Present: Marshall Ferguson - chair, Ailsa Dempster, Terri Meechan, Vic Clark, Andrew Royle, Tim Fox, Barrie Woolley, Sue Forsey, Paul Seaton, Phil Oram - clerk, two members of the public.

Before the meeting proper Simon Smith of Smith Stuart Reynolds gave a presentation on the proposals for use of land East of Gretton.

The proposals were that a residential scheme composing 100 homes in total, of which 20 would be 'affordable homes'. C.B.C. had been constructive with their comments but neutral in their stance. There would be a contribution to Education and recreation; it would be open to discussion as to what could be offered. There would be open spaces within the overall scheme, Highways had been discussed with N.C.C. and they thought no road improvements were necessary; all services had been checked out and there were no big problems according to his survey. Their main objectives were to fulfil a housing need as Catalyst Corby had suggested expansion in villages in general. Concern was expressed, as there was potential for further development on land owned by Corus next to that site; there was a strong feeling in the village that we do not want development as they want to keep it a village. The next stage would be for SSR to work out more detailed plans, carry out technical consultation and show perceived benefits in detail. Council would like to discuss plans before planning application is submitted. Accommodation for elderly and/or sheltered accommodation may be available in the scheme. When asked directly if there could still be some quarrying Mr Smith said he would not promise to stop all quarrying but there would be some quarrying carried out further away from Gretton after the housing development was complete, this was contrary to what the council had been led to believe when it was either one or the other. It was suggested that a smaller development and contribution from the developer could assist the village, but we must be careful we do not give the impression we accept the proposals.

It was agreed that Mr Smith attends the next Parish Council meeting and the Annual Parish Meeting in March.

Chairman thanked Mr Smith for his presentation.

1      Apologies - Paul Seaton would be late.

2      Meeting open to public - no comments from members of the public.

3      Declaration of Councillors' interests

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

4      Minutes of meetings 1 & 13 December 2004

Minutes of 1 December meeting were not agreed, decided they should be re-written and presented at the next meeting.

Minutes 13 December - it was pointed out that all of item 14 referred to comments made by a resident; with this alteration minutes were confirmed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

5      Report from Borough Councillor - None

6      Report from County councillor - None

7      Matters arising from minutes

a      War Memorial paving slabs and grants for War Memorials - this was discussed and it was agreed that quotes for re-laying paving slabs, re-basing memorial, cleaning and checking for subsidence should be obtained from Mark Thompson, Fred Evans and Hugh Clark. A grant would be applied for through English Heritage, which gives 50% of cost up to a maximum of £10,000.

b      Junior Parish Councillors - Terri Meechan would organise nominations for this and voting would take place in due course; maximum age would be 16 yrs and if a large number of nominations are received there may be interviews to reduce the number.

c      Letter received from solicitors stating that the lease with the Sports & Social Club has now been completed and an invoice has been received.

d      There has been two more incidents of a car driving on to the field causing damage to the grass - Vic Clark & Marshall Ferguson are looking at erecting a barrier to stop access.

e      Letter sent to editor of Evening Telegraph regarding Wellingborough news in first edition - his explanation was that there are three editions at different and whatever news is available is printed, purely co-incidental that it has been mostly Wellingborough news.

f      Wheelie bin for cemetery will be delivered in next 7-10 days.

g      Street Lighting survey - Paul Seaton will report at next meeting.

h      Changing room windows - Andrew Royle had spoken to Rob McCracken who said that although not all the windows are broken they are generally in a bad state so it would be best to replace all at a cost of £2125. The question of shutters for the front windows and grills for the other windows was discussed and it was agreed that a quote be obtained for the shutters and Vic Clark would look at the grills.

i      Andrew Royle reported that he had written to Network Rail asking for a site meeting to discuss the problems under the bridge.

8      Correspondence

a      Kettering county court order between Sports & Social Club and P.C. 'action has been struck out'.

b      Letter received from Football club regarding damage to pitch and unsafe roof of barn next to pitch - barrier is being erected to stop access to grass, Vic Clark is looking at roof to barn and it was decided that P.C. would only offer to supply the paint for changing rooms and leave the work to be done by Football/Cricket clubs.

c      MP's surgery dates for 2005 already on Notice Board

Circulation file:

Northants training for 2005

MP's letter regarding DEFRA's environmental & rural five year plan

NALC Letter re cancellation of Annual Conference

World Leprosy week 23 - 30 January

Harpole & Bugbrooke win Central England village of the year

Northants ACRE looking for Charity Trustees

MKSM strategy - response to various people

Corby Crime & Disorder & Drugs Audit consultation report - reply by 31 Jan

Report of first Annual conference of LSP

Northants ACRE Conference 20 January

Dev. Control meeting 21 December

Rural Area Forum 16 December

NALC legal update - Freedom of Information Act

Rockingham Rural Review

Village Viewpoint

Making Connexions

NALC December Update

Clerks & Councils Direct

PC Mins - Middleton & Stanion

9      Highway Matters

Reported the cones etc had not been cleared away from the High street/Maltings Road area after job completion.

Road has sunk opposite entrance to The Old School House.

Similar problem in Kirby Road opposite bottom footpath to Fulwell Ave

10     Planning Matters

a      Four bedroom detached dwelling - 2 Winchelsea Drive - permission granted subject to certain conditions

b      Extension to rear, canopy to entrance & alterations to window - 1B Harringworth Road - no observations

c      Conversion of barn - 28 High Street - permission granted subject to certain conditions

11     Finance Matters

	a	Current balance		7638.07
	b	Payments received		-
	c	Payments Due	Lamb & Holmes	1175.00
			Gretton British Legion - wreath	35.00
			P A Oram - Petty cash	21.63

Gretton Village Hall agreed approx £250 - actual £183.00

d      CBC grant 7 precept - Last year's grant increased by 3% and will be £8167, as Budget showed £8700 there will be an excess of expenditure over income of £400. It was agreed to leave budgets and precept as agreed last month.

e      Grass cutting - it was agreed to ask O'Conners to cut the grass at the bottom of Station Road from Hatton Lane to under the bridge and from the bridge on the opposite side to just past the bench seat, also the triangle at junction of Southfield Road and Finch Hatton Drive.

12     Police Matters Vision statement and Newsletter to be put in circulation file.

13     Village Plan

The summary was now complete; the main plan would be going to the printers in the next 2/3 days

An Open Day would be held in the Village Hall on 30 January where they will be looking for volunteers to carry out the Action Plan. The Gretton Queen & princess will be chosen on this day.

Every village household will get a newsletter and the whole plan should be put on the village website. Copies of the plan will be sent to various bodies such as C.B.C., N.C.C., Police, Highways, and Corby Local Plan.

14     G R E A T

All is quiet at the moment as application was withdrawn before the Development Control Meeting on 21 December.

15     Any Other Business

Tim Fox asked if a building yard has been established at 50A Arnhill Rd, as there seems to be more and more equipment there. Marshall Ferguson will check this out.

Andrew Royle had been approached by a resident about a pressure washer being used outside 27 Southfield Road, is it being used as an operating centre for vehicles? Clerk to write to C B C.

He had also been informed of the electrics tripping out in the changing rooms and asked if we need an inspection report from an electrician - clerk to check this with Pat Butler.

Vic Clark informed the council that dog fouling in the streets is now as bad as ever it was - clerk to write to dog warden.

Ailsa Dempster asked who is responsible for the brambles overhanging the footpath at the bottom of Caistor Road - clerk to try and find out as the property has recently been sold.