Agenda and approved minutes – July 2024

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, 15^th JULY 2024, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 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.

3. To approve the minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 17^th June 2024.

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. Doctor’s surgery – to note that this issue has been raised at recent LAP meetings.
8. Santa Pod traffic issues – to receive any further survey forms and consider a way forward.
9. IT and Website – to report any issues.
10. Emergency Plan review – to note that work has begun on a new plan.
11. Commemorative nameplates – to arrange the installation of both nameplates.
12. Casual vacancy – to consider applications for co-option to the council.
13. Bleed kit – installation of a kit at the Playing Field.

5. Council services – to receive reports.
6. Cemetery – general report.
7. Cemetery – to receive an update on any outstanding maintenance works [extension to the Garden of Remembrance; to note that work to provide additional access to the car park has been completed].
8. Cemetery – to consider repairs to the surface of the access lane.
9. Allotments – general report.
10. Allotments – to receive an update on maintenance works [replacement plan for noticeboard].

6. Local environment – to receive the following reports.
7. Highways – including parking restrictions and speed reduction near the primary school and on Mile Street.
8. Street Lights – to report/note any lights that are not working.
9. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – request for 40mph speed limit for the A509 Bozeat Bypass in order to improve safety when crossing the road.
10. Village Warden.
11. St Mary’s Road – measures to reduce dog fouling in the area.
12. Village Green – to note that a 3-year fixed tariff deal has been agreed with e-on Next for the energy supply to the electrical cabinet.
13. Speed Monitoring Equipment – purchase of replacement equipment and future use of the old equipment.

7. Planning – to receive a report.
8. Current/new planning applications.
9. Solar Farm proposals – to receive reports from recent events and formulate a response to any future planning application.

8. Representatives’ reports – to receive the following reports.
9. Bozeat Playing Field Association.
10. Bozeat Primary School.
11. Police Liaison.
12. Public transport – report from Village Hopper meeting.
13. NNC parish and ward meetings.
14. BEES Group.
15. LAP meetings.

9. Village Hall Working Party – to accept a report.

10. Provision of lockable bollard on Court Lane – to consider quotes for the installation of a lockable bollard on Court Lane to prevent vehicular access.

11. Pensions Regulations – to acknowledge the legal requirements of the Pensions Regulations Act.

12. Police – to note any local crimes that are notified to the council.

13. Local events.
    1. 14^th July 2024 – Summer Fete at the Playing Field, incorporating a Meet The Village event.
    2. 17^th August 2024 – Annual Produce Show.
    3. 30^th November 2024 – Switching on of Christmas Tree lights.
    4. 16^th December 2024 – 80^th anniversary of the death of Lt John Ahern – commemorative event.

14. Finance
15. Payments – to receive a report and to approve payments to be made this month.
16. Audit of 2023-2024 accounts – to note that the period of public rights is underway.

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

16. On hold – to note the following agenda items are on hold
    • Audit of local council adopted policies and procedures.
    • Thank You event for village volunteers.
    • Cemetery – tree safety assessments.
    • Cemetery – repairs to railings – to consider replacing sections with a new hedge.
    • Village Green CCTV and planters.

17. To receive any items for the next agenda.

18. Date and time of next meeting – to note that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 19^th August 2024. The meeting will be held at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat and immediately following Public Participation.

Signed by Lyndis Payne, Clerk to Bozeat Parish Council.

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 15^th JULY 2024, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THE MEETING WAS HELD AT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

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PRESENT: – Cllrs Skittrall [Chairman], Cooke, Docker, Duckles, Gibbins, Pollard and Steel.

PUBLIC: – Two members of the public and North Northants Cllr Martin Griffiths were present at the meeting.

ISSUES RAISED BY THE PUBLIC: –

• Outdoor gym equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Playing Field pavilion toilets.
• Parliamentary boundary changes.
• Changes of North Northants Council directors.
• Ward grant availability.
• Changes to W8 bus service provider.
• BEES management of Easton Lane verge.
• Bozeat Parish Council becoming more environmentally aware.

1. Apologies for absence.

It was resolved to accept apologies for absence received from Cllrs Brown, Forward and Pritchard.

2. Declarations of interest.

No new declarations of interest were reported.

The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 17^th June 2024 were proposed as correct by Cllr Gibbins, this was seconded by Cllr Steel and a vote was taken = 6 for with 1 abstention, motion carried.

4. Matters arising from the previous meeting/s: –
5. Circulating documents – noted that one pack is currently circulating.
6. Training – upcoming training courses were noted.
7. Doctor’s surgery – it was resolved to write to the new MP for this constituency.

to note that this issue has been raised at recent LAP meetings.  Letter to new MP.

• Santa Pod traffic issues – no further survey forms or complaints received. The Chairman to contact Neale Saunders from Santa Pod.

1. IT and Website – it was noted that changes have been made to background systems which have speeded up document uploading and the Clerk has received some further training.
2. Emergency Plan review – the Clerk and Cllr Steel to meet and progress this project.

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1. Commemorative nameplates – the nameplates have been ordered.
2. Casual vacancy – to consider applications for co-option to the council – no applications received to date.
3. Bleed kit – installation of a kit at the Playing Field – it was noted that the cost is likely to be less than £500 and it was resolved that cost details be circulated prior to the next meeting.

5. Council services.
6. Cemetery – Cllr Steel reported that no issues have been reported. It has been suggested that swift and bat boxes could be fixed to the lodge and it was agreed to obtain costs.
7. Cemetery – to receive an update on any outstanding maintenance works [extension to the Garden of Remembrance; it was noted that work to provide additional access to the car park has been completed and works well. It was agreed to investigate installing signage].
8. Cemetery – to consider repairs to the surface of the access lane. Cllr Steel reported that the condition of the lane is getting worse and it was agreed to investigate costs.
9. Allotments – a report was read as received. Issues with weeds on the boundary of two plots were triggering complaints from the neighbouring homeowners.  It was agreed to issue an odd job order to clear the boundaries, with letters to be sent to the tenants reminding them of their responsibilities to keep boundaries clear.  Two access gates from private properties onto the allotments were noted and it was agreed to write to the householders telling them that they have no right of access onto the allotments and asking that the gates be stopped up within 3 months.

A request for permission to hold a social event on the allotments including a barbecue was discussed.  It was agreed to permit this as long as a tenant takes responsibility for organising the event and the safety of it.

1. Allotments – to receive an update on maintenance works [replacement plan for noticeboard].

6. Local environment.
7. Highways – a report was read as received. A notice advising of the closure of part of London Road has caused concern, noted that it is likely to be for the connection to mains water of a new property under construction.  An email from a resident reported a speeding vehicle on Mile Street which narrowly missed him and it was resolved to report this to the local PCSO.
8. Street Lights – no issues reported.
9. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – no further news on the request for a 40mph speed limit for the A509 Bozeat Bypass. A resident has raised concerns that a section of TA10 is impassible, Cllr Steel agreed to report this via Street Doctor.
10. Village Warden – no report received.
11. St Mary’s Road – Cllr Duckles reported that he has obtained the posts ready to instal the notices.

• Village Green – the Clerk reported that a 3-year fixed tariff deal has been agreed with e-on Next for the energy supply to the electrical cabinet. Cllr Skittrall proposed that the press and public be excluded whilst an item of a confidential nature be discussed, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and agreed. It was resolved to send a

Page 2201 – 15^th July 2024.

reply to Gen Kitchen MP and copy in Sarah Bool MP.

1. Speed Monitoring Equipment – it was noted that the replacement equipment has been ordered and agreed that both monitors would be used, as additional batteries have been bought. It was agreed that Cllrs Cooke, Docker, Duckles and Steel be trained in moving and fixing the equipment and downloading the data from it.

8. Current/new planning applications – Cllr Skittrall proposed his report [Appendix A] be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Cooke and agreed. Details of a new application were discussed.
9. Solar Farm proposals – the Chairman reported that the company concerned with the local solar farm proposals is also planning to instal a 160acre solar farm near to Walgrave.

8. Representatives’ reports.
9. Bozeat Playing Field Association – a report was read as received.
10. Bozeat Primary School – a report was read as received.
11. Police Liaison – a report was read as received.
12. Public transport – report from Village Hopper meeting – Cllrs Pollard and Steel attended. It was noted that Stagecoach is to discontinue providing the W8 service and an alternative provider is being sought, extending the service to Olney would enable residents to access other public transport more easily.
13. NNC parish and ward meetings – it was noted that the next Town and Parish Forum meeting will be held on Thursday, 21^st November 2024.

• BEES Group – issues raised by a local resident about the management of the wide verge in Easton Lane has been resolved. BEES had taken part in the Open Gardens event on Saturday as well as the Village Fete on Sunday and the information and activities available were well received.

1. LAP meetings – Cllr Docker reported that she had attended a meeting on 27^th June and felt that the set-up of LAP meetings is not suitable for parish councils.

9. Village Hall Working Party.

It was agreed that the working party will attend a meeting of North Bucks Village Hall Group on 29^th July.

10. Provision of lockable bollard on Court Lane.

Quotes for two designs of bollard were presented to the meeting, however it was felt that it would be better to have the same design as the ones installed on the village green and in the cemetery.  Cllr Duckles reported that a van had driven along the lane and had to reverse out recently.  Cllr Cooke proposed that delegated powers be given to the Clerk to order a bollard for Court Lane costing no more than £600, this was seconded by Cllr Steel and agreed.

11. Pensions Regulations.

The Clerk reported that the parish council is required to follow the legal requirements of the Pensions Regulations Act and must complete statutory procedures in January.

Reports were received recently of a suspicious vehicle in the local area.

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13. Local events.
    1. 14^th July 2024 – Summer Fete at the Playing Field – it was reported that this event was very successful with many stalls and a lot of local people attending. It was noted that most members of the Parish Council were involved and a letter of thanks from a local resident was noted.  It was agreed to record thanks to all members of the council who helped and send letters of thanks to others who helped out.
    2. 17^th August 2024 – Annual Produce Show – the council was thanked for help in providing the new signs for the show. It was noted that the Chairman is to present the Bozeat Parish Council cup.
    3. 30^th November 2024 – Switching on of Christmas Tree lights.
    4. 16^th December 2024 – 80^th anniversary of the death of Lt John Ahern – commemorative event. It was noted that an ex-USAF airman now living in the village would like to be involved in this event.  The Clerk reported that she is arranging for local residents who were in the village at the time to record their memories of the event.

14. Finance
15. Payments – Cllr Skittrall proposed that a report [Appendix B] and the payments and funds transfers listed on it be approved, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and agreed.
16. Audit of 2023-2024 accounts – it was noted that the period of public rights is underway.

15. Correspondence

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

• It was noted that the nomination of Bozeat Playing Field as a Community Asset has been approved.
• It was agreed not to take part in the campaign relating to the safety of lithium-ion batteries and e-bikes and scooters organized by Ron Bailey MP.

16. On hold – noted that the following agenda items are on hold
    • Audit of local council adopted policies and procedures.
    • Thank You event for village volunteers.
    • Cemetery – tree safety assessments.
    • Cemetery – repairs to railings – to consider replacing sections with a new hedge.
    • Village Green CCTV and planters.

17. Items for the next agenda.

• To consider adopting a debit card policy
• To consider adding Cllrs Duckles and Steel as signatories on the bank accounts.
• To consider issuing an odd job form to clear weeds from the paving on Town Well.
• To consider replacing a tree on the village green that has failed.

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18. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 19^th August 2024.  The meeting will be held at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat and immediately following Public Participation.

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

Signed by the Chairman, 19^th August 2024.