05/06/2025 – Thornby Parish Meeting minutes
Thornby Parish Meeting
Date: 5th June 2025
Time: 19:30
Location: Village Hall
Attendees:
| Peter Moyes (Chair) | A Bennett |
| P Gates (Treasurer) | L Owens |
| A Pallister (Minute taker) | J Norris |
| A Barlow | R Carr |
| G Goodlad | M Hill |
| R Sherlock | S Thompson |
| M Kingston | |
| M Burdett | |
| G Bennett |
Apologies:
| Apologies: | Guest attendees: |
| J Sherlock | Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP |
| B Brooks | Cllr Christine Ware WNC |
| A & A Day | Cllr Jonathan Harris WNC |
1. Welcome and Apologies
The chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Apologies were noted.
2. Minutes of the prior meeting 24th April 2025
The Chair summarised key points discussed at the prior meeting; there were no questions and PM asked if attendees agreed these were a true and accurate record. M Hill proposed the minutes be approved and this was seconded by A Bennett. PM duly signed the minutes as an approved record and these will be posted on the village website and placed on the notice board.
3. Matters Arising
The majority of matters arising had been covered in the minutes; anything outstanding is on the agenda for discussion.
4. Finance
PG reported that the current bank balance is £4828.46. The insurance policy has been renewed and remains with Gallaghers, as the renewal cost has only increased by £1.52 over the prior year. The first instalment of the precept has been received. Further details regarding finance and the year-end audit will be covered as part of the AGM which follows this meeting.
5. Traffic Working Party update
PM summarised what was discussed at the last meeting and the installation of the solar powered SIDs. The working party met last week to review the data from the new SIDs. MK has gathered the data and this has been put into a presentation by LO.
LO explained that the additional SIDs are proving to have a positive effect but the increase in traffic volume through the village is a concern. There has been a significant upward trend, between August 2022 when the first data was available and March 2025, there has been an increase of 71%. This is based on traffic flow northwards, which has been measured but the volume from the south is similar.
Speed data indicates that there has been a 1.9mph reduction in average speeds from traffic entering the village from the south. However, in the middle of the village traffic is speeding up and the data shows this increase. Vehicles travelling northwards show a speed increase of 2.3mph, and those travelling southwards 2.0mph. LO noted that this data supports observations made by residents.
The speed of traffic entering from the south and travelling northbound is showing a reduction which is positive and indicates that the SID on the triangle is working. Next steps will be to pull data from the SID at the top of the village and this will be evaluated and then reported on. PM explained that there has been an issue with the SID, in respect of the blue tooth connection, which needs fixing, once this is done, data will be gathered.
LO summarised the key concerns which have arisen from the data and this information will be shared on the village website.
The data does show that having four SIDs has made a positive difference but action is needed to reduce mid village speeds and this could incur further expenditure. It is possible to convert the two battery powered SIDs to solar, which would require the purchase of the appropriate poles on which to site them, plus the installation costs. This is something to be considered as these do have a positive effect. In the meantime, moving the SID from the bottom of the dip, further up the hill may be tried to see if it has an impact in terms of reducing mid village speeds.
PM advised that to collate and present the data, it would help to have another laptop provided by the village as LO’s Apple Mac is not compatible with the data. PM asked if the meeting would support the proposal to spend up to a maximum of £550 to purchase a new laptop. The attendees voted and there were 12 votes in favour, the proposal was approved.
Dragon’s teeth road markings – PM reminded the meeting that assurances had been given that these markings would be painted by the end of April, after considerable delays. This has still not been completed and PM has chased for updates and asked Cllr. Ware to kindly keep in touch on this to see if pressure can be applied to get the outstanding work completed. CW noted the request.
The meeting agreed that it is vital to find ways to reduce the traffic speeds through the village, even more so, now that the decision to route traffic through the villages has been made, which has generated significant additional volume of traffic, a large proportion of which are HGVs. JN asked if any physical barriers can be installed such as a chicane structure. AP added that enquiries had been made about this previously but the village had been advised that because the A5199 is an ‘A’ road, these types of installations are not allowed. However, Steve Barber who had worked with the Parish regarding the SIDs, had suggested that because people needed to cross the main road, that a refuge stop could potentially be sited in the middle of the road, which could be lit by solar powered bollards; this would help people crossing the road but also has the effect of slowing down traffic as the road narrows slightly. He had suggested that a potential site for this could be opposite where the defibrillator is positioned or slightly further along, away from the road junctions. It would need to be surveyed appropriately. This was not pursued at the time but there is a more compelling case now, as it is far more difficult to get across the road with the volume of traffic coming through. It was agreed that this should be explored as there is data to supply as evidence.
6. Road Signage – A5199/Northampton N/W Relief Road
PM explained the situation about the redirecting of traffic and confirmed a letter had been sent to the Council expressing concerns; this had been drafted in collaboration with the other three parishes affected. Robert James had eventually responded at a very late stage and did not agree with the villagers’ perspective. PM had reverted to confirm that the village is not at all happy about the situation and is considering our future response. This was sent in February and to date, there has been no response. Former Cllr. Kevin Parker had made contact with Robert James to try and get a traffic survey undertaken. PM reported that this is to occur in June and records vehicle volume and speed as well as identifying the type of vehicle, ie car or lorry; it was noted that these surveys no longer use the rubber strips across the road but sensors that are sited at the side of the road. A Barlow asked if the new relief road going west is not going to be open when the count happens as this could affect the results and the count needs to be done at the right time. AP agreed and added that school holidays should be avoided as this will reduce volume.
At the Parish meeting in April, PM had advised that a second letter was being drafted, with input from Spratton, Creaton and Chapel Brampton, as there is concern about the lack of response from Robert James’ office; the letter had been delayed as Creaton was yet to respond but it is hoped it will go out in the next week. Attendees agreed that the village needs to fight the decision to direct traffic along the A5199, as it is having a significant impact on residents and is making the road dangerous particularly for pedestrians.
Action – PM/LO to send a copy of the traffic data slide presentation to Cllr Christine Ware
7. Planning Consultation – 2025/1404/LBC
PM explained that the village planning committee reviews smaller applications.
An application had been submitted from 3 Stone House Mews to replace the windows for timber double glazed ones, to make one window a door into the garden at the rear and to knock two rooms into one. The village had raised no concerns, however the listed buildings inspector had raised some questions and required additional information before agreeing the application.
8. Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP
PM welcomed SA and thanked him for agreeing to attend. SA has been a Member of Parliament since 2010 and has served in several roles in previous Governments. SA addressed the meeting and noted it was a pleasure to attend and an honour to serve the constituency, going on to congratulate Cllrs CW and JH on their respective appointment to WNC.
SA explained that the constituency is very large, comprising 120 villages, adding that constituency work is not about party politics but about the communities and residents. He has set up a series of forums for different groups, so all age groups are represented. For instance, there is an Agricultural forum, a Young People’s forum, an over 55yrs forum.
There have been some significant planning requests, particularly for solar farms that are causing some concern in the area.
PM invited questions.
JN asked how is it that the Government can make such significant decisions, such as that regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, without a vote or debate in Parliament. SA explained that it is due to the significant majority held by the current Government, which gives them all the power. SA added that all the opposition parties had voted on the matter.
A Bennett commented that the WNC newsletter previously referenced was very informative.
AP raised concerns about the fiscal ability of WNC, given the huge deficit in their budget and asked what central Government does in terms of controls and checks on how Council’s manage tax payers’ money. They should be held to account for what appears to be mismanagement, as in any private company whose management presided over such sizeable budgets, people would be held to account and steps taken to remove them for such poor performance. SA replied that the Council undertakes appropriate audits and the processes are satisfactory but they have so many calls upon their expenditure it is challenging to balance their budgets especially with the pressure of funding social care. AP added that if central Government’s requirements for such high levels of mandatory social care funding means that other services are cut, then this is discriminating against other areas of society and additional money should be made available to Council’s to ensure they can provide the range of services needed for all.
A Barlow commented that there are far too many issues that have not been resolved by WNC and she is extremely unhappy with the Council and its performance. CW noted this and offered to speak with AB individually to understand the particular issues and see what can be done to improve the situation.
9. WNC Councillor – update
CW thanked PM for inviting her to the meeting and expressed how pleased she is to have been elected and will work hard, with Stuart Andrew, to help support all the villages in the Naseby Ward.
CW echoed the point made by AP about social care costs and that if central government wishes Councils to fund these, then extra money is required to stop funds being taken from other budget areas. Unfortunately, the WNC budget currently has a deficit of £5m, therefore the Council will be looking at how to fix this at national level.
The new Council is taking shape and all newly elected representatives are going through an induction process. CW explained that unfortunately she no longer has a place on the Audit Committee but the Council does have a very experienced Finance Director. There is a large majority of Reform councillors and there are some concerns about their focus on EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion).
CW reiterated that she is delighted to be here and noted the great turn out at Thornby meetings which is very positive.
Bus Service update: CW advised that she is looking into the possibility of a Saturday service being set up; there would be some compromise, the main one being that it would not stop at Brixworth. The Council is also looking at potentially incorporating the Naseby Battlefield site into the route, to promote tourism. There is a Golden Ticket which allows groups of five or more people to make savings on fares. The meeting was also reminded that there is a Shopper Hopper service which is an on-demand bus service which travels on a Monday to supermarkets and on a Wednesday to Rushton Lakes; it also goes to Beckworths Emporium in Mears Ashby. Bus pass holders go free on this service.
LO asked if the DOGE activity is being undertaken by Reform, CW replied that concerns have been raised as there are already internal and external audit processes in place, and this additional investigation of finances may be an unnecessary additional expense. At this stage the Council does not know the people who will be proposed to come and look at the finances.
Reform Councillors had refused to attend the EDI training, but this has been legal statute since 2010. Cllr J Harris confirmed that EDI is about all areas of society not just minority groups.
CW added that she is a member of two Council Committees, the Democracy and Standards Committee and the Sub Planning Committee for WNC. These are two formal areas of responsibility within her remit.
PM picked up on the issue of Bus services, asking if the villages will still be required to continue payments to retain the service; CW confirmed that yes, Parishes will still be expected to pay a share and will update on this once she knows more. PM thanked CW for her update.
10. Village Events
PM explained that this is a standing agenda item, to ensure everyone is aware of what is taking place around the village.
R Sherlock advised that the Village Hall AGM will take place on Monday 23 June at 7.30pm in the village hall and all are welcome.
RS also announced that there is to be a village BBQ to raised funds for the village hall, which is to be held at the Manor House by kind permission of John and Sally Norris. The BBQ is on Saturday 11 July from 12.30 to 4pm. Further information will be circulated to residents in due course.
A Bennett asked for volunteers to make cakes for the tea tent at Hollowell Steam Fair on 5th and 6th July. Villages that send volunteers to help at Hollowell are asked to take cake donations and may then be awarded money by the Fair Committee. Anyone able to offer a cake should contact A Bennett.
PM added that Thornby Hall Fete is taking place on Sunday 13th July.
11. Correspondance
PM listed the various items of correspondence received since the last meeting as follows:
∙ Letter from Cllr Christine Ware following her appointment.
∙ Notice of forums held by Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP
∙ Parish Conference taking place at Franklins Gardens, Northampton
∙ WNC Newsletter
∙ Conference for Police liaison representatives to be held on 17 June; this is a virtual conference if anyone would like to join
Notification that the Police Bus will be at Welford School to hold a community event
13. Any Other Business
PM raised a point that had been brought to his attention regarding vans and cars parked in the dip below the Red Lion, which could be a hazard. PM advised that in a 30mph zone, vehicles are permitted to park on the roadside; however they must not obstruct the pavement. This would be monitored to ensure this is not an issue.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.50pm.
A5199 dragons teeth fete finance MP planning refuge stop SIDs signage speeding traffic WNC