Agenda and approved minutes – October 2024

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, 21^st OCTOBER 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 16^th September 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 – update.
8. Santa Pod traffic issues – to receive any further survey forms, note any issues with recent events and consider a way forward.
9. IT and Website – to report any issues – migration of emails.
10. Emergency Plan review – to note that a draft plan has been produced.
11. Commemorative nameplates – to note that these have been ordered and to arrange the installation of both nameplates.
12. Bleed kit – to note that a kit has been received and installed at the Playing Field.
13. Pensions Regulations – to note the required procedures.
14. Maintenance of chairs used for village events – to note that metalwork is being repainted.
15. Skate ramp repairs – to note that these have been completed.

5. Council services – to receive reports.
6. Cemetery – general report.
7. Cemetery – to consider repairs to the surface of the access lane.
8. Cemetery – swift and bat boxes for the cemetery lodge.
9. Cemetery – purchase of new burial register – to note that this has been received.
10. Allotments – general report.
11. Allotments – to receive an update on maintenance works [replacement plan for noticeboard].
12. Allotments – boundary issues.
13. Allotments – Annual Meeting and 2025 rent collection [16^th November 2024].

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; overgrowth on TA22; ownership of the footway running from Hewletts Close onto TA21/TA22.
10. Village Warden.
11. Village Green – replacement of failed tree.
12. Speed Monitoring Equipment – to arrange training in setting up and data collection.

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 – issues with disabled access to services.
13. NNC parish and ward meetings.
14. BEES Group.
15. LAP meetings.
16. NorthantsCALC Annual Conference [5^th October].

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

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

11. Review of Fixed Asset Register – to receive a report from the working party.

12. Village Risk Assessments – to receive reports.

13. Flooding – to receive a report on recent flooding in the village and to consider the purchase of additional sand bags for public use.

14. Shredder – to note that a cross-cut shredder has been donated to the council.

15. Local Government Elections – 1^st May 2024 – to note the required procedure for nominations and promote interest in the elections.

16. Local events.
    1. 10^th November 2024 – 10:15am Remembrance Sunday service at St Mary’s Church. To note that poppy wreaths for this event have been ordered.
    2. 11^th November 2024 – 11am Remembrance Day event at the cemetery.
    3. 16^th November 2024 – 10am Annual Meeting of allotment tenants.
    4. 21^st November 2024 – NNC Town and Parishes Forum.
    5. 30^th November 2024 – Switching on of Christmas Tree lights.
    6. 16^th December 2024 – 80^th anniversary of the death of Lt John Ahern – commemorative event.

17. Finance
18. Payments – to receive a report and to approve payments to be made this month.
19. Bank account – additional signatories.

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

19. 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.

20. To receive any items for the next agenda.

21. Date and time of next meeting – to note that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 18^th November 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, 21^st OCTOBER 2024, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THE MEETING WAS HELD AT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

Page 2215

PRESENT: – Cllrs Skittrall [Chairman]; Brown; Cooke; Docker; Moulds; Pollard and Steel.

PUBLIC: – There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

It was resolved to accept apologies for absence received from Cllrs Duckles, Foward, Gibbins and Pritchard.

2. Declarations of interest.

No new declarations of interest were received.

3. Minutes from the last meeting.

The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 16^th September 2024 were proposed as correct by Cllr Pollard, this was seconded by Cllr Steel and a vote was taken = 4 for with 3 abstentions, motion carried.

4. Matters arising.
5. Circulating documents – noted that one pack is currently circulating.

• Training – no courses requested. The Clerk reported that she had sent a letter formally agreeing that the council could publish her salary payments, this to be filed with her contract of employment.

1. Doctor’s surgery – the Chairman reported that the draft response circulated by email has now been sent to Gill Mercer.
2. Santa Pod traffic issues – no further forms and no complaints received recently. The Chairman to contact Neale Saunders.
3. IT and Website – it was noted that emails were not working for a week as a result of issues with the migration, Cllr Brown explained the issue and it was noted that it has been resolved.
4. Emergency Plan review – the Clerk reported that a draft Plan has been provided to members of the working party for comment.
5. Commemorative nameplates – the Clerk reported that these have still not been delivered, she will visit the shop again this week. Cllr Pollard reported that he can obtain sheet aluminium quickly, if necessary.
6. Bleed kit – it was noted that a kit has been received and installed at the Playing Field. It was resolved to remove this item from the agenda.
7. Pensions Regulations – the Clerk reported that the window for re-enrolment opens on 1^st

Page 2216 – 21^st October 2024.

1. Maintenance of chairs used for village events – it was reported that work to paint the metalwork on the chairs has been completed and they have been returned to storage. It was resolved to remove this from the agenda.
2. Skate ramp repairs – it was noted that the required repairs have been completed, agreed to remove this item from the agenda.

5. Council services.
6. Cemetery – Cllr Steel provided a report and noted that minor works such as repairs to the roof of the well have been completed. She requested an agenda item for the next meeting as there are some amendments to the guidelines she would like to discuss.
7. Cemetery – repairs to the surface of the access lane. Noted that we are waiting a quote from R & G.
8. Cemetery – swift and bat boxes for the cemetery lodge. Cllr Steel reported that she had contacted Nene Valley Bats who would be happy to provide advice on the position and maintenance of bat boxes.  It was agreed to arrange a site meeting with Nene Valley Bats in order to progress this project.
9. Cemetery – purchase of new burial register – it was noted that this has been received. It was resolved to remove this item from the agenda.

• Allotments – Cllr Pollard provided a report, noting that the hedge bordering Allens Hill needs cutting back. It was agreed to ask the Odd Job contractor to inspect the hedge and advise if he feels able to cut it back or if a specialist is required. It was noted that final letters have been sent to three tenants about untidy plots.  There are currently four people on the waiting list.  It was agreed that the tenants would be advised that their tenancies will be terminated unless their plots are properly worked.

1. Allotments – replacement plan for noticeboard – Cllr Brown has this in hand.
2. Allotments – boundary issues – the Clerk reported that the annual letter advising on rents due for 2025 also reminded tenants that they are required to keep their boundaries clear. It was reported that there is no evidence of items being fixed to the private fence to the south of the allotments. There was some discussion about the briars which have grown through into a private property, resulting in a complaint.  It was reported that some tenants and residents of Bull Close wish to keep the briars, the Clerk noted that they can do so but they must ensure that the briars do not grow into the neighbouring property.  Cllr Brown suggested that the briars not be dug up.  It is the tenants’ responsibility to keep the border of their plot clear.
3. Allotments – Annual Meeting and 2025 rent collection [16^th November 2024]. The Clerk reported that the invitation letters have been sent out.

6. Local environment.
7. Highways – a report was read as received. The Clerk reported that the overgrown trees on Camden Square and Wollaston Road have been cut back.
8. Street lights – no issues were reported.
9. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – no news relating to our request for a 40mph speed limit for the A509 Bozeat Bypass in order to improve safety when crossing the road. It was noted that overgrowth on TA22 would make it difficult for those with a right to vehicular access to drive down the track, it was agreed to submit a Fix My Street report.  It was reported that both North Northants Council and Greatwell Homes have denied ownership and responsibility for the pathway that runs from

Page 2217 – 21^st October 2024.

22. Hewletts Close onto TA21 and TA22. It was noted that historic use would make an

application as a public right of way fairly straightforward.

1. Village Warden – no report received.
2. Village Green – replacement of failed tree. Following discussion, it was agreed to defer replacing this tree for a year.  Agreed to remove this item from the agenda.

• Speed Monitoring Equipment – Cllr Docker reported that she is to create a strategy for the location of the monitors during the year. Cllr Brown to provide information so that members can access the data and understand how to change the battery and move the equipment. The use of data collected was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk should retain the data for future use.  It was further agreed that data should be sent to the Police, Cllr Docker to provide details of a contact.

8. Current/new planning applications – Cllr Skittrall proposed that his report [Appendix A] be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Cooke and agreed.
9. Solar Farm proposals – Cllr Skittrall reported that this is ongoing.

• Representatives’ reports.
• Bozeat Playing Field Association – report read as received.
• Bozeat Primary School – nothing to report this month.
• Police Liaison – no report this month.
• Public transport – issues with disabled access to services. Cllr Pollard reported that services appear to be running well.  The issues with disabled access seem to have settled through use of the Wellibus service.

• NNC parish and ward meetings – noted that a Town and Parishes Forum meeting will be held on 21^st Cllr Skittrall reported that he will be attending, Cllr Pollard to check his diary.

• BEES Group – report read as received. The Chairman noted that repairs are required to the drainage trough at the rear of Town Well, agreed that an odd job form be issued.
• LAP meetings – Cllr Docker noted that she attended the first LAP meeting and the topics for discussion were not parish council appropriate. Agreed to monitor the topics for meetings and only attend when appropriate.
• NorthantsCALC Annual Conference [5^th October] – Cllr Steel provided a report and noted that the main focus of the event is the upcoming Local Government elections next May.

9. Village Hall Working Party.

Cllr Cooke reported that the working party met last Friday.  The Chairman to chase up a request for a site visit, more formal letter to follow if he is unsuccessful.  It was noted that the footings for the hall are now in and there is some concern about the potential size of the hall.  The working party needs to expand to help with the potential workload and people are being approached.  A meeting to draw up a business plan is to be held on 1^st November.

Reported that one crime in Wollaston has been recorded since the last meeting.

Page 2218 – 21^st October 2024.

11. Review of Fixed Asset Register.

The working party met and a draft revised register has been produced.

12. Village Risk Assessments.

It was reported that the Village Warden has completed the village risk assessments and there are only a couple of minor issues which require reporting via Fix My Street.

Cllr Steel provided a report about recent flooding in properties within the village.  She reported that she had collected sand bags from the cemetery and delivered them to two affected properties in Mill Road.  There was some discussion about providing information about the availability of sand bags and it was noted that the council needs to know if sand bags are collected so they can manage their distribution and arrange for them to be replaced.  The Clerk reported the donation of 70 empty bags and suggested that the council could buy some sand to fill the bags.  It was agreed to ask North Northants Council if they would provide a quantity of sandbags.

It was noted that a cross-cut shredder has been donated to the council. It was resolved to remove this item from the agenda.

15. Local Government Elections – 1^st May 2025.

The Clerk reported that she will highlight the forthcoming elections in Bozeat Matters reports and reminded members of the council that they will need to complete nomination papers.  She also asked that members actively promote the elections to the public.

16. Local events.
    • 10^th November 2024 – 10:15am Remembrance Sunday service at St Mary’s Church. It was noted that poppy wreaths for this event have been ordered. It was noted that the Bozeat branch of the British Legion need more volunteers as many of the existing group are retiring.
    • 11^th November 2024 – 11am Remembrance Day event at the cemetery. The Clerk reported that Sarah Bool MP had asked to attend this event.
    • 16^th November 2024 – 10am Annual Meeting of allotment tenants.
    • 21^st November 2024 – 7pm NNC Town and Parishes Forum.
    • 30^th November 2024 – 5pm Switching on of Christmas Tree lights. Cllr Cooke to speak to Jo at the Red Lion about mulled wine and mince pies.
    • 16^th December 2024 –80^th anniversary of the death of Lt John Ahern – commemorative event at TLC starting at 6pm.

18. Payments – Cllr Skittrall proposed that a report [Appendix B] and the fund transfers and payments listed on it be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Steel and agreed.
19. Bank account – additional signatories. It was reported that Cllrs Duckles and Steel have been successfully added to the list of signatories.  Resolved to remove this item from the agenda.

Page 2219 – 21^st October 2024.

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

19. 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.

20. Items for the next agenda.

• Deposit of minutes at the county record office.
• Review of cemetery guidelines.

21. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 18^th November 2024.  The meeting will be held at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat and immediately following Public Participation at 7pm.

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

Signed by the Chairman, 18^th November 2024.