STAGSDEN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting of the Parish Council held Monday 17 July 2017 in the Village Hall at 7:30pm PRESENT: Joanne Hodson, Jim Watson, Roger Heron, Mandy Jauncey, Peter Brown, Ashley Kenlock, Julie Betts (Clerk) APOLOGIES: Esther Dickson, Cllr Mark Smith ABSENT: Action/Power PUBLIC QUESTION TIME David Hindle 36A High Street, Stagsden spoke about the future of the The Public parish. He had lived in Stagsden for 32 years, he had chosen a small Bodies (Admission to rural village. Meetings) Act 1960 as Mr Hindle was concerned with the progression of the Neighbourhood amended by Plan. Stagsden was a group 3 village and as such could expect to take 5 s100, LGA 1972 – 15 units in the Local Plan 2035. He did not understand why the NHP team were talking about large sites. Why were they asking the village to agree to larger sites? He had many years experience in his work life in land and housing development and said that Bedford Borough Council will be given the impression that Stagsden want to take more development than is required. Mandy Jauncey said that the results of the village questionnaire showed support for larger sites. Andrew, Bury End, Stagsden said that if the village wants to move forward there has to be growth. If we want a flourishing pub again we need more houses. Margaret Hakim said the some of the proposals for the larger sites would mean an increase of 40% for the village. she said that Parish Council need to consider, she recognises the need for a plan and some development but survey came up with a different set of issues. 12/17 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Esther Dickson and Mark LGA 1972, Sch Smith. 12 para 40 13/17 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The meeting acknowledged that the minutes of the meeting held on LGA 1972, Monday 8 May 2017 were a correct record. Sch 12, para 41 Minutes July 17 1 Signed (Chairman) ……………… RESOLVED That the minutes of the meeting, held on 8 May 2017, were agreed and signed as a correct record. 14/17 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST As previously declared and as recorded in the minutes. 15/17 REPORTS (a) Borough Councillor’s Report, sent by Cllr Mark Smith Local Plan 2035 The Council’s latest consultation on its Local Plan, which proposed sites to accommodate 8,000 new homes by 2035, ended on the 9th June. The Council’s Planning department is now assessing around 1800 responses received. The consultation document included an option to develop 1 or more new settlement(s) in the north of the Borough to accommodate around a quarter of this target, with sites in Wyboston, Sharnbrook, Twinwoods (between Milton Ernest and Thurleigh) and Thurleigh Airfield being considered. One or more of these settlements could go forward and are likely to provide around 4,000 – 6,000 dwellings each (although it is thought that only 2,000 could be developed within the Local Plan period to 2035). Sites earmarked for development in the urban and edge of urban areas have also been earmarked to accommodate just over 2,000 properties, while a number of villages have been designated as having ‘Group 1’ status, namely: Wilstead; Bromham; Sharnbrook; Clapham, and; Great Barford and are all set to increase substantially in size with between 500 – 600 new properties in each. An allocation of 1,000 homes has been earmarked for the brownfield site at the former Stewartby brick works. ‘Group 2’ villages across the Borough will see development of between 25 – 50 new homes. Included in Group 2 are: Carlton; Harrold; Milton Ernest; Oakley; Roxton, and; Turvey. Willington is also a Group 2 village but does not have a housing allocation. The other villages are included in Groups 3 and 4. They do not have specific allocations but these communities may wish to bring forward sites for development through implementing Neighbourhood Plans. Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group The body responsible for organising health services in Bedfordshire Minutes July 17 2 Signed (Chairman) ……………… has announced that it is no longer under ‘special measures’ after losing control of its finances. In 2014/15 the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) amassed a £43.2m spending deficit on a budget of around £500m after it failed to deliver a range of efficiencies. This led to NHS England placing ‘legal directions’ on the BCCG, meaning that it had to agree with NHS England an improvement plan to address its financial positon and ineffective corporate governance. The BCCG subsequently put in place a new Executive which oversaw a surplus financial position for 2016/17. NHS England is now content that the BCCG’s position has improved to the extent that it can be given full autonomy once again. East West Rail A consultation is being held from the 30th June – 11th August on the proposed East West Rail scheme. The western section of East West Rail will connect Oxford, Milton Keynes and Bedford. In addition to this, a central section is planned which will extend the line to Cambridge. Overall, 20 options were considered for the location of the route between Bedford and Cambridge, with the decision being taken for the line to pass through Sandy. The Government backed the scheme in its 2016 Autumn Statement with £110m investment. A new East West Rail organisation is now taking the plans forward. For more information visit http://www.networkrail.co.uk/east-west-rail Ward Fund I have now received notification of my Council Ward Fund for 2017/18 which allows me to make a financial contribution to local schemes benefitting the community. If you feel you have a scheme you feel could benefit, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Summer Sports Courses The Council has announced a programme of sports courses for children to enjoy over the summer holidays. From the 24th July – 1st September children aged 3 – 15 will be able to try their hand at sports such as tennis, cricket and water sports. For more details see www.bedford.gov.uk/summersportscourses Minutes July 17 3 Signed (Chairman) ……………… 16/17 UPDATES ON CURRENT ISSUES (a) Police/Crime Report Attached at Appendix A. Next Priority Setting Meeting with Beds Police is Monday 22 August 2017, 19.00 hours at Police Headquarters Joanne and Esther had attended the last meeting to represent the village and their concerns. They had been given speeding stickers to be displayed on wheelie bins. Priorities to be Speeding, Fly-tipping and Rural Crime. (b) Pub Bedford Borough Council had told Jim that he could not reapply for AK the Community Asset Register for the Royal George. Ashley to double check. (c) Speed Watch No speed watch this month. (d) Neighbourhood Planning Peter Brown declared an interest. Mandy reported that the issues and options responses had not yet been inputted. She thought there was an approx. 36% response rate. She has found someone to enter the surveys and this work would be ready for the next meeting. Mandy had sent a copy of the leaflet that had been circulated in the village to BRCC and BBC. BRCC had offered to look at the results to see if the leaflet had an impact. Because leaflet was unsigned it was thought that residents considered it was from Stagsden Parish Council and was encouraging them to submit another form? Mandy had resigned as Chair from the group. No members had offered to take over the position. The meeting agreed there should be a meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Group and any interested residents on Thursday 27 July 2017 7pm Stagsden Village Hall to agree a new Chair. Joanne thanked Mandy for everything she had done over the last 2 years. There had been a lot of work and this was appreciated. Minutes July 17 4 Signed (Chairman) ……………… (e) Village Hall There had been an increase in the Village Hall Insurance, Jim asked that Parish Council increase their contribution. Joanne asked for more information and the item would be discussed at the next meeting. The new fence had been installed, the Committee thanked Cllr Smith for his support. There had been more fire alarm problems and a neighbour complaint. This had been resolved. 23 September Harvest Supper 25 November Quiz & Curry (f) Allotments Allotments were looking tidy. The Association had kept on top of vacant plots. 17/17 PLANNING (a) Report of Planning Applications 1 High View Wick End, Erection of agricultural build, Permission Granted 2 The Warren Bury End, Retrospective retention of first floor extension, Permission Granted 3 Meadowview, 44 Bedford Road, First Floor Rear Extension, Permission Granted 4 Howbrook Farm, Wick End, Erection of Agricultural Workers Dwelling, Permission Granted 5 Gable End 61 High Street, Erection of a single storey rear extension, permission granted 6 45 High Street, Change of use of land to Equestrian, construction of all-weather surfacing and hardstanding and erection of stables/hay store – Permission Granted (b) To Consider Planning Applications 17/01896/FUL, Cedar Bungalow, 38 Bedford Road, Stagsden, Town & Country MK43 8TP, Erection of new detached garage to front. Planning Act 1990 RESOLVED Minutes July 17 5 Signed (Chairman) ……………… No Objections. 18/17 FINANCE (a) Schedule of Receipts and Payments – June/July 2017, Appendix B The Council received the schedule of receipts and payments LGA 1972, s150 made during June/July 2017. (6) Prop: Joanne Hodson, Sec: Roger Heron, All in favour (b) Budget Update The Clerk circulated a budget update, attached at appendix C. There were no concerns. 19/17 Amenities (a) Play Areas ‘Free equipment’ to be provided in the play area – Esther to .