http://kempstonrural.bedsparishes.gov.uk/ RURAL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 16th February 2017 in the Church Hall, Church End at 7.30pm

Present: Mr J Barbour, Mr J Clough, Ms L Payne, Ms D Ash, Mr M Smith Mrs G Wiggs (Clerk)

1. Apologies Mr P Catterill, Mr P Foster, Ms C Johnson

2. Declaration of Interests None

3. Public Questions None.

4. Minutes of the last Meeting These were approved.

5. Matters Arising Ladies Walk Bench repairs – The slats are being replaced at a cost of £170.00

6. Play Space Ms Ash has met up with Eva Sominka who is carrying out the regular inspections & all is going well.

7. Finance Bank Balance: - Bank account reconciled 30/12/16 at £75,389.22 Accounts approved for Payment: 000639 BATPC – subs £439.00 000640 Rosetta – Kempston Calling £62.40 000641 All Saints church – hall hire £46.00 000642 G Wiggs – salary & expenses less tax & pension £275.24 000643 Beds Pension fund employer/employee £68.75 000644 HMRC – Clerks income tax £28.60

8. Planning Planning Applications Received for comment: 17/00102/LBC – Replacement windows & door – Clock House Cottage, West End Rd – no objections

17/00305/OUT – Erection of single dwelling with associated parking & ancillary works. Alterations to existing parking for public house. All matters reserved except access – Slaters Arms 97 Rd

It was RESOLVED to object to this application for the following reasons:

The proposal is within the area designated in Borough Councils Local Plan as “Open Countryside”, & therefore new housing is not permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances. Given that there is a substantial large development of new houses of this type elsewhere within the Parish (The development known as “Land West of Kempston”), there is no compelling reason to think this additional housing is needed. Similar recent applications close by have been refused for this reason,

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& we would therefore expect the Planning Authority to apply a consistent approach. The reduced parking allocation is also a concern. If the pub did start to thrive again, there would be inadequate parking in comparison to the number of covers the pub can accommodate. Cars would therefore spill out onto the Highway at an unsuitable location.

17/00354/LBC – Replacement windows & external doors – Crossland Fosse Cottage, Box End Rd – no objections

Local Plan 2035 – It was noted that the draft Local Plan for c8,000 homes by 2035, is being put before the Executive on 22/2/17. Most of the proposed development will be in new “garden villages”. There is a proposal to put 500 homes at Gibraltar Corner, & four sites have been short listed around this area for this purpose. If the Plan is approved, it is likely to come out for public consultation in April. The Parish Council will keep a close eye on this, and when the Local Plan comes out for public consultation will make comments as appropriate & try & raise awareness amongst residents.

9. Police Matters Nothing reported.

10. Highways Ms Ash had reported the sinking highway on Tithe Rd & will chase a response.

New Highways reports: Meadow Farm Rd- carriageway between Old Farm Cottage & Old Farm has sunk West End Rd junction with Tithe Rd – severe damage caused by Anglian Water - Action Ms Ash

Fly tipping – reported at the junction of Church End & Cemetery Rd, & on Tithe Road leading out to West End Rd (past Ahmeds Farm) – Action The Clerk

11. Churchyard The Parish Councils Arborist has inspected the yew tree. This tree has been well maintained & was crowned approximately two years ago. It is impossible to tell from an external inspection if the roots are causing any problems to the neighbouring buildings. There is apparently a sewer underneath the floor as well. The Arborist suggested that the tree be removed in stages, in order to avoid the potential impact of heave. The Parish Councils Insurance Company has advised that the Parish Council should follow the Arborists advice. Ultimately it is up to the third party to report their concerns to their own insurer who should carry out a thorough investigation/excavation. If they believe the Parish Council is in anyway liable, they will be able submit an insurance claim with evidence of this fact. The resident who raised the original concern has been advised. The Arborist has met with Alan Lowe & proposes to remove the tree over two stages at a cost of £350 each stage. Completion due by December 2017. It was RESOLVED to remove the tree.

12. Correspondence Beds Police – community police team contacts (emailed 23/1/17) Marston Vale – update on community litter picking (emailed 23/1/17 & 26/1/17) BATPC – Play Area Management Training (emailed 30/1/17) BBC – Town & Parish Council Network 9/2/17 (emailed 5/2/17) Beds Police – crime stats (emailed 5/2/17) Resident – information about local history project (emailed 5/2/1/7) BATPC – Update on Precept Capping & Transparency Code (emailed 5/2/17) BBC – Governance Review of number of Parish Councillors for (emailed 6/2/17) Resident – Covanta Banner enquiry (emailed 7/2/17 & 8/2/17). The Parish Council RESOLVED to finance the purchase of a banner, in order to raise awareness about this issue amongst the community – Action The Clerk 2

BATPC – Training programme (emailed 7/2/17) BBC – Rights of Way Survey (emailed 13/2/17) BATPC – Invitation to event from Network East 28/3/17 (emailed 16/2/17)

13. Any Other Business Kempston Charities – Mr Clough reported that Kempston Charities have granted permission for a marquee to be erected on the land adjacent the church hall for a wedding in June.

14. Date of Next Meeting: - Thursday 16/3/17 at 7.30pm, in the Church Hall, Church End, commencing with Annual Parish Assembly

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