Minutes of the Yardley Hastings Parish Council Wednesday 8 th November, at 7.30pm, The Memorial Hall Present: Mr H. Cave (Chair), Messrs R. Houghton, M. Coppock, A. Rowton, J. Quilter (arrived 8.45pm) and J. Grant, Ms S. Davies and Ms D. Smith Clerk: Mr G. Gill Public: None Councillors: Steven Hollowell 150./17 Apologies Apologies were received from Messrs J. Keggin and D. Winter. These apologies were approved. Apologies were also received from Councillors Michael Clarke and Carole Clarke. 151./17 Public Participation None 152./17 District and County Councillors Reports Councillor Steven Hollowell reported that he had being going through the SNC s Local Plan Part 2 proposals (see Item 159./17(c) below). The only item which he wished to draw to the Council s attention was in relation to the proposed policy allowing Build to rent in Primary service villages. He believed it was appropriate for Build to rent to be allowed in Secondary service villages (such as Yardley Hastings) as well. He was anticipating that the application in relation to the reserved matters in Planning Permission S/2013/1595/MAO would be delivered to the SNC later in the week. The application would have to be considered by the SNC s Planning Committee, most likely at its January meeting. Members of the public would be allowed to address the Committee, and this would be an opportunity for people from Yardley Hastings to express their support for the scheme. He had arranged a meeting with the Leader of the Council for the following Thursday (16 th ) to raise with him various matters arising out of the Planning Committee s rejection of the Deed of Variation at their October meeting (and see Item 169./16 below). 153./17 Members Declarations of Interest for items on the Agenda None. 154./17 Approval of Minutes of last Parish Council Meeting held 10th October The Minutes were approved on the proposal of R. Houghton, seconded by Mr M. Coppock and signed by the Chairman. 155./17 Matters arising from Minutes None. 156./17 Casual Vacancy The Clerk reported that the person whose application he had reported to the previous meeting had on further consideration decided to withdraw owing to the nature of his employment. Earlier in the day he had received an application via email from Mr Chris Pickering, who had been enrolled on the Electoral Register for the village in May 2017. There had not been any other
expressions of interest. It was unanimously agreed that Mr Pickering s application be accepted and that he be co-opted as a member of the Council. The Clerk said he would advise him of the date of the next meeting. 157./17 Finance (a) Approval of the half-yearly financial statement The Clerk circulated copies of the half-yearly financial statement showing the income and expenditure to 30 th September. Ms S. Davies confirmed that she had verified the bank reconciliation. The statement was approved on the proposal of Mr M. Coppock, seconded by Ms D. Smith (Copy statement attached). The books would now go to the internal auditor for the half-yearly audit. (b) Review of (i) Clerk s remuneration (hourly rate) and (ii) Clerk s contracted hours Mr A. Rowton reported that he had had an initial meeting with the Clerk, and that he and Mr J. Quilter were hoping to complete the Clerk s appraisal before the next meeting. However he observed that in any event the Clerk was due a backdated cost of living increase following the 1% pay award for employees on the NJC pay scale effective from 1 st April 2017. This was agreed on the proposal of Mr M. Coppock seconded by Ms S. Davies. (c) Grant Application to the government s Transparency Fund for 2017/18 The Clerk said that he had considered further whether it would be appropriate to make a second claim under the heading of Training. However it appeared to him that such a claim could not be justified on the basis of the three invoices so far submitted by 2Commune, since it was only the first of those invoices which specifically referred to Training, and that invoice had been claimed for in the Grant Application for 2016/17. Accordingly the only items he was proposing to include in the Grant Application for the current year were a sum of 240.00 in relation to the hosting fee for the year, and a further sum of 240.00 in relation to staffing costs for the year. This was agreed on the proposal of Mr J. Grant seconded by Mr M. Coppock. (d) Review and advertising of the Handyman Contract Councillors noted the contents of the current contract, copies of which had been circulated by the Clerk. It was agreed that the clause requiring the planting up of the redundant flushing tank in the High Street should be deleted from the new draft contract, since this work was now being done by the Yardley Hastings Garden Centre at its own expense. Otherwise the wording of the new draft contract, to run for three years from 1 st April 2018, was agreed. The Clerk also circulated copies of a proposed advertisement, and the wording of this was approved subject to the deletion of the line suggesting that the Council might be prepared to split the contract. It was agreed that the advertisement should be placed in the Parish Magazine and the Village Newsletter, as well as on the village notice boards and notice boards in the neighbouring parishes. (e) Budget for 2017/18 Councillors noted the contents of a draft Budget previously circulated by the Clerk. The Clerk observed that in the current financial year the Council had spent nearly 1,000 on tree surgery, none of which had been budgeted for. Also the anticipated acquisition of Shop Lane would result in legal fees and disbursements of about 500. Again this had not been budgeted for. Fortunately the cost of the street lighting project had come in at nearly 600 under budget and the 800 budget for cutting the highway verges had remained unused. The Chairman asked Councillors to consider what capital projects might be appropriate for the next financial year and to bring their suggestions to the next meeting., All Councillors
(f) Payment of accounts received Terry Watton Handyman 1/10/17 31/10/17 G. Gill Clerk s remuneration October Brown & Barden RBL Poppy Appeal Grass cutting in Rec 2 cuts in October Poppy Wreath (S.172 LGA 1972) Net: 140.00 VAT: 28.00 255.00 220.00 168.00 20.00 Mr M. Coppock proposed, Mr J. Grant seconded, and it was agreed that the above accounts be paid. 158./17 Web Publication of Council Documents a) Adoption of a policy allowing Community Groups to upload details of their forthcoming events The Clerk thanked Ms D. Smith for the suggestions which she had made since the previous meeting. Unfortunately he had been tied up with other Council business in the last few days and had not had time to do any further work on the draft document. 159./17 Correspondence a) Invitation from SNC to send representatives to their Parish Council Event on 23rd November Mr J. Grant and Mr R. Houghton agreed to attend on behalf of the Council. b) Invitation from SNC to complete their annual Rough Sleeper Estimation Form The Clerk reported that this was for the night of 9 th November and that having consulted with the local Ministers he was proposing to submit a nil return. This was agreed. c) Invitation from SNC to respond to their consultation on their Local Plan Part 2 proposals The Chairman observed that the Parish Council had already made a detailed submission in relation to the extent of the village confine. Also the Conservation Area had been recently reviewed. There was therefore no need to make any further representations at this point. d) Invitation from NCC to respond to their 2018-19 Budget Consultation (Phase 1) It was noted that the NCC were proposing significant cuts to their services in a number of areas. The Mobile Library service and the cutting of the highway verges were the two areas in which the proposed cost savings were most likely to directly affect the village. The Clerk drew attention to an email which he had circulated inviting signatures to a petition asking the NCC to preserve their Trading Standards department. e) Email from Geoff and Gill Routhorn re: condition of the brook Councillors noted the suggestion contained in the email that the smell emanating from the brook in the vicinity of the Pocket Park was being caused by an overflow of sewage. However it was noted that there had been very little rainfall during the month of October, which had resulted in there being no flow in the brook for several weeks. In all likelihood the smell was being caused by rotting vegetation, in particular fallen leaves. Mr J. Grant observed that during the period of minimal rainfall there had not been any flow of water over the weir by Waterfall Farm. Therefore any sewage would have to have entered the brook between the weir and the Pocket Park, which was extremely unlikely. It was noted that there had been a significant amount of rainfall in recent days, that the brook was now flowing well, and that the smell had disappeared. The Clerk apologised that he had not yet contacted the Environment Agency to request them to remove the concrete blocks which were impeding the flow in the Pocket Park.
160./17 Emergency Plan formation of a working party Ms D. Smith reported that she had looked at a number of emergency plans which had been adopted by other Parishes in the County, in particular those adopted by Grendon and Glapthorn. However it appeared to her that there were certain issues with these plans which meant that they were not necessarily suitable for Yardley Hastings. She would do some further research with a view to bringing a report to the next meeting. Action: Ms D. Smith 161./17 Dog Fouling and Other Litter Nothing to report. 162./17 Village Sewerage System It was noted that there had not been any significant rainfall since the previous meeting sufficient to cause any overflows. 163./17 Recreation Ground (a) Repairs to play equipment etc The Clerk presented a quotation from Geoff Routhorn in the sum of 25.00 for the replacement of the broken spring on the pedestrian gate on to Northampton Road. This was agreed on the proposal of Ms D. Smith seconded by Ms S. Davies. The Clerk confirmed that otherwise Terry Watton s latest inspection report was clear. 164./17 Employment of Community Payback Team Nothing to report. 165./17 Highways (a) Update on outstanding matters The Clerk reported that the blocked gully on Northampton Road opposite Avenue Villa had now been cleared by a team from Highways. (b) Shop Lane The Clerk reported that he had spoken with the landowners solicitors earlier in the day. They were hoping to progress the matter as soon as they were in possession of their clients title deeds. 166./17 Policing and Neighbourhood Watch Mr R. Houghton reported that he had received the Minutes of the SNAST meeting on 10 th October (which he had been unable to attend). These Minutes noted that the number of Special Constables in the County was now down to about 380, considerably less than the number recruited as a result of the initiative of the previous Police and Crime Commissioner. PCSOs were now allowed to work until midnight, rather than 10pm, and for a Parish or a group of Parishes to engage the exclusive services of a PCSO would cost in the region of 38,000 per annum (assuming a 40 hour week). Dialling 101 from a mobile phone now had the benefit of a ring back service. There had not been any recent incidents of crime in the local area. He showed Councillors a Neighbourhood Watch sign which he had been given, intended for display on a lamppost or telegraph pole, and asked for suggestions as to where it might be displayed to best effect.
167./17 Pocket Park and Millennium Triangle (a) Repair of Village Sign It was noted that this was now in progress. Action: Mr R. Houghton, Mr J. Grant (b) Adoption of a planting scheme for the newly cleared area of the Millennium Triangle Councillors noted a quotation in the sum of 960.00 received from Matthew George for his suggested work to various trees on the Millennium Triangle, in the highway verge opposite, and in the Pocket Park. It was agreed that the trees on the Triangle should take priority, and Ms D. Smith said she would go back to him and ask him for an itemised quote in relation to these trees alone. It was agreed that the other trees, in the highway verge and in the Pocket Park, did not need any immediate attention. The Clerk said he would include an item in the Agenda for the December meeting which would allow the Council to make a decision on the proposed tree surgery, and the details of a planting scheme. This would require some costings for the proposed seeding/turfing to be put before the next meeting, as well as the quote for the tree surgery. Action: Ms D. Smith, Clerk (c) Pocket park Nothing else to report. 168./17 Street Lighting Mr R. Houghton reported that Light No. 22 on the Millennium Triangle had been observed to be malfunctioning for a few days shortly after the last meeting. However there was not currently any demonstrable fault with it. 169./17 Affordable Housing & Sports Facilities Update Councillors noted the contents of a draft letter previously circulated by the Clerk which he was proposing should be sent by him on behalf of the Council to the SNC s Chief executive. Amongst other issues the letter expressed the Council s concern about the SNC s officers handling of Lord Northampton s application for the Deed of Variation, in particular the fact that the officers had been at odds with each other when addressing the Planning Committee as to whether or not Lord Northampton s application should be granted. Furthermore that it was regrettable that this discussion had been held behind closed doors. Subject to some minor amendments the wording of the proposed letter was approved. Councillors also noted the contents of a draft letter previously circulated by the Chairman which he was proposing to send to the Rt Hon Mrs Andrea Leadsom, the Member of Parliament for South Northamptonshire (and see Item 152./17 above). 170./17 Planning Matters The Clerk confirmed that he had not received any applications for consideration. 171./17 Arrangements for a training session re: use of the defibrillator Mr Houghton said that he had booked the main room in the Memorial Hall for a training session on Thursday 25 th January. The session would be advertised in the Village newsletter. Action: Mr R. Houghton 172./17 Councillors Reports and Concerns Ms D. Smith said that she had received a complaint about the amount of rubbish which had accumulated on the pavement outside Mangos, in Bedford Road East. It was noted that none of
the retail premises in the immediate vicinity appeared to have any refuse bins of the type normally associated with the collection of waste from commercial premises (or, as in this case, from fast food outlets). The Clerk said he would make enquiries of the SNC as to whether their current collection arrangements for these premises were fit for purpose. Ms S. Davies reported that rainwater was pooling across the whole width of Chase Park Road opposite the end of Highfield Way. The Clerk said he had mentioned this to Terry Watton after the previous meeting, and had asked him to see if he could find any gullies in the grass verge against the brook which he might be able to rod through. He would pursue the matter, if necessary with the Street Doctor. Mr J. Grant reported that he had received a complaint that dog poo bags were being deposited in Church Lane. The resident had asked if it might be possible to install a dog poo bin in this location. The Clerk observed that such bins were very expensive, and that in any event it would not be possible to install one in Church Lane, since it was a private road. However it was perfectly permissible for dog poo bags to be left in the Parish Council s litter bins, a number of which were located at various points in the village. It might be appropriate to re-advertise this fact in the Village Newsletter. He would also speak to the resident concerned. Mr. J. Grant said that he had been approached by the owners of 2 South Vale who had asked if anything could be done about the trees on the Parish Council s adjoining land. The Clerk observed that the Council s established position was that this would be an inappropriate use of public money, and said that he would send them a letter in appropriate terms. 173./17 Future Meeting Dates Tuesday 12 th December and Wednesday 17 th January.