BULWICK PARISH COUNCIL 473

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BULWICK PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 08/10/2021, 6pm at Bulwick Village Centre

Present: Councillors J Taylor (Chair), M Beaton and L Vaughan and Mrs Medwell (Locum Clerk) and eight members of the public

(1) APOLOGIES ACCEPTED: Cllrs H Fisher {Vice Chair} and J Sanderson

(2) DECLARATTON OF TNTEREST OR CHANGES TO THE MEMBERS', REGTSTER OF TNTERESTS:

There were none.

(3) TO AUTHORISE THE CHAIR TO SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING DATED 16th JULY:

It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed by the Chair as a true record of the meeting

Proposed Cllr Vaughan Seconded Cllr Beaton

(4) MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETTNG NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA;

The 'Ken Kemp' Memorial Bench - This was beyond repair & had been removed. The Council is holding the plaque for safekeeping by the Parish Council & will endeavour to contact the relatives of Mr Kemp in order to ascertain whether they might be interested in replacing the bench.

BT Phonebox - The application made by the Council to adopt the Phone Box for f1 has been approved by BT & a sign placed in the box informing residents of the decision. lt is expected that the Phone box will eventually house the defibrillator and that both the box and equipment will need to be insured.

(5) MEETING 0PEN TO THE PUBLIC:

The Chair welcomed the visitors.

A presentation was made by a member of the public wishing to write a book on Bulwick. This is to

be a local history project which would hopefully incorporate memories and experiences of current

residents on life in the village. The Council undertook to encourage participation in the project.

(6) BULWICK VILLAGE CENTRE:

The Chair thanked Alma O'Neill on behalf of the Council for all her hard work enabling the centre to

be used once again for the Council meetings and gave an update on the current position. The

process to becorne a Charitable lncorporated Organisation (ClO), now underway, will enable the

Centre to apply for grants. The village will be consulted in terms of gauging enthusiasm for the

management of the centre and helping with decorating and cleaning.

Clerk will forward details of an FCC grant of up to f100,000 available to registered charities and

parish councils for the provision, maintenance or improvement of community facilities {action JM).

(7) VILLAGE DEFRIBRILLATOR:

The Chair informed the Council that Cllr Sanderson is in the process of exploring grants available

through the British Heart Foundation and is drawing up a list of businesses which may be willing to

sponsorthe equipment. The Clerk drew the Council's attention to the NNC Community Fund, details

of which will be released shortly.

(8) HIGHWAYS:

Speeding - Cllr Vaughan reported on a site visit with hersell Cllr Beaton and NCC Highways Safety

Officer Steve Barber looking at options available for traffic calming in the village. Mr Barber had

recommended that the most effective solution available would be one rechargeable battery

operated Vehicle Activated Speed sign which can be moved to different locations around the village

and would collect data pertaining to traffic numbers and speeds. The traffic sign would cost in the

region of f3,700 and f321 for a Section 50 licence to operate the equipment. A lead to charge the

batteries from the lamp posts is available at an extra cost. Funding of up to f5,000 for this

equipment is available through the Northants Safer Roads. The Council was unanimously in favour

of pursuing this option. Cllrs Vaughan and Beaton will complete the funding forms {actian LV and

MB).

Overgrown vegetation on the slow sign on the Blatherwyke Road junction with Main Street was

raised. This has been cut back but needs further work to improve the visibility of sign. Cllr Beaton

will contact the landowner responsible. lt was suggested that the Community Speed Watch scheme

be looked at again and to gauge whether residents would be prepared to sign up for training. The

Council agreed to discuss again at its next meeting.

Overgrown Trees, Southwick Road - CIlr Beaton will contact the land owner responsible for these

trees and the overgrown hedges which are impeding visibility.

Drains - Cllr Vaughan informed the Council that the blocked drains had been reported via Fix My

Street. The County Council had cleared the drains on the Blatheruvyke Road and would be clearing

those on Main Street at the beginning of December.

(9) PARISH COUNCIL CLERK VACANCY:

It was noted that the position for a new clerk had been advertised through NCALC and local channels

but unfortunately no applicants had come forward for interview. Mrs Medwell agreed to continue

as temporary clerk until a suitable candidate can be found.

(10) PLANNING MATTERS:

NE|2L|OO4O5/FUL Erection 2 new Dwellings, Millies Lane - This application is being heard at the

East Northants Planning Committee meeting this evening. Cllr Fisher is attending on behalf of the

Council.

Stable Block - lt was noted that following an objection raised by a member of the public, the

development had been inspected by a planning enforcernent officer and the necessary amendments

will be made.

Public Well, The Shambles: The Chair advised that he had contacted the NNC planning department

regarding this well and the need to preserve this historic asset as part of the heritage of the village.

The Chair had also met with the applicant of the proposed development at the site, reference

NE/2L/01283/FUL, who had agreed to comply with any restrictions imposed by the planners.

{11} FINANCE:

Cllr Beaton advised that the process of changing the bank mandate to authorise all Councillors as

new signatories for the bank account had been approved. The Council is now able to raise cheques

for payment. The change of address willbe done once a new clerk is appointed. Cllr Beaton will look

at the possibility of an online banking facility {oction MB).

The Council approved the following invoices for payment:

(121 CORRESPONDENCE:

There was no additional correspondence to discuss.

(13) DISSEMTNATION OF INFORMATION:

Cllr Vaughan will draft a brief summary on how the Parish Council is addressing the issues that are

raised for the noticeboard, parish magazine and Facebook page (action LV).

(14) ANY LATE BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING:

To approve The 2O22/23 Budget and Set precept.

{1s) DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

To be finalised.

Meeting closed at 7.05 pm