Present: Marshall Ferguson - chair, Ailsa Dempster, Terri Meechan, Andrew Royle, Tim Fox, Vic Clark, Barrie Woolley, Phil Bromhall - Borough Councillor, Harry Pavitt, Chris Baines - Jnr members, Phil Oram - Clerk.

1      Apologies - Paul Seaton, Sue Forsey.

2      Meeting Open to the Public

Jnr members reported that no one from 'Bodywise' had been to Gretton to ask about organising the Youth club in the village.

They reported that the railings in the High St/Caistor Rd were missing at one end and needed replacing.

They requested litterbins for dog waste to be placed on the bottom footpath from Kirby Rd to Fulwell Ave and ordinary litterbins in recreation field in front of the pavilion and next to the Dr's surgery.

Tim Fox reported on the current situation regarding the Village Plan and the open day on Sunday 18 January.

3      Declaration of Councillors' Interests

Chairman reminded Councillors that they should declare an interest where this was involved.

4      Minutes of meeting 8 December 2003 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

5      Report from Borough Councillor

Phil Bromhall reported back on the Fly tipping and light problems from the last meeting.

He reported that the street cleaning/bin collection had been taken over as from 1 January 2004; also wanted to know if the village wanted extra litter bins, council to let him know of extra ones but reported the bin on the Village Green needed re-siting.

The new swimming pool in Corby is to be discussed with the Town Centre and Boating lake sites as possibilities.

6      Report from County Councillor

Apologies and a report for the last meeting had been received on the 18 December, so were not included in those minutes, the report was read out to this meeting.

7      Matters Arising from Minutes

a       Terri Meechan had not obtained a price for a barrier to be erected in the recreation field but would do so. She reported on a multi purpose all weather surface to be placed where the old tennis courts were, cost would be approx £40.000 which included a Youth Shelter. She would look further into this and report back.

b       Tim Fox reported on the Village Action Group meeting held at Weldon; the next meeting is to be held in Gretton sometime in March.

c       Clerk reported that the Thomas Peach Charity had now been closed and a signed agreement received, also a cheque for £300.

8      Correspondence

a       Letter received from Toller Hales & Collcutt on behalf of the Sports Club giving counter notice of willingness to give up possession of business property. Understand this is standard practice and it was agreed that a meeting be arranged for 27 January at 7.30 p.m. between the two parties to discuss new lease.

b       Letter from Rights of Way officer regarding barrier in Fullen Lane, they need more information. Agreed to leave until we see if there is a problem again with raves this coming Spring/Summer.

c       Letter fro, NCC informing council of abandonment of Structure Plan Review to 2021.

d       Surgery dates for Phil Hope MP - these have been put on the notice board.

e       CBC letter regarding use of full Register of Electors.

f       Awards for All letter checking everything is going to plan. It appears that the signs for the cycle track have not yet been delivered - Marshall Ferguson agreed to chase.

g       Environment Agency Action Earth asking if we want to register for a project - agreed to make this available on Sunday 18 Jan.

h       CPRE letter asking council to write to Keith Hill MP regarding planning controls - agreed to write as appropriate.

i       NCC Draft Revenue Budget proposals require comments by 11 Feb - agreed to put in circulation file.

j       Letter received from Gretton Silver Band regarding broken paving slabs leading to the Band Room = agreed to measure size of slabs and report to Vic Clark.

k       Corby local development framework draft -= comments by 27 Feb. Agreed to put in circulation file.

Circulation file

DEFRA letter re equine matters

The Play Service - children's' play service

Charity Commission News

NCC Training Support Co-ordinator job vacancy

SMP playgrounds

Clerks & Councils Direct, also suppliers guide.

Village Viewpoint NALC Legal topic note 46, plus Update

Parish Transport Grants

Wildlife Training Workshops

Adventure Playgrounds Ltd

Minutes Corby Highways Liaison Forum Dev. Control meeting 13 Jan.EMDA magazine

PC minutes - Middleton, Weldon (Dec & Jan), Cottingham, Stanion.

9      Highway Matters

 a       Parish Highways representative scheme - questionnaire to be completed, this was completed and agreed we would hold a meeting at Gretton.

 b       Reported that after recent contact with NCC the salt bin in Station Rd for Clay Lane has been restored.

10      Planning Matters

 a       Erection of detached garage - 65 High St - permission granted subject to certain conditions,

 b       External renovation & internal alterations - 92 High St - listed building consent granted subject to certain conditions.

 c       Proposed new dormers in roof, conversion of garage & construction of new garage - 3 Hatton Lane - after refusal subject to appeal to Planning Inspectorate.

 d       Integral garage & first floor extensions - 9 Fulwell Ave - no observations.

 e       Infilling open concourse to form welcome centre - Rockingham Motor Speedway - no observations.

 f       Construction of dormer window in roof & new roof - 26 Arnhill Rd - permission granted subject to certain conditions.

 g       Use of existing car parks for outdoor market/car boot sale on Sat or Sun when car park not required - Rockingham Motor Speedway - no observations subject to traffic monitoring.

11      Finance Matters

a	Current balance 31.12.03		10212.44
b	Payments received	Football Club	80.00
		Mr Sharman	50.00
c	Payments due	John O'Connor - grass cutting	3126.06
		CBC - Vill Hall planning	660.00
		P A Oram - petty cash	20.59
		E Jordan - refreshments open day	53.95
		Prize money - open day	50.00
		Bouncy Castle - open day	40.00

 d        Re-valuation of Assets - Tim Fox had not completed his review and in the light of further information from the auditors he agreed to report back at the next meeting.

 e        Parish Precepts were discussed and agreed taking into consideration the new 'Grant' from CBC, which will take care of some of the previous costs incurred by the Precept.

 f         Date of Annual Parish Meeting was agreed 8 March at 7 p.m. - this would take place before the normal monthly meeting.

12      Police Matters - letter received informing council that the Budget for 2004/5 was available to view on their website,

13      Village Plan - This has already been discussed under item 2.

14      Any Other Business

  Marshall Ferguson asked if O'Connors could look after the 'Jo Stone' area - clerk to pursue.

  Also informed council that a seat had become available from CBC and it had been placed in the Pocket Park.

  Terri Meechan reported that minutes had nor been made available for the website - clerk to sort.

  She also reported difficulty in coping with the work involved as a School Governor - this to be put on Agenda for next meeting to elect a replacement.

  Ailsa Dempster reported pot holes in the recreation field car park - Marshall Ferguson will organise with club steward.

  She also reported that the Village Hall had obtained a grant for a new stage that could be easily assembled.