Minutes of Full Council Meeting held on
Present: Mrs L Tavener (Chairman)
Mrs M Edwards (Vice Chairman)
Mr David Huffadine-Smith
Mrs Y Sharpe
Mr L Bruley
Mr J Knights
Mr P Herbert
Mr P Riches
Mr D Harrison
Mrs P Crane
PCSO Maz Stretton
Sgt Paul Beard
Caroline Standring (Neighbourhood Warden)
1 Resident
Mrs E Gascoyne (Clerk)
FC/03/176 Apologies: Mr J Caswell
Mr M Pepper
FC/03/177 Declaration of Interests: Mr David Huffadine-Smith in Anglian Water as his employers.
Mrs L Tavener in St Luke’s School as a member of the Cabinet for Northamptonshire County Council.
FC/03/178 Police Report
Sergeant Beard circulated a leaflet advising that there is also a poster and would welcome suggestions where the posters could be displayed. The leaflet outlined the reset priorities and intended these to be circulated to residents and again would welcome any ideas on distribution. The priorities over the next 12 weeks are:
The meeting was advised that a lot of the problems are not caused by Duston Youth but from youths from Briar Hill and St James.
The question was raised on underage drinking mentioned in the leaflet and the access to alcohol across the two wards and that it had been noted from an article in the Chronicle and Echo and Radio 4 that there is a move towards stricter methods to dealing with off licences who provide youths with alcohol by withdrawing their licences and that this would need to be properly managed. The meeting agreed they would not like to see anyone loose their licence in Duston.
Mrs Tavener will take this up with the Licence Committee.
Sergeant Beard will provide leaflet in word form to Mr Knights to put on the Parish Website
Neighbourhood Warden: Caroline advised that she has now made contact with Tim Walden our Landscape Contractor and on this occasion also met Matt Golby of Golby Nurseries who volunteered to help out with any community clean ups as and when these are arranged in the area. Caroline reported she is pleased to have made this contact.
Caroline reported that shrubs in
The police were asked if they had been
aware of the arson attack in the area of
The meeting was advised that there is a group of about 50 youths who congregate in this area and this is one of their priority area they will be working on to elevate this problem.
FC/03/179 Minutes of previous
meeting
Mrs Tavener asked if it is the meetings wish that she approve the previous meetings as a true record. Mrs Tavener proposed and Mr Edwards seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
FC/03/180 Matters Arising
A long and lengthy discussion took place on the resident’s campaign to secure the Playing fields at St Luke’s School for a Village Green. The Parish Council deeply regrets the loss of the playing field and has over the past18 months made every effort to purchase the school site, the spinney and the playing fields from Barratts.
Mrs Edwards circulated a Position Statement on the Parish Council’s position on the St Luke’s School site and playing fields.
The Village Green Support group had asked Mrs Edwards the Parish Council’s position in respect of planning permission for the playing fields but responded none had been made as this would be dealt with at our Planning Committee Meeting when it arises.
Mrs Edwards advised that she felt that it was important that the Parish Council has a common statement about the position of the playing field with regards the actions of Duston Parish Council.
Mrs Edwards reported that that the statement contains a short summary of the process that the St Luke’s School process went through to get where we are today. It was not until the flier was sent out for support of a loan that residents in Hall Close and Sussex Close were concerned about the playing field and as much as we can the Parish Council have helped them to resolve certain problems about this and feel that in order to ensure that our negotiations with Barratts are not jeopardised we should have a neutral stance. It is very important we let the resident know that the majority of the Parish Council wants to retain the green field but that we have to remain neutral as we made a corporate decision to proceed in the purchase of the school site and spinney when we knew the playing fields were not for sale.
Clarification was sought on the position of a Parish Councillor in respect of being able to sign the Village Green petition. The response was that this would not be possible, as the Parish Council had fully supported the St Luke’s School Project and their decisions every step of the way any attempt to alter this would lead to jeopardising the negotiations for the spinney and school and therefore there is a potential that the parish would end up with nothing from this site.
The question was asked as to who owned the playing field and the response was that Northamptonshire County Council owns it.
The meeting was advised Barratt have an option to buy the whole site and if planning permission is granted they will buy it.
It was put to the meeting that the loss of the playing fields would affect a few but the acquisition of the school and spinney would benefit 12,500 people of Duston.
Mr Herbert proposed Full Council approve the Position Statement.
In favour ME, DHS, PH, PR, YS DH Abstain PC, LB Mrs Tavener was not allowed to vote of this.
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that she had received a letter from Rod James requesting financial support for the action that has been taken on the playing field, for the amount of £150.00.
A discussion took place and opinions varied on this:
Proposal: We do allow £150.00 financial support to the Save the Playing Field fund.
In Favour: PH, LB, ME, DH, PC, YS
Against: DHS, JKS, PR
FC/03/181 Precept Statement
Mrs Tavener duly reported that a Precept Statement had been circulated for information and that this was now with Northampton Borough Council for inclusion in their Council Tax information for 2008/09. The statement includes the fact that it costs each adult resident 50p per week for the work of the Parish Council and that this year’s increase is in line with the rate of inflation.
Mrs Tavener duly report that the Precept Letter had been received from Northampton Borough Council and was pleased to report that our request for Special Expenses not to be included had been carried out
The Environment Working Party Plan was presented to Full Council. Mrs Crane approved. Mr Knights seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
FC/03/183 St Luke’s School
A proposal was put forward for a Public Works Board Loan for this project.
Mr Herbert proposed a Public Works Board Loan of £600,000. Mr Huffadine-Smith seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mr Huffadine-Smith advised the meeting he would take any questions on the minutes previously circulated.
The meeting was advised that an Exhibition
would be held in the main hall of the community centre on Saturday 15th
March from
The architect’s plans along with the various User Groups we have recruited to date will be on display with the user groups demonstrating their sport throughout the day. It is hoped to attract other users, particularly during the daytime.
Directors will be formally elected from the User Groups and this will be a significant move forward.
The Parish Council will own the land and the sports complex building. An operating company will manage the centre in such a way that the User Groups can be part of it. The Parish Council will be represented on the Board of the Management Group.
Sgt Beard asked if there would be any vouchers available for the youth to be able to use the centre. The response was there were no plans for this due to the financial implications on the running costs of the centre.
Mrs Tavener was pleased to report with the help of PCSO Maz Streeton fliers/posters had been distributed to the whole of Duston in one day.
Mr Huffadine-Smith was pleased to report that his employers Anglian Water were lending display boards
The meeting was advised that on the same day as the Exhibition at the Community Centre Raine, our Youth Worker would be holding a youth/age concern event in the Cotswold Room including activities such as:
And many more activities.
Mr Riches advised that Wootton Parish Council and the Abbey Centre had dispersed with the services of Spurgeons and that Helen Mason was now working as a Consultant in this field. Mr Riches duly advised that it might be possible for Helen to assist the Parish Council in the change over.
A discussion took place on the post of Project Officer for the Parish Council and Mr Harrison advised that this post would cover:
There may be scope to help at the Duston Show if required.
The meeting was advised that this would be for a fixed period of one year for 12 hours per week to scope to review the hours as per the needs of the Parish Council. The scale will be on SCP25.
The meeting was advised that due to the large projects the Parish Council has taken on board it was recognised it was imperative to employ someone with the skills required to oversee these areas.
Mr Harrison and Mrs Tavener are to approve final version of advert.
Working Parties
Mr Herbert approved Mr Knights seconded to accept to accept T J Walden’s negotiated price for 2008/09 for the Landscape Contract. All Approved thee were no dissensions.
Mrs Crane proposed Mrs Tavener seconded £200.00 for emergency work for March. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Crane reported that the MUGA has now been installed and work completed. Verbal confirmation from Northampton Borough Council had been received that they are satisfied with this but Mrs Crane reported that she has requested this in writing.
Mrs Tavener suggested that Tim Walden to carry out on an interim basis a daily inspection of the MUGA to ensure there was no glass, litter, vandalism etc.
Mrs Tavener proposed. Mr Herbert seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
A discussion took place on the insurance of the MUGA and public liability premium.
Zurich Insurance had quoted £1470.00 (inclusive of taxes) premium per annum with an additional added for Public Liability when they knew the full facts.
Mrs Tavener proposed £1470.00 premium plus Public Liability Insurance be obtained from Zurich Insurance. Mrs Edwards seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Tavener advised that a requesd had been made for a £500 petty cash for the Duston Show.
Proposal, Mrs Tavener proposed a £500 petty cash float for the Duston Show. David Harrison seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Crane advised that a flier was being
printed for circulation. Mr Herbert
displayed the Poster for the Show, which had been designed by a student from
the
INVOICES FOR PAYMENT MARCH 2008
|
No. |
Invoice |
£ |
VAT |
|
|
100025 |
T J Walden – Landscape Maintenance Contract |
£586.25 |
|
|
|
100026 |
|
£1027.97 |
|
|
|
100027 |
Petty Cash – stamps, crockery, top up |
£74.72 |
|
|
|
100028 |
H M inspector of Taxes nic £202.61 tax £164.71 |
£367.32 |
|
|
|
100029 |
D C A Rent Invoice 6346
Room Hire |
£125.00 £45.70 |
|
|
|
100030 |
Body power sports pro forma sports equipment for Youth Worker grant
received from Borough Council (£4000.00) |
£1337.11 |
£233.98 |
|
|
100024 |
Towns on the Web – Duston Parish Council website |
£450.00 |
£78.75 |
|
|
100031 |
ROYAL MAIL GROUP – Response service – St Luke’s |
£156.00 |
£ |
|
|
100032 |
Petty Cash for Day in the Park |
£500.00 |
|
|
|
100034 |
Plann
Architecty – St Lukes – professional fees |
£830.00 |
£145.25 |
|
TOTAL |
|
£5500.07 |
£457.98 |
|
|
CURRENT |
(as at
24.2.08 (Bank
statement £26860.34) Barclays
Bank 18.02.08 £5870.96 Barclays
Bank as at 19.2.08 Section 106 £1466.33 |
|
|
|
|
RES |
As at
19.2.08 (Bank statement
- £264287.96 Barclays Section 106 |
|
|
|
|
CAP RESERVE |
(as at
18.01.08 ( Bank
Statement £273751.63 ) Barclays |
|
|
|
BARCLAYS BANK TRANSFER
|
No. |
|
£ |
|
|
1 |
Section 106 current account to
Section 106 Reserve Account |
£1466.33 |
|
|
1 |
Duston Parish Council Current account to Reserve
Account |
£1577.64 |
|
Mrs Tavener advised that the invoice for the Gym equipment for the Youth Worker was purely in and out as she has received a grant for this equipment.
Mrs Tavener proposed payment of the invoice. Mr Knights seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Tavener proposed transfer of £10,000 from the Business Premium Account to Community Account.
Mrs Edwards seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that an email from the Kettering Polo Club and a letter from Duston Luncheon Club had been circulated.
FC/03/190 Website
Mr
Knights reminded everyone that he would like a photograph with a short CV to
include on the website as it is only three weeks until it is due to go
live. Mr Knights offered to take
photographs of those who would like him to do so.
Mr
Herbert advised the meeting that the proposed layout and content of the
newsletter (Duston Link) was before them and this illustrated the format which
prioritised the articles with the Duston Show, Duston Sports and Leisure
Complex and the website all on the front page.
A
discussion took place on the distribution and the meeting was advised to pass
any suggestions on the Mr Herbert or Mrs Edwards.
Mrs
Tavener advised that a date in April would need to be set for a visit by
Billing Parish Council to work together on the Parish Plan.
FC/03/193 Correspondence
The correspondence was
made available to the meeting.
FC/03/194 Date
of next meeting Thursday, 3rd
April 2008 at 7.30pm in Duston Community Centre.