Document Date
21/11/2024
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
Wollaston Parish Council
Wollaston Parish Council
Document Date
21/11/2024
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
WOLLASTON PARISH COUNCIL
Tel: 07856 203260
Email: clerk@wollastonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Web: wollastonparishcouncil.gov.uk
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WOLLASTON
PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE OASIS, HIGH STREET, WOLLASTON
ON THURSDAY 17th OCTOBER 2024.
PRESENT: Cllr Alvis, Alms, Atkinson, Carter, Goldsmith, Milroy, Mitchell, Savage, Talbutt, Threadgold and Mrs S. Grant (Clerk & RFO).
IN ATTENDANCE: Four members of the public attended.
WARD COUNCILLORS: Cllr Griffiths.
| 24/106 – OPEN MEETING
The Scott Bader Social Club, 122 High Street – Representatives from the “Friends of the Hill Steering Group” which was set up in October and compromises of the existing management team of the Hill and a committee of 4 villagers to assist with sharing the future of the Hill Social Club, attended the meeting to provide a brief update. Scott Bader have declared their current intention to find a buyer for the premises (at this stage, the value is unknown, an independent commercial valuation has been quoted at £850 plus VAT). The Hill has been an important social asset to the Community for over 50 years and is an Asset of Community Value until 2028. Under the protection period for assets of the community, the deadline to reach an agreement with Scott Bader is 31st March 2025. The Steering Group are in negotiations with Scott Bader’s Lawyer and will continue to explore all opportunities for the use of the Hill going forward. The Friends of the Hill intend to hold an open forum meeting with residents, to gather ideas and explore the funding challenges. Communication to the community be will be via social media, letter drops and posters. Further updates to follow.
Busy Bees Preschool – Representatives from the Busy Bees preschool attended to update the committee on their current financial status. Busy Bees has been in operation since the 1970’s providing early years education to many children with a strong reputation for quality. Due to an increasing demand for full day childcare and longer hours, which Busy Bees cannot offer due to the Village Hall restraints, they find themselves in financial difficulty and operating at a loss. A new business plan which provides facilities for fulltime and nursery care (data from recent Parish Council survey indicates a high demand for nursery age children) has been drawn up proving to be viable and will ensure Busy Bees will work at a profit. The S106 monies (£348K) for Early Learning Years is essential for the Village Hall redevelopment. Busy Bees have reached out to local businesses and other stakeholders to provide an interim solution. Ensuring Busy Bees remains operational is pivotal to obtaining the allocated funds for the Village Hall redevelopment, a project with broader community benefits.
24/0107 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Cllr Jones (holiday) and Cllr Boycott (illness) No response from Cllr Hodson.
24/108 – NORTH NORTHANTS COUNCIL – Apologies were received from Cllr Carr and Partridge-Underwood. Cllr Griffiths offered his support where possible for both the Busy Bees and the Friends of the Hill Steering Group (potential £500 Empowerment Grant could be available towards the Hill Club valuation fees) and suggested contact be made with our local MP and Julie McKinnon – Principal Community Property Officer NNC. Cllr Griffiths offered his approval and support with the S106 additional pitches MUGA project together with Cllr Carr and Partridge-Underwood. Greenhill Solar Farm consultation has begun. Now awaiting residents and government response. Cllr Griffiths encouraged Wollaston to complete this consultation before the application goes before the Secretary of State.
24/109 – DECLARATION OF INTERESTS None relating to business on the agenda.
24/110 – MINUTES Minutes of the Parish Council meeting from 17TH October 2024 were agreed and signed as a true account. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
24/111 – NEW COUNCILLOR CO-OPTION Mr Stephen Atkinson was welcomed as a Parish Councillor and assigned to the Planning working party.
24/112 – TO CONSIDER PLANS, BUDGETS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LOCAL ELECTIONS IN MAY 2025 Councillors are invited to make their intention known to the Clerk via email if they are intending to step down in May 2025.
24/114 – POLICY REVIEW – The Training Policy and Vexatious Policies were reviewed and unanimously agreed.
24/115 – CLERK’S REPORT Report circulated with Agenda, appendix 1. Resident raised concern over the road safety for the corner of Howard Road/Hinwick Road and requirement for zebra crossing/double yellow lines following incidents with children almost being run over. Clerk has discussed with resident. No action to be taken due to Highway constraints. High Street resident requesting double yellow lines opposite no 8 to enable safe and access to driveway. NNC parking application form sent to the resident. Resident raised concern over speeding in London Road (by Dr Surgery) advised to report to Northants Police and attend Police Surgeries at the Library. Remembrance Day collection raised a total of £147.57 which will be split between RBL & BLESMA. Parish Council was invited to provide feedback to the Churches on the Service and comments received from the Parish Councillors and Kerry Woodrow were duly noted and will be used when planning next years’ service. Clerk to add to October 2025 Agenda to resolve the issues experienced this year. Grateful appreciation received from all the groups who received the annual Parish Council Day grant (S137). Occupied Traveller caravans and cars in field opposite Summer Leys. The field is owned by the travelling community, so the police are unable to assist. I have raised a call log with the NNC Travellers department on the NNC Website who have attended the site to investigate and the encampment as is, does not fall under the definition of unauthorised encampment and is currently outside of their enforcement remit. Details have been passed to NNC Planning Enforcement for further investigation. Scott Bader held a volunteer day on November 13th and carried out a litter pick throughout the village. 24/116 – FINANCES
Receipts circulated. It was RESOLVED to approve receipts for October 2024. Unanimously agreed, motion carried
Payments Circulated. It was RESOLVED to approve payments for October 2024. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
24/117 – REPORTS
(a) New Community Centre/preschool Update – It was RESOLVED that the Village Hall will make a loan to Busy Bees short term from their existing bank account to tie them over and to be paid back when they become profitable in due course. The Parish Council cannot provide financial support, but it was unanimously agreed that the S137 Village Hall Grant should be reactivated for 2024/25. (b) Playing fields & Parks Management Committee (Draft Minutes appendix 4) A business plan has been submitted to NNC to apply for the S106 monies for the additional playing pitches (upgraded MUGA courts at the Playing Field) for approval at the internal Developer Contributions Board (DCB) and Strategic Capital Boards on December 12th. Highways and Street Lights – no issues, High Street Light now working. Street Doctor Report (Appendix 5) no issues, although still waiting for London Road (poor road surface) and flooding at Shepherds Hill (culvert) to be addressed. (c) Footpaths Update – Shepherds Hill footpath – collation of application form D is ongoing to apply for public footpath access, only 2 completed applications received to date. No response received from Kexby Estates. (d) Village Hall management Committee Update – (Draft minutes, AGM minutes and finances (appendix 6,7 & 8). No major issues, handover for a new Treasurer is currently ongoing. (e) Crime and Community Safety Update – figures provided by Northants Police confirmed that 16 crimes were reported in October. Cllr Threadgold reported graffiti on Hinwick Road benches (photos available). Cllr Milroy updated the committee on the Police focus groups. Next Police surgery is to be held at the library on 14th January 2025. (f) Community Events Update – Cllr Milroy has taken over as Editor of the Wollaston Together Magazine and has gained new advertisers. Parish Council required to provide an article for the Spring magazine (deadline February 3rd). Cllr Atkinson to provide an article and also a MUGA update from the Playing Fields Committee if applicable.
24/118 – PLANNING (g) Applications Schedule was circulated with Agenda (Appendix 9).
NW/24/00422/FUL – Church of St Mary Church Lane Two storey extension to church and new resin bound gravel path and associated works. WPC – no objection. Awaiting decision. NW/24/00448/EXT – Green Hill Solar Farm – Consultation on draft statement of Community Consultation (SoCC). Awaiting decision. NW/24/00487/CND 1-3 High Street Approval of details reserved by conditions 10 (Construction Traffic Management Plan) and condition 11 (Construction Environmental Management Plan) of planning permission reference NW/24/00001/FUL. WPC – no objection. Part discharged. NW/24/00502/LDP – 193 London Road – Lawful certificate development proposed for the ability to work from home, for the purpose of providing minor medical and aesthetics procedures utilising part of a converted garage. Working a maximum of 12 hours per week, not including weekends. WPC – No objection. Awaiting decision. NW/24/00573/LBC 30 London Road – Listed building consent requested to replace front door due to rot. WPC – no objection. Awaiting decision. NW/24/00644/FUL Agricultural Barn A509 – New dwelling to replace existing barn, approved for conversion into dwelling under class Q including vehicular access and hardstanding for parking. WPC – no objection. Awaiting decision.
24/119 – NEXT MEETING Date of Draft Budget Meeting – Thursday 12th December 7pm Meeting of Wollaston Parish Council meeting to take place on Thursday December 19th, 2024, 7pm, Oasis Building, High Street, Wollaston.
The Chair thanked Councillors for their attendance. The meeting was closed at 8.40pm.
Chair……………………………………………….. Date: ………………………………
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