Approved minutes – May 2026

Page 2307

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 18^th MAY 2026, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THE MEETING WAS HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

PRESENT: – Cllrs Beardsmore; Brown; Cooke; Duckles; Gibbins; Pollard; Pritchard; Skittrall and Todd.

PUBLIC: – One member of the public was present at the meeting.

MATTERS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC: –

• Playing field cricket square covering.
• Layout of the Allens Hill/London Road junction – this to be an agenda item for the next meeting.
• Interest in joining Bozeat Parish Council.

1. Election of Chairman.

Cllr Duckles was nominated as Chairman by Cllr Gibbins; this was seconded by Cllr Pollard.  There being no further nominations a vote was taken and Cllr Duckles was unanimously elected.  Thanks were recorded to Cllr Skittrall for his service as Chairman over the last few years.

It was resolved to accept apologies for absence received from Cllr Docker.

3. Declarations of interest.

Cllr Todd declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 18.

4. Election of Vice-Chairman.

Cllr Skittrall was nominated as Vice-Chairman by Cllr Pollard; this was seconded by Cllr Cooke.  Cllr Todd was nominated as Vice-Chairman by Cllr Brown; this was seconded by Cllr Pritchard.  There being no further nominations, a vote was then taken = 5 votes for Cllr Skittrall, 4 votes for Cllr Todd.  Cllr Skittrall was elected to serve as Vice-Chairman of Bozeat Parish Council.

5. Roles and Responsibilities.

It was resolved to defer this item until the next meeting.

The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 20^th April 2026 were proposed as correct by Cllr Pritchard, this was seconded by Cllr Skittrall and a vote was taken = 7 for with 2 abstentions, motion carried.

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7. Matters arising.
8. Circulating documents – the progress of circulating packs was noted.
9. Training – noted that Cllr Todd is to attend a course on engagement with the community. It was resolved to ask NorthantsCALC if they would be able to set up a First Aid Training course suitable for events.
10. Policies and terms of reference – Cllr Pritchard proposed that Bozeat Parish Council adopts terms of reference for an Internal Controller, this was seconded by Cllr Beardsmore and agreed.
11. Village risk assessments – noted that the Village Warden has completed the majority of the annual assessments and presented a report. It was resolved that recommended actions be an agenda item for the next meeting.
12. Casual vacancy – it was confirmed that an election has not been called and that the vacancy has been advertised in Bozeat Matters magazine.

8. Council services.
9. Cemetery – no general report this month.
10. Cemetery – tree safety work – to note that the work will now be done in the Autumn.
11. Cemetery – noted that the Green Burial Area working party are to visit Roade Green Burial site this week.
12. Cemetery – it was resolved to approve the purchase and installation of 3 nest boxes for swifts on the cemetery lodge @ £45 each.
13. Allotments – it was noted that an inspection will be carried out this week.
14. Allotments – Cllr Beardsmore proposed that the purchase of turf costing £150 used in reconfiguring plots be formally approved. This was seconded by Cllr Skittrall and agreed.
15. Bus Shelter – Cllr Gibbins reported that he had viewed the bus shelter with a local contractor and received a quote for the installation of guttering and drainage pipe, this to be an agenda item for the next meeting.
16. Town Well – it was reported that repairs to prevent water leakage have now been completed and the cost of £230 is significantly lower than expected. It was unanimously agreed to pay the contractor immediately for his work.

9. Local environment.
10. Highways – Cllr Pritchard nominated Cllr Brown to serve as Highways Representative, this was unanimously agreed. The Clerk reported receipt of several advance notifications of road closures in the village.
11. Parking – the Clerk reported that a request to include Warners Hill on the annual submission of parking restrictions had been forwarded to North Northants Council. it was noted that an email had been received reporting parking issues in Little Close, this had been forwarded to Parking Enforcement.  It was agreed to add links to our regular Bozeat Matters report so that residents can submit complaints directly to North Northants Council.
12. Street Lights – no issues were reported.
13. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – no issues were report, the claim for a public right of way for the footway from Hewletts Close to TA21/TA22 is ongoing.
14. Santa Pod – reported that noisy vehicles were evident on the previous weekend, it was agreed to check the calendar of events.

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1. Village Warden – a report was read as received – it was resolved to defer the review of the job description until the next meeting.
2. Village Green – it was noted that two new planters have been installed and agreed that they look very good. It was resolved to remove this item from the agenda.
3. Biodiversity Plan – Cllr Pritchard proposed that Bozeat Parish Council adopts a Biodiversity Plan, this was seconded by Cllr Skittrall and unanimously agreed.
4. Dog Bin – a report was read as received – it was agreed that Cllr Cooke should ask the owners of properties near to the proposed site for a bin for their opinion prior to proceeding with this project.

11. Current/new applications – Cllr Skittrall proposed that a report [Appendix A] be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Cooke and agreed.
12. Solar Farm proposals – it was resolved to remove this item from the agenda.

11. Representatives’ reports.
12. BEES Group – no report this month, but a wildflower walk has been organised for 13^th
13. Bozeat Playing Field Association – reported that the MUGA has been cleaned, the cricket season has started, the charity shop continues to provide good funds and a change of energy supplier has reduced costs. It was reported that damage was caused to the car park by highways contractors who parked heavy machinery without permission.  The S106 grant submission has been sent.
14. Bozeat Primary School – reported that the school has been chased for a meeting with the Headteacher.
15. NNC parish and ward meetings – no recent meetings.
16. Public transport – reported that the bus stop sign containing the timetable was removed outside the new housing estate when work to provide a new footway began. It has not yet been replaced, the Clerk to see if this can be reported online.
17. Speeding – Community Speed watch – reported that a meeting has been arranged for 29^th May with the first monitoring scheduled for 3^rd It was agreed to move the speed sign on London Road to Allens Hill, close to the Church Hall.
18. Verge mowing – no issues reported.
19. Community Engagement – report read as received.

12. Village Hall.

• It was noted that the name of the hall has been changed to Bozeat Centre.
• A report was read as received.
• Cllr Cooke reported that the final certificate has now been issued and contractors have left the site.
• The Clerk reported that she had forwarded to the council’s insurers a valuation for the new hall provided by Paul Dudley-Smith and it was agreed to send a letter of thanks.
• Defibrillator and bleed box – it was resolved to defer this item until the next meeting, the Clerk to investigate grants towards the cost.
• Open Days – noted that the Management Committee are considering holding two events, an Open Day and a Meet the Village Day.

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• It was noted that the Parish Council will move its’ meetings to the new hall, once open if it is owned by the council.
• It was reported that Aherne Close is not to be adopted by North Northants Council which may cause issues with the new hall. It was agreed to contact North Northants Council and ask for clarification about the legal situation.
• Cllr Skittrall reported that it will be necessary to ensure that the words village hall are included in the website metadata to ensure it appears in relevant searches.

13. Leisure and Recreation equipment.

Skate Ramp – it was noted that the working party will meet again on 22^nd May.

14. IT/Website.

• Photocopier/Printer – it was noted that issues with the new printer have been resolved.
• IT Systems and emails – it was reported that the next subscription will be due this month. Cllr Duckles is monitoring capacity and usage.
• Website – the monthly report was read as received. The Clerk reported that changes to the legal requirements for accessibility means that the website requires a full audit.  This to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

15. • Police Liaison Representative report – noted that a meeting with the PCSO has been requested. A brief report providing crime statistics for Bozeat had been received.

16. Local events.
    • 9^th May 2026 – Waendel Walk checkpoint at St Mary’s Church – it was noted that some walkers had arrived prior to the checkpoint being opened so we need to ready to start at 9am. The checkpoint had closed at 1.15pm.
    • 30^th May 2026 from12-4pm – Village Yard Sale.
    • 13^th June 2026 from 2-4pm – wildflower walk to celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100^th
    • 19^th June 2026 – Summer Songs of Praise at Bozeat TLC.
    • 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.

17. Finance

• Payments – Cllr Pritchard proposed that a report [Appendix B] be accepted and the payments and fund transfers listed on it be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Brown and agreed.
• Audit of accounts – the Clerk reported that the Internal Auditor had collected the books this morning.
• Insurance – noted that the annual renewal premium will be £1013.46.

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18. Grants

• S106 application for Bozeat Playing Field – noted that this has been submitted.
• S106 application for the allotments – it was agreed to accept a revised project and obtain costs.
• NNC Ward grant – reported that this grant has been approved, proof of insurance cover is required.
• FOSM – to consider making a donation of £180 towards the cost of purchasing signs for the annual Open Gardens event. Cllr Todd had declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item.  Cllr Gibbins reported that he would not be happy to support this due to past history with the Diocese over the Church Hall.  It was reported that the sign/s could be used for other events, not just Open Gardens.  Cllr Cooke suggested that the Parish Council could consider purchasing signs which could then be lent out to village organisations.  Concerns were raised about placing signs on the highways verge and it was resolved that Cllr Brown investigates further.  Agreed to defer a decision until the next meeting.  

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

20. On hold items.
    • Cemetery – repairs to railings – to consider replacing sections with either replacement railings currently in store or a new hedge.
    • Review of Fixed Asset Register.
    • Village Green CCTV.
    • Doctor’s surgery – service issues. Cllr Brown to contact the LAP.
    • Assets of Community Value – Red Lion public house.
    • Allotments – community allotment.

21. To receive any items for the next agenda.

• Co-option of a new member of Bozeat Parish Council.
• Website accessibility audit – costs.
• Bus Shelter – provision of guttering.
• Electric charging points – potential provision.
• Noticeboard – refurbishment required.

22. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 15^th June 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, 15^th June 2026.