|
Parish Council: Meeting minutes 26 July 2011Last updated: Tuesday, 26 July 2011, 06:04 PM
Meeting held on Tuesday 26 July 2011 in the Pavilion at 7.45 pm
Present: Cllrs I Storr (Chairman), T Bhachu, J Bowen, G Chamberlain, A Gill and P Joslin. In attendance: Cllr F Whelan (County Councillor), Mr John Onslow and Ms Camilla Haggett (Cambridgeshire County Council) and Mrs A Griffiths (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services).
Open public session including reports from the County and District Councillors Mr John Onslow and Ms Camilla Haggett of Cambridgeshire County Council were welcomed to the meeting to explore options for Millers Way. They explained that no funding was available from CCC for any work on the route but that they were happy to offer advice. It was stressed that the Parish Council had been trying to move this process forward for a long time and evidence of regular usage had been provided but progress had stalled. Possible options and their relative implications were outlined, namely designation under the Countryside Act as a Public Right of Way, (which would not confer any obligation for maintenance on the County Council), or under S30 of the Highways Act. Concerns were expressed that the route was dark and uneven and presented a safety risk but the County Council representatives reiterated that it would not be regarded as a priority for funding. It was noted that inclusion of the route on the Definitive Map could be a lengthy process and the route was presently private land. In order for maintenance to be carried out, it would first require designation as a highway, entailing establishing who the landowners were and obtaining their agreement. It was suggested that the Parish Council should undertake enquiries of the Land Registry as to the ownership and then contact the County Council again to take matters forward. Mr Onslow and Ms Haggett were thanked for attending and left the meeting.
Cllr Whelan reported on:
Cllr Whelan was thanked for her report and she left the meeting. 1. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest Apologies were received from Cllrs Stewart (out of parish), Seaber-Shinn (holiday) and Freeman (work commitments). There were no declarations of interest. 2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2011 The minutes of the meeting on 28 June 2011 were approved (Prop AG, 2nd PJ), and signed by the Chairman. 3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last or previous meeting The Clerk's report was noted. 3.1 (3.1) Miller's Way - to consider options It was agreed to make enquiries with the Land Registry as to the ownership of Millers Way. 3.2 (3.3) Recreation Ground - to consider quotes received 3.2.1 Vertidraining It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to accept the quotation from Hugh Pearl (Land Drainage) Ltd to a maximum of £965.00, but to request a reduction of £30 in line with another quote received, and to confirm with Agrostis and the Football and Cricket Clubs when the work should take place. 3.2.2 Top dressing It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to accept the quotation from Bury Turfcare for a total sum of £3265.00 for 2012, and to check with Agrostis and the Football and Cricket Clubs when the work should take place. 3.2.3 Weed killer It was unanimously agreed (Prop AG, 2nd PJ) to accept the quotation from Buchans up to a maximum of £220 plus VAT, and to check with the Football and Cricket Clubs when the work should take place. 3.2.4 Fertiliser It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to accept the quotation from Sherriff Amenity in the sum of £408.42. 3.3 (4.4) CCC Speed limit policy Noted. 3.4 (7.2) To consider quotes for works identified in the RoSPA report 3.4.1 Egremont Road play area - to consider safety surface Cllr Storr reported that there were small gaps between tiles. Cllr Freeman's recommendation was noted. It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to accept the quotation from Reids Playground Maintenance (Option 1) £260 to infill the gaps. 3.4.2 Skate park play area - recommendation for repair It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to accept the quotation from Reids Playground Maintenance for £220.00 to re-lay the surface at the bottom of the ramps. Cllr Bowen reported that graffiti had again been noted at the skatepark and arrangements are to be made for its removal. 3.4.3 Church play area - quotation for wear on links and safety surfacing It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd PJ) to accept the quotations from Reids Playground Maintenance for £30.00 to adjust the seats and £145.00 to replace the damaged swing seat. 3.5 (7.3) Standing Order review This is to be carried forward to a future meeting when a response from CPALC is received. 3.6 (8) To consider quotes for scraping and repainting 2 metal lampposts on Main Street The offer from SCDC had to replace the two columns, subject to the Parish Council continuing to pay for electricity and maintenance costs, was unanimously accepted (Prop PJ, 2nd GC). 3.7 Dog bin and litter bin on St Neots Road The Clerk's report on SCDC's response and costs for emptying was noted. The two old bins removed from the Recreation Ground had been replaced with new bins. The Parish Council ratified the Chairman's decision, made between meetings, following a site meeting with Mr Lawson, to install the third new bin at the Recreation Ground rather than at Grenadier Walk as previously agreed, as a replacement for another old bin. It was agreed (Pro GC, 2nd PJ) to accept the quotation from Ian Lawson for £40.00 to re-install one of the old bins from the Recreation Ground on the green opposite Worcester Avenue where the fish and child van parks. It was agreed that no litter bins were required at St Neots Road. Ian Lawson is to be asked to install a dog bin on a mounted post on the Cambridge Road side of St Neots Road, at least 50 yards from the first bungalow on St Neots Road, and to contact the Chairman for a site meeting before installation to check the location. The cost of emptying these two new bins will be £2.50pw each. The Parish Council will monitor reports of dog mess on St Neots Road in the vicinity of Weatherheads. 3.8 School liaison meeting report Cllr Joslin's written report was noted and she also verbally reported on the recent liaison meeting. 3.9 Footpaths report including quotation for signs Cllr Joslin presented her report. It was unanimously agreed (Prop PJ, 2nd JB) to accept the quotation from Algar Signcraft for 10 x 3" circular waymarking signs at £8.95 each for the Millennium Way, and £45.00 for the artwork. It was noted that the Millennium Way was very overgrown and concerns were expressed about the deteriorating condition of the Millennium Footbridge. It was agreed to obtain quotations for cutting the path, in the vicinity of the bridge, for which CCC has agreed a grant of £100, and also for repairs to the bridge. Enquiries are to be made regarding grants from English Nature for grants to create an elevated walkway to protect a badger sett. 4. Correspondence/communications received 4.1 Andrew Lansley MP - CCC traffic schemes budget It was agreed to reply that the situation at Victoria Corner (known also as Cahill corner) had now been resolved, but that the Parish Council is disappointed that there are unlikely to be improvements outside the shop. 4.2 Hardwick Sports and Social Club - request for meeting It was agreed to respond that Cllrs Storr and Chamberlain would be happy to attend a meeting whenever convenient and would report to a future meeting. 4.3 CCC Street lighting PFI project It was observed that insufficient information was provided to give a full response, but the Parish Council had no objection to the proposals. 4.4 SCDC Draft Parish Charter The Parish Council had no comments. 4.5 SCDC Community Pride and Village Hero awards Noted. There were no nominations. 5. Planning applications and decision notices 5.1 Planning applications received 5.1.1 S/1334/11 - 31 Meridian Close - Conservatory It was unanimously agreed (Prop GC, 2nd AG) to recommend approval. 5.2 SCDC Decision and appeal notices 5.2.1 S/0905/11 - Blue Lion, 74 Main Street - Timber decked section to existing pub garden area (retrospective) - Refused by SCDC - Noted. 5.2.2 S/0747/11 - 1 Pippin Walk - Extensions - Approved by SCDC - Noted. 5.3 Tree works applications 4 Ashmead Drive - Cllr Gill reported. The Parish Council had no objections. 6. Members reports and items for decision 6.1 Proposal to remove fencing adjacent to skate park It was unanimously agreed(Prop GC, 2nd JB) to accept the quotation of £80 from Ian Lawson. 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 were unanimously approved for payment (Prop PJ, 2nd TB), plus Briar Security £372.00 (Maintenance charge), Lawson Tree £325.00 (Move and install 3 bins), SCDC £135.00 (Election costs), and Lawson Tree £25.00 (Prop PJ, 2nd JB). The Chairman and Cllr Gill reported on the decision made between meetings with the Clerk to complete the landscaping on the Recreation Ground by adding some trees. It was unanimously agreed(Prop PJ, 2nd JB) to approve the payment to PT Pinner and Son £648.00 (10 trees, 9 for the Recreation Ground and one to replace a silver birch). Credits received since the last meeting were noted.
It was noted that the seeded area in the car park required cutting and it was agreed to ask Grounds by Rounds to add this area to the cutting schedule. 7.2 Play area inspection reports and skate park inspection report including RoSPA reports for Worcester Avenue and Grenadier Walk Worcester Avenue - the RoSPA report indicated a very low risk. Grenadier Walk - the RoSPA report highlighted consideration of the safety surface. However, there was not felt to be an immediate need for work at Grenadier Walk or Worcester Avenue. Skate park - repairs are under way for the surface at the base of the ramps. Cllr Bowen undertook to email his report. Cllr Freeman and Cllr Stewart are to be asked to email their reports as soon as possible. 8. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk's information and Closure of meeting A resident had complained that a hedge on the left hand side of Cambridge Road was encroaching on the bend by Limes Road. It was agreed to notify the Highways Department and ask them to raise this with the landowner. Fly tipping has occurred between Sudeley Grove and Ashmead Drive. It was noted that SCDC provided web hosting services. The Parish Council expressed satisfaction with the present arrangements which are cheaper and more wide-ranging. Cllr Chamberlain gave his apologies for the August meeting. There was no further business and the meeting closed at 10.14 pm.
|
