Weldon Parish Council Clerk: Juliet Lewis Telephone: 07874 824806 Clerk.weldonparishcouncil@gmail.com Minutes of the Weldon Parish Council Monthly Meeting held in the Village Hall Annex, Bridge Street, Weldon on Monday 3 rd July 2017 at 7.00pm Present: - Councillors: Larry Gardner (Chairperson) Also in attendance: Jim Reed David Groom Bridget Watts Dick Preim John Walker Rod Pearce Clerk: Juliet Lewis 17.211 Apologies for Absence Borough Councillor Kevin Watt Councillors J Perkins, A Vickers and K Taylor sent apologies in advance of the meeting. Apologies were accepted. 17.222 Members declarations of interest None 17.223 Members request for dispensation None received. 17.224 Public Time: The following comments were made by the public: Playground: New playground is causing issues for the surrounding residents: Cyclist speeding through the alleyway are a danger to pedestrians. Noise pollution music at 8 or 9 at night. Noise of the Zip Wire hitting the post from before 8am. Cllr Groom suggested that they should contact the police if there is evidence of criminal behaviour. Do not approach directly if you do not wish to be on the receiving end of foul language. 17.225 To approve the Minutes of the Meeting Monday 5 th June 2017. It was resolved to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record
of the meeting of Monday 5 th June 2017. The Clerk thanked Cllr Perkins for her help in taking the minutes at the meeting. 17.226 To discuss Matters arising from these minutes only. Cllr Watts confirmed that the gym equipment in Woodside Park was beyond repair and would not be replaced. 17.227 Police / Neighbourhood warden (a) Police update and monthly statistics Nothing major to report. The Blue Bell in Gretton was broken into recently so be vigilant. Speeding is still high priority Playground: Complaints have been received and the PCSO has been patrolling. Concern was raised that there were youths on the roof and it is suggested that the village hall committee will need to address that. It seems to be lessening though as the number / frequency of calls is reducing dramatically. Note that police cannot be everywhere all the time so if you don t call they can t attend. Cllr Groom asked for an update on the Dog Fouling problem within the village. Dog patrols will be taking place in the Rural week of action from 6am. If members of the public have any information on those they believe are offending, be that a description of the owner or the dog please report it. Photographs are welcome but please do not put yourself in danger! Cllr Gardner commented that the new crossing outside RS Components is dangerous as people are stepping out from behind the hedge. He stated that they had planning permission for road markings but there doesn t seem permission for the crossing in place and therefore it may be illegal. (b) Neighbourhood warden update: Olivia sent her apologies that she was unable to attend the meeting but sent the following update via email: Following on from the latest walkabout in Weldon, a few issues were highlighted in terms of overgrown vegetation this was forwarded through to our Environmental Services to cut back however we were advised that Kier do not
undertake any ground maintenance work in the village but that it is down to Weldon Parish Council. The areas of concern were the junction of Deene End/Oundle Road and the junction of School Lane/Oundle Road. Patrols continue of Rose Avenue play park no issues to report. Graffiti was removed by Neighbourhood Warden Allan during the last walkabout. Housing are still looking into reports of Anti Social Behaviour in East Crescent please continue to support them by reporting any incidents of concern through to the Police on 101 17.228 Borough / County councillor update: County Councillor Sandra Horley introduced herself. She stated, with regard to speeding in Weldon she would try and assist where she can. She is to arrange a meeting with keir to find out what we can and can t do. If you wish to email her she can be contacted at: SaNaden-Horley@Northamptonshire.gov.uk Cllr Groom asked that she follow up on the following issues: the state of the footpath connecting Woodlands to Oundle Road that he had requested she discussed at the next Highways meeting. The tip on the Kettering Road seems to be active again but is supposed to be moth balled. It should be inspected every six months by the County Council is this taking place? East Northants Council Environmental Services should be investigating the smell coming from the tip. Is this taking place? Cllr Horley promised to follow up and report back at the next meeting. Cllr Watts advised that she would follow up regarding the smell as she had previously dealt with it. Clerk to email a copy of the minutes to Cllr Horley in advance of the next meeting. 17.229 Planning: The following planning applications were discussed: 17/00281/DPA Proposed loft conversion 65 Corby Road Weldon Corby Northamptonshire NN17 3HU: No Objection.
Cllr Walker raised a couple of points which require investigation: Bridge Street, they have started work was the road layout changed to take into account our objection? Woolpack We need clarification as to what this is going to be. Cllr Groom suggested that a WPC representative should attend Development Control Committee meetings. Who owns the triangle of land where Oundle Road and Stamford Road meet? Ron McKeller was looking into it but we haven t heard anything? Cllr Watt and Cllr Watts to follow up. Village Green: We need to fence off the village green to stop the builders using it as they are due to start work on the football pitch imminently Cllr Preim suggested rope and stakes. The clerk reminded that the Parish Council do not own the land and is doubtful that we have the right to erect fencing of any sort on land belonging to someone else. Cllr Pearce stated that it was his understanding that it belonged to the developer and would be gifted to the borough council when the development was complete. It was agreed that Cllrs Walker and Pearce would keep an eye on development and report any concerns. 17.230 Finance: (a) To approve monthly Receipts & Payments: Date Cheque No Payee Reason 05/06/2017 1404 J Lewis Clerks Salary 1,042.47 05/06/2017 1405 LGPS Clerks Pension 335.39 05/06/2017 1406 Weldon Tree & Landscapes Ltd Grass cuting 212 / GC4 1,175.00 05/06/2017 1407 Came & Company Insurance 2017 / 2018 690.72 3,243.58 It was Resolved that the payments be made in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 and subsequent amendments. Grant payment to Weldon Congregational Church was approved for payment. 17.231 Speeding Working Group: The following update was given: Cllrs Gardner, Watts & Taylor have met the NCC Step out points were considered as a good idea initially Email then received advising that the traffic volumes did not warrant them (2012 data shows only 4000 vehicles)
Engineer has provided 2 plans speed bumps & paint lines Cllr Gardner has emailed S Barnwell at NCC insisting that, as the PC has put so much money aside to find this project, they want a future proof solution based on up to date data. She has arranged a further meeting with the engineer Re marking of the Zebra Crossings will be done as part of the scheme. Although we are paying and that gives us a say we must also comply with their standards and rules. Cllr Groom suggested that we go back and insist on push outs on the Kettering Road and Stamford Road. A member of the public asked why we cannot ask the builders of the garage for a donation as was mentioned by them or 106 monies. Cllr Gardner assured him that any Section 106 monies we are due will be pursued but confirmed we are not able, as a Government body, to approach them directly for a donation. Date of the next meeting will be fixed when further meeting with the engineer has taken place and new plans received. Update at the next meeting. 17.232 Neighbourhood Development Plan (AV/KT): We are aiming to distribute the survey in September. Further update at the next meeting. 17.233 Village newsletter (AV): No longer monthly as insufficient material, the councillors present suggested that every 3 month may be more suitable or when there is an important message to get out. Cllr Vickers will pick up at the next meeting. 17.234 Playground: Cllr Walker gave the following update: There has been no vandalism on site, but he has been informed that the village hall committee have had to remove children from the doorway. A member of the public stated that it is not just local residents that are being affected. Residents along Corby Road are also being impacted.
Cllr Walker confirmed that illegal activity should be reported to the police, especially as it appears that there is a know ringleader. The member of the public stated that foul language is a major problem Cllr Walker will speak Weldon Primary School and Cllr Gardner to Priors Hall to see if we can get the message out directly to the children Consider a design a poster competition Cllr Walker to investigate a rubber end for the zip wire The Village Hall committee will be contacted directly regarding access to the roof Suzanne Preston will contact New frame going in mid July A donation has been made by the equipment manufacturers so we can organise an official opening date TBC Cllr Preim stated that we should look at providing some discounted or free access to adrenaline alley we don t provide for 13-18 yrs olds, maybe if we did they wouldn t hang around the play area? Cllr Gardner stated that as adrenaline alley is a business this was not something we could do but we do need to consider this group Cllr Watts asked if what they want may come out of the NDP survey? Could we look at gym equipment or a skatepark up at woodlands? To be taken forward for consideration. Cllr Horley said she may be able to help with funding. 17.235 Allotments: Cllr Walker gave the following update: Six new lets have been given in the last few weeks Some ploughing of unused plots has been completed to make them more attractive. Talks are taking place re using one plot as a community garden May need to fund skips for rubbish removal Cllr Walker to establish cost.
17.236 Correspondence received by the clerk not covered above: Have received complaints about two areas of verge not being cut. Clerk to confirm with contractor if they are on the original contract or make provision for them to be added. Will also obtain quote for maintenance of the village green. Weldon Parish Council do not meet in August. Next Meeting Monday 4 th September 2017 7pm