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Parish Council: Meeting minutes 22 April 2008Last updated: Tuesday, 22 April 2008, 06:11 PM
Present: Cllrs: Ian Storr (Chairman), Grenville Chamberlain, Anthony Gill, Pauline Joslin, Alan Freeman, Sue Cripps and Jim Stewart. In attendance: Mrs L Hazel (LGS Services), Catherine Taylor and Camilla Haggett, Countryside Access Team, CCC. Open Public Session No members of public present. 1. To approve apologies for absence and declarations of interest. 1.0 Apologies were noted from Cllr Grenfell and Cllr Bhachu. Cllr Denzil Baldwin also sent his apologies. There were no declarations of interest at this point. 2. To approve the minutes of the meetings on 25 March 2008 On a proposition by Cllr Gill, seconded by Cllr Joslin the minutes of the meeting on 25 March 2008 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman after the following minor amendment: Item: 5.1.1 ‘Parrish’ should be spelt ‘Parish’. On a proposition by the Chairman it was agreed to take item: 3.2 next. 3.2 Catherine Taylor CCC – Millers Way and definitive map Catherine Taylor and Camilla Haggett CCC were welcomed to the meeting. Catherine Taylor reported on the legislation involved in making applications. The Director of Highways and Access decides if an application is successful. She explained that some of the Parish Council’s questions/concerns may be answered by her presentation. The following points were noted: CCC Definitive Map is a legal map showing all rights of way. Anyone can make an application to have a route recorded. All applications are evidence based. This can be either documentary or user evidence based or a combination of both. The user evidence is based over a 20 year period. CCC has a duty to investigate all applications. The process involves; looking at amount of use, interviewing people/users and gathering evidence. A report is then written and a decision taken. The report is passed to the relevant land owners/people. If the Director of Highways and Access agrees that the route should be recorded then a legal order is made. The consultation period between land owners and applicants then takes approximately 6 weeks. If there are no objections then the route is then recorded as a public right of way. If there is an appeal then the application has to go the Planning Inspector for a final decision. User evidence forms a substantial part of the application and is normally the main body of evidence. The following questions were raised: Q – What is the legal basis of which evidence is required? A – If the route is based in the countryside and only a few people use the route then the evidence/recommendation will be based appropriately but if the route is based in a big place i.e. town or city then a lot of evidence will be required. Q – The route is recorded in the deeds of Millers Way is this not substantial enough? A – All appropriate landowners will be contacted and their views asked. Q – If it is in the deeds? A – This is not often/common. Q – Could we set up CCTV to record usage? The bus stop is placed directly at the end of the route. A – You could write to the bus company and ask them why they placed the bus stop specifically there? This could form part of the evidence. Q – The Parish Council as an elected body are saying that the route has been regularly used over the years and do not understand why this is not evidence enough? A – The final decision is not made by CCC also corporate bodies cannot be cross examined. It is best if any applications forms completed are signed by individual residents/users as this would add more body to the application. Q – How best can the rules be met? A – The more individually signed applications forms the better. Examples of previous applications that were successful and some that were not were passed to members to look at. It was noted that it is up to the applicant to obtain evidence for submission. A guide was handed out on how the rights of way system works and it was confirmed that it would take a minimum of 12 months to investigate the application. The Chairman thanked the guests for attending tonight’s meeting and they both left. 3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last meeting 3.1 Clerk Report 3.1.0 (4.1) NATS Consultation – The draft is to be sent out with copies to the Newsletter and website. 3.1.1. (3.1.1) Pitch Drainage – As this is ongoing it will be carried forward to a future meeting. 3.1.2 (3.1.2) Hundred Housing – This is to be carried forward to a future meeting to allow the deed of variation to be received. 3.1.3 (3.1.6) It was noted that Cllr Baldwin’s work currently takes him away to the North of England (on average 5 night’s week) and he is therefore unable to attend any meetings during the working week at present. 3.1.4 (3.5) Street Lighting inventory has been checked. The inventory had one light missing and one additional light shown. CCC has been asked to update the locations. As the total number of lights was correct a cheque for payment has been released. 3.1.5 (4.2) Request for litter bin opposite side to bus shelter - outside 149 St Neots Road. It was noted that SCDC have been asked if they will install and empty the bin or if the cost of supply and installation is the Parish Council’s responsibility. The following 2 items were taken next: 4.1 Post Office closures in Cambridgeshire Noted. 4.2 Hardwick Football Club – request for support for grant application to FA for goals In response to the request from the Hardwick Harriers for a letter of support for their grant application to the FA it was agreed that a formal letter from the Parish Council is to be sent to the Football Club highlighting that the Parish Council own the field and are happy to welcome use of the field by the Football Cub as it is felt that they are a great asset to the village. The Parish Council is happy to support their request for a grant for new poles and goal posts. 3.3 Smoking shelter – update The Chairman reported that the Sports and Social Club do not require a loan from the Parish Council as they have the finances in place and are happy with the proposals and willing to contribute towards the shelter the total cost of which will be £6,550.00 plus VAT (option to include moving doors). Planning permission has been granted and the architect will oversee the project as already agreed. 3.4 (6.7) S137 donations The article in the Hardwick Happenings regarding the Church’s financial position was considered. It was agreed by all that the Church is part of the heritage/fabric of the village where residents can get married, attend services or get buried there. Cllr Storr proposed, seconded by Cllr Stewart that in accordance with its powers under Section 137 of the Local Government Act, 1972, the Council donate £1,500 to the Church which, in the opinion of the Council is in the interests of the area and its inhabitants, was carried. The sum of £1,500 is to cover the insurance premium for this year of £1,300 and the remainder £200 is a donation towards this year’s grass cutting. On a proposition by Mr. Storr and seconded by Mr. Stewart it was agreed to increase the S137 donation budget next year when budgeting. Both these motions were agreed. 4. Correspondence/communications received 4.1 Post Office closures in Cambridgeshire This was taken earlier. 4.2 Hardwick Football Club – request for support for grant application to FA for goals This was taken earlier. 5. Planning applications and decision notices 5.1.1 S/0598/08/F 74 Ellison Lane – Extension The Parish Council makes no recommendation. 5.1.2 S/0562/08/CM Hardwick Primary School – 5 Bay mobile building on site for temporary period The Parish Council after considering the application indicated that they have reservations with the temporary period as no time limit has been indicated. On a proposition by Cllr Storr, seconded by Cllr Chamberlain it was agreed to recommend the application is refused based on the following: The Parish Council strongly objects to the inappropriateness of very young children being bused from Cambourne. The lack of parking facilities. There will be an increase of traffic within the village which is already congested especially around the shop area. The criteria are not sustainable. 5.1.3 S/0546/08/F 9 Pippin Walk – Conservatory The Parish Council makes no recommendation. 5.1.4 S/0507/08/F Land adj 10 Hall Drive – Erection of stable block and part change of use The Parish Council makes no recommendation. 5.1.5 S/0491/08/F 52 Main Street – Extension The Parish Council makes no recommendation. 5.1.6 S/0477/08/F 6 Main Street – Creation of new access Cllr Freeman declared an interest in this item. The Parish Council makes no recommendation. 5.1.7 S/0430/08/F 65 St Neots Road – Conservatory The Parish Council makes no recommendation. 5.1.8 S0597/08/F 7 Worcester Ave – Garage It was noted that no documentation has been received for this application but that Cllr Chamberlain has looked up the details on the website and was able to advise the Parish Council accordingly. It was noted that the previous application had been refused but this application had been amended and the garage has now been moved back slightly. Cllr Stewart declared an interest as he was asked by the applicant to give his advice on this application. The Parish Council makes no recommendation. 5.2 SCDC Approval/Refusal 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 Chamberlain, seconded by Cllr Joslin the payments as listed in the report were approved: Victoire Press Ltd (newsletter) £440.00 LGS Services (admin support) £985.44 Town & Country Tree Service (Tree work)s £188.00 Grounds by Rounds (grass cutting) £244.80 Victoire Press Ltd (newsletter) £440.00 LG Stoehr (salary) £199.97 J Dyer (salary) £108.86 6.2 Play Park Inspection – to receive reports None were received as both members were not in attendance at tonight’s meeting. The members are to be asked to send their report to the Clerk. 6.3 To agree the date and format for the Annual Parish Meeting It was formally agreed that the APM is to be held on the 27 May 2008 in the School followed by the normal Parish Council meeting. The APM will follow the same format as last year. 7. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk’s information and Closure of meeting 7.0 Parking by the shop is to be an agenda item for the next meeting. There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.50pm |
