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

1      Apologies - Sue Forsey.

2      Meeting Open to the Public

Jnr member informed the council that many daily newspapers had been pushed into the hedge in "birdcage walk" instead of being delivered to the appropriate houses. This exacerbates the litter problem and clerk to write to the newspaper shop in Upping ham.

It had been brought to the attention of the chair, by David Fursdon, there is a litter problem on the Gretton to Weldon road - clerk to write to E.N.D.C.

Andrew Royle informed council the road surface is in a poor condition.

3      Declaration of Councillors' Interests

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

4      Minutes of meeting held 9 February 2004 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

5      Report from Borough Councillor

Phil Bromhall reported that the Siting of the new swimming pool in Corby has been referred back to committee,

He had completed two forms for small highway works.

Regarding provision of low cost housing in the village a piece of land at the rear of the garages between Kirby Rd & Fulwell Ave had been suggested as a place for such housing - Phil Bromhall to inform C.B.C.

He was asked to pursue cars parked in the recreation field next to the half-pike; lighting problems in the village and also dog fouling in the village.

6      Report from County Councillor - none

7      Matters arising from minutes

It was reported that further quotes for Sports Pavilion had been received and that Andrew Royle and Marshall Ferguson sort out who should be offered the job and give them the go ahead. It was understood that the roof problem is not significant and that the repair would be carried out by next week.

8      Correspondence

a      NCC Minerals Local Plan - comments by 23 April - to be put in circulation file.

b      Items required for Rural Area Forum meeting on 18 March - none requested.

c      Clerks & Councils Direct - do we want extra copies - as this is put in circulation file decided we do not need extra copies.

d      NCC Structure Plan - Monitoring report is available from website or hard copy on request - to be put in circulation file.

e      Cynthia Spencer Appeal for funds - decided not to donate.

f      Standard Board of England - misconduct allegation report - to be put in circulation file.

g      Village of the Year competition - agreed to enter,

h      Letter from Whitehall Plastics looking to advertise - Ailsa Dempster agreed to put advert in the Welcome Pack.

i      Letter received from K Woolley re land available for low cost housing - Barrie Woolley declared an interest in this item. As this land is outside the designated area for building, and the council had already said they opposed a previous application it was felt this suggestion could not be approved by the council, however it was agreed a copy of the letter be sent to C.B.C. along with a letter to be sent as a result of discussions at the Annual Parish meeting about low cost housing.

k      A quote from O'Connors for the coming year's grass cutting was accepted.

Circulation file:

Local & Unitary Development Plan

Countryside Agency - Village Update & Viewpoint

Planning & Compulsory Bill - reply to our letter to Keith Hill

CPRE Raffle tickets

Governments Transport Plan

Playground equipment

NCC Minerals Local Plan

Clerks & Councils Direct - March magazine

CBC Dev Control; meeting 9 March

CPRE Countryside Voice

CBC Full Council meeting 25 Feb

CBC Council meeting 4 March

PC minutes - Cottingham, Weldon, Stanion, Middleton, East Carlton.

9      Highway Matters

The following road signs were reported as being in need of repair - Caistor Rd at Kirby Rd end, Orchard Lane, Hardwick Lane, clerk to report.

10      Planning Matters

a      New chimneystack - Harborough Hill House - planning & listed building consent permission refused.

b      Erection of replacement Village Hall - no observations - Ailsa Dempster declared an interest in this item.

c      Alteration to roof at rear - 16 Harringworth Rd - no observations.

d      Extension & conversion of existing garage & porch - 1 Stafford Rd - concern over car parking if garage no longer available.

11      Finance Matters

	a	Current balance		6176.41
	b	Payments received	Cricket Club - Rent	80.00
	c	Payments due	Local History Soc - Village Plan	30.00
			NALC - Annual Subs 2004/5	192.00
			Jackson Shipley - Rec. field	64.63
			P A Oram - Petty Cash	13.34
			V O Y Competition	15.00
			Wings Fellowship	15.00
			P A Oram - Salary (End Mar)	648.50

d      A report by Tim Fox on the valuation of assets was given, values proposed by him were discussed and accepted by the council.

12      Police Matters

Concern was expressed about a car that has been seen regularly parked next to the half-pike after school hours. Clerk to report to Police.

13      Village Plan

An update of the plan was reported by Tim Fox. The draft questionnaire will be completed this week and volunteers are required to distribute and collect them to each household in the village.

14      Any Other Business

Vic Clark reported that he has been informed that the gates erected at West Hills were in order.

Tim Fox reported the Water Board gates had been left open and the electricity box broken, also the meter cover was missing and dangerous 0 this has already been reported but clerk will chase up.

Andrew had information about grants available for the all weather area Terri Meechan is looking at - she will look at information and report at the next meeting.

Terri Meechan reported that, due to lack of numbers, the Gretton youth cricket team would be combining with Gt. Oakley youth team.

She also asked if the cricket net could be put up on a permanent basis for the summer, to be placed where the old toilet block was. The cricket club would clear and maintain the area. This was agreed but concern expressed over the possibility of becoming an untidy area, this would be looked at after a trial period at the end of June

Marshall Ferguson reported that he would repair the British Legion seat.

He also reported , that due to vandalism in the village and the Band Room, the Gretton Silver Band were considering leaving the village.