Minutes of Full Council Meeting held on Thursday 1st November 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 D Harrison
Mr M Pepper
Mrs Y Sharpe
Mr L Bruley
Mr J Knights
Mrs P Crane
Mr P Herbert
Mrs E Gascoyne (Clerk)
Two members of the public
Mrs Tavener welcomed all to Duston Parish Council and informed the meeting that the first 15 minutes is for the public to speak.
Mrs Swann from Cotswold Avenue advised that she was very concerned about the traffic travelling too fast well in excess of the 30mph making it very dangerous for old people trying to cross the road and believes it is just a matter of time before someone is injured. Mrs Swann requested if it was possible to have something erected displaying 30mph.
PCSO Phelp advised the meeting that the PCSO’s are to be trained in using the hand held speed cameras.
Mrs Tavener reported that it will be useful when the police get hand held camera training when the initiative is rolled out to the Safer community Teams. The meeting was advised that a trial flashing sign had been installed in Costswold Avenue and in many cases drivers are unaware they had been speeding. This is an ongoing problem in other roads in Duston as well. The meeting was informed that what can be done, if the residents are interested in doing so is for them to put some signs on lampposts that highlight a 30mph.
It was concluded that the most sensible route is to look at more enforcement through the PCSO and their hand held speed camera training.
Mrs Jennifer Solomon advised the meeting that the residents in Millway did not receive any notification to the ten lights around Millway School.
First thing in the morning the traffic is bumper to bumper with children being dropped off at school and a staff of 50 which could easily equate to another 25 vehicles arriving to park in the school and now that the school has changed to primary the side gate is opened until six o’clock and the lights are lit up the traffic is picking up children from the after school club.
PCSO Phelp’s advised that that they have been involved in, together with Mr Sentence the Headmaster, in approaching Sainsbury’s to request permission for mothers to park and drop their children off in their car park and use the zebra crossing to gain access to the school. This would help to alleviate the traffic congestion at peak periods.
The matter was raised of the works lorries traffic for the various building sites around Duston using Millway and the meeting was advised that Councillor Don Edwards is working on getting a weight restriction in Millway.
Mrs Tavener advised that she has been in contact with Bellways and has been requested to obtain the name of the contractor and whilst we have no right to stop the contractor to use the road it is agreed that in the best interest of the community with a lot of goodwill from the various builders this issue can be resolved.
Mrs Tavener advised that she would take through the concerns of the 10 lights at the front of Millway School to the County Council.
Mrs Swan enquired if anything could be done about the rough path next to her house, which belongs to the Council. Mrs Tavener replied that this would be looked into for her.
FC/10/106 Apologies: Mr P Riches
FC/11/107 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.
Mrs Tavener reported that there are two issues tonight she would like to drive forward; a welcome to the meeting was extended to PCSO Nigel Phelps who will presenting the Police Report and Item 12 – Consultation on Local priorities for Policing and with the meetings agreement would like to bring these two together. All Agreed.
Mrs Tavener reported that she would like the business of the meeting to be finished by 8.30pm when the feedback of the Task and Finish Group for the Assistant Parish Clerk and St Lukes will be discussed with the Public excluded. All Agreed.
FC/11/108 Police Report
PCSO Nigel Phelp reported that the position of PC had not yet been filled and a request has been made for it to be covered part time until it is.
Nigel duly reported that the 3 main priorities for Duston are:
§ Main Road
§ Limehurst Square
§ Quarry
It was put to the meeting that the priority from Main Road be moved to Bordeaux Close are they have a lot of issues to deal with there with 50-60 youngsters congregating around the shops and had even entered the chip shop on their bikes and being very abusive, the ages range from 12-16 years and it was reported alcohol is involved. CCTV camera footage from this area is now being looked at to assist in the investigation on this. It was reported that the youngsters are mainly from Duston with a few from Kings Heath.
It was duly reported that St Giles is the furthest point for our Support Community Officers to reach and on foot this can take one hour.
Halloween night turned out to be very quite, Helen changed her shift to allow two to be on duty.
Mr David Huffadine-Smith reported that in the past the Parish Council has given assistance towards provision of various items to help security, ie CCTV camera at Limehurst Square, fence at Errington Park and suggested that the police put suggestions to the Parish Council on identified equipment that could assist them in responding to incidents. Whilst the Parish could not guarantee the funds they would look at these and perhaps phase them in over a period of time.
Mrs Tavener thanked Nigel for attending the meeting.
FC/11/109 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/11/110 Matters Arising
None
FC/11/111 St Luke’s School - See Appendix A
Mr Huffadine-Smith reported that all were in receipt of the previous minutes and attached to these is the Architectural Competition Brief for information. The interviews are to take place at Eldean School on the 13th of November.
FC/11/113 Youth Worker
There was no report. Mr Herbert duly reminded the meeting that it is some time since a report was put before the Council. It was agreed to request one for the next Full Council meeting.
Mrs Tavener reported that the visit to Billing had been very useful to talk to fellow Parish Councillors and that email addresses and working parties had been circulated to each Council to enable contact to be made with each other.
An observation on Billing Parish Council’s email addresses had been noted as the same for each one and it was agreed that when our website is looked at this is how our email addresses could be set up. All Agreed.
Mrs Edwards advised that it was her understanding the visit was to discuss a Parish Plan and was disappointed that this did not happen.
A further meeting will be held in March when Billing Parish Council will be invited to visit Duston Parish Council.
A report from Northamptonshire County Council was circulated outlining their conclusion to a request from Wootton and East Hunsbury who were seeking advice on whether or not Parish Councillors should receive an allowance. Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that Mrs Edwards and Mr Pepper attended as our representation and advised the Committee’s response was that each Parish Council was to make their own decision on whether they want to adopt this.
A full discussion followed and whilst it was the decision of the existing Parish Councillors not to seek any allowances for themselves it was felt that the door must not be closed to any young mothers or people who had to look after elderly relatives who would need help for a carers expenses which could possible result in a good mix of Parish Councillors.
A proposal that the Parish Council will not proceed with recommending allowances but will review it in 12 months time. All Agreed.
The meeting was advised that as a new Code of Conduct has been adopted it was now necessary to complete new Register of Interest forms. The Clerk circulated and Ms Tavener requested that they be returned to the Clerk as soon as possible.
Working Parties
Mrs Crane advised that the minutes had been circulated for information.
Mrs Crane advised that the gates have been removed for refurbishment and it is anticipated that this will take 3-4 weeks.
Mrs Crane proposed Mrs Edwards seconded £200.00 for emergency work for November. Mrs Crane proposed Mr Huffaidne-Smith seconded. All Agreed. There were no dissensions.
Mrs Edwards thank everyone for their contributions and suggestions for the amendments received. The newsletter is now in the process of being printed.
The distribution of the newsletter will take place week commencing the 3rd of December and will be carried out by the Royal Mail Door to Door Service who have identified that 7071 newsletters will be delivered in Duston. The St Luke’s flier and a response envelope will be enclosed in the newsletter for delivery.
A room for the 15th of November from 7pm-9.30pm at Duston Community Centre has been booked for folding the flier put it into an envelope and spot glued to the inside of the newsletter and then boxed into bundles of 500. Parcel Force will deliver the completed parcel to the central area at Wakefield as advised by Royal Mail Door to Door Service prior to distribution.
.
Community Day
The date of 21st June 2008 has been agreed and Mrs Crane invited those wishing to join the Task and Finish Group to email her.
FC/11/118 Finance
INVOICES FOR PAYMENT NOVEMBER
|
No. |
Invoice |
£ |
VAT |
|
1865 |
T J Walden – landscape contract Extra work |
£542.50 |
|
|
1866 |
D C A rent £125.00 6230 6236 – Youth worker 6248 6240 6258
|
£125.00 £10.10 £144.00 £10.10 £21.46 £35.60
|
£ |
|
1867 |
H M inspector of Taxes nic £185.64 tax £149.29 |
£334.93 |
|
|
1868 |
Mrs Evelyn Gascoyne - salary |
£980.12 |
£ |
|
1869 |
Mrs Alison Grantham – salary
|
£289.05
|
£
|
|
1870 |
Duston Old People’s Welfare – raffle prize proceeds
|
£125.00
|
£ |
|
1871 |
Pickering Toilets – Day in the Park |
£300.08 |
£52.52 |
|
1872 |
BT I internet Services |
£105.71 |
£89.97 |
|
1873 |
Phoenix Paving Ltd – Quarry Duston Wildes |
£11706.56 |
£2048.65 |
|
1874 |
Section 137 – St Lukes Churchyard Team Tree survey |
£250.00 |
|
|
1875 |
Section 137 – Boys Brigade contribution to lap tops for magazine production |
£1500.00 |
|
|
1876 |
BT – telephone calls and charges |
£93.03 |
£4.50 |
|
1877 |
Couch Perry & Wilkes |
£1000.00 |
£175.00 |
|
1878 |
Brian Cole Associates – professional services Project Management Services £2136.12 Civil engineers Services £2000.00 |
£4136.12 |
£723.82 |
|
1879 |
SAGE – payroll subscription renewal |
£84.26 |
£14.75 |
|
1880 |
Brian Cole Associates Ltd Payment of VAT not paid with cheque. |
£ |
£200.56 |
|
1881 |
CEM – Fencing at Errington Park |
£13499.78 |
£2362.46 |
|
1882 |
ESPO – archive boxes, dividers, paper |
£32.45 |
£5.69 |
|
1883 |
Northants CDA Ltd |
£60.00 |
|
|
1884 |
Petty Cash Stamps £49.68 Day in the Park £160.06 MUGA £70.99 (coloured picture for consultation) £10.10 leaflets St Lukes |
£285.73 |
|
|
1885 |
Petty Cash Stamps £89.56 Day in Park Staples, stationery P Crane, flowers £25 x 2 Bookers for refreshments £203.70 St Lukes £3.79 tan coffee architects interviews |
£289.65 |
|
|
1886 |
Petty Cash – Day in the Park – Hobbycraft, Staples, Sainsbury’s £69.07 Raine Youth worker £30 (mobile phone) |
£99.07 |
|
|
1887 |
Tompkins Robinson Surveyors – professional services |
£3000.00 |
525.00 |
|
1888 |
Royal Mail Response Service Licence £70.55 Deposit £41.50 |
£112.05 |
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
£45281.40 |
£6202.92 |
|
CURRENT |
(as at 24/09/2007 (Bank statement £6837.12) |
|
|
|
RES |
As at 24/09/2007 (Bank statement - £248320.97 DSLC) |
|
|
|
CAP RESERVE |
(as at 2 4/ statement no arrived telephone conversation with bank (Bank statement – £192455.03) |
|
|
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that the Working Party had already been through in great detail the payment of the invoices.
It has been agreed to hold back payment of the invoices in respect of Duston Sports and Leisure Complex until the various reports relating to these have been received.
Clerk to do.
CEM – payment of the gate is being held back until a site visit has been arranged.
The Finance Minutes request £50,000 be moved from Deposit Account into Current Account. Following this meeting the bank statements have been received and it is felt that £30,000 will be sufficient to meet our needs.
Mrs Tavener proposed these invoices with those exceptions stated be approved for payment. Mr Huffadine-Smith seconded. All Agreed.
It was proposed to move the sum of £30,000 from our Capital Reserve to our Current Account. Mr Tavener proposed. Mr Huffadine-Smith seconded.
The meeting was advised that an outstanding cheque from WNDC for Duston Sports and Leisure Complex has been received.
|
ORGANISATION |
Amount of Donation |
|
British Legion
|
£250
|
|
Victim Support
|
£250 |
|
TOTAL |
£500 |
Mrs Tavener advised the meeting that the Finance Working Party recommended for Approval to Full Council the following donations:
Mr Huffadine-Smith proposed and Mr Knights seconded the payment of £250.00 donation to the British Legion and £250.00 to Victim Support.
Website
Mrs Tavener advised that Mr Knight is in the process of working with Mrs Crane and Mr Harrison in setting up a website.
Mr Knights advised that it would cost £1000 to put together with £500 running cost per year. This is an area of work where it is very difficult to obtain three quotes as most designers requested £500 up front before starting on any work. No decisions are required to be made this evening.
Mrs Tavener thanked Mr Knight for is input into this and understands that the designers would not do the work upfront for nothing but would recommend that with the work Mr Knight has done it would prove to be Best Value.
Mrs Tavener asked the meeting that Duston School and the Young Firefighters are to be invited to design a logo for Duston Parish Council with an incentive for the winner. All Agreed.
Mrs Tavener advised that she had a proposal to make to the meeting tonight:
‘that we recommend to Full Council to move our accounts to Barclays Bank’
Mrs Tavener proposed and Mr Huffadine-Smith seconded. All Agreed.
Mrs Tavener thanked Mr Knights for his input on this.
FC/11/120 Planning
Mr Pepper advised the meeting that the minutes for the 15th October had been circulated for information and a point to note is the fist part of the Timken development of 77 dwelling houses on the side facing Hawkstone Close.
FC/11/121 Correspondence
The correspondence was made available to the meeting.
FC/11/122 Date of next meeting Thursday, 6th December at 7.30pm in Duston Community Centre.