FELMERSHAM & RADWELL PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 14 JANUARY 2020

Attendees:

Councillors: Peter Hartop (Chair), Marjorie Pipe (Vice Chair), Matilda Boswell, Maxine Boswell and Annette Courtney. Borough Councillor: Doug McMurdo Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer: Trevor Roff

Public: There was one member of the public in attendance

Action 01/20 Parishioners Talk Time

David Cook addressed the meeting and initially requested an update on the appointment of the grass-cutting contractor for the Parish. The Chairman confirmed that the contract had been awarded to the existing contractor, A R Worboys Limited, for a further period of 3 years commencing in April 2020. Note

Mr. Cook expressed concern at the continued inconsiderate parking of vehicles on The High Road, Felmersham at the junction of Grange Road. He outlined that, as a consequence, turning right out of Grange Road is especially dangerous and, moreover, there is a risk to pedestrians. These vehicles completely block the area and are actually parked over the white line marking the edge of the road. The matter had previously been referred to the Highways Team at Borough Council in November 2018 and Borough Councillor McMurdo undertook to make further enquiries about the inconsiderate parking in this location. DM

02/20 Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies for absence. Note

03/20 Declaration of Interests

There were no disclosure of interests in relation to Parish Council business. Note

04/20 Approval of Minutes of Parish Council Meeting Held on 12 November 2019

The meeting considered the draft minutes of the last meeting. Note

RESOLVED:

The minutes of the meeting, held on 12 November 2019, were approved and signed as a correct record. PC

(Proposed by: Cllr. A Courtney, Seconded by: Cllr. Maxine Boswell, All in favour)

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05/20 Matters Arising

All matters arising were considered and updates provided as part of specific agenda items with the exception of an update in relation to the proposed re-designation of the Daisy Bank Picnic Site as a woodland area (minute 68/19(b) of the last meeting refers). Borough Councillor McMurdo had confirmed the preparedness of the Borough Council to support the initiative, subject to consultation, and had organised a meeting between representatives of the Parish Council and the appropriate Borough Council Officer (Alison Ivatt) to better understand the project and to enable the initiative to be taken forward. This meeting had been held immediately prior to the Parish Council meeting and it was envisaged that further updates on the progress of the project would be provided at future meetings. Note

06/20 Reports

(a) Borough Councillor

Doug McMurdo, Borough Councillor, provided an update on a number of local issues, including (i) the recent change in ownership of the Colworth Science Park, (ii) the recent gas leaks in and the imminent remedial works, (iii) a licensing application for a Music Festival in the area during 2020 with the prospect of high attendance and thus significant car movements through local villages if approved, and (iv) issues with the execution of flood alerts in the villages during the recent periods of sustained rainfall. Note

Detailed updates were also provided on the following Borough wide issues:

(i) Rail Network Consultation: A consultation had been launched on a new timetable for the East Midlands Railway (EMR) network from December 2020. EMR is the line providing fast trains to Bedford (i.e. those travelling to and from St Pancras in around 40 minutes), although this service have not been serving the station in peak hours since May 2018 due to the upgrade to the Midland Main Lane. The Department for Transport had now awarded the EMR franchise to ‘Abellio’, which took over from Stagecoach in August 2019. The consultation states that:

 EMR services ‘will resume calling at Bedford and Luton in both

directions during weekday mornings and evenings’;

 The peak service between Wellingborough and Bedford will

resume, instead of a replacement bus, although passengers will

need to change at Wellingborough to access destinations

further north such as Nottingham and Leicester;

 The average journey time to London St. Pancras will be ‘just

over 40 minutes’;

 There will be a 40% increase in seats. Services will run every half an hour from 6am – 10pm every day.

The full consultation document, which summarises the changes for the Bedford service and provide details on how to respond, is available at the link: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/december2020. Note

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(ii) Bedford High Street: The Borough Council had released further details of planned changes to Bedford High Street; this is part of the ‘Transporting Bedford 2020’ project undertaking amendments to the road network across the town. The key change to the High Street is that it will have one lane of traffic only and a 20mph speed limit will be enforced via average speed cameras. According to publicity material, pavements will be widened and new materials used ‘to create a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and shoppers.’ Note

(iii) Covanta: A campaign group’s attempt to overturn the decision to grant a permit for the operation of the Covanta waste incinerator at has failed in the Court of Appeal. The Against Campaign Incinerator (BACI) group argued that the Environment Agency had not following correct procedures in granting the environmental permit to Covanta, but this was dismissed in a judgement issued on 19 November 2019. Note

(iv) Gritting: The Borough Council’s gritting routes can be viewed at the link: https://apps.bedford.gov.uk/winterupdates/. This Borough Council web-site also provides details of any weather-enforced changes to transport services and waste collections. Note

(v) Rough Sleeping: The Bedford Homeless Partnership, which co-ordinates efforts to support rough sleepers in the town, is publicising its new ‘Real Change’ fund. This will allow members of the public to donate directly to the provision of services supporting rough sleepers such as clothes for a job interview or a deposit for a flat. More information is available at the link: https://www.bedfordhomeless.org.uk/. Note

(b) Felmersham Village Hall

The report of the Village Hall Committee identified that the Quiz night, held on Saturday 30 November 2019, had been a great success with a profit of £818 achieved from the event for village hall funds. Note

(c) Crime Statistics

The Parish Council considered the crime statistics for November and December 2019 which recorded an incident of burglary (residential dwelling) in Church End, Felmersham which was reported on 16 November 2019. Note

It was also reported that an incident of assault without injury had been reported in Felmersham Road, Radwell on 1 January 2020. Note

07/20 Update on Current Issues

(a) Communications

There were no issues to report to the meeting. Note

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(b) Environment

The Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Hartop, reported on the following environment related issues:

(i) Tree Work: The Borough Council has cut the protruding cherry tree stump level with the surrounding grass on the Jubilee Lawn; it no longer poses a trip hazard and will not hinder the grass cutter; a replacement tree promised last winter is still required. The Borough Council has also pollarded the lime tree outside East Tythe Barn as requested. Note

(ii) Hedge cutting – Chris Horne Gardens Limited had cut the hedge in the Play Area and also the beech hedge in the Parish Burial Ground (minute 68/19(b) of the last meeting refers). Note

(iii) Community Litter Pick – The annual community litter pick had been scheduled for Saturday 21 March 2020. The litter pick will start at 10.00am and finish at 12 noon. The meeting places will be at the Bus Shelter, Felmersham and the Village Green, Radwell. Cllr. Hartop is organising the event and will coordinate arrangements in Felmersham and Cllr. Maxine Boswell will coordinate arrangements in Radwell. Note

The meeting expressed serious concern at the increasing incidence of dog fouling in the villages. As well as being unsightly and unpleasant, dog faeces is also unhygienic and a health hazard. Dog fouling laws are in place and dog owners have a legal duty to clean up every time their dog messes in a public place. Whilst it is acknowledged that most dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, there are still some people who do not clean up after their pets. The meeting urged all dog owners to be responsible and considerate to others; dog owners should carry a poop scoop and disposable bag whenever they take their dogs out to a public place and then deposit the remains in the many receptacles provide through the Parish. It would be appropriate to feature the problem in the edited highlights of the minutes that would be published in both www.felmersham.net and Ouse News on-line. Note

RESOLVED:

That the update provided in respect of a range of environmental issues be acknowledged and that the actions taken or proposed be approved. PC

(c) Highways & Traffic Issues

The Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Pipe, reported on the following issues:

(i) New Drain – Borough Highways had, following assessment, confirmed that the new drain outside Kingscoat Cottage in Grange Road had been installed incorrectly and had raised a works order for the frame to be adjusted and the surrounding area to be re-profiled to allow an adequate cross fall (minute 68/19(c) of the last meeting refers). It had been anticipated that the works would be completed during November 2019 but, despite these indications, the work remained outstanding. Borough Highways had been requested to confirm the likely timescale for the completion of this work but no update had been received. Note

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(ii) Speed Activation Display - The radar speed sign, with LED warning display, had been successfully installed in The High Road on 3 December 2019 (minute 68/19(c) of the last meeting refers). The data recording feature had recorded over 7,500 vehicle movements in the monthly period to 3 January 2020, with peaks of activity during school term-time. The recordings had identified the fastest speed approaching the sign at 41 miles per hour, with the most frequent recordings at between 25 and 35 miles per hour, despite the speed restrictions. Note

The meeting also expressed concerned at the speed of traffic travelling through Radwell village and considered the benefits of a speed activation device in this location. The Parish Clerk would initially request Bedfordshire Police to organise speed radar checks in the area. PC

It was reported that complaints were still being received about the protruding kerb stone on Radwell Road (at the entrance to the private road). Whilst acknowledging that the kerb stone itself is not dislodged and it is in its original position, the adjacent kerbing and highway edge has eroded causing the kerb stone to stand proud (minute 68/19(c) of the meeting held on 12 November 2019 refers). Borough Highways had been advised that it is dangerous and caused risk of damage to vehicles; they had been requested to look at the erosion of the highway edge to see if some backfilling or additional kerbing would resolve the matter but no response had been received. The Parish Clerk would further communicate with Borough Highways on the matter. PC

RESOLVED:

That the update provided in respect of a range of highway and transport issues be acknowledged and that the actions proposed be approved. PC

(d) Parish Assets

The Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Matilda Boswell, reported that Facebook had been running a campaign on the “eyesore” state of the metal and plastic bus shelter in the High Road, which was as asset in the ownership of the Parish Council. The meeting acknowledged all three metal bus shelters in Felmersham and Radwell would benefit from a professional deep clean and quotations would be sought from suitable contractors for this purpose. PC

The meeting considered the following in relation to Parish Assets:

(i) Entrance Gates – the entrance gates to the Village needed to be repainted and quotations would be sought for this purpose. PC

(ii) Village Entrance Signs - Cllr. Maxine Boswell reported that the village crests on the entrance signs would benefit from refurbishment and she intended to give the matter some attention. MB

(iii) Green Waste Bins - The green waste bins adjacent to the bus shelters in both Felmersham and Radwell had become detached but have both been re-attached to their posts, presumably by the waste operatives. Note

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(e) Radwell Matters

The Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Maxine Boswell, reported a problem of vehicles parking on the Village Green in Radwell. It would be appropriate to feature the problem in the edited highlights of the minutes that would be published in both www.felmersham.net and Ouse News on-line. PC

The meeting expressed concern that the replacement kerbing on the Village Green in Radwell, promised by Bedford Borough Council, had not been installed. The Borough Council had confirmed responsibility for the boundary of the Village Green adjacent to the highway and had raised an order to extend the kerbing at this point in response to the local concerns at the steady and very considerable erosion of the Radwell Village Green (minute 68/19(e) of the meeting held on 12 November 2019 refers). The Parish Clerk would further communicate with Borough Highways on the matter. PC

(f) Rights of Way

There were no issues to report to the meeting. Note

08/20 Planning Matters

(a) Local Plan 2030: Update

Notification had been received from Bedford Borough Council that the Inspectors Report relating to the examination of the Bedford Borough Local Plan 2030 had been received and, with main modifications, the Inspector had concluded that the Plan passes the soundness tests. The Borough Council is expected to adopt the Plan at its Full Council meeting on 15 January 2020. Note

RESOLVED:

That the update provided in respect of the emerging 2030 Local Plan be acknowledged. Note

(b) Neighbourhood Planning

The Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Hartop, provided the following update for the meeting on the progress with the neighbourhood plan process:

(ii) Application for Technical Support: An application to the Locality 2018- 2022 Neighbourhood Planning programme for technical support to enable the preparation of a Design Guide had been successful. Note

This has resulted in a diagnostic call with AECOM, who provide the necessary technical support for the design guide. AECOM had also undertook a site visit on 17 December 2019 to better understand the features of the Parish and had met Cllr. Pipe and the Parish Clerk during the visit. It is envisaged that a "first draft" design guide would be available by the end of February 2020. Note

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(ii) Strategic Environmental Assessment: The technical consultant, AECOM, had now commenced the initial scoping report which would detail the assignment objectives and would form part of the assessment work (minute 69/19(d) of the meeting held on 12 November 2019 refers). The scoping report is scheduled to be received before the end of January 2020 and will be circulated to Parish Councillors and the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group when available. PC

RESOLVED:

That the update provided in respect of the Neighbourhood Planning process be acknowledged. Note

09/20 Finance & General Administration

(a) Schedule of Receipts & Payments: 2019/2020

The schedule of receipts and payments, covering the period 1 November 2019 to 31 December 2019 and attached at Appendix A, was considered. Note

RESOLVED:

That the schedule of receipts and payments, attached at Appendix A to the minutes, be approved. PC

(Proposed by: Cllr. Matilda Boswell, Seconded by: Cllr. Pipe, All in favour)

(b) Financial Position – Account Balances

The financial position of the Parish Council, as at 31 December 2019, was reported as follows:

Current Account £14,649.15 Business Reserve Account £8,377.70 TOTAL £23,026.85

This compares to a total balance, as at 31 October 2019, of £23,556.63. Note

RESOLVED:

That the financial position of the Parish Council, as at as at 31 December 2019, be acknowledged. Note

(c) Budget Monitoring Report – 2019/2020

The meeting considered and acknowledged the Budget Monitoring Report for the period to 31 December 2019 (circulated prior to the meeting). This identified expenditure incurred and income received against the approved 2019/2020 revenue budget with no specific areas of concern or significant variances at this stage. The meeting acknowledged the need to keep the financial position under review with regular budget monitoring reports. Note

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The Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer reported that the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) had now confirmed that the Local Government Act 1972 Section 137 allowance for the financial year 2020/2021 will be £8.32 per elector. Section 137 enables local Councils to spend a limited amount of money for purposes for which they have no other specific statutory authority. This is an increase of approximately 2.5% on the allowance of £8.12 for the current year (the % increase in the retail index between September 2018 and September 2019, in accordance with Schedule 12B of the 1972 Act). Note

RESOLVED:

That the budget position statement, for the period ended 31 December 2019, be acknowledged and the financial position be kept under review. PC

(Proposed by: Cllr. Matilda Boswell, Seconded by: Cllr. Courtney, All in favour)

(d) Buckingham Palace Garden Party

The Bedfordshire Association of Town & Parish Councils are seeking recommendations of local council representatives to be considered for attendance at the Buckingham Palace Summer 2020 Garden Party. Invitations are in recognition of past service and nominees should have served at least one full year in the role of Chairman. Note

RESOLVED:

That Peter Hartop be nominated to be entered into the draw to attend the Summer 2019 Buckingham Palace Garden Party. Note

(Proposed by: Cllr. Maxine Boswell, Seconded by: Cllr. Pipe, All in favour)

10/20 Correspondence

Key items of correspondence received since the last meeting include:

(a) Weekly lists from the Borough Council of applications received under the Licensing Act 2003 & Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the Gambling Act 2005. These can be found at the following web-site link: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/business/licences_and_street_trading/licensing_ act_2003/applications.aspx. All

(b) Regular press releases from Bedford Borough Council with details of local issues, service development proposals and organised events. Note

(c) Regular listings from Bedford Borough Council of new planning applications and decisions issued at the link: https://publicaccess.bedford.gov.uk/online- applications/search.do?action=weeklyList. Note

(d) Regular news updates from Bedford Community Voluntary Service (CVS) with details of a range of events and courses organised by the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Note

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(e) Product and contact details from a number of suppliers of street furniture and play equipment. Note

(f) Correspondence from the Bedfordshire Association of Town & Parish Councils (BATPC), dated 26 November 2019, with details of Home Office consultation on strengthening Police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments. Note

(g) Crime statistics for the period 30 October 2019 to 26 November 2019 covering the north rural area, listed in "Beat Code" order. This identified an incident of burglary (residential dwelling) in Church End, Felmersham which was reported on 16 November 2019. Note

(h) Correspondence from Bedford Borough Council, dated 27 November 2019, outlining the consultation on the Neighbourhood Development Plan in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. Note

(i) A copy of the recently updated legal topic briefing, Disciplinary and Grievance Arrangements, prepared by the National Association of Local Councils. Note

(j) A copy of the October and November 2019 edition of the newsletter, "On the RECORD", from the Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Note

(k) Correspondence from Parish Council, dated 10 December 2019, outlining details of the pre-submission consultation on the Stevington Neighbourhood Development Plan in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. Note

(l) Correspondence from Bedford Borough Council, dated 17 December 2019, in respect of the consultation into the Borough Council’s Revenue Budget and Capital Programme. Note

(m) Crime statistics for the period 27 November 2019 to 17 December 2019 covering the north rural area, listed in "Beat Code" order. No instances of crime were recorded in Felmersham & Radwell Parish during this period. Note

(n) Correspondence from Bedford Borough Council dated 20 December 2019 informing that, following examination and modification, the Oakley Neighbourhood Development Plan would proceed to referendum. No date had yet been set for the referendum. Note

(o) Correspondence from Bedford Borough Council, dated 19 December 2019, regarding the proposed Council Tax Bases for each parish. This also included the precept form to notify the Borough Council of the 2020/2021 precept. Note

(p) Notification of the 2020/2021 affiliation fees for the Bedfordshire Association of Town & Parish Councils. The affiliation fee for Felmersham & Radwell Parish Council is £172 and is payable on 1 April 2020. Note

(q) Nomination form from BATPC to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in Summer 2020. Since the honour is in recognition of service to the community, nominees must have completed at least one full year in the role of Chairman to be eligible for the draw. Note

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(r) Notification from Bedford Borough Council, dated 30 December 2019, that the Inspectors Report relating to the examination of the Borough Local Plan 2030 had been received and, with main modifications, the Inspector concluded that the Plan passes the soundness tests. The Borough Council Full Council meeting on 15 January 2020 will consider the Local Plan 2030 for adoption. Note

(s) A copy of the December 2019 edition of the Bedfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner Newsletter entitled “On the Record”. Note

(t) The January 2020 edition of the Bedfordshire Bugle had been received and had been circulated to all Parish Councillors for consideration. Note

(u) Crime statistics for the period 18 December 2019 to 7 January 2020 covering the north rural area, listed in "Beat Code" order. This identified an incident of assault without injury in Felmersham Road, Radwell on 1 January 2020. Note

(v) Details of a Neighbourhood Planning Workshop, organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural (CPRE), taking place on Wednesday 4 March 2020 (10.00am –3.30pm) at Village Hall, Wilstead. Note

11/20 Date of Next Meeting

The Annual Parish Meeting and next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 10 March 2020 at 7.30pm. Note

The schedule of meeting dates for the remainder of 2020 is as follows:

Tuesday 12 May 2020 Tuesday 7 July 2020 Tuesday 8 September 2020 Tuesday 10 November 2020

All meetings are scheduled to commence at 7.30pm. Note

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APPENDIX A FELMERSHAM & RADWELL PARISH COUNCIL TRANSACTIONS: 1 NOVEMBER 2019 - 31 DECEMBER 2019 SCHEDULE OF RECEIPTS AMOUNT TRANSACTION DESCRIPTION RECEIVED VAT DATE £ £

7 NOV 2019 DONATION - UNION JACK SEWN FLAG 87.50 -

28 NOV 2019 BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL - WARD FUND 1,500.00

29 NOV 2019 BANK INTEREST 1.33 -

31 DEC 2019 BANK INTEREST 1.47 -

TOTAL RECEIPTS 1,590.30 -

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS AMOUNT TRANSACTION DESCRIPTION PAID VAT DATE £ £

6 NOV 2019 A R WORBOYS - GRASS CUTTING: 28 OCTOBER 2019 337.11 56.19

12 NOV 2019 THE DEFIB FAB - DEFIBRILLATOR PADS 84.00 14.00

12 NOV 2019 HEWLETT-PACKARD INSTANT INK: OCTOBER 2019 7.99 1.33

12 NOV 2019 EYELID PRODUCTIONS - WEB DESIGN & SUPPORT 420.00 -

14 NOV 2019 CLOUD NEXT LIMITED - DOMAIN PROVISION 108.00 18.00

14 NOV 2019 CLOUD NEXT LIMITED - PREMIUM WEB HOSTING 47.98 7.99

27 NOV 2019 PARISH CLERK PAYROLL: NOVEMBER 2019 470.11 -

27 NOV 2019 BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL: PAYROLL SERVICE 15.00 2.50

3 DEC 2019 PARISH CLERK/OFFICE EXPENSES: NOVEMBER 2019 8.40 -

3 DEC 2019 HEWLETT-PACKARD INSTANT INK: NOVEMBER 2019 12.99 2.17

3 DEC 2019 PAPERSTONE - STATIONERY 53.90 8.98

22 DEC 2019 P. HARTOP - OFFICE EQUIPMENT 59.99 -

22 DEC 2019 WICKES - POSTCRETE 9.50 1.58

24 DEC 2019 PARISH CLERK PAYROLL: DECEMBER 2019 470.11 -

24 DEC 2019 BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL: PAYROLL SERVICE 15.00 2.50

TOTAL PAYMENTS 2,120.08 115.24

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