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Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 8 th May 2008 in Clifton Community and Sports Centre, Whiston Crescent, Clifton at 7. 30 pm
Present: Mr B. Livesey (in the Chair)
Mr T. Cobb
Mrs I. Cook
Mr M. Ephgrave
Mr S. Fish
Mrs P. Livesey,
Mr S. Melia
Mr I. Pacey
Dr R. Puritz
Before the meeting those present attended a presentation by representatives from Wicksteed Leisure plc on the Xerscape range of fitness equipment.
1. Public Forum: There was no Public Forum.
2. Apologies Mr Burnage Mr D. Bullen, Mr J. Stevens Cllr T. Rogers, District Cllr P. Carne : Pc S. Busby
3.Election of Chairman: Mr Livesey was proposed by Mrs Cook, seconded by Dr Puritz. There being no further nominations he was unanimously elected
4. Election of Vice Chairman: Mr Fish was proposed by Mrs Livesey, seconded by Mr M. Ephgrave,. There being no further nominations, he was unanimously elected
5. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 10 th April 2008, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council, were agreed to be a correct record and signed :
6. Matters arising :
6.1 Public Forum : It was reported that the petition presented by Mr Hyde had been sent to County Highways. Mr Hyde had been notified..
6.2 War Memorial: The Chairman reported that he had tried to get in touch with Mr Nott for a report. He would continue to obtain this.
6.3 Memorial bench : It was reported that Mr Granger is willing to give an estimate for the installation of the bench.
6.4 Garden of Remembrance: The Chairman read a progress report on the new Garden of Remembrance in the churchyard in which the Treasurer requested that the Parish Council should notify Mid Beds District Council that the necessary funds have been raised and also suggested that the Parish Council might consider making an increase in the grant already promised.. After discussion it was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Rector inviting him to attend the next Parish Council meeting and explain the project in person.
6. 5Pre School : It was noted that the new date for the Official Opening of the new premises would be .July 12 th .
6.6 Fencing for basket ball court : Following the complaint about balls from the basket ball court the Playing Field committee had investigated the possibility of erecting some kind of fencing. Mr J. Conroy, a contractor from Ampthill who specialised in tennis courts suggested a possible solution was to erect a 30m 3.6m high galavanised fencing topped with galvanised weldmesh to stop any balls going out of the court area and to provide football resistant fencing at a cost of £1900. 00 + VAT. Mid Beds had advised the committee that no planning permission would be necessary. It was agreed that before any action could be taken the residents affected by this should be consulted.
6.7 Link a Ride: The Chairman read a letter acknowledging the donation.
6.8 Confident Communities: Letter re installation of VAS sign. This was delegated to the Highways Committee for further consideration
6.9 Audit: The Clerk asked for an extra meeting to accept the accounts and to complete Part 2 of the statement
6.10 The spare parts from Numatic had now been supplied.
6.11 A payment of £25.00 had been received from the Strict Baptist Church for the hire of chairs and tables.
6.12 The new litter bin near the butcher's shop had been supplied . Mid Beds has been notified about the other faulty bins..
6.13 The bench by the “One Stop” shop had been repaired. - Thanks were offered to Mr Bullen and Mr Cobb
6.14 The Memorial Garden had now been tidied and replanted. Thanks to Mrs Livesey are recorded.
7. Outstanding Matters: The lists of Outstanding matters were circulated and referred to the committees.
• Correspondence :
8.1MBDC: Youth Report
8.2 Beds CC “Safeguarding Adults”
8.3 MBDC: Notification of new postal addresses for former 8a New Road and the house being built beside it. In future they will be 10 and 12 New Road: This was noted.
8.4 MBDC “ Work Environment”
8.5Bedfordshire Bugle Vol XVI Issue 3 May 2008
8.6 Home Start North and Mid Beds
8.7 Standards Board Bulletin 38
8.8 Local Council Review May 2008 Vol 60
8.9Beds RCC: Network No. 11 April 2008
8.10: Clerks and Councils Direct May 2008
9. Community Centre and Playing Fields Management Committee:
The report of the meeting held on Wednesday, 16 th April, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted:-
9.1 Dog fouling: The matter is still under consideration.
9.2 Referee's changing room : Some work still remains to be done.
9.3 Redecoration: Three estimates were received: AOK Property Maintenance £1100.00 +VAT; RMS Decoration £1565.00 and C. Jones £1700.00 The committee chose the middle estimate.
9.4Section 106 agreement- The Committee viewed a catalogue from Messrs Wicksteed showing similar fitness equipment to that supplied by Hags, After discussion it was agreed that this project might fit the Wren Challenge 2008 criteria and to obtain additional information from Hags, Wicksteeds and see if SMP supplied similar equipment. An extra meeting to decide which firm to go to should be fixed.in order to prepare an application.
9.5 Raj Miah was prepared to advertise the Community Centre in the Clifton Cuisine. Mr Stevens would prepaere an advertisement but required photographs of groups using the premises.
9.6 Trees: Advice from Mr Morwood about pruning and shaping was awaited.
9.7 Anti-glare on upper windows. Advice and a quotation should be sought.
9.8. The heater in the meeting room requires attention
9.9 Mr Potter to be asked for an estimate for sealing the windows
9.10 Fencing for basket ball court : Following the complaint about balls from the basket ball court the Playing Field committee had investigated the possibility of erecting some kind of fencing. Mr J. Conroy, a contractor from Ampthill who specialised in tennis courts suggested a possible solution was to erect a 30m 3.6m high galavanised fencing topped with galvanised weldmesh to stop any balls going out of the court area and to provide football resistant fencing at a cost of £1900. 00 + VAT Subject to planning approval it was agreed to accept the quotation.
9.11 Brought forward list No 96: Items 3.15 (Youth Club) 5.2 (Cricket Club) 3.4 (Redecoration) and 7.2 (Hall floor) should be deleted.
9.12 Finance: (i) Mrs Yasrwood's, Mr Ansell Carter's and Mr Ferguson's accounts had been authorised
(ii) The balance sheet for March was not presented
(iii) The total budget sheet for Apr 2007 – March 2008 was presented Total budget £21,560.00 Total expenditure £22,613.17
9.13 Any other matters: (i) The football clubs were to be contacted to dispose of the rubbish removed from the tractor shed .
(ii) A quotation was required to replace the tubes in the main hall.
(iii) Mr Stevens reported that the Clerk's new computer would be available from Monday of next week.
The report was than accepted and discussed. It was felt that more time was needed to come to a decision about the purchase of fitness equipment. The Clerk was asked to find out whether it would be permitted to use the £4,300.00 available from the Section 106 agreement for this purpose. The Council also recommended that Aragon Housing Association and residents in the vicinity of the basket ball court should be informed of the intentions of the Committee.
10. Highways Committee: .The report of the Highways Committee held on Tuesday, 22 nd April, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted:-
10.1 War Memorial: There was nothing further to report.
10.2 Drain by the War Memorial: Reports had been requested. It appeared that some work had been taking place in that vicinity but it was unclear as to what was being done.
10.3: Bollards on the splay of the AdmiralPH . It was noted that the County Council would not be taking any action. However it was agreed that they should be asked to replace the broken one..
10.4 New Trees Mrs Livesey reported that she had asked Mr Melia to water the evergreen near the village sign.
10.5 Confident Communities : It was noted that the Parish Council had been successful in the bid for £4,000.00 to be used in securing extra PCSO time and a further £4000.00 towards the cost of providing a second VAS sign..
10.6 Litter bin : The new litter bin by the butcher's shop had been supplied. Mid Beds District Council is to be asked to repair the bin in Broad Street opposite the Clifton Cuisine and also to check the fitments of the bins on the pond railings.
10.7 Bilberry verges There had been no reply from the County Council concerning the parking bollards in Bilberry. Mr Livesey undertook to contact Mr Humphreys about this.
10.8 Cars parking on the verge : Mr Livesey was continuing to place “polite notes” on the windscreens of cars parking on the verges throughout the village. .
10.9 Traffic Calming Survey The Chairman reported that he had received no further reports.
10.10 Memorial bench . No reply had been received from S. P. Savage. Alternative quotations should be sought. It was suggested that Mr Granger might be approached.
10.11 Bench near One Stop Shop This had now been repaired. Thanks were given to Messrs Livesey and Bullen for this.
10.12. Replacement island for pond . It was reported that the island had now been constructed at a cost of £211.79 for materials labour and expenses. There is currently a balance of £908.45 in the Pond account
10.13 Memorial Garden Mr Livesey and Mrs Livesey had completed tidying and replanting the Memorial Garden. The Chairman asked that thanks to them be recorded in the minutes. Mr Livesey stated that he had suggested that the garden should be included in the Clifton Open Gardens later this year. .
10.14. Outstanding Matters The list of outstanding matters was presented and considered. It was noted that Mr Livesey had met representatives from the County Council to resolve matters concerning the installation of new lights. .
10.15. Other matters
(i)It was requested that a note went in Clifton Chronicles asking dog owners to deposit dog faeces in the dog bins rather than in open litter bins.
(ii)The necessity of re-assessing the inventory of property owned by the Parish Council was noted.
(iii)Mr Bullen had received reports of drugs being used near the “One Stop” bus stop. Pc Busby should be advised of this.
(iv)Mrs Livesey noted that there was no street lighting on Stockbridge Road between Henlow and Clifton and asked that in view of the envisaged cycle path to Henlow Middle School Beds County Council should be asked to provide it.
(v)Mr Livesey voiced concern that future residents on the new development at the former Highways Depot would be isolated. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the Residents Association urging the integration of residents into the village community life .
11 . Planning
The under mentioned plans have been returned to Mid Beds with no objection raised:
08/00316/FULL: Alteration of existing bay window and insertion of new bay window at 63 Stockbridge Road for Mr R. Quinn.
08/00467/FULL: Loft extension with two dormers to front and two dormers to rear. New porch to front at The Bungalow, Hitchin Lane , Clifton for Mr and Mrs G. Wilson
08/00570/FULL: Demolition of existing two storey side extension and construction of new two storey side extension. Glazing infill to front porch at Herald House, 117 Hitchin Road , Shefford (Home Farm Trust)
08/00486/FULL Erection of 1 no 4+ bedroom house with double garage on land adjacent to 25 Stockbridge Road- No objection to the erection of the house but queries whether it is envisaged that the access for emergency vehicles is via Bath Place . Concern was also voiced that the large horse chestnut tree should not suffer either crown or root disturbance and it was requested that the arboricultural officer be fully consulted over this.
Returned to Beds CC with under mentioned comments on proposal by Anglian Water Services for a landscaping scheme at Clifton Sewage Treatment Works;
BC/CS/2008/9: Scheme for Landscaping Scheme pursuant to Condition 3 of Planning Permission No 24/2007
The Committee suggested that in addition to the proposed planting some evergreen trees should be included to soften the impact during winter months. It was also felt that in order for the desired effect to become quickly established it would be essential that an adequate density of planting should be made in the area highlighted in yellow on the plans.
Following a query it was noted that the Enforcement Officer Mr C. Perry had visited 13 Whiston Crescent but had failed to gain admittance.
12 Election to Committees: It was agreed that the Committees should be re-elected en bloc for the coming year.
13 Reports (a) Clifton Lower School: Mrs Livesey reported briefly. It was noted that the school had been classed as “Outstanding” by Ofsted inspectors.
(b) Mid Beds District Council:. There was no report. The Clerk was asked to send the Council's best wishes to Councillor T. Rogers and wish him a speedy recovery.
(c) Beds CC: There was no report.
(d) Other: Mr and Mrs Livesey had attended the Civic service which had been poorly attended.
14 Finance
:Current bank statements at 30.04.08 . show
Community Account £ 2,323.80
Business Premium Account £24645.39
Business Reserve account £70351.76
The Village Improvement Fund stands at £81,676.10.(with the 10k allocated in the ½ precept added to the previous total) £20,000 is earmarked for the cost of lighting,
Outstanding accounts:: None – VAT repayment of £657.09 is still awaited.
Receipts: The following receipts are reported; MBDC: ½ Precept £17,000; Mrs Price Smith: Hire of Centre on 19,4.08 £48.00; Mrs McCarthy: Hire of Centre £40.00; Mrs Dunn: Hire of Centre on 24.5.08 £72.00; Mrs Oswick: Hire of Centre on 18.5.08. £55.00; Mr Lawson: Hire of tables and chairs for Baptist Church £25.00; Ladies Social Hour: Hire of Hall in March £36.00; Mrs B. Turner: Hire of Centre 18.5.08 £48.00
Payments Payment of the following accounts was authorised :-
J. Ferguson 1 Months Litter collection £60.00 (Ch 101415 )
Adrian Crawley: Playing Field maintenance in April £286.66 ( Ch101416 )
Mrs J. Yarwood: Wages for May (less tax and NI )583.98 (Ch 101417/8)
I. Ansell Carter; Wages for May l (less tax) £89.00 ( Ch101419)
B. Livesey: Refund of cost of plants and wood for seat repair £83.75 (Ch101420)
Courtland:Services: Computer +VAT £769.62 (Ch 101422 )
Numatic:Replacement brush and blades + VAT £68.04 (Ch101423)
Anglian Water: Charges October 2007 – April 2008 £23.54 (Ch101424)
Allianz Insurance plc: Premium 2008/2009 £3654.95 (Ch 101425)
D . Granger Grass cutting in village +VAT £793.96 (Ch10146)
Transfe r The Clerk was authorised to transfer £4,500.00 from the Business Premium Account to the Community Account . £10,000.00 would be transferred to the Business Reserve Account.
15. Dates of next meetings : Thurs 12 th June 2008, Thurs 24 th July 2008, Thurs 11 th September 2008