Parish Council – January 2019 Meeting

The January 2019 meeting of Nether Heyford Parish Council was held on 7th January, at the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom

Public Participation
Cllr Phil Bignell reported that South Northants Council grants panel had granted money for a container on the Playing Fields, and reported that an appeal had been made against refusal of planning permission for land behind 4 The Green. Mark Taylor asked for financial help towards the purchase of a new first responder’s equipment which costs £2,500. (A £3,500 grant was later agreed).

Jo Dixon informed the Council that the Tennis Club was looking to re-surface their courts and asked about the possibility of funding. Various suggestions were made.

Cllr Brown NCC reported that there had been no announcement at Westminster that there would be 2 Unitary Councils, as they are preoccupied. He feels that the timetable for Local Government Reform is far from firm. He reported that the Budget Consultation is live until 23rd Jan. It is an austerity budget, but has been eased by Government permission to use £75M from the sale of Angel Square. The Commissionaires now feel that the budget will be close to balancing.

Playing Fields Extension
As reported previously the Parish Council were willing to purchase a field adjacent to Middle St field to be included in the Playing Fields. A Parish Council has to go through various processes in order to borrow money for a scheme like this, and unfortunately the vendor was unwilling to wait for this, and chose to pursue another offer. One of the conditions of the loan was that a consultation was undertaken. This was initiated using social media and approx. 150 replies demonstrated a 95% majority in favour of the purchase.

Sharing PCSO with Bugbrooke Parish Council
The shared scheme with Bugbrooke will go ahead beginning in April. Many parishioners feel there is little police presence at present, and it is hoped that this initiative will help restore confidence. Final arrangements are still to be worked out, but there should soon be a regular PCSO presence. The PCSO patrols will not follow the same pattern every week, and only the Clerk and Chair will know the shift pattern. Precept -There is, naturally, a cost to the community for this service, which will be 4 approximately £12,500 p/a. As a consequence of this the annual precept has had to be raised, but not by the full amount. It will go up from £70,000 to £75,000.

Allotments
Rent night would be on Jan 24th. A plot holders meeting would be held on Feb 7th, and an Open Day for the Community Orchard is planned.

Neighbourhood Plan
It was reported that information was still being received in the form of postal votes for preferred future building sites. SNC were looking for 25 – 59 new houses. It was felt the village would be more comfortable with 25 – 29., and felt that that community led housing and self-build should be explored.

Dog Mess
The shorter days and darker early evenings always bring an increase in dog fouling as irresponsible dog owners use the cover of darkness to fail to clear up after their pets. The Council would appeal to Dog owners not to do this and to help keep our village as clear of dog waste as possible.

Election Dates
It has now been established that there will be no District or Parish elections in 2019 with the onset of the unitary council imminent. The Council had expressed a preference for elections in 2020

Roads and Pavements
Parishioners are reminded that anyone can report a pothole or other highways problem online to the Streetdoctor service, and this can refer to problems outside the village too. Alternatively, phone 0300 126 1000 and ask for Streetdoctor

Next Meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday February 4th at the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom at 7.30 pm and is, like all Parish Council meetings, open to all Parishioners.

Parish Council Notes by the Clerk; Guy Ravine January 2019

For further useful information about Nether Heyford Parish Council and full contact details for the clerk and the councillors please visit our Nether Heyford Parish Council page.