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Parish Council: Meeting minutes 27 September 2011Last updated: Tuesday, 27 September 2011, 05:26 PM
Meeting held on Tuesday 27 September 2011 in the School at 7.45 pm
Present: Councillors: I Storr (Chairman), T Bhachu, P Joslin, H Seaber- Shinn, A Gill J Stewart and James Bowen In attendance: 8 Members of the public including Graham Daniels (Hardwick FC), Cllr F Whelan and Mrs K Baptie (Clerk)
Open public session including reports from the County and District Councillors
Graham Daniels from Hardwick Football Club spoke in response to the letter sent to the Cambs FA regarding players swearing. The management at the club are entirely against swearing and fully agree with the sentiments of the letter but felt a little disappointed that the Parish Council had not contacted the Club in the first instance in view of the good working relationship which has built up, and hoped that in the future the club would be the first point of contact if a similar situation should arise.
Residents living near the motorbike testing centre expressed their concerns about the application to also include car testing centre that -
The Chairman varied the order of business to take item 5.1.2 next. 5.1.2 S/1809/11 - 25 St Neots Rd - motorbike testing centre to motorbike and car testing centre Cllr Gill reported on his site visit and outlined the plans. It was agreed to recommend refusal (Prop HS, 2nd JS, 4 in favour, 1abstention) based on the following; 1) Lack of car parking spaces will lead to congestion and people using the lay-bys on St Neots Rd as a waiting area. 2) The driveway is not thought to be wide enough to allow two learner cars to pass comfortably. 3) It would be dangerous for a learner driver to pull out across a cycle path into 40phm traffic. 4) The village and surrounding area would be used as a pre-test practice area. 5) Concerns about noise from extra vehicle movements. Many of the residents left the meeting and were thanked for attending.
Comments and observations from members of the public was resumed. Suzan Griffiths chair of FOCAL - Friends of Comberton Library talked about the level of local support shown by the local community to keep the library open with the help of fundraising and volunteers. There will be a meeting on 24th October at 7.30pm to discuss matters including using the facility as more of a social hub. The group propose to ask local parishes who are seen to use the library, for financial support from the parish precept. Mrs Griffiths was thanked and left the meeting. Cllr Whelan reported on;
Cllr Stewart reported that he had been contacted by a resident who was concerned that the village may loose up to 50% of its lighting. He had responded that there was no truth in this and that for any changes there would be a consultation via the Parish Council. It was also noted that the 2 metal streetlights on Main Street have still not been repainted. It was asked if they were to be replaced instead (ref July meeting item 4.2). Cllr Whelan left the meeting.
1. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest 1.1 Cllrs Freeman and Chamberlain had tendered their apologies. 2. To approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 23 August 2011 The minutes of the meeting on 23 August 201 were approved (Prop PJ, 2nd AG), and signed by the Chairman, following correction to a spelling error on page 214, item 4.1 'of' and 215 item 5.3 strikeout 'are'. 3. Matters Arising (8.) Speed stickers - Cllr Stewart has these and will drop them at the shop for distribution. Derelict site on St Neots Rd - an update is to be sought from Nick Harris at Redmayne Arnold as to the current situation.
3.1 (3.1) Millennium Way footbridge update and quotes if received The estimate from Roland Fletcher was considered. Four other contractors had declined to quote. It was agreed to apply to the Princes Countryside Fund to cover the cost. Cllr Joslin will ask Peter Gaskin to send forms to Clerk. Peter Gaskin had recommended that the path be cut 2 metres wide so Cllr Joslin will consult with Chivers to confirm this was acceptable to them and did not interfere with any Countryside Stewardship Agreement that they had in place. 3.2 (3.2) Legionella testing The quotation from LGS Services for £12.50pw to take the required pavilion readings was accepted. (Prop JS, 2nd PJ, all in favour) It was agreed to accept a 3yr contract with Primec for annual testing to secure the price. (Prop JB, 2nd PJ, all in favour) 3.3 (8) Phone box on Main St Noted. 3.4 (7.2) No Kite Flying sign It was noted that the sign is to be cleaned by the Community Payback Team for free. 4. Correspondence/communications received 4.1 Crime and Disorder partnership questionnaire It was agreed that Antisocial behaviour, speeding and traffic problems were the biggest problem in the village and that motorbikes and scooters and also learners posed a problem. 4.2 CCC - Preparing for the forthcoming winter season The letter from the County Council was noted. The school is asked to be responsible for spreading grit from the new bin at the next liaison meeting. 4.3 Boundary Commission - initial proposals for new Parliamentary constituencies in England Noted. Members can respond as they wish. 4.4 SCDC - cost of emptying litter bin in Ellison Lane It was agreed to respond to South Cambs that the Parish Council would like the bin emptied at £2.50 and not £4 as it is the same bin which was previously outside the Pavilion and has been re-sited at Ellison Lane in order to save costs. 5. Planning applications and decision notices 5.1 Planning applications received since the last meeting 5.1.1 S/1746/11 - 2 Limes Rd - 2 storey extension It was agreed to recommend approval. (Prop AG, 2nd PJ) The next item was taken earlier. 5.1.3 S/1686/11 26 Main Street - alterations It was agreed to recommend approval. (Prop JS, 2nd AG) 5.2 Decision and appeal notices report 5.2.1 Blue Lion - appeal against enforcement notice. Noted. 5.3 Tree works applications There were no applications however a willow tree on the green near 1 Laxton Ave, has a bow which is leaning dangerously low. It was agreed that this should be cut back as soon as possible. (Prop AG, 2nd PJ) 6. Members reports and items 6.1 Hardwick Sports and Social Club Lease Having studied the lease it was agreed that there is nothing to state that the changing room and the office are excluded but that the whole premises (as marked out in the plan) are included as stated in point 1.3. A response to this effect will be sent to the Sports and Social Club. On a separate issue it was agreed to ask the Sports and Social Club to close on occasions when the Parish Council meetings are to be held in the Pavilion as the noise is disruptive to meetings. 7. Finance, procedure and risk assessment 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 before the cheques were signed. The payments as listed in the report were approved for payment(Prop PJ, 2nd TJ) plus Garrick £129.60 (Perspex for bus shelter) and Buchans £228(weed spray recreation ground). Credits received since the last meeting were noted.
7.2 Moore Stephens Audit conclusion Noted. Thanks were expressed to the Clerk for her work. 7.3 Play areas and skate park inspection reports Members reports were received. 8. Closure of Meeting Parking near the school on both sides of Egremont Rd at pick up times is sometime so bad that school buses cannot get through. Cllr Joslin will raise this matter at the next school liaison meeting.
There was no further business and the meeting closed at 10.00 pm
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