Apologies were received from Cllr S. Breeze and District Cllr J. Stewart.

On a proposition by Cllr Phillips seconded by Cllr Footman it was resolved that the minutes be approved as a true record with one amendment under item 10.5 to show ‘Mr Tasker’. The Chairman signed the minutes.

Cllr Footman reported on the site meeting with Mike Cooper and the resulting installation of three new drains along Highfields Road.

The response given by the Parish Council was noted.

The letter sent in response to this consultation was noted.

Carried forward to the next meeting.

Cllr Whyatt reported that Mr Barker had been considering a thin metal rail and looking into conservation grants. It was noted that the Parish Council had already paid approximately £450 towards the project. Carried forward to the next meeting.

3.6 (4.2) Traffic calming outside the school and parking problems

Although contacted it was noted that Mr Sharp still had not as yet responded. Cllr Footman and Cllr Martlew both kindly offered to contact him also. Agenda item for th next meeting.

A letter hand delivered from Mr Heffernon, Mr Massey’s report and letters from Mr & Mrs Bell and Mr & Mrs Corcoran were all considered.

On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Lang it was resolved that a complaint should be put to the District Council’s Scrutiny committee in the form of a question along the lines of ‘Why is the Council failing in its duty to prevent a statutory noise nuisance?’ and that up to two hours of solicitors time be approved to support the Parish Council in preparing its case.

It was also agreed that that a reply should be sent to Mr Heffernon with copies to Mr Lansley, Dale Robinson (Head of Environmental Health Department) Patrick Adams (Scrutiny Committee Clerk) and the Chairman of the District Council and the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health amongst others.

5.1.1 Mrs Wise – request for litter pick and a litter bin near the garage

It was noted that a litter pick had already been requested. In response to the request for a litter bin near the lay-by in Highfields Road, north of West Drive, it was agreed that a litter bin should be purchased and that the Clerk should order a model that would fit onto a post having discussed the model first with Cllr Phillips.

As no ten electors had requested an election a letter had been received from J Ballantyne at the District Council stating that the Parish Council could fill the vacancy within sixty days of the date of vacancy by co-option. It was noted that one resident had already offered himself for co-option and it was agreed that a vacancy notice be put in the Journal and on the notice boards. This matter will be an agenda item for the next meeting and interested candidates will be invited to attend the meeting.

The letter from January’s requesting a meeting with the Parish Council to discuss their clients proposed development of Jason Farm Kennels with 15 dwellings was received and considered. On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Lang it was agreed to invite January’s and their client to attend the next meeting to discuss this matter further and that it must be stressed that this meeting will be an opportunity for an exchange of information and no decision would be taken by the Parish Council at the meeting.

In order to assess the level of interest in low cost/affordable housing it was agreed that an article should go in the Journal, people already having expressed an interest be contacted and the District Council be contacted also.

It was noted that the District Council’s Scrutiny Committee would be considering a report from Mr Taylor on S106 Agreements. On a proposition by Cllr Stopp, seconded by Cllr Wolton it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Committee Chairman and members outlining how the report did not address the points raised by the Parish Council in October 2003. It was also agreed to ask Daniel Farrand of Mills and Reeve to comment on this matter.

5.2.4 The Inspector’s report on the A428 proposals and responding to the Parish Council’s objections was noted.

On a proposition by Councillor Lang, seconded by Councillor Footman the following responses were given to the applications:

6.1 S/0161/04 Ballinger, 26 East Drive – extensions and double garage. Approved by the Parish Council with a recommendation that surface water should be disposed of by another method than soak-a-ways e.g. a water harvester, to prevent flooding to neighbouring properties.

6.2 S/0192/04/F Beecroft, 7 Dorral Dean - conservatory. No recommendation by the Parish Council.

6.3 Tree application Mr Barker, Main Street – No comments by the Parish Council.

6.4 Planning consents with conditions from the District Council for Rainbow and Carlsen both in West Drive were noted.

The Chairman reported on the meeting with the contractor who had agreed to install ring drainage for the cricket field at no additional cost if instructed by the developer. Two letters had been sent but to date only an acknowledgement from Matt Broomfield saying that Martin Casey would reply. It was noted that this would not be in accordance with the S106 drainage plans. On a proposition by Cllr Lang, seconded by Cllr Phillips the proposed modification in drainage plans was approved by the Parish Council.

7.1.2 Orchid Management Plan

On a proposition by Cllr Footman seconded by Cllr Drayton the amended management plan was approved.

7.2 Banner Homes

7.3 JS Bloor

7.3.1 Letter from Mrs McArdle asking that the Parish Council reconsider the decision to install play equipment on the public open space in the JS Bloor development and use the money for a piece of equipment such as a climbing wall on the recreation ground.

It was agreed that the views of the village should be sought and that an article should be put in the Journal. It was also agreed to reply to Mrs McArdle asking her to provide additional names and signatures of village residents supporting her suggestion.

A letter is to be sent to JS Bloor informing them of the deliberations and asking that they do not install any equipment until this matter has been resolved.

7.5 Report from the Parish Council recreation ground advisory group

Cllr Stopp’s report on the Group’s behalf was received and considered⁽¹⁾.

Given the need to oversee the recreation ground works and make swift decisions as matters arose on a proposition by Cllr Lang, seconded by Cllr Drayton it was resolved that the Recreation Ground Group (Cllrs Stopp, Wolton, Phillips and Breeze) be delegated to make decisions on all matters relating to the establishment of the recreation ground including drainage, seeding and landscaping, and that they should report any actions to the next Council meeting.

It was noted that the overhead cable still had to be buried.

Cllr Lang offered his help in drawing up a computerised plan for the recreation ground.

It was agreed that the other recommendations listed in the report should be carried to the next meeting.

Given the problems with the proposed site on a proposition by Cllr Drayton, seconded by Cllr Lang it was agreed that a new site adjacent to the track on the western side of Highfields Road between 111 and 109 and that the County Council, bus company and the Police should attend a site visit to consider the site.

It was noted that the other bus shelter near the village hall had been vandalised. Names had been burned into the internal roof.

The bank statements and invoices were checked by the signatories.

On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Footman it was resolved that the following payments as listed in the finance report appended ⁽¹⁾ to these minutes, were approved:

On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Lang Mrs Kember’s salary of XXXX was approved (compassionate leave).

10.1 It was noted that Miss Martlew had asked the Parish Council to consider installing a litter bin on the kick about area where there was always a lot of litter.

10.2 Given all the problems with delayed enforcement actions It was agreed that the Parish Council would consider at its next meeting what was acceptable to it and if it wished to make a statement on enforcement.

10.3 Given the increase in recreational facilities and assets it was agreed that the Parish Council should give some thought to a three year financial plan at its next meeting.

10.4 In response to a resident’s enquiry as to the ownership and responsibility for a very large willow tree on the Grafton Pig Farm land it was noted that this was not the Council’s responsibility but the landowners i.e. Ashwell Developments.

10.5 It was noted that the broken bollard in Highfields Road had still not been repaired.

10.6 Railing quotations for the children’s play area. Carried forward to the next meeting.

10.7 It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting should be held on 20 May and that all village groups, organisations and clubs should be invited to attend. The following are to be asked to send a representative to give their report and answer any questions:

10.8 It was noted that Cleanaway vehicles exiting the Social Club were causing damage to the highway kerb opposite.

10.9 Mr Newby kindly offered to repair the damage to the tennis courts fencing and was thanked by the Parish Council.

10.10 It was noted that five lime trees south of the tennis courts had been vandalised.

Signed…………………………………Chairman…….…………………Date.