Isham Parish Council Minutes of the Meeting of Isham Parish Council held on Monday 4thJuly in the Village Hall 51/16 Present: Alan Curtis Jilly Bailey Douglas Forrester Jan Gillard Clive Hallam (Borough Councillor) Graham Rait Alison McLaven (Clerk) 6 members of the public 52/16 Apologies Councillors Hobbs, Plowman, Priest and Bone (Borough) sent their apologies, which were accepted. 53/16 Declarations of Interest Councillor Hallam declared an interest in planning matters. Councillor Curtis declared an interest in the contents of the letter from Peter Bone MP. Councillor Hallam also declared an interest later in the meeting regarding a footpath from Isham to Orlingbury. 54/16 Approval of Minutes of 14th March 2016 The minutes were signed as a true and correct record. Councillor Rait asked for an explanation of minute 44/16 paragraph 9, Councillor Forrester explained that at the public enquiry for the bypass, he had asked if the County Council owned part of Parcel B, they confirmed that they did but that they would not be building on that piece of land. The auditor had advised not to use “Matters Arising”. DB Symmetry had been in touch regarding Parcel B, they intend to put in a planning application by the end of August, and we have asked them to come to the meeting on 12th September, and as previously put on a presentation available to the public from 7pm, prior to the Parish Council Meeting. They will then have a slot at the start of the meeting to talk to the meeting. If matters do not follow this timetable, we will advise members of the public, via the website and also connect 5 if time allows for this. Councillor Hallam asked what had happened following our letters to various people, Councillor Hobbs has looked at the responses, which were very few and is looking at what to do next. Councillor Hallam also wanted to change the wording as he felt we had been consulted and following discussion it was agreed to add the word ‘properly’ to minute 44/16 paragraph 1. So that it now reads, ‘We don’t believe we have been consulted properly’ it was noted that we have recently received consultation on the minerals and waste strategy and we asked for an explanation and were advised that Isham would not be affected. 55/16 Public Question Time Bill Standerwick, advised the meeting that he was now a Church Warden and in that capacity he told us that the Church is starting a fund raising period. The Church of England plays no part in the upkeep of the fabric and maintenance of the building of the Church, that is up to the congregation. They are going to be asking residents to give either monthly or a lump sum towards the costs. He is asking the Council to support the Church. Following discussions it was agreed that the Finance Group would look at the matter, possibly increasing the amount given towards the floodlighting costs. It was noted that there may be a limit to the amount we can give. Councillor Bailey advised that it will be possible to use the Cricket Club for a fete or similar to help with fund raising. It was asked if the diocese are looking to reduce costs from the church due to reduced numbers in the congregation, they are not. All the money raised will go to the ‘Isham Fabric Fund’ and not to the diocese. John Davies advised the meeting that it appears that the NNJCS will adopt the policy within the next 14 days, and Parcel B will be designated as land for employment. He feels the Council need to start and think what it wants of this, section 106 monies etc. Councillor Hallam advised NCC own 50% of the land. KBC have some concerns. There was discussion on whether it would go ahead with or without the bypass. 56/16 Working Parties and Responsibilities Alan Curtis – Website Peter Priest – Grass cutting Jillyan Bailey – Footpaths and Glebe Field Douglas Forrester – Police and School Jan Gillard- Community Awareness, Highways Clive Hallam- County and Borough liaison and Village Hall Barry Hobbs – Buildings Val Plowman – Cemetery, Allotments, Trees Graham Rait – Electricity Working Groups Finance – Councillors Curtis, Priest, Forrester, Hobbs and Rait Planning – Councillors Priest, Gillard, Hallam, Hobbs, and Rait Policy – Councillors Curtis, Priest, Hallam, Hobbs and Plowman Street Lighting - Councillors Curtis, Priest, Hobbs and Rait 57/16PFA Councillor Curtis had resigned as Chair of the PFA and we need to elect a replacement. Councillor Priest had expressed a desire to remain as Deputy Chair. Councillor Hallam proposed, Councillor Rait seconded Douglas Forrester as Chair, all in favour. Councillor Curtis proposed, Councillor Hallam seconded Peter Priest as Deputy Chair, all in favour. We have received a couple of emails regarding the Glebe Field. Councillor Curtis had been and cut back some of the trees and weeds around the skate board ramp but recognised that it was more than one person could handle, also noticed that the equipment needs cleaning and or replacing. He had put a request in Connect 5 for ‘Friends of the Glebe’ volunteers to help with this, the clerk had not received any volunteers. Krista Norris, volunteered and advised she had a group of mums, also willing to help. Councillor Curtis explained that the PFA was a registered charity and the Parish Councillors were the trustees while holding the position of Councillor. Councillor Forrester would like to get together a working party and group of volunteers to do more than just clean up, getting better access for example. The group would need to come back to the Council to get decisions ratified. It was noted that Liz Lovett, Heather Davies and Mandy Stokes are looking into fitness equipment for the Glebe and getting grants. Councillor Hallam advised that he had attended a grant day at Thrapston and had passed on the information. It was agreed Councillors Forrester, Bailey and Plowman would form the working party, and it was noted that Councillor Plowman had done a lot of work regarding access to the Glebe Field. Councillor Hallam suggested looking at Rockingham Road Park, and contacting them for suggestions and information, Lesley Marriot said she runs the children’s service for the Church and they have had problems getting the children to the field, and she was willing to come aboard as a helper as well. It was agreed the Clerk would chase Berry’s regarding access from the back of the field. The school have asked the grass cutter to do an extra cut of the field ready for sports day, following discussion it was agreed this could go ahead, but the Clerk to write to the school and advise them that any requests should be made directly to the Council and not to its contractors as the Council has to agree to pay the costs and to ask them to let us know when they wish to use the field again for sports day before the contract starts again in March so that it can be planned. In answer to a question about what the PFA paid for it was explained that the PFA do not pay for anything at present, as the Parish Council pay for the grass cutting and the Insurance. They do have some funds which we have been trying to build up to cover the cost of replacement equipment etc. Councillors Forrester and Hallam had met with Cricket Club representatives, Bill Chudley and Tim Waring, all had aired their concerns and different views, and it was felt the bones of an agreement was there. This was then put to Cricket Club committee and they don’t see why they should pay any more than the adjusted figure of £595. They feel the valuation is correct. The Parish Council wanted £1040 a year, £20 per week. There was discussion of this and other Cricket Clubs. The negotiations had started in July 2014, prior to the Parish Council becoming Trustee. Councillor Forrester suggested that the only way to get the matter resolved is to get an independent valuation, giving the surveyor the lease and licence, and advising that the Cricket Club maintain the grass and the hedges and that it is available for village use. It was agreed that Councillor Forrester would call a meeting of the trustees to discuss. 58/16 Allotments There are 5 vacant allotment, it has been suggested that people may share an allotment in an attempt to get them all used. The empty allotments take a lot of upkeep, Councillor Curtis spent a lot of time cutting them back. It was agreed he would look into costs of getting them professionally sprayed, the licence for doing this costs over £500. 59/16 Scattering of Ashes. At the moment our cemetery regulations do not permit scattering of ashes, and a resident with family members already buried in the cemetery would like to scatter ashes in the cemetery. We have been looking into this, but until we decide what we are doing with the Bier House we cannot make a decision. Councillor Plowman had been looking into getting the regulations changed so that we can have ashes scattered in the cemetery. It was agreed the Clerk would write to Wellingborough to ask what we have to do to change the regulations. 60/16 Footpath Wardens Report There was no formal report this meeting. Councillor Bailey advised the gate at Station Road was now in place, and the Sorrels had been cut. She would ring the new person at NCC and ask when our footpaths would be cut.