M I D D L E T O N PA R I S H C O U N C I L

= &nb= sp; MIDDLETON PARISH COUNCIL =

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The Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Wednesda= y 17^th September 2008 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall Annexe, Cottingham.

Present: = Cllrs Phillipson (Chair), Ainge, Alvey, Claypole, Cole, Dickens and Robertson, County Cllr Heggs, Mr Gordon Steed (Standards Committee), Mrs Suzanne Preston (Rural Pride Officer), Mrs Medwell (Parish Clerk) and one members of the public.

1. Apologies for Absence: Borough Cllr Rutt

2. Declaration of Interest: Cllr Philli= pson declared a non-prejudicial interest in the Middleton Village Hall project.<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp;

3. Minutes: The minutes of 16^th July= 2008 were duly approved and signed.

= Proposed Cllr Dickens Seconded Cllr Cole

4. Ma= tters Arising:

Bus Shelter – Still awaiting clearance.

5. Meeting Open for Public Participation:

The Chair welcomed Mr Gordon Steed from the Standards Committee and explained that he was present simply to observe.

Cllr Stan Heggs referred to the £3000 for the Youth Club which is in the process of b= eing signed off by the Borough.

Mrs Preston gave details of the Rural Health Week and circulated a map of Cottingham / Middleton fly tipping hotspots which will = need coding.

(Meeting closed to the public.)        =             &nb= sp;

6. Village Hall Project:

Cllr Phillipson reported that some of the la= nd designated for overflow parking was covenanted as public space only. The council agreed that this would= not be a major problem.

7. Highways:

Jurassic Way = Footpath – Cllr Phillipson reported that following a site visit by Bob Birkett the County Council would be digging up the pa= th to rectify problems with drainage. It was noted that the overhanging trees on = the Camsdale Walk end had still not been cut, the Council agreed to write to Jim Cosford (County Rights of Wa= y) (action JM).

School Hill <= /b> – The damaged corner has been patched with tarmac. The Council commented that this had not solved the problem, the road really needs widening.

Speeding Traf= fic – The Council expressed their disappointment that the parish speed gun had not been used in the village as often as expected and requested that Cllr Heggs= obtains a report of its use and results from the Safety in the Community Te= am

8. Village Matters:

Estate Agents= Boards – Following discussions about the number and location of boards on Council land, the Council agreed to draft a standard letter to the agents stating that for sale boards must not= be attached to street signs or erected in public open spaces.

Grass Cutting= – The Council agreed to = look for alternative contractors for the next season.

Conservation = Area – Cllr Phillipson asked the Council their views on extending the cons= ervation area within the village, it was ag= reed that the matter should be investigated (action DP).

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BT Phone Box = – The Council strongly objected to BT’s suggestion of removing the village phone box. It was agreed to write to BT (action DP).

9. William Downhall Cha= rity:

Cllr Robertson volunteered to be the nominative trustee appointed by the Parish Council. The funds for this charity are derived fro= m 17 acres of land known as Driffield and are firstl= y for the repair of the church and secondly for the relief of the poor and needy within the villages.

10. Planning

08/00373/DPA<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>   Ashley Road, Change of Use for stationing caravans for 3 gypsy plots     The Council objec= ted to this development on the grounds that the site is outside the area allocated= for development by Corby Borough Council, it would harm the rural character and appearance of the locality, is not close in proximity to any amenities and = the location of the site entrance would cause highways safety issues.

11. VHMC:

Nothing to report.

12. Litter Pick:

Cllr Robertson told the Council that an inspection of = the site to be ‘Litter Picked’ revealed very little rubbish. The Council therefore agreed to de= lay the pick and monitor the area.

13. NCALC Member Nomination:

The Council a= greed to nominate Cllr Phillipson as their NCALC representative.

14. Finance:

a)   The following cheques were presented for signature and agreed= :

101016  &nbs= p;         Apex Glass      &n= bsp;            = ;            =                = ;            147.87

101017  &nbs= p;         Clerk Salary and Expenses    =             &nb= sp;         =         576.00

101018  &nbs= p;         St Mary Magdalene – Grass Strimming &n= bsp; 175.00

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

b) SUMMARY OF BALANCES        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             =

National Savings =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =                  62,412.28

Business Reserve =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =                =       164.53

Community Account = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;           =           &= nbsp;           =    5,159.92

Less Allocation for Village Hall            =                       62,740.00

Total:  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;                   =             &nb= sp; 4,996.73

The Council requested that the Clerk speak to Danny Mo= ody (NCALC) to discuss best investment options available to the Council (action JM).

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15. Correspondence:

Amongst other correspondence were the following items:=

Minutes –Stanion, Gretton and East Carlton PC̵= 7;s

Government Office – East = Midlands Regional Plan

NCALC - Update

Clerks and Councils Direct         =             &nb= sp;

CBC – Full Council Minutes / Rural Area Forum Mi= nutes

CPRE – Fieldwok

ACRE – Playin= g Field / Village Hall Forum Good Practice Guide / ViewPoint

Northants Police – Monthly Crime Report

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East Midlands Fire = and Rescue Information

16. A= ny Other Business:

Cllr Phillipson reported that Corby Borough had commen= ced programme to replace existing street lamps with low energy types that used = half the current power, two on Camsdale Walk had been replaced with the rest of the village to follow.

Cllr Dickens drew attention to loose and falling stones around the spring on The Hill.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40pm

Minutes to be ratified a= t the next meeting on the 15^th October 2008.

Signed…………………= ;………….Chairman        =       Date………………………&= #8230;…

Clerk:     Mrs J Medwell    3 Main Street, Middleton, Market Harborough LE16 8YU        =          Tel: 01536 771234   &= nbsp;