Minutes 11th April 2022

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 11^th APRIL 2022, AT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm. 

PRESENT: – Cllrs Skittrall [Chairman]; Brown; Docker; Duckles; Dudley-Smith; Foward; Gibbins; Morris; Pollard and Pritchard.

PUBLIC: – Two representatives from North Northants Council attended [Cllr J-P Carr and Cllr T Partridge-Underwood].

ISSUES RAISED BY THE PUBLIC: –

• Highway issues, including 20mph speed limit proposals for Harrold Road.

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

2. Declarations of interest.

No new declarations of interest were recorded.

3. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting.

The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting for Bozeat held on 21^st March 2022 were proposed as correct by Cllr Pollard.  This was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and a vote was taken = 7 for with 3 abstentions, motion carried.

4. Minutes from the Parish Council meeting.

The minutes of the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 21^st March 2022 were proposed as correct by Cllr Pritchard.  This was seconded by Cllr Foward and a vote was taken = 7 for with 3 abstentions, motion carried.

5. Matters arising
6. Circulating documents – the progress of the one pack in circulation was noted.
7. Website migration – it was reported that work on this is ongoing.
8. Emergency Plan review – it was noted that this project is on hold.
9. Santa Pod – a reply has been received from the Operations Manager and a recent Facebook post by Santa Pod Raceway noted. The Chairman reported that he will try to get a meeting with the Operations Manager organised so that concerns can be discussed.  Cllr Morris proposed that the resolution of traffic issues relating to Santa Pod be added to the council’s list of achievements for this term of office.
10. Laptop/software – purchase of new equipment – this is pending.
11. Training – VAT for non-registered local authorities – the Clerk reported that she attended a course on 7^th First aid – the Clerk reported that she is booked on a course for 20^th April.  Play equipment inspection – Cllr Gibbins reported that he will chase this up.
12. Community assets – application for the Red Lion to be included on the list – this is pending with North Northants Council.
13. Skate ramp repairs – Cllr Gibbins to chase the contractor regarding the resurfacing work that has been ordered.
14. Audit of local council adopted policies and procedures – it was resolved to defer this until the next meeting.

6. Council services.
7. Cemetery – general report – Cllr Docker reported that no issues have been noted.
8. Cemetery – applications for permission to place memorials or headstones in the cemetery. None received.
9. Cemetery – to receive an update on maintenance works [purchase of noticeboards and signs; war memorial cleaning; tree safety assessments]. Cllr Docker reported that she has requested a quote for cleaning the war memorial.

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1. Cemetery – to consider the purchase of land in order to extend the cemetery – pending.
2. Cemetery – to consider extending the Garden of Remembrance on section C – this to be looked at in more detail.
3. Cemetery – memorial inspections – a small working party will begin inspections this week.
4. Allotments – general report – Cllr Pollard reported that no issues have been reported and an inspection will be undertaken later this month.
5. Allotments – to receive an update on maintenance works [replacement noticeboards] – pending.
6. Allotments – Allens Hill hedge and fence – Cllr Duckles reported that the Village Produce Show committee had offered to pay for a new hedge to be planted. Cllr Skittrall noted that the quote and plan included proposals to provide parking on the highway which will require permission from North Northants Council.  Following discussion, Cllr Brown proposed that the quote received to install a new fence be accepted and the hedge be planted behind it, on condition that sufficient funds are available in the budget to pay for the work.  This was seconded by Cllr Foward and agreed.  It was further agreed to send a letter of thanks to the Village Produce Show committee.

7. Local environment.
8. Highways – including parking restrictions. Cllr Forward proposed that his report [Appendix A] be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Skittrall and agreed.  Updates were provided on items contained in the report.  Cllr Morris reported that the post of a sign in Court Lane has been cut off but not at ground level, creating a trip hazard.  Cllr Foward to inspect this.
9. Highways – to consider making a contribution towards the cost of signage for a proposed speed limit of 20mph close to the primary school. It was resolved to defer this item until costs had been received.
10. Street Lights – Cllr Forward reported that lights in Hensmans Lane are not scheduled to be upgraded in the near future. A light in St Mary’s Road is reported to be sporadically lit during the day time.
11. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – Cllr Gibbins reported a stile which is difficult to negotiate due to the drop on one side. This to be reported to Rights of Way.
12. Village Warden – Cllr Skittrall proposed that a report [Appendix B] be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Gibbins and agreed.
13. Verge mowing – to note any issues and consider any revisions to the mowing map. Cllr Gibbins reported that a new operative is now in post and has been provided with a copy of the verge mowing map.  Cllr Duckles reported that the Village Produce Show are to promote No Mow May and asked that areas be considered for inclusion.  Reasons why the council has not supported No Mow May previously were outlined.
14. Village Green – update on the project to plant trees and install bollards in order to prevent unauthorised parking. Cllr Skittrall reported that the trees have now been planted and an odd job order form issued so that they are watered regularly until they become established.  It was resolved that Cllrs Brown and Skittrall meet to agree the positioning of a removable bollard.  It was resolved to discuss an access issue with the press and public excluded.
15. Climate Emergency and wildlife conservation area – it was noted that the Working Party are to meet later this evening.
16. New litter bin for outside the village shop – it was noted that the existing bin often overflows creating litter in the area. It was resolved to investigate the emptying frequency and consider potential locations for another bin.

9. Current/new planning applications – Cllr Skittrall proposed that his report [Appendix C] be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Foward and agreed.

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9. Representatives’ reports.
10. Bozeat Playing Field Association – It was noted that the committee haven’t met recently. Cllr Gibbins reported that the latest quotes for extending and resurfacing the car park at the playing field are in the region of £45000, Bozeat Playing Field is able to provide £12000 towards this.  Grants are being investigated.  An accident in the MUGA involving a child was noted and a report requested from the company that supplied and installed the MUGA.
11. Bozeat Primary School – Cllr Docker reported that the school is taking part in Jubilee celebrations.
12. JAG/PCCFC meetings – Cllr Docker reported that she had attended for part of the online PCCFC meeting held this evening, there have not been any JAG meetings recently.
13. Police Liaison – nothing to report.
14. Public transport – Cllr Pollard reported that the services are all running well at the moment although there will not be any services at all on Bank Holidays.
15. NNC Parish Forum meeting – nothing to report.
16. Parish Asset Mapping – the parish council has yet to begin this project.

11. Crimes – no local crimes were reported since the last meeting, however an attempt to steal a van in Mill Road was reported on social media.

11. Local events.
    1. 13-15 May 2022 – Waendel Walk weekend – the rota of checkpoint duties was completed, the Clerk reported that she is to attend a briefing session prior to the event.
    2. 2-6 June 2022 – The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – the Chairman reported that a basic timetable of events in the village has been published on social media and it was resolved to distribute flyers nearer the time. A Civic Service is to be held in St Mary’s Church at 2:30pm on Sunday, 5^th June, the Chairman will be taking part in the service.
    3. 27^th August 2022 – Summer Fete at the Playing Field [Saturday].

13. Payments – Cllr Gibbins proposed that a report [Appendix D] be accepted and the payments listed be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Foward and agreed.
14. Audit of 2021-2022 accounts – the Clerk reported that the Annual Return has been received and arrangements made for the Internal Audit to be undertaken.

It was resolved to acknowledge receipt of correspondence received since the last meeting, as listed on Appendix E.

14. Items for the next agenda.

• Approval of annual accounts.
• Receipt of Internal Audit Report.

15. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be the Annual Meeting and is scheduled to take place on Monday, 16^th May 2022 at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat following Public Participation at 7pm.

Signed by the Chairman. 16^th May 2022.