THURLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in Village Hall at 7:30pm on Monday 10th July 2017. Present: Cllrs: Mr M Thompson (Chair), Mr C Johnson, Mrs L Ryder, Mr P Armstrong and Mrs S Amodio Borough Councillor: Cllr M Towler C O’Brien (Clerk) Two Members of the public, 2 Representatives of proposed Hayles Field development

1. To Receive Apologies for Absence: Cllr Fisher 2. To Receive Declarations of Personal and or Prejudicial Interest for Items on the Agenda Cllr Armstrong declared a general interest in planning applications and will abstain from agenda item 6. 3. To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held 8th May 2017: The minutes were approved and signed as a true record. The Meeting Adjourned for Questions Raised by Members of the Public. Representatives of the development proposed for Hayle’s Field gave an update to the Parish council on the village consultation event. The feedback from residents was very positive. Thurleigh residents were concerned about speeding. The developers are responding to this concern by looking to see if the junction arrangement could be used to slow traffic. A planning application has not yet been submitted, the application will follow the normal planning processes which includes consultation with residents. Planning applications are decided by Borough Council. Cllr Amodio asked if the playing field ditch could be looked at to ensure better draining of the football pitch in winter. 4. No Clerks report for July meeting. 5. Finance a. Received the April and May bank reconciliation report as circulated b. To note scheduled payments made since previous meeting: none c. Items approved for payment: June, July and Transparency Code Clerks Salary Grant work 709.41 Arthur Ibbetts Foot Path Mower 756.00 Bill Peet & Son Grass Cutting 1, 2, 3 884.40

d. Moneys Received: none

e. Cllr Johnson looked at April and May statements as part of the council’s internal financial controls. Cllr Armstrong was nominated to look at the statements and bank reconciliation for June and July at the September meeting.

6. Planning Applications & Decisions 17/01205/FUL Wayside 8 Church End - comment that the appearance is out of character 17/01421/ful Cross End - support 17/01442/ful 68 High St - support 17/01618/ful 37 High St – object, Dangerous location in between bus stop and entrance to the close. A child was knocked down getting off the bus in 2016 at this spot. The driveway would cross 2 footpaths which is dangerous for residents of the close and for children going to and from Thurleigh

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Lower School. The driveway would be positioned between the post box and an established tree reducing visibility. Object to driveway being built in conservation area on grass maintained by the Parish Council and Borough Council 17/01640/ful Airfield new hard standing - support 17/01503/ful Coplowe Farm - support 17/01695/ful 28 Road - support 17/01694/M73 Thurleigh Airfield - support 17/01629/FUL Cross End Holiday let – comment, is there sufficient parking? Borough recently refused Holiday let in Cross End 17/01735/FUL 52 High Street Drive Way – comment, is there enough visibility east of the Village?

7. Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) Cllrs noted that the Thurleigh Neighbourhood Plan is on hold until Bedford Borough’s production of their Local Plan. Cllr Ryder and Cllr Towler took actions to confirm that this is correct. a. Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) items approved for payment

Regeneration Positive May Retainer 125.00 Regeneration Positive June Retainer 125.00

MatoDesign 200.00 b. Cllrs to notes transfer of £3000 from the Project Fund to the Current Account. In November 2015 it was agreed up to £5000 from the Project Fund could be used to support Neighbourhood Development Plan Costs.

8. Crime a. Crime stats for Thurleigh May 2017 BURGLARY - BUSINESS AND 15/5/2017 18:00 WHITWICK GREEN ROAD COMMUNITY THURLEIGH BEDFORD CRIMINAL DAMAGE - OTHER 02/5/2017 09:15 VICARAGE GREEN THURLEIGH PROPERTY (NOT BUILDINGS) BEDFORD DOMESTIC 14/5/2017 03:15 OTHER MISCELLANEOUS 09/5/2017 03:00 ROBINS FOLLY THURLEIGH THEFTS NOT CLASSIFIED BEDFORD ELSEWHERE

b. Crime Stats for Thurleigh June 2017 Offence Class Description First Last Address Commited Commited COMMON ASSAULT 01/4/2017 09/6/2017 WHITWICK GREEN ROAD 00:00 08:00 THURLEIGH BEDFORD COMMON ASSAULT 20/6/2017 20/6/2017 THURLEIGH AIRFIELD 15:30 15:40 BUSIN THURLEIGH BEDFORD CRIMINAL DAMAGE - OTHER 09/6/2017 09/6/2017 THURLEIGH AIRFIELD PROPERTY (NOT BUILDINGS) 22:00 22:30 BUSIN THURLEIGH BEDFORD PUBLIC HEALTH OFFENCES 08/6/2017 08/6/2017 WHITWICK GREEN ROAD 12:00 18:45 THURLEIGH BEDFORD

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SENDING LETTERS ETC WITH 28/5/2017 02/6/2017 INTENT TO CAUSE DISTRESS OR 00:00 00:00 ANXIETY STATE BASED: DRUGS - CLASS B 09/6/2017 09/6/2017 THURLEIGH AIRFIELD CANNABIS - POSSESSION OF A 00:25 00:30 BUSIN THURLEIGH CONTROLLED DRUG BEDFORD STATE BASED: DRUGS - CLASS B 09/6/2017 09/6/2017 CHURCH END THURLEIGH CANNABIS - POSSESSION OF A 00:30 00:30 BEDFORD CONTROLLED DRUG VICTIMLESS CRIME - AWAITING 10/6/2017 10/6/2017 UPDATE 00:30 01:00 c. Cllr Johnson nominated to attend Police Community Priority Meeting 22nd August. d. Chair Cllr Thompson gave a report to Cllrs on the Community Police visit to Thurleigh. There was a good turnout, with residents confirming that speeding is their main concern. The PCSO suggested that a community speed watch group would be an excellent way forward. Thurleigh can join other villages as one speed watch group, this means only a small number of people would be needed and equipment and training is shared.

9. EIN Environmental Improvement Network and Footpaths a. Cllrs received a verbal report from Mr Soaft the chair of the EIN group. The introduction of the new wheeled strimmer has led to many more paths being cleared, specifically the path to the reservoir and the path from the behind the church towards Scald End. EIN Chair noted that in April he had reported a water leak and a flooded path between the sewage works and Keysoe Road. He reported the leak again in July and the work has now been agreed. The leak is not water from the sewage works. b. Cllrs to note the Footpath Mower was purchased using a £590 Ward fund arranged by Cllr Towler. c. Cllrs to note that EIN Risk Assessments will be reviewed with each volunteer in 2017. The last assessments were carried out in 2014. A spot check was carried out by the clerk on the 26th of June. During the spot check equipment, personal safety equipment and process were discussed. No concerns were raised by the volunteers. New Risk assessments for all volunteers are being received and kept by the clerk. 10. Highways a. Cllrs considered the Highways Maintenance Schemes 2018 – 2022 including Highways, Paths, Structures and Drainage Details of the scheme are found (http://www.bedford.gov.uk/transport_and_streets/highways/highway_network_managem ent.aspx.) The documents show the following for Thurleigh i. Carriageway Maintenance C22 Thurleigh Road Patching & Riseley Ravensden & Thurleigh September / October 2017 ii. Drainage Maintenance – 0 iii. Footway Maintenance - 0 iv. Structures – 0

Cllrs made no comments b. Bedford Borough Highways, Andrew Prigmore confirms that if no objections are made Robins Folly 40mph limit will be extended in September 2017. Cllrs noted the growth of hedges into roads from Thurleigh out towards particularly past the Old Fruit Farm (also known as old Thurleigh Farm Play Centre). The same reduction in visibility was also noted in Robins Folly. The clerk was asked to write to Highways to highlight the problem.

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11. Village Welfare: a. Cllrs noted that The Jackal pub has been de-licensed, a license was applied for in August 2016 but was rejected. It was not thought that being delicensed would affect a change of use application. b. The Chair provided an update from Carlton and Parish Councils who use portable speed signs provided by Morelock. Cllrs and residents have been pleased with the results. Speed data can be downloaded and sent to the police to request speed checks. The signs are mobile and can be moved around the village. The signs could be shared with another village. The costs of the signs are approximately £2,500 as opposed to speed cameras that cost £10,000 to purchase and more to maintain. The Chair read Cllr Fisher’s suggestion that the Parish Council funded most of the sign but part of the funds could be raised locally. Morelock signs are coming to the September Parish Council meeting to demonstrate the signs. c. Clerk reported that currently no quotes have been received for Village Garden fencing and gate work. The Clerk will continue working on obtaining three quotes. d. Cllrs to note that a Thurleigh Editor of the Villager Magazine is needed. e. Cllrs considered the tree work needed in the Close. Cllr Towler suggested asking the EIN volunteers to cut back growth around trees.

12. Date of Next Parish Council Meeting Monday 11th September 2017 Meeting closed at 8:30pm These minutes were signed as a true record of the meeting.

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