13/04/2023 – Thornby Parish Meeting
Thornby Parish Meeting
Date: 13th April 2023
Time: 19:30
Location: Village Hall
Attendees:
| Peter Moyes – Chair (PM) | Mike Kingston |
| Paul Gates – Treasurer (PG) | Grant Goodladd |
| Alison Pallister – Minute taker (AP) | Mark Burdett |
| Lucy Owens – Traffic (LO) | Ann Bennett |
| Jim Sherlock | Geoff Bennett |
| Rose Sherlock | Michael Hill |
| Carol Parkinson | Linda Moyes |
| Cecile Irving-Swift – WNC | Geoff Jameson |
| Kevin Parker – WNC |
Apologies:
| Andy Day | Alex Todd |
| Amanda Day | Nigel Todd |
| Miss Barlow | Jonathan Harris – WNC |
1. Welcome and Apologies
The chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone, noting the apologies received.
2. Minutes of the prior meeting 27 October 2022
The Chair summarised key points discussed at the prior meeting which had been attended by 15 villagers. The precept for the year had been agreed. Jim Sherlock proposed that the minutes were correct and this was seconded by Paul Gates. PM signed the minutes as a true and accurate record.
3. Matters Arising
The Chair noted matters discussed at the previous meeting:
- Yellow Lines enforcement – it had been confirmed this was a matter for WNC not the Police.
- Pavements – poor condition of pavements, still no progress.
- Defibrillator training had been booked but PM had to cancel owing to clashes with other village events; trying to rebook.
- A note re the blockages in the sewer to be circulated to households to advise not to put wipes into toilets, as they caused blockages.
- Hunt vehicles damage to verges – PM has spoken to the Master of the Pytchley Hunt and the matter is on record.
- Fireworks – the RSPCA is trying to get regulations changed. The Councillors advised it is an environmental matter and the MP would need to be contacted to request a motion for adoption of stricter regulations.
4. Finance
The treasurer (PG) gave an update. The bank balance at the end of the financial year was £6,628.93 having received and paid the invoice of £5k for the SIDs. At the previous meeting it had been agreed to open a savings account, this has not been done because the Elan City invoice for the SIDs came through.
PG advised that EON had advised they are increasing the price for maintenance of street lights from £1 per lamp to £22 per lamp. They also advised that under regulation B7671, electrical testing has to be carried out every six years at a cost of £400 or more.
It was noted that the street light testing has not been done to anyone’s knowledge. The level of increase for maintenance was discussed, it was felt to be excessive and it was agreed that EON must supply a copy of their maintenance reports from previous visits to show what was actually undertaken to justify this level of charge. In addition, the next maintenance visit should be supervised and advance notice of when this may be will be requested from EON.
The Chair thanked PG for all his work on finance matters.
5. Traffic Update
Helen Howard from the Highways department has been in touch regarding the moving of the 30mph signs and will be meeting PM and LO on 26.04.23. LO advised that the plan is also to discuss the idea of the main contractor coming to move the signs, also undertaking the Gateway work at a better price. Some quotations have been obtained. An appeal is also being considered regarding the decision about the signs on the south side of the village.
The SIDs are still being effective, and it was noted that having one placed in the dip in the middle of the village is beneficial. PG commented that traffic coming from the south starts to speed up once past the Red Lion going into the dip and perhaps another sign is required as a reminder. A group of six people are now responsible for the changing the batteries in the SIDs, on a one month in three rota basis.
There are still vehicles travelling at very high speeds. G. Bennett asked why the police speed van does not come in the rush hour? PM will ask the police if the times can be varied and went on to thank Lucy Owen and Mike Kingston for their efforts.
6. Consider contribution for the 59/60 bus service for 2023/2024
PM explained the background to this matter and the previous contribution that has been made, noting the share paid by each village. It was noted that visitors and residents at Thornby Hall use the service as well as a small number of others. WNC’s original decision to cut the service was overturned at a meeting held on 22/02/2023, however they were still expecting each parish to pay the same contribution as last year. PM reported that other villages have agreed to pay, excluding Cold Ashby. Thornby’s share will be £298.60. Long term the service is not commercially viable. Councillor Irving-Swift explained that whilst figures show 20,000 passenger journeys, this actually only equates to about 2000 people using the service.
Councillor Parker advised that an outside body had been appointed to look at rural bus services and as a result a second paper has been sent to the Council for review and consideration. KP added that school children also use the service. The Council wants connectivity for villages from north to south and also east to west. Councillor Irving-Swift added that there will be a consultation about this and urged the villages to respond.
JS suggested Thornby Hall might contribute to the subsidy given they are the main users. LO suggested they could potentially advertise on the bus. CP asked for clarity on how the village share was calculated and this was clarified by PM.
The Chair proposed that Thornby continue to subsidise the service; there was a show of hands with 12 in favour. The proposal was carried but this was not a unanimous decision.
7. Planning Permission – A14 Junction 1 / A5199 – Access road for three buildings
PM read out the exact wording of the planning application which is an outline application. A large map of the plan was displayed for the meeting to view and discuss. Euro Garages want to erect three large warehouses with access through the planned service station, for which they already have planning permission. PM has spoken to the planning officer and was advised that Thornby had not been notified about the application because the site is not in the Parish. As Thornby did not get opportunity to respond to the consultation, the Council has agreed that feedback may be submitted after tonight’s meeting.
It was agreed that the impact on the village will be significant; with the lack of southbound access to the M1 being a key issue. There was discussion about the necessity of these new warehouses. Councillor Parker advised that he is chair of the planning committee for the Daventry area, so cannot comment in great detail; however, he was able to point out that this development does not sit in the Daventry local plan part II 2020; so this new application is not within this policy. It was suggested that the village look at the policy – a similar application at Brixworth was turned down a few years ago because it did not form part of the local plan.
It was noted that there is significant warehouse development at J15 of the M1; another site at Towester, and also on the opposite side of the M1 at DIRFT. Therefore it is unclear why yet another site is needed.
Councillor Irving-Swift advised that parishes can request a Councillor puts their views to the planning committee.
GG had viewed the application online and various difficulties had been acknowledged. MK added that night time traffic through the village will increase significantly along with the associated noise.
PM summarised by noting that the meeting has agreed to oppose the planning application and express the views discussed to the planning officer.
8. WNC – Public Spaces Protection Order (dog control and prohibition of smoking)
The Chair explained that Daventry and South Northants Councils already had this in place and WNC are working to bring Northampton town borough and other areas into this order. PM read out the Dog Control requirements and also in regard to the smoking regulations. Exemptions are in place for guide dogs. The key change is that people are allowed to walk up to four dogs only at one time; this reduction is due to a rise in the number of dog walkers and related issues. PM would reply to the consultation on behalf of the Parish.
9. Opportunity for open discussion with WNC councillors
Councillor Irving-Swift introduced herself, she has responsibility for governance and has been a Councillor for twelve years; living in Arthingworth, she is familiar with village matters. In preparation for the Coronation, there is a litter picking effort in villages; the town centre is being targeted to be cleaned up and then the focus will be about the villages and rural areas. WNC spend a high proportion of their budget on social care. By law councils have to look after children first and next, adult social care. Northampton is part of a trial to understand health and care priorities and villages are invited to submit ideas about how to care for people in their local communities and what are the key priorities. There is a school bus consultation underway about transport for 11-16 year olds and 16 to 18 year olds. CI-S continued that the budget has been challenging. By law it has to be a balanced budget.
Councillor Kevin Parker introduced himself. He has been a councillor since 2014 and is chair of Daventry Local Planning Policy and Strategic Planning; also assistant cabinet member for finance and attends weekly meetings to discuss Council financial matters.
There is a monthly newsletter that is sent out to Parish Clerks and also a Council App which can be downloaded by individuals to receive information direct. KP will send details to PM.
Questions were invited for the Councillors:
JS referred to the point made about balanced budgets and that there was an increase in Council Tax levels each year, asking how much is owed by non-payers who are in arrears? CI-S replied that there is help on the council website for bills and heating. A very high percentage, 97%-98% of households pay their council tax bill.
PG asked why WNC charge £55 for gardening waste collection when on the other side of the county, NNC, the charge is £40. KP explained it is an average and varies around regional areas. It is a service that the Council does not have to offer, hence the charging imposed to fund the service. CP asked what the charges are based on, KP advised that the cost relates to the number of weekly collections. It depends on how the contract is set up; the council is currently working to consolidate the contracts.
The service level for cutting verges is for it to be done two to three times per year.
CI-S advised that if villages wish to save costs, they can opt not to have streetlights, it is not compulsory.
RS asked if the council insists on solar panels being added to new buildings, such as huge warehouses. KP advised that this depends on the specific construction of any building; in addition, it is also dependent on whether the electricity companies can take the power into the national grid.
LO highlighted the condition of the roads, asking when we will see the roads maintained to a level, where they are properly serviced. The pot holes are very serious and many so deep they are dangerous. CI-S explained that the budget is so low that works have to be reactive. The contract is with Keir. KP added that the investment required to bring the county’s roads up to standard would be £200m. Only £3m extra had been added to the budget. The council is looking at new machines to help reduce labour costs and assess if this works. It was reported that 80 people are killed each year, nationally, working on the roads.
GB highlighted the very poor state of the pavements through the village which has been spoken about many times and not improved. PM advised that the council has been approached, but it is not deemed to be a high priority.
10. Correspondance
PM summarised various items received and drew attention to the items of interest.
There is to be a national test ‘action’ alarm, which will be sent out to all mobile devices on Sunday 23rd April at 15.00. This alarm system is to be used by the government in future, to notify the public of any issues which may affect them; this could be national, or regional, such as flooding for example.
A health and wellbeing strategy survey is due to be conducted and villages will have opportunity to give their views on this survey.
Election ward boundaries are due to be reviewed. The number of Councillors is to be reduced from 93 to 77, so instead of 3 Councillors in our ward, there will be one. There is to be a consultation on this.
11. Any Other Business
Michael Hall, Police Liaison Representative, gave an update on current initiatives. There is now a Safer Roads team looking at all areas of road safety. For drivers who have dashcams that record any incidents, there is a website where footage can be uploaded for the Police to view. It has been reported that burglaries are down 50% with 3000 fewer victims. There has been no crime reported in the village.
MH has a contact in the local policing team, who could be invited to a future meeting if required.
PG explained that there had been a suggestion to present village children with a commemorative mug to mark the Coronation. There are approx. 25 children in the parish aged up to 18 years. It would be necessary to agree what age of child would receive a mug. A mug has been sourced at a cost of £13.95 per unit, the total cost being in the region of £420.
Everyone at the meeting agreed this would be a very nice gesture and it was agreed to proceed.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30pm.
A14 A5199 bus service eon finance planning street lighting traffic