26 April 2011

Last updated: Tuesday, 26 April 2011, 05:11 PM

Hardwick Parish Council
Meeting held on Tuesday 26 April 2011 in the School at 7.45 pm

Present: Cllrs I Storr (Chairman), A Freeman, P Joslin, G Chamberlain, A Gill and J Stewart.
In attendance: Cllr F Whelan (County Councillor) and Mrs A Griffiths (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services).

Open public session including reports from the County and District Councillors
Cllr Whelan presented her report which covered:
• The Guided Busway and the handover to Cambridgeshire County Council
• CCC has decided to allow Parish councils to amend speed limits if they fund the schemes themselves through fundraising, as no funding is available from CCC.
• The Comberton library is at risk and a meeting is to be held on 25 May at 7 pm to discuss the way forward.
• Changes to the Citi 4 service and Megarider boundaries.
• The lack of secondary school places and the delay in hearing appeals. Cllr Whelan offered to speak to anyone experiencing difficulties obtaining a place at CVC.
• It was noted that children were being transported by bus and car from Cambourne to Hardwick, creating additional traffic and a need for an extra classroom at Hardwick. Cllr Whelan offered to speak on the Parish Council’s behalf to express concerns.
• Cllr Whelan outlined the background to Mark Kemp’s reply regarding Miller’s Way and offer to attend the June meeting to clarify the position regarding maintenance.
Cllr Stewart reported that Greene King had now submitted a retrospective planning application for decking at the Blue Lion and urged Councillors to visit the site and take a look.

1. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest
Apologies were received from Cllr Bowen (personal reasons).
There were no declarations of interest.

2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2011
The minutes of the meeting on 22 March 2011 were unanimously approved (Prop PJ, 2nd JS), and signed by the Chairman, after minor spelling and typing corrections and amendments to Item 4.4 to read “Cllrs Gill and Storr” and to Item 5.3.1 to read “the entrance to the woodland”.

3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last or previous meeting
The Clerk’s report was noted.
3.0.1 The Parish Council agreed to proceed with the revaluation of the Pavilion – carried forward.
3.0.2 (5.3.1) It was noted that SCDC had to work through all outstanding applications for trees to see what could be provided this year and any outstanding requests would be carried forward to next year.
3.0.3 (6.3) Concern was expressed at a large wet and muddy area persisting on Portway at the corner of Starve Goose Plantation, and that encroachment had been made into the plantation to bypass the muddy area. The landowner is to be informed. CCC has indicated that no funds are available for remedial work. Appreciation was expressed for the CCC’s Wimpole Way leaflet. It was suggested that the leaflet be publicised in Hardwick Happenings and the copyright position regarding reproducing the wording checked.
3.1 Dogs on Recreation Ground - to consider if dog control orders are required
Consideration was given to the advice from Paul Clayden of LCAS and the defra guidance notes. The Parish Council agreed that no action was required at this time.
3.2 HSSC response re picket fence and repair to external soil drainage
The response of HSSC was noted. It was agreed to respond that the Parish Council was not in a position to fund a picket fence, and would respectfully request that any committee members or staff who witnessed untoward activity with footballs should ask those involved to stop.
The drain blockage was noted. It was agreed to write to a resident to enquire as to the outcome of his investigation into the problem.
3.3 Reply from SCDC re planning site notification
The reply from SCDC was noted. No further action.
3.4 (3.5) Millers Way response from CCC
The reply from Mark Kemp was noted and it was agreed to take up his kind offer to attend the June meeting to explore the options available. Cllr Stewart undertook to investigate whether any information was available in the archives.

4. Correspondence/communications received
4.1 Request from Church for S137 donation towards insurance
The request from St Mary’s Church for assistance with the insurance premium and 50% of the grass cutting invoice, was considered. In accordance with its powers under Section 137 of the Local Government Act, 1972, it was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd AF) that the Council donate to St Mary’s Church the sum of £1400.68 to cover the costs of the insurance, and also unanimously agreed (Prop JS, 2nd AG) to donate to St Mary’s Church the sum of £320 (being approximately 50% of the cost of grass cutting £639.78), which, in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area and its inhabitants. It was observed that the lych gate was in a poor state of repair.
4.2 Grounds by Rounds – proposal of fixed rate for 2yrs’ grass cutting contract extension
The request for the extension of the contract by a further two years to 31 March 2014, subject to prices being held, was unanimously approved (Prop PJ, 2nd AF).
4.3 CCC – Integrated Plan
Noted. The Parish Council had no comments to make.
4.4 SCDC Guidance on Affordable Rural Housing
The response from SCDC was noted.

5. Planning applications and decision notices
5.1 Planning applications received
5.1.1 S/0686/11 – 21 Egremont Road – construction of rear single storey infill extension
It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to recommend approval.
5.1.2 S/0629/11 – 8 Pippin Walk – single storey rear extension
It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to recommend approval.
5.1.3 S/0590/11 – 9 Manor Crescent – single storey rear extension
It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to recommend approval.
5.1.4 S/2309/10 – 53 Hall Drive – amended application
It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to recommend approval.
5.1.5 S/0377/11 – 5 Pershore Road
It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to recommend approval.
5.1.6 S/00730/11/CC – Hardwick Primary School – Erection of 4 bay mobile classroom
It was agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to recommend refusal and to write to CCC explaining the reasons, as follows:
1. The Parish Council considers it inappropriate and unfair to the children involved for children as young as four years old to be transported to school from Cambourne to Hardwick.
2. The Parish Council believes that land is available at the existing schools in Cambourne, which is the most logical place for additional provision, and would eliminate the costs of transport.
3. Many parents bring their children to school by car, creating traffic congestion, pollution, which is hazardous.
4. The proposal considerably reduces the play area available for the children.
It was agreed that Cllr Whelan should be nominated to speak on behalf of the Parish Council at the Planning Committee at Shire Hall and the appropriate notice given of the wish to speak. A copy of the letter is to be sent to Cllr Whelan.
5.2 SCDC Decision and appeal notices
None.
5.2.2 Planning Inspectorate: Ref 2140247: 345 St Neots Road, Hardwick, CB23 7QL
It was noted that the Inspector had approved the appeal against refusal by SCDC.
5.3 Tree works applications
None.

6. Members reports and items for decision
6.1 Recreation Ground drainage – The Way Forward
Minutes of the meeting between interested parties had been circulated and the comments noted.
6.2 Report on SCDC Parish Liaison meeting held on 29 March
Cllr Gill reported on the meeting attended by himself and Cllr Storr. Topics discussed included changes to the Standards Committee role and the appointment of a working party to decide on an alternative scheme; the community structure levy; Travellers’ sites.

7. Finance, risk assessment and procedural matters
7.1 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 Dynorod £91.20, were unanimously approved for payment (Prop GC, 2nd AF). Credits received since the last meeting were noted.
Grounds by Rounds (grass cutting) £294.01
Victoire Press Ltd (newsletter) £585.00
Town and Country (tree works) £108.00
LGS Services (admin support) £1228.88
ROSPA (play equipment inspection) £381.60
Came and Co (insurance) £2095.30
C Edgley (newsletter reimbursement) £16.15
A credit note from SCDC of £11.84 for the late arrival of a bin was noted.
7.2 Street lighting – to decide on maintenance options
The Parish Council unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd AG) to obtain electricity from CCC and to accept the maintenance option from Balfour Beatty (Option 2).
On a proposition by the Chairman, it was agreed to vary the order of business to take Item 7.4 and defer Item 7.3 until the end of the meeting.
7.4 Play area inspection reports and skate park inspection report
Reports were received for the St Mary’s Church Play area and the Egremont Road play area. It was noted that the “No kite flying” sign at the Church play area had been obliterated and this is in hand. A bin at Egremont Road play area is full. Cllrs Bowen and Bhachu are to be asked to email their reports as soon as possible.
7.3 Litter picker’s review (confidential)
At approximately 9.35 pm, in accordance with S1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, that is, the Council considering employment matters, the public were temporarily excluded from the meeting and were instructed to withdraw. No members of the public were present. The Minutes Secretary was invited to remain.
The meeting was re-opened to the public at approximately 9.40 pm. No members of the public rejoined the meeting.

8. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk’s information and Closure of meeting
Members were reminded to submit their election expenses declarations as soon as possible.
The overgrown state of the Millennium Way footpath and a School Liaison report will be items for the next meeting.

There was no further business and the meeting closed at 9.45 pm.