Approved minutes – June 2026

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A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 15^th JUNE 2026, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pmTHE MEETING WAS HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

PRESENT: – Cllrs Duckles [Chairman]; Beardsmore; Brown; Docker; Gibbins; Pollard; Skittrall and Todd.  Cllr Cooke arrived during the course of the meeting.

PUBLIC: – Cllr Dunsmuir [North Northants Council] attended the meeting.

MATTERS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC: –

• NNC meetings.
• Lack of GP services in Bozeat.

It was resolved to accept apologies for absence received from Cllrs Cooke and Pritchard; Cllr Cooke will arrive during the course of the meeting.

2. Declarations of interest.

• Agenda item 7 – Cllr Cooke declared a non-pecuniary interest in planning application 25/01313/FUL.
• Agenda item 7 – Cllr Docker declared a non-pecuniary interest in planning application 26/01120/FUL.
• Agenda item 16 – Cllr Skittrall declared a pecuniary interest in the Chairman’s expenses item.

The minutes of the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on Monday, 18^th May 2026 were, incorporating notified corrections. proposed as correct by Cllr Gibbins.  This was seconded by Cllr Beardsmore and a vote was taken = 7 for with 1 abstention.

4. Matters arising.
5. Circulating documents – packs were returned and the progress of one circulating pack was noted.
6. Training – a report was received from Cllr Todd who had attended an Engaging with Young People course recently. The Clerk reported that NorthantsCALC are investigating the provision of first aid training for outside events.
7. Policies and Terms of Reference – it was noted that terms of reference for the Internal Controller and a Biodiversity Policy have been adopted and displayed on our website. Agreed to remove this item from the agenda.

Cllr Cooke arrived at this point in the meeting.

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1. Village risk assessments – the Clerk presented an action plan following the recent risk assessments and it was agreed to note that the overgrown allotments hedge has been reported to FixMyStreet; the Cemetery Representatives will check the boundary railings for impact from the storage of fencing/wood etc. on a neighbouring property; the broken lock on the gate to the outdoor gym is not required so no action necessary; an odd job form be issued for the clearance of the public seat on Harrold Road of overgrowth; and arrangements will be made to clean the surface of the table tennis table.
2. Casual vacancy – noted that two applications have been received, and the result of the ballot was that the vacant seat on Bozeat Parish Council will be offered to Sian Bloxham.
3. Roles and Responsibilities – no amendments noted this month.

5. Council services.
6. Cemetery – a general report was noted. It was resolved to buy some pesticide and try to save the remaining box shrub in the cemetery.
7. Cemetery – tree safety work – noted that the work will now be done in the Autumn.
8. Cemetery – a report from the Green Burial Area working party was noted.
9. Allotments – a report was noted, a further inspection is to be completed this week. Concern was raised over sheeting that is covering one plot, however there is nothing in the guidelines to prevent this, agreed that this be an agenda item for the next meeting.
10. Bus Shelter – a quote of £345 had been received for the addition of guttering and a downpipe to the shelter. It was agreed to obtain a second quote and also ask that a detailed breakdown of cost be provided for the quote already received.
11. Town Well – it was noted that the required repairs have been completed and agreed to remove this from the agenda. It was reported that the verge mowing team, who cut the grass at Town Well were not aware that wildflowers had been set on part of it.

6. Local environment.
7. Highways – an initial meeting of the Highways Representative and a representative from Kier has taken place and a report of items discussed noted, the next meeting will be in September.
8. Highways – a member of the public has requested a change of layout for the junction of Allens Hill and London Road. Cllr Brown will take this request to the next meeting with Kier.
9. Parking – noted that the proposals for the Wellingborough District Parking Review including requests for Bozeat had been received. It was agreed that the proposals for the junction of Selby Gardens and London Road do not address the issue and resolved to email asking for restrictions on London Road opposite the junction.
10. Street lights – no issues reported.
11. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – no issues reported.
12. Santa Pod – no issues reported.
13. Village Warden – no report received this month, agreed to defer the review of the job description until the next meeting.
14. Village Green – it was agreed to give permission for Bozeat W.I. to place the knitted

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soldiers that commemorate Remembrance Sunday on the Queens Green Canopy trees this year.  A request to provide information about the donation of plants for the new planters will be considered at the next meeting.

1. Bins – Cllr Cooke is to make a second visit to neighbouring residents to ask their opinions on the potential siting of a dog bin on Fullwell Road, agreed to submit a request to North Northants Council for a litter bin to be fixed to the new bus shelter in London Road.

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

The Chairman thanked Cllr Skittrall for the responses submitted to recent applications.

8. Representatives’ reports.
9. BEES Group – a report was received and noted.
10. Bozeat Playing Field Association – noted that the cricket season has begun. Arrangements are well under way for this years’ fete. A meeting to discuss damage caused to the car park has been held with Kier.
11. Bozeat Primary School – the Chairman reported that he had emailed the school on several occasions, noted that arrangements have now been made to use the playing field for sports day.
12. NNC parish and ward meetings – none held recently.
13. Public transport – reported that services are running well at present, the Chairman offered to help with placing a timetable in the case at the new bus shelter.
14. Speeding – it was reported that an initial training session has been followed by two sessions with the speed gun on London Road, with 3 offences being reported. It is clear that the speed gun is a deterrent with vehicles being visibly slowed as a result.  The Chairman noted that he had submitted FixMyStreet reports as 30mph signage was obscured by vegetation.  The next target area is to be Allens Hill.  It was agreed to advertise the use of the speed gun in the next issue of Bozeat Matters magazine.
15. Verge mowing – noted that the first complaints have been received, a triangle of grass at the bottom of Wheelwrights Yard may not be verge, areas in St Mary’s Road have been strimmed and the resulting clippings may be a hazard for dogs.
16. Community Engagement – noted that Facebook is being used regularly to inform residents.

9. Bozeat Centre.

• Working Party and Management Committee – reported that meetings are being held regularly and a report was received.
• Bookings – still being received.
• Insurance – information requested by Zurich Municipal is being obtained.
• Storage costs – reported that the items in storage are to be removed soon.
• Grant funding for defibrillator and bleed box – agreed to defer this until the next meeting.
• Private road – Cllr Brown reported that he is exploring the liability issues relating to this with North Northants Council.

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• Vehicle Charging points – reported that the hall will receive some revenue as a result of the two chargers.
• Solar panels – noted that these are classed as an asset to the building owner and information relating to the feed-in tariff is needed.
• Transfer – it was noted that legal advice is urgently required and noted that quotes have been received from two companies. It was proposed by Cllr Beardsmore that a Hall Transfer Working Party be set up comprising Cllrs Brown, Cooke, Duckles, Gibbins and Skittrall and that this working party be given delegated powers to spend up to £2000 working together to appoint a solicitor and ensure the safe conveyance of the new village hall to Bozeat Parish Council, with limited liabilities.  This was seconded by Cllr Docker and agreed.

10. Leisure and Recreation equipment: –

• Skate Ramp – Cllr Docker reported that the working party are looking at options for a replacement ramp, and residents are being consulted and kept informed. Quotes for ramps made of concrete and wood are being sought and grant funding explored.
• MUGA – noted that the annual surface clean was carried out recently, agreed to remove this from the agenda.

11. IT/Website.

• Photocopier/Printer – the Chairman is to clear the Xerox printer ready for disposal.
• IT Systems and emails – issues with emails were noted and will be addressed.

Cllr Brown left the meeting at this point.

• Website – a regular maintenance report was noted. It was agreed to check that the colour changes included in a quote to modify the website are not being charged as extra.  Cllr Todd to confirm the colour changes required.  Cllr Skittrall then proposed that the quote of £200 to modify the website in order to comply with changes in accessibility standards be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Beardsmore and agreed.

Cllr Docker proposed that a quote of £200 to refurbish the noticeboard on the Village Green including the provision of Sadolin paint be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Pollard and agreed.

Crime statistics for the previous month were noted.  The Northants Police Beat Bus is scheduled to visit Bozeat on 17^th June.

14. Key security.

The Chairman recommended that a policy and procedures be set up to confirm and record the location of keys for council premises and equipment, this to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

15. Local events.
    • 12^th June 2026 –conservation walk to celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100^th

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birthday.  Reported that this was well attended.

• 19^th June 2026 – Summer Songs of Praise at Bozeat TLC – Cllr Skittrall will attend.
• 12^th July 2026 – Summer Fete at the Playing Field. Members of the council were asked to deliver leaflets advertising the fete and posters have been displayed.  It was reported that an additional gazebo may be needed for future events, this to be checked when equipment is retrieved from storage.  It was suggested that the leaflets could offer a golden ticket opportunity to encourage attendance.
• 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.

16. Finance

• Payments – Cllr Cooke proposed that a report [Appendix B] be accepted and the payments and fund transfers listed on it be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Beardsmore and agreed.
• Audit of accounts – the Annual Governance Statement was completed and signed, then Cllr Skittrall proposed that the Accounting Statements be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins. Cllr Skittrall then proposed that the Internal Auditor’s report be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Cooke and agreed.
• Chairman’s expenses – Cllr Skittrall left the room whilst this was discussed. Cllr Cooke proposed that an allowance of £750 be paid to Cllr Skittrall towards costs incurred over the last year as Chairman of Bozeat Parish Council, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and agreed. It was agreed to investigate how other councils reimburse costs to their chairman.
• Chairman’s badge of office – Cllr Docker proposed that a name bar to mark Cllr Skittrall’s term of office as Chairman and two replacement name bars be purchased at a cost of £95 each. This was seconded by Cllr Beardsmore and agreed.

17. Grants

• S106 application for Bozeat Playing Field – no news on this application.
• S106 – application for the allotments – the Chairman to complete an application form for the grant.
• NNC Ward grant – update on the submitted application for chairs for the village hall. It was noted that insurance details are required.
• FOSM – to consider making a donation of £180 towards the cost of purchasing signs for the annual Open Gardens event. Cllr Todd reported that the church has purchased a sign, and Cllr Brown is investigating the legal situation relating to placing such signs on the highway.  Cllr Cooke noted that a sign would be useful for council events and he is keen to continue to explore options.

Correspondence received since the last meeting was noted.

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An issue with vehicles being worked on whilst parked on the highway is being investigated.

19. On hold – noted that the following agenda items are on hold
    • Cemetery railings – to consider repairs or replacing with a hedge.
    • Review of Fixed Asset Register – to approve revisions to the register.
    • Village Green CCTV.
    • Doctor’s surgery – service issues.
    • Assets of Community Value – Red Lion public house.
    • Allotments – community allotment.

20. To receive any items for the next agenda.

• Key management policy
• Village hall transfer
• Donations of plants for the Village Green planters.

21. Date and time of next meeting.

Noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 20^th July 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, 20^th July 2026.