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