OCT-2018 14:37 Received.
Description: Worn/Faded Town/Village: Northampton Location: Easton Way / Main 09-OCT-2018 15:56 Now Referred to Andy Hudson. 10-OCT-2018 13:48 Now Referred to Ben Wright. 10-OCT-2018 13:48 Under Investigation. Referred to Ben Wright. Rd Grendon Details: both sets of SLOW markings are worn and illegible, the road is very busy & fast, and these are needed for highway safety. -Update Hanson reinstatement of Church Farm quarry (raised by resident at last meeting). The planning documents had been reviewed and the reinstatement considered, it was agreed that the current situation is satisfactory, no further action required. -Replacement silhouette requested. - NOTED -Report from Remembrance events submitted to Armed Forces Covenant Trust (condition of grant). - NOTED 142. Police Matters. Twitter mentions; 15.11.18 Arrest for Drink Driving After Driver Involved in Road Traffic Collision Grendon Yesterday (14th November) a vehicle was involved in a single vehicle road traffic collision in Grendon. Officers arrived at the scene and a roadside breath test was failed by the driver. The driver was arrested and has since been charged to appear before the courts. Crime Statistics September 2018 (4 crimes) see www.police.co.uk for full details Location Type of Crime Status Crime on or near Easton Way Other theft (1) Includes theft by an employee, blackmail and making off without payment 53 Investigation complete; no suspect identified Crime on or near Manor Court Violence and sexual offences Under investigation
Crime on or near Parsons' Close Burglary (1) Includes offences against the person such as common assaults, Grievous Bodily Harm and sexual offences Includes offences where a person enters a house or other building with the intention of stealing Crime on or near Parsons' Close Vehicle crime (1) Includes theft from or of a vehicle or interference with a vehicle Under investigation Investigation complete; no suspect identified -To receive report from Clerk from Rural JAG meeting attended 14.11.18 (including speeding issues raised & concrete plant lorry) The Clerk reported that 2 further 30mph reminder signs had been installed on the bottom end of Main Rd following the recent complaints about speeding. A request for handheld device enforcement had also been submitted to the Safer Roads Team. 143. Chairman s Report Including Report from Parishes Forum, BCW, 4/12/18 Cllr Smith reported that he and the Clerk had attended this. Updates had been given about enabling affordable housing in rural areas (rural exception sites), Local Government reform, planning applications procedure and council tax/finance. -Planting of new hedge at playing field -Cllr Smith expressed his thanks to Cllr Blacklee for organising and helping to plant the new hedging around the top corner of the playing field. -New noticeboard at Village Hall -Cllr Smith expressed his thanks to Trevor Higgs for fitting the new parish council noticeboard on the Village Hall. 144. Development & Planning 144.1 Applications received Application No. WP/18/00723/VAR Proposal: Removal of condition 4 (occupancy restriction) of planning permission ref: WP/1999/0147 Location: Hill Farm, 15 Chequers Lane, Grendon, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN7 1JP 54
It was proposed and resolved that Grendon Parish Council make the following comments to this planning application- No objections Application No. WP/18/00731/FUL Proposal: Part first floor and part two storey rear extension. Addition of first floor front extension and the removal of a dormer window and replacement with five velux rooflights on front west elevation. Removal of a dormer window and replacement with four velux rooflights on rear east elevation. Replacement of patio door and window with a full-length window. Location: 3 The Knoll, Grendon, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN7 1JG It was proposed and resolved that Grendon Parish Council make the following comments to this planning application- No objections Application No. WP/18/00742/FUL Proposal: Removal of conservatory. Part two storey, part first floor & part single storey rear extensions and alterations to include a high-level window in side elevation. Location: 5 Sharplands, Grendon, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN7 1JL It was proposed and resolved that Grendon Parish Council make the following comments to this planning application- No objections 144.2 Applications determined - None 145. Financial matters 145.1 Income Received None 145.2 Expenditure Date Chq No Payee Amount Vat Payable under power including VAT 30.11.18 DDR Total gas & Power 101.65 4.84 Highways Act 1980, s301 10.12.18 1539 Countrywide 383.88 63.98 Open Spaces Act 1906 ss 9 & 10 10.12.18 1540 RBL-Poppy Appeal 25.00 S137 10.12.18 1541 D Rush 345.49 LGA 1972, s.112 The balance in the Current Account stands at 19,574.52 (assuming all cheques presented). Reserve account stands at 6,987.41 *Where payment is made under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council is satisfied that the benefit is commensurate with the amount. 55
It was proposed and resolved that all invoices as listed should be paid. Action Clerk 145.3 To receive draft budget from Finance working party meeting held on 29.11.18 -The draft budget was circulated for comment / question. Cllr Smith explained the proposed budget which subject to any other comments will be approved at January s council meeting. 146. General Data Protection Regulations -New council email addresses update Cllr Butcher Cllr Butcher agreed to circulate the new addresses as soon as possible. -To approve continued use of NCALC as data protection officer at annual cost of 10 It was proposed and resolved that continued use of NCALC as data protection officer at an annual cost of 10 be approved. Action Clerk 147. Playing Field -To receive completed risk assessments No new issues identified. -Park bench (needs plaque attaching). Fixings reported, re-bolted 27.11.18 - NOTED -Safety surfacing. Gapping reported to Creative Play, will visit w/c 10.12.18 - NOTED -Quote for fencing chased 27.9.18, 1.11.18 - NOTED -Broken handrail reported to Arborescence 13.11.18, now repaired. - Holes in football pitch - need to make good. Cllr Denton agreed to speak to Cllr Blacklee to see if he has any topsoil that can be used to fill the holes. Action Cllr Denton 148. Village Hopper bus service -New vehicle now received. - NOTED 149. Flood Risk Mitigation Investigation 30.7.18 Report received & details re grant opportunity forwarded 8.2.18 Flood warden will attend meeting to give update. -Tony Knuff the village Flood warden, gave an update on the suggestions from the recent flood investigation report and explained the options to apply for a grant from NCC to fund some further investigative work / equipment/ ground work. It was agreed that a CCTV survey to check the condition of the culverts north & south of Gibbards Arm and the topography of the ditch from Blackmile Lane to the Brook would be organised (approx. cost 1200). This will give a better indication of what further work 56
maybe required. Tony Knuff will obtain some quotes and then a grant will be applied for. It was agreed that any grant monies available were better spent on preventing further flooding rather than equipment to deal with such an occurrence (sand bags etc.). CCllr Griffiths offered help at NCC if required. 150. Policies -To consider Social media policy as circulated by Clerk -To receive comments / amendments from policy review as circulated 10.9.18 Policy review 2018 Read Review Comments & Complaints policy Martin Herron Nick Data protection / information security Sandra Ian policy Disciplinary Policy Sue Sandra Equal Opportunity Policy Martyn S Deborah Grants Policy Ian Sue Grievance Policy Lee Martin Herron Internet & Email Acceptable Use policy Martin Howell Martyn S Health & safety policy Deborah Lee Members allowance policy Nick Martin Howell Press & media Relations Policy Martyn S Sue Social media ALL -Some further minor amendments were made, the policies will now be updated and reprinted for approval at January s meeting. Action Clerk 151. Telephone box / defibrillator -To receive update from Clerk on decommissioning of box. The Clerk reported that some further information had been obtained re decommissioning the phone box and using the services of The Community Heartbeat Trust to adapt the box and fit a defibrillator. It was also agreed that a village crowdfunding page be set-up to pay for the machine once BT had confirmed that the box could be decommissioned. Action Clerk 152. Grit Bins -Grit bins now have new signs saying responsibility of Parish Council on them. - NOTED -To consider if any need refilling none at present. 57
153. Daffodil Festival Saturday 30.3.19 -Update from Cllr Denton / consideration of PC role in event. Cllr Denton reported that the event planning is making good progress and suggested that the Parish Council, in support of the village event and the organisations involved, could take on responsibility for traffic and parking on the day. It was agreed that this would be supported. 154. Correspondence Issued Letter 15.11.18 Thank you to Richard piper Coles & Charles Markham Memorial Trust for grant received. - NOTED 155. Correspondence Received 12.11.18 Email & telephone call 27.11.18 from Castle Ashby Estates re comments made at meeting 10.9.18 The Clerk reported that further clarification had been provided by the estate to the residents who had requested it. 30.11.18 Email NCALC update (forwarded 3.12.18) NOTED 1.12.18 Email BCW - Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government launches consultation on unitary proposal and announces postponement of elections (Forwarded 3.12.18) It was agreed that further comment to this was not required. 156. Information for the Chairman (no legal decision can be made on this information) -The Clerk reported that a new contractor had taken over the processing of household recycling for BCW (it will still be collected by Wellingborough Norse). Residents are encouraged to present clean materials and place them in the green bin loose (not in bags). There will be further communication about plastics that can/cannot be recycled as this often causes confusion. Bins that are contaminated with incorrect items will not be emptied & residents will be asked to remove the incorrect items before the next fortnightly collection. http://www.wellingborough.gov.uk/info/200084/bins_rubbish_and_recycling/6/household_waste_and_r ecycling_collection_scheme 157. Meeting Closed and date of next meeting -There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm -Date of next meeting Monday 14 th January 2019, 7.30pm Council Meeting Deborah Rush Clerk 11.12.18 58