Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Thursday 27th March 2008 in Turvey Village Hall at 7.30pm
Present:
Mr P Collins, Mr C Knight (chairman), Mr R Petty, Mr P Anderson, Mrs G Wiggs (clerk), Mr P Atkinson, Mrs H Morgan, Mr D Niblett, 5 Members of the public
1.
Apologies
Mr M Smith, Mr R Spray, Mr A Christensen, Mr D Reedman, Mr M Smith
2.Declaration Of Interests
There were none
3.Minutes of the meeting held 31st January 2008
These were signed as a true record, with an amendment attached at the request of Mr Spray.
4.Public Questions
Concern was raised over a dog that was running loose on the recreation area and attacking other dogs. It was agreed the Clerk would write to the owner at 6 Hawthorne Close and the Dog Warden – Action The Clerk.
Two adult men were reported drinking alcohol in the cemetery over the bank holiday weekend.
The owner of one of the properties in Bamfords Yard explained his plans for improving the area. It was regularly vandalised, and attracted a lot of nuisance youth activity. In addition to this it was regularly being used as a “cut through” to the school, and drivers were coming through at considerable speed. The area is now full of pot holes. The owner pointed out that Bamfords Yard was privately owned and there is no public right of way through it. He therefore intends to smarten the area up and put up a gate. The Parish Council thanked him for letting them know and explained that as the land is privately owned, it is not a Parish Council matter and should be resolved between the landowner and local residents. If the landowner is correct and there is no legal right of way for residents, then he is free to act as he wishes with relation to gates and the Paris Council recognises this.
Matters Arising: -
Crime & Nuisance Youth Activity Mrs Morgan reported the situation was now much improved. The clean up had been done, letters had been issued, CCTV installed and the gate locked. The dog mess has also reduced considerably. Mr Knight thanked all those who helped with the clean up. He was still waiting confirmation of wording for signage from Bedford Borough Council legal department. He would also contact PC Gill to ask him to keep an eye on things. The returned slips for Team Patrol volunteers were passed to Mrs Morgan.
Mr Niblett reported parking on pavements was becoming a problem again. Mr Knight agreed to report to PC Gill – Action Mr Knight.
Priory Close Play Area The resurfacing would be completed shortly.
Newton Lane Mr Knight reported that the repairs at the top of Newton Lane had not been attended to. The Clerk was asked to refer the matter again to Mr Reedman - Action The Clerk/ Mr Reedman
Carlton Rd drainage Mr Knight reported that this had not been attended to. The Clerk was asked to refer the matter again to Mr Reedman - Action The Clerk/ Mr Reedman
Light Pollution – Mr Knight reported that this was still an ongoing problem at The Grange, but the residents were working together to resolve it
Street Name Signs – Jacks Lane and Grove Road signs had been replaced.
5.Finance
Bank Balance: - At the start of the meeting balances stood at £25,686.19
Accounts Already Settled:
000887 A J Fencing £205.63
000888 BATPC subs £214.00
000889 Clerk Salary £231.00
000890 BBC – Code of Conduct £14.20
000891 D French – Web £77.00
000892 K Cockings – bus shelter £123.70
6.Planning
Approvals:
07/03571/FUL single storey side extension – 19 Priory Close
07/03626/FUL single storey rear extension – 22 Norfolk Road
Refusals
07/03753/LBC Timber Shelter - The Three Cranes
New Applications
08/00257/FUL Conservatory – Little Gains Farm, Bedford Rd
No objection
08/00460/REM Demolition of outbuilding and erection of house and double garage – Woodlands, May Rd
No objection, but concerns raised about access and car turning
Planning Workshop – This had been attended by Mr Niblett and Mr Petty. The main topic for discussion was the planned revision of Settlement Policy Areas (where future developments can take place), the need for potential housing sites (in particular for Affordable Housing), and the desire to maintain commercial and business sites in rural areas. It was agreed that the land previously looked into for Affordable Housing could be mentioned again, although it is not a strong candidate as this offer had subsequently been withdrawn by Mr Hanbury, plus not enough people were interested. The ex Scorpion site in Bamfords Yard could also be mentioned – Action The Clerk
7.Highways and Maintenance
Grass Cutting Specifications – These had been issued out and two quotes received. It was agreed to accept the quote from Mr Cockings.
High Street Bus shelter (opp village hall) Mr Petty pointed out the bin needed replacing, and he was regularly clearing the bus shelter of litter. It was agreed to purchase a replacement bin, and ask BBC whether “litter fine warning” signs could be erected in the bus shelter – Action The Clerk
Clean Up Day 21/6/08 – The Chairman asked Mr Atkinson to co ordinate this. – Action Mr Atkinson
Replacement Bus Shelters - Mr Collins reported that a grant of £3000 towards two new bus shelters had been awarded. He would be organising the next steps over the coming weeks – Action Mr Collins
Highways 5 year Programme – Mrs Morgan highlighted the proposed areas for work within Turvey, and asked that any highways issues be emailed to her for reporting.
Litter Picker – There had been no response to the advert. Mr Knight would reword it and put it in Turvey News again and on the shop notice board. – Action Mr Knight
Fyshes land – It was agreed that everyone would consider what could be done to improve this land, and an article would be put in Turvey News to invite ideas – Action Mr Knight
8.Enhanced Parish Partnership Scheme 2008/9 - £5000
It was agreed the allocation would be spent on digging up and replacing the footpath in Turvey Loop, including the cobbles outside Duncan’s shop which are in poor condition. The priority area being the stretch from Cranes Close up to the shop – Action The Clerk.
9.Newton Lane Traffic Calming
Following Traffic Surveys carried out by Andy Thacker of Beds Police Road Traffic Division, he had recommended that gateways be installed on Newton Lane, on the approach to the High Street, as well as sharks teeth. It was agreed that in the first instance to ask Highways permission to do this, and to get prices of signs the same as the ones on Carlton Rd – Action The Clerk
10.AOB
Rural Bulky Waste -The Clerk reported the next collection is on 17th May 2008
Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Consultation – Mr Niblett took the details for review
BBC Scrutiny Review – Any suggestions for internal scrutiny to be forward to the Clerk by 18th April 2008
NAT’s Air Traffic Route changes consultation – Any comments to The Clerk by 22nd May 2008
Article in Turvey News – Mr Collins congratulated Mr Knight on an excellent article in Turvey News.
Police - The lack of contact from PC Gill in recent months was discussed. The Clerk was asked to write to Gail Mulvaney – Action the Clerk
11.Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 29th May 2008 at 7.30pm in Turvey Lower School (AGM). Mr Knight would not be able to attend, but confirmed he would be happy to remain as Chairman if he were nominated.
