Present:- Marshall Ferguson - chair, Tim Fox, Andy Royle, Matthew Moore, Phil Bromhall, Stan Heggs(CC), Mark Thompson, Terri Meechan, Ailsa Dempster, Jake Villette(Junior Councillor), John Hindle - clerk, Gerry and Lin. Burnham (part) and 1 Member of the Public.

The Meeting was addressed by Gerry and Lin Burnham representing Gretton Sports and Social Club. The sewers serving the Club are in a serious condition and Parish Council support is requested as to maintenance and renewal. Marshall Ferguson informed the meeting that a survey had recently been completed and the report was awaited. It is hoped that a clearer position could be reported in February.

Chair reminded councillors to declare an interest where appropriate.

The Minutes of the Meeting on 10th December 2007 were agreed as a true record and signed with one minor alteration. County Council, not Borough Council would contribute £5m to Corby's new Library.

Matters Arising:-

Tenders are sought to fell trees on Recreation Ground.

An exchange of solicitors has taken place relating to the gift of land to the Parish Council.

The need to replace the footpath on the Recreation Ground will be reassessed when the trees have been felled.

Report by County Councillor:-

Stan Heggs informed the meeting that the new speed camera had been purchased with County Council grant and was being kept by the Police for use by all the villages. Applications to Julie Mead, Corby Police.

Report by Borough Councillors:-

Phil Bromhall reported that the petition which was organised at election time to request no more large scale developments in Gretton had been accepted by Corby BC as a late inclusion in the Local Development Framework Document.

The allotments in Gretton have a new tenant from Corby who is doing sterling work to clear the land prior to cultivation.

Land alongside Brookfield Plantation has been identified to house a Waste Transfer Station and Materials Recycling facility.

The County Council have produced a document of all quarrying sites in Northants showing which could be liable to workings. A site identified near Wakeley could have lorry traffic implications for Gretton. The land to the east of Southfield Road does not appear at all on the document in any capacity.

Correspondence:-

Letters from:-

Jas. Martin, agents for Winchelsea Estates stating that work would shortly be done to make safe trees on the Corby Road by Gretton Brook Road.

Adam Hartwell,a villager requesting a grant from the Matthew Johnson Educational Trust.

Corby BC inviting attendance at the Licensing Panel to hear the application from The Talbot in the village to extend opening hours.

Gretton Village Hall committee asking for a team in the Village Quiz.

Letters to:-

Corby BC Planning to reflect the views of the last meeting on planning applications submitted.

Corby JPs requesting the re-opening of the road between Laxton Road and Wakeley Road near Harringworth.

Circulation:-

Rural Area Forum Agenda for 17th January

Parish Council Minutes for Cottingham and Weldon

Clerk and Councils Direct Magazine

Plan Panel Report

WREN Funding

Bee Bee Developments - Working Together

CPRE Fieldwork Magazine

Parish Crime Report for November

Village Plan:-

Tim Fox and Terri Meechan reported that plans were in place for the exhibition at the Sports Club on Sunday 27th January. All are encouraged to attend with Youth Club facilities high on the proposal list. Volunteers are needed to run such a club and it is hoped that the Sports Club committee would be favourably disposed to offer accommodation.

£75 was agreed as the budget to provide food for the event.

Highway Matters:-

It was agreed to write to County Council and inform Street Doctor again about the state of roads in the village particularly Corby Road, the junction of Harringworth Road and Kirby Road, outside the Old School House by the Village Green and Southfield Road.

Bob Seery at County Council also to be informed of the dangerous nature of Gretton Brook Road outside the construction site opposite the Ennstone Johnson complex.

Planning:-

It appears that Corby Planning are keen to preserve the trees and hedges by the entrance to Hatton Lane.

The following Planning Applications have been approved:-

The extensions at 6, Winchelsea Drive and 2, Kirby Road

The change of use of Tythe Barn, 25, High Street to permit family accommodation.

The applications for a Fish Farm in the valley and a new property in the garden of 96, High Street were rejected.

The following applications were considered and no observations were made:-

07/00583/LBC Repair to damaged roof beam at 9, Maltings Road.

08/00002/DPA Ground and first floor extensions to 4, Stafford Road

Finance:-

Any Other Business:-

Baptist Church grant for upkeep of grounds to be £475 in 2008/9

The puddle outside 35, Kirby Road was again brought to Council's attention.

Wheelie bins cause obstruction to pavements and driveways on Thursdays.

Phil Bromhall announced his intention to resign from the Parish Council in view of a heavy workload on Corby BC.

Drains and ditches on Gretton Brook Road are in need of maintenance and repair.

Recent power cuts have forced the Post Office to close for short periods. Letter to supplier.