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Parish Council: Meeting minutes 15 December 2009Last updated: Tuesday, 15 December 2009, 03:32 PM
Hardwick Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 15 December 2009 in the School at 7.45 pm
Present: Cllrs I Storr (Chairman), G Chamberlain, P Joslin, S Cripps, A Gill, T Bhachu, A Freeman, J Stewart and N Atkinson. In attendance: Mrs A Griffiths (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services).
A period of silence was held in memory of local teenager Suzanne Cornwell who was tragically killed this week, and in sympathy for her family.
Open Public Session Cllr Whelan's report was read in her absence. The report covered:
Cllr Stewart reported as District Councillor and stressed the importance of the Parish Council expressing a clear view on planning applications, with reasons, as under the new planning procedure, any difference between the Parish Council recommendation and that of the Planning Officer can now be referred to the full Committee. On a proposition by the Chairman, it was agreed to take item 3.5 at this point. 3.5 (3.5) SCDC Chair's Delegation - update from SCDC and Planning Forum Cllr Gill reported on the Planning Forum and reinforced the need to make valid representations on all applications, together with comments on why the Parish Council recommends approval or refusal as this may be relevant in the event of an appeal. At appeal additional information may be submitted. Reasons should be given when a site visit is requested.
1. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest County Cllr Fiona Whelan 's apologies were noted. No declarations of interest were received. 2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2009 The minutes of the meeting on 24 November were approved(Prop GC, 2nd AG) as a true record and signed by the Chairman, after addition of Cllr Gill's name to those present, and an alteration under item 4.2 to read "Cricket Club" instead of "Chris Fuller". 3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last or previous meeting 3.1 Football Club - request for assistance with costs of pitch fees Cllr Storr reported on the outcome of the meeting at Caldecote Parish Council at which the costs of using their pitch were discussed. It was agreed(Prop GC, 2nd AF) to make a loan of £500 to the Football Club, interest free over three years, and further agreed (Prop JS, 2nd AG) to make a donation of an additional £200, to enable the Football Club to meet the costs of playing at Caldecote. Both proposals were agreed unanimously. Caldecote Parish Council is to be thanked for the time extension for use of their pitch until their next meeting in mid-January free of charge, and the letter is to outline the Football Club's offer of an initial lump sum of £1000 plus a £20 match fee for continued use to the end of the season. 3.2 Pavilion improvements including Football Club & planning fee & replacement patio doors In response to the Football Club's request, made at the last meeting, for assistance with the planning fee, it was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to cover 50% of the cost, namely £625, with the remaining 50% of the fee to be shared by the Football Club, junior Football Club, and Cricket Club. This was agreed in recognition of the valuable work done by the Clubs with the young people, which benefits the whole village. The Football Club has been advised that as the Parish Council owns the building the Parish Council must receive and consider three quotes in its name and put the work in hand to re-claim the VAT. Patio doors - carried forward to the next financial year to form part of next year's budget deliberations. 3.3 Stagecoach Sunday evening Citi4 bus service & Whippet 2 changes The correspondence from Stagecoach and CCC was noted. It was also noted that the 7.24 am Whippet service from Caldecote was to be withdrawn. Concerns were expressed that journeys to work would be affected. 3.4 (3.3) BT invitation to adopt red telephone box Information awaited - carried forward. 3.6 (7.0) Pre-school - charges from CCC for planning permission costs The view was expressed that CCC should pay for the planning fees as CCC had argued in favour of the original application against the recommended refusal of the Parish Council, stating that Hardwick children would not be affected. However Hardwick children are now being affected, and this is to be taken up with the County Councillor. 3.7 Pitch drainage and pitch aftercare The certificate of completion for the pitch drainage project from Agrostis was noted. Correspondence from the Football Club was also considered and it was noted that the Cricket Club had agreed to pay for the autumn fertilizer. 3.8 (3.10) Footpath signs - CCC had replied that they are legally obliged to leave the sign in place. 3.9 (3.1) Grace Crescent - emails from CCC noted. Cllr Whelan intends to pursue. 3.10 (4.3) The Leader Cllr Manning has accepted the invitation and will attend the February 2010 meeting. 3.11 Broadband speeds - it was agreed to report to Andrew Lansley that on testing their broadband speeds members had found them to be very poor, (<1mb), and to request him to pursue this matter. 4. Correspondence/communications received 4.1 Andrew Lansley MP - youth provision In reply Mr Lansley is to be informed of the thriving Youth Club, Youth bus, Football and Cricket Clubs which carry out excellent training and mentoring of youth, and excellent Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows Groups. These would benefit from a new scout hut for which they are trying to raise funds and any help Mr Lansley can offer will be gratefully accepted. 4.2 Red 2 Green - request for financial assistance Noted. The Parish Council is unable to assist on this occasion. 4.3 SCDC - request for feedback on S106 advice note and website pages Members are to study the documents and the website. Carried forward to the next meeting.. 4.4 Andrew Lansley MP - Speeding in Limes Road The complaint from a resident was noted. A letter is to be sent informing Mr Lansley of Hardwick's participation in the Speedwatch initiative and the imminent deployment of the equipment, also the installation of the wigwags outside the school, which it will hoped will improve the situation. 4.5 SCDC precept consultation The schedule for receipt of payments was noted. The Parish Council did not have any comments to make. 5. Planning applications and decision notices 5.1 Planning applications received since the last meeting 5.1.1 S/1666/09/F - 74 Ellison Lane - Extension. Approved (Prop GC, 2nd AG, unanimous) with the comment "No detriment to neighbours or street scene". 5.1.2 S/1693/09/F - Victoria Farm, Cambridge Road - Change of Use from Agricultural to builders workshop and store (limited to 5 employees) Approved by the Parish Council (Prop GC, 2nd JS, unanimous) with the comment "Will improve the appearance of the corner and provide employment". 5.1.3 S/1769/09/F - Hardwick Pre-School, Limes Road - Retention of existing 5 bay modular building used as a pre-school on Primary School site. Whilst this was originally intended as a temporary measure, due to the pressure on school places in the area, it is unlikely that the school building will be able to accommodate the pre-school for the foreseeable future, and the application is for the approval to be made permanent. Approved by the Parish Council (Prop GC, 2nd JS, unanimous) with the recommendation "This grant should be reviewed in 5 years". 5.2 Decision notices 5.2.1 S/1138/09/F - 73 Ellison Lane - Extension - Approved by SCDC Noted. 5.2.2 S/1824/08/F - Victoria Farm, Cambridge Road - Change of use fromA to B1 use and demolition of front brick elevation and extension of building to rear withdrawn - noted. 6. Finance, risk assessment and procedural matters 6.1 To receive the financial report and approve the payment of bills The financial report was received and considered and invoices and bank statements were checked. The payments as listed in the report, plus C Edgley £22.24 (Hardwick Happenings - replacement cheque), Lawson Tree £150 (Various works), Grounds by Rounds £253.97 (Grass cutting), Agrostis Turf Consultancy £262.22 (Pitch works completion certificate), Briar Security £1230.50 (CCTV repair) and Victoire £560.00 (Hardwick Happenings) were approved: (Prop GC, 2nd AG, all in favour).
The payment to Signworks (£425.50 - Village Maps) was not approved as there is an error in the map with one road shown twice. Signworks are to be asked to rectify. The new village map is still outstanding. Credits received between meetings were noted. 6.2 Play inspection reports The report on the Egremont Road play area was noted. Appreciation was expressed to a generous resident who had already removed the graffiti from the slide hut. Cllrs Bhachu and Stewart are to be asked to email their reports by the end of the week. 6.3 Replacement litter bin on the car park, Egremont Road A request has been made for this to be re-instated. The bin at Egremont Road is bent at an angle and the cost of a new bin similar to that on St Neots Road is to be sought. When this is replaced a request is to be made to relocate it to near the metal fencing at the side of the car park, and when the dog bin and sign are replaced they are to be relocated next to the metal fencing as well. 6.4 Notice board Cllr Bhachu volunteered to take on the responsibility for keeping the notice board updated. 7. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk's information and Closure of meeting 7.1 "To Let" signs at Grenadier Walk - the companies have promised to remove these but have not done so - to be chased. 7.2 Vegetation overhanging pavement - Cllr Cripps will advise the address and a letter is to be sent to the residents. 7.3 Burglaries - the importance of vigilance was stressed and anything suspicious should be reported to the police. 7.4 Cllr Bhachu has collected 20-25 forms regarding Millers Way and will pass these to the Clerk. 7.5 New streetlight at Church - has not yet been connected - to be chased. 7.6 Dog fouling is in evidence on the new blue bridge over the A428. 7.7 Tree stump on the corner of Egremont Road green space - the location is to be checked. Carried forward to next meeting. 7.8 Wigwags - letter to be sent enquiring when these are to be activated and requesting that this be done preferably before the beginning of next term. 7.9 Street lights are out of order outside the entrance to the Old Rectory and by the bus stop in Egremont Road where the pavement is in a bad state. 7.10 Old style metal lampposts in Cambridge Road are in need of painting. It was agreed to check whose responsibility these were and request CCC to action or obtain quotes as appropriate. 7.11 The need for a stronger light at the junction of St Neots Road and Cambridge Road was reiterated.
The next meeting is to take place on 26 January at 7.45 pm in the School. There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.40 pm. |
