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Parish Council: Meeting minutes 25 November 2008Last updated: Tuesday, 25 November 2008, 01:26 PM
Present: Cllrs: Nigel Atkinson, Tejinder Bhachu, Grenville Chamberlain, Sue Cripps, Alan Freeman, Anthony Gill, Pauline Joslin and Ian Storr (Chairman) In attendance: Ms Fiona Whelan (prospective CCC Liberal Democrat Candidate), Mrs Gail Stoehr (Clerk) and Mrs Ann Griffiths (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services). Open Public Session Fiona Whelan was welcomed to the meeting as a prospective County Council candidate and was given the opportunity to address the Council. 1. To approve apologies for absence and declarations of interest Apologies were noted from Cllr Atkinson and Cllr Chamberlain. No declarations of interest were made at this point in the meeting. 2. To approve the minutes of the meeting on 28 October 2008 On a proposition by Cllr Cripps, seconded by Cllr Gill, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman after the following amendments: Item 3.0.1 – Paragraph 2, line 3 should read “to the officer”. The third paragraph should precede the second paragraph. Item 3.2.2.0 – On line 5 the word “garden” was inserted between “their” and “but”. Cllr Freeman arrived. 3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last or previous meetings 3.1 Clerk Report The Clerk’s Report was noted. (3.1.2) The Bus Shelter – this is still being pursued by NALC Solicitors and a reply is still awaited. (3.1.2) 16 Egremont Road – a letter has been received from CCC which apologised for the delay and indicated there is no more budget for repairs to footways and this is on the list for next year. (3.1.4) Streetlight work – no reply has yet been received. (3.2.3) Parking outside the shop – a site visit has been arranged with Andrew Lansley on 1 December. Cllrs Atkinson, Bhachu, Cripps and Gill will attend. (6.1.3.1) With regard to the Scout Hut, it was understood that the individuals involved had been identified and Cllr Gill suggested that a representative from the Scouts attended the Police Panel Meeting. Concerns were expressed that the Police liaison meeting was primarily weighted towards Cambourne issues and it was noted that more PCs were needed. Regret was expressed that there was no option for the Parish Council to buy its own speed monitoring equipment and there was no timescale for receipt as yet under the Speedwatch scheme. 3.2 Members items/reports 3.2.1 (3.2.6) Footpaths Cllr Joslin reported that a phone call had been received from Mrs Chivers requesting a site meeting and asking that the new hedging be protected. An attempt had been made to contact the Isaiah group but no reply had as yet been received. It was agreed to keep this item on the agenda. 3.2.2 (6.2.1) Ian Lawson re repairs to car park barrier quote It was noted that another post had been broken and that a vehicle had been driven on to the recreation ground. On a proposal by Cllr Gill, seconded by Cllr Bhachu, it was unanimously agreed that the quote from Ian Lawson should be accepted and the work should go ahead as soon as possible. 3.2.3 (7.0.1) Trees (dwellings behind shop) Following enquiries by Cllr Storr, a reply had been received from SCDC that 20 trees had been recommended for felling, and after consultation, an order had been given for this to be done as a priority within the next few weeks, although no precise date had been given. 3.2.4 (7.0.3) Cycle Path This item was deferred until the next meeting. 3.2.5 (6.1.3.0) All weather court lighting Several companies had been out to look at the light and quotations had been sought but only one had been received. It was noted that six lights needed a part and the wires were in poor condition. On a proposition by Cllr Storr, seconded by Cllr Freeman, it was agreed unanimously to accept the quotation from Briar Security dated 17 November for £1280. 3.2.6 Additional item – Saxon Place Land Management Costs The reply from Martin Langford was discussed. It was noted that the funds received by the Parish Council were for the benefit of the whole village and not for maintenance. The residents could as indicated liaise with the Green Belt Group and offer to undertake the maintenance with a view to reducing the costs. It was agreed to respond to the effect that the Parish Council was sympathetic to the comments of the Meridian Close residents explaining the terms of the funding received by the Parish Council and suggesting that they needed to be negotiating with the Green Belt Group. 4. Correspondence/communications received Letter from B Plane regarding trees adjacent to 12 Blenheim Way The email from the son of the residents at 12 Blenheim Way expressing concern about cracking in the concrete slab driveway and the possibility that the house might become affected, and seeking removal of the beech tree. On a proposal by Cllr Storr, seconded by Cllr Gill, it was agreed that the Parish Council establish whether the tree belongs to the Parish Council and as appropriate put this in the hands of the council’s insurance company. Cllr Gill will meet with the Clerk to check the title deeds. 4.1 CPALC AGM Agenda Saturday 6 December 2008 The date of the meeting was noted. It was agreed to consider at the next meeting if membership of the organisation represents value for money. Carried forward to the next meeting. 4.2 SCDC – Responding to a housing shortfall public consultation On a proposal by Cllr Freeman, seconded by Cllr Gill, it was agreed to accept Cllr Chamberlain’s recommendation in full and respond recommending options 4, 10 and 11 for additional development. 4.3 Communities and Local Government – Code of conduct for local authority members and employees consultation It was agreed that a hard copy of the consultation document should be circulated and the item should be carried forward to the next meeting. 4.4 Hardwick FC – Request for sign Following a request from Claire Arber at Hardwick FC, requesting the erection of a sign to the effect of “cars parked at owner’s own risk,” quotes had been received from Signwork and Algar Signs. On a proposal by Cllr Joslin, seconded by Cllr Freeman, it was agreed unanimously to write initially to the Parish Council’s insurance company to check the legal position regarding these signs, and if appropriate, to accept the quote from Algar Signs for three signs on posts, one located off Egremont Road leading to the Pavilion, and two located along Egremont Road as cars drive in. 5. Planning applications and decision notices 5.1 Planning applications received since the last meeting None had been received. 5.2 Decision notices 5.2.1 S/1502/08/F – 339 St Neots Road – Replacement dwelling – Refused Noted. As no reply had been received to the letter it was agreed to arrange a site meeting with the Planning Officer and Cllr Stewart. 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 Gill, seconded by Cllr Freeman, the payments as listed in the report were approved, along with an additional payment to S Tunstall for £71.56 (repairs to slide): Cambs County Training Partnership (member training) £70.00 LGS Services (Admin support) £1091.47 L G Stoehr (Salary) £168.40 J Dyer (Salary) £108.86 Reids Playground Maintenance £2858.78 Reids Playground Maintenance £783.73 Grounds by Rounds (Grass cutting) £244.80 Credits received between meetings including income received for the Hardwick Happenings were noted. On a proposition by Cllr Cripps, seconded by Cllr Storr, it was unanimously agreed that only cheques would be accepted in payment for advertisements, and that any out of pocket expenses should be reimbursed by cheque. Appreciation was voiced for Mrs Instone-Brewer’s hard work as the Hardwick Happenings Editor. On a proposition by Cllr Joslin, seconded by Cllr Gill, it was agreed to advise the bank that the address for post should be amended to the Clerk’s address at 30 West Drive, to obviate the need to travel to Hardwick to collect post from the Pavilion. The mandate was signed by two members. 6.2 Play Inspection Reports Cllr Freeman presented his report on Egremont Road play area – no problems. Cllr Bhachu undertook to complete his report. Cllr Stewart is to be asked for his report. 7. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk’s information and Closure of meeting Ms Whelan advised that the Parish Council can attend full County Council meetings and raise a question if it has any concerns, and agreed to email details of the procedure. There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.52 pm. |
