PC Meeting – Feb 2016 Agenda & Jan Minutes

Agenda for Tuesday 16th February 2016 & Minutes for 19th January 2016

These are the minutes from the Parish Council meeting held on 19th January 2015, and the agenda for the next meeting due to be held on Tuesday 16th February 2016.

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Chalgrave Parish Council


CHALGRAVE PARISH COUNCIL
MRS. L. J. SMITH
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
4 HOME FARM, TEBWORTH, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, BEDFORDSHIRE LU7 9QD
Tel: 01525 874716. email: chalgravepc@btinternet.com

THE NEXT MEETING OF CHALGRAVE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16th, 2016 at 7.30pm AT CHALGRAVE MEMORIAL HALL.
Lesley Smith, Clerk to the Council

AGENDA

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2. OPEN FORUM
3. TO AMEND AND APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 19th, 2015 MEETING
4. SPECIFIC DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
5. POLICE MATTERS
6. REPORT from WARD COUNCILLOR MARK VERSALLION
7. REPORT FROM ALL SAINTS CHURCH, CHALGRAVE
8. MATTERS ARISING FROM JANUARY 19th, 2015 MINUTES
9. POINTS RAISED from DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 CORRESPONDENCE
10. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
11. ACCOUNTS a) Cheques for signature
12. TO DISCUSS PROGRESS ON TEBWORTH POND
13. TO DISCUSS PREPARATIONS FOR the PARISH ASSEMBLY
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
15. HIGHWAYS ISSUES
16. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE NEXT AGENDA
17. TIME AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING

MINUTES of the Meeting of Chalgrave Parish Council held on Tuesday, January 19th, 2016 at Chalgrave Memorial Hall, Tebworth at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllr. Ken Green; Cllr. Debbie Hampson; Cllr. Barbara Jackson; Cllr. Daniel Osborn; Cllr. Phil Parry (Chairman); Cllr. Mike Wells; Cllr Paul Whitton; Mr. S. Calder-All Saints Church; Lesley Smith-Clerk.

Public present: 0

Committees
Planning CllrHampson-Chair 877149 Cllr Osborn 07768621850
Footpaths Cllr Green-Chair 874107 Cllr Jackson 877617
Website Cllr Green 874107 Cllr Wells 877098
Speed Watch Cllr Wells-Chair 877098

Responsibilities
Cllr Osborn Highways liaison Grass cutting Police Liaison 07768621850
Cllr Parry Highways liaison 07831605600
Cllr Whitton Fly tipping Buses 07808174843
Cllr Jackson Tebworth Pond Defibrillator 877617
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
. Ward Cllr Mark Versallion; PCSO Hannah Retallack.

2. SPECIFIC DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the December 15th, 2015 meeting were approved and signed as correct by the chairman.

4. REPORT from WARD COUNCILLOR MARK VERSALLION
No report this month. Cllr Green proposed, seconded by Cllr Jackson, that the PC write to Cllr Versallion to say it likes him to attend the PC meetings and request that he informs the PC if he cannot attend. The vote for the proposal was unanimous PP; Clerk

5. REPORT FROM ALL SAINTS CHURCH-Steve Calder
a) All Saints Church Roof. Mr Calder reminded the Cllrs that lead had been stolen from the south isle of the church roof in December, 2015. There was a partial closure of the church for safety reasons and rallying the local community to help. He also thanked Mr Robert Upchurch and Cllrs Parry and Whitton for their help immediately after the theft was discovered. The roof is tarpaulined battened down. The church has had the lead condemned and collected for scrap. The roof will be covered with lead again.
b) Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. A Christmas was put up just before Christmas Eve and the service was able to take place at All Saints. The church was full and many people walked up from Wingfield and Chalgrave.
c) Fund Raising for Repair of the Roof. Wingfield’s Plough Inn donated the funds raised from the fortnightly Quiz Nights to the church. This amounted to £750 and Gift Aid raised the sum to £937.50. Mr Calder thanked Caroline and Chris Cross and all the people who take part in the quizzes.
A lady due to be married in the church next year has set up a Just Giving site. She has raised £1,400 so far.
Bookings. There were two funerals in the New Year and the church has deposits for four weddings in the summer so far.
Timescale for Roof Repair. The PC asked why it was taking so long for the roof to be repaired. Mr Calder replied that it was because the architect and St Albans Diocese were involved.

6. POLICE MATTERS
a) Crime Figures: December 1st-December 31st, 2015
i. Burglary In A Dwelling x 2
1. St. Mary’s Close in Tebworth. Offenders have used a brick from the garden of the property to smash a window and reach through to unlock the front door with the keys that were inside the lock. An untidy search was conducted inside the property. Negative CCTV and negative witnesses from surrounding houses. Cllr Osborn reported that a parishioner was disappointed that someone had seen a vehicle that was possibly involved but did not report it to the police.
2. Offence location is Tebworth Road in Wingfield. Offenders gained entry to the rear garden of the property by an insecure gate. They smashed a window but were unable to open to the window due to secure locks. They then smashed a bedroom window and gained entry. No search was conducted and nothing taken. Possible CCTV from a neighbour who was away at the time.
ii. Burglary-Non dwelling x 1
Offence location was Chalgrave Road, Tebworth. Offenders attempted to use a hack saw to gain entry to one outbuilding on a farm. They were unsuccessful due to good security. They then gained entry to another building on the same farm but did not take anything. Negative CCTV and negative witnesses.
iii. Theft Other
Offence location was All Saints Church Chalgrave. Offenders by unknown means stripped a large amount of lead from the church roof. Negative CCTV and negative witnesses.
iv. Anti-social Behaviour.
One report of Anti-Social Behaviour for December 2015. Two youths were cycling and hanging around the village for a long time. A description was given, a unit attended but they were unable to locate the youths.
b) Police Demand Reduction Consultation. Invitation from the Deputy Chief Constable for people to submit ideas for reducing demands on police time. Ends February 2nd, 2016.
c) PCC Olly Martins is consulting on a 1.99% increase in the police precept for the financial year 2016/17.

7. MATTERS ARISING FROM DECEMBER 15th, 2015 MINUTES
PCC Olly Martins Bedfordshire Police. The PC wrote to Andrew Selous MP requesting that he asks the Home Secretary to mandate a change to Bedfordshire Police as the current funding formula is not fit for purpose. Mr Selous has responded saying he will make that requet on behalf of the PC. Ongoing.
a) Defibrillator-Village Response Team. Awaiting response from Community Heartbeat regarding another training session plus the list of people who expressed interest at the first training session. Ongoing.
b) 20mph Speed Limit. Clerk to ask for a copy of the briefing notes on white lines again from CBC. Clerk
c) Noticeboards. Refurbishment of the noticeboards is ongoing. The contractor is waiting for drier weather.
d) Dog Bins. CBC has installed a dog bin close to the farm gate on Chalgrave Road. The bins opposite Woodlands and on The Lane need emptying. CBC to be contacted. Clerk
e) Grass Verge Next To Woodlands. The trees and bushes have become overgrown on the bend between Woodlands and 51 Wingfield Road, Tebworth. HW has agreed to cut them back. Clerk to follow up again. Clerk
f) CBC: Salt Bag Scheme. A 1 tonne bag of salt was delivered in December 2015. Cllr Osborn has filled up the two salt bins on The Lane.
g) Flawed Housing Targets. The PC wrote to CPRE supporting its stance that an overall of the way local authorities set their housing targets is needed to stop the unnecessary release of countryside for development. There is an article in the January 2016 edition of Bedfordshire Bugle on the CPRE’s report.
h) CBC: Local Transport Plan Rural Match Fund & Bidding Guidelines. The PC wrote to CBC stating that the scheme is unfair to small PCs as they would have to contribute 50% of the costs, which would represent a large proportion of their small precepts. No response so far. Ongoing.
i) Permissive Footpaths. Ongoing. KG
j) NALC: Local Council Tax Support Schemes Review (LCTS). DCLG is carrying out a review of the LCTS. Cllr Parry has responded to the questionnaire.
k) Cllr Hampson proposed, seconded by Cllr Wells that any grants awarded by Chalgrave Parish Council in any one year should be spent within that financial year. The vote for the proposal was unanimous.

8. POINTS RAISED on DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 CORRESPONDENCE
a) CBC: Development Strategy. The PC agreed to Cllr Green’s suggestion to ask CBC to keep the PC informed about progress on the Local Plan. Clerk
b) BATPC: Bedfordshire Bugle; 3rd Party Right of Appeal. Cllr Wells proposed, seconded by Cllr Green, that the PC signs a petition calling for the right to appeal against planning permissions that have already been granted. Currently applicants for planning permission can appeal against a planning refusal or planning conditions they are unhappy with but there is no right of appeal for objectors in respect of planning applications which are granted. The vote for the proposal was unanimous. Cllr Parry will respond on behalf of the PC PP

9. DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Drain opposite The Meadows. HW has asked the area team to investigate the progress of the works order and to inspect the issue again. Ongoing.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Consultation on the Service’s proposal to raise its contribution from Council Tax by 1.99%. In correspondence.
London Green Belt Council. Invoice for annual subscription. Cllr Parry proposed, seconded by Cllr Jackson, that the PC pays the £10 annual subscription and to contribute a £15 donation to help protect the Green Belt. The vote for the proposal was unanimous. Clerk
London Green Belt Council. A letter from the chairman in correspondence.
Bedfordshire Bugle. January edition in correspondence
Wildlife Trusts-Local Sites Partnership. Document titled ‘Secret Spaces’; The Status of Local Wildlife Sites 2014. In correspondence.
CBC: Budget Plans 2016. Cllrs agreed to complete the questionnaire individually. Cllr Green commented that not all residents will see the questionnaire and he proposed, seconded by Cllr Jackson, that a letter be sent to CBC, copy to the Leader of CBC, saying that this is not a valid consultation as the majority of people will not see the questionnaire. The vote for the proposal was unanimous. Clerk
Cllr Wells will put the questionnaire on the website and on Facebook and copies in the pubs. MW
CBC: Highways. Annual Report in correspondence.

10. ACCOUNTS
a) Cheques for Signature. The following cheques have been approved and signed:
Chq No: Payee Description Amount £
962 London Green Belt Council Annual membership 2016 plus £15 donation 25.00
963 Ladywell Accountancy Services Annual fee for PAYE service 31.00
964 Lesley Smith Clerk’s salary plus expenses: Dec ‘15/Jan ‘16 436.77
Total 492.77

TEBWORTH POND
i. Cllr Jackson has arranged a meeting for Thursday January 28th, 2016 at 7.30pm BJ
ii. Cllr Jackson has delivered leaflets informing residents of the meeting to the majority of households. Cllr Parry and the clerk will deliver the rest. PP; Clerk
iii. Cllr Jackson explained her plans for the pond. The cllrs discussed decking and planting. They agreed to have a site meeting on Sunday January 24th, 2016.
iv. The clerk will send an interim claim form for work already carried out and a list of the proposed work to the Biffa Award Senior Grants Officer. Clerk

11. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Planning.
i. Cllr Hampson reported that no planning permission had been sought for the work being carried out at Chalgrave Cottage and Church Cottage, Church Lane. The council agreed that this was not a problem as building work is a garage conversion.

ii. Planning Application
Application No. Address Proposed work PC comments CBC decision
16/00107 94 Wingfield Road, Tebworth Demolition of existing conservatory. Erection of a two & a single storey extensions No objections subject to any from the neighbours To be decided

b) Speedwatch
i. Speed Watches. Two speedwatches were carried out in late December.
ii. Vehicle Activated Sign. An engineer is due to examine the sign on Toddington Road as it is not working properly. Ongoing.
iii. Parked Vehicle. A Land Rover Discovery regularly parks on the grass verge right on the junction of Chalgrave Road and Toddington Road A discussion too place regarding parking in St Mary’s Close.
iv. Hi Viz jacket. Cllr Wells will buy one more jacket. MW

c) Footpaths
i. Stile Repair. Several stiles still needs repairing. Ongoing.

d) Website
Nothing to report this month.

12. HIGHWAYS ISSUES
Clerk to report the following street lights, which are not working correctly, to HW:
Tebworth Road-column number 07
Wingfield Road-lamp flickering
Column by the Queen’s Head, Tebworth
Column at St Mary’s Close
Replace knocked down column on Toddington Road Clerk

13. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON NEXT AGENDA
Parish Assembly.

14. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016 at 7.30pm.

Meeting closed at 21.07

 

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