PCMinutes

Minutes of a meeting of Clifton Parish Council held on Thursday 12 th November in Clifton Community and Sports Centre, Whiston Crescent, Clifton at 7. 30 pm

Present: Mr B. Livesey (in the Chair)

Mrs I. Cook

Mr M. Ephgrave

Mr S. Fish

Mr S. Langton

Mrs P. Livesey

Mr I. Pacey

Mr B.Padgett

Dr R. Puritz

, Cllr T. Rogers : .

• Public Forum: Mr and Mrs Burton attended concerning the recent application for new build on land adjacent to 65 Shefford Road.

• Declaration of Interests: There were none.

3. Apologies: Mr T. Edwards , Cllr J. Clarke

4. Casual Vacancy After the last meeting Mr S. Melia presented his apologies and had resigned from the Council through pressure of work. Central Beds have been notified but and the notice advertising the vacancy has been up No nominations had been received so the Parish Council was asked to fill the casual vacancy by co-option. It was agreed to defer this to the next meeting.

5. Police Report: PCSO Rachel Keen gave the Police Report. 5 crimes had been recorded during the past month and

issues concerning parking and speeding were noted.

6. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 8 th October 2009, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council were agreed to be a true record and were signed.

7. Matters arising :

7.1 During the Public Forum: At the meeting in October Miss D. Tomsett 98 Shefford Road had presented her concerns concerning the clearance of land adjoining Chapel Close. The Chairman noted that he had been in touch with Mr A. Oughton who had replied that there is little hope of getting development stopped unless it could be conclusively proved that there was irrefutable reasons for doing so. It was noted there had been an anonymous article in the Clifton Chronicles. The Parish Council should dissociate itself from this article. .

7. 2 War Memorial : It was noted that the stone is now in place and had been unveiled on Remembrance Sunday. Mrs M. Russell, Leader of the former Beds County Council had been present and her thanks to the Parish Council were presented. The final bills were yet to be received. Beachcroft Solicitors had agreed to act for Parish Council as well as Allianz to recover damages from the vehicles involved.

7.3 Allotments:.- There was nothing further to report.

7.4 Village of the Year; It was noted that Clifton had not been successful in winning either a Category or Regional award and a copy of the judges' report was submitted.

7.5 Bank signatory: This is in hand, but owing to the postal disruption.correspondence is taking a long time to get through

7.6 Bus shelter There was nothing further to report.

7. 7 Play equipment : As previously reported the P|laying Field Committee decided to postpone the purchase of fitness equipment and purchase play equipment for pre -school age children. Consultation with the Parent and Toddler Group regarding suitable equipment is in hand. .

7.8: Central Bedfordshire LDF Site Allocations: It was noted that the Executive Committee had proposed to allocate sites H206 and H261 as the preferred options. The Clifton Improvement and Preservation Society have submitted a letter of protest asking for this to be reconsidered.

7.14 Assistant Caretaker: Advertisements have gone up and there has been interest shown. . During the past month Mrs gave in her notice and will be leaving at the end of the week. Interviews to replace both positions are currently in progress..

7.15 Dogs on Playing Field: Mrs Livesey made a short report on discussions with Mr Whittaker.

7.16Replacement floodlights .now on order. Forde and McHugh reckon that they will be installed this side of Christmas

7.17: It was noted that a Tree scheme would be operating on a reduced scale under Central Bedfordshire.

8. Outstanding Matters: Updated lists would be circulated to the Committees.

9. Correspondence :

9.1 Mrs A Dyke: Letter concerning the application for outline development to the rear of properties in Spring Road. It was agreed to advise her to attend the Development Control meeting and present her case in person. It was also noted that the Chairman had received a copy of a letter of objection submitted by Mr K. Pledger, 2 Chapel Close.

9.2 Mrs J. Yarwood : Letter of resignation to take effect from 15 th November 2009.. A further letter of appreciation for past services was also received and the Clerk was asked to copy this to Mrs Yarwood..

9.3Boundary Commission: Letter concerning the Electoral Review. It was agreed that this should be circulated and comments invited.

9.4 Year of The Child: Letter of thanks from Mrs Blackmore and the organising committee for support for the event.,

Bedfordshire Bugle Issue 6 Vol XVIII Nov 2009

The Playing Field

CPRE Countryside Voice Autumn 2009-

Central Beds: Review of bus services

War Memorials Trust bulletin Nov 2009

Clerk and Councils Direct

10. Playing Fields Committee: The report of the meeting held on Wednesday 14 th October, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted;-

10.1 Water heater in Gents Toilet. Contact has been made with Mr Good and the outstanding repairs are to be undertaken shortly.

10.2 Sweeping car park : Clerk is to contact Verdant to undertake 4 sweeps at 14 day intervals

.10.3 Football Matters . The Chairman reported that he was considering a solution to the problem of the muddy slope from the changing room to the field. Mr Gearing of Clifton Football Club has volunteered to oversee the project.

10.4 Xerscape fitness equipment project . Drop this project and pursue the extension to the children's play area. A wish list has been completed in conjunction with the Parent and Toddler group and a site meeting with a Wicksteed representative will be arranged.

10.5 Electricity Meter: Maximum readings for October were 3460 and 3280

10.6 Safety lights have been fitted to the wall of the building facing the playing field. Sensor operated lights have been fitted over the external entrances to the changing rooms.

10.7 Dog fouling At the last Parish council Mrs Livesey and Dr. Puritz were asked to oversee this project.. Mrs Livesey has spoken to Mr. S. Whittaker of Central Bedfordshire Council and he has recommended a contract company used by them to enforce the C.B.C's Control Orders. The company is SDK Ltd. Tel. No. 08457573268 contact Andrew Denham. After some discussion the committee agreed to recommend the Parish Council to undertake the process of applying a Dog Control Order, banning dogs from the playing field. This procedure is to comply with the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environmental Act 2005. It was agreed that the recommendation should be published in the Clifton Chronicles,

10.8 Flood-lighting : The two lamps on the wall facing the playing field have been changed to 150w floodlights. The third light has not been fitted. It was agreed during a site visit after the meeting with Mark Darnell to investigate up grading to 250W lamps. This may negate the fitting of the third lamp.

10.9 Tables and Chairs. It was noted that some of those requiring cleaning had been put away with the remainder. It was no known if this has been completed.

10.10 Clifton Rainbows store cupboard an agreement with the Mothers and toddlers club has made to remove one of the sets of tables and chairs and swap them with the store cupboard currently in the store shed.

10.11 Sunday Football fees. The parish council approved the split fee payments for the teams. The payments should be due on 31 st August and 31 st January.

10.12 A new padlock for tractor shed. . The new lock has been fitted and the key added to the set stored in the changing room

10.13 Food Hygiene Self Assessment Form: completed.

10.14 Flood lights in the car park. An order has been placed with Forde and McHugh to replace them..

10.15 Finance (a) Mrs Yarwood's, and Mr Ferguson's accounts had been authorised.

(b)The balance sheet showed a balance of £1144.13 of income over expenditure.

10.16. Any other Business (a) Football Matters (i)Mr Darnell reported the cost of the net was more than the £70.0 approved. The committee ask him to submit the new total and they would consider reimbursement.

(ii)The football club were asked to advise on the positioning of additional flood lighting on the field. It was explained that we have two vendors ready to supply quotations. Mr Darnell said it could be a project supported by grants from the F.A. Obtainable through the football club.

(iii) The committee were reminded that the Parking bays for the disabled and the demarcation line for football parking was still to be undertaken.

(iv)The pooper-scooper was missing. This will be replaced.

(v)The doors on the tractor shed are in need of repair.

(vi) Mr Darnell thanked the parish Council for the £100.00 donation. This was part of the winnings from the Village of the Year competition..

(b) Quotations have been requested for :~ (i)New electrical distribution box. (ii) Outside electrical power point. (iii)Electrical Power to the tractor shed and wire lights and switch at both ends. (iv) Awaiting information to place quotation for stand alone flood lights

The report was then accepted.

11. Highways Committee

The report of the meeting held on Thursday, 15 th October, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Council was presented and discussed. It was noted:-

11.1 War Memorial: The stone was now in place and would be dedicated by Rev. C. Topleyat the Remembrance Day service.

11.2 Allotments: A member of the public had offered the use of his garden for allotments..

11.3 Grassed area at entrance to Community Centre. A recent suggestion that part of the Community Centre car park should be used for by local residents for parking was rejected. Hard standing where there was originally grass outside the entrance would be preferable.

11.4 Parking outside Samuel Whitbread; This was discussed. Mr Edwards would talk to the College Governors about the problem.

11.5Village of the Year: Mr Livesey had been interviewed on Three Counties Radio.

11.6 Bollards had been installed outside the Admiral: an account has not yet been received.

11.7 Permission has been given for a bus shelter on his land outside the “One Stop” shop by Martin Daniels with certain provisos. No reply received from Sue Birkett of Central Beds Council.

11.8 Lights: It was hoped these would be installed by the end of the year.

11.9 Forward Planner: This was submitted and expenditure noted.

11.10 Parking at top of New Road. It was agreed that bollards should be put on the verge to match those outside the Admiral.

11.11 Traffic Calming; Any physical attempts to calm speeding would be expensive. The two mini roundabouts in Broad Street and parked cars did reduce it. Councillor Langton would assess the situation and report back.

11.12 Village of the Year prize money: It was suggested that the balance of this should go towards the restoration of the church clock. Mr Livesey agreed to circulate other members of the Council for their approval..

11.13 Parking on the pavement; The danger of this was emphasised. Letters will continue to be put on the windscreens of offending vehicles.

The report was then adopted. It was noted that allotments have been formed at Samuel Whitbread Community College. The exact nature of these is to be determined.

12.. Planning

The undermentioned plans have been returned to Central Beds with no objections:-

CB/09/06100/FULL:Erection of orangery to rear of 11 New Road (Mr Anderson)

CB/09/06257/FULL:Two storey rear extension at 61 Broad Street (Mrs D. Pugh)

CB/09/06043/FULL: Demolition of boundary wall and erection of 2 m high wooden palisade fencing at 4 Knolls Way (Mr A, Foster) (Majority no objection)

CB/09/6296/OUT; Land off Chapel Close, Clifton. No objection in principle but against there being more than 12 houses on site.(a) In addition the design of these houses should match the existing in Chapel Close, (b) There should be a mixture of 2, 3 and 4 bed houses to maximise affordability. (c) Garages should be adequate to accommodate a family sized car + storage space for bins and bicycles. (d) Provision of play space . Also requested Section 106 agreement to fund traffic calming in Shefford Road.

The Committee objected to CB/09/06351/FULL Erection of 2 no. 3 bed dwellings with associated access and garaging on land to rear of 65 Shefford Road, Clifton on the grounds of Tandem Development adversely affecting the character of the area. Both the density of the development and the adequacy of the access was queried. A previous application for two houses was refused as being “unacceptable piecemeal development” and it was pointed out that the current application and the one recently granted equate to the scheme formerly refused.

Central Beds approved the following applications:-

CB/09/05970/FULL Two storey rear extension + first floor front extension at 11 Manor Close (Mr and Mrs McLelland)

CB/09/05512/FULL 3no. 4 bedroom houses on land to rear of 65 Shefford Road (Mr D. Eldridge)

CB/09/05856/FULL; Widening of existing rear dormer window at 58 Church Street (Mr and Mrs Dawes)

CB/09/05856/FULL: Rear extension to existing garage, porch to front and conservatory to rear of 67 Clifton Park (Mr Cole)

For information : Tree work in a Conservation Area: Prune 1 Ash Tree to front and 2 apple trees to rear of 9 Shefford Rd

13 Reports (a) Clifton Lower School: Mrs Livesey gave a short report mentioning inter alia the BEST Report, the new admissions policy and that interviews for a new head teacher were in progress.

(b) Central Bedfordshire Council; Councillor Rogers gave a short report.

(c) Other; (i) Mr and Mrs Livesey gave a short report on the recent Central Bedfordshire Town and Parish Council reception .

(ii) Mr Padgett had attended the Political Speed Dating event hosted by Central Bedfordshire during Local Democracy Week at which he received a certificate.

(iii) Mr Padgett also attended the event hosted by Nadine Dorries at the Rufus Centre and gave a short report.

14. Finance

:Current bank statements at 31.10.09 show

Community Account £4424.84

Instant Access Business Premium Account £ 69,889.40

New Treasury Deposit Bond £30,000.00 bond

Outstanding accounts: Clifton (Sunday) Football teams ½ fees.

Receipts: The following receipts are reported: -Clifton FC Part fees £150.00:Mrs S. Keeling £76.00;Hire of Centre 31.10.09 £76.00; Mrs Foster: Hire of Centre 13.11.09 £48.00; Mrs C. Nagle: Hire of Centre 12.12.09 £48.00; Clifton Parents and Toddlers: Hire of Centre Sept/Oct + Halloween party £173.00: Clifton Rainbows Hire of Centre Sept/Oct. £45.00; Clifton 1 st Brownies Hire of Centre Sept/Oct £52.50.

Payment s Payment of the following accounts was authorised :-

Mrs J. Yarwood: Wages to Nov 14 th £318.00 (Ch101681

W. J. Ferguson: Litter picking for month £60.00 (Ch101682 )

Adrian Crawley: Playing Field maintenance in Oct.£292.50 (Ch101683)

Stephen J. Nott, Electrical work at Community Centre + VAT £552.00 ( Ch101684)

RMS Decoration: Changing room floors +VAT £862.50 (Ch101685)

Jane Anne Floral: Hanging baskets for war memorial +VAT £64.40 (Ch101686)

All Saints Church: Contribution towards clock repair £200.00 ( Ch101687)

Hertfordshire County Council: Litter sacks/paper towels e +VAT £65.95 (Ch101688)

Anglian Water Rates to 12.10.09 £13.28 (Ch101689 )

J. C. Lanham: ¼ salary + refunds/expenses. £1507.94 ( Ch101690)

CPRE Annual subscription £29.00 ( Ch101991)

• G. Good: Plumbing repairs in Community Centre (Ch 101992)

Transfer Authority was given to transfer £1000.00 from the Business Premium account to the Community Account .

Finance Committee: Since there was now a vacancy on the Finance Committee caused by the resignation of Mr S. Melia Dr. Puritz was invited to join the committee.

15. . Dates of next meetings : Thurs 10 th December, Thurs 14 th January 2010, Thurs 11 th February 2010