The January meeting was held as normal on Monday 6th in the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom.
Like all Council meetings it was open to the public.
Reports from the District and County Councillors: Cllr Adam Brown (NCC) reported that scrutiny of the Northamptonshire County Council budget was nearly complete. Staff would receive a long delayed 4% wage increase. He felt that children’s services were now in much better order; although there was a nationwide shortage of foster homes and places in children’s homes. Progress towards the Unitaries would soon be resumed. He expressed concerns about the development of the site opposite Clark’s Garage on the A5. Planning conditions were not being adhered to and he felt that Daventry Council were being very lax as regards enforcement. He would try and go through the local Government Association to try and get the house in order regarding planning before the Unitary came in.
Public Participation: Mrs Wright thanked Nick Essex for his efforts regarding the village sign, which all agreed is looking in very good shape; and asked that overhanging branches were kept at bay. Mr Wright asked for assurance that the Lime in the cemetery would be cut back, this was given. The chair thanked him for clearing the entrance to the cemetery.
Lights: 5 lights had been declared beyond economic repair by the maintenance contractors; as the Council are investigating the installation of new lights we would ask for patience from residents while the situation is resolved.
Roads and pavements: Graffiti had been reported in jitties. Potholes were reappearing after poor quality repairs. The chair thanked Keith Matthews and Steve Corcoran for clearing rubbish from near the bridge. The sand bin had arrived and was awaiting positioning.
The Green and Play Area: All very wet. The Play Area had been inspected but was felt to be in need of refurbishment. An increase in dog mess was reported as is often the case with winter when some seem to think cover of darkness means they don’t have to clear up. It can be accepted that lack of light makes clearing up a problem, but Council would urge dog owners to carry both suitable bags and a torch. Unfortunately, the problem with dog mess doesn’t end there; the linkman has reported an increase in dog waste being put in the ordinary litter bins, which is disappointing as they are a number of specific dog waste bins.
Playing Fields: The Netball/Basketball Court had been completed and will shortly
be in use.
Trees: A Corsican pine at the cemetery had shed a branch just before Christmas. The large branch was being dealt with.
Allotments: Rent night took place on Jan 16th and about half the rents due were
collected.
Youth Club: 30 children had attended the new term first meeting. The situation regarding helpers was now good. AGM to be arranged shortly.
Defibrillators: Both checked and in working order.
Precept: This is the annual demand that the Parish Council makes to the District Council in order to carry out its duties. A budget of £89,790 was set, and a Precept of £80,000 set, with any shortfall being covered by reserves. This represented an increase of 6.7% on the previous year. Costs in general are rising, and particular increases for next year are an approx. 10% increase in the cost of employing the PCSO, and the need to budget for election expenses; there being elections in May this year.
Parish Council meetings in 2020 will continue to be at the same venue, on the first Monday of each month, (unless a Bank Holiday) and would start at 19.30. The next one is on Feb 3rd.
Reporting Highway and Footpath Issues. The Clerk will report issues that Council is made aware of, but Council would encourage residents to use the FixMyStreet service to report issues themselves as there will then be no time lag and first-hand reports are almost always better than 2nd or 3rd hand reports. The service can be found here: www.fixmystreet.com
It is easy to use; you can have your own account and can check up on any issues you have reported.
Clerk to the Parish Council: Guy Ravine, c/o Old Dairy Farm, Upper Stowe, Weedon, Northamptonshire, NN7 4SH
Telephone: 07935 931787
Email: netherheyfordparishcouncil@gmail.com
Next Meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be on the first Monday of the month at the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom at 7.30 pm and is, like all Parish Council meetings, open to all Parishioners. Council meetings take place on the first Monday of each month (unless there is a Bank Holiday)
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.
The Nether Heyford Prattler 