Eaton Bray Parish Council
Below is a summary of the minutes of the Eaton Bray Parish Council Meeting of 4th December 2006.
A full version can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF):
Download Full Minutes for 4th December 2006
Summary of Minutes - Monday 4th December 2006
New Councillor
The Chairman welcomed Maria Crace as a new Parish Councillor. Maria completed and signed the Acceptance of Office of Councillor and Notification of Financial and Other Interests.
Public Forum
Mr. S. Willis addressed the council with reference to a letter he had received from SBDC in response to his complaints about the District Council Planning committee's response to their objections to a planning application for land adjacent to Bower Lane, and the incorrect representation of the area of Greenbelt land to the rear of 20-23 Medley Close. Mr. Willis does not feel that the letter explained the anomaly. The Clerk had not received a response to the PC's letter requesting an explanation.
Chairman's Correspondence & Comments
A note of thanks from the Poppy Appeal organiser for the donation of £75 for wreaths, a total of £1,512.11 had been raised in the village.
Copies of Alarm Notification Order leaflets from SBDC, giving details of the new order effective from 26th Nov 2006 that requires owners of commercial and residential properties fitted with burglar alarms to register keyholder information with SBDC not later than 24th Dec 2006.
A report giving the crime figures for November as follows: Total of 16 offences – 1 aggravated burglary, 1 criminal damage, 3 criminal damage to vehicles, 3 miscellaneous theft, 3 other burglary (allotments etc.), 1 criminal damage to a building, 1 assault, 2 theft from shop, 1 theft from motor vehicle.
A letter requesting permission to erect a flagpole for a St. George's flag. The council asked the GP committee to investigate this further and to bring recommendations to the council.
A letter from Mrs. S. Hounslow, Head of Eaton Bray Lower School, informing the PC of their success with gaining the approval of Beds. C.C. for the planned nursery building. The PC was asked to grant permission for parents to temporarily park cars in the neighbouring park car park, and to allow for a new pathway through the hedge to the back of the school. It was unanimously agreed to give the council's approval in principle but to request further information concerning the expected use of the car park and the need for the new path.
District & County Representatives
County Councillor Brian Piggott addressed the council with an outline of some of the implications following from the recent White Paper on Local Government Reform, highlighting the moves towards a two-tier system across the county.
Eaton Bray & Edlesborough Carnival 2007
The PC propose to have a stall at the 2007 carnival to provide the opportunity to meet members of the public and Councillors from Edlesborough in an informal environment.
GP Report
Skateboarding
This is being researched; the young residents making the request are to be invited to the next GP meeting.
Allotments
The GP committee proposed that markers should be placed showing the position of each plot.
Village Hall Report
Mr. Norman Lee addressed the council on behalf of the Village Hall Committee, and stated that Phase One of the improvements was now completed.
As a result of the improvements, there had been an increase in booking income, which together with careful management, reducing running costs by approx. 17%, had led to a much better financial position.
Successful fundraising gave sufficient reserves for Phase Two of the improvement programme, which will provide upgraded rest room facilities with better disabled access.
It was also reported that recent storms had caused considerable damage to the roof and other areas, but the hall was still "open for business". This damage would be the subject of an insurance claim.
Fencing Adjacent to River Ouzel Bridge
The Chairman opened the quotes for work to replace fencing, and advised the council of the contents.
It was agreed unanimously to instruct Aaron Fencing to proceed with the work.
Parish Council Working Agreement
It was agreed to amend the appendix to the working agreement that deals with the Parish Clerk's hours of work, the new arrangements are as follows:
- The Clerk will normally be available during the following hours:
Monday: 09.00 - 13.00
Tuesday: 09.00 - 13.00
Friday: 09.00 - 12.00 - At other times a telephone message may be left. These messages will normally be picked up between 17.00 and 18.30. The Clerk will respond to non-urgent messages at the next time as above. Urgent messages will be acted upon without delay.
- E-mails. The Clerk may be contacted using email, an email will be sent to acknowledge receipt. The Clerk's response will be as for telephone messages.
Clerk
It was agreed to add Cllr. M. Crace to the Lloyds bank account mandate.
The new allotment tenancy agreements have been distributed.
The Clerk reported that the annual fire extinguisher tests had been carried out.
The council was advised that redecoration to the Coffee Tavern cottage was now complete, and a new bathroom suite installed. The next step is to purchase carpets and curtains.
Planning
Two applications were considered:
- SB-TP/06/1237 - 4 Jubilee Cottages
Construction of vehicular crossover.
Approval was proposed and carried with one objection. - SB-TP/06/1266 - 8 Bower Close
Insertion of dormer window and removal of balcony.
Approval was proposed and carried with two votes against.
The meeting closed at 23.05.
Next Council Meeting
Monday 8th January 2007, 7.30pm, in the Coffee Tavern.