HENLOW PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Henlow Parish Council held on Monday 4^th September 2006 at 7.30pm

in the Committee Room of Henlow Parish Hall _________________________________________________________________________________

Present: Councillors Dixon (Chairman), Wiles, Brigham, Mrs Cliff, Cliff, Mrs Cook, Mrs Sapiano, Machin, Wenham, & the Clerk.

Also present were County Councillor Rogers, PC Busby & five parishioners.

65. Apologies for absence

Apologies received from Cllr Buckley, (work commitments), &

Cllr Warlow, County Councillor Drinkwater, and Sqd Leader Ritchie (other commitments).

66. Open Forum

One parishioner asked if cycling on the pavement was still a criminal offence, as had experienced problems with cyclists nearly hitting him as he walked the village. He also was concerned that he had rang the police telephone number, left a message, but some few days later, no one had returned his call. PC Busby promised to contact the parishioner, to discuss this matter.

67. Declarations of Interest on any items on this Agenda

Cllr Dixon declared a prejudicial interest on agenda item 69a (i) as he was a director of the applicant company. He left the meeting whilst this matter was discussed. Cllrs Mrs Cook, Mrs Cliff and

Mrs Sapiano declared prejudicial interests on agenda item 73 as they were all committee members of the group. They were asked to remain whilst the item was discussed, but only to give factual information, and not to supply opinion or take part in the vote.

68. Reports from other organisations.

Cllr Rogers updated the council on the work of BedsCC and Cllr Cliff gave a report on Mid-Beds District Council. PC Busby went through the crime statistics that had been previously circulated. He also advised the council that there was a review of the areas covered by the local beat officers, and that these would be re-aligned to reflect the electoral wards of the County Council. The net effect would be that he would be transferring to cover Stondon.

69. Planning

Cllr Sapiano arrived at 7.40pm.

At this point Cllr Dixon left the meeting, Cllr Wiles then took the chair, after the council agreed that, although he lived in the same road as the application, he was not immediately affected by the proposal. Cllr Wiles then suspended standing orders so four persons could speak on application 06/01191/Full.

a) Planning Applications

(i) 06/01191/Full – Erection of four dwellings together with parking and access road, land adjacent to 21 Clifton Road, Henlow, by Regal Court Developments (Woodside) Ltd of, Cooks Way Hitchin.

Two neighbours of 21 Clifton Road advised the council that they felt that the development would have an adverse effect on their properties regarding loss of light, car parking, and encroachment on the countryside. Two people then spoke in favour of the application, citing tandem developments in other parts of the village, as well as the benefits of ‘tidying up’ this area. All the parties were thanked for their comments, and Cllr Wiles then resumed standing orders. Further discussion took place before it was resolved;

This council objects to this application on the following grounds,

· as it believes that there is over development of the site,

· has concerns on access to the site

· insufficient car parking,

· it is tandem development,

· there will be a loss of light to the neighbours.

· These contravene policies DPS6 and DPS10 of the Local Plan.

Cllr Cliff did not vote on this application, or give any opinion in the debate. Cllr Dixon then returned to the meeting and resumed the chairman’s role.

(ii) 06/01320/Full – Loft conversion to include 1 dormer to front elevation, 7 Station Close, Henlow, by Mr P Milton of 7 Station Close, Henlow.

Resolved this council has no objection to this application.

b) To consider representation of the council at the planning meetings of MBDC discussing the above applications

Cllr Cliff asked not to represent the council on application number 06/01191/Full, so it was resolved;

That either Cllr Wiles or the Clerk represents the council, when application 06/01191/Full is discussed at the development control committee of MBDC.

Cllr Machin arrived at 9.08pm

General

70. Chairman’s Announcements – for info only.

Cllr Dixon reminded the council that there was a vacancy at Henlow Camp. He then asked for volunteers to form a working party investigating the possibility of a firework display in the parish.

Cllr Wenham agreed to help Cllr Dixon.

71. Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 31^st July 2006

These minutes, as well as the confidential minutes were signed as a true record of the meeting, once some small amendments were made.

72. Clerk’s Report and Correspondence. – For info only.

73. To receive a request from ‘Village Care Scheme’ for a section 137 grant.

Cllr Mrs Cliff updated the council on the work of the ‘Village Care Scheme’ and how it raises funds. She also gave some background information as to why the insurance premium had increased significantly. The council were concerned on this matter, and asked further details, before it would make a final decision. Cllr Mrs Cliff was asked to pass copies of correspondence to the Clerk before the next meeting on the 25^th September 2006.

74. Millennium Field & Allotments – no report.

75. Phygtles, Pit & Playground Equipment – no report.

76. Highways

To receive and adopt the report of the Highways working party meeting 20^th July 2006.

This was adopted, and is attached to these minutes.

77. Communications – no report

78. Parish Hall, War Memorial, Village Pump & Sign

a) To decide on delegates to new fire regulations training event

Thursday 28^th September 2006, Haynes Village Hall, 7.30 – 9.30pm.

Resolved the Clerk & Cllr Wiles attend this event.

b) To consider a request from parishioner to hire the hall for a toddler group at a reduced rate.

A letter from the parishioner was circulated by the Clerk. The Clerk also advised the council on the booking rates currently charged for commercial events, bookings by parishioners for one off events, and the reduced rate available for block bookings. Further discussion took place before it was resolved;

That the Clerk satisfies himself that there is no commercial activity involved in this hire, and charges, the commercial or reduced rate where applicable.

79. MUGA2

To receive and adopt the report of the MUGA2 working party meeting 8^th August 2006.

This was adopted and is attached to these minutes.

80. New Parish Properties

To receive and adopt the report of the New Parish Properties working party meetings of the

14^th & 29^th August 2006.

Cllr Dixon gave a verbal report, stating that a fuller report will be available at the meeting on the

25^th September 2006. He reported that there had been a very full debate before the working party had concluded that it was right for the council to pursue one single building, on the site at

‘The Pyghtles’. The working party will be producing a list of next steps to the council at its next meeting.

81. Approval of Accounts

a) Payments to be made

Payments to be approved (including vat.)	Minute no	Chq no	Net Amount	VAT	Gross Amount
Full Council
Staff costs			956.94		956.94
RBS Solutions (new Accounts package)	F&G12	81	327.50	57.31	384.81
BRCC (affiliation fee)	St12	83	30.00		30.00
BPFA (affiliation fee)	St12	84	25.00		25.00
HertsCC (stationery)		88	51.96		51.96
HMCS (court costs to recover allotment)	84	93	150.00		150.00
Petty Cash (top up)		95	16.95		16.95
Pyghtles, Pit & Playground Equipment
IGB Fencing (repairs to kissing gate)		85	153.19	26.81	180.00
Harrods UK Ltd (new goalposts)		87	1360.00	238.00	1598.00
RCS Builders Ltd (repairs to sewage pipes)		90	5142.90	900.01	6042.91
Parish Hall, War Memorial. Village Pump & Sign
HertsCC (new chairs for P Hall)		88	432.00	84.69	516.69
Bedford Bor Council (refuse collection)		89	51.61	9.03	60.64
Highways
D J Granger (8^th cut of village highways)		91	180.00	31.50	211.50
Communications
Pronta-Print (Summer edition of Parish pump)		94	300.00		300.00
Total					10525.40

Resolved to accept these payments.

b) To allow Clerk to attend the SLCC Regional Conference – 4^th October 2006 – Colchester -- £40

Resolved the Clerk to attend the course.

82. To approve the application for Quality Parish Status.

The Clerk reported that the criteria’s had been met. He had completed the application form, which would be considered in October. He added that the board had considered the problems caused by the non-publication of the accounts with the annual report in the spring edition of the ‘Parish Pump’ and had given the council dispensation. It was then resolved;

The Clerk applies for QPS as soon as possible.

83. Invitation to BRCC AGM – 7.30pm, Tuesday 12^th September 2006, Clifton –

including Village of the Year presentations, and to decide if any councillor wishes to be nominated to the board of directors.

Four people have been invited to this meeting, as the council had entered the Village of the Year competition. Cllr Dixon also read the criteria for being a director of the BRCC. After discussion it was resolved;

a) That the council has no volunteers to be nominated to the board of directors.

b) That Cllr Mrs Cliff represents the council at the meeting, and invites three people to attend with her that she feels reflects the groups who helped with the presentation.

The Chairman then moved the following resolution:

‘That under section 100A and Schedule 12A, part 1 paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 it is advisable that members of the public and press are requested to leave the meeting whilst matters pertaining to the Councils employees and tenders are discussed.

84. To consider action to be taken regarding non-payment of allotment rent.

85. To finalise the clerks contract.

There being no further business the meeting finished at 10.57pm

Chairman_______________.

Next meeting September 25^th 2006

HENLOW PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Henlow Parish Council held on Monday 25^th September 2006 at 7.30pm

in the Committee Room of Henlow Parish Hall _________________________________________________________________________________

Present: Councillors Dixon (Chairman), Wiles, Brigham, Mrs Cliff, Cliff, Mrs Cook, Mrs Sapiano, Wenham, Warlow, & the Clerk.

Also present were County Councillors Drinkwater & Rogers, Sqd Leader Ritchie & six parishioners.

86. Apologies for absence

Apologies received from Cllr Buckley, (other commitments) & Machin (holiday).

87. To co-opt a new councillor for the Henlow Camp ward.

The Clerk had previously advised the council that there had been no request to hold an election. Therefore the council could co-opt a representative themselves. The Chairman asked if there were any nominations. He confirmed that an approach had been made by M Joy to fill this post. The Clerk had previously circulated a CV from M Joy. M Joy then left the meeting and her application was discussed. It was then resolved;

That M.Joy is co-opted to the council to represent the Henlow Camp ward.

88. Open Forum

Cllr Dixon suspended standing orders so three parishioners could speak on planning application 06/01456/Full. Their concerns centred around car parking, the proximity of the development to the roundabout and bus stop, and the possibility of being overlooked if the current trees to the rear of the development, were removed. The parishioners were thanked for their presentations, and standing orders were resumed.

89. Declarations of Interest on any items on this Agenda

Cllr Wiles declared a prejudicial interest on agenda item 91a (iii), as a neighbour of the applicant. He left the meeting whilst this item was discussed.

90. Reports from other organisations.

Sqd Ldr Ritchie confirmed that the RAF would be in attendance for the Remembrance Service. He also stated that the application for the police helicopter to be stationed at RAF Henlow had been declined. However, as the Police must leave Luton Airport by 19^th December 2006, there would be an appeal. He stated that as this was crown property the RAF had granted temporary rights to the police to use their existing helicopter pad for operations until another suitable site could be found, or the appeal was successful. The council registered its annoyance at this, as it felt this bypassed the planning system. The Clerk was asked to write to the police to register this point.

Cllr Cliff reported that the district council had approved a grant of £21000 for the council, towards new play equipment in the pit. Cllr Drinkwater reported that the site for the puffin crossing at

Bedford Road had been agreed, and that this was now going out to local consultation. A design team had been agreed for the improvements to the area around the shops at Henlow Camp. The ownership of the various pieces of land had been resolved, and the team would commence consultations in 2007/8.

91. Planning

a) Planning Applications

(i) 06/01337/TDM – Erection of 1no 11.7metre high slimline monopole mast incorporating 3 no antennae, radio equipment housing, junction of Arlesey Road/Hitchin Road, Henlow, by T Mobile,

Resolved, this council objects to this application. There has been no attempt to look at mast sharing or alternative locations, and therefore contravenes policy DPS29, of the local plan. The council is also concerned that the screening is only on one side.

(ii)  06/01456/Full – Erection of 5 no 2 bed terrace cottages with associated parking following demolition of existing garage/car showroom, 2 Clifton Road, Henlow.

Resolved, this council objects to this revised application, it does not address the council’s previous concerns on off street parking near a roundabout & bus stop. This contravenes policy DPS6.

(iii)  06/01529/Full – Single storey and first floor rear extensions,

38 Clifton Road, Henlow by Mr & Mrs Castle of 38 Clifton Road, Henlow.

Resolved, this council has no objection to this revised application

b) Planning Decisions

Notice of Approval

(iv) 06/00645/Full – Retention of extended outbuilding and external alterations in association

with its partial use as ancillary residential accommodation, Poppy Hill Farm House,

Poppy Hill, Henlow.

(v) 06/00365/Full – Land at Westfield Farm, Hitchin Road, Henlow, conversion and extension of redundant agricultural buildings to form 3 residential units.

(vi) 06/00976/Full – Erection of straw storage barn and extension to existing calf rearing pens, Plot10 Westfield Farm, Hitchin Road, Henlow

Notice of refusal

(vii)06/01024/Full – Offices and hanger for police helicopter, RAF Henlow.

c) To consider representation of the council at the planning meetings of MBDC discussing the above applications

Resolved that Cllr Cliff represents the council, when applications 06/01337/TDM & 06/01456/Full are discussed at the development control committee of MBDC.

General

92. Chairman’s Announcements – for info only.

Cllr Dixon congratulated Cllrs Mrs Cliff, Mrs Sapiano and Warlow for their efforts on the

‘Village of the Year’ competition, where the village had won the Bedfordshire heat.

93. Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 4^th September 2006

These minutes, as well as the confidential minutes were signed by Cllr Dixon, as a true record of the meeting, once some small amendments were made.

94. Clerk’s Report and Correspondence. – For info only.

95. To decide on next steps regarding the Village of the Year Competition

Cllr Mrs Cliff had previous circulated a summary of the application requirements for the

‘Eastern Counties’ heats of this competition. After further discussion, it was agreed to appoint six people to oversee each section. It was then resolved that these people would be;

a) Cllr Mrs Cliff – Community life @ older people.

b) Cllr Warlow – Young people

c) Cllr Mrs Sapiano – Business

d) Cllr Wiles – Environment

e) Cllr Buckley – IT

f) Cllr Mrs Cliff to circulate when items have to be completed by.

g) The Clerk to co-ordinate responses.

h) All councillors to forward to the Clerk ideas of how the £1000 prize money can be allocated.

96. To decide on delegate to send to Bedfordshire Police ‘internal reorganisation’ consultation event 17^th October 2006, MBDC HQ 7.00pm

The invitation to this event had been previously circulated. It was then resolved;

Cllr Dixon attends on behalf of the council.

97. Millennium Field & Allotments

To receive and adopt the report of the Millennium Field & Allotments working party meeting 18^th September 2006.

This report had been previously circulated. After discussion some amendments were made to the recommendations before it was resolved;

a) The Clerk informs the allotment holders that the rate per plot for 2007/8 is £17.

b) The Clerk to liaise with Cllr Dixon to obtain the costs of the pipe work etc

c) The Clerk asked to write to BedsCC to point out the error on footpath 18.

d) The Clerk to ask the P3 group to clear both footpaths 2 & 18 where they run parallel to each other.

e) The Clerk to advise the Ivel & Ouse Valley Countryside Project that the council may wish to employ them for the first year, but to ask Cliff Andrews to attend the next meeting to answer some questions.

f) The Clerk to ask the grounds man the costs of providing a mown path around the

Millennium field.

g) The Clerk to contact the landowners to discuss changes to the direction of footpath3, and a connection to the Millennium field.

h) The Clerk asks BedsCC to decline signing the section38 agreement on Gardeners Lane until the dead trees are replaced. The Clerk to also update David Lamb at MBDC regarding the lack of live trees.

i) The council agrees to host a firework display at the millennium field on November 5^th 2006, early in the evening.

98. Pyghtles, Pit & Playground Equipment

Playground inspection report.

The Clerk reported that there was a problem with the gate at The Pit, the gate will be replaced, and the bench that has been ruined, removed. On the ‘Pyghtles’ there is a problem with graffiti, which the Clerk and Cllr Warlow will remove. The Clerk had also asked the working party to look at the fences surrounding the Pyghtles and the trees.

99. Highways

To receive and adopt the report of the Highways working party meeting 19^th September 2006.

This report had been previously circulated, it was then resolved;

a) The Clerk and Cllr Warlow ensure the site visit to discuss a footway linking Coach Road & Park Lane is carried out.

b) The council confirm that the Henlow Parish Partnership money is used to resurface the stretch of footway between Belmont and the entrance to Groveside.

100. Communications

To receive and adopt the report of the Communications working party meeting

18^th September 2006.

This report had been previously circulated, it was then resolved;

a) All Parish Pump articles must be in by 16th October. The Parish Pump must be back from the

printers by 26th October. Distribution must be completed during the weekend of the 28th/29^th.

b) Councillors to advise the Clerk the telephone number they want to be placed on the website

c) New editor of the Henlow News be invited to the next Communications meeting.

101. Parish Hall, War Memorial, Village Pump & Sign – no report.

102. New Parish Properties

To receive and adopt the report of the New Parish Properties working party meetings of the

14^th, 29^th August & 11^th September 2006.

Cllr Dixon apologised for not providing a report. He stated that a recommendation would be available before the next full council meeting.

103. Approval of Accounts

c) Payments to be made

Date	Payee Name	Cheque	Total	VAT	Net
09/09/2006	MBDC	dd	£120		£120	Council Tax
16/09/2006	Post Office	cash	£9		£9	stamps
18/09/2006	E-ON Energy	dd	£29	£1	£28	p hall lighting
20/09/2006	Staff costs	96	£908		£908	salary sept 2006
22/09/2006	Powergen	dd	£207	£31	£176	street lighting
25/09/2006	HBS	100	£84	£12	£71	new goals min OS06/3/4
25/09/2006	SLCC	97	£40		£40	Regional conference
25/09/2006	HertsCC	98	£193	£29	£164	new cooker for p.hall
25/09/2006	A Crawley	99	£260		£260	groundsman contract
25/09/2006	BT	dd	£99	£15	£85	tel bill 01462 735041
	Total Payments		1,948.87	88.20	1,860.67

Resolved to accept these payments.

The Chairman then moved the following resolution:

‘That under section 100A and Schedule 12A, part 1 paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 it is advisable that members of the public and press are requested to leave the meeting whilst matters pertaining to the Councils employees and tenders are discussed.

104. To finalise the clerks contract.

There being no further business the meeting finished at 10.38pm

Chairman_______________.

Next meeting October 16^th 2006.