BULWICK PARISH COUNCIL 472
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BULWICK PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 20/08/2021, 16pm at St Nicholas Church, Bulwick
Present: Councillors J Taylor (Chair), H Fisher (Vice Chair), M Beaton, L Vaughan and J Sanderson,
Mrs Medwell (Locum Clerk) and eight members of the public
(1) APOLOGIES ACCEPTED: There were none.
(2) DECLARATION OF INTEREST OR CHANGES TO THE MEMBERS’ REGISTER OF INTERESTS:
There were none.
(3) TO AUTHORSISE THE CHAIR TO SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINDG DATED 16th JULY:
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true record of the meeting
Proposed Cllr Taylor Seconded Cllr Fisher
(4) MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA:
There were none.
(5) MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
The Chair welcomed the visitors.
The matter of blocked drains was raised. The Council will report these to County Highways through
‘Fix My Street’ – using the link fixmystreet.com. It was suggested that this link be displayed on the
notice board so that residents themselves may report any road or footpath related matters as they
crop up (action Cllr Vaughan).
Concerns regarding the speeds of both cars and cyclists travelling through the village were raised.
Options for traffic calming were discussed. The Clerk referred to a grant of up to £5,000 available
from the Northamptonshire Safer Road Alliance to support initiatives for traffic calming in rural
areas which could be pursued to fund a vehicle activated speed sign. The Council will take this
forward (action Cllr Vaughan).
Overgrown trees on the road towards Southwick were identified which possibly belonged to Bulwick
Estate. It was felt that these posed a hazard to motorists – the Council will endeavour to report
these either to Highways through Fix My Street or to the Estate.
(6) ADVERTISING FOR THE ROLE OF PARISH COUNCIL CLERK:
Following guidance from NCALC and looking at parishes of a similar size, the Council agreed to
contract a clerk for 22 hours a month at a salary scale of LC1, SCP 7 – 11, £10.44 - £11.53 per hour
(negotiable upon experience). The closing date for applications will be 30th September.
Proposed Cllr Beaton Seconded Cllr Fisher Unanimously carried
The position will be advertised as widely as possible including on the website, notice boards in
Bulwick and the surrounding villages, on social media and through NCALC (action Cllr Vaughan).
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(7) BULWICK VILLAGE CENTRE:
Cllr Fisher updated the Council on the current position regarding the Bulwick Village Centre. It was
hoped that use of this centre could be resumed once the electrics had been updated and a fire exit
installed. The next steps would be to form a working party to assist with the issues that need
addressing, such as ongoing maintenance and to organise various events. Funds of £10,000 are
available to upgrade the electrics, work on which will commence in September, but it may be
necessary to access larger grants to refurbish the building. Cllr Fisher asked for volunteers to join
this group and to come forward with ideas for fund raising and events.
(8) PUBLIC WELL, THE SHAMBLES:
It had been brought to the Council’s attention that the well in the garden of The Shambles, which
used to provide water to the whole village, was protected and therefore should not be filled in.
Heritage England had been contacted to establish whether this was the case. The Council will
contact the landowners to see whether they are aware of any restrictions on whether it could be
filled in (action Cllr Taylor). The Clerk informed the Council that it may be possible to list this well as
a Community Asset.
(9) MEMORIAL BENCH, RED LODGE ROAD:
It was noted that this bench, erected in memory of Ken Kemp, was beyond repair. The Council
agreed to defer the decision to replace the bench until it commenced the budget setting process
later in the year. The Council agreed to remove the old bench (action Cllr Fisher).
Proposed Cllr Fisher Seconded Beaton
(10) VILLAGE DEFIBRILLATOR:
The Council discussed the need for a defibrillator. Cllr Sanderson will explore whether any grants
are available to purchase the equipment or whether any local businesses may be willing to sponsor
one (action Cllr Sanderson).
The Council considered the possibility of adopting the phone box as a possible location for the
defibrillator. Cllr Vaughan will contact BT for further information on this (action Cllr Vaughan).
(11) PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
There were no planning applications for the Council to consider this evening.
The Council, as a statutory consultee, will contact the North Northamptonshire planning
department in Thrapston to ensure that it receives notification of all new planning applications
(action Cllr Sanderson).
(12) FINANCE:
Cllr Beaton advised that the Council was still in the process of changing the bank mandate to
authorise all Councillors as new signatories for the bank account. The Council was therefore unable
to raise any cheques for payment this evening.
(13) CORRESPONDENCE:
There was no additional correspondence to discuss.
(14) ANY LATE BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING:
Overgrown Trees
Speeding
It was suggested that a note of the dates of meeting be put through residents' doors and also in the
Stamford Mercury.
Cllr Sanderson raised local concerns regarding the Stable Block development on the Blatherwycke
Road which did not appear to conform to its approved plans. The Clerk advised that concerns such
as these should be referred to the Enforcement Officer at the new North Northamptonshire
planning department at Thrapston. The Council will contact the landowners to see whether they are
aware of any restrictions (action Cllr Taylor)
(15) DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Date of the next meeting: 6pm, 13th October 2021 confirmed.
Meeting closed at 7.30 pm
Signed …………………………………………………………………………… Dated ……………………………………….