Present:- Marshall Ferguson - chair, Tim Fox, Matthew Moore, Terri Meechan, Andy Royle, Mark Thompson, Ailsa Dempster, Robyn Seymour - Junior Councillor, John Hindle - clerk, 11 villagers and 2 Lyddington residents.

Apologies:- Phil Bromhall, Stan Heggs

Chairman reminded Councillors to declare an interest where appropriate.

The Minutes of the Meeting on 11th February were accepted as a true record and duly signed.

Matters Arising:-

The Waste Plant on Brookfield Plantation is up and running and there are no plans for extension at present. The contracts to replace the railings on the Green and to repair the roof of the Club and Pavilion have been let.

Terri Meechan, Borough Councillor reported that the Corby BC Council Tax for 2008/9 will rise by 3.9%.

Correspondence:-

Letters from

National Childbirth Trust requesting a donation

E. Carlton Parish Council stating their Clerk is now Peter Taylor

Letters to

Mrs Newbold, Planning, Corby BC requesting clarification of the situation relating to trees at 19, Station Road

Corby BC Planning relating to the extension applied for to 11, Southfield.

Circulation:-

Parish Council Minutes for Middleton, Weldon & Cottingham

Corby BC Agenda for 28th February

E. Northants Rockingham Forum for 11th March

Northants Minerals Waste Development Framework

Enjoy England Magazine

CPRE Outlook Magazine

Carers Forum Information

Northants ACRE Green Space Toolkit

ACRE Quality Standard Review & Village Viewpoint Magazine

Clerk & Councils DIRECT Magazine

Planning:-

08/00106/OUT - Outline application for 5 properties at the rear of 38, High Street

Some villagers whose properties border this land were present at the Meeting and a discussion ensued. The main points to raise with Corby BC are:-

Certain loss of privacy to surrounding houses therefore it is desirable that the proposed bungalows are of normal size rather than dormers.

Access to and from Kirby Road will present problems as the area is already overloaded with traffic movements.

Design of the properties appears to be in keeping with the surrounds and traditional materials should be used.

08/00098/COU - Conversion of Barn at 2, Caistor Road into living accommodation

The access will be from Caistor Road with no garage planned but 3-4 parking spaces.

No objections to this scheme were raised.

Village Plan:-

Two residents of Lyddington raised problems of traffic flow through their village and sought to discuss with Council mutual solutions. Various items including flashing lights and speed bumps were mentioned. The problem is likely to get worse as the Priors Hall development gathers pace and a link-up to Speedwatch as a possible medium term solution was raised. As the main thoroughfare through Lyddington is relatively straight the problems for our two villages are different but speeding remains the main common threat. It was agreed to keep in touch in the future.

Finance:-

Any Other Business:-

The gravelling of the drive at 6, Craxford Road could cause problems to the footpath particularly in heavy rain. Northants CC have been informed.

There is excess water at the top of Clinkers footpath. Footpaths Officer to be consulted.

The parking of cars around 19, Station Road and 1, Hatton Lane renders Hatton Lane impassable at times. Rural Pride Officer to be consulted.

The trees on Gretton Brook Road are in need of pruning and tidying.

The potholes on Arnhill Road are causing concern. Council to raise with Highways at CC.

An end of season report on the cricket pitch by Northants Cricket League was made available. Problems with grasscutting in 2007 are well documented and should not recur in 2008

Signage to the Village Hall was again raised. Council to pursue with CC.

The Sports and Social Club are planning to lay a Petanque Court.

The problem of lack of footpaths on roads around the village was raised. Situation to be investigated and monitored.

Parish Council will again sponsor the Gretton Princess at Corby Carnival.

The Gretton Fun Run will take place on Sunday 6th April starting from the Recreation Ground.

The new sewage pump on the Recreation Ground to be fitted with an alarm to warn of breakdown.