Apologies were received from District Councillor J. Stewart, Mr D Bignall, VIRSA and Dr T Hawkins.

The proposal by Councillor Lang seconded by Councillor Phillips that ‘the minutes be approved as a true record’ was carried unanimously and were signed by the Chairman.

A letter was considered from Mr Heffernon, Environmental Health Officer, dated 17 July explaining that he had already come to the conclusion that he would have to serve a noise abatement order and that he had already hired an acoustic consultant prior to the Parish Council suggesting this. He also indicated that a meeting was scheduled for the forthcoming week with Mr McCrystal and it was agreed that a letter be sent to Mr Heffernon asking for a report on the meeting and that the pressure be kept on the District Council to make the factory stop the noise nuisance. Copies of the letter are to be sent to the Leader of the Council and Dale Robinson, Head of Environmental Health.

Councillor Dr Stopp reported that although she had not resolved some issues it was illegal not to remove dog foul from a public area by either taking away or placing in a bin. It was agreed to carry this item forward to the October meeting when a firm recommendation would be brought.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Reed to the meeting. Two contrasting letters from the Charity Commission were considered. One, addressed to the Parish Council, dated 25 July 2002 stated that the Parish Meeting were responsible for the appointment of trustees to the charity, the other addressed to Mr Reed, dated 22 July 2003 stated that the Charity was the responsibility of the Church and should be handed back to it and that Mr Reed should not be a trustee. Both indicated that a trustee could not benefit from a charity.

On a proposition by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton it was agreed to write to the Charity Commission, including the report on the Charity prepared by the Chairman, asking them to clarify the situation.

In response to the Parish Council’s letter a copy of the contractor’s proposed programme along with road closure details had been received and was noted.

In response to the recent complaint a letter dated 17 July confirming that the box in Highfields Road outside Fry’s Scales is emptied daily but admitting that there may have been problems due to the road closure.

Mrs Reynolds letter was noted which stated that this the strip along with other grass verges within the Banner development would be adopted by the County Council and offered to the Parish Council under the agency services grant scheme.

Still no reply had been received and a further letter is to be sent.

An acknowledgement had been received in response to the re-reporting however the sign still had not been replaced.

Confirmation had been received from Mike Cooper that the signs would be dealt with

The Chairman welcomed Mr Wan and Mr Toft to the meeting and invited them to address the Council. Mr Toft outlined a proposal for a three storey building of similar height to neighbouring homes including two shops, one a fish and chip shop and the other a community shop and four two bedroom flats and ten parking spaces (one for each flat and three for each shop). The community shop would be offered at a nominal rent/lease to the Parish Council.

Mr Toft was asked, and agreed to provide in writing further details including a site plan and operating procedures to be considered at a future meeting of the Council. It was agreed that if necessary and extra-ordinary meeting could be convened and residents were asked to let the Clerk have any comments on the proposal outlined before the next meeting.

Nil.

Details of the scheme were passed to Councillor Footman for further discussion at the next meeting. As last year’s bid for pavement widening along Highfields Road had been unsuccessful it was agreed to write to the County Council to see if funding could be allocated from the County’s discretionary budget

5.3 The District Council’s Image of Youth questionnaire was given to each member for completion

A letter had been received informing the Parish Council that directed patrols would take place.

6.1 S/0460/03 33 dwellings Grafton Pig Farms – amendment, glazing to one plot for information – noted by the Parish Council.

The first draft of the S106 Agreement for the Grafton Pig Farms land was considered in detail. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Phillips that:

The Parish Council remain concerned that the provision of the public open space at the given trigger point should be enforceable. Nothing in the Agreement ensures such an enforcement. It is not acceptable to the Parish Council that this lies solely with the District Council. £160,000 should be lodged with a solicitor on the signing of the Section 106 Agreement’ was carried unanimously.

6.2 S/0390/02/F 2 dwellings, land to the rear of 105-111 Highfields Road – amended. Noted by the Parish Council.

6.3 Banner Homes – amendment – transfer of small POS to adjacent resident and 1m strip from the POS to residents in Cavendish Way. As the plans were not clear and did not indicate if the hedge to the rear of the small POS was to be included in the transfer it was agreed to request better plans.

Nothing to report.

It was noted that Karen Champion had said that she was intending to serve a breech notice on Banner Homes for the landscaping on either side of the entrance tot eh development. She had indicated that she preferred a triple row of native hedging to be planted. The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Kember that ‘the Parish Council would accept transfer of the northern strip, if offered with a suitable amount of commuted sum, once the hedging had been established. Also the offer by Banner Homes to put in wooden bollards in front of 8 to 11 Cavendish Way’ was carried unanimously.

It was noted that the transfer for both the tennis courts and the kick about area had been completed since the last meeting and signed by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The land registry documents are expected shortly.

8.2.2 An order had been placed for the multi-use games arena as agreed at the May meeting at a cost of £66,396.88 and a maintenance schedule received.

8.2.3 It was agreed that some thought should be given to the value of tennis court and children’s play area fencing so that these could be added to the insurance policy if necessary.

8.2.4 Following the site meeting with Matt Broomfield, Martin Casey and members it was noted that work to the recreation ground still had not started as promised. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Mr Broomfield urging him to begin the works as promised without further delay and stressing that eh schedules and provisions in the S106 should be adhered to.

8.2.5 It was agreed that once the transfer of the recreation ground had taken place the parish Council should consider access implications to the area.

8.2.6 At a previous meeting it had been noted that a breech notice had been served on Wilson Connolly for the POS areas including the landscaping of the kick about area. Lesley Dickinson had telephoned and reported that the District Council had not as yet posted the notice. The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Kember that ‘quotations for the replacement trees be brought to the next meeting’ was carried unanimously.

8.2.7 It was noted that the gate on the children’s play area had been vandalised and Mr Newby’s kind offer to repair it was gratefully accepted.

All bank statements and invoices were available for checking. On a proposition by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Phillips the payments as shown in the financial statement^(appended) were approved:

It was noted that this forms a substantial part of the annual audit and that the Parish Council already the parish Council undertake a full annual review of it assets, insurance policy and other risks as appropriate. On a proposition by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang it was agreed that the Parish Council should formalise its policy/approach to risk assessment and that this then forms part of the council's standing orders to be reviewed/undertaken twice per year. It was further resolved to purchase CALC’s risk assessment guidance book (£10-20) and the new edition of the Charles Arnold Baker (£40) in conjunction with other parish councils.

Given the recent transfers and receipt of funds from the proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Drayton that 'the fidelity guarantee be increased to £45,000' was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the form.

10.1 A hole in the pavement outside the village hall had once again appeared and is to be reported to Wilson Connolly for repair.

10.2 Dumping on the bridleway was noted and will be monitored.

10.3 The speed limit in Caldecote and the Parish Council’s wish to see this reduced to 30mph was considered. It was agreed that Councillor Martlew and Councillor Whyatt should discuss this and do all they could to press the County Council to reduce the limit.

10.4 It was noted that Lesley Dickinson had called to say that she had written to Wilson Connolly asking that the cut the hedge along Hall Drive and East Drive to 2 metres in height, remove all the brambles and then fill the gaps in November.

10.5 Vehicle access to the Social Club. It was noted that Highway Division had said that they would talk to Wilson Connolly to see if a rear access could be arranged.

10.6 Complaints regarding the BP garage selling alcohol to under age youths were considered. On a proposition by Councillor Footman, seconded by Councillor Kember it was agreed that this should be reported to the Licensing official.

10.7 Complaints had been received and were noted following a private firework party that had distressed some residents.

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.40pm.