Page 416 ROTHWELL TOWN COUNCIL A Meeting of Rothwell Town Council was held at 7.00 pm on Tuesday, 12th August 2014 in the Market House, Market Hill, Rothwell. PRESENT: Councillor R Wilson Town Mayor Councillor Mrs C M Brown Councillor C W Cross Councillor Mrs K M Draper Councillor I F Jelley Councillor M E Jones Councillor A J Mills Councillor Mrs M E Talbot 509 PRAYERS Before the business of the Council commenced the Revd Canon John Westwood said Prayers and mentioned the work of the Town Council, the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1, and our current armed forces. 510 APOLOGIES Apologies had been received from Councillors Anderson, Matthew, Mrs Russell and Sumpter, and from County Councillor Hakewill. 511 COMMUNITY POLICING General Report No Police Officers were able to be present, but we had received the crime figures for July which showed there were 30 incidents as follows:- Burglary dwelling - 1 Burglary other - 2 Criminal damage - 6 Drug offences - 1 Theft from motor vehicles - 3 Theft/handling - 3 Theft of motor vehicles - 5 Violence offences - 9. 512 QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (1) Skateboard Ramp: a resident asked about progress on providing another skateboard ramp and Councillor Jelley confirmed he had spoken to one of the parents this afternoon and he will contact this resident so she can get involved. The organisation now has some money and so they will need another Meeting. Councillor Mills thought the site was likely to be on land currently owned by Bovis if they will give this and it would be between two footpaths. Councillor Jones thought this could be combined with his proposals for cycling. It was confirmed the footpath between Gordon Street and Well Lane Recreation Ground is already agreed to be converted into a combined footway and cycle path by Bovis but we do not yet have a date for this. (2) Bus Shelter: it was reported that some of the slates have come off the bus shelter at the bottom of Desborough Road and it was AGREED to report this to the Borough Council.
513 MINUTES Page 417 It was MOVED by Councillor Cross, SECONDED by Councillor Jelley and RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8th July 2014 be confirmed and signed. 514 ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY Town Centre Partnership Copies of the Report of the Meeting held on 16th July 2014 had been circulated prior to this Meeting. It was AGREED that the Report be approved and adopted. Church Walk Footpaths Copies of a long letter from James Chadwick, Community Protection Solicitor from District Law (which is the legal service for Kettering, Wellingborough and Daventry Councils) had been circulated prior to this Meeting. This letter largely related to the ownership by the Parochial Church Council of the closed churchyard, and they are also going to get in touch with the that body as to when either the Urban District Council or Kettering Borough Council became responsible for the maintenance of the churchyard and under what legislation. The duty of maintenance is owned by the Borough Council to the Parochial Church Council and not to Rothwell Town Council. Mr Chadwick said he had attached a copy of the Land Registry Entry for Title NN301533 as to the churchyard but this was not enclosed. The Clerk had sent an E- mail to Mr Chadwick asking for this copy entry and also asking for a copy of the area of Kettering Parish closed churchyard including all the paths in and around that area which the Borough Council maintains, regardless of actual ownership. The Town Mayor and Councillor Mills thought the Town Council should pursue this matter with the Borough Council. Councillor Cross confirmed that the former Rothwell Urban District Council always maintained these footpaths and the Borough was happy to take the assets (including Telford Way) but now refuses to pick up their maintenance responsibilities. It was AGREED that Members of the Town Council would prepare a plan showing the footpaths in and around Kettering Parish churchyard which the Borough Council maintains. Footpath Gordon Street to Well Lane A letter had been received from the Borough Council that the developer had undertaken the work to clear the majority of this footpath but this had been delayed in other areas as it is intended that the path will be widened to 3m and details of this further work have to be agreed. Councillor Mills said that Bovis are not in a position yet to do this because they need to clear the land first. It was AGREED to ask the Borough Council to ensure they do this as soon as possible. Recycling Bins Councillor Mills has contacted the Borough Council and they confirmed it is only at Rothwell that they have a problem. The Clerk has forwarded a copy of the E-mail we received from a resident complaining about someone running a business dealing in used clothes and it was confirmed that it is largely rags which are being left at the recycling bins. The Borough has suggested we could move the recycling bins to behind the gates to the Community Centre car park. Dog Exercise Area A Site Meeting in Greening Road Park to discuss this issue with the local residents had been arranged for the following day.
Page 418 As to dog fouling, it was in the Evening Telegraph that a Rothwell resident has been fined 400 for this. The Clerk had received an E-mail from the Manager of Gloucester Court that local residents are allowing their dogs to foul on the gardens of this sheltered accommodation. The Clerk had forwarded the E-mail to the Borough Council and the Wardens had replied direct to the Manager that they are unable to assist because this is on private land. However, there are some deterrents which can discourage dogs and a light sprinkling of chilli powder might discourage dogs from going on these gardens. Watered down bleach can also be used on paths but this would probably also kill the adjoining grass. Elm Bank Care Home An E-mail had been received from this Home explaining the services they provide and asking if we had a Parish magazine they could supply to their residents or if there are any coffee mornings or social events that they might be able to bring some residents to. It was AGREED to see if the Well and The Bridge would be interested in have some of these residents visit, or if Elm Bank would like to liaise with the residents of Madams Gardens which is owned by the Borough Council. We will also send them some of our leaflets. Bid Scheme Councillor Jelley has spoken to Guy Holloway at the Borough Council and we paid 2,400 into this scheme but we got nothing for our money and there was only the beginning of a website. The Clerk thought it was actually 2,500 which the Partnership contributed. Councillor Jelley said there was over 7,000 in total put into the BID Scheme. Medical Centre Councillor Jelley has spoken to Michelle Hicks and Kieron Leigh about the system at our Medical Centre and they are going to investigate the Surgery and have a Meeting with them to find out about their procedures. With the Doctor First System you should be able to make an appointment up to three weeks in advance. They will also investigate the telephone system and it is believed the contract was due to expire in October this year. Dr Aspinall has now left and is working as a dermatologist at the hospital. Nene Commissioning has confirmed that the Doctor First Scheme is voluntary and not compulsory. Rothwell and Desborough have over 18,500 patients and therefore is too big for this system. Former Health Centre Councillor Mrs Brown said that this site is now up for sale again but it is in a dreadful state and looks very bad in the town centre. The agents are Lambert Smith Hampton and the Clerk had telephoned them but they never came back to her. It was AGREED to contact Barnes Noble Edwards and ask them to request the current owners, which we assume is still the NHS Trust, to clear the site if a sale is not imminent, and perhaps put tarmac down to make this into a temporary car park for the town. Councillor Jelley said someone was inspecting the area recently. Burditt Close It was reported that the residents of this area have a problem with the sewers, as all the sewage from Rothwell and Desborough comes through this area. They are in touch with Anglian Water but the resident asked if the Town Council could write to Anglian Water and ask them to remedy the situation as soon as possible. Councillor Jelley said there is a vent half way up the field opposite and this is where the smell comes from. It was AGREED to write to Anglian Water, with a copy for the Borough Head of Environmental Health.
Community Centre Football Pitch Page 419 The Red Lion has now got a Sunday league football team and they would like to bring this pitch back into use. Councillor Mrs Brown has spoken to David Newman and there is a Meeting the following day with Pia Bellamy of the Borough Council. Members of the new football team have suggested they could put this into good order. Councillor Jones has been pursuing cycling in the town with a view to having a cycling ramp in Well Lane Recreation Ground as he wants to get cycling throughout the town. This could come together with a football pitch inside the cycling area. It was reported that the Borough Council refused to give permission for the old BMX ramp in the Pocket Park at the bottom of Well Lane Recreation Ground to be used for cycling. It was suggested there could be a Working Party to look at these issues. Councillor Jones spoke to County Councillor Hakewill and he has some money to put forward. Councillor Jones is also looking at a scheme for very young children to start cycling and this should work together. He and Neil Holland, the County Sustainable Travel Officer, are going round the town on their bicycles to look at what is possible and he also wants to speak to Lee Hurling as Headteacher of the primary schools. It was advised that an organisation could be set up which would attract grants, which the Town Council does not, and there would need to be a detailed and costed proposal to put with any grant application. Councillors Cross and Mills did not want Bovis to mess up the existing plans for the multi-purpose ball park in Well Lane Recreation Ground or the small play area on their site. There is also a proposed wind farm coming to this area and there will be funds from this: Burton Latimer has received a lot of money from their wind farm. WW1 Commemoration Councillor Mills referred to the Service the previous day to commemorate the start of WW1 for which the Town Council has already agreed to pay for the crosses and the wreath. There was a buffet at The Well & The Bridge for people who attended this Service which cost 200. It was MOVED by Councillor Mills, SECONDED by Councillor Jelley and RESOLVED that the Town Council would reimburse the Salvation Army the cost of 200 for this buffet and to also thank Majors Richard and Pauline Cook and Jonathan Cook for preparing this. It was also reported that there is an exhibition in the Methodist Church of everyone from Rothwell who took part in WW1. Derelict Areas There are two old garages at the top of Tresham Street which are now falling down and are open so children can get in. It was reported that the owner is Elvis Biddle. There is also the derelict land further down which is owned by a Mr Paul Johnson who used to live in Rothwell. The Town Mayor will attempt to get the addresses of these owners and the Town Council will write to them about these areas. Overhanging Vegetation Residents are still complaining about the hedges between the two Columbus Crescent exits which are over the footpath. Councillor Jelley has checked this and it is down to the owners of the properties to cut these back. There are also two trees in Columbus Crescent over the path and Councillor Jelley has asked someone from the County Council to cut these back.
Page 420 515 HIGHWAYS Tesco Deliveries Copies of the Report of the Site Meeting held on 25th July 2014 had been circulated prior to this Meeting. It was AGREED that the Report be approved and adopted and the Town Mayor was congratulated for this successful Meeting. Traffic & Rowell Fair Policing Copies of the comments by Sgt Eddie McDonald on traffic issues and the policing of Rowell Fair had been circulated prior to this Meeting. It was confirmed that the Rowell Fair Society is dealing with comments on the Fair. As to the general traffic comments, it was AGREED:- (a) New Street: we will ask if a white line can be put in front of the dropped kerbs at the bottom of New Street. (b) School Lane: we will write to the agents for Bridge House and ask if a sign can be put inside the car park at the rear of this building and at the top exit leading out onto School Lane saying "Right Turn Only" to stop people driving the wrong way down this one way street. Cycle Paths Copies of the notes of the informal Meeting held on 21st July 2014 had been circulated prior to this Meeting, and the notes on the Balanceability scheme had also been circulated. Councillor Jones explained this is a new way of teaching children to ride bicycles and he wondered if the Town Council could take this on and fund it. The Clerk said this is very expensive for both the training, the actual courses and the equipment. It was thought it might be possible for the primary schools to do this. Councillor Hakewill approves this scheme and Councillor Jones will discuss this further including whether he can put some of his Empowering Councillor's grant money towards this costs. Councillor Mrs Talbot suggested that Councillor Jones also talks to John Garner of CIC Youth Works. Highway Repair Works An E-mail had been received from the Senior Highways Technician at Northamptonshire Highways and copies were available at this Meeting. Mr Wright confirmed that the following sites will be heavily patched or fully resurfaced with some footway repair works included where required and this is due to be commenced during the first week in September:- High Hill Avenue (before the school year starts on 4th September) Daisy Bank Avenue Tennyson Road Wales Street Meeting Lane Evison Road Cambridge Street Oxford Street Spencer Street Market Hill (patches as requested across both entrances/exits to the car park). As to Market Hill, Mr Wright asked to know the days that would cause the least disruption, and the Clerk had replied that Monday should be avoided because this is market day. All residents who are affected will receive letters at least seven days before the works commence, as all sites except Market Hill will involve road closures.
Verge Maintenance An E-mail had been received from Ian Boyes of Northamptonshire Highways that he has reported the overgrown vegetation on Harrington Road by the Moorfield Road junction. Page 421 As to the overgrown hedges in Glendon Road, he has spoken to Sheila Gilder who looks after the tree/vegetation issues and she is going to undertake further investigation into this matter with regard to the fence line and boundaries of the properties and she will respond to us once she has done this. In other areas of the County some Parishes have made use of the Community Payback scheme to clear vegetation and he gave the contact details. However, he suggested waiting for Sheila Gilder's response before pursuing this further. 516 PLANNING Planning Committee Copies of the Report of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 23rd July 2014 had been circulated prior to this Meeting. Councillor Mrs Talbot had been omitted from the list of people who had attended and it was AGREED that she be added and the Report approved and adopted. The issues at this Meeting were as follows:- The following Approval had been received:- KET/2014/0364 9 Wales Street - Single storey side and rear extensions. The following Applications had been received and the Town Council's observations were submitted as stated:- KET/2014/0425 KET/2014/0440 KET/2014/0443 4 Balfour Drive - Extension and porch. 13 Vickers Close - Extension. Rothwell Infant School, School Lane - Replacement windows and doors. KET/2014/0448 Land off Orton Road - Approval of Reserved Matters in respect of KET/2010/0469, Secure 24 hour truck stop, diesel filling station and amenity/services building. (1) Rothwell Town Council still feels that around 200 spaces for trucks (not counting the spaces for light goods vehicles and staff cars) is far too many for this site so this would be overdevelopment. The Applicants suggested when submitting Application KET/2010/0469 that there would be a maximum of 92 vehicle movements per hour and we do not believe junction 3 of the A14 could cope with this amount of additional traffic. Can we please be supplied with copies of the observations from both the Highways Agency and Northamptonshire Highways as regards the increase in traffic, not only at junction 3 but also on the slip roads, the A14 itself and the other local roads including the A6 bypass. (2) There is not sufficient space between the parking areas and the Slade Brook and we ask for a wide bund along the whole length of the Brook to prevent adverse environmental pollution into the brook and its tributaries here, to stop the inevitable leaking of diesel and possibly other noxious substances being transported going into this brook. We believe this area is included in the Northamptonshire Wildlife Survey as an important environmental area of wetland with butterflies, moths, bees and snipe and we understand that there are still great crested newts and
crayfish in the brook itself which could be wiped out if there is any contamination. Can you please let us have a copy of the observations by the Environmental Agency on this issue. Page 422 (4) As mentioned this is a wetland area and for many years the Borough Council stated no development could take place as it is a flood plain. Can you please confirm that sufficient precautions have been taken to prevent flooding on this site and the adjoining area. (3) There needs to be additional planting of trees to mitigate the noise and light pollution for the residents of nearby housing, including Moorfield Road and the new residential development off Harrington Road. (4) There must be a condition on the Approval that the widening of Orton Road and the access road into this site must be constructed first, and sufficient off-road parking made available before actual building is commenced for all the construction traffic, the delivery vehicles and the cars for people working on site. KET/2014/0456 KET/2014/0483 Red Lion Hotel, 23 Market Hill - Conversion of outbuilding with single storey extension including creation of roof terrace. No objection, provided there is sufficient fencing/screening on the roof terrace to prevent noise pollution or overlooking of nearby properties. 23 Columbus Crescent - Extensions and conservatory roof. The following Planning documentation had since be received and the Town Council moved into a Meeting of the Planning Committee as follows:- The following Refusal had been received:- KET/2014/0379 Land at rear of 30-34 Scott Avenue - Three dwellings. The following Approval had been received:- KET/2014/0440 13 Vickers Close - Extension. The following Applications had been received and the Town Council's observations agreed as stated:- KET/2014/0245 56 Harrington Road - Extend vehicular access. KET/2014/0499 Town Plan Suffolk Villa, Rushton Road - Demolition of outbuildings and erection of storage and workshop building. Councillor Mrs Draper asked what the status of the Town Plan is and how this is progressing. Councillor Mills has tried telephoning Mrs Gibson and he will try again. He has also asked Julia Baish about paying the Gibsons for their work from the grant. If the Gibsons can no longer do this, perhaps we could find someone else. 517 MATTERS OF BUSINESS Relationship between the Borough and Towns/Parishes Copies of the Clerk's draft statement had been circulated prior to this Meeting and it was AGREED that this was approved and should be sent to the Borough Council in time for the Forum on 18th September 2014. We will also ask for this to be circulated to the Members of all the Forums, including the A6 Towns Forum which we understand is to meet on 17th September.
Page 423 Councillor Mills was upset at the attitude of the Borough Officers, for example in refusing to accept initially that the Rothwell Parish churchyard was a closed churchyard. He could mark a plan of Kettering town centre to show the footpaths in and around their closed Parish churchyard for us to find out which of these the Borough Council maintains or whether they expect their Parochial Church Council to deal with this. Freedom of Information Request An E-mail had been received from a resident of Desborough asking how much the Town Council has requested by way of precept for 2014/15. It was AGREED to respond that he should refer this request to Kettering Borough Council who will be able to let him know the precepts paid to all the Town and Parish Councils in the Borough. Community Grant Fund A letter had been received from the Borough Council that they have a new source of funding for 2014/15 which amounts to 40,000 that Community Groups and Town/Parish Councils within the Borough can apply for. The Clerk has details and people can E-mail Tim Bellamy or on the following: grants@kettering.gov.uk. Flag for the Commonwealth A letter had been received from the National Association of Local Councils about flying a flag on 10th March 2015 which is Commonwealth Day. Councillor Mrs Talbot said that the Mayor of Kettering usually flies a flag on the pole outside the Borough offices. It was AGREED to take no action here. Flags are put up in the town for Rowell Fair and these were sponsored by Springfir. Councillor Mills wondered if we could get some sort of flag which was suitable for Rothwell. The Borough Councillors do have their grant money which could do this. Councillor Mrs Talbot will enquire at the Art & Heritage Centre to see if anyone can do designs for us. Openness of Local Government An E-mail had been received from the Borough that there is a Parliamentary Order allowing press and public to film and digitally report from all public meetings of Local Government Bodies. A copy of the Guidance on the Regulations was attached for information. Services Online The County Council is running two campaigns to promote services which can now be done online, namely the Blue Badge renewals and the Bus Pass applications and renewals. Meeting Room An E-mail had been received from Danny Moody of NCALC that he is thinking of organising an event for all Parish and Town Councils in the Borough of Kettering to set a vision of how Councils will look in five or six years' time. The event will cover precepting, community-led planning and communications with the Borough, amongst other topics. He needs a venue and wondered whether Rothwell Town Council has anywhere suitable and would like to host? He did not know numbers but if there were less than twelve he would be disappointed, and if there were more than fifty he would be very surprised. The date he has in mind in Monday, 6th October and is open as to what time of day it should be.
It was AGREED that the Market House is not really suitable and to suggest the Rothwell Community Centre (contact Pia Bellamy) or Geddington or Wilbarston Village Halls. 518 FINANCIAL REPORT General Statement Page 424 The Clerk submitted a written statement as attached. It was MOVED by Councillor Jelley, SECONDED by Councillor Mrs Talbot and RESOLVED that the statement be approved and adopted and the following amounts paid:- Payee Goods or Services Amount Richard Cook (Paid 18.7.14) Reimbursement Cleaning Materials 121.20 Mrs C E Mackay Clerk's Salary 583.60 Kettering Borough Council Print Rowell Heritage (Cllr Mills' grant) 480.00 Michael's Civic Robes Mayor's Robes 1164.00 BT Payment Services Phone Bill 148.45 Inter County Cleaning Services Cleaning Market House 36.00 RBL Poppy Appeal 150 crosses and a wreath 325.00 Northants CALC Planning Seminar Fee 34.00 BDO LLP External Audit Fee 240.00 The Salvation Army Rothwell Buffet for WW1 Commemoration 200.00 Cash Petty Cash 50.00 Conclusion of Audit BDO had written that they have now completed the audit of our accounts and the Annual Return was available for approval and acceptance by the Town Council. One issue arose in that the final payment of our grant from the Borough Council for running costs was shown in box 2, rather than box 3 for other receipts. In future we will only be receiving a precept so this will not happen again as all other grants have always been recorded as other receipts. The Clerk has put the notice of the conclusion of the audit in the Library. It was MOVED by the Town Mayor, SECONDED by Councillor Jelley and RESOLVED that the Annual Return be approved and accepted and no action needs to be taken in respect of grants. 519 ADMISSION OF PRESS & PUBLIC In view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, the Press and Public were asked to withdraw.