Minutes 15th April 2014

DRAFT MINUTES OF ELTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE HIGHGATE HALL

ON TUESDAY 15^TH APRIL 2014 AT 8.00 P.M.

 

Present:   Cllrs J Burgess, R Doughty, R Donoyou, I Kirk, R Shrive, Mrs S Strowbridge, R Todd

 

In Attendance:   Mrs W Gray (Parish Clerk), Rita Mathews, County Cllrs M McGuire and N Guyatt, Sir William Proby, Mr Tony Hodgson from Loch Fyne and Mr and Mrs Smith from the Garden Centre, David Shaw and Peter Flavill from Seagate Homes

 

1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr M Porter

 

2. Declaration of Interest: Cllr Donoyou (item 3)

Matters Arising:

 

Cllr Donoyou thanked Cllr Guyatt on behalf of the Parish Council for his time serving as a District Councillor and for all meetings he has attended at Elton, taking through any concerns we had to HDC.

 

3. Request from David Shaw on behalf of Seagate Homes to speak about New Development Proposal:

David Shaw is assisting Elton Estates in conjunction with Seagate Homes to see if they can come up with some acceptable ideas for putting some houses on land at River Lane.  Maps and type of proposed houses were circulated to all Cllrs.  All Cllrs made observations on information supplied so far, initial thoughts were

• The principle of development accepted
• 3 / 4 bedroomed houses that could be afforded by families were preferred on the basis that these would be purchased by people who would be most likely to have children who would go to the village school, use the village shop, etc.
• The parish council noted that the new houses over the past 10 years mainly comprised 5 bed + gated properties and more modest housing would be desirable.
• The parish council would wish to see some community benefits with the development and noted that it had received 6 requests for allotments and there were continuing concerns about the number and upkeep of the traditional street lights.
• It was noted that care would need to be taken over the design of the access.
• Sir William Proby asked for Parish Councils initial thoughts on affordable housing; this would be discussed at a future meeting, when more definite plans were put forward.
• David Shaw said more detailed plans would be brought to a future parish council meeting for further discussion.
• Cllr Donoyou thanked Mr Shaw for attending meeting, information provided was very helpful and we looked forward to receiving information on the next stage.

 

4. A605 Signage:

ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT FOR TWO DOUBLE LEGGED GANTRY SIGNS EITHER SIDE OF THE B671ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE VILLAGE OF ELTON – Sir William Proby, Tony Hodgson from Loch Fyne and Nick Smith from the Garden Centre gave a presentation on the above.

Proposed Design

Copies of plans providing full details of the proposed signs, including their proposed siting were circulated to all Cllrs.

Purpose of the Signs – Elton Hall, the Walled Garden Centre and the Loch Fyne Restaurant are not

visible from the A605. The purpose of the two gantry signs is therefore to

improve direction to these facilities for visitors.  Improving direction to these facilities will hopefully increase visitor numbers and improve the vitality and viability of these facilities to the benefit of the local

community.

Impact on Visual Amenity – The proposed design and location of the two gantry signs will attempt to make sure they do not appear out of keeping, and will not appear visually dominate.

Impact on Public Safety – Whilst the purpose of the signs is to better attract people’s attention to the

facilities in Elton, it is intended that the signs cannot automatically be regarded as a distraction to passers-by in vehicles or on foot.  In this case the proposed siting of the signs will not be so distracting or so confusing that they create a hazard for, or endanger, people who are taking reasonable care for their own and others’ safety.

All Parish Cllrs expressed their views on the proposal.  The parish council’s conclusions were summed up as follows “in general the Parish Council wishes to support local businesses and wishes to see them thrive.  There were safety concerns about signs directly at the road junction.  It was felt that signage drawing attention to Elton as a historic village and its businesses and attractions as a whole, but specifically featuring Loch Fyne and The Walled Garden would be the most advantageous way to proceed.

 

5. Minutes of 18^th March 2014:

Cllr Doughty proposed above minutes were signed, seconded Cllr Burgess, all in favour.

 

6. Matters arising from the above minutes:

Footpath from Church to Elton Hall – The Footpaths Officer is sending pack to with forms/letters to complete to set in motion.

 

Great War Commemoration – Parish Clerk to establish what HDC/CCC are doing – pending.

 

Telephone Mast – company contacted via email awaiting response.

 

Cycling Grant – £460 obtained for an event in the village on 21^st June.

 

Stocks Green – George Hay from CCC reported enforcement notice has been issued, letter sent to Elton Estates 6^th April giving them chance to correct i.e. remove posts, reinstate turning areas – enforcement team (Nigel Swaby) will be in touch with Elton Estates after Easter (after deadline date) to move this forward.

 

Flower Festival in All Saints Church to correspond with the Tower Tours organised on the 17^th May 2014 – Cllr Shrive proposed, seconded Cllr Doughty that we will make a make a cake.

 

7. Authorisation of Payments:

K & M Lighting Services – Maint April 2014	£61.15
A Flatters – Grasscutting April	£340.00
A Flatters – Grasscutting Greens/Extra Area Wansford Road	£120.00
Wendy Gray – Salary April	£240.00
Wendy Gray – Tax April	£60.00
Highgate Hall – Hire of Room January/February/March	£51.00
I Kirk – Part for mower (belt)	£33.12

 

Cllr Shrive proposed above invoices approved for payment, seconded Cllr Doughty, all Cllrs in agreement.

 

8. Street Lighting:

Balfour Beatty to be contacted re suitable date for survey, Mac McGuire advised he is available at the moment Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of next week, Cllr Strowbridge will also be available.  Parish Clerk to contact Balfour Beatty to confirm date and time.

 

9. Planning:

1400225FUL and 1400226LBC – extensions and alterations to farmhouse and erection of garage under consents 0901032LBC and 0901031FUL at Sheepwalk Farmhouse, Oundle Road, Elton PE8 6SE – the Parish Council have no further comments.

 

1400305FUL – Demolition of dwelling and erection of a replacement bungalow at Hostel Farm, Wansford Road, Elton PE8 6JY – provided the bungalow is in connection with the business and materials used are as per neighbours properties  i.e. stone and collyweston slate the Parish Council have no further comments to make.

 

1400348FUL and 1400349FUL – Alterations to existing flat roofed extension at 13 Chapel Lane, Elton PE8 6RE – the Parish Council have no further comments.

 

Appeal 1300160FUL – Land at and including 3 and 4 Sheepwalk Cottages, Oundle Road, Elton,

PE8 6SD – appeal dismissed on 8.4.14.

 

Request to be made to HDC that we are sent a copy of the decision notices regarding planning applications that are sent to us.

 

10. Trees/Verges:

Two trees planted on grass either side of Highgate Hall.  Excellent job done on first cut of the season, request for small area on edge of Stocks Green (in front of tree) to be cut.

 

11. Correspondence:

PCSO Report for Elton for the period 18^th March to 14^th April – 1 abandoned vehicle, 1 theft from vehicle,

1 vehicle interference.

 

Email re Elton Community Public Access Defibrillator (CPAD) – proposed Cllr Donoyou, seconded Cllr Kirk, all in favour that we write “to contact Parish Council when money is needed and we will set aside something to assist”.

 

12. Reports from Councillors:

Red Bridge improvements – understand only pointing up the bridge.  Parish Clerk to Contact NCC.

 

Meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.

 

13. Date of Next Meeting:

Tuesday 20^th May 2014 – Annual Parish Meeting followed by normal Parish Council Meeting.