Nether Heyford has a Parish Council of 9 members and a Parish Clerk. The Council meets in the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom (situated between the Village Hall and the Baptist Chapel overlooking the green) on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 pm (unless stated otherwise and notified via The Prattler and village noticeboards)

Agendae for full Parish Council and for Committee Meetings are posted on the Notice board next to the Post Box and The Village Hall three days prior to the meeting.

Members of the public and the press are welcome to attend and can take the opportunity to raise issues with the Council at the beginning of the meeting. The District Councillors and the County Councillor generally attend, and the local PCSO sometimes attends.

The responsibilities of the Council are varied and include the provision of the following services:
– Churchyard
– Cemetery
– The Green
– The War Memorial
– Seating & litter bins
– Street lighting
– Grass cutting – via Agency agreement with Northants County Council
– Litter picking and provision and maintenance of dog bins
– Making environmental improvements as and when thought appropriate
– Liaising with the county council on highway safety and repair
– Liaising with the county council on public transport matters affecting the parish
– Liaising with the county council on the state of footpaths and other rights of way
– Liaising with the police on matters of concern within the parish
– Considering and commenting on planning applications within the parish and on major planning applications in neighbouring parishes
– Making grants to village organisations from council funds

Annual Parish Meeting
All Parish Councils in England are required by law to hold an Annual Parish Meeting between 1st March and 30th June each year. The meeting allows the Council and local community organisations to explain what they have been doing over the last year and electors can have their say on anything which they consider is important to the people of the parish.

Who may Attend?
Anyone may attend but only registered electors may ask questions. An elector may also make suggestions and comment on anything pertinent to the people of Nether Heyford – this will be welcomed and it is the whole purpose of the meeting.

Who will chair the meeting?
Normally the Chairperson of the Parish Council will chair the meeting otherwise the meeting will elect a Chairperson from amongst those electors present.

Will Parish Councillors be there?
Usually they do attend and will speak as necessary but the purpose of the meeting is to enable the electors to have their say. Councillors will listen and as electors themselves, also have the opportunity to raise questions and make comments if they wish.

Can I suggest Agenda items?
Yes, just get them to the Clerk to the Parish Council or come along to the meeting and raise the item then.

Are Minutes taken?
Yes – they are published in the monthly village newspaper The Prattler and displayed on the village notice boards.

Parish Council – Main Contact:

Guy Ravine
Clerk to the Parish Council
Address: c/o Old Dairy Farm, Upper Stowe, Weedon, Northamptonshire, NN7 4SH
Telephone: 01327 340410
Email: netherheyfordparishcouncil@gmail.com

Parish Council – Councillors:

Charles Kiloh
Address: 19 The Green
Responsibilities: Chairman, Planning, Finance.
Telephone: 07779 900860

Mike Brasset
Address: The Foresters Arms, The Green
Responsibilities: Canal Matters, Planning
Email: mikethepub@hotmail.co.uk

L. Dilkes
Address: 1A Roberts Field
Responsibilities: Village Hall Rep, Youth Club, Vice Chair, Finance
Telephone: 07967 753216
Email: thedilkesfamily@outlook.com

Lynda Eales
Address: 3 Church Lane
Responsibilities: Allotments, Playing Field
Telephone: 01327 341707
Email: lyndaeales@aol.com

P. Green
Address: 8 South View
Responsibilities: Joint Burial Board
Telephone: 01327 349072
Mobile: 07763 244065

Neil Haynes
Address: 30 Weedon Road
Responsibilities: Tree Warden, Planning, Joint Burial Board
Telephone: 01327 340167

A-M Collins
Address: 25 Wakefield Way
Responsibilities: Arnold Trust, School Governors
Telephone: 01327 341180
Email: anna-twenty5@sky.com

Sue Corner
Address: 7 Close Road
Responsibilities: Allotments, Planning
Email: sue.corner@sky.com

A.Williams
Address: 26 Church Street
Responsibilities: Planning and Finance
Email: anthony.k.williams@talk21.com

Dave Musson 
Address:
Responsibilities:
Email: davemusson073@gmail.com

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Pot Holes / Road Markings / Street Lighting / Broken Pavements / Grit Bins / Road Gritting

The County Council’s Highways Department will only deal with problems that have been reported on Northamptonshire County Council The Street Doctor website. Alternatively, phone 0300 126 1000 and ask for Streetdoctor.

Streetlights

All the streetlights in the village belong to the Parish Council so if any are faulty please phone the Clerk, Mr Guy Ravine on 01327 340410.

Refuse collection

South Northants County Council, Towcester, Northamptonshire

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The March 2019 meeting of Nether Heyford Parish Council was held on the 4th, at the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom

PCSO agreement
All being well the village should have a part time PCSO in place shortly. Police methods are very different now, and police personnel generally less visible so it will be good to have a regular police presence in the village again. The officer is already at work in Bugbrooke and will share duties between the two villages.

The Annual Parish Meeting
Will take place before the normal Parish Council meeting on April 1st . This is an opportunity for village organisations to give annual reports and for general discussion. Please send any reports to the Clerk by e-mail.

Public Participation
A Parishioner complained of the dumping of trade waste and burning of apparently toxic waste in the field behind Denbrook, as had other Parishioners. The Clerk had reported this to environmental health at SNC who had acknowledged, and had already been made aware by Parishioners. Fire men were apparently putting in a report and there were Police incident numbers. Neighbours were concerned that hazardous materials and trade waste were involved.

There were comments about the parking situation around the school. It was acknowledged that parking around schools was an issue in most villages.

It was reported that SNC were waiting to hear from parliament about confirmation of 2 unitaries. There was a proposal that there be 18 councillors chosen as members of an unelected shadow council.

Lights
The Chair and Clerk had attended a seminar on lighting. The cost of the streetlights has increased by 100% over the past 3 years, but it seems that by switching to LED lighting that anything up to 75% could be saved on electricity costs. It was felt that a working party could look at all existing lights and work on proposals for the village as a whole. The project would be a costly one, but there is a Government supported agency able to give interest free loans.

Allotments
All but 1 of the rents have now been collected, and some new allotment
holders have come forward. Volunteer Saturdays were being held in March, and an
Open day for the Orchard on April 6th. Small strips of land would be offered for rent.

Dog Mess
As ever an ongoing problem, with complaints that irresponsible dog
owners continue to let their dogs foul the Green and elsewhere and do not clean up,
Some who do, proceed to throw the bags into hedges or trees. There are surely
enough dog bins available to avoid this.

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 April 1st at the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom at 8 pm and is, like all Parish Council meetings, open to all Parishioners. It is preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting

Parish Council Notes by the Clerk; Guy Ravine c/o The Old Dairy Farm, Upper Stowe, Weedon, Northamptonshire, NN7 4SH. Telephone 01327 340410 Email: netherheyfordparishcouncil@gmail.com – March 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.

The February 2019 meeting of Nether Heyford Parish Council was held on the 4th, at the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom

Public Participation – Cllr Adam Brown sent the following report.

NCC will meet twice this month: on 14th February to discuss the next phase of plans to establish two new unitary authorities in the county, and on 21st February to discuss the 2019/20 budget. On the 14th February Council will also debate a motion put forward by me which seeks to formalise NCC’s opposition to the proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges near Blisworth and Milton Malsor. In that motion I highlight the severe impact on nearby villages and the brilliant work by local activists in opposing the scheme. Having discussed the matter with colleagues within the Conservative group I am optimistic that the motion will be passed and a strong message will be sent to the planning inspectorate and the Secretary of State for Transport.

In terms of budgetary matters, our leadership team is increasingly optimistic that we will end this financial year on budget or with a moderate underspend. As a member of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee I have been part of the team analysing next year’s budget and we have highlighted a number of areas of concern, most notably: the desire for continued subsidy of youth groups which allows them to use school premises in Northamptonshire; an instruction to Cabinet for NCC to be more aggressive in its approach to procurement in order to realise over £1m of savings; the importance that additional spending on social care services be sufficient to meet the anticipated demand.

Next year’s budget currently does not account for the recent government decision to allow NCC to increase Council tax by 2% in addition to the 2.99% permitted by the Secretary of State. I have argued that should we accept that additional 2% rise then the money must be used to reinstate services that the public have clearly told us they wish to retain such as enhanced winter gritting. Whilst the 2% would raise approximately £6m, much of that money would need to be put into reserves to allow for potential pressures on statutory services. Of course NCC has previously been criticised for failing to raise council tax, and whilst we remain one of the lowest areas for council tax in the whole of England in the midst of ongoing financial pressure it would be irresponsible to pass up the opportunity to strengthen the County Council’s revenue raising ability.

Village Hall
Alwyne Wilson introduced herself as the new chair of the Village Hall.

Bliss Close maintenance issues
Tom Dodd spoke about problems experienced by residents of Bliss Close with the maintenance of the public spaces, or buffer zones. Residents ware paying a considerable amount for maintenance which they do not feel is being carried properly or with any reference to the costs they are incurring. Any requests to see the contracts are rebuffed, and it seemed that the agreements were in perpetuity with no right to appeal or withdraw. He was concerned to know what had passed between Council and the developers on this issue. It was felt that safety issues were a concern of the Parish Council, even if other issues were not. Cllr PG reported that there were similar maintenance contracts in place in Bugbrooke, but that they were being properly handled. It was suggested that there might be breach of contract. It was felt that at this stage the issue did not involve the Parish Council, as the Council referred to in the House deeds was almost certainly South Northants Council. Such maintenance contracts were becoming common and similar conflicts were arising all over the country, and causing concern in Government. SC felt this was not an issue for Council, and AW felt the residents would have to take legal advice. The Clerk was instructed to write express concerns on safety issues, and the Chair expressed sympathy and support on behalf of Council.

Allotments
Rent night took place on Jan 24th. All but 8 rents collected. SC suggested a reminder letter at the end of the month. AW suggested setting up online payments with monthly instalments.

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
This is a perennial problem and Councillors felt there was more on the Green than was usual and were disappointed. A new Dog Bin has been installed on Church Lane and it is hoped that this might help with the river area. This problem has been further highlighted by contact with David Banner who farms the field on the other side of the pedestrian bridge. This maintained as a traditional style water meadow and as such it represents a valuable amenity and environment. Mr Banner is disappointed that many dog owners let their dogs run free and foul freely. He would ask that dog walkers keep to the paths and that they keep their dogs on their leads at least until they have “done their business” and that this be bagged and removed. While there are often not sheep in the meadow, the grazing of sheep is an integral part of the meadow’s management. Dog faeces can contain a parasite that causes sheep to abort and can also kill them. He would be most grateful if dog walkers could remember this.

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.

Roads and Pavements
The installation of a 20mph speed limit was raised. This was felt to be an aspiration for next year, although it could be applied for under NHB.

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

Spring Clean
The annual “Spring Clean” would be taking place on March 30th/31st.

Signs
The Clerk had contacted Matthew Clarke at Keir/Highways who was still searching for a quote for a finger post for the church. He had also advised that renovation of the direction sign on the green would probably cost £1500.

Next Meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday March 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 February 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.

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.

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – January 2018

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – February 2018

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – March 2018

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – April 2018

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – May 2018

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – June 2018

July 2018

August 2018

September 2018

Ooctober 2018

November 2018

December 2018

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.

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – January 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – February 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – March 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – April 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – May 2017 – AGM

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – June 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – July 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – August 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – September 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – October 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – November 2017

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – December 2017

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.

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – January 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – February 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – March 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – April 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – May 2016 – AGM

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – June 2016

July 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – August 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – September 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – October 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – November 2016

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – December 2016

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.

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – April 2015

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – May 2015

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – June 2015

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – July 2015

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – July 2015 – EGM

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – August 2015

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – September 2015

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – October 2015

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – November 2015

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – December 2015

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.

Nether Heyford Parish Council Notes – Collated – April 2010 to March 2011

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.