Minutes 15th September 2015

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

TUESDAY 15^TH SEPTEMBER 2015

 

 

            Present: Cllrs Cummins, Donoyou, Gentry, Holman, Owen, Porter, Rankmore, Smith and Strowbridge

 

            In attendance: Mrs W Gray Parish Clerk, 1 member of the public

 

1. Apologies for Absence: Dist Cllr R Mathews, County Cllr M MacGuire

 

1. Declaration of Interest:

Cllr Holman – relocation of Cricket Club

Cllr Holman – Bonfire Night next meeting

Cllr Rankmore – Trees Pembroke Cottage

Cllr Cummins – Pages Passage

 

1. Minutes of 21^st July 2015:

Elton C of E School, no application as yet, need to consider this again in full detail when new application is submitted.  All points of concern will be raised ie transport plans.

 

Cllr Strowbridge proposed, seconded Cllr Cummins that above minutes were signed as a true and accurate record of meeting, all in agreement.

 

 

1. Matters Arising from above minutes – update:

Footpaths:

Iron Bridge – Cllr Donoyou has written to Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) about iron bridge and Augean (landfill).  In principle Augean prefer joint applications i.e. Fotheringhay, Nassington and Elton Parish Councils, maximum would be £50,000.  Wrote to NCC advised we can put money towards repairs could they give us some costs to repairing but advised they are looking for total replacement £200,000 siting all new regulations etc.  Cllr Donoyou will write back to see what specification says, we should write to Nassington PC i.e. Deputy Leader of NCC H Smith who lives in Nassington.  Cllr Donoyou proposed Elton PC meet up with Nassington PC (Cllrs Cummins and Rankmore declared an interest as know Cllr Smith personally).  Cllr Donoyou will circulate emails re costings from NCC.  Way forward:

1. Discussion with Nassington/Fotheringhay i.e. background
2. Discussion with Heath Smith (Cllrs Cummins and Rankmore)
3. Investigation to establish potential costs (Cllrs Donoyou and Smith will discuss and produce figures)

 

Elton to Warmington Locks – when met with Elton Estates Sir W Proby was questioned about it, he had no problem with footpath on his land and had no objection recorded in his minutes of meeting.  WI instigated registration with NCC, since then the Gould’s have fenced their land off leaving 2/3 metres between bridge (to get footpath through).  It was proposed we write to NCC thinking EE have not got an objection, we know the land from the Gould’s is fenced in each way, can they get on with it.  We can include copies of the minutes to both officers, copy to Heather Smith rather than waiting, assuming a Public Enquiry.  Copy of letter should be send to the Gould’s and EE.  Cllrs Donoyou and Holman will draft letter.

 

Elton Park – i.e. Church to Cricket Ground – shown on 1950 OS map, previous PC resolved to register a claim.  Cllr Donoyou proposed we do background work with Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) and register a claim.

 

River path leading to the Mill – by path to the mill there was a stile up until about 4 years ago, not on definitive map as a right of way – i.e. sign “Private Fishing” appeared approx 2 years ago.

 

It was proposed by Cllr Donoyou, seconded Cllr Cummins that we move forward on the above, i.e. Iron Bridge, Elton to Warmington Locks, Elton Park and River path leading to the Mill, all in favour.

 

Little Footpath Willow Brook to Road Bridge – used to be cut twice a year by Don, in desperate need of cutting to keep path clear.  Cllr Holman proposed that instead of writing to the landowner he or Cllr Donoyou will ring them in the first instance to get their views (who pays for it)?  All in agreement.

 

Cllr Porter reported when walking to Warmington through park over little stream one side is a gate other side is a V, difficult to get over, could the V be taken away.  EE own land.  CCC ask EE to put in self closing gate.  Cllr Porter will produce information to put to EE.

 

Speedwatch – one initial response – other names forwarded from Cllrs to confirm individuals are happy to participate.  See end.

 

1. YTD/monthly accounts v budget:

Parish Council Mower – Mower has now been sold.

 

Cllr Rankmore reported on half yearly accounts.

• October meeting Cllrs need to bring schemes forward.
• November meeting costs to be submitted and agree precept.

 

Cllr Cummins reported we will have expenditure with regards to street lighting this coming year and will cost more.  Report still not available from contractor hold onto cheque until report received.  Cllr Donoyou proposed, seconded Cllr Smith cheque is not sent to contractor until we have report.

 

1. Authorisation of Payments:

K & M Lighting Services – Maint August/September 2015	£122.30
Wendy Gray – Salary August/September 2015	£480.00
Wendy Gray – Tax August/September 2015	£120.00
Wendy Gray – Expenses	£86.08
D Knibbs – Verge Clearance and re seeding	£230.00
A Flatters – Grasscutting September 2015	£445.00
Highgate Hall – Hire of Annexe 16th June/21st July 2015	£40.00
CPRE subscription	£30.00

 

Cllrs Donoyou, Porter and Strowbridge approved the above invoices for payment.

 

1. Local Highways Improvement Scheme

Community Traffic Scheme – Cllrs Donoyou and Holman to go through and produce a report.

 

1. Street Lighting:

Reasons to maintain – look at Community Infrastructure Levy, should not let it go, letter to Cllr R Mathews.      Need to keep reminding Huntingdon.   Lighting contract unsatisfactory, work performed is minimal i.e.            change light bulbs as and when.

 

Cllr Donoyou proposed resolution seconded Cllr Cummins that we should investigate the cost of having an      outside expert do the same work of assessment of the current lighting contractor advising what needs to   be         done, to find out the cost of the assessment.  It was suggested that we request current contractor to produce      assessment asap, we can then use this document, plus add comments on behalf of the PC as to what we are looking for, and ask consultants when enquiring from them the following :

1. a) Are they available to do an assessment and recommendation?
2. b) What is their estimated cost of producing assessment?

 

The Parish Council would then need: to prepare brief and covering letter to the consultants, (for approval by

the PC before sending) and to send same to follow up discussions with the consultants.

 

Cllr Rankmore proposed we ask current contractor to extend current contract for three months, seconded Cllr    Porter.

 

1. A605 Junction:

Letter has been sent to MP – nothing further to report.

 

1. Planning:

15/01494/PMBA – Change of use of agricultural barn to single dwelling house, agricultural buildings North of Tookey Lodge, Bullock Road, Elton – Cllr Donoyou to draft a response.

 

1. Trees/Verges: 

Agreed actions from Walkabout on 4^th September 2015

 

Cllr Smith reported awarded free trees/hedging from Woodland Trust, trees will be delivered between 2^nd – 6^th November.

 

Two enquiries for trees planting in own gardens (under District Council Tree Planting Scheme trees are free) let Cllr Donoyou know if interested.

 

Parish Clerk has supply of Red Paint (received when adopted BT Kiosk)….PC to ask Elton Society if they would paint box.

 

Pages Passage – Cllr Cummins will contact CCC.

 

Above minutes were adopted.

 

1. Broadband:  Can now register to be upgraded.  Item can now be removed from agenda.

 

1. Telephone Mast: Nothing to report, suggest speak with PCC, Cllr Holman will speak with Gillian in the first instance.

 

1. Correspondence:

Augean Newsletter

Draft Rights of Way Plan – circulated to all Cllrs via email.

 

1. Reports from Councillors:

Cllr Smith –

• Feel do not communicate with parishioners as well as we should i.e. specific Cllrs responsible for specific things. (Grasscutting Cllr Donoyou, Street Lighting Cllr Cummins).
• Produce own local plan to go with District Councils plan.
• Received plans of cables running though whole village, need to do some move clearance in the spinney, organise working party.
• Planning schedule – who is going to maintain. It was agreed Cllr Smith will plan schedule/table each month.

 

Cllr Donoyou –  if Cricket Ground is removed to change the use of the land from recreation to parkland does it require change of use?  Clerk to seek opinion from Hunts DC.

 

Cllr Rankmore – Public Telephone Sign, Middle Street – sign needs to be removed.  Clerk to contact Highways, CCC.

 

Cllr Holman – who is Chairman of the Bonfire Club, would like to discuss this at next meeting.  Agenda item.

 

Date of Next Meeting:

Tuesday 20^th October 2015

 

Meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.

 

Signed: ………………………………                             Date: ……………………..