MINUTES OF THE TINGRITH PARISH MEETING HELD IN THE CHURCH on Thursday, 11 October 2018 starting at 7.30pm

Present: Chair: Sandra Bradley; Vice-chair Christine Schuster, Councillor James Jamieson and residents: David Anker, Raminder Singh, Martin Spirito and Claire Walker; observer Kieron Whelan

310. Apologies Apologies were received from: Suzanne Allam, Sandra and Rob Barker; Clive Faine, Fiona Moffat, Gail Spooner, Richard and Julia Stratford, Tony & Chris Woodfield.

A get well soon card and best wishes will be conveyed to our Clerk, Julie Todd who was unable to attend as she was suffering from shingles.

311. Minutes of Previous Meeting It was proposed by Claire Walker and seconded by Christine Schuster that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2018 be signed as a true record with all in agreement.

312. Matters Arising Item 302: • Slow Down Signs – not yet in place, Martin Spirito will obtain them from Clive Faine and place them at either end of the village • Cllr. Jameson reported the cost of a smiley face speed sign is in the region of £3,500, which would have to be funded by the village, and details are available from a company, Truvelo. • Memorial Bus Shelter – Martin Spirito reported templates have been made for the guttering and work is under way • Hallowe’en/Bonfire Night – 2018 will be held in Tony’s field on Saturday 27th October

313. Central Beds Councillor’s Report • There is an improvement in the condition of the highways • The Council is managing to balance the budget but more funding is required to support more children requiring special needs and the elderly. • The local plan has had a number of amendments and is with the Inspectorate. • There is a need for a crematorium in Central ; consultation on the possible location of one near is taking place • Regarding the development of the East-West route from Cambridgeshire to Oxfordshire, Central Beds Council hopes it will provide improved infrastructure for residents in and is opposed to any joining of settlements.

314. Finance The Clerk Julie Todd emailed villagers a copy of the statement showing credit and debits so far for the year 2018-19. Discussion took place on whether the precept should be increased from its current level of £2,000 or if villagers should raise funds from community events to pay for improvements to the village. It was agreed that

1 further discussion on the raising of the precept involving all villagers is required and the matter was deferred to next year.

It was agreed that £400 (£200 for 2017 and £200 for 218) should be paid to the Tingrith Church Membership account for maintenance of the churchyard for the benefit of the community. The money helps to provide fuel, and maintain the church mower used and cared for by Keith Albon. Thanks were expressed to the volunteers who helped mow the grass during the spring and summer this year and appeared on the rota: Simon Barlow, Darren Houtris, Mick Duffy and Clive Faine.

315. Police Report There were two crimes committed in September 2018: burglary of outbuildings in Church Road; theft from a motor vehicle in Road.

316. Deacon Astrey Trust Mick Duffy, Trustee, provided a written statement as of 1st October 2018: Funds: £1,448.11 Income: £120 Total: £1,568.11 The funds are for the needy individuals of families in the village of Tingrith. If anyone is aware of any residents in need of financial help, please advise Mick Duffy in confidence on 01525 873232

317. Correspondence Items received by the Clerk since the last meeting have been emailed to residents for information.

318. Open Forum i. Christine Schuster announced the village would commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1 in the church on Friday 2 November with Tingrith choir singing songs of the period and other residents reading poems and telling stories of the village at that time. Light ‘rations’ will be provided. ii. Raminder Singh asked if the bells in the church tower could be tolled. It was agreed that repairs to the structure holding the bells should be considered. Information will be sought from Tingrith PCC and residents in Eversholt village where bells had recently been renovated in the church. This could be a future project for Tingrith Village.

319. Date of Next Meeting Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 7.30pm in the Church.

Meeting closed at 20.30.

Signed Dated

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