Minutes of Full Council Meeting held on Thursday 6th December 2007 at Duston Community Centre, Duston at 7.30pm
Present: Mrs L Tavener (Chairman)
Mrs M Edwards (Vice Chairman)
Mr J Caswell
Mr David Huffadine-Smith
Mr M Pepper
Mrs Y Sharpe
Mr L Bruley
Mr J Knights
Mrs P Crane
Mr P Herbert
WPC Lucille Hayes
PSCO Helen Houghton (SCT)
R New Youth Worker
Mrs E Gascoyne (Clerk)
8 Residents making representations in respect of the proposed MUGA in Errington Park
Mrs Tavener introduced WPC Lucille Hayes to the meeting and welcomes her as the new Police Officer in Duston and Helen Houghton.
Mrs Tavener welcomed all to Duston Parish Council and informed the meeting that the first 15 minutes are for the public to speak.
Mrs Tavener welcomed the residents and duly advised that the Parish Council provides for the opportunity of members of the public to address the Council with whatever issues they want to say and if it is their wish to address the Council please give your name and address before speaking.
Cheryl Burn – 111 Ryeland Road
Mrs Burns expressed her concerns that the proposed MUGA plan on display would only be 20ft away from her house and feels that the problems will be moved from one part of the park to another, a serious concern too in the drainage system was raised at this part never clear of water and it was felt that this is just going to add to the problem.
Mrs Burns advised the meeting she works in a secondary school with 11-17 year olds and experiences misbehaviour. The meeting was informed that it was her belief that
the youths she felt that Parish were putting this in for would not be interested in it or in sport in general and would congregate in the darkness to smoke, drink alcohol and cause trouble.
There were organised activities in Duston such as Boys Brigade, Girl Guides and Scouts for the youths to attend and therefore the youth in Duston were well catered for.
Mr Finlay advised that over the last 18months-2 years in the park there has been aggravated problem with youths who do not want to participate in sport, they are only interested in drugs and under age drinking. The Community Police Support Officers have witnessed this at the ditch at the bottom of his garden.
Mr Finlay expressed his concerns about the park as is well known for being water logged. 20 years ago pipes were put in along where the MUGA is intended and now the water comes out in a pipe at the bottom of the garden. There is a whole in the ground where the water is going original house, 45 Ryeland Road suffered from subsidence and another house was built on this plot
Dorothy Dandswell
I am very concerned about the proposal of the MUGA there is one at Victoria Park and Semilong and they have both experienced problems. Concern was expressed whether it was worth the expense.
Mrs Tavener stated she wanted to dispel any myths the MUGA was being put there for disaffected youngsters but for all of the children in Duston. Duston Parish Council has put an enormous amount of investment into the disaffected youngsters particularly Duston Young Fire Fighters, of which there is one present tonight. This is now in our second year of the scheme for 20 youngsters who are being trained as Young Fire Fighters at Mereway and this has proved to be very successful and has turned many a youth around contributing to their experiences they have benefited from team work.
Mrs Tavener stated that the Council employs a Youth Worker through Spurgeons, Raine New. Raine works with our more challenging youngsters. Duston Parish Council will continue to help the challenging youngster but the MUGA is not for them but for every youngster in Duston. The number of youngsters who cause the problems is relatively small. The work the Parish Council working has achieved agencies significant in reducing the amount of anti social behaviour in Duston.
Raine New informed the meeting that Emma Robinson, who is in attendance tonight is a perfect case study. Emma was a persistent young offender but using sport to engage her she has achieved success and is now putting back into the Community as a role model. Raine advised that she needs to engage with the youths who drink, smoke with organised activities and is working with Northamptonshire County Council Sports Development.
Residents asked if the MUGA would be fenced and not lit at night. They were duly advised that it would be fenced and no plans to light it are in place at the moment.
Mrs Burns and Mr Finlay both continued to express their concerns on the likely trouble the MUGA would create in attracting the troublemakers.
Helen Houghton advised than in the three years she has worked as an PSCO the level of trouble from the youngsters in Errington Park and Duston in general has reduced considerably. A lot of work has been done in engaging with these youngsters and what they want is somewhere to kick a ball, the park is water logged so cannot use that therefore using car parks, kicking balls against fences is the only place they have. Helen added that issues such as underage drinking, smoking and anti social behaviour would be addressed and dealt with as necessary. The trouble spots are St Crispin, Bordeaux Close and Limehurst.
Mrs Edwards advised the meeting at the MUGA could not be put in the middle of the park due to the football pitches that are used every weekend. It must be positioned where it is visible from the road. Mrs Edwards acknowledged the two major issues relating to the actual site of the MUGA.
Mr Huffadine-Smith advised that when the planning application was put in for the property to be built on the land of 45 Ryeland Road comments should have been made to the Borough Council in respect of the land drainage and how this was dealt with as this was an offence under the Land Drainage Act.
Mr Huffadine-Smith advised the residents if they felt something should be done about the drainage then they should write to Duston Parish Council who would carry out the exercise on it as to the cost of this work. This work would cost a lot of money and it may be the Parish could not afford to do this.
Mrs Tavener advised that with the permission of the rest of the Council that item 13 on the Agenda – Feedback from the consultation and proposal to appoint a contractor be brought forward. Mrs Tavener advised that this was not for general discussion.
13. MUGA Errington Park – Feedback from Consultation and proposal to appoint a Contractor.
Mrs Tavener handed over to Mrs P Crane, Chairman and Mr J Knights, Vice Chairman of Environment Working Party.
Mr Knights duly reported that as everyone was aware a full consultation took place. 165 letters were sent out to those in the vicinity of Errington Park who would be affected. The letter clearly stated ‘if you do not reply you would be regarded as being in favour’ 18 replies were received. Mr Knights advised that having analysed these replies 7 were generally in favour and 8 of them specifically against. In the diagram sent out there was a shelter shown and not one wished the shelter but from the replies it was thought to be a good idea. From this we put out to tender, three tenders were sent out for the MUGA.
Mrs Tavener duly endorsed this agreed that the letter, which she help to write, clearly stated that a no reply would indicate compliance and confirmed that Mrs Crane would revisit the site and the residents would be notified of this to allow them to attend as concern had been expressed how close this would be to a residents fence. The residents were asked to leave their contact number in order that the Clerk may advise them of this meeting.
Mr HuffadineSmith agreed with the residents that the photograph by Lightmain shows the MUGA superimposed and definitely too near to the copse it should be sighted 3 metres behind the land which joins the two trees. The MUGA is a bit out of scale.
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that the proposals before them as a result of the consultation is a positive response Pamela and Jack having done a lot of work over the last 2 days and have done some research and would like to award the contract to Lightmain Limited but they will have further verbal consultation with the residents on the site of the MUGA to agree the location.
Mrs Crane proposed Mr Knights seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Tavener addressed the residents and hoped that they were satisfied that they had been listened to and agreed it is vital for the young people of Duston that we want to make it work. She has worked with Councillor Don Edwards on previous problems in Bramhall Rise and Park Avenue both of which have been a nightmare for the residents and both have been dealt with, an order being placed this week for a motorcycle barrier for Park Avenue.
Mrs Edwards took over the meeting and asked for permission to bring item 8 Youth Worker forward. All Agreed.
FC/12/123 Apologies: Mr P Riches
Mr D Harrison
FC/12/124 Declaration of Interests: Mr M Pepper in Bellway Homes as grandson works for them. 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.
Mrs Tavener reported that enquires will be made if it is still necessary for declarations of interest to be made at meetings in respect of those that have already been recorded in the Register of Interest form completed by each Councillor.
FC/12/125 Police Report
Helen reported that it was good to have Lucille on board as Damian’s replacement. The SCT has been a couple down due to illness and a knee injury, the injury having been caused whilst on duty.
The youth problem areas at the moment are St Crispin and Bordeaux Close. The Limehurst youths are going over to Kings Heath at the moment.
Helen reported that both Maza and herself had been on speed camera training and that it takes two to carry out this operation. Helen reported that as PCSO they cannot issue tickets and mainly as a deterrent to stop speeding.
The ‘Reduce Speed’ boards arrived and the first area is Firsview Drive next week. It is planned to move these around as to stay in the one place would make drivers become compliant.
FC/12/126 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 Knights seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
FC/12/127 Matters Arising
None
FC/12/128 St Luke’s School
Mrs Edwards reported that the costings for the conversion were received and are £600,000 plus fees. A meeting has been held with our Surveyor, Quantity Surveyor and Architect and we worked through it. Working out the estimate of conversion it would need phased from specific stages so that we would be financially stable. Mrs Edwards advised that by the end of next week the Project would know if they had made it through to the second round of the lottery.
The meeting was advised that enquiries about lettings that are satisfying had been received.
An offer will be put into Barratts for £350,000.00 and will negotiate from that figure.
Mr Huffadine-Smith reported that a meeting with Gotch Saunders and Surridge had taken place and the costings presented were over budget, which they knew they would be. A discussion took place on whether anything could be cut out of the project but that a decision that there may be another way to delivery these facilities will be looked at. GGS have worked on a number of projects where grant money has been applied for and obtained. They are taken on board fund sourcing on our behalf.
Mr Huffadine-smith proposed Gotch Saunders and Surridge are appointed as the Project Architect. Mrs Tavener seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that she has been working with Don Edwards in working towards Life Guard training. As County Councillors they have an Empowering Councillors Allowance and have both committed part of this to revitalise the swimming pool and have been working with the Pool Manager, Steve Jackson of Northamptonshire County Council.
A meeting has been held with some of the old Duston Community Association Life Guards and 15 of the previous DCA Life Guards are willing to be trained plus our Youth Workers youngsters making a total of 30, which is a very good sign.
Mrs Tavener advised that both Don and she will be applying for funding, and a new Management Committee led by the old Life Guards will be set up. The meeting was advised that a requirement of the Empowering Councillors Allowance scheme is that they have to have someone to pay the money to. Mrs Tavener asked the Parish Council if they would agree to allow them to pay this money to the Parish Council, it would be no cost to the Parish Council purely a funding issue.
The meeting was advised that it was being explored for the swimming section to become part of the user groups at Duston Sports and Leisure Complex. A meeting is planned for February to move things forward. Mrs Tavener advised that she is in negotiations with Chris Holmes of Northamptonshire County Council to hire the pool at a lower rate for sports development.
The question was asked how much it cost to train a Life Guard and Mrs Tavener responded:
The meeting was advised that the training is extremely intense and would result in the maximum benefit to the people of Duston.
Mrs Tavener proposed the funding from the Empowering Councillors Allowance from both herself and Don be paid to the Parish Council for the purpose of receiving this funding for Life Guard Training. Mr Knights seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
FC/12/130 Youth Worker
Mrs Edwards invited Raine to present her Report.
Raine advised the meeting of really good news – she now has an office in the Folk Centre with a desk, chair and filing cabinet. Raine will work with the Duston Youths from 3.15pm – 6pm two nights and it will operate as a Drop In centre with coffee and biscuits, getting to know them finding out what facilities are available, if we can access to swimming pool when this is built up.
Raine duly reported to the meeting that she would wish the Parish Council to consider their investment into this, at the moment funds are raised through Youth Project grants but realistically the cost to the Parish will be ongoing.
Mr Joe Brown whom Raine met at the Boxing course in June is working in partnership with Raine
Raine expressed concerned that she will not have access to the school during term holidays and in particular during the summer holidays when it would be good to have access to the swimming pool.
Mr Knights gave a presentation of the proposed website and this welcomed by all.
The meeting was advised that there would be a cost of £1000.00 for putting it together plus £39.00 a month.
Mr Knights intends to speak individually to Councillors to ascertain what they would like to see on the web. Mrs Tavener would like to see Neighbourhood Watch and Safer Community Teams. The Logo will be discussed in the New Year.
It was agreed that the Budget for 2008/09 should be increased from £500.00 to £1000 to take into account training.
The meeting was advised that whilst there will be links on the website no-one will be able to access it with messages.
Liz this is when I was faxing just copied from Finance mins is this okay?
Working Parties
Mrs Crane advised the meeting that three tenders had been received for the Errington Park pathway:
The meeting was advised that it had been agreed at the Environment working Party to recommend to Full Council awarding the tender to Northampton Borough Council.
Mrs Cane proposed and Mr HuffadineSsmith seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Crane proposed Mrs Edwards seconded £200.00 for emergency work for December. Mrs Crane proposed Mr Knights seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Crane advised the meeting that Tim was carrying out the emes for this work are very happy.
Mrs Edwards advised that the newsletter was in the process of being delivered and responses to the St Luke’s flier are being received in the Parish office.
Mrs Sharpe advised the meeting that she had received 8 telephone calls in respect of £5.00 mentioned on flier that each adult resident in Duston would be required to pay towards the purchase of St Luke’s School but was unable to help and she did not have any information.
Mrs Edwards explained that the flier stated we will be asking for support for a loan of between £400,000 and £600,000 which would be equal to paying 10p a week or £5.00 each year.
The Parish Council will apply for have a Public Works Loan arranged through NALC at a low rate of interest over 50 years and that this is something we had always planned to do, the flier was used as an illustration and if we are lucky enough to get the ownership of St Luke’s School we will apply for a Public works Loan which will cost each adult resident £5.00 through the Precept.
Mrs Edwards advised that in the event of not being able to answer any questions from residents that either the calls should be directed to herself or the Parish Clerk.
Mrs Crane asked the meeting if they would be happy for her to approach Lady Juliet Townsend and once again invite her to Open the Duston Show.
The meeting agreed that whilst Lady Juliet’s contribution to the success of last year’s Show was much appreciated perhaps it would be good to have a change. Mrs Crane requested that names be brought forward to the next meeting, as it is important to be quick to approach people with such request as their diaries get booked up very quickly. All Agreed.
INVOICES FOR PAYMENT DECEMBER
|
No. |
Invoice |
£ |
VAT |
|
1889 |
Royal Mail – Door to Door Service – newsletter |
£500.00 |
|
|
1891 |
Mrs E Gascoyne – reimbursement for payment on internet to Action Express Couriers – St Luke’s Project delivery to Wakefield |
£89.50 |
£15.66 |
|
1892 |
T J Walden – landscape contract Extra work |
£598.75 £175.00 |
|
|
1893 |
D C A rent £125.00 6282 6277 Youth worker 6277 6296 Youth worker 6296 room hire
|
£125.00 £10.10 £162.00 £7.58 £25.50 £10.10
|
£ |
|
1894 |
H M inspector of Taxes nic £262.75 tax £220.59 |
£483.34 |
|
|
1895 |
Mrs Evelyn Gascoyne – salary Plus 0.27p per hr increase from 1.4.2007 = £216.00 |
£1196.97 |
£ |
|
1896 |
Mrs Alison Grantham – salary
|
£288.00
|
£
|
|
1897 |
Petty Cash – stamps (including £58.48 St Lukes flier £58.48) 1st class packing boxes St Lukes £14.34)
|
£85.55
|
£ |
|
1898 |
Petty Cash – rubber bands, sticky tape, top ups, stamps |
£97.87 |
£ |
|
1899 |
CEM – additional fencing plus payment of gate withheld from invoice |
£1107.80 £785.20 |
£193.87 |
|
1900 |
Hewitsons - DSLC |
£2577.00 |
£450.98 |
|
1901 |
Northampton Borough Council – application for additional fencing for Bramhall Rise |
£ 67.50 |
£ |
|
1902 |
Haddoncraft Forge |
£1200.00 |
£210.00 |
|
1903 |
E S P O brown tape sealing, boxes, paper |
£39.30 |
£6.89 |
|
1904 |
Victim Support – Section 137 donation |
£250.00 |
|
|
1905 |
British Legion – Section 137 donation |
£250.00 |
|
|
1906 |
R New – reimbursement top up, young fire fighters, ink cartridge |
£62.01 |
£ |
|
TOTAL
|
|
£10679.29 |
£861.74 |
|
CURRENT |
(as at 24/11/2007 (Bank statement £34240.53) |
|
|
|
RES |
As at 24/11/2007 (Bank statement - £262934.37) |
|
|
|
CAP RESERVE |
(as at 2 4/ 11/2007 ( Bank Statement £292309.03 ) |
|
|
The invoices were presented for payment and Mrs Tavener advised that she had requested delegation of the CEM Fencing invoice and she was querying one of the invoices.
Mrs Tavener proposed and Mr Caswell seconded. All Agreed. There were no distensions
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting and the new bank accounts were in the process of being finalised with Barclays Bank.
The 2007/2008 budget spend to 6th December was circulated.
Task and Finish Group – Assistant Clerk
Mrs Tavener advised that due to a family bereavement Mr Harrison will now take this forward in January.
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that it had been agreed at Finance to bring proposal C before you which means the Precept to be applied for is in fact 4.2% on last year’s Budget. We felt that that was a fair proposal to make to the people of Duston and you would see the figures before you.
Mr Huffadine-Smith wondered if view of Raine’s request for an additional youth worker after the Precept had been completed for recommendation to Full Council if the Parish Council would consider setting their precept at 4.8% and this would still be below the 5% cap the government is putting on Local Authorities.
Mrs Tavener advised that the precept increase last year had been quite considerable and what we decide tonight is the amount of precept, we have until the 31st of March 2008 to decide how we allocate this.
Mrs Tavener stated to the meeting that she hoped everyone was clear and that Raine will be asked to present details of her requirements for consideration.
Mrs Tavener proposed Proposal C with the increase at the rate of inflation of 4.2%. Mr Pepper seconded. All Agreed with one abstention from Mr Huffadine-Smith.
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that historically the money under green areas was used by Northampton Borough Council to avoid rate capping and charged separately from the Council Tax and is called Special Expenses and is shown as income to Parish Councillors when in fact this money was not received and last year un parished areas were included in this. Mrs Tavener advised that she had spoken to Liam Costello, Clerk to Wootton Parish Council who advised that they had told the Borough Council that they couldn’t add the Special Expenses to the Precept it must be shown separately.
FC/12/139 Planning
Mr Pepper advised the meeting that the minutes for the 12th of November had been circulated for information and advised that WNDC had sent the incorrect details on the proposed build of 77 houses but understands they have been received and will be discussed at the next Planning Meeting on 17th December 2007. Residents attended the meeting in respect of 57 Edgehill Road and this was a very contentious meeting. Mr Pepper advised that he would attend the Planning Meeting on 19th December to speak for three minutes in respect of this application.
FC/12/140 Correspondence
The correspondence was made available to the meeting.
FC/12/141 Date of next meeting Thursday, 10th January 2008 at 7.30pm in Duston Community Centre.