Present: Marshall Ferguson - chair, Barrie Woolley, Tim Fox, Paul Seaton, Andrew Royle, Mark Thompson, Vic Clark, Ailsa Dempster, Phil Bromhall - Borough councillor - part, Stan Heggs - County Councillor - part, Lucy Fox - Jnr Councillor - part, Phil Oram - clerk, five members of the public.

1      Apologies - none

2      Meeting open to the public

Mel Jarvis, Footpath representative, discussed the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan and said he would complete the questionnaire if the Parish Council approved, this was accepted. He made comments that, in general, footpaths were not signed very well, not looked after and poorly maintained. He also said that Gretton had been designated to have an enamelled signboard of the footpaths in the area.

Lucy Fox reported that she had been contacted regarding transport from the village; clerk reported that he would be sent a group registration form from Corby Voluntary & Community Services.

Joanne Dawson and Tina Small had information regarding playground equipment and forms for accessing Lottery funding. Chairman requested they compile a "wish list" and present it to the next meeting, they agreed to do this.

3      Declaration of Councillors' Interests

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

4      Minutes of meetings held 22 August and 12 September 2005 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

5      Report from Borough councillor

Phil Bromhall reported that the Volunteer Bureau had changed its name to "Corby Voluntary and Community Services"; they would still operate from the old TA buildings.

He had attended a workshop for the Local Transport Plan, which was very poorly attended, however they had discussed all that was on the agenda e.g. safety for cyclists, Corby railway station.

He had visited the New Age Travellers' site, at their request, to discuss the proposals made following a visit by Corby Borough Council and Countywide Travellers unit. They had discussed the possible extension of the existing site to accommodate other traveller groups and regularize the position of the current residents. Whilst they were positive about the regularization of the site they were concerned about the close proximity of travellers with a different lifestyle. The position of Corby Borough council is that they want to provide facilities for "local" traveller families as well as the wider community. It is their intention to pass the issue to committees in early November and planning would come later if policy were adopted. The current occupiers felt that they would be forced out if the suggested development went ahead.

6      Report from County Councillor

In his absence chairman reported that he had had a meeting with Stan Heggs and Bob Seery of NCC to look at all the drains in Gretton - they had agreed that they were in a poor condition and that they will be cleared. He also reported that the road outside the Old School House in station Rd was in a bad state and that the Evening Telegraph would be taking a photo of it.

Stan Heggs apologised for being late and reported that of the 50 drains it was estimated that 48 were blocked. He also reported that the Government were trying to get Police forces to amalgamate, County disagreed and were trying to increase the number of Police.

He reported that, as the villages Precept money to do things in/for the village they should be considered more before the Borough council make final decisions - should be discussed at the Rural Area Forum.

7      Matters Arising from Minutes

a Quote from Mr Clarke for repairs to War Memorial - this is for minimum work need, further quote to come. This was discussed and it was agreed that we ask Mr Clarke to split up the different items in the quote and to ask Mark Thompson to quote for part of the repairs. Also to ask Mr Clarke to give us the rest of the quote as soon as possible.

b Pick Playing Field - clerk had received an application form for Small Grants to be completed by organisation wanting funds i.e. Scouts - chairman thought the work they wanted doing had already been completed - clerk to contact Scouts.

c Clerk had been given a verbal estimate for re-wiring the sewer pump to the mains- a request for an additional quote from Pat Butler had been made and clerk to chase him up.

8      Village Plan - A meeting had been arranged for 18 October when they would discuss Key Issues.

9      Correspondence

a      Local Transport Plan Minor Works application - as the problem in Corby Rd had been discussed at the Corby Area Forum it was agreed that this be left for time being.

b      NCC Rights of Way Definite Map & Statement - given to Parish council subject to certain conditions - as Mel Jarvis had also been given a copy it was agreed that the map be displayed in the committee room.

c      C.B.C. Local Development Framework booklet asking for comments by 28 October - as a lot of this will be discussed at the Village Plan meeting agreed that Tim Fox and clerk liaise after the Village Plan meeting.

d      NALC AGM will be on Thursday 13 October at Towcester.

e      NALC sent details of what documents and records should be kept and for how long - clerk to keep.

f      Northants Community Foundation asking for volunteers as Associate Advisors.

g      A letter received from Mr N. Rumbelow regarding delivery of newsletters was discussed and any problems sorted.

h      Request via Pocket Park for a Marquee to be erected in the Pocket Park for a wedding reception - there were no objections from Pocket Park committee - no objections from Parish council.

i      C.B.C. Progress Assessment - letter informing Parish council that the Progress Review will take place 12/13 and 19/20 October 2005.

j      Letter received from E.N.D.C. informing Parish council that the next meeting of the Rockingham Forum will be changed to 8 November 2005. A further letter informed Parish council that their request for membership of the forum had been turned down. Agreed not to do anything at the moment.

k      Notification of emergency phone lines number change for electricity.

Circulation file:

C.B.C. Development control meeting 20 September

EMDA News

Glasdon News-sheet

Village Viewpoint

NALC Update

PC mins - Cottingham, Weldon.

10    Highway Matters

a      Annual Workshop will be at Northampton Thursday 8 December 2005 - no-one expressed a desire to attend.

b      Reps' Review Sept & Oct - to be put in circulation file.

11    Planning Matters

a      Outline Planning permission for family dwelling - Station House, Hatton Lane. Andrew Royle declared an interest in this item and left the room. Mr R Swan, the applicant, explained what he wanted to do and said that he was willing to work with the planners at C.B.C. to ensure the dwelling fitted in with what they required. He explained that some of the trees were in a poor state and he had a report from an arboriculturalist setting out what they considered should be done with the trees. He also informed the council that he intended to create access from Station Road, although in the letter with the planning application it states that access will be via Hatton Lane. The application was then discussed by councillors after Mr Swan left the room. It was decided that they did not see any reason to change the original views set out by C.B.C. and were concerned about the proposed access to Station Rd as this would also be close to the Hatton Lane access. Concerns also expressed about water/drainage problems that may get worse if building was to go ahead. The area is in a sensitive location to the village, would be a significant development in Hatton Lane and would overload this area where it is understood that the original number of houses would be six and this has already been exceeded. Concerned about lack of detailed information about what detailed planning might be.

b      Replacement thatched roof - Hatton Arms, 14 Arnhill Rd - listed building consent granted subject to certain conditions.

c      Contacted Martin Lattimer re ownership of roadway to Recreation field - he will check when he returns to work on Monday 17 October.

12    Finance Matters

	a	Current balance		14418.71
	b	Payments received	Rent - S & S Club	125.00
			Bank Interest	3.83
	c	Payments due	Handy Services - sewer	276.13
			Handy Services - clear shrubs	587.50
			P A Oram - Petty Cash	36.26

13    Police Matters

There had been two vehicles stolen recently and another incident with one of the residents.

14    Any Other Business

Lighting problems were reported for lights outside 7 & 9 Southfield Rd, 86 Kirby Rd, 11 & 13 High St and the first light on the right hand side opposite the garages in Latimer Rd.

The "GRETTON" sign in Lyddington and Harringworth Rd needs repairing; the welcome sign to GRETTON on Corby Rd has some loose screws.

Dog fouling in the High St was reported - clerk to contact dog warden.

Andrew Royle reported that there had been no movement with a meeting between the Cricket and Football clubs.

Ailsa Dempster reported that the brambles coming over the hedge in the field above the new cemetery are causing problems to people walking on the footpath. She also asked about the frequency of the newsletter and can it be edited to cut down on the number of pages, she will talk to Neville Rumbelow.