Isham Parish Council Minutes of the Meeting of Isham Parish Council held on Monday 13th November 2017 in the village hall. 80/17 Present: Alan Curtis Peter Priest Gillian Bailey Douglas Forrester Jan Gillard Clive Hallam Barry Hobbs Graham Rait Jenny Bone (Borough) Martin Griffiths (Leader of Wellingborough Borough Council) Alison McLaven (Clerk) 10 members of the public 81/17 Apologies Councillor Liz Lovett sent her apologies, which were accepted. 82/17 Minutes silence in respect of Geoff Timms Geoff was elected as a councillor to the former Wellingborough Rural District Council in 1969 and then to the new Borough Council of Wellingborough in 1973. He served as a ward member for the former north ward, representing 5 villages in the area until the last borough election in 2015, giving 46 years continuous service. He was a chairman and member of several committees and partnerships during his time on the council and was Mayor in 1991 - 1992 and admitted as Honorary Freeman in May 2013. He joined the Parish Council at around the same time, being Chairman from 1995 to 2002. He used to cut the grass for the village, and was involved with the PFA. Councillor Griffiths also commented that Geoff was very inclusive and supportive. They had sat next to each other on planning. He felt that Geoff will be sorely missed. 83/17 Declarations of Interest Councillor Hallam declared an interest in all planning matters. Councillor Hobbs declared an interest in land adjacent to 16 South Street. 84/17 Councillor Martin Griffiths, Leader of Wellingborough Borough Council Councillor Griffiths thanked the Parish Council for inviting him, noting that the last time he attended Isham Parish Council he was driving through the village 4 times a day to take and pick up his son from primary school. His son is now attending college in Bedford, and they now live in Bozeat. It is a privilege to be the Leader of the Council, and this was evidenced by the Remembrance Commemorations yesterday. An advance copy of Link magazine from the Borough Council had been given to him and that contained all the information that he needed to talk to the meeting. The record number of businesses trading was noted and that job opportunities were second to none, with plans to create 9300 new jobs by 2031. One of the priorities is promoting growth and to improve the town centre. Heritage Lottery funding had helped to turn some of the shop fronts to looking like they did 100 years ago. The aim is to make the town centre more like that of Market Harborough. One of the small business incentives is to improve heritage buildings, and the thatched cottage in Silver Street has become a public house. Improvements have been made to the Swimming pool. Boundary changes will be discussed later in the meeting. The Castle theatre is doing very well and the Borough is trying to find a permanent operator to run it. Councillor Hobbs asked about the possibility of Unitary Authorities. Councillor Griffiths own view was that the system is best as it is. He felt that Councils need to be run like businesses, noting that the County Council has very little opportunity for generating income, whereas the Borough has the Theatre and the Crematorium to name a couple of income generators. There are a couple of suggestions for Unitary Authorities, Wellingborough, Kettering, East Northants & Corby, being the most appropriate. The bypass is thought to have a 2.5 million pound shortfall. Councillor Griffiths noted that our MP is pushing for the bypass. There was discussion of the bypass, with scepticism of the figures and when it will be started. DB Symmetry planning application was also discussed as it is felt that the bypass needs to be in place before it starts. The application is thought to be discussed at the December meeting of Kettering Borough Council Planning. Councillor Bone had comments from Peter Bone MP which included that the Government confirm that plans are in place and work continues to keep the scheme on track. 2 Councillors had spoken to team leader of Planning at NCC, and although they had slightly different responses, it was noted that the business case is required as a condition of funding and they are looking at the remainder of funding as part of their budget package. Heather Davis noted that there was a problem in Thrapston with lorries that deliver to the large warehousing units only being allowed on site for a short period of time, and this meant that all available laybys and side roads were having lorries parked up and then the road side being used as a public convenience. It was suggested that DB symmetry be made aware so that this issue doesn’t arise locally. Councillor Griffiths noted that the Borough had looked at building a lorry park around the same time as the new crematorium was being developed, but it was not efficient, although he felt it was needed. It was noted that the warehouses will not affect Kettering as much as it will affect Isham. There was also discussion that the Borough’s response for the first application was not robust enough. Councillor Hobbs advised Councillor Griffiths that he felt enforcement over planning issues by the Borough was non-existent and he had been told that there was no longer an enforcement officer, and that the Borough took a long time to respond. Councillor Griffiths advised the meeting that there were 90 – 100 cases that the officers were dealing with, and that they were keen to step up enforcement of bylaws and fly tipping. He felt that turnaround times were good now as the Borough had gone from being looked at by the Government and nearly being put in special measures to being good. Councillor Curtis advised he had contacted the Borough on 9th October regarding the signs for a bypass which had caused problems and despite a reminder had still no response. The proposed political boundary change was discussed, and it felt that it was ridiculous to have 4 MP’s covering the Wellingborough Borough area, and Isham being in the Daventry constituency. Residents were urged to comment on the website. It was noted that the Borough had done well regarding the loss of trains, holding a public meeting to stop the proposed changes. Councillor Forrester said that he felt the presentation on enforcement held before the Parish Forum was difficult to understand. Finedon library is under pressure to close because of budget cuts. There was discussion of the precept, noting this is another reason why Parishes are important, as they can precept to keep these things going. We have been trying to get figures for grit for grit bins and electricity costs, and what other Parishes are doing regarding replacement lights, and were advised to contact Rob Gough, our County Councillor to ask cabinet members for figures and information. It was felt we should prepare for the worst as the County have to save 27 Million pounds, 80% of their income going on Adult Social Care and looking after children. There was then discussion of the homeless, how they are dealt with and that all cases are different. Social Media is a problem especially over this issue. 85/17 Approval of Minutes of 4th September 2017 The minutes were signed as a true and correct record. This was proposed by Councillor Hobbs and seconded by Councillor Rait, all in favour. Councillor Forrester asked if we had received a response regarding the complaint about the signs. It was noted that even under ‘Freedom of Information’ the name of the person would not be released. 86/17 Public Question Time Richard Marshall commented that the street sign at the bottom of South Street had rotted on its posts, the Clerk will report this to Street Doctor. Parking at the bottom of Middle Street was raised. The Clerk has already contacted the Police, but had no response regarding them enforcing no parking on pavements at the top and bottom of Middle Street. Fairfield Road was also mentioned. Councillor Griffiths advised contacting Inspector Daryl Lions, noting that all 7 villages have the same problem. Parking was discussed at the JAG meeting, and the fact that fire engines can ‘take out’ any cars in the way if they are attending an incident. There was discussion of stickers at the JAG meeting to be put on to offending cars, these are still in production. John Davis will discuss with the landlord of the Lilacs about using the car park for off road parking. 87/17 Planning WP/17/00094/VAR - Variation of condition 2 of planning permission ref: WP/2014/0093 for amendment to improve appearance of property. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the amended plans 04.15-01C at 86 Orlingbury Road – refused, gone to appeal, IPC have submitted comments to The Planning Inspectorate outlining our objection – permission granted by the Planning Inspectorate. WP/17/00416/VAR - Variation of condition 3 of planning permission ref: WP/2008/0265 to omit the trellis on top of close boarded fence and construct from the south western corner 3 x 1.8 metre close boarded fence; 6 x 1.2 metre high close boarded fence with 0.6 metres of trellis on top and a 13 x 1.2 metres high close boarded fence to the southern eastern corner at 7D Kettering Road – approved, IPC had submitted a letter of objection WP/17/00367/FUL - Erection of prefabricated agricultural store (900sqm) and stables (90sqm) at Land South of Finedon Station Road, Isham – application withdrawn, IPC had submitted a letter of objection to this application.