Prior to meeting, Chairman presented annual Environmental Improvement Award to Mrs J Hartwell, who accepted on behalf of her family. Council endorsed Chairman's thanks to them for works carried out in Potterspury Cemetery.

Chairman opened meeting by referring to devastating news from America regarding terrorist attacks. The Council recorded its horror at the events unfolding and send its condolences to the American people via the American Embassy.

316. MINUTES OF JULY MEETING were taken as read. Cllr Graves raised two minor amendments which were accepted (Minute 310 and 312), minutes then approved as a true record and signed.

317. MATTERS ARISING

1. Fair, Meadow View: reported cancelled due to operator  problems

2. 2. Cemetery: prunings from lime trees shredded and removed as required by Treemenders Ltd.

3. Blackwell End garages: still no action by SNC.

4. Foot & Mouth Disease: reported still all clear; initiatives being taken to attract people back to the countryside.

5. White lining lorry: now parked at Super Sausage Cafe.

6. New office computer: Clerk reported order arrived. To add to insurance policy as specified item.

7. Clerk's Contract of Employment: Clerk circulated a draft     document. To be considered at next meeting.

8. Police/vandalism incidents: Reported road sign on Yardley Road bent over and sign damaged. Chairman reported resident has reported this to NCC. Clerk to report dumped TV.

9. Youth project: Cllr Fitzgerald  reported no contact from NCC so concludes not likely to have any more action unless Council  pays for a youth worker. Cllr Wootton proposed go back to       village looking for help with a club. After discussion, Cllr     Fitzgerald seconded this and it was agreed. Cllr Fitzgerald     will continue to try to contact NCC.

10.Silver Band Cup: no report.

11.Bungalows, Sanders Lane: Cllr Parkin reported he had been advised by SNC that action would follow shortly.

12.Standing Orders review: Clerk advised no changes necessary at present but will need reviewing again soon because of changes   to Code of Conduct. Cllr Whittaker, seconded by Cllr graves     proposed recommendation be accepted; agreed.

13.Public Transport Coordinator vacancy: no reply. Clerk to  approach W.I. Chairman stressed need for members to consider    taking on the various responsibilities which arise with increasing frequency. [Cllr Mrs Lynds joined meeting]

14.Blackwell End: SNC does not oppose sign to indicate location of Nos 25 -39 but not willing to provide same. Members agreed   to obtain a quotation for a sign, black on white lettering,     post fixing.

15. Lettings policy, Village Hall: letter received from Chairman of Village Hall committee, explaining circumstances of  lettings for discos and current need to look for additional     revenue due to loss of Playgroup bookings. Agreed not to let     hall for commercial bookings of this nature again.   [P.C.Goddard joined meeting].

16. Wakefield Forest Plan: Cllr Lucas referred to draft plan proposals for management of woodland; he raised no objections   or points of concern.

17. Street lighting column numbers: Clerk reported intention to carry out site check to avoid additional charges by ABB.

Chairman closed meeting temporarily to allow public to speak.

Meeting reopened. Members agreed to bring following item forward.

318. WATLING STREET VERGE PARKING

Members received letter from new owner of No 37 complaining about verge access and parking by neighbouring vehicles and asking permission to put planters out to prevent verge damage and increase safety. Council responded sympathetically but have no power to authorise works, although would not oppose same. Clerk to refer concerns to Police and Highways Agency.

319. PLANNING

(i) Applications:

Planning Committee report:  Cllr Lucas reported:

S010085P Roman Way Garden Centre  Amendments to layout. Reaffirmed concern regarding access and requesting slip road for north bound traffic and turning lane for south bound traffic.

S010182P Homestead Far, Watling Street: Change of use of agricultural land to residential garden and erection of detached 4 bay garage and office - amendments. No observations.

(ii) Decision notices:

S001254P Land r/o 47-53 High Street- 5 dwellings. Approved with substantial conditions. Confirmed that driveway will be private though to adoptable standard.

S010401P Springfield Farm Livestock building (turkeys) approved with landscaping and other conditions.

S010648P P.S.S.C. Temporary storage container permitted for temporary period to June 2004.

S010651P 69 Meadow View  Garage and store - permitted.

S010703P 3 High Street  Side extension and Porch refused as being unsympathetic in street scene.

S010882P 24 Meadow View  Conservatory approved.

(iii) Letter from Greatworth Parish Council expressing concerns about interpretation of limited infill policy in villages. Members responded that generally felt 8 or less has been appropriate; if consistently more, the P.C. would be concerned.

(iv) Signs, 34 Mays Way: no advice received to date.

320. SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB

(i) Lease redraft: Cllr Fitzgerald reported PSSC had no further concerns with draft circulated to last meeting of Council. The minor amendments raised by the Council had been built into the draft. Cllr Fitzgerald, seconded by Cllr Soper, proposed the draft be now forwarded to NALC legal officer with a request for the terms to be incorporated into the lease in the correct legal terminology. Agreed.

(ii)Rent and Valuation of site: Report received from District Valuer concluding a valuation of £500 for commercial ground rent would be appropriate. After discussion, Cllr Parkin proposed current rent of £5 p.a. be charged for 2000/01 and 2001/02 pending completion of lease negotiations, then to review for 2002/3. Cllr Lucas seconded this proposal; agreed.

(iii)Further storage difficulties: letter received from PSSC requesting permission for a further external storage container. Members expressed concern over proliferation of storage facilities. Cllr Graves, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lynds, proposed ask for more details about proposed structure and siting. Agreed.

321. PLAY AREAS

(i) Quotations: Two quotations received for various repairs and introduction of safety surfacing in play areas. Agreed to convene special meeting on 26th September to consider this matter.

(ii)Members inspections

Village Hall Cllr Mrs Dimmock: litter bin needs emptying.

Meadow View Cllr Lucas referred to loose swing strut which he offered to fix - accepted. One of parallel bars is slightly bent.Membrane under bark showing in places. Litter bin liners bent/missing. Concerned about cracks in timber of climber. Clerk to seek opinion from manufacturer.

Mays Way Cllr Wootton stated no problems but he expressed concern that rear boundary is protected when adjacent building works start shortly.

Blackwell End Cllr Mrs Lynds - no report.

(iii)Sign for Meadow View play area, stating age limit: quote of £28.84 received. Chairman opposed but Cllr Parkin proposed accept as gives a point of reference. Cllr Graves seconded proposal: approved, one opposed. [Cllr Soper left meeting]

322. URC CEMETERY LIME TREES

Request for financial assistance with tree surgery considered. Cllrs Mrs McKay and Graves were concerned that item not budgeted for and no spare funds. Cllr Lucas considered should assist, in principle. Decision held over pending further information on possible other grant aid which may be able to obtain.

323. FINANCE

(i) The following invoices were approved for payment:

J Wesley  Litter picking (July & August)                                ChqNo.815 £ 100.00
N J Blackwell  Mowing (July & August)                                  ChqNo.816 £1581.18
H Westlake  Clerk's pay (August & September + backpay (£36) + shield engraving (£3)                                                                                                ChqNo.817 £ 572.00
Audit Commission  Audit fees for 99/00                                 ChqNo.818 £ 469.88
Treemenders  Lime trees shredding, Cemetery                      ChqNo.819 £ 376.00
H Westlake  Dell computer and software                               ChqNo.820 £ 838.95
Old Mail  Annual donation                                                       ChqNo.821 £ 200.00
aluation Office  Valuation of P.S.S.C.                                       ChqNo.822 £ 205.63

(ii) Budget statement circulated.

(iii)`Pathfinder Audit' Clerk informed members of proposed revisions to audit procedures and invitation to contribute to refinement of draft proposals. Cllr Mrs McKay had agreed to participate as internal auditor if necessary. Details of action required not yet clear.

324. HIGHWAYS

(i)  Church End and Poundfield Road: Resurfacing completed to good standard. Members noted that verges in Church End still in need of attention, also reflective marker posts at Meeting Hill bend all missing bar one. Clerk to pursue with NCC.

(ii) Brownsfield Road: sunken road getting bad. No action by NCC.

(iii)Meadow View culdesac: letter of complaint received from No.66 re litter, weeds and paint on road on culdesac to PSSC. Members responded have no power to collect litter or spray weeds on highway but will refer matter to appropriate authorities. Chairman to talk to adjacent resident re land outside No.68. (iv) (iv)Watling Street verges: letter of complaint received from 37 watling Street re verge parking - danger and cutting up of grass. Permission requested to site tubs on verge. Members responded authority rests with Highway Agency but sympathises with problem. Complaint forwarded to Northants Police and Highways Agency.

(v) Woods Lane No through road sign now in place.

325. SOUTH NORTHANTS COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE

(i) Contact for any complaints regarding low flying military aircraft provided.

(ii)Draft Housing Strategy: comments invited. No particular items of concern.

(iii)Draft Air Quality review: Clerk had submitted response noting that report on findings from monitoring sites for Nitrogen Dioxide had missed one site in Potterspury, though not significant to findings. Circulated.

(iv)Drinking Water Quality Report 2000 received and circulated.

326. NORTHANTS COUNTY COUNCIL AREA COMMITTEE

(i) Future meetings: agenda received.

(ii)Invitation to bid for current year's funds: Information circulated. To be considered at next meeting.

327. NEW CORRESPONDENCE

Northants Police Annual Report 00/01

Various leaflets from Glasdon; Alliance Leicester; Sovereign (play areas); Norfolk China (Jubilee)

Northants Open Studios and Exhibitions

Newsletters from TADD; East Midlands development Agency; Skanska (A43 dualling); Association of Burial Authorities.

SNC  Summer events programme

The Old Talbot PH  License transfer

NALC AGM Papers for 27th October; Agenda items / attendance;

     Update and Local Council Review

S Northants Volunteer Bureau: search for volunteer coordinator

Clerks & Councils Direct         Action for Market Towns seminar

National Health Service consultation on proposed revision of health areas.

328. DATE AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

Wednesday 26th September and 10th October 2001 at 7.30 p.m.

Chairman closed meeting at 10.05 p.m.

                                           CHAIRMAN

Minute of Public Debate

1. Resident from 37 Watling Street re verges.

2. Report re damaged sign on Yardley Road.

3. Neighbourhood watch items: nuisance from youngsters with cars; incident of shoplifting at shop. Being dealt with by Police.

4. Cllr Walker: action re footpath at 32 Blackwell End.