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Parish Council: Meeting minutes 28 October 2008Last updated: Tuesday, 28 October 2008, 07:59 PM Present Cllrs: Nigel Atkinson, Grenville Chamberlain, Sue Cripps, Anthony Gill, Pauline Joslin, Alan Freeman and Ian Storr (Chairman) In attendance: Ms Fiona Whelan (prospective CCC Liberal Democrat Candidate) and Mrs L Hazel (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services). Open Public SessionFiona Whelan was welcomed to the meeting as a prospective County Council candidate and was given the opportunity to address the Council. It was noted that Cllr Bhachu arrived here. Fiona Key, a Governor of the School, briefly dropped in to hand in a general letter/petition for people to fill in if they so wish to do so with regards to parking outside the Shop. 1. To approve apologies for absence and declarations of interest 1.0 Apologies were noted from Cllr Bhachu (late) and Cllr Stewart. 1.1 Cllr Atkinson declared a personal interest in item 4.1 as deputy Chairman of the Sports and Social Club. 2. To approve the minutes of the meeting on 23 September 2008 On a proposition by Cllr Freeman, seconded by Cllr Cripps the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman after the following amendments: Item 3.1.1 – ‘did not’ should read ‘did not find’ Item 3.1.3 – Cllr Storr and Cllr Stewart attended. Item 7.0.5 – The word ‘London Way’ should be changed to ‘Blenheim Way’ as there is no London Way in Hardwick. 3. Matters arising and carried forward from the last or previous meetings 3.0.1 (5.1.2) S/1502/08/F – 339 St Neots Road – Replacement Dwelling It was bought to the attention of the Parish Council that SCDC have again refused planning for this property the reasons for which were read out. The Parish Council expressed their disappointment at this. Cllr Chamberlain reported on the meeting that he had attended in Comberton which was attended by members of the SCDC Planning Committee and local parish councils and that 93% of planning applications are decided by delegation tot eh officer and not at the full planning committee. It was noted that previously £600,000 in cash was generated but that in 2008 this figure had increased to over £2.3 million pounds and it was felt by the majority that the planning process is just a way of generating cash. It was confirmed that the feeling of the meeting was that the impact of local democracy has been reduced / eliminated. Members were urged to think carefully when deciding planning applications. They should either approve or refuse applications where appropriate providing detailed reasons for doing so otherwise planning applications will just be decided by policy / procedures and not by the views of members or the public. It was highlighted that the new system implemented in late 07 is flawed and that workers know very little about local / surrounding areas and are not democratically elected. It was noted that planning applications for between 1- 9 dwellings do not need to go to the planning committee neither do applications for industrial units under 10,000 m2. It was agreed by all that the refusal by SCDC for this application was wrong as this is a derelict property that will just get more run down when it could provide housing and employment for local people, along with deciding planning applications under delegated powers. A letter is to be sent to CCC to this affect also highlighting the above comments. A copy is to be sent to Andrew Lansley MP and Cllr Stewart. 3.1 Clerk Report 3.1.0 (7.0.4) SCDC has been out to look at where to install a dog bin and has agreed to install a bin but have highlighted that it will be on the other side of the bridleway and houses and not outside 158. This is at no cost to the Parish Council. 3.1.1 (3.1.1) The Hardwick Roundabout work has been completed. It was noted that the re-seeded grass is growing. 3.1.2 (3.1.0) Bus Shelter – This is still being pursued by NALC Solicitors. To be carried forward. 3.1.3 (3.1.4) 16 Egremont Road Paving – Further to the Parish Council’s emails of 28 July and 18 September another has been sent Dennis Vacher asking for information on when this will be done. 3.1.4 (3.6) Streetlight Work – no reply has as yet been received from SCDC. 3.2 Members items/reports 3.2.1 (4.2) Police & Speedwatch The Chairman’s response confirming that Hardwick Parish Council does wish to be involved in Speedwatch was noted. 3.2.2 (3.2 + 7.0.5) Trees suckers Egremont Road and roots in London Way 3.2.2.0 The responses from the SCDC Trees Officer and also guidance from Town & Country on tree suckers were considered. Cllr Gill confirmed that he has undertaken a site visit and is in agreement with SCDC. A letter is to be sent to the resident explaining the guidance received and confirming they can take action with regards to tree suckers coming up in their but not outside their properties boundary. 3.2.2.1 Beech tree – Blenheim Way Cllr Gill confirmed that he has undertaken a site visit and that the damage caused may possibly be due to the settlement of the manhole and not by tree roots as there was no direct evidence of this. It was agreed if the tree roots become visible the Parish Council will review the situation. 3.2.2.1 5 Egremont Road – Cllr Gill reported that he has looked at the tree in question which appears to be a crab apple and has confirmed that the tree does not appear to be the Parish Council’s therefore the resident can cut it back. Cllr Gill is to inform the resident. 3.2.3 (3.1.6) Parking outside the shop Parking outside the shop was reviewed for the benefit of the new member. It was reported that disabled drivers are unable to support their local shop because of lack of disabled parking provision. It was noted that the Parish Council has already spent a considerable amount of money trying to come up with possible solutions to try and resolve the matter. Several schemes have been drawn up at cost to the Parish Council which have all been rejected by CCC for one reason or another. It was confirmed that there is an agreement in place by Chivers Farm to release a small piece of land and that nearly all the finance for this is in place. CCC has indicated that this is not a top priority. A reply is still awaited from Mr Lansley MP. The new County Cllr is to be invited to the next meeting to discuss the matter further. 3.2.4 First registration of land by the Church Cllr Storr reported that this is in hand. 3.2.5 (3.3 & 3.5) S106 play equipment and access road near the Church It was agreed that no further action is to be taken with regards to the access road near the Church. 3.2.6 (3.1.7) Footpaths It was noted that Mrs. Chivers had indicated that she would like a site meeting with Cllr Joslin and the Isaiah Project. Carried forward to the next meeting. 4. Correspondence/communications received 4.1 Saxon Place residents – petition open space land management arrangements and costs The petition and letters from residents of Saxon Place were considered. It was noted that the land had been initially offered to the Parish Council but it had decided not to accept it due to possible complications with the storm cell underneath. At no time was it suggested that there will be maintenance costs or charges for residents. It was highlighted that the Developer had agreed to provide a sum of money to the Green Belt Group for maintenance. Cllr Storr in consultation with the Clerk is to send a letter to the residents highlighting the above. 4.2 Sports and Social Club – Extension Cllr Atkinson declared a personal interest in this item. He confirmed that the Sports and Social Club are applying for a grant from the FA to build a 1st floor extension housing changing rooms and a function room and asked for the Parish Councils approval. It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council agree to this in principal. The recent e-mail from Paul Wells regarding youth behavior was considered. It was thought that the hedge is owned by the properties along the path and therefore it is their responsibility to maintain it. Cllr Storr was asked if he would kindly talk to the residents requesting that they cut back the hedge. It was highlighted that there are similar problems with youth behavior on the corner of Limes Road / Ellison lane. It was reported that the Scout Hut recently had stones thrown at it whilst young children were inside who became very frightened and upset. The Police were called but by the time they arrived the offenders had disappeared. It was unanimously agreed that the above problems will be raised at the next Police Neighborhood Pannell meeting to be held on 19 November 2008. 4.3 Connections Bus Project newsletter Noted. 5. Planning applications and decision notices 5.1 Planning applications received since the last meeting It was noted that none have been received. 5.2 Decision notices 5.2.1 S/1463/08/F – 25 St Neots Road – Refusal Noted. 5.2.2 S/1324/08/F – 35 Ashmead Drive – Extension and Garage – Permission Noted. 5.3 Changes to planning Noted. It was highlighted that one of the planning conditions will be that front gardens will not be paved over to reduce the risk of flooding. 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 Chamberlain, seconded by Cllr Freeman, the payments as listed in the report were approved: Town & Country Tree Services £211.50 Town & Country Tree Services £679.15 MJW Electrical Services (lights) £82.25 Connections Bus Project £346.04 LGS Services (admin support) £1078.76 Grounds by Rounds (grass cutting) £244.80 Town & Country Tree Services £423.00 Briar Security Systems Ltd (CCTV equipment) £646.25 LG Stoehr (salary) £168.40 J Dyer (salary) £108.86 Victoire Press (printing) £440.00 Allianz Cornhill (insurance) £117.07 6.1.1 Offer to paint pavilion changing rooms & plaster repairs It was noted that the football club has offered to paint the changing rooms but have requested that some plaster work is done. On a proposition by Cllr Chamberlain and seconded by Cllr Storr it was agreed to accept Leader Builders quote for £127 6.1.2 Pavilion door repairs It was noted that the five companies had been asked to quote however Leader Builders are the only ones that have returned a quotation to repair the patio doors and that this was £355. Given the security implications the quotation had already been accepted and the work completed. 6.1.3 Flood lighting and CCTV lighting 6.1.3.0 It was noted that Ringway has been contacted several times about the floodlighting and despite having been out a couple of times the lighting is still not working. Briar Security has now been asked to look at it and to see if they can fix the problems. 6.1.3.1 It was noted that Mrs Rason had caught some children moving the cameras with a pole which Briar has now fixed. It was agreed to ask her if the CCTV cameras cover the Scout Hut and if so they are to be studied with the PCSO to see if the culprits who recently attacked the scout hut can be caught. 6.2 To consider quotations received: 6.2.1 Ian Lawson re repairs to car park barrier This is to be carried forward to the next meeting. 6.2.2 Reid Playground Maintenance – round top fencing Egremont Road play area Mr Reid’s offer of some round top fencing was declined as it was felt that the wooden fence is in good condition and will last a few more years. 6.2.3 Ian Lawson – paving under bench In response to Mr Lawson’s email regarding paving by the bench at Grenadier Walk it was agreed to accept his recommendation to just remove the uneven ones and infill the area with soil and re seed it. 6.2.4 Stuart Tunstall - Repair to bench by the school It was noted that the bench by the School on Cambridge Road at the corner with Limes Road was badly broken, and there as there had been a lot of potentially dangerous splintered wood Stuart Tunstall had been asked to repair at a cost of £100 to £120 to replace the two damaged timbers. The work had been completed. 6.3 Play inspection reports Cllr Bhachu and Cllr Freeman’s reports were received. It was noted that there was no immediate work required. Cllr Stewart is to be asked to e-mail his report to the Clerk for the records. 7. Members items for the next agenda and for the Clerk’s information and Closure of meeting 7.0.1 (7.0.2) Trees (dwellings behind shop) – It was noted that some of the trees have been marked with red paint and it was assumed that these are the trees to be removed. This is to be monitored and carried forward to the next meeting. 7.0.2 Cllr Atkinson requested that a disabled parking bay be installed at the Sports and Social Club. It was unanimously agreed to install 2 bays without delay. 7.0.3 Cycle Path – It was suggested that there should be a direct cycle path from Hardwick to Comberton which would benefit the children who cycle to school. It was agreed that this should be an agenda item for the next meeting for further discussion. 7.0.4 Egremont Road sign – Clarification is required on the outstanding signs. Carried forward to the next meeting. There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.25pm
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