I hereby give notice that the Annual Meeting of Cople Parish Council will be held Monday 19th May 2025 at 7.30pm at Cople Village Hall
Agenda
All members are hereby summoned to attend. Members of the Public and Press are welcome.
1. Election of Officers (19:30)
a) Elect a Chair of the Council
b) Declaration of Acceptance of Office by the appointed Chair
c) Elect a Vice-Chair of the Council
d) Declaration of Acceptance of Office by the appointed Vice-Chair
e) Assign additional responsibilities to Councillors
2. Receive and approve apologies for absence (19:40)
3. Receive declarations of interest in any items on the agenda and consider granting of any dispensations (19:42)
4. Confirm the minutes of the meetings held 17th March 2025 and 01st April 2025 (19:45)
5. Agree Parish Council meeting dates for 2025-2026 (19:47)
6. Public Participation (19:50)
Standing Orders will be suspended for a period of up to 15 minutes to allow members of the public to address the Council in relation to the business on the agenda or request matters to be discussed at a subsequent meeting. Please note that this is limited to a maximum of 3 minutes per member.
7. General matters requiring discussion: (20:05)
a. Discuss and agree the Parish Council Action Plan
b. Discuss draft framework for Parish Council communications including social media
c. Discuss draft framework for co-ordination of volunteers
d. Verbal update on meeting with Richard Fuller MP
8. Receive the following reports: (20:15)
a. Borough Councillors report
b. Receive police crime statistics and discuss any police matters
9. Receive updates on current matters: (20:25)
a. Cople to Cardington footpath
b. Speed Watch
c. Cople playing fields
10. Consider and agree endorsement of revised Neighbourhood Plan and its submission to Bedford Borough Council for independent examination and subsequent referendum (20:35)
11. Green Infrastructure – including Millennium Woods and Rights of Way (20:40)
a. Discuss and agrees changes to the information board for the Millennium Woods
b. Agree action with respect a the tree in the church yard
12. Events (20:45)
a. Discuss the details for the road closure application and arrangements for the Christmas event
b. Discuss and agree arrangements for the Scarecrow Festival/trail
13. Amenity & Highways (20:55)
a. Report any Highways issues
b. Discuss and agree revised quotation for the works to the church yard wall
c. Approve the grass cutting agreement with Bedford Borough Council
d. Discuss the speed data for Grange Lane supplied following a Freedom of Information request
e. Discuss the defibrillator installation date and agree any action
14. Planning (21:10)
a. Update on decisions from recent planning applications
b. Discuss planning application 25/00919/TPO | False Acacia – Remove | Hawthorns 6 Woodlands Close Cople Bedford Bedfordshire MK44 3UE and agree any comments
c. Discuss planning application 25/00896/FUL | Two storey side and rear extensions, single storey front and rear extensions and internal alterations | 3 Octagon Farm Bedford Road Cople Bedford Bedfordshire MK44 3TS and agree any comments
15. Finance (21:15)
a. Receive and approve schedule of receipts & payments
b. Receive current bank balances and reconciliation
c. Discuss and agree quotations for the Parish Council insurance
d. Review and accept the updated Asset Register
16. Discuss and agree the Internal Audit and Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2024-2025 (21:20)
a. Receive and accept the Internal Audit Report 2024-2025
b. Review and agree the Annual Governance Statements 2024-2025
c. Review and agree the Accounting Statement 2024-2025
17. New Matters from Councillors for discussion at next meeting (21:30)
18. Correspondence (For information) (21:32)
19. Date of next meeting (21:35)
Anne Papé – Clerk 14th May 2025