NEWNHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting held on 3^rd November 2008 at 7.30.p.m. in the Village Hall.

PRESENT              Chairman            Mr D Messenger

                                Councillors         Mr D Cooke

                                                                Mr H Ferguson

                                                                Mr J Lawrence

                                                                Mr A Wade

                                Clerk                     Mrs M R Money

910.08   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

County Councillor R W Brown.

A letter of resignation from Cllr V Curtis was read.  It was with reluctance that the resignation was accepted and the Clerk was asked to write to Cllr Curtis thanking her for her valuable contribution to the work of the Parish Council.

911.08   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were none.

912.08   TO APROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6^th OCTOBER 2008

On a proposal by CLlr Ferguson it was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th October 2008 be approved and signed as a true record.

913.08   NEWNHAM VILLAGE HALL

The Chairman referred to the Council’s exemption from declaring a personal interest in this issue, as detailed on Page 23 of the Code of Conduct.  In addtion Cllr D Cooke has a personal exemption as outlined on Page 17 of the Code of Conduct.

The Chairman reported that copies of the previous building reports have been forwarded to the Surveyor together with a lette authorising him to undertake the survey. Papers relating to the Community Aggregates Fund and possible funding were handed to the Chairman for him to enquire into the possibility of an application.

914.08   PUBLIC TIME

No members of the public were present. 

915.08   VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT/REPORT ON PUBLIC MEETING

Cllr H Ferguson reported that the Public Meeting had been very successful with 7 people putting their names forward to join the Steering Group.  John Lawson, headmaster of the village school, was eager for the children to become involved in the project.  It is hoped to hold the first meeting of the Steering Groupd before Christmas.

The Clerk reported that County Councillor R W Brown had offered a grant of £500 towards the cost of preparing the Village Design Statement.

363

The Chairman asked that thanks be recorded to Cllr H Ferguson for the work he had put in preparing the public presentation, arranging the meeting and for the work he would be undertaking over the next few months. 

Discussion then turned to the proposed removal of the telephone box. The Council felt that with limited finances funds must be spent wisely.  The telephone box is in a poor state of repair and in addition to repair and maintenance it would have to be relocated.  It was unimously RESOLVED that no action should be taken until there is a ruling on the general objection by Daventry District Council.

916.08   CORRESPONDENCE

a)            South Northants Forum – The Clerk advised of a forthcoming meeting.

b)            Grass Mowing Agreement – The Clerk advised that the necessary forms had arrived for completion and would be returned with a request for payment of the grant.

c)            Canty & Co – Title Deeds – The Clerk reported that a letter had been received advising that

this firm of solicitors held title deeds relating to Newnham Parish property.  The Clerk requested permission to draw up a cheque for £7. 88, the fee payable for secure delivery of the documents as this information had not been available in time to be shown on the Agenda.  It was unanimously RESOLVED that permission be granted.

917.08   AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Cllr H Ferguson advised that this is an issue which needs to be addressed by the Parish Council over the next few months and suggested that someone from Daventry District Council be invited to address the Council.  It was agreed this should be done in the New Year.

918.08   NORTHANTS CALC COUNTY COMMITTEE

Cllr Ferguson reported that he had been elected to the County Committee and the recent AGM.  The meeting had been very useful and informative.   The Chairman thanked Cllr Ferguson on his appointment to the Committee and for the time he would be committing to it on behalf of the Council.

919.08   NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

In the continued absence for Cllr N Shepherd no report was available.  Concerns were expressed that this initiative seems to have stalled and efforts will be made to revive it.

920.08   PLANNING

a)            DA/2008/1030 – Newnham Lodge Revised Scheme – Detached guest annexe and garage block, comprising four garages, three dog kennels with annexe above – A response supporting the application has been submitted.

b)            DA/2008/0826 – Water Booster Station, Preston Capes Road – The application has been approved.

c)            DA/2008/1067 – Work to tree within Conservation Area – Bartons, The Green – There were no objections to the application.

d)            DA/2008/1080 – Removal of hedgerow – Westfields, The Green – There were no objections to the application.

921.08   WNDC PLANNING APPEAL

The Appeal will take place at Northampton Saints Ground, North Stand starting on 20^th January 2009 and is expected to last about 8 or 9 weeks. 

 922.08   HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Clerk asked that completed Risk Assessments be handed to her so that they can be filed in accordance with regulations.  Issues raised by the assessments will be discussed at the next Council meeting.

364

923.08   HIGHWAYS MATTERS

a)            Report on street audit – a copy of the report has now been received.

b)            Bradbury Road Street Lighting – A request has been received for the lights to be altered to deflect more light downwards.  The Clerk will contact EON Ltd to obtain advice and a costing.

c)            Response from Street Doctor re Newnham Hill - The response shows that potholes will be filled in within 28 days from 27^th October.   This will be monitored.

d)            Gulley cleaning – Dates for the cleaning are being obtained.

e)            Light – West Brook – This will be reported.

924.08   WAR MEMORIAL

On-going.

925.08   FINANCIAL

a)      Accounts for Payment

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

The payment to the Royal British Legion for the Poppy Wreath is made under Section 137.

b)      Monies Received – During the month  the following monies had been received

c)       Financial Statement – The Bank Statements and Reconciliation statement were available for inspection.  Cllr D Cooke initialled the Bank Statements as correct.

d)      External Audit – This has not been completed yet and the appropriate notice placed in the notice board.

e)      Budget – Subject to allocation of reserved funds - £8,500 for the Village Hall repairs, £3,500 towards Play Area equipment and £2,000 for improvements to the War Memorial it was RESOLVED that the Budget be approved and that the Council do precept upon Daventry District Council in the sum of £13,000 to be paid in two instalments in April and September 2009.

f)       VAT – It will now be possible to reclaim VAT on works carried out to the Village Hall and Play Area.

926.08   EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

It was unanimously RESOLVED that the revised document circulated with papers for the meeting should be approve and adopted.

365

927.08 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT NEXT MEETING

No specific issues were identified.

928.08 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 1^st December 2008 at 7.30.p.m.

Meeting closed at 9.45.p.m.