Minutes of meeting held on 8^th June 2009 at 7.30.p.m. in the Village Hall.

PRESENT:             Chairman:                           Mr D Messenger

                                Councillors:                        Mr D Cooke

                                                                                Mr D Ferguson

                                                                                Mr J Lawrence

                                                                                Mr W Nunneley

                                                                                Mr T Regan

                                Clerk:                                    Mrs M R Money

1054.09 TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

County Councillor R W Brown.

The Chairman asked that congratulations be recorded to County Councillor Brown on his re-election.

Cllr N Shepherd has tendered his resignation from the Council due to pressures of work.   The Clerk reported that she has responded thanking him for his support of the Council and that all the necessary procedures has been put in place to find another councillor. 

1055.09 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No interests were declared.

1056.09 TO SIGN AND APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING OF 18^th MAY 2009

On a proposal by Cllr H Ferguson it was RESOLVED that the Minutes be approved and signed.

1057.09 PUBLIC TIME

No members of the public were present. 

1058.09 REVIEW OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

The Chairman raised two issues.  Firstly Newnham Amenity Association and the proposal made by Mr E Mobbs.  This will be discussed as a separate Agenda item at the July meeting.  Secondly the vacancy for a parish councillor.  Ideally the person would have an interest in publicity.

1059.09 WNDC ENQUIRY

The Chairman said there was little to report since the last meeting.  The Enquiry reconvenes on 17^th June.   At the next meeting of Daventry Villages Together (DVT) the Highways evidence will be considered.  The Parish Council need to confirm the submission already and presented to the enquiry and authorise Cllr H Ferguson to make further submissions.  It was RESOLVED that Cllr H Ferguson be authorised to continue submitting representations on behalf of the Council and to put in supplementary submissions in relation to evidence from the Highways Agency  and to support the submissions by DVT.

1060.09 VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

It was agreed that an article should be submitted to Village Voice in an effort to recruit someone to take the lead on this project.

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1061.09 CORRESPONDENCE

Friends of Newnham School – A request has been received to allow some stalls to be put on the Green as part of the School Fete on 13^th June. The Clerk had received confirmation that iInsurance cover is in place and a risk assessment has been carried out.  It was RESOLVED that the request be granted.

Daventry & District Housing Environmental Improvement Budget – funding for small projects – Copies of the letter and application form were circulated for consideration prior to the next meeting when the issue will be discussed.

1062.09 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Efforts are being made to recruit a new co-ordinator following the resignation of Cllr N Shepherd.

1063.09 PLANNING

a) DA/2009/0370 – Church Farm, Church Street – Demolition of lean to and conversion of barn to additional residential accommodation – Cllrs supported the application and the following observations will be submitted:-

“In our opinion we can see no real objection to this planning application as it will both maintain and improve this listed building.  If all the work is done according to the plans it can only enhance this building and once again make it a useful building instead of being semi-derelict as it seems to be at the moment.  This is a sensitive and well presented application which should be supported.  Building materials should be in keeping with surroundings.  The road surface (Manor Lane and Perkins Way junction) is in poor condition and may be damaged by construction traffic.”

b) Manor Cottage, Mounts Lane – Re-thatching – Cllr J Lawrence enquired about the re-thatching of Manor Cottage. In anticipation of a query the Clerk advised that she had spoken to the Council and as the property is not listed and the thatch is being replaced like for like planning permission is not required.

c) Newnham Turn Farm – Concerns had been expressed to the Council about the frequent use of the land for car boot sales and whether “change of use permission was required.  The Clerk reported that she had made enquiries of DDC and read out an emailed response which stated that temporary change of use permission has been granted which allows alternative use on 28 days during the year.  Daventry District Council Planning Department are fully aware of the situation and monitoring it carefully, however, they have asked for the co-operation of the Parish Council noting dates when alternative use is made of the site.  The Clerk was asked to ascertain how proactive the Council would be in the case of the site being used illegally as a traveller’s site.

d) Proposed amendments to paragraph 76 of Standing Orders (Planning Applications) – Time limits set by DDC were discussed.  Councillors discussed the possibility of setting up a Planning Committee and agreed to carry the item forward to the next meeting.

1064.09 HEALTH AND SAFETY

Churchyard – Steps to tower plus handrail – Cllr J Lawrence is still trying to obtain alternative quotes.

Risk Assessments – The Clerk advised that these are not being received on a regular basis.  It was proposed that she ask the handyman to report issues to her direct as an additional way of monitoring issues which could constitute a hazard to the public.

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1065.09 HIGHWAY MATTERS

MGSWP – The Clerk was asked to raise concerns over the standard of some of the work with the company.

1066.09 NO PARKING SIGNS – VILLAGE GREEN

Cllr D Cooke is still obtaining alternative quotes.

1067.09 WAR MEMORIAL

The Clerk advised she now has the planning application forms for completion.

1068.09 FINANCIAL

On a proposal by the Chairman it was RESOLVED that the following accounts be paid.

b) Financial Statement – The bank statement and bank reconciliation statement were available for inspection.

c) Monies Received – The Clerk reported that the first instalment of the Precept - £6,500.00 – has been received.

d) Empowerment Fund – The Clerk reported that County Councillor R W Brown has invited suggestions on ways the fund can help the village.  One suggestion is to introduce new signage e.g. Newnham welcomes careful drivers.  Another suggestion is to provide a water supply to the allotment area if the land can be leased back from Daventry and District Housing.  The Clerk was asked to ascertain whether the proposed review had been undertaken by DDH and if the need for allotments in Newnham could be included in their report.

1069.09 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT MEETING

No additional items were raised.

1070.09 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 6^th July 2009 at 7.30.p.m. in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 8.50.p.m.

Minutes of the meetings of 'Newnham Parish Council.

January 2009 meeting    February 2009 meeting    March  2009 meeting    April 2009 meeting    May 2009 meeting    June 2009 meeting

July 2008 meeting    September 2008 meeting    October 2008 meeting   November 2008 meeting    December 2008 meeting