16 December 2008

Last updated: Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 06:19 PM

Present: Cllrs

Tejinder Bhachu, Grenville Chamberlain, Alan Freeman, Anthony Gill, Pauline Joslin and Jim Stewart.
In attendance: Mrs Lisa Hazel (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services).

Cllr Chamberlain chaired the meeting.

Open Public Session

None present.

1. To approve apologies for absence and declarations of interest
Apologies were noted from and Cllr Storr and Cllr Cripps. No declarations of interest were received.

2. To approve the minutes of the meeting on 25 November 2008

On a proposition by Cllr Stewart, seconded by Cllr Joslin, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman after the following amendments:

Cllr Chamberlain was not present at the last meeting therefore his name is to be removed and Cllr Stewart’s apologies for the last meeting are to be recorded.

3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last or previous meetings

3.1 Clerk Report
The Clerk’s Report was noted.

3.2 Members items/reports

3.2.1 (3.1) Parking outside shop – Update site meeting + Disabled Parking

Disabled Parking - David Lines has responded as follows:

1. The statutory process should take about 18 weeks to complete, I do need to check on budget availability as we may well have already committed this year’s budget. Either way, I shall get the ball rolling, if budget is an issue I'll endeavor to keep you informed.

Parking outside Shop - It was reported that the recent site meeting was good and that the onus has been put on the Highways Department to resolve the matter. The recent letter from Andrew Lansley MP was noted.

3.2.2 (3.2.4) Cycle Path – carried forward

It was unanimously agreed that a safe cycle path between Hardwick and Comberton is needed / required so that children could use the path to cycle safely to the College. It was agreed that in the first instance a letter is to be sent to Stephen Munday at Comberton Village College inquiring how many pupils from Hardwick currently attend the College. This is to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

3.2.3 (4) Trees adjacent 12 Blenheim Way – Update

It was noted that the trees are not the Parish Councils responsibility, but they could possibly be the responsibility of Anglian Water. The complainant has been advised to refer his complaint to Anglian Water.

3.2.4 (4.1) CPALC Affiliation – Membership review

This was reviewed and on a proposition by Cllr Gill seconded by Cllr Joslin it was formally agreed not to renew the
CPALC affiliation membership as advice can be sought from other means. This is to be reviewed again in a year’s time.

3.2.5 (4.3) Communities and Local Government – Code of conduct for local authority members and employees consultation – Carried forward
Noted. It was questioned who this applies to. It was agreed to respond with no comment.

3.2.6 Pavilion – Car park disability lining

It was noted that CCC have indicated they can do this at reduced cost when they do lining in the village but as yet have not said what the cost will be. This is to be carried forward to the next meeting to allow other quotes to be obtained.

3.2.7 (3.2.3) Trees (dwellings behind shop) – Update

Greg Harlock SCDC has responded as follows:

1. I thought you may be interested to learn that the felling of the trees in Limes Road, Hardwick, has been scheduled by our contractors, S and P Landscapes, for the week commencing the 15th December 2008.

It was formally agreed to send a letter of thanks to Grey Harlock SCDC for all his help in the matter.

3.2.8 (3.2.1) Footpaths

No further action reported.

3.2.9 Street Light

Consideration was given to Paul Quigley’s email reply dated 10 December that CCC has advised that in their opinion both pole bracket lights need replacing. As the poles are owned by EDF, who do not allow like for like replacements, the only alternative is to take down the pole bracket lights and install standard spec column lights at the same locations. This would be done under the usual arrangements i.e. SCDC will pay for the replacements and the PC will then pay for power and maintenance.

4. Correspondence/communications received

4.1 Sustainable Communities Act

Noted.

4.2 Speedwatch – Request from Caldecote Parish Council

A Request from Caldecote Parish Council has been received as follows:

1. I understand that Hardwick are planning to take part in the Speed watch scheme.
Apparently it is recommended that villages co-operate in schemes to ensure fairness in operation, i.e. not carrying out the speed monitoring in your own village. Would Hardwick considerer joining up with Caldecote if necessary? This matter is to be carried forward to the next meeting for further consideration.

4.3 Mary Mitchell re: Road Junction rear of Main Street, Grace Crescent and The Pastures

The letter from Mary Mitchell was noted and considered along with the reply from Steven Thulborn. It was agreed to ask Highways Department to look into the matter and give their advice / views on possible solutions along with costing’s before any decision is made. This is to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

4.4 Buses - Stagecoach Citi Service Changes

The Off-Peak journeys will be withdrawn but the peak journeys will continue to operate.

5. Planning applications and decision notices

5.1 Planning applications received since the last meeting

None had been received.

5.2 Decision notices

None

6. Finance, risk assessment and procedural matters

6.1 To approve the payment of bills

The financial report was received and considered and invoices and bank statements were checked. On a proposition by Cllr Freeman, seconded by Cllr Joslin, the payments as listed in the report were approved plus: Irena Spence £11.00, Victoire Press Ltd £440.00, Hardwick School £36.00, Cambridgeshire ACRE £35.00 and Victoire Press Ltd £585.00.

J Dyer (salary) £108.86
LG Stoehr (salary) £103.60
Briar Security Systems Ltd (CCTV equipment) £410.95
LGS Services (admin support) £1028.61
Grounds by Rounds (grass cutting) £244.80

6.2 Play Inspection Reports

Cllrs Freeman, Bhachu and Stewart presented their reports. It was noted that the Worcester Avenue play area has no safety matting underneath the climbing frame. Quotes are to be obtained for this.

6.3 Freedom of Information Act – Policy Review

This was reviewed and it was formally agreed that no changes are required.

6.4 Hardwick FC – Pitch drainage update

It was noted that the Football Association has asked for additional information on the project which is being prepared. It has also indicated that the football clubs should increase their financial contribution to the scheme

7. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk’s information and Closure of meeting

7.0 The School have approached the Parish Council via a member to gauge what the Parish Councils views were if they were apply to use the all weather pitch. It was agreed in principal that this was a good idea but before a decision can be reached further details are needed. This is to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.25 pm.