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Parish Council: Meeting minutes 24 February 2009Last updated: Tuesday, 24 February 2009, 05:41 PM Present: Cllrs: Tejinder Bhachu, Sue Cripps, Tony Gill, Pauline Joslin and Jim Stewart (Chairman). In attendance: Cllr Fiona Whelan (County Councillor), 2 members of the public and Mrs Ann Griffiths (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services). Open Public Session including reports from the County and District Councillors Mr T Task and Mrs J Muncey updated the Parish Council on the revised plans for the scout hut. Following the engagement of a new architect, the proposed building is now a simpler, single storey elevation with a small lobby, toilets and kitchens and a similar floor area to the present. There is a possibility of extending further towards Limes Road dependent on funds. The building will be eco-friendly with a seeded roof and re-circulated rainwater. The work would not commence until next year at the earliest. The Parish Council's opinion was sought on the options for the heating system. One option involved installing the heat pump in the recreation ground, which would interfere with use during construction, and might have implications for the forthcoming drainage work. Another option would be to have a deeper borehole. It was felt that the heating arrangements would need to be re-considered and further details of alternative options will be brought to the Parish Council in due course, as it would be necessary to liaise to dovetail any proposed work to minimise disruption to the drainage works and football and cricket seasons. With regard to access, it was felt that any access would need to be from Limes Road, which might necessitate re-orientation of the building. At the request of Mr Task and Mrs Muncey, the Parish Council indicated its willingness to submit the finalised plans to SCDC on their behalf when the time came. In response to an enquiry about grant funding from SCDC, Cllr Stewart undertook to enquire whether there was any merit in submitting an application now. It was suggested that they should speak to Nigel Blazeby at SCDC for a pre-application discussion to press the matter forward, due to the condition of the existing building. A timescale for the works would be from Easter to the end of October, and it was felt that the plans were now more realistic. Mr Task and Mrs Muncey were thanked for keeping the Parish Council informed and they left the meeting. 1. To approve apologies for absence and declarations of interest Apologies were noted from Cllrs Atkinson, Chamberlain, Freeman and Storr. In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Cllr Stewart chaired the meeting. 2. To approve the minutes of the meeting on 27 January 2009 The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a correct record with one amendment to change Grays to Grace. The minutes are to be signed by Cllr Storr. 3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last or previous meetings 3.1 Clerk Report The Clerk's Report was noted. 3.1.1 (3.2.1) Cycle Path Carried forward while Cllr Whelan is progressing. 3.1.2 (3.2.3) Disclaimer signs at the Recreation Ground It was agreed to reply to the Football Club's request that the Parish Council had no objection to the Club installing the signs themselves but did not wish to fund this. 3.1.3 Pitch Drainage Project The Parish Council was pleased to note that funding for the project had now been secured at a total cost of £29,596, conditional on a member of maintenance staff passing an Institute of Groundsmen training course. A representative of the Football Club is to be invited to attend the next meeting with all the documentation and quotes, in order to discuss how the project should proceed, the timing and publicity and any other issues. 3.1.4 (6.1) Village Maps Grace Crescent and Meridian Close are to be added and also Appletree Close and St Mary's Court if they are not already. On a proposition by Cllr Cripps, seconded by Cllr Joslin, it was agreed that the three signs (by the shop, on St Neots Road, and by the Church) should be updated and the quotation from Signworks for the new fascias accepted. 3.1.5 Streetlights 7 & 9 in Main Street It was agreed that these lights are required and refurbishment should proceed as soon as possible. On a proposition by the Chairman it was agreed to vary the order of business to allow Cllr Whelan to report as follows:
3.2 Members items/reports 3.2.1 (3.2.3) Speedwatch A response from the Police is awaited. Carried forward. 3.2.2 (6.5) P3 Scheme FY2009 work review and FY 2009 grant application Cllr Joslin proposed the application should include a request that all public rights of way should be cut, with the exception of the footpath leading northwards from Millennium Way between Hardwick and Coton, where there is a badger's sett, and that should be cut when the time is right. Cllr Joslin offered to deliver the application to CCC. 3.2.3 (7.2) Cambridge Road parking by shop - report on meeting with Mrs Chivers It was noted that the site meeting between Caroline Chivers, Cllr Whelan and Cllr Storr the outcome of which was that parking would remain as it was outside the shop but an extra lane would be provided on her land for the road widening. Cllr Whelan will now progress this with CCC however its funding is severely limited. Andrew Lansley is remain informed. 3.2.4 Report on meeting with HSSC and Clubs and FA It was noted that the meeting had been very positive but that the FA grant would only cover the refurbishment of the changing room. The FA expects the grant to be matched by local funding. Another meeting is to take place on 9 March with representatives from the FA, the Football and Cricket Clubs and HSSC. It was generally agreed that other work, especially the viewing gallery, was needed but funding was the issue. Carried forward for report after 9 March meeting. 4. Correspondence/communications received 4.1 Safer Routes to School - request for financial support The email from Melanie Baker, Safer Routes to School Project Officer asking the Parish Council to pay for the installation and ongoing maintenance of the equipment was considered. Cllr Stewart declared a personal interest as his grandchildren attend the school. On a proposition by Cllr Gill, seconded by Cllr Joslin, it was unanimously agreed to fund the installation costs of £2000 and costs of future maintenance and repair. So this project could progress 4.2 Cambs County Council Minerals and Waste Consultation Cllr Whelan reported on the forthcoming meeting at Madingley with the contractors to discuss the proposal for clay extraction pits and that she would be seeking cast iron assurances that construction traffic not be travelling through the villages and also on arrangements for the use and restoration of the pits. 4.3 Communities in Control - Real People Real Power - Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity The Parish Council has no comment to make. Cllr Whelan left the meeting. 4.4 Cambridgeshire Transport Commission Consultation The consultation questions were discussed and it was agreed to respond as follows: Q1 Transport improvements are needed. Q2 Public transport prices and fares should be reduced, and timetabling and route planning should be re-considered, avoiding Newmarket Road, to reduce congestion. Q3 Congestion charging should not be imposed as this represents an additional tax. The priority must be to improve public transport significantly by making it cheap reliable and efficient to encourage people to use it. An increase in the number of green buses, better advertised, and "intelligent" bus stops informing passengers when the next bus is due, were advocated. Q4 No comment. Q5 As Q3. It was noted that the consultation would be discussed at SCDC. 4.5 Start Network The meeting to introduce this scheme on 28 March was noted. Cllr Stewart agreed to attend. 4.6 Other 4.6.1 Hardwick Football Club - cars driving on recreation ground In response to the email from Gary Arberit was agreed to reply thanking him for the information and advising him that the Parish Council would report the situation to Police. It was emphasised that any incidents including details of registration numbers, descriptions of vehicles should be noted in order to pass as much evidence as possible to the police. 4.6.2 Email from T Dalton Vehicles being driven across the green area and footpaths in the vicinity of 1, 3 and 5 Egremont Road was noted. It was reiterated that residents should be vigilant and try to obtain as much detailed evidence as possible in order to report this to the PCSO. The possibility of obtaining large trees to be planted in the gap was considered and Cllr Gill is to contact SCDC to investigate what is available. Agenda item next meeting. Dog fouling was noted and a dog bin and signs will be considered further next year. Cllr Gill will inspect the crab apple tree by 5 Egremont Road and report to the next meeting. 4.6.3 NATS - withdrawal of proposals The Parish Council was pleased that the proposals to alter the flight paths and stack had been withdrawn. Mr Mantle's email emphasizing the need to keep alert for future proposals was noted. 5. Planning applications and decision notices 5.1 Planning applications received since the last meeting 5.1.1 S/0208/09F - 124 Limes Road - extension No recommendation. 5.1.2 28 Main Street - Tree works The Parish Council had no comment and the work had since been approved by SCDC. 5.1.3 S/2155/08/F - Scotland Farm, Dry Drayton - extension to grain store No recommendation. 5.2 Decision notices 5.2.1 S/2148/08/F - 61 Main Street - SCDC permission Noted. 5.2.2 28 Main Street - Tree Works SCDC consent granted. 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 Joslin, seconded by Cllr Bhachu, the payments as listed in the report were approved, plus Land Registry £6, Comberton Parish Council £23.22, LG Stoehr £161.20, J Dyer £108.86, CCC £1993.04 and Victoire Press £420. As only one signatory was present the cheques are to be signed after the meeting.
Receipts including interest and advertising were noted. Recreation Ground railings - the quotations from Town and Country, Universal Fencing and Cambridge Outdoor Living were considered. On a proposition by Cllr Gill, seconded by Cllr Joslin, it was agreed to accept the quotation from Universal Fencing for £4947.71 plus VAT. 6.2 Play Inspection Reports Worcester Road the safety surfacing has not as yet been installed. Cllr Stewart will deliver his report by the next meeting. 7. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk's information and Closure of meeting 7.1 A streetlight for the footpath in the Grenadier Walk area is to be an agenda item for the next meeting. 7.2 Cllr Gill reported on a S106 training course he attended. S106 is under review by the Government and the outcome will be known later in the year. It is proposed that a community infrastructure levy would replace S106 and this is likely to be applicable to single properties. The method of charging and distribution is under review and while funds will probably be distributed to parishes in the same way, the source of the funding is likely to change. There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.30 pm. |
