Agenda and approved minutes – December 2025

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, 15^th DECEMBER 2025, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT MEETINGS MAY BE RECORDED

A G E N D A

1. To consider accepting apologies for absence.
2. To record any new declarations of interest from members in items to be discussed.

To approve the minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 17^th November 2025.

4. Matters arising from the previous meeting/s: –
5. Circulating documents – to note the progress of any packs that are circulating.
6. Training – to agree any training courses requested by members of the council and receive reports on any attended.
7. Roles and responsibilities – to confirm amendments to the list.
8. Casual vacancy – to consider applications and co-opt a new member of Bozeat Parish Council.

5. Council services – to receive reports.
6. Cemetery – general report.
7. Cemetery – access lane repairs/widening.
8. Cemetery – tree safety assessments.
9. Cemetery – report from the Green Burial Area working party.
10. Allotments – general report.
11. Allotments – reconfiguring of plots.
12. Allotments – rent collection for 2026.
13. Allotments – to consider setting aside a plot as a community allotment.
14. Allotments – to consider setting up a management plan for the water troughs.
15. Allotments – to consider a request to provide an area for parking.

6. Local environment – to receive the following reports.
7. Highways – general report.
8. Highways – requests for parking restrictions [London Road/Selby Gardens; London Road/Little Close].
9. Highways – resident’s suggestions: – 1] remarking of London Road to provide a filter lane for Ahern Close. 2] creation of one-way system for Mile Street/Church Lane. 3] 40mph speed limits for Harrold Road up to either Glebe or Three Field Farm, Easton Lane after the bridge and London Road from the village outskirts to the A509 Bozeat bypass. 4] adoption by the BEES group of the section of old Wollaston Road to the bench
10. Street Lights – to note any issues.
11. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – to consider claiming a public right of way for the footway from Hewletts Close to TA21/TA22.
12. Santa Pod – to discuss any issues with events/traffic.
13. Village Warden.
14. Village Green – planters project.

7. Planning – to receive a report.
8. Current/new planning applications.
9. Solar Farm proposals – to receive an update.

8. Representatives’ reports – to receive the following reports.
9. BEES Group.
10. Bozeat Playing Field Association.
11. Bozeat Primary School.
12. NNC parish and ward meetings.
13. Public transport.
14. Speed signs – to consider purchasing a speed gun.
15. Verge mowing.
16. Big50 Vision – report from Cllr Pritchard.

9. Village Hall.

• To accept a report from the Working Party.
• To consider arranging a launch event.
• To review and discuss branding.

10. Leisure and Recreation equipment: –

• Skate Ramp – report from the working party.
• Play Area – repairs to the safety and grass surfaces.

11. • To accept a report from the Police Laison Representative.
    • To note any local crimes that are notified to the council.

12. Local events.
    • 29^th November – Christmas tree/lights switch on.
    • 19^th July 2026 – Summer Fete.
    • 28^th November 2026 – potential Christmas tree/lights switch on.

13. IT/Website.

• Photocopier/Printer – to consider options to resolve ongoing print quality issues and to approve expenditure incurred to date.
• Council emails – to consider providing larger capacity for all members.
• Website – to consider the general management of, and access to, the council’s website.
• Website – to consider approving a quote of £120 to amend colours to match

14. Community Engagement

To set up a small working party to review Bozeat Parish Council’s approach to communication with local residents and businesses, as well as with other organisations.

15. Finance

• Payments – to receive a report and to approve fund transfers and payments to be made this month.
• Grants – to consider applying for grants.
• Additional bank signatories – to note that requests to add Cllrs Brown and Todd have been submitted to the bank.

16. Correspondence – to acknowledge receipt of correspondence received since the last meeting.

17. On hold – to note the following agenda items are on hold
    • Cemetery – repairs to railings – to consider replacing sections with either replacement railings currently in store or a new hedge.
    • Review of Fixed Asset Register – to approve revisions to the register.
    • Village Green CCTV.
    • Doctor’s surgery – service issues.
    • Assets of Community Value – to note that the listing of the Red Lion public house will expire soon.

18. To receive any items for the next agenda.

19. Date and time of next meeting – to note that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be the Annual Finance Meeting held on Monday, 12^th January 2026, with the next monthly meeting of Bozeat Parish Council being held on Monday, 19^th January 2026. Both meetings will allow up to 15 minutes for Public Participation at 7pm.  Meetings are held at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat, Northants, NN29 7JP.

Signed by Lyndis Payne, Clerk to Bozeat Parish Council.

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A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 15^th DECEMBER 2025, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THE MEETING WAS HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

PRESENT: – Cllrs Cooke [Chairman]; Brown; Gibbins; Pritchard; Steel and Todd.  Cllr Pollard arrived during the course of the meeting.

PUBLIC: – Two members of public and Cllrs Jon Paul Carr and Gordon Dunsmuir [North Northants Council] were present at the meeting.

MATTERS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC: –

• Request for traffic calming in Harrold Road, as in Irchester. Cllr Carr will ask North Northants Highways for guidance.  The Parish Council to provide data from the VAS system to Cllr Carr.
• Concern that traffic travelling along Harrold Road is also travelling along Allens Hill.
• Suggested that links for reporting traffic offences such as speeding and parking be added to the Parish Council’s website. Also, the link to report speeding/anti-social driving to and from Santa Pod.
• Does the Parish Council have a Biodiversity Plan? This to be an agenda item for the next meeting.
• From North Northants Cllrs – Green Hill Solar Farm; pavement parking; second homes and long-term empty properties; new secondary school planned for Kettering.

It was resolved to accept apologies for absence received from Cllrs Docker, Foward and Skittrall.  Cllr Pollard had advised that he would be arriving during the course of the meeting.

2. Declarations of interest.

• Cllr Cooke declared a non-pecuniary interest in planning application 25/01307/3MACOU.

The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 17^th November 2025 were proposed as correct by Cllr Gibbins, with one minor amendment, this was seconded by Cllr Steel and a vote was taken = 5 for with 1 abstention, motion carried.

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4. Matters arising.
5. Circulating documents – the progress of circulating packs was noted.
6. Training – noted that the council has a budget for training courses.
7. Roles and responsibilities – noted that Cllr Steel is to join Cllr Pollard as Allotments Representative.
8. Casual vacancy – noted that one application has been received. Cllr Gibbins proposed that Roy Duckles be invited to join Bozeat Parish Council, this was seconded by Cllr Steel and unanimously agreed.

5. Council services.
   1. Cemetery – it was noted that Veolia are encouraging commercial waste bin customers to ensure that they are kept locked when not in use, following a recent fatality. It was agreed to check that the cemetery bin has a lock and ask that it is kept locked when not in use.
   2. Cemetery – access lane repairs/widening – it was noted that work is likely to begin in January.
   3. Cemetery – tree safety assessments – a report was received and noted. It was agreed that the work recommended and likely costs be an agenda item for the next meeting.
   4. Cemetery – report from the Green Burial Area working party – defer until the next meeting.
   5. Allotments – no general report this month.
   6. Allotments – reconfiguring of plots – planned for January.
   7. Allotments – rent collection for 2026 – noted that some plots are being relinquished and new tenants allocated.
   8. Allotments – to consider setting aside a plot as a community allotment. Noted that the allotments at Wollaston are not managed by the Parish Council and the Clerk has not been able to find contact details for the owners.  Noted that Olney Town Council run a community allotment and agreed to ask them for advice on tenancy agreements/management of it.
   9. Allotments – to consider setting up a management plan for the water troughs. The Clerk reported that she is working with the Allotments Manager to prepare a plan.
   10. Allotments – to consider a request to provide an area for parking. It was agreed to defer this item until the next meeting.

6. Local environment.
   1. Highways – a general report was read as received.
   2. Highways – requests for parking restrictions [London Road/Selby Gardens; London Road/Little Close].
   3. Highways – resident’s suggestions: – 1] remarking of London Road to provide a filter lane for Ahern Close. 2] creation of one-way system for Mile Street/Church Lane. 3] 40mph speed limits for Harrold Road up to either Glebe or Three Field Farm, Easton Lane after the bridge and London Road from the village outskirts to the A509 Bozeat bypass. 4] adoption by the BEES group of the section of old Wollaston Road to the bench. Noted that items 1, 2 and 3 have been passed onto Highways by the Representative.
   4. Street Lights – a resident noted that a light in Easton Lane is affected by vegetation

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overgrowth.

22. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – to consider claiming a public right of way for the footway from Hewletts Close to TA21/TA22. It was noted that a local resident is working on submitting a claim.
23. Santa Pod – to discuss any issues with events/traffic. It was noted that very few complaints were received about Santa Pod traffic over 2025.
24. Village Warden – a report was read as received. The Clerk noted that the Village Warden had checked all grit bins and one requires the salt/grit to be loosened up and other needs topping up.
25. Village Green – Cllr Cooke proposed that a planter is placed on the area where a shrub was removed recently, this was agreed. Members of the council were urged to consider where a second planter might be placed.

7. 1. Current/new planning applications. A report [Appendix A] was proposed as accepted by Cllr Steel, this was seconded by Cllr Todd and agreed.  It was agreed to report concerns relating to parking, noise, litter and smells relating to planning application 25/01313/FUL.
   2. Solar Farm proposals – it was noted that Cllr Skittrall continues to attend meetings and work through detailed documents in order to provide a suitable response on behalf of Bozeat Parish Council.

8. Representatives’ reports.
9. BEES Group – no meetings held recently.
10. Bozeat Playing Field Association – Cllr Brown reported that some work had been done on a grant application towards the costs of refurbishing the pavilion.
11. Bozeat Primary School – Cllr Todd reported that she had emailed the office manager but had not received any reply.
12. NNC parish and ward meetings – no recent meetings held.
13. Public transport – no issues noted however the Village Hopper is managed by Cogenhoe and Whiston Parish Council and they are advertising for a new Clerk.
14. Speed signs – Cllr Docker had advised the council to defer this item pending promised monitoring by the Speed Awareness Team.
15. Verge mowing – awaiting a response from North Northants Council.
16. Big50 Vision – Cllr Pritchard provided a report from an event recently attended; this was noted.

9. Village Hall.

• To accept a report from the Working Party. Cllr Gibbins noted a request to sign off the fire alarms system despite not being able to view or check them.  He also reported that some tables and other equipment is available free from Harrold URC, and these have been accepted.  Cllr Todd reported that she had submitted a grant application.  Cllr Cooke reported that he had emailed all those who had expressed an interest in joining the committee.  A meeting is to be arranged for early 2026.
• To consider arranging a launch event – this to be towards the end of January 2026.
• To review and discuss branding.

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10. Leisure and Recreation equipment.

• Skate Ramp – report from the working party – it was noted that Rampchild had offered to visit and complete a pre-season safety check on the ramp early in 2026 and agreed that this be an agenda item for the next meeting. Cllr Brown reported that a concrete ramp built in Milton Keynes around 3 years ago cost £50k.
• Play Area – repairs to the safety and grass surfaces. It was reported that this work has been completed and agreed to remove it from the agenda.

Cllr Pollard arrived at this point in the meeting.

11. • Police Laison Representative – noted that there is no-one in this role at present.
    • Local crimes – none notified to the council.

12. Local events.
    • 29^th November – Christmas tree/lights switch on.  It was reported that this was well-attended and well-received.  Letters of thanks have been sent to Bozeat Players and the Red Lion pub.  It was agreed that Cllr Todd should lead next year’s event.  The Clerk reported receipt of an invoice for the provision of Christmas trees in 2023 and 2024 and agreed to pay this.
    • 19^th July 2026 – Summer Fete.
    • 28^th November 2026 – Christmas tree lights switch on at 4pm.

13. IT/Website.

• Photocopier/Printer – the Clerk had produced a report providing options to either purchase a new printer or rent equipment. It was resolved that delegated powers be given to Cllr Cooke and the Clerk to check costs per copy and arrange for equipment to be rented, if the copy costs are considered to be lower than if another printer is bought.
• Council emails – to consider providing larger capacity for all members. It was resolved that costings be provided for the next meeting.
• Website – to consider the general management of, and access to, the council’s website. Agreed to defer this item until the next meeting.
• Website – to consider approving a quote of £120 to amend colours to match Agreed to defer this until the next meeting.

14. Community Engagement

To set up a small working party to review Bozeat Parish Council’s approach to communication with local residents and businesses, as well as with other organisations. It was agreed to change the roles and responsibilities list from Facebook to Community Engagement and to set up a small working party comprising Cllrs Docker, Pritchard and Todd.

15. Finance

• Payments – Cllr Pritchard proposed that a report [Appendix B] and the payments and fund transfers listed on it be approved, this was seconded by Cllr Steel and agreed.

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• Grants – Cllrs Brown and Todd have applied for grants.
• Additional bank signatories – noted that the request to add Cllrs Brown and Todd to the list of bank signatories was cancelled and there have been some issues with internet access for Cllr Brown. It was agreed to submit a new request in January, should Mr Duckles accept the invitation to join the Parish Council and include him on the list.

It was agreed to acknowledge receipt of correspondence received since the last meeting.

17. On hold – noted the following agenda items are on hold
    • Cemetery – repairs to railings – to consider replacing sections with either replacement railings currently in store or a new hedge.
    • Review of Fixed Asset Register – to approve revisions to the register.
    • Village Green CCTV.
    • Doctor’s surgery – service issues.
    • Assets of Community Value – to note that the listing of the Red Lion public house will expire soon.

18. Items for the next agenda.

• Biodiversity Plan.
• Printer/photocopier purchase or rental.
• Bozeat flag – available to anyone who wants to buy one.

19. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be the Annual Finance Meeting held on Monday, 12^th January 2026, with the next monthly meeting of Bozeat Parish Council being held on Monday, 19^th January 2026.  Both meetings will allow up to 15 minutes for Public Participation at 7pm.  Meetings are held at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat, Northants, NN29 7JP.

There being no further business, the meeting was declared closed.

Signed by the Chairman, 19^th January 2026