29/06/2023 – Thornby Parish Meeting
Thornby Parish Meeting
Date: 29th June 2023
Time: 19:30
Location: Village Hall
Attendees:
| Peter Moyes (Chair) | Liyu Jin |
| P Gates (Treasurer) | G Goodladd |
| A Pallister (Minute taker) | M Burdett |
| C Parkinson | Mike Hill |
| J Sherlock | S Cottle |
| R Sherlock | Amanda Day |
| M Kingston | John Norris |
| A Bennett | Andy Day |
| G Bennett | L Owens |
| R Musson | R Carr |
Apologies:
| Miss Barlow |
1. Welcome and Apologies
The chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone, noting the apology received.
2. Minutes of the prior meeting 27 October 2022
The Chair summarised key points discussed at the prior meeting. There had been the usual finance update; an update on traffic and support for the Bus service had been agreed. The planning application for access at the A14 junction had also been discussed. Ann Bennett proposed the minutes should be signed as an accurate record and this was seconded by Grant Goodladd. PM duly signed the minutes.
3. Matters Arising
The Chair noted matters discussed at the previous meeting:
The safer roads team at West Northants Council (WNC) had been contacted to ask if the speed monitoring vehicle can attend the village at difference times. The response was that this request will be considered. In addition, the area the van used to park is no longer available owing to changes to the pub access, so an alternative position will have to be considered by the safer roads team.
PM confirmed that the Parish had sent a letter to WNC Planning Department on 14 April, in respect of objections to the planning application, to use an already approved service road to access a three warehouse distribution centre at the A14 junction.
Coronation Mugs had been purchased and distributed to 30 children in the Parish to mark the occasion and the recipients had appreciated the gesture from the Parish.
4. Finance
PG advised that recent expenditure included payment for the Coronation mugs, also the annual insurance premium had been paid. The current bank balance is £6,419.60. More detail on finance will be given as part of the AGM following this meeting.
5. Traffic Update
LO reported that a meeting has taken place with Councillor Kevin Parker and Helen Howard from WNC Highways . The Parish is pleased to report that WNC has agreed to pay for the Gateway structures at the north end of the village and this agreement is in writing, this is an excellent result.
Data from the SIDs has been collated and was shown on various graphs which were distributed for attendees to view. The data is captured in 30 minute segments throughout a 24hr period, showing the minimum, maximum and average speeds as well as the number of vehicles passing through in that timeframe. The data shown was from 1/2/23 to 6/6/23.
It was noted that there were some extreme speeds being shown, as high as 90mph and maximum figures are generally higher than those reported last autumn. The devices have made some positive difference but there is still a problem.
MK observed that speeds increase in the dip on the A5199 and it may be worth having another device in the dip, or a further sign to remind people of the speed limit. It was agreed that having the sign in the dip previously had appeared to work well. It was noted that when the SIDs are switched on, there is a 4mph-5mph reduction in overall speeds.
SC asked when there will be enough data to warrant more support from the Council. PM replied that the Council has agreed to move the 30mph signs further out and support the installation of gateways at the north side of the village. However, they will not move the signs on the south side and this is to do with vision approaching the village. JS noted that on that approach, the trees to obscure the signs and suggested the trees should be cut back so the houses are more visible to approaching motorists.
The meeting also discussed asking the Council again, about restricting the speed along the A5199 from the Cold Ashby crossroads where it is 40mph, perhaps extending this along to Thornby, or even having it at 50mph similar to the other side of the crossroads towards Welford.
MH reported that some villages are switching off their streetlights from midnight to 5am and this had helped reduce some speeds as it is harder for drivers to see and so they slow down. Some attendees thought this was a good idea and would also save electricity costs, however some people preferred to keep the lights on.
RC noted that good progress had been made over the past two years and this can be built on. PM thanked everyone who helps with the traffic and roads activity.
PM asked if in principle, there is support for the purchase of another SID to go into the dip. New ones now have a solar panel to power them. The cost is currently £2,250. There was broad agreement that this would be a sensible option.
AD commented that speed vans were supposed to be undertaking night work too and this might have an effect on the traffic travelling through at high speeds during the night.
LO advised that in some areas of Europe they are trialling the use of child size mannequins placed near the edge of a road so it looks like a child about to cross, in order to slow motorists.
It was confirmed that the gateway structure is being placed at the north end of the village as this is where higher speeds are recorded.
PM asked Simon Cottle if he would like to update on the work currently underway at the Red Lion. SC reported that the work is scheduled to take six weeks in total and there are four weeks to go. There have been temporary traffic lights and there will be a need to use these again for parts of the work to be completed.
CP raised the issue of vision when driving into or out of Naseby Road; the cones and fencing has been placed in such a way that it obscures vision into the dip. It was also noticeable that cars are ignoring the double yellow lines and blocking access, this is dangerous. SC advised that the ticketing office had visited the village. However, it did not appear to have been at a busy time when cars were parked on the yellow lines. It was agreed that if two or three people received a fine, it may encourage people to respect the restrictions. It was noted that even though alternative parking was provided in the field, it appeared that people are not prepared to walk a few yards so were not using the facility. PM acknowledged that a number of village residents are impacted by parking related to the pub and it is difficult, perhaps the village could request the ticketing office makes another visit at a busier time.
It was also noted that some cars parked in Naseby Road are people who car share and leave their vehicles there all day. Some make it difficult for residents to get in and out of their own driveways.
There was discussion about cones and if more could be used to block areas, however this is a police matter and also, people just move them.
SC confirmed that there are going to be signs on the verges approaching the pub to indicate the turning into the car park.
6. Grass verge cutting
PM asked if residents felt the village looked tidy and there were mixed views, some felt it is not as tidy as it used to be, some felt it was acceptable.
Thornby is opted in to the WNC grass mowing contract and this means there are three mows per year in May, July and September. There are options to consider:
- Stay as it is, with three mows per year by WNC
- Retain WNC three times per year and then either undertake additional mowing ourselves, or pay someone to do so. The going rate being £600 for three cuts, £1200 for six cuts.
- Opt out of the WNC scheme and do ourselves, or pay someone to mow at an agreed frequency, for a cost.
PM put the proposal to a vote – all those in favour of staying with the current WNC frequency of three cuts per year. 14 voted in favour and one against.
It was agreed that there should be a concerted effort to encourage people to keep the areas outside their own properties tidy and cut grass where they can. RC commented that if there were people who were unable to mow themselves, volunteers could be willing to step in to help out.
It was noted that the Churchyard could do with some additional volunteers to help mow and keep it tidy.
The grass verge around the Old Rectory wall is untidy; this used to be mown by the Ockendens but has not been done since they moved out. SC said he would be prepared to mow particularly around the bench so it is tidy for people wanting to use it but would welcome somewhere to put the grass cuttings. PM would discuss this with SC out of the meeting.
7. Parish Meeting vs Parish Council
PM has raised this item for the meeting to consider. A Parish Council is made up of elected people, it is their meeting and they discuss the agenda items they wish and have a vote. Village residents or non-elected people can attend to listen but cannot take part or vote.
A Parish Meeting is more democratic and residents have the opportunity for input and to have a voice. PM added that currently there appears to be more interest and awareness of what is happening in the village, with much better attendance at the meetings.
A Parish Council does tend to have more influence and is sent a copy of the electoral roll to see who is moving in or out of the parish; a Parish meeting may not be quite as looped in on WNC matters.
In 2024 WNC is undertaking a governance review and therefore if Thornby wished to make any changes, now would be a good time.
PM added that usually, villages with 200 or fewer on the electoral roll would be encouraged to be a Parish Meeting. Also a Parish Council has to follow a formal election process and there are costs involved in running it, for instance a parish clerk would be paid.
A discussion took place about the pros and cons of both structures, following which PM proposed that a vote took place, asking all those in favour of remaining as a Parish Meeting to raise their hand. The proposal was carried unanimously.
8. Correspondence
PM drew attention to various items of correspondence received.
Northamptonshire Neighbourhood Alert – this provides information about where you can go around the county to speak to the police in person and other Police related matters.
WNC Planning – all departments are now combined, there have been teething problems.
Explore West Northants – this provides details about various events taking place or webinars on a variety of topics that villagers can join.
WNC – PM read out an email from the Farming Family Network which is set up to provide support for farming families around the county.
9. Any Other Business
Mike Hill gave an update about Police Liaison. There are currently 1500 officers in the region of which 36% are female. There was nothing significant to report from the Police.
Rose Sherlock advised that there is to be a fundraising event for the Village Hall, taking place on 22 July. This is a wine tasting and quiz. Tickets are £5 per person from a member of the village hall committee.
Russell Carr offered to donate a domain name for the village hall to enable them to publicise events and information about the hall and contact information.
Carol Parkinson suggested it would be helpful if a Police representative could attend a future meeting. PM agreed to make contact to arrange this and asked for any other suggestions for possible attendees to be sent to him
Mike Kingston asked when the next training session for the Defibrillator could be arranged. PM has been attempting to arrange this for some time and has now emailed the St Johns Ambulance and Red Cross, explaining what is needed. They can provide training but charge £1200. PM is now exploring other options. AP suggested there may be someone at Guilsborough Surgery who may be prepared to do this and PM agreed to contact them to find out.
Amanda Day reminded everyone that there is a second defibrillator at Thornby Hall should it be needed.
PM thanked everyone for their attendance and input and the meeting closed at 21.00
A5199 coronation finance gateway grass parking planning street lighting traffic