Minutes of the Kensworth Parish Council Meeting
held at Kensworth Village Hall on Thursday 13th July 2017
Present: Chairman P Mitchell, Parish Councillors G Blackburn, J Murray, J Bradley, I Lowery,
C Browne, Ward Cllr Collins, Clerk Maxine Whiting, 1 member of the public
1. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Parish Cllr P Woods and Ward Cllr R Stay. Parish Cllr I Lowery is attending the Beds Police engagement this evening at Dunstable Police Station and will attend later if possible.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declaration of interests.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held 8th June 2017 were a correct record and signed by the Chairman, after addition that Cllr Browne had given her apologies.
4. PROGRESS UPDATE FROM LAST MEETING
Joe Pitt, Team Leader in CBC Highways Waste Services, emailed today to advise the weed control element is not included within our Service Level Agreement. Predominately this is due to the necessity to ensure compliance with current legislation, to ensure herbicides are appropriate for use within a public environment and applications are consistent across the District. In respect of the Chilterns, it is believed to be CBC Housing Land not land adopted as Highway but has arranged for contractor to spray the weed growth (weather permitting) by the early part of next week.
Clerk has requested that once the department responsible for weed control is identified, this is added to their work schedules and also to include Russell Close.
7:40pm Cllr Murray arrived
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Member of public requested that recognition should be given to Yogi for his community work and support while running a village shop.
It was AGREED to add to the September agenda for discussion.
6. POLICE
Clerk circulated Police crime data spreadsheets link to Councillors. 6 offences reported in June.
Vice Chair Ian Lowery will convey the parish council’s issues at the engagement this evening and request an update on actions being taken in Kensworth following recent open sessions and information provided by residents.
There has been an increase in abandoned vehicles in the village. Councillors to forward vehicle and location details and Clerk will collate and forward to the Police.
7. CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
Ward Cllr Collins advised that Trading Standards have asked residents to be cautious of door step callers and request ID, especially as they have been made aware Anglian Water uniforms have recently been stolen.
There will be a Public consultation held shortly to propose compulsory purchase of land in Billington to construct an authorised traveller site which can be managed and enforcement action taken.
Cllr Mitchell advised of complaints from residents that the access road rear of properties in Russell Close is showing on CBC system as a private road and therefore issues (overhanging tree and broke street lamp) are not able to be reported or actioned. This road is believed to be CBC responsibility as part of the Council housing estate. Ward Cllr Collins will check with definitive map department and ensure any maintenance required is carried out.
Complaints received from residents regarding drones flying over their properties. Ward Cllr Collins suggested forwarding these to Maggie Higton in the Anti-Social Behaviour team at CBC.
Complaints from footway and verge parking can be dealt with by CBC, however a Traffic Regulation Order needs to be requested by the parish council and CBC can then implement.
8. PLANNING
CB/17/02955/FULL 42 Poplar Road, Kensworth, Dunstable, LU6 3RS
Double storey rear extension and front canopy
No Comment
9. CBC DRAFT LOCAL PLAN
The Draft Local Plan has been launched for public consultation from 4th July to 29th August. Documents and link have been forwarded by email to all Councillors and poster put in notice board to advertise it.
There appears to be little impact on Kensworth in the draft plan due to it being within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There has however been a great deal of resistance in neighbouring Caddington to the proposed development West of Luton of around 2000 homes.
It is hoped Neighbourhood Plan Chair John Worboys will attend the town and parish council drop in session about the draft Local Plan on Tuesday 18th July.
Ward Cllr Collins advised that Neighbourhood Plans cannot allocate land for development in Green Belt. The land submitted by the parish council in the ‘Call for Sites’ has been rejected for this reason, however it would be valid for the parish council to challenge the rejection of this site due to local support following public consultation.
Councillors encouraged to submit individual comments before 29th August deadline.
9pm Cllrs Browne & Bradley left the meeting and Cllr I Lowery arrived.
10. ALLOTMENT FENCING
22nd June email from Peter Joslin, CBC Team Leader Routine Maintenance advised the area maintenance surveyor carried out an inspection on the 14th June 2017 and determined that the lock to the gate appeared to be effective, however,the chain link fencing has been damaged in several areas. The cost to supply and fit pallisade fencing along the length where the damage is occurring is significant, however will commence the procurement to secure the works next week.
11. 1ST QUARTER SPEND AGAINST 2017/18 BUDGET
2017/18 / 1st Qtr / Year EndStaff Costs / Budget / Spend / Predict
Clerks Salary & expenses / £ 10,000.00 / £ 2,395.58 / £ 10,000.00
NI & Tax / £ 2,300.00 / £ 465.90 / £ 2,300.00
BCC Pension / £ 3,000.00 / £ 765.24 / £ 3,000.00
TOTAL / £ 15,300.00 / £ 3,626.72 / £ 15,300.00
Administration
Office expenses / £ 200.00 / £ 200.00
Chairman Allowance / £ 750.00 / £ 750.00
Insurance / £ 700.00 / £ 661.45 / £ 700.00
Training, Subscriptions, Fees / £ 1,000.00 / £ 100.00 / £ 1,000.00
Sundries / £ 200.00 / £ 200.00
TOTAL / £ 2,850.00 / £ 761.45 / £ 2,850.00
Highways & Amenities
Parish Land Grasscutting / £ 2,700.00 / £ 438.33 / £ 2,700.00
CBC Land Grasscutting / £ 6,700.00 / £ 1,419.24 / £ 6,700.00
Gritting / £ 2,500.00 / £ 155.00 / £ 2,500.00
Hall Refuse collections / £ 1,200.00 / £ 394.78 / £ 1,200.00
Hall CCTV phone line & repairs / £ 750.00 / £ 67.50 / £ 750.00
Playground repairs and maintenance / £ 200.00 / £ 66.50 / £ 200.00
Litter Clearance / £ 1,320.00 / £ 334.80 / £ 1,320.00
Allotments Water / £ 200.00 / £ 200.00
Allotments Maintenance / £ 100.00 / £ 100.00
Hedge cutting, general repairs / £ 500.00 / £ 500.00
Tree Surgery / £ 500.00 / £ 500.00
TOTAL / £ 16,670.00 / £ 2,876.15 / £ 16,670.00
Section 137
Grants / £ 2,500.00 / £ - / £ 2,500.00
TOTAL / £ 2,500.00 / £ 2,500.00
VAT / £ 3,000.00 / £ 587.66 / £ 3,000.00
Plus 2% contingency fund / £ 806.40 / £ 806.40
GRAND TOTAL BUDGET SPEND / £ 41,126.40 / £ 7,851.98 / £ 41,126.40
Ring fenced Projects
(N.B. not included as spend 2017/18!)
Neighbourhood Plan / £ 1,000.00
New play equipment (Donations) / £ 4,558.16
New play equipment (Parish Council) / £ 5,000.00 / £ -
TOTAL / £ 10,558.16 / £ 7,851.98
GRAND TOTAL INCL RING FENCED / £ 51,684.56
12. BANK RECONCILIATION
The following bank reconciliation and accounts had been provided to Councillors prior to meeting:
Balance at 31.03.17 b/fwd / £ 34,919.54Plus income to date / £ 29,691.82
Subtotal / £ 64,611.36
Less payments to date / £ 7,851.98
CLOSING FUNDS BALANCE / £ 56,759.38
Represented by balance at / 30.06.17
Current Account / £ 57,472.68
Subtotal / £ 57,472.68
less unpresented cheques / £ 713.30
CLOSING BALANCE / £ 56,759.38
DIFFERENCE / £ -
Unpresented cheques
VGS / 102010 / £ 713.30
In accordance with Financial Regulation 2.2, Cllr I Lowery signed the bank reconciliation and the original bank statements as evidence of verification.
13. SPEEDWATCH SIGNS
Caroline Streek is the co-ordinator for Kensworth Speedwatch and currently 8 volunteers are trained to use the equipment. Appropriate signage needs to be erected prior to checks which are hoped to start in September. Chairman Mitchell met with CBC approved signage contract Auckland Manufacturing and locations and signs have been identified and quoted for.
It was AGREED to support the Speed Watch group and approve purchase of 2 large and 2 smaller signs. Items listed under payments.
14. CHAIRMAN REPORT
Attended the A5 - M1 link (Dunstable Northern Bypass) official opening ceremony today. Interesting to hear all sites in Woodside Industrial Estate are full and the 40 hectares of land encompassed by the new road will be in demand brining jobs to the area. CBC leader James Jamieson gave a presentation and mentioned there would be a large number of signs erected and formal policing of HGV limits in Dunstable and surrounding villages. MP Selous confirmed that Highways England have already notified Sat Nav operators.
15. CORRESPONDENCE
BATPC Beds Bugle July 2017 – 29/6 email fwd all cllrs
BATPC Good Councillor’s Guide to Neighbourhood Planning 2017 – copy and invoice received
Official Opening Ceremony A5/M1 LinkInvitationto attend the ceremony on 13th July for the official opening of the A5/M1 Link Road
London Luton Airport June issue of Inform and proposed timetable for Future Airspace Changes prog email fwd 26/6
CBC Shaping Where you Live 2035 Draft Local Plan July 2017 – docs distributed and posters put in noticeboards
16. AUTHORISATION OF PAYMENTS
It was RESOLVED by full council to authorise the following accounts for payment and two authorised signatories were instructed to sign the below cheques:
01/07/2017 / SO / Maxine Whiting / Clerk salary & expenses / £ 720.0013/07/2017 / 102011 / Maxine Whiting / Clerk balance salary & expenses / £ 74.48
13/07/2017 / 102012 / Bedfordshire Pension Fund / Pension contributions / £ 255.08
13/07/2017 / 102013 / HMRC / PAYE & NI / £ 155.30
13/07/2017 / 102014 / Anthony Bishun / Litter picking / £ 111.60
13/07/2017 / 102015 / Village Garden Services / Invoice maintenance & recreation June / £ 713.30
13/07/2017 / 102016 / Beds Assc Town & Parish / Good Cllr NP Guide / £ 8.90
13/07/2017 / 102017 / Auckland Manufacturing / 2 x Large Speedwatch signs / £ 131.90
13/07/2017 / 102018 / Auckland Manufacturing / 2 x Small Speedwatch signs / £ 106.85
30/07/2017 / DD / Cawleys / Village Hall Bin Emptying / £ 90.00
17. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION IN “THE PARISH LINK”
CBC Draft local plan, Trading Standards advice, Drones usage.
Meeting closed at 9:20pm.
3 Signed by Presiding Chairman ------
12th September 2017