Approved minutes – July 2026

Page 2318

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

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

PUBLIC: – There were four members of the public present at the meeting.

MATTERS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC: –

• Parking issues on Warners Hill.
• Traffic noise affecting properties on Ahern Close.
• Request for a zebra crossing on London Road.
• Easton Lane speed sign not activated by vehicles leaving the village.
• Solar farm no longer a separate agenda item for meetings.
• Ahern Close – road not being adopted by North Northants Council.
• Engagement Walkabouts.
• Poor quality road repairs.
• Changes to W8 timetable from today.
• Meeting observer.

All members of the council were present.

2. Declarations of interest.

• Agenda item 5e – Cllr Duckles declared a non-pecuniary interest.
• Agenda item 16 – Cllr Skittrall declared a pecuniary interest.

The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 15^th June 2026 were proposed as correct by Cllr Gibbins, this was seconded by Cllr Beardsmore and a vote was taken = 9 for with 2 abstentions, motion carried.

4. Matters arising: –
5. Circulating documents – noted that the last pack in circulation has been returned.
6. Training – noted that NorthantsCALC are investigating the provision of first aid training for events.
7. Village risk assessments – it was reported that the public seat on Harrold Road has been cleared and agreed to remove this from the agenda.
8. Roles and responsibilities – Cllr Beardsmore to be removed as Allotments Representative, Cllr Bloxham to join Cllr Brown as Highways Representative and the

Page 2319 – 20^th July 2026

Skate Ramp Working Party.

1. Noticeboard refurbishment – noted that this is in hand.
2. Chairman’s badge of office – noted that the required name bars have been ordered.

5. Council services.
6. Cemetery – a report was read as received.
7. Cemetery – tree safety work – noted that the work will now be done in the Autumn.
8. Cemetery – no report from the Green Burial Area working party.
9. Allotments – a report was read as received. It was noted that the last vacant plot has now been let, the brambles growing into private properties has been cleared.  The inclusion of the allotments on the recent Open Gardens map was discussed and it was agreed to consult tenants at the next tenants meeting.
10. Allotments – to consider adding a guideline addressing the use of materials to cover plots or sections of plots not being cultivated. Cllr Pollard proposed that a new guideline addressing the covering of plots for weed prevention be considered, this was agreed.
11. Bus Shelter – it was noted that one quote has been received, a second quote is being sought, agreed to defer until the next meeting.

6. Local environment.
7. Highways – Cllr Brown reported that he is due to meet with the Highways Officer next week and will raise a number of issues at the meeting. It was reported that the gateway near to the roundabout has been reported as precarious on FixMyStreet.
8. Highways – a request that the layout of the junction of Allens Hill and London Road be changed is to be raised with NNC.
9. Parking – a request for double yellow lines for the full length of Warners Hill has been received and a resident has raised concerns about parked commercial vehicles on St Mary’s Road, noting that these may be causing damage to the pavement due to weight issues. To be reported under FixMyStreet.
10. Street lights – no issues reported.
11. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – no issues reported, agreed to move the claim for a public right of way to On Hold.
12. Santa Pod – it was agreed to target event days for Speed Watch and to publicise the number to report anti-social and illegal driving.
13. Village Warden – a report was read as received, the job description review to be deferred until the next meeting.
14. Village Green – noted that a hedge next to a private property is overgrowing onto the village green. Investigations needed to see if growth is coming from the private property, if not a quote to cut it back will be needed.  Noted that the council had agreed that the planters on the village green can carry notices that the plants have been donated by a local business.
15. Bins – it was agreed not to pursue the provision of a dog bin on Fullwell Road. Agreed to apply for a litter bin to be placed at the new bus shelter.

8. Current/new planning applications – Cllr Skittrall proposed that his report [Appendix A] be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and agreed. Noted that we are now waiting for a decision for the solar farm, there is nothing more to be done until

Page 2320 – 20^th July 2026

that has been received.  Cllr Skittrall reported that he had sent a detailed response to the Local Plan Scoping Consultation for North Northamptonshire.

Cllr Cooke left the meeting at this point.

8. Representatives’ reports.
9. BEES Group – no report this month.
10. Bozeat Playing Field Association – report read as received, noted that the Village Fete was very successful and is planned for 11^th July next year. The lack of designated female changing space for mixed teams in the pavilion was noted, reported that there are two changing spaces, home and away, so mixed teams may need to manage changing.
11. Bozeat Primary School – Cllr Duckles reported that he has managed to contact the Headteacher and Chairman of the Governors and hopes to arrange a meeting.
12. NNC parish and ward meetings – none planned.
13. Public transport – Cllr Pollard reported that the W8 service timetable changed today, timetables will be updated in the cases at bus stops and copies have been handed out to passengers.
14. Speeding – Community Speed watch – reported that the next few meetings will be focussed on Santa Pod event days. It was agreed to further explore the provision of advisory 20mph signs.  Concern was raised about the speed of traffic at the bend outside Slype Farm Bungalow, noting it is the national speed limit, overgrown chevrons may be reported on FixMyStreet.
15. Verge mowing – no issues reported.
16. Community Engagement – a report was read as received.

9. Bozeat Centre.

• Report from the Working Party [Transfer] – it was agreed that a new working party, to be called the Bozeat Centre Committee will need to be formed – combining members of the Parish Council and members of the Management Committee.
• Report from Management Committee meetings – a report was read as received.
• Insurance – the Clerk reported that she had spoken to Zurich about the insurance and would chase up their quote.
• Bookings – note that these are now being passed to the Committee.
• Purchase of a defibrillator and a bleed box for the new hall, costing at least £1000 for both – agreed to investigate grant funding for these.

10. Leisure and Recreation equipment: –

• Skate Ramp – Cllr Docker reported that three quotes have now been received for a replacement ramp, both in concrete and wood. Consultation with local residents, users and schools are important, with potential grant funding available.  Fund-raising events are being considered.  Consideration is also being given to installing a new ramp in 2 phases, providing a lower ramp for younger riders.
• Table Tennis table – a surface cleaning will be done soon.

11. IT/Website.

• Photocopier/Printer – Cllr Duckles to collect the Xerox printer/copier to put it back to factory settings.

Page 2321 – 20^th July 2026

• IT Systems and emails – Cllr Bloxham to be added to the members@ email address.
• Website – the regular maintenance report was read as received and it was noted that the work to modify the site in order to comply with accessibility standards and make colour changes has been completed.

12. Key security.

A draft Keyholder Policy and record keeping procedures was presented for consideration, it was agreed to make some changes to the wording prior to adoption.  It was further agreed that the purchase of a second key safe be an agenda item for the next meeting.

13. Doctor’s Surgery.

Cllr Skittrall reported that he had attended a Teams organised by Lindsay Alvis [Wollaston Parish Council] and gave information about the current contract for services at the Bozeat Surgery.  A representative from the Integrated Care Board has agreed to attend the initial meeting of a new patient participants group and it was agreed to encourage people to join this group.

No information received this month.

15. Local events.
    • The purchase of at least one sign for village events – it was agreed to defer this until the next meeting to allow for investigations into options to add to existing signs. Cllr Brown reported that the placing of signs on the highway is unlikely to be an issue.
    • 12^th July 2026 – Summer Fete at the Playing Field – it was unanimously agreed to approve the purchase of charity collection buckets costing £28.99 and a payment of £400 for the entertainment.
    • 18^th July 2026 – Open Gardens – a successful event with around 150 attending.
    • 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. Cllr Todd reported that the plan is to hold a Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church, then have a lantern parade to the Village Green, where the lights will be switched on the Christmas Tree.  It was agreed to ask Jo at the Red Lion to provide mulled wine again and to investigate the need for a TTRO.  Agreed to form a small working party to oversee and manage the event, comprising Cllrs Cooke, Docker, Gibbins and Todd.

16. Finance

• Payments – Cllr Gibbins proposed that a report [Appendix B] and the fund transfers and payments listed on it, be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Pritchard and agreed with the abstention of Cllr Skittrall.
• Audit of accounts – noted that the AGAR has been submitted and the required notices published on the website and in our noticeboard.

Page 2322 – 20^th July 2026

17. Grants

• S106 application for Bozeat Playing Field – noted that this has been submitted.
• S106 – application for the allotments – noted that the form is being worked on.
• NNC Ward grant – noted that this is waiting for insurance information.

Correspondence received since the last meeting was acknowledged.

19. On hold – to note the following agenda items are on hold
    • Cemetery railings – to consider repairs or replacing with a hedge – it was agreed to remove this item.
    • Review of Fixed Asset Register – to approve revisions to the register – it was agreed to remove this item.
    • Village Green CCTV – it was agreed to remove this item.
    • Doctor’s surgery – service issues – it was agreed to restore this item to the main agenda.
    • Assets of Community Value – Red Lion public house – agreed to restore this item to the main agenda and check with NNC.
    • Allotments – community allotment – agreed to remove this item.

20. Items for the next agenda.

• Assets of Community Value – Red Lion public house.
• Purchase of equipment for village events.
• Doctor’s Surgery in Bozeat.
• Purchase of a key safe.

21. Date and time of next meeting.

Noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 17^th August 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, 17^th August 2026