Approved minutes – April 2026

Page 2302

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 20^th APRIL 2026, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THIS MEETING WAS HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

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

PUBLIC: – There were 3 members of the public and Gordon Dunsmuir [North Northants Councillor] present at the meeting.

MATTERS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC: –

• Parking issues on Warners Hill.
• Request for a dog bin near to the footpath that runs from Fullwell Road to Bull Close.
• White safety markings on cemetery paths.
• Inspection plate on Church Lane – noted that this has been reported to FixMyStreet.
• E-scooters being used on the roads.
• Kitchen waste collections.
• North Northants Council to exploring linking with Cambridge and Peterborough Councils.

It was resolved to accept apologies for absence received from Cllrs Brown and Todd; it was noted that Cllr Foward has resigned from the council.

2. Declarations of interest.

• None were reported

• The minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting for Bozeat held on 16^th March 2026 were proposed as correct by Cllr Pritchard, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and unanimously agreed.
• The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 16^th March 2026, with one correction advised, were proposed as correct by Cllr Beardsmore. This was seconded by Cllr Duckles and unanimously agreed.

4. Matters arising.
5. Circulating documents – noted that two packs are still circulating.
6. Training – it was agreed to investigate First Aider training for Cllrs Beardsmore and Pritchard, this to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

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1. Updated policies and terms of reference – it was noted that the Community Engagement Policy has been added to the list of policies.
2. Village risk assessments – it was noted that the Village Warden has been asked to undertake the annual assessments.
3. Grounds maintenance contracts – it was noted that signed agreements for the year beginning 1^st April 2026 have been received from both contractors.

5. Casual Vacancy

The resignation of Cllr Foward was noted, the Clerk has advised North Northants Council and the required notice posted on the noticeboard as well as a banner added to the council’s website.  The vacancy has been posted on Facebook and will be included in the June issue of Bozeat Matters magazine.

6. Council services.
7. Cemetery – no general report, although there appears to have been some damage in the older section of the cemetery recently, with a headstone pushed over and some lettering removed.
8. Cemetery – tree safety work – it was agreed to chase up this work.
9. Cemetery – report from the Green Burial Area working party. The Clerk reported that she had visited a Green Burial site near to Roade and it was agreed that the working party should visit the site.
10. Allotments – a general report was read as received.
11. Allotments – reconfiguring of plots – reported that this work has been completed and to approve the purchase of turf costing £150 + VAT. Cllr Duckles noted that the turf needs to be watered regularly in order to survive.
12. Bus Shelter – to consider adding guttering to the shelter. Cllr Gibbins to investigate.
13. Town Well – a report and an estimate of £325 was received. Cllr Pritchard proposed that the work recommended in the report be done and that up to £350 be spent, this was seconded by Cllr Beardsmore and agreed.

7. Local environment.
8. Highways – it was agreed to ask Cllr Brown if he would be willing to take on the role of Highways Representative. The Clerk noted that she had submitted several FixMyStreet reports since the last meeting and North Northants Council are to arrange for Engagement Walkabouts.
9. Parking – requests for restrictions already submitted are for London Road, opposite the Selby Gardens junction and at the junction with Little Close. A request for restrictions on Warners Hill was noted and a request for restrictions in Mill Road and Queen Street were also noted.
10. Street Lights – no issues were reported.
11. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – no issues were reported, noted that the claim for a public right of way is ongoing.
12. Santa Pod – noted that the season has begun.
13. Village Warden – no report received this month. Cllr Duckles noted that the job description doesn’t include cutting back foliage.  It was agreed that the job description no longer reflects the work being done and it was agreed that Cllrs Cooke and Gibbins should meet with the Village Warden to review and revise the job description for the council to consider.

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1. Village Green – it was noted that the new planters have been installed and filled with compost, ready for planting. A local business has indicated that they would like to maintain both planters.
2. Biodiversity Plan – Cllr Skittrall noted a few amendments that he would recommend to the draft Plan and it was agreed that these should be discussed with the working party.

8. Planning.
9. Current/new planning applications – a verbal report was provided. It was agreed to send comments for application 25/1313/FUL as the odour assessment carried out was meant for a fish and chip shop and not a takeaway.
10. Solar Farm proposals – it was noted that the examination was completed on 10^th April and it will be several months before the result is received. Bozeat Parish Council has responded to each document received and comments are available to view on the website.

9. Representatives’ reports.
10. BEES Group – no report this month, however it has been suggested that a walk around the areas being managed for wildlife could be organised to mark the 100^th birthday of Sir David Attenborough on 9^th It was agreed to gauge public support for a walk.
11. Bozeat Playing Field Association – no report this month. Cricket will begin next month and a water supply has been created to the cricket square.  Work has begun to clean the MUGA, 15 saplings are to be planted around the perimeter and the S106 grant application for an extension and resurfacing of the car park has been submitted.
12. Bozeat Primary School – no report this month.
13. NNC parish and ward meetings – it was noted that Cllrs Brown and Todd represented Bozeat Parish Council at a recent Parishes Forum Meeting.
14. Public transport – Cllr Pollard reported that the post and timetable case is missing from the London Road stop opposite Allens Hill. It was noted that the developer should replace this now that work to create a new pavement and road layout is complete.
15. Speeding – Community Speed watch – Cllr Docker reported that this will begin in May after planned roadworks have been completed.
16. Verge mowing – it was noted that the first cuts have been completed and no complaints received.
17. Community Engagement – no report this month.

10. Village Hall.

• Report from the Working Party – the Chairman reported that he had attended a village hall meeting together with the Village Hall Management Committee Chairman and it had proved useful. It was noted that North Northants Council have now visited to inspect the hall but the report not yet received.
• Management committee – meetings are being held regularly.
• Launch event.

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• Bookings – the Clerk reported further enquiries about booking the hall.
• Insurance – the Clerk reported that she is gathering the information required.
• Storage costs.
• To consider purchasing a defibrillator and a bleed box for the new hall, costing at least £1000 for both. It was agreed to defer this item until next meeting and explore applying for grants.

11. Leisure and Recreation equipment: –

Skate Ramp – Cllr Docker reported that the working party had met and were investigating types and styles of ramps as well as potential grant funding.  Terry Lyall [BPFA] has joined the working party.

12. IT/Website.

• Photocopier/Printer – the Clerk noted that the new equipment has now been received. It was agreed that the Clerk and Cllr Duckles should liaise to investigate the secure disposal of the old equipment.
• IT Systems and emails – a report was received and discussed.
• Website – a monthly report was received, the Clerk was asked to request a timescale for the rebuild of the site.

13. • Report from the Police Liaison Representative – no report this month.
    • Local crimes – none notified to the council.

14. Local events.
    • 9^th May 2026 – Waendel Walk checkpoint at St Mary’s Church – the Clerk to email the usual rota.
    • 12^th July 2026 – Summer Fete at the Playing Field.
    • 18^th July 2026 – Open Gardens.
    • 22^nd  August 2026 – Village Produce Show at St Mary’s Community Church Hall.
    • 8^th November 2026 – Remembrance Sunday service at St Mary’s Church.
    • 11^th November 2026 – Remembrance Day event in the cemetery.
    • 28^th November 2026 – Christmas tree/lights switch on.

15. Finance

• Payments – Cllr Skittrall proposed that a report [Appendix A] and the payments and fund transfers listed be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Pritchard and agreed.
• Audit of accounts – a report from a training course attended by the Clerk was noted and it was agreed to check that our Privacy statement and an Accessibility Statement are visible on the website.
• Appointment of at least one Internal Controller – Cllr Gibbins proposed that Cllr Skittrall be appointed Internal Controller, this was unanimously agreed.

16. Grants

• S106 application for Bozeat Playing Field – noted that this has now been submitted for consideration.

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• S106 – application for the allotments – it was suggested that the proposed water supply project be added to with the potential installation of solar panels so tenants are able to recharge battery-operated equipment on site. It was unanimously agreed to add this to the proposed water project.
• NNC Ward grant – noted that this has been submitted.

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

18. On hold – noted that 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 should expire soon.
    • Allotments – community allotment.

19. Items for the next agenda.

• Election of Chairman.
• Election of Vice-Chairman.
• Potential provision of dog bin on Fullwell Road.

20. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be the Annual Meeting held on Monday, 18^th May 2026 after up to 15 minutes allowed 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, 18^th May 2026.