The Parish Council (PC) met in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday 14 May 2024 which was its annual meeting and was attended by a number of parishioners. Among matters considered were the Council appointments (parishioners responsible for certain activities in the Parish), dates of meetings (always the 2nd Tuesday in the month at 7pm in the Memorial Hall) and the election of a Chairman which resulted in Paul Blackwell being re-elected for another year.
The Council heard from the Police who reported no crime or ASB in the month and an update on the Regatta Plans for the 12th July 2024. There were several planning applications heard including in Church Street; Wheelwright Way; Parsons Street; Great Central Way; Farndon Road and Beanfield Farm – all applications were supported except the extension of the mobile home provision at Beanfield Farm where there are traffic concerns as well as public health considerations.
The consultation on the West Northants Council (WNC) Local Plan Regulation 18 was considered via a well drafted proposed response that was approved to be entered to the WNC. This consultation considered the draft policies that WNC would embed in the new Local Plan. Several Parishioners voiced their concern regarding potential developments outside the village confines that reflected the PC’s views. Comments will be submitted to WNC regarding any developments that echo parishioners’ views and those the PC has already submitted to WNC in the previous consultation (considered at last month’s meeting). Letters submitted by parishioners would be held on file and if developments are considered by WNC in the future, then the PC would manage a formal response from the whole Parish.
It was reported that the PC had reached an agreement on securing land and right of way adjacent to 2 Church Street (& the Churchyard) for access to the allotments. Also, an agreement had been reached with Taylor Wimpey (TW) to transfer the green areas on the Woodford Meadows estate to public ownership subject to resolving the adverse state of the central area around the play equipment. The PC authorised the Councillors to sign the relevant papers (subject to resolving the outstanding matter with TW).
The WNC Flood Risk Management Strategy was considered, and the PC’s Flood Warden reported on proposed plans, most of which had not been undertaken as the Parish was considered only a “medium” risk of flooding and funds for projects were limited. The Warden was authorised to submit the PC response to the online consultation as discussed.
PC year-end accounts were submitted and considered, including the Balance Sheet which confirmed that the Council is in a solid financial position. Finally, support to the Garden Club for plants in the new planters at the village entrances was agreed.
