PARISH COUNCIL

Annual Parish Meeting 9th March 2017 at 7pm

AT THE VILLAGE HALL, HIGH STREET, HOUGHTON CONQUEST

Present: PCllr L Frangiamore, PCllr P Derrick, PCllr T Wright, PCllr S Watt, PCllr P Rolfe, PCllr B Regan, Mrs G Wiggs (Clerk), 4 members of the public

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE UCllr Barker, PCllr R Janes, PCllr S Beaumont

2. CHAIRMANS REPORT - PCllr L Frangiamore Looking back over the past 12 months it’s been a year filled with contentious planning applications. Despite the efforts of Parish Council and residents, applications for 16 self-build properties off London Lane, 7 houses along Mill Lane, 52 behind Duck End and 125 off Chapel End all received planning approval.

It has been evident that Central Beds Council is reluctant to refuse these types of speculative applications at the moment, knowing they are likely to lose any subsequent expensive appeal. This is exactly what happened with the Mill Lane application. The Council appears to be under enormous pressure from Government Inspectors to reach its 5-year growth requirements & deliver its overdue Local Plan. This has created “open season” for landowners & developers across Central at the moment, with many villages seeing massive growth on land that in the past would never have been considered for development. With all this growth across over the coming years the area is likely to see significant change. Central Beds Council tell us they hope to have their Local Plan in place within the year, which should hopefully put a brake on the rush of speculative Planning Applications being approved. It is starkly noticeable that in Bedford Borough Councils area where they do have a Local Plan, development is being delivered in a planned & controlled way on suitable sites - proving it can be done

With approximately 650 houses currently in Houghton Conquest these developments, along with the imminent Park Southern Extension, represent significant growth in a short amount of time. Our hope is that the developers keep the PC and residents informed during the build process and cause as little disruption to village life as possible.

The Covanta Waste Incinerator also remains a contentious issue, with the application for an Environmental permit to operate now open for public consultation. The Parish Council will be making comment and we encourage all residents to also take the time to voice their opinions.

On a positive note the Parish Council has carried out bulb planting, organised a team of volunteers to clear the overgrown footpath at the top of Mill Lane, had the benches in the play area refurbished, installed a new basket swing and a zip wire in the play area. We also provided a grant to the Lower School for th commemorative coins for the children to mark the Queens 90 birthday, a grant to the Church for a children’s entertainer at a village fundraising event and for the Christmas tree lights.

In recent years, alternate funds available to the Parish Council have reduced significantly, and we rely in the main on the precept for any village improvements including highways works. The majority of the precept is spent maintenance, mostly grass cutting within the 30mph zone, the play area and sports field, and we are pleased that there is now a local football team making regular use of the football pitch. We want to encourage residents to make more use of the sports field as it is a great village asset.

This year has seen some fluctuation in Parish Council membership, and we are currently 2 members short of a full council. Being a member of the Parish Council isn’t for everyone. It is tightly regulated, in many ways restrictive and often frustrating, however it is an effective way of making a difference if you are willing to put the effort in.

Many thanks to our litter picker George Maxted who continues to do a great job, and to our hardworking and efficient Clerk Gill Wiggs. I would also like to thank the Parish Councillors and our Unitary Councillor for all the work they have put in over the past 12 months.

And finally, some sad news. Sylvia Sollars, who served on the PC from 1994 – 2011, recently passed away. Our condolences go to Sylvia’s family and friends. The same year Silvia joined the PC she also set up the Care Group - the first in Bedfordshire, which still runs today as the oldest care group in Bedfordshire. The archives show she wrote to the PC in 1993 asking it to justify the increase in Precept, so she joined the PC

1 soon after writing that letter. Typical of Sylvia - she was evidently not happy about something so decided to get involved in it herself!

3. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES UCllr Barker - I am pleased to present my unitary report to you tonight. Since my last report, I have attended many meetings on your behalf and am on many committees of the council. Regarding casework in the village I have summarised some of the major issues I have dealt with.

The worrying fires that occurred in the village lead me to meet with the Fire Service and talk with the Police about community engagement which took place. I talked with the Antisocial Behaviour Officers in the council too.

Water issues on Mill Lane then on Bedford Road lead me to question the water supply via the MP to Anglian Water.

Many planning issues again have arisen which have not gone as I would have liked, due to Central Bedfordshire Council still not having a Local Plan and a five-year housing supply. I have set up meetings to meet with the new developers coming to the village which helps us all work together better. I have new residents in the Greenlakes development who are working with me to get better broadband services and we talk with Morris Homes. The Wixams original planning applications are moving towards delivery now and still no train station. Consultation about the Wixam Park development is happening so a planning application will come soon. The self-build development on London Lane is a first and has outline permission which will now attract another 17 individual planning applicants in the future.

The amount of Fly tipping that was dumped on London Lane recently was massive. What did amaze me was that the road was closed and no body questioned why that the road was closed for days. I have photos of the fly tipping and it was nearly a quarter of a mile long. Please report fly tipping when you see it.

I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Rose who laid the Remembrance Day wreath on my behalf.

I attend as many Parish Council meetings as I can and would like to thank Gill Wiggs for all the work she does as your Parish Clerk and for all the contributions the Parish Councillors give to this village.

Conquest Players – This group has 16 members at the moment. Last year we presented Sleeping Beauty, & in April our production will be Alice in Wonderland. New members are always welcome.

Art Society – This is a thriving group with many new members. We work with a variety of materials, & have guests who hold interactive workshops.

Chimers – This bell ringing group consists of 8 members who meet fortnightly. All types of music are played & we welcome any new members.

Care Group – This group is still very busy & there is a high demand for the service we offer. We are always keen to have new volunteer drivers.

WI –Houghton Conquest WI is an active and lively organisation. This year we had one of the original calendar girls as a guest speaker. In April, it is our 90th anniversary & we are going to London for a celebratory tea.

4. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC When will the kissing gate at Rd be repaired? It was explained that this had been reported several times & we are chasing a reply.

The 30mph sign in London Lane is missing – this will be reported.

Would it be possible to have a footpath in London Lane, & possibly extend the 30mph zone – this will be looked into.

How End Rd continues to be damaged by large vehicles eroding the edge of the carriageway – this will be reported.

The Meeting Closed at 7.30pm

Approved…………………………… Date…………………………..

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