5th April 2005     Back to Index

A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 5th April 2005 at 8pm.

Present Miss Sach, Mrs Handley, Mrs Clemmow, Mr Ellis, Ms Hayes, Mr Tebbit, Mr Blatch, Mr White and, in the Chair, Mr Dalton. Cl. Mrs Heazell and Cl. Kindersley also present

Apologies.  Mr Bane

Minutes of the meeting held on 21st February 2005 were agreed and signed

Matters Arising

1                    Harlton Road Notice Board. It is hoped that this will be erected shortly.

2                    Wheeler's Way Car Park Extension The proposed car park plan has been circulated to residents for their comments.

3                    Footpath 13. Ivett's Lane. Nothing further to report. BT have not moved the pole.

4                    Verge cutting Miss Hayes reported that most of the First Cutting has been cancelled and she and the Chairman will propose a cutting plan for the next year.

5                    Speed Restrictions – 30 mph. The Chairman reported that all the money to implement the scheme in 2005 had already been spent, and that it would be necessary to re-apply by the autumn for inclusion in 2006/7 programme.

6                    Emergency Water Supply.. No further progress could be made, since no report had yet been received.

7                    Networking meeting. This had been postponed and might be held in June.

8                    Bucks Lane Building.  Following enquiries made regarding this building, it has been inspected and all the work carried out has been found to be legal

9                    Culvert damage at 26 Lowfields Agreed the Clerk write to the developer drawing his attention to the possibility of damage to the drain, and explaining the consequences of damage.

10                Muddy Verges  The Chairman reported that he had replied to the letter of complaint received about this..

11                Village Hall Grant Mr White reported that they had received grants from the District Council and from the Fossey Charity and were expecting to start work in July, lasting about eight weeks.

12                Pile of Wood near the Hoops This had now been removed

13                Agricultural Smell  This is caused by heaps of Filter cake (treated sewage) which will be used as fertiliser in the autumn. There are strong feelings in the villages about this. Cl. Mrs Heazell had received complaints and would alert the Environmental Health Officer. The Chairman reported that several people were already keeping a diary of bad-smell days and would report to the Environmental Health Officer to help him to monitor the situation. It was agreed to place notices in the shop and on the notice-boards in both villages, explaining the situation and suggesting that those who were willing to help the monitoring by keeping smell-diaries should contact the Environmental Health Office on 08454 450 500. This could lead to changes to requirements next year.

14                Orange Mast. The Chairman reported that the Ombudsman had found no maladministration had taken place over the planning application and that construction had started.

15                .Sale of OSP 148.  The District Council had asked the opinion of the Council on a possible sale of part of this land to be used as a paddock by Dr Axon. After discussion, Mr Blatch proposed and Mr White seconded "that the Parish Council recommends that OSP 148 should not be sold, but retained by SCDC to be used at some time in the future for low-cost housing"

In the course of further discussion Mr White emphasised the need for the area let to the Village Hall for car-parking to be retained and safeguarded. While it was agreed that the land might ultimately be used for housing, it was suggested that, in the meantime, it would be more advantageous to the village if it could be let to Dr Axon on a suitable tenancy.  Dr Axon who was present, spoke briefly and factually on his position, confirming that he would agree to a tenancy. The Chairman agreed to draft a reply and circulate it to members before submitting it to the District Council.

16                Footpath 20. This is in need of gritting.  Mr Tebbit agreed to speak to the Chairman of the Young Farmers, Mr Lutey, to see if he can organise volunteers to help with spreading the gravel, which the Chairman has to procure from the County Council.

17                Bus Shelter Seat. Mr Blatch agreed to replace the broken plank

18                Finance.

The following cheques agreed:

Clerk's Salary plus expenses             £261.40

CALC Affiliation fee                             £187.39

It was also agreed to pay over the recycling credits of £175.27 to the Eversden Recreation Ground

The Chairman did not wish a remuneration fund for his expenses to be set up.

Mr Kindersley reported that the recycling credits were very successful with Parish Councils and it is hoped that they will continue.  It is the only money coming to Parish Councils which has no restrictions on how it is spent.

19                Planning  Brook Cottage, Kingston Road - 'No recommendation' written, but it was commented that it was important that the roofing tiles on the garage should reflect the colour and tones of the surroundings.

Amber Developments, St Helen's Church. The Chairman reported that planning permission had been refused for Plot 3 on the grounds that it was not in keeping with the setting of the Church. Discussion was continuing on modifications and the vital matter of car-parking for the Church had still to be resolved.

20        Correspondence. In circulation

21        Miss Sach reported the poor state of the footpath along the Harlton Road from the top of High Street to the doctors' surgery. The Chairman agreed to report this.

22        Miss Sach also asked if the Clerk could write to Mr Porter in High Street corner, requesting him to cut the hedge bordering the bus shelter.

23        Cl. Mrs Heazell reported on a meeting with Rugby Cement. This company is now under new ownership and is planning to rebuild the plant to the west of the present site with a higher chimney, and  to produce three times as much cement. They would also like to build a new road to give direct access either from the A603 or the A10. This would be an advantage to villages suffering from the present heavy traffic. However it was important for us to be informed of future plans and it was agreed to invite Dr Salisbury to act as the Council's representative and attend liaison meetings with Rugby.

No further business

Date of Next Meeting  Monday 16th May 2005 at 8pm in the Village Hall