Parish Council news

Meetings of the Parish Council are open meetings and include a 10 minute slot at item 3 ‘Public Participation’ for members of the public to speak to any items listed on the Agenda. If you do wish to speak please make yourself known to the Chairman or the Clerk before the opening of the Meeting. Members of the Public are welcome to remain in the Meeting to listen to proceedings.

The Parish Council, mindful of the current economic climate, has set a budget for the next financial year that will enable it to continue with grasscutting and dog waste services, maintenance of the Cemetery, Footway Lighting and Allotments, website and newsletter communications, and administration.  The budget of £24,450 also includes provision for critical expenditure on the allotment wall and some replacement lighting, as well as matters related to Neighbourhood and Emergency Planning.  To meet these budget requirements the Council intends to use £4,840 of Reserves and anticipated Receipts of approx. £3,000.  By doing so the Council has been able to set a Precept of £16,661, representing an increase of 2.75% over the current figure.*

*Would Readers please note that in the last month's Newsletter it was inadvertently stated that the target increase of 3% related to the Budget.  The statement should have read 'The target is for a maximum increase of 3% over the current Precept.'  Please accept the Council's apologies for this error.

Members of the public wishing to speak in support of or express concerns about a particular proposal, or to simply learn of the council's decision, may find this slot more convenient and satisfactory in terms of their time spent at a Meeting.  Please note that the Parish Council is a statutory consultee on planning applications.  Decisions are taken by the principal planning authority.  On grounds of pedestrian safety and aesthetic appearance, the Parish Council objected to the new proposal to install wrought iron style railings, with pedestrian access and automatic bi-fold gates at The Old Chapel, 23 High Street.  

Information on this Localism topic is steadily being gathered and digested, through attendance at bespoke training sessions and by the information received via our County Association of Local Councils and other organisations. 

On behalf of the Cottage Hospital, I would like to give a heart-felt thank-you to all the contributors in the village on “Jean's Book”. With the help of communities like yours, the Trustees are committed to continuing the services until they can be transferred to the new facility. The total amount raised on “Jean's Book” in 2011 was £ 742.46. Best wishes for 2012.

George Britchfield, Chairman of the Trustees

(Jean welcomes any newcomers - please ring 01869 810473.)

The South Northamptonshire Council Job Club Team have launched a new scheme to bring the benefits of the Job Clubs to rural areas within the district: The Job Clubs provide confidential support and advice to residents looking to find their way back into work, education or training and the Team are keen to bring these benefits to local villages where there may be a demand.

The practical support and advice that can be provided includes CV Writing, Job Matching Service, Confidence for Interviews, Vacancy Searches, Career Advice, Money Advice Service, Volunteering and Benefits and Housing information.

The Job Clubs are either run as a 'fair' style event where partners attend with a small stand of information or a workshop (typically lasting 2-3 hours) on a subject area such as interview technique or CV writing.

If you would be interested in coming to a session at Croughton Village Hall please would you contact the Clerk to the Parish Council on 01869 819905. Email:  clerk@croughton.org.uk

Please detail the area of support you would most like to see at a session and whether you would prefer this as a 'fair' style drop in event or a workshop.

Putting Communities First

Telephone: 03000 111 222. www.northants.police.uk 

Don't give thieves an easy ride

With one January morning's frost resulting in a vehicle theft from Northampton, motorists are being reminded to never leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running to warm up or defrost.

A police spokesperson said: “It is vital that vehicles are clear of frost and snow before driving, but we would always advise motorists to stay with their vehicle whilst defrosting. “People may assume that nothing will happen in a few minutes, however what might only seem like a few minutes in the house, can provide the small window of time an opportunistic thief needs.”

 “This type of crime is preventable and we urge members of the public to allow extra time to safely clear their windscreens in the morning.”

Police Non-Emergency number:  101

Police Emergency number:  999

Monday 13th February 2012 and Monday 14th March 2012 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Room of Croughton Village Hall. Planning applications will be available for inspection from 7.15 p.m. Please refer to Agendas in the Noticeboards.

Date for your Dairy:  The Annual Parish Assembly will be held at 7.30 p.m. on Monday 30th April 2012. (Venue to be confirmed) The Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr Pamela Gelder, who will present the Annual Parish Council Report, cordially invites members of the electorate to come along.  Village groups and local businesses are invited to report on their activities during the year. 

The Main Gate will be closed for approx. 9 weeks from 9th January 2012 until 9th March 2012. All vehicular traffic will enter RAF Croughton via the A43 Emergency Gate between the working hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Vehicles will still exit the Base through the B4031 exit during these times. The Main Gate will be used for access and exit at weekends.

At no time should construction vehicles for RAF Croughton enter and leave via Croughton village.

If you notice that one of the 56 parish street lights is not working please make a note of the number on the column and report the fault and lamp number to the Parish Clerk.

Tel: 01869 819905 or email:  clerk@croughton.org.uk

Every effort will be made to remedy matters and restore the light to full working order as soon as possible, usually within 7 days.

Rectifying the fault with Lamp No 41 which is situated along the cut between Park End and Portway Crescent has not been so straightforward. In this particular instance, the obsolete column has had to be replaced prior to repairs being carried out. The Parish Council would like to thank those residents who drew the Parish Council's attention to the fault with this lamp and to all residents for their patience in this matter.

What's the scheme?

Northamptonshire ACRE will be using the model of a local buying syndicate for domestic heating oil and rolling it out across the county. We believe there will be great strength in harnessing the purchasing power of the many rural communities who are without mains gas. Experience has already shown that it's possible to get a discount of around £50 on a single order.

Why is Northamptonshire ACRE doing this?

As a publicly funded charity, we know that there will be difficult times ahead and we want to safeguard our future and our ability to advise and support rural communities across Northants Our aim is that not only will we help households to save money—especially important in Northamptonshire's rural areas where we know there is far greater ‘fuel poverty’ than in our urban areas—but we will also be able to generate some income for Northamptonshire ACRE. And you can be entirely confident that this is not a scam—it’s simply about bulk-buying.

Aren’t there lots of syndicates already in existence?

Yes, there are some communities who have been doing this locally for some while. We have no wish to take any schemes over - but if that local purchasing power can be scaled up to something much bigger, then everyone will benefit.

What are you asking of me?

The key to making this work will be having a network of community co-ordinators who are willing to collate local members’ monthly oil orders and pass them on to us, and who will then let the local members know the cost per litre and the delivery date. That’s pretty much it. No negotiating oil prices, no handling money. For doing this, you will get FREE membership of the scheme—an annual saving of £20. 

Interested? Not interested?

If you think this could be of interest to you or your community, get in touch with us on 01604 765888 or email: oil@northantsacre.org.uk If you aren't interested yourself but can think of someone who might be, please pass the information on. We’ll be happy to answer any questions.

The exemplary behaviour of dog owners who clean up after their dogs is greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your consideration towards the rest of the community.

However, the Parish Council has received complaints from residents who are understandably upset by evidence of dog fouling in parts of the village. 

The Parish Council would respectfully remind dog owners of their legal responsibility to clean up after their pets if they foul ANY public areas. 

Dog faeces is not only unpleasant; it is unacceptable, being responsible for a number of potential health risks if ingested, the most serious of which is Toxocariasis resulting from dog roundworms. This disease, albeit a rare condition, can lead to the loss of sight in human beings.

If an offence is witnessed the dog owner will be issued with a fixed penalty of £75. To report dog fouling please contact the Environmental Protection Team at South Northamptonshire Council, Telephone: 01327 322 322. Email:  environmental.protection@southnorthants.gov.uk

Please do not simply wrap the dog mess in a bag only to leave it at the side of the path. This is a littering offence and if the offender is found guilty in the Magistrates Courts the fine could increase to £2,500 plus costs.

Remember to take a bag or poop-scoop with you, just in the way you would your dog’s lead. The Parish Council provides 4 dog waste bins, located in High Street and Park End. If you are not near one of these bins, take the bag home and put it in your black wheeled bin. 

Grab it!  Bag it!  Bin it!  Thank you.