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Minutes of the meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Monday 11th December 2006 at 7.30p.m Present Councillors Mrs M. Bates (in the Chair) Mrs D. Blackburn, C. Cowmeadow, M. Fletcher, D. Hopkins & Mrs J. Jeffreys
Clerk Mrs L. Stapleton
Apologies Councillors R. Hale and Ms. Russon
Town Mayor's Announcements 168/06 Cllr. Mrs Bates thanked everyone who helped with the organising of the Christmas Carnival, she helped with the best dressed window judging and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. She reminded Members that the Clerk will be away 22nd - 28th January. It was queried if the assistant Clerk would work the full week, the Clerk will ask if she would be willing. She also mentioned that Cllr. Hopkins had called a meeting with Mr John Best and Mr David Hackforth regarding the lack of consultation/dialogue and our concerns with the former Nampak application. Mr John Best was supportive and has requested that the planning officer should be instructed on people skills. Everyone agreed that it was not a disciplinary matter. It was made clear that with the approaching second application consultation should be much improved. Cllr. Hopkins was thanked for bringing this to the attention of Mr Best. Cllr. Mrs Jeffreys informed Members that she had given a speech on the workings of a Parish Council at a local Probus Club. This was well received.
Minutes 169/06 Minutes of the meeting held on 13th November 2006 had been circulated, approved and signed as a true record.
To Declare any Matters of Interest 170/06 There were no declarations.
Reports from Committee Chairman & Outside Bodies 171/06 Unitary Councillor Cllr. Hopkins reported that the No Cold Calling scheme was progressing; two trial areas will be set up in the New Year, one in Bow Brickhill and the other in Elm Grove. There had been an exhibition held by developers regarding an expected planning application in the future developing land from Lower End Road to Wavendon Golf course. It was agreed that the Town Council would make a submission. He had received complaints regarding older men sitting in the Recreation Ground drinking, watching children. This had been reported to the Police, but he suggested the Town Council consider drinking control areas, which would give power to the police to move people on. Cost could be a deciding factor but was agreed to put this item on the next agenda for consideration and invite Rick Williams. Reason have appointed a planning consultant for their response to South East Expansion panel. A site visit has been arranged for 18th December at 10a.m. Cllr. Mrs Bates will attend and a request for her to point out that we need a strategic gap around the older settlements to prevent coalescence. A letter will be sent to Michael Brooks and to the South East Panel. It was noted that there might be a conflict of interest regarding the southern by-pass between ourselves and Wavendon parish.
172/06 Planning Cllr. Mrs Jeffreys reported on the two following applications: 06/01647/TCA J. M. Breen Notification of intention to remove two trees and six conifers at: 40 Station Road No Comment, rely on recommendation from tree officer.
06/01838/FUL Mr P. Freeman Two storey and single storey rear extension at: 6 Vandyke Close Providing the neighbours are happy the Town Council have no comment to make.
The following notifications have been received from Milton Keynes Council: 9 Spring Grove Permission Granted 47a Newport Road Permission Refused 9 Blackthorn Grove Permission Granted 38 Station Road Permission Refused 1a The Leys Permission Granted 81 Newport Road Permission Granted Asplands Medical Centre Permission Refused
It was agreed to write a letter to the planning officer regarding the refusal of the Asplands application. To request to see reports, and enquire why we were not informed of the impending refusal.
INFORMATION 73 High Street The applicant has appealed. The Clerk will make enquiries and respond.
173/06 Finance Budgets are to be discussed and applications for grants to be considered. Meeting arranged for 15th January 7.30p.m.
174/06 Halls Cllr. Fletcher reported on the meeting held on 20th November. Halls Rents The halls rents were discussed, Cllr. Mrs Jeffreys informed Members that a member of the Business Association had mentioned that it was a little unfair that commercial bookings get away with a low rent when property owners have to pay such high Business rates. She did inform them that the Council were trying to strike a right balance. The bookings for The Purple Poppy Gallery will be investigated. This matter will be discussed in full at the next halls meeting. In the meantime the proposed increases were proposed, seconded and agreed by all members. The Clerk reported that the tea urn has had to be replaced for the Institute at the cost of £81.08 New Christmas Lights were purchased for the small tree on the corner of Chapel Street. Repairs had to be carried out on the outside socket on the Institute for the Christmas lights.
175/06 Environment The report of the meeting held on 20th November was discussed. It was requested that it be made clear that some money which has been put aside for Edgewick Farm was to be put towards the cost of some information boards. It was also suggested to try and apply for a Heritage Grant. The Clerk reported on the following: a. Drains blocked with leaves and footways slippery with leaves in Theydon Avenue and Hardwick Place. Cllr Mrs Jeffreys also reported the drain outside The Swan. This had been reported, and should be done very soon. A drain cleaning schedule will be requested.
b. The footway outside 19/21 Theydon Avenue needs repairing as floods when rains. This has been reported. c. Footpath and road edges in a poor state in Elm Grove due to flooding. This will be reported to MKC. d. Rycroft will rotivate area in the Rec. when conditions are right. e. A complaint was received regarding the street lighting at the lower part of Station Road. One light is out and has been reported, however, lighting in this area will be improved when the new development has been completed. Members agreed to monitor the area.
176/06 Friends of Edgewick Report enclosed. Dexter cattle are now grazing with the sheep.
177/06 School Governor Cllr. Mrs Jeffreys reported that Fulbrook School was second in the Primary league table for 11 yr. stats. They achieved a very good Ofsted report. Two pupils will be reading a poem at the Holocaust Memorial Service.
178/06 WSBCA A meeting had been held.
179/06 Police Nil to report.
180/06 Centenary Cllr. Mrs Blackburn reported that a meeting had been held with the Garden Club. A show schedule will be produced to be circulated with newsletter. Formal invitations had been sent to the dancing groups. Agreed to have a photograph taken of the celebrations. Agreed to have a plaque made to be installed on the Town Sign. Next meeting 9th January
181/06 Christmas Carnival Cllr. Mrs Jeffreys reported that the carnival was a huge success, the charity benefiting will be Swallowfield School. A debriefing meeting will be held on 12th December. Volunteers required to dismantle the tree lights on Sunday 7th January meeting at the Institute at 9.30a.m.
182/06 Joint Area Tasking & Co-Ordination Meetings An opportunity to raise concerns regarding Anti Social Behaviour which needs to be addressed by multi agencies. It was agreed that Woburn Sands did not have these particular problems.
183/06 Community Parking Partnership Scheme 2007/08 Application forms had been received. It was agreed not to apply. It was suggested that sometime in the future Mr Grimes should be contacted to discuss rear parking for some of the High Street shops.
184/06 Flooding Under Stage The Clerk reported on the two options to have the entrance passageway re surfaced to try to resolve the flooding. More prices were needed for other works, when all of these have been received, the Clerk will inform the Insurance Company, when a response has been received then the Council will have to discuss and agree all proposed works.
185/06 To Agree Payments It was proposed, seconded and agreed to authorise the payments of invoices as listed.
Correspondence 186/06 Milton Keynes Council Parish Financing Arrangements have been received, provisional figure for Woburn Sands Band D is £949.74. Precept figure to be returned by 16th February.
187/06 Milton Keynes Council An opportunity to supply additional information leaflet regarding precept to be included with Council Tax Bills at a cost. It was agreed not to do this.
Late Items of Correspondence 187i/06 BBRUA Latest Newsletter 187ii/06 Milton Keynes Council Agenda for Parish Assembly meeting to be held on 14th December. Cllr. Mrs Blackburn Apologies, Cllrs. Mrs Jeffreys and Hopkins will attend. 187iii/06 Milton Keynes Council Local Development Framework Core Strategy has been received.
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 8th JANUARY 7.30p.m.
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