Minutes of the Weldon Parish Council Monthly Meeting held in the Village Hall Annex, Bridge Street, Weldon on Monday, 4 th September 2017 at 7pm Present: - Councillors: Larry Gardner (Chairperson) Jim Reed Anton Vickers Bridget Watts Dick Priem Kane Taylor Joannie Perkins Roderick Pearce David Pope 17.253 Apologies for Absence Juliet Lewis (Clerk) Borough Councillor Kevin Watt 17.254 Members declarations of interest Kane Taylor + Bridget Watts 2 grant applications for Priors Hall projects (toddler group + wildlife/forest at the school) 17.255 Members request for dispensation None 17.256 Public Time (15 mins) Janet Player raised four issues concerning the proposed development at Glebe Farm, Church Street: 1. Lack of response to any email to the clerk 2. Lack of response about the building application at Glebe Farm 3. Concern that this development will have a big impact on the village 4. Correspondence with the chief executive of CBC has had no response Cllr Bridget Watts has been asked to look into this matter. The current status, according to the BC, is unknown. As soon as we get information from the planning department we will act on it. The deadline of 14 days from 15 th August for objections to be received has now passed. Sixteen objections have already been received. Cllr Walker proposed that we obtain a copy of the plans and organise a meeting and invite parishioners to attend and also
that a strong letter be sent to the chief executive of CBC. This was seconded by Cllr Priem and all members voted in favour. Ann Wallington complained about the noise of the zip wire in the play area, and the amount of abuse from the public. Cllr Walker suggested putting a rubber buffer at either end of the zip wire. 17.257 To approve the Minutes of the Meeting Monday 3 rd July 2017. The minutes have not been approved as yet. 17.258 To discuss Matters arising from these minutes only. No matters were discussed. 17.259 (a) Police update Assault with Injury 1-4 th Aug Domestic related incident x 2 8 th Aug Bridge Street x 2 Members of staff of care home for vulnerable adults assaulted 14 th Aug Bridge Street Member of staff grabbed by throat by resident Assault without Injury 8 th Aug Bridge Street Member of staff of care home for vulnerable adults Criminal Damage slapped 9 th Aug Domestic related incident Harassment 1-4 th Aug Kettering Road Comments on social media Theft of Motor Vehicle 9 th Aug Oundle Road Removed vehicle by unknown means Burglary Non Dwelling 9 th Aug Oundle Road Padlock cut from container items stolen from within Burglary Dwelling 16 th Aug Harrier Close Access via insecure door, disturbed by dog 16 th Aug Oundle Road Office of construction site office, items stolen from Sexual Offences within 13-20 th Aug Indecent images sent and received on mobile phones Vehicle Crime 25-28 th Aug Corby Road Items stolen from insecure vehicle
(b) Neighbourhood Warden Update Olivia reported that the dog mess in Weldon has improved and that new bins are to be installed. She has received positive feedback on the sprayed dog poo. She is monitoring the parking in Spinney Road which is very congested because of the flats. The garages are not fit for purpose. She stressed that if there are any problems the residents should contact the Police. Cllr Vickers proposed and Cllr Taylor seconded that we get CBC s report to stop littering. 17.260 Borough/County Councillor update 17.261 Planning Cllr Kevin Watt reported that the Borough Council has purchased the Matalan building generating more income for the council. The current financial state is healthier due to New Homes bonus. 17/00420/DPA. Single storey side extension to garage and part conversion to garage at 19 Church View, Weldon. The PC had no objection to this application. 17.262 Village Green 17.263 Finance Cllr Walker stated that he had asked Lloyd to cut the strip adjacent to the road adjoining the football field in order to keep it up to village green status. 4 willow trees have been shredded. Cllr Walker is seeking approval to pay Lloyd for all grass maintenance in Weldon. The council were all in favour. Cllr Larry Gardner is going to ask the clerk to find out the actual plans as the builders have to put it back. (Section 62 of the 2004 Government Act relates to this) Monthly Receipts and Payments were approved. Cllr Walker reported that the play area was completed and payment will be made in the next couple of weeks. 17.264 Speed Working Group It was reported that the Highways Authority needs more information on vehicle numbers. It was suggested that we install pop-outs (chicane) on either side of the zebra crossing on Stamford Road. The Speed Working Party met on 17 th July and it was proposed that a pop-out chicane be installed in the High Street before the bus stop and one further down on the other side of the road with priority arrows. Oundle Road has passed the safety audit. Bridge Street Parking. County Cllr Sandra Hatton reported that further visits had been made regarding parking restrictions and that the corner should have been widened. She commented that a change to the entrance to Weldon be made with gates and more information on safety. Cllr Gardner said that he would get in touch with Sarah Barnwell. Concern about the painting of the zebra crossing was shared by all members and it was decided to get this done as soon as possible. The beacon poles also need painting.
17.265 Neighbourhood Development Plan Cllrs Vickers and Taylor reported that they are to hold a series of surgeries on the survey. These are as follows: Wednesday 11 October 6 8pm... Weldon Village Hall, annex Saturday 14 October 10 12.00... Priors Hall Community Centre Saturday 21 October 10 12.00... Weldon Village Hal,l annex Thursday 26 October 6 8 pm... Priors Hall Community Centre The survey is ready to go and people are invited to drop in for a chat. Mr Richard Mugglestone (Project Delivery Manager, Midlands Rural Housing) joined the meeting. He is working with rural communities. CBC has requested they carry out a survey on affordable housing in each parish of the borough. Mr Mugglestone will assess the housing need and hopes to re-house the people in that village within the next five years. There will be a 7 8 page questionnaire to assess what the needs are i.e. rent / shared ownership. Cllr Vickers suggested it would be a good idea to have a combined survey. Everyone was in favour and Cllr Vickers will liaise with Mr Mugglestone. 17.266 Village Newsletter 17.267 Playground Cllr Vickers reported that he had plenty of information to put in the news letter i.e. the litter problem, neighbourhood survey and social behaviour. He is hoping to get feedback, especially on the Precept for traffic calming measures. Cllr Taylor stressed the importance of the social media site and Village Trader. Cllr Walker reported that the opening ceremony for the new play area is to be 7 September at 2.30pm. Sponsors are to be invited and ice-cream will be laid on. Cllr Walker said that the people objecting to the play area are in the minority and that antisocial behaviour is being monitored. The chair congratulated Cllr Walker on his work on the new play area. 17.268 Removal of sports equipment from Woodland Park Cllr Walker said that the sports equipment was removed because it was broken and dangerous. The Council commented that they should be replaced. He suggested applying for a lottery grant. It was agreed that the clerk speak to CBC asking them to replace the equipment. 17.269 Correspondence received by the clerk not covered above There have been 2 applications for grants: 1. Priors Hall Local Community School have no funds and want to set up a Forest School with outdoor wildlife. The cost is 2000 and they are requesting 1500 to pay for seats, bird boxes etc. The Woodnewton Academy are raising money through cycling and other ventures. Cllr Priem proposed and Cllr Vickers seconded that this be granted.
2. Busy Bees Baby and Toddler Group are opening on 14 September. Young mums at Priors Hall and in Weldon Village are invited to attend. The sessions are every Thursday 9 11am during term time. There will be a 2 nominal charge. The parish nurse will be on hand to speak to new mums at intervals. St Mary s Church are asking for 250 towards the running of this group and the hire of the hall. Cllr Walker proposed and Cllr Priem seconded. 17.270 HR Committee The HR Committee is down to 2 people. Cllr Taylor proposed and Cllr Watts seconded that Cllr Pearce be opted onto the committee.. Next Meeting Monday 2 nd October, 2017 The meeting closed at 9.15pm.