WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Monday 9th October 2006 at 7.00p.m

Present             Councillors                   Mrs M. Bates (in the Chair)

Mrs D. Blackburn, C. Cowmeadow, M. Fletcher,

D. Hopkins, R. Hale (until 8p.m.) Ms. Russon

                                    Clerk                            Mrs L. Stapleton

Apologies                     Councillors                   Mrs J. Jeffreys

Also Present                                                     Mr P. Jones (Fire Service), Mr G. Gurney (until 7.43)

Deputy Mayor's Announcements

112/06 It was with great sadness that the Deputy Chairman had to report on the sudden death of the Chairman Cllr. Ken Peters.  He died whilst on holiday on 2nd October, all Councillors were extremely shocked by this news, he had enjoyed being Town Mayor and was looking forward to his future engagements, his hard work and commitment will be hard to replace.  The Funeral will be held on 13th October, there are to be no flowers but donations can be made to the British Heart Foundation or to Oxfam.  We will all miss him dreadfully, one minutes silence was held.

            As a mark of respect to the family, the vacancy will be discussed at the next meeting.

Minutes

113/06 Minutes of the meeting held on 11th September 2006 had been circulated, approved and signed as a true record.

To Declare any Matters of Interest

114/06 Nil.

Reports from Committee Chairman & Outside Bodies

115/06 Fire Service

Mr Peter Jones reported on the survey carried out in Woburn Sands when an appliance drove through the residential streets to highlight problem areas.  Two surveys, one at weekend and the other during an evening was carried out.  Two streets were a particular problem, Theydon Avenue which was very tight and Vicarage Street where Firemen had to dismount.  Problem areas like these can result in loss of life.  Mr Jones informed us that in a joint campaign with the Police, was in progress and leaflets will be distributed advising people to park sensibly early in November.

Details were requested for Wood Street, Corner of The Leys, Turnpike Close and Spring Grove.  A copy of this report will be sent to Trevor Dove.

Mr Jones also highlighted that new developments are even more of a problem due to the narrowness of the streets.

Mr Jones informed members that they can carry out a Fire Risk Test for the elderly.

A highly visible mobile unit will be in attendance at the Christmas Carnival.

116/06 Unitary Councillor

Councillor Hopkins reported that Swallowfield School were looking for governors if anyone was interested.

He highlighted that due to the forth coming expansion of Leighton Buzzard, that in the long term there will be no room for Milton Keynes children to attend secondary schools in Bedfordshire.  David Gamble has been made aware of the interest for a secondary school to be built in Woburn Sands, and supports the idea.  It was agreed that a meeting will be held with Mr Gamble in the New Year.

117/06 Planning

It was agreed to hold a meeting to discuss planning applications on Friday 13th October 9.30a.m.

The following notifications have been received from Milton Keynes Council:

67 - 69 High Street                              Application withdrawn

280 dwellings Station Road                   Permission Granted

                                                                        976

The Clerk reported that the S.106 had been signed on 27th September.

Members were extremely cross that the 106 had been signed and no one had informed the Town Council that this was about to happen.  Especially as we were still querying items.

Cllr. Hopkins will be looking into this, he also had not been made aware.

It was agreed to write a letter of complaint to David Hackforth copied to John Best.

Nampak Landscaping

Meeting has been convened for 10th October at 2.30p.m.  Cllrs. Mrs Bates, Hale and the Clerk will attend.  Andrew Horner, Steve Crowther and Brian Rodgers will also be in attendance, possibly P.C. Rick Williams

MK Partnership

Brooklands development proposed ridge will be discussed at a meeting to be held on 11th October.  No one is able to attend.

Notification from Mid Beds District Council

The Bakery, The Square, Aspley Heath

Erection of detached garage/store building.

No Comment

67 Station Road - Greensands Vetenary Surgery

Change of opening hours from 6p.m. to 7p.m. weekdays.

No Comment.

The Clerk reminded Councillors of the meeting with MP's on 3rd November at 6.30p.m.

118/06 Finance

Cllr. Cowmeadow will carry out an internal audit.

119/06 Halls

            Cllr. Fletcher reported on the flooding underneath the stage.

            MK Surveyor had attended and organised a camera survey of the drains and soakaway.

Drain located on passage leading to Council entrance will need to be dug up and replaced, the survey showed root growth and a lot of silt.  The Clerk had also written to The Swan requesting all overgrowth from their car park to be removed from wall, guttering and roof of the hall.  Work will have to be claimed on the insurance.

120/06 Environment

            The Clerk reported on many local roads being flooded during very heavy storms.

121/06 Friends of Edgewick

Report enclosed.

122/06 School Governor

            Nil to report.

123/06 WSBCA

Nil to report.

124/06 Police

Nil to report

125/06 Centenary

            Next meeting 23rd September 7.30p.m.

                                                                                    977

126/06 Christmas Carnival

Cllr. Hale reported that the Christmas Trees had been ordered, side shows, events and table sales were progressing.  The main debate had been insurance which will be covered by the Council's policy, except certain attendees who will be informed that they must provide their own insurance.

The Council agreed that the Carnival Parade will go ahead providing that vehicles / organisations have their own public liability insurance, and pending the Risk Assessment which is in the process of being finalised.  This will be circulated to all Members.  It was agreed that a committee member could be delegated to organise the logistics of the parade.

127/06 Holocaust Memorial Day

It was agreed to hold the Memorial Ceremony on Saturday 27th January commencing at the new time 11.00a.m.

128/06 Parish Conference Dinner

There will be no one to take the vacant ticket.  The Clerk will notify Milton Keynes Council.

129/06 Corporate Policy Development Cmt.

Copy of minutes were circulated.

Will agree with most points but will reiterate the business rates where such a small parish has to support a High Street.

130/06 Danesborough Forum

Cllr. Hopkins reported on the positive response and minutes will be circulated when completed.  He did make Cllrs. Aware that Walton Road will possibly become a no through route.

131/06 Summary of Residents Survey.

This had been circulated to all Members it was agreed that the various sub committees will address these items.

132/06 Theydon Avenue

The Clerk reported that some residents had been to view the proposed plans.  One resident pointed out the difficulty refuse vehicles have in turning into Lime Grove, already resulting in one accident, a white line opposite junction was requested to allow turning space.  This point and the Fire Engine survey will be sent to Milton Keynes Council with the Town Council's comments agreed at the previous meeting.

133/06 Parish Assembly Meeting.

            Cllr Mrs Jeffreys had left a written report, which was circulated to all members.

134/06 To Agree Payments

It was proposed, seconded and agreed to authorise the payments of invoices as listed.

It was agreed to give a donation of £50 to the British Heart Foundation in memory of Cllr. Peters and a donation of £25 towards the retirement collection of Revnd. Jeffreys

Correspondence

135/06 Hacker Young

Annual Return 2005/06 had been signed off, notice has been displayed.

136/06 The Parks Trust

A strategic plan for the Green Estate has been received, copies had been circulated to Cllr. Mrs Bates and Cllr. Hale, these might be useful regarding the Nampak development.

                                                                                    978

137/06 Milton Keynes Council

Notification of application for an increase of "Amusement with prizes" machines from 2 to 3.

No objection.

138/06 Milton Keynes Council

            Milton Keynes Local Transport Plan 2006/07 - 2010/11 has been received.

139/06 St. Michaels

Agreed that Cllrs. Mrs Blackburn, C. Cowmeadow, Mrs Jeffreys and Mr Blackburn will attend the quiz.

140/06 MK Partnership

Invitation to register an interest in taking part in the Eastern Expansion Area Stakeholder Group.

It was agreed to register an interest.

141/6   Milton Keynes Council

Notice of application for a premise license at Frosts Garden Centre.

The Clerk had queried the times and was agreed that there was no objection.

Late Items of Correspondence

No items

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 13th NOVEMBER 7.30p.m.