Rothersthorpe – 'Best Small Village 2018'

On Friday the Parish Council received notification that the Appeal against the decision of refusal for Outline planning permission for up to 66 dwellings with associated landscaping, open space and vehicular and pedestrian access off of Kislingbury Road, had been dismissed. The documentation including reasons given can be viewed at: http://snc.planning-register.co.uk/plandisp.aspx?recno=98714

Councils in Northamptonshire have been given an extra year to prepare for the biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s. Today, James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) gave his thumbs up to proposals which will see the number of councils providing services to the district reduced from eight to two. South Northamptonshire Council (SNC), Daventry District Council, Northampton Borough Council and (half of) Northants County Council will form a new authority serving the west of the county. It will now take charge in April 2021 rather than 2020 as originally proposed. Cllr Ian McCord, Leader of SNC said: “I welcome the decision from Government at long last. “Ministers have taken twice as long to read and decide on the proposal as they gave us to put the bid together. “The election of the shadow council and a 2021 start date was something I asked MHCLG to consider a year ago, so I cannot now claim disappointment. “We will now use the time wisely to prepare the four councils for the new unitary structure in the West. “Our experience with Cherwell and South Northants integration tells us that the best way to do this is by bringing everyone with you.  “We have been developing a plan for this scenario over the past few weeks and we will be ready. “We now must seize the opportunities that a new council will present to us.   “The reasons for this decision are well known and today is about looking forward and ensuring that our residents get the best possible local government available.” The announcement includes confirmation that the elections to run the new bodies will take place in May 2020, alongside the delayed Parish and Town Council elections.  Those elected in 2020 will form the Shadow Authority for its final year of planning, and then move over to run the new council proper. The announcement also paves the way for Kettering Borough Council, The Borough Council of Wellingborough, East Northants Council, Corby Borough Council and (the other half of) Northants County Council to form a new local authority serving the north of the county. The formation of the authorities is still subject to Parliamentary approval.  The Government will also be establishing a Children’s Trust to take over responsibility for children’s social care across the authority.   Today’s announcement also confirmed that elections for the new West Northants council (and its shadow council) will be on the basis of three members per existing County Council ward, totalling 93 across the 31 Wards in the West Northants area.

As you may be aware the applicant has made an appeal to the Secretary of state about the application below after being refused planning permission by the Local Council:

Site Address: Land south of Kislingbury Road Rothersthorpe Description of development: Outline planning permission for up to 66 dwellings with associated landscaping, open space and vehicular and pedestrian access. Application reference: A/2017/2620/MAO Appellant’s name: R L Collins, S Collins, C L PassmoreJon Appeal reference: APP/Z2830/W/18/3206346 Appeal start date: 25 July 2018

The appeal will be decided by means of an Inquiry chaired by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. The Inspector nominated to hold the inquiry is P Major BA (Hons) Dip TP MRTPI. The Inquiry is scheduled to last four days and will commence on Tuesday 30 April 2019 at 10.00am and will be held in the Council Chamber, The Council Offices, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD. A copy of the appellants’ statement may be viewed here along with a copy of the Local Planning Authority’s questionnaire and statement of case, and any further comments/documents relating to the appeal.

You may attend the Inquiry and, at the Inspector’s discretion, give your views.

All comments that you have previously made on the application will have already been considered and the Parish Council will be sending in a statement to be read out at the hearing.

Children will get a taste of the many sports clubs in South Northamptonshire when they take part in this Easter’s Holiday activity programme. Hosted by South Northamptonshire Council the activities take place at Magdalen College School in Brackley and Towcester Centre for Leisure between Monday, 8 and Thursday, 18 April. Cllr Karen Cooper, SNC’s portfolio holder for Wellbeing, said: “Hundreds of families find our activity programmes a safe and reliable way to keep children fit and healthy during the holidays.
“What’s different about the Easter programme is that they will be shown sports they can continue locally when the holidays end.”
The activity programme is open to children aged five to 15 and features a range of activities centred on movement, agility, coordination, speed, and includes fun games, team games and arts and crafts

Booking lines are already open and a full day (8:45am to 5pm) costs £19.80 and a half-day (8:45 to 3pm) costs £15.60.
All sporting activities will be delivered by qualified and DBS (formerly CRB) cleared coaches.
Book now online via – www.southnorthants.gov.uk/holiday-activities.

We are hoping to build on the success of the last few years and felt it would be a good idea to let you budding gardeners and artists/photographers know the classes so you can get organised! The show is likely to take place in the 2nd or 3rd week of September alongside the Dog Show as in previous years. Gardening classes will include: runner beans, carrots, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, specimen vegetable, heaviest marrow,  strangest shaped vegetable, dessert apples, cooking apples and specimen fruit.  The flower arranging class will be making a comeback along with a specimen rose class, pot plant class (flowering and foliage) and wildflowers.  The photography, art and handicrafts (tapestry or cross stich item, hand knitted or woven article, handmade soft toy, handmade item of wood or metal) will also feature and there will be cookery and art and craft classes for the children.I have been looking at how other villages run their shows and they have trophies for some of their rounds/best in show that are returned each year. I am not 100% sure how I am going to introduce this but I would like to offer people in the village the opportunity to buy a trophy in memory of a loved one to be presented.  If you would like more information or have a suggestion about how this could be included please contact me.  Thanks Jodie (07875478976)

We’d like to provide an update on the Community Space. Firstly we haven’t progressed as much as we would have liked since the last meeting so think it is best to cancel the meeting planned for the 15th November. We have attached the Draft minutes from the first meeting here for you to read. We have progressed in engaging a number of play equipment providers, although need a third visit to ensure we research as wide a range of local offerings as possible and understand a competitive cost. We also believe we’ve identified the correct documentation to put the legal requirements in place for the space; we just need to arrange for some advice on how to develop the exact wording we require and to engage a solicitor to set it all up. To do this we need to make a decision on a name for the space and therefore the Trust. Name suggestions will be distributed via a number of methods in the next week or so and we’d ask you to vote for your favourite. Lastly as mentioned at the previous meetings we are looking to recruit a few more members on the committee. If you would be interested in joining us please let us know, also if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Regards

The Community Space Committee.

AN UPDATE FROM NORTHAMPTONSHIRE HIGHWAYS:
BANBURY LANE, ROTHERSTHORPE STRUCTURE 3284
PROPOSED PARAPET RECONSTRUCTION WORKS

I write to inform you that Northamptonshire Highways are planning to carry out maintenance work on a the above structure.
It is intended to remove the damaged parapet from the embankment, rebuild the damage section of the parapet wall and refresh the road markings.
Works were due to be undertaken in November 2018, however, there are structures within the county, under road closures awaiting repairs, that have taken priority.
The new start date on site is intended for 14th January 2019. It is anticipated that it is likely to take approximately 20 working Days to complete (weather permitting)
Signs will be erected shortly before the works commence, confirming to residents and motorists exact dates and times. Where appropriate, a further letter may be sent to some Residents prior to the scheme commencing, by our Construction Team, when programme dates, durations and timings etc. are finalised.
Due to the nature of the works and the equipment involved, it is necessary to operate some traffic restrictions to maintain both the safety of the public, residents and work force. A Temporary 24 hour closure and diversion will be in place whilst the works are carried out.

The council will be mending the bridge on Banbury Lane in the coming weeks and during this time the road between Rothersthorpe and Northampton will be CLOSED. This closure will be between 28th November and 19th December. It is likely that the diversion will be through Kislingbury.

Having gained planning permission (dependent on conditions) the current committee is looking to transition to the next phase and kick starting this with our inaugural AGM on Thurs 18th Oct @ 7.15pm in the committee room.
Key to the meeting will be agreeing our group constitution and discussing future funding opportunities to maintain momentum and finally look to deliver the long awaited community space.
Please come to the meeting and offer your support.

Dog Show Classes (£1 per entry per class)
The dog show is just for fun, please bare that in mind when taking part.
Everyone is welcome but this isn’t Crufts!! Rosettes will be presented to the first
3 winners of each class. The classes are as follows:

• Best puppy (up to 12 months)
• Best Yearling (12-24 months)
• Best adult (2-7 years)
• Best veteran (7 years +)
• Best coat
• Prettiest eyes
• Most handsome dog (any age)
• Most handsome bitch (any age)
• Waggiest tail
• Best junior Handler (under 10 years)
• Best junior Handler (under 10-16 years)

Fruit and Vegetable show classes (£1 per entry per class)

Specimens should be clean, free from blemishes and even in shape.
Where a number of specimens are requested these should be the same size.
Onions should have their outer layers of skin on, and tomatoes should have their green ‘calyx’ where the fruit joins on to the plant still present.
The judge looks for quality before ‘show presentation’. The classes are as follows:

• Five pods of runner beans
• Three tomatoes
• Three carrots
• Three onions
• Three potatoes
• Specimen vegetable (s) other than above (one variety only)
• Heaviest marrow (will be judged purely on weight)
• Three dessert apples
• Three cooking apples
• Specimen fruit-other than above (one variety only)
• One jar of homemade jam-any kind made this year
• One jar homemade marmalade-made this year
• One jar homemade chutney
• Fruit cake made in 7 or 8 inch tin
• Victoria sponge made in 7 or 8 inch tin
• An apple pie
• Five cheese scones
• Homemade bread
• Six shortbread biscuits

Entries to both shows can be made on the day between 11.30am and 12.30pm. If you would like any more information please contact Jodie on 07875478976 or Val Bridges on 07515647309