Approved minutes – August 2026

Page 2323

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 17^th AUGUST 2026, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THE MEETING WAS HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

PRESENT: – Cllrs Duckles [Chairman]; Beardsmore; Bloxham; Brown; Cooke; Docker; Gibbins; Pollard and Pritchard.

PUBLIC: – There were four members of the public present at the meeting including North Northants Councillors Jon-Paul Carr and Gordon Dunsmuir.

MATTERS RAISED: –

• Request for parking restrictions on Warners Close.
• Request for parking restrictions at the junction of Fullwell Road and Wollaston Road.
• Condition of pavement in Fullwell Road
• Green Burial Area trees and management.
• Report from North Northants Council meeting.
• Food waste collection service due to start in the Autumn.
• Community Governance Review is underway.
• Wellingborough Town Centre masterplan.

It was resolved to accept apologies received from Cllr Skittrall and to note the resignation of M.Todd.

2. Declarations of interest.

• Agenda item 8 – Cllr Docker reported a non-pecuniary interest in application 26/01120/FUL.
• Agenda item 6e – Cllr Duckles reported a non-pecuniary interest.

3. Casual Vacancy.

• The Clerk reported that North Northants Council have been advised of the resignation of M.Todd and the required legal notice has been posted, a banner has been added to the council’s website advertising the vacancy. Once the required period has elapsed notification that the council can co-opt to fill the vacancy will be received.
• Co-option Policy and Procedure. It was noted that we had two applicants for the last vacancy and Cllr Duckles proposed that, should no election be called, the unsuccessful applicant from the last vacancy be invited to join the council. This was agreed with 1 abstention.

Page 2324 – 17^th August 2026

The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 20^th July 2026 were proposed as correct by Cllr Gibbins, this was seconded by Cllr Pritchard and unanimously agreed.

5. Matters arising.
6. Circulating documents – noted that no packs are currently circulating.
7. Training – noted that NorthantsCALC are investigating the provision First Aid training.
8. Roles and responsibilities – amendments to the list were noted.
9. Noticeboard refurbishment – noted that work on this project is almost complete.
10. Name bars for the Chairman’s badge of office – noted that these have been ordered.
11. Doctor’s Surgery – Cllr Dunsmuir was invited to speak and reported that he had met with the Integrated Care Board who advised that they are unable to help, he has now written to an official at NHS England.
12. Assets of Community Value – the Clerk reported that the Red Lion public house was added to the register in 2022 so is not yet due for re-registration, agreed to remove this item from the agenda.
13. Bus Shelter – the Clerk reported that she had not received a second quote for the work to replace the roof and install guttering but had sent a copy North Northants Council, who have offered a grant towards costs. After discussion, Cllr Beardsmore proposed that the quote received from DW Roofing be accepted, with a request that a soakaway heading away from the shelter be added to the project.  This was unanimously agreed.

6. Council services.
7. Cemetery – a general report was read as received. Concerns have been raised that holes have appeared in a grave in Section C, the caretaker has been asked to monitor the situation.
8. Cemetery – tree safety work – it was agreed to check if a new quote is required and arrange for the work to be done.
9. Cemetery – Green Burial Area – noted that the working party will consider a request for permission to plant in the area.
10. Allotments – noted that notices placed on the Fullwell Road noticeboard have been removed and will be replaced. One tenant has been given a final notice as no work has been done on the plot.  It was agreed to investigate a report that concrete footings may have been created.
11. Allotments – to consider adding or amending a guideline. Cllr Pollard proposed that no action be taken and this be removed from the agenda, agreed.
12. Allotments hedge – Cllr Pritchard proposed that an offer by a local farmer to cut the hedge with a flail for £150 be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and agreed. It was noted that parking in front of the hedge will need to be prevented in order for the work to be done safely.

7. Local environment.
8. Highways – a general report was read as received. Noted that Cllrs Bloxham and Brown will attend a Highways Engagement Walkabout 15^th
9. Highways – request for a change of layout for the junction of Allens Hill and London

Page 2325 – 17^th August 2026

Road.  Cllr Brown reported that he had been investigating this with Highways Officers.

1. Parking – it was noted that North Northants Council have refused the request for restrictions on Warners Hill, further evidence of the problems being experienced had been received.
2. Street lights – no issues were reported.
3. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – reported that a way marker post is missing from TA9.
4. Santa Pod – noise issues from a recent overnight car rally were noted, this had resulted in staff at Santa Pod closing the gates and calling Police. Cllr Brown reported that he has requested traffic calming measures for Harrold Road.  It was agreed to invite Neale Saunders to come to a Parish Council meeting.
5. Village Warden – a report was read as received.
6. Village Green – it was reported that a boundary hedge is very overgrown and impacting the green and it was agreed to ask if a local farmer could cut with a flail and an Odd Job order be given to clear away the foliage. It was agreed to accept discreet signs for the two planters.
7. Bins and litter – the Clerk to submit a request for a litter bin at the new bus shelter in London Road. It was reported that concerns had been raised about the amount of litter blowing out of commercial bins stored outside the shop and suggested that bin nets be donated.  After discussion it was agreed to take no action as this is not an issue.

Current/new planning applications.  Cllr Pritchard proposed that a report [Appendix A] be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Cooke and agreed.

9. Representatives’ reports.
10. BEES Group – a report was read as received. Cllr Pritchard proposed that £51 be spent on daffodil bulbs to be planted around the village, this was agreed.  Cllrs Cooke, Duckles and Gibbins to check the planter on Town Well and consider its future management.
11. Bozeat Playing Field Association – a report was read as received.
12. Bozeat Primary School – noted that the school is closed for the summer break.
13. NNC parish and ward meetings – none attended.
14. Public transport – it was reported that, due to a reduction in services, it is now only possible to make one journey per day to Wellingborough and back using a bus pass. It was agreed to investigate this further and contact Stagecoach to voice our concerns.  Cllr Dunsmuir was allowed to speak and reported that he would contact a service manager.
15. Speeding and Community Speed watch – noted that a further 3 people have now joined the group and will be trained to use the equipment.
16. Verge mowing – Cllr Gibbins to speak to the contractor about the number of visits being charged for, bearing in mind the current drought conditions.
17. Community Engagement – noted that Cllr Beardsmore has joined the group.
18. NorthantsCALC AGM and Conference [3^rd October] – Cllrs Beardsmore and Pritchard to attend.

Page 2326 – 17^th August 2026

10. Bozeat Centre.

• To accept a report from the Working Party [Transfer] – a report was read as received.
• To accept a report from Management Committee meetings – copies of the minutes from the last meeting were received.
• Insurance – Cllr Pritchard proposed that a quote of £1200.89 to add the Centre to the Council’s existing insurance policy be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and agreed.
• Bookings – noted that that these are being passed to the Committee as they arrive.
• Committee comprising members of Bozeat Parish Council and the Management Committee to run the Centre on behalf of Bozeat Parish Council. It was agreed that, as the Parish Council has two representatives already on the Committee there is no need to change the format at this time.

11. Leisure and Recreation equipment.

• Skate Ramp – Cllr Docker reported that she has a list of potential grant funders and she is making contact with them to explore funding.
• Table Tennis table – reported that the surface has now been cleaned – agreed to remove this from the agenda.

12. IT/Website.

• Photocopier/Printer – disposal of the Xerox printer/copier – agreed to defer this item.
• IT Systems and emails – no issues reported.
• Website – the regular maintenance report was read as received.

13. Key Security Policy.

Cllr Cooke proposed that the draft Key Security Policy be adopted, this was seconded by Cllr Pritchard and agreed.

14. Flood Prevention.

The Clerk reported that the council had asked that the purchase of either sand bags or hydro bags be considered ready for the autumn and winter months.  After discussion, it was agreed to take no action and remove this item from the agenda.

Cllr Duckles reported that he had requested additional information as no details are provided for the crime figures.

There was no information about a planned Police Surgery for 14^th August.

16. Finance

• Payments – Cllr Pritchard proposed that a report [Appendix B] and the payments and fund transfers included on it be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Beardsmore and agreed.
• Audit of accounts – the Clerk reported that the public rights period has now expired and information requested by the External Auditor has been provided.

Page 2327 – 17^th August 2026

17. Grants

• S106 application for Bozeat Playing Field [extended and improved car park] – it was reported that the application is being considered.
• S106 application for the allotments [to improve the current water supply and the provision of solar panels to offer on-site battery recharging] – work is continuing on a draft project
• NNC Ward grant [chairs for the Bozeat Centre] – the Clerk reported that the grant is due to be paid soon and it was agreed to check if the chairs have been ordered.
• Potential grant funding for the purchase of a defibrillator and a bleed box for the new hall, costing at least £1000 for both. The responsibility for regular checks on this equipment was discussed and agreed that this be an agenda item for the next meeting.

18. Local events.
    • Purchase of a sign for village events. After discussion, it was agreed to take no action and remove this from the agenda.
    • Purchase of a gazebo for use at village events. It was noted that one gazebo needs replacing before the next summer fete and it was unanimously agreed that delegated powers be given to Cllr Gibbins to spend up to £500 on the purchase of a suitable gazebo.
    • 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.
    • 14^th November 2026 – Annual Meeting of Allotment Tenants at 10am.
    • 28^th November 2026 – Christmas tree/lights switch on, a report was read as received. It was agreed that delegated powers be given to Cllrs Cooke and Gibbins to spend up to £400 on the purchase of a Christmas Tree.  Details of the event are being considered.
    • 11^th July 2027 – Annual Summer Fete.

Correspondence received since the last meeting were acknowledged.

20. On hold.
    • Claim for a public right of way for the footway from Hewletts Close to TA21/TA22.

21. Items for the next agenda.
    • Checks of the defibrillator and bleed boxes.

22. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 21^st September 2026 after up to 15 minutes allowed for Public Participation starting at 7pm.

Signed by the Chairman, 21^st September 2026.