25/09/2025 – Thornby Parish Meeting minutes

Thornby Parish Meeting

Date: 25th September 2025
Time: 19:30
Location: Village Hall
Attendees:

Peter Moyes (Chair)
P Gates (Treasurer)
A Pallister (Minute taker)
M Burdett
G Bennett
A Bennett
L Owens
G Goodlad
M Kingston

Apologies:

Apologies:	Guest attendees:
Miss Barlow
B & I Brooks
A & A Day
Cllr Christine Ware WNC

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1. Welcome and Apologies

The chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Apologies were noted. 

2. Minutes of the prior meeting 5th June 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. G Bennett 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

PM confirmed that the Dragon’s Teeth road markings had finally been installed after a lengthy delay.
PM updated the meeting regarding the proposal made at the June meeting to purchase a laptop for the village to assist with the analysis and reporting of traffic data; this is now on hold until November to try and achieve a better deal through black Friday offers.

4. Traffic Working Party update

PM introduced this item, explaining that additional data is gathered and collated to update the latest figures.

LO provided an update and the slides will be shared on the village website.

Data from four SIDs has been included for the period March to August 2025. Each SID shows a slight
downward trend in speeds recorded.

Data over a longer period, August 2022 to August 2025 indicates that the SID on the grass triangle facing to the south of the village has shown a rise in traffic volume of 11%.

Average speeds captured from 5.30am to 11pm show that average vehicle speeds remain under 30mph.

Attendees commented that it does not seem that traffic is travelling at below 30mph, but this is an average so there will be vehicles at a higher speed. AB commented that the police van had been coming at busier times and at a weekend, which is sensible, rather than coming at quiet times where they would not catch the worst offenders. AB asked if it is possible to request the police to share how many drivers are caught when they are based in Thornby? PM would ask the question of the police to see if any statistics can be shared.

It was noted that traffic volume surveys were due to be run either side of the school holidays. This took place in Creaton, Spratton and Chapel Brampton but not in Thornby as had been expected. It is not known why Thornby was not included. It was also noted that during the period of the survey, that the water pipes had burst along Spratton sands and the road had been closed, which will have reduced the volume of traffic through Chapel Brampton and Spratton during the survey. As a result the Council figures will be flawed.

GG asked if the Dragon’s teeth road markings were having any effect. LO replied that when the next set of data is pulled it will be possible to compare current figures to those prior to the road markings being installed.

PM advised that the two SIDs in the middle of the village are still battery powered and the batteries are
deteriorating, now needing to be changed weekly. It is proposed that these are upgraded to solar power. The two SIDs are compatible to being switched over to solar and this would cost £1,018 for the pair.

In terms of siting the SIDs, the one near the footpath in the dip, is considered to be in the right position. This one would need a new pole to carry the solar panel and based on the last ones purchased, this would cost £750. The poles have to be installed by a Highways approved contractor. Also being considered is moving the SID from the verge near the Pub to the opposite side of the road, in effect, onto a telegraph pole. The combined cost for the two solar panels and one new pole would be £1768.

The working party was intending to apply for a grant from the PFCC office. This would be the third grant that had been applied for and if successful we will receive £1250. PM proposed to the meeting that this expenditure is agreed to upgrade the two SIDs. This proposal was agreed unanimously. GG proposed this be formally agreed and AB seconded.

5. Finance

PG reported that the current bank balance stands at £4,505.00. The second precept payment is due in
October, as well as a small amount from Compass Energy (further details shown below). PG confirmed that there are sufficient funds to pay for current agreed items of expenditure. PM reported that the audit has been received and approved.

Compass Energy: This loyalty scheme is based on the collective volume of oil purchased from Compass Energy by village residents. At the end of 2024, 28 households purchased a combined volume of 80k litres of oil, for which the village received a loyalty payment of £404. This year there are 29 households buying £81,522 litres of oil with an estimated loyalty payment due of £407.61. It was agreed that this is a useful sum of money to receive into village funds.

Considering potential expenditure in future, PM noted that at the last meeting there had been some
discussion about a possible island/refuge stop to help pedestrians crossing the A5199, which is increasingly busy and there would be a significant cost to having this installed, subject to it being approved.

6. Road Signage – A5199/Northampton N/W Relief Road

Cllr Christine Ware had reverted as promised, to say that the traffic survey has been carried out. A second
survey will be undertaken once the new road is fully open. It was noted that School Holidays will have reduced traffic volume and also that Thornby did not get the rubber strips across the road to count traffic as was done for Chapel Brampton, Spratton and Creaton.

PM confirmed that a second letter on behalf of the affected villages had been sent to Robert James and no reply had been forthcoming. Cllr Ware had met with Robert James who stated that the any considerations in respect of the roads must be based on data. It is hoped that the data being capture by each village via the SIDs will provide the evidence needed.

7. Planning Consultation – 2025/3462/LBC

PM explained that the village planning committee reviews smaller applications.

An application had been submitted from 3 Stone House Mews to install an electric vehicle charger on the
garage wall. The planning committee had raised no objections. The meeting raised no objections and agreed that PM would respond and confirm there were no issues.

8. Village events

PM explained that this is a standing agenda item, to ensure everyone is aware of what is taking place around the village.

Car Boot Sale – taking place in the Church paddock on Sunday 28th September in aid of the Church. The fee per car for a pitch is £10. Villagers who do not wish to take a car, can give any bric a brac to the Church to sell on their stand.

Harvest Festival – to be held in the Church at 3pm on Sunday 5th October. Donations of produce may be left in the church porch on Saturday 4th. There will be refreshments following the service, with an auction of produce.

9. Correspondence

PM listed the various items of correspondence received since the last meeting as follows:

• Cllr Christine Ware had sent an update on Council activity for the Parish Meeting regarding the
  financial situation at West Northants Council, including their budget, which shows an overspend of
  £9.6m. The actual deficit is in fact £20m, as the £9.6m overspend includes the Council having used
  £11m of contingency funds.
• Council Refuse Tips – all recycling centres will be introducing a booking system, requiring anyone
  wishing to use this service, to book a time slot in advance.
• A consultation is underway relating to an initiative to install electric car chargers in rural locations.
• A discussion on Rural Housing is to take place at Norton village hall on 30th September 2025.
• There is an online webinar with the Chief Constable and Fire Chief on 21st October at 6.30pm, all
  welcome to join and ask questions.
• Parish Bio-diversity grant: grants of £2500 are available for wild flower meadows and other green
  initiatives.
• There will be a consultation on museums and galleries in Northampton to assess demand.
• There will be a consultation relating to planning requirements.
• 25th November is Northamptonshire Day with a variety of events to be held in the Market Square
• All consultations and council information can be found on the WNC website.

13. Any Other Business

AP raised a point on behalf of the residents of Thornby Hall:
Thornby Hall very kindly allow access to their grounds, including the grass areas, woodland and gardens, this includes dog walking. Earlier in the summer an incident took place where a dog that was being walked off the lead in the Hall grounds attacked another dog that was on a lead. To avoid further issues of this nature, where dogs are not under control, Thornby Hall require that all dogs are kept on a lead at all times. This request was circulated on Facebook and notices have been posted around the Hall grounds.
Unfortunately, some dog walkers are continuing to let their dog(s) run loose and have not responded
positively to requests to put their dog on a lead. In addition, some people are not picking up after their dog, leaving dog mess around the grounds and this is unacceptable.

The Parish meeting has been asked for support in communicating the requirement that all dogs must be on a lead at all times when in the Hall grounds and that dog mess should be picked up by dog owners and properly disposed of.

The meeting discussed the issue, noting that many residents of Thornby and surrounding villages value having access to the Hall grounds and agreed it is very generous of the Hall residents to open what is in effect their garden, for everyone to share. The majority of dog walkers are responsible and will adhere to the request to keep their dog on a lead and to pick up any mess made by their dog. It would be a great shame if a minority of dog walkers spoil this for everyone else by not complying.

It was agreed that the matter would be recorded in the minutes which are placed on the village notice board, and a notice will also be put on the Thornby Village Website, to ask that people comply with the requests made by Thornby Hall in order that everyone may continue to enjoy walking their dogs in the grounds.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.50pm.