Present:
Mrs. Watkin (Chair), Mrs Adams, Mr Brown, Mr Dawson, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Senior, Mrs Turner and Mr Vanbergen, County Councillor, Mr Peter Downes, and District Councillor Mrs. Sarah Vanbergen, Mrs Lancey (Clerk), 4 members of the public.

Public Forum:
Mrs Key attended the meeting to complain about the continuing problems with anti social behaviour from youngsters on both the play area behind her property (in front of the Housing Association houses) and also along the pathway beside her house. Mrs Vanbergen explained that she had contacted the PCSOs after Mrs. Key’s last visit to a Parish Council meeting and that she had been lead to believe that the situation was much improved. Mrs. Key informed the meeting that there had been no improvement and that she had not seen any evidence of police in the area. The Clerk confirmed that the path closure was still with the Legal Department of the County Council. She would chase this. Mrs Vanbergen agreed to again contact the PCSOs and to arrange for them to visit Mrs. Key. It was also agreed that the Clerk should write to the Housing Associations complaining about the anti social behaviour of some of their tenants.

Mr Deller complained that teenagers had been climbing onto the framework of the junior swings in Bramble End playground. Mr. Brown to check for any damage.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mrs Dix, and retrospective apologies from Councillor Downes for his absence from last month’s meeting.

2. County Councillor’s Report
Unfortunately Councillor Downes needed to leave the meeting early so asked whether he might give a short presentation early in the evening, which had not been an Agenda item. Regrettably this would be his last attendance as County Councillor due to the boundary changes taking place. He reported that the County Council’s 4% increase in Council Tax would unfortunately mean quite a lot of cuts in services. He also took the opportunity to speak about the recent representations made to the East of England Regional Assembly by Alconbury Developments Limited concerning the future of Alconbury Airfield. Given that there no longer appeared to be a requirement to retain the runway on the airfield, ADL’s proposal was to utilise the land for a residential development in the region of 2000 dwellings. He stressed that there was no immediate cause for alarm over this proposal as at this stage is was merely a representation and that no formal application had yet been received from ADL. The Clerk confirmed that a copy of the information received from ADL had been received and would be circulated to all Councillors. Mrs. Watkin thanked Councillor Downes for his past help and support to the Parish Council. Councillor Downes then left the meeting.

3. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 22nd February 2005
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 22nd February 2005 were approved and signed.

4. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: It was noted that some of the older gravestones in the Churchyard seemed to be unstable. Clerk to contact the Churchwarden.

Village Green: The Clerk reported that she had contacted Mrs. Ayres concerning the horses galloping on the village green which were damaging the grass. Complaints had also been received from Fergusons who, due to this damage, had experienced some difficulty in cutting the grass. Mrs Ayres had suggested that notices be posted on the gates at both ends of the bridleway as horses other than those coming from her stables needed to be made aware of the problem. Clerk to action. It was also agreed that Mrs. Elphick and Mrs. Vanbergen would contact other stables in the area.

The Clerk reported that some unauthorised tree pruning had been carried out by residents along Brookside, within the Conservation Area.On questioning the residents, they informed that Clerk that they had obtained permission from HDC under Section 211 of the Town and Country Planning Act. Regrettably, no one had obtained permission from the landowner, i.e. the Parish Council, nor consulted the Tree Warden. Mrs Vanbergen had spoken to HDC who had confirmed that guidance notes were sent out when notices for tree works were received, and that the onus was on the applicant to ensure that any necessary permission from the landowner had been received prior to carrying out any work to the trees. The matter was discussed at some length and it was decided that the Clerk should ask the Tree Warden to inspect the work that had been carried out as to its professionalism and that a letter should be sent to HDC asking them to amend their application form to make it an obligatory stipulation that the applicant not only identifies the landowner but states that the necessary permission has been granted before any work is carried out. A letter should also be sent to all residents whose houses surround the village green reiterating that the land is Parish Council property and that prior permission to carry out any kind of work on the green must be obtained from the Parish Council.

The Clerk reported that some of the waste bins on the green were to be replaced with closed bins suitable for dog waste and that the old plastic base near the seat at the ford end of the green was to be removed. A new bin would be sited adjacent to the bridge on the High Street side of the green.

General:
The Clerk reported that the inside of the bus shelter had been painted by Mr. Page and she had reimbursed him for the materials from petty cash. It was agreed that an excellent job had been done and that a letter of appreciation should be sent to Mr. Page.

The Clerk reported that she had again written to the residents of 26 Spinney Lane requesting them to cut back the hedge that had overgrown the path. They had been given until the end of March to do this work. If nothing had been done by this time, she had arranged for Highways Division to take some remedial action.

The Clerk reported that at HDC’s suggestion she had canvassed the residents of the Glebe and The Maltings as to the requirement of a waste bin in this area. They had been given until the end of March to reply. Some responses had already been received. The Clerk together with Mrs. Adams would review the situation prior to the next meeting.

A hole in the tarmac on the path in Rusts Lane had been repaired.
Mrs Adams requested that the Clerk should try and have the skip removed from the bottom of the Maltings as this had been in place for several months.
Mrs. Turner noted that there was a large amount of litter on the corner of Mill Road. Mr. Dawson reported two faulty street lights – no. 4 in the Paddocks and the one outside the surgery. Clerk to action.

b) Planning
New Applications:
0500729FUL – Erection of Conservatory – 12 Coulson Way - No observations
0500789FUL - Erection of Conservatory – 15 Coulson Way - No observations.

Applications Determined:
0500228FUL – Extension to dwelling – 46, Field Close – Permission Granted
0500259FUL – Extension to dwelling – 27 Chapel Street – Permission Granted

c) Bramble End Playground
Clerk reported that a quotation for replacement surfaces under the swings and helicopter at Bramble End had been received from Wickstead Leisure Ltd. as follows:
8 ft Swings - £1240
10ft Swings - £2360
Helicopter - £4491.84
Together with storage, discount and carriage the total quotation was for £8152 + VAT. This was discussed and it was agreed that the quotation was too high. Mr Senior and Mr Dawson agreed to look into other possibilities and report back at the next Council meeting. In the meantime, the Clerk had delayed the ROSPA inspection which had been due in April.

5. Matters Arising

Vacancy – Parish Councillor
An application for the Parish Council vacancy had been received from Mrs. Paula Williams. It was unanimously agreed that Mrs. Williams should be invited to join the Parish Council. Clerk to action.

Mrs. Watkin also informed the meeting that Mrs. Turner intended to stand down from her position of Parish Councillor at the AGM in May. In the meantime, Councillors were urged to consider a possible replacement.

New Bus Shelter – School Lane
The Clerk reported that at long last work had commenced on the new bus shelter in School Lane.

Application for Funding – Life Education Centre
The Clerk informed Councillors that concern had been expressed by the Clerk of Alconbury Weston Parish Council (who had also agreed to fund the “Drugs Bus”) as to how funding should be granted to this project. However, it had been confirmed by CALC that it was acceptable to make this donation under Section 137 of the Local Government 1972 Act.

Old Memorial Hall Site
Mrs Watkin reported that at an offer of £85,000 had been received for the Old Memorial Hall site and that it was hoped that this would be brought to a conclusion within the next few days. ADCHC had been kept informed.

Flood Alleviation Scheme – Application for Dispensation
The Clerk reported that an application for dispensation had been set before the Standards Committee in order to allow all Parish Councillors to speak and vote on matters relating to the Flood Alleviation Scheme when any planning applications needed to be considered. This application had been granted up to and including 30th April 2006. After this date the Council would have to re-apply for any newly elected Councillors should this be necessary.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan
The questionnaire had been completed. Mr Brown to return to Clerk for sending on to Cambs. County Council.

Small Scale Funding Scheme
Clerk reported that the application for further lighting in Polecat Lane had been turned down.

Traffic Survey
Clerk reported that an acknowledgement had been received from Cambridgeshire Constabulary concerning the Parish Council’s request for a traffic survey. This will be carried out for a period of 7 days to assess the problems in the village. No dates had been given for the survey

6. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated to all)

ASSC – Dogs on Leads
A complaint had been received from the ASSC concerning their attempts to enforce their policy of dogs to be kept on leads on the playing field. The Clerk confirmed that she had checked with HDC and that the playing field was not subject to any “blanket coverage” for keeping dogs on leads as was the case with dog fouling in the village. Mrs Watkin pointed out that the village green was designated as a “dogs on lead” area with a £200 fine for non-compliance.

Infocam
The Parish Council were invited to promote any halls/ facilities in the village on “Infocam” the CCC’s Information Database. The New Memorial Hall was already listed. No other suggestions were made.

Victim Support/CARESCO
Letters of thanks had been received from both Victim support and CARESCO in respect of recent donations made by the Parish Council.

Huntingdonshire Flood Forum
This will be held on 21st April 2005. Mrs. Watkin to attend.

CD-ROM – Broadband Benefits in Rural Communities
This was available from DEFRA/dti.

Agenda for HDC’s Standards Committee Meeting
This explained in more detail Alconbury’s application for dispensation concerning the Flood Alleviation Scheme. Passed to Mr. Vanbergen.

ADL’s Representation to the East of England Regional Assembly
This document had been discussed earlier by Councillor Downes. Clerk to circulate to all Councillors.

Hunts. Community Safety Partnership Annual Seminar
This will be held on 12th May 2005 and would be attended by Mrs Watkin and Mr Senior. Clerk to book accordingly.
Implementation of the National Agreement on Salaries and Conditions of Service of Local Council Clerks.
This was taken by Mrs. Watkin for any appropriate action.

The Bulletin
This was distributed at the meeting.

7. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature (now notified along with Correspondence List)
Glasdon UK - Grit/Salt bin - £178.03
Grafton Projects - Stationery - £49.62
Clerk’s Salary - March 05 - £253.12 – 32 hrs. @ £7.91 per hr.
Clerk’s Internet Calls - £8.74
Glasdon UK - torque key for waste bin - £12.97
Petty Cash top up cheque - £18.16

Payments were proposed by Mrs Dyer and seconded by Mrs Adams.
Clerk reported cleared balances - Current Account £8293.05 and Deposit Account £21,716.08
The £4000 promised to the Youth Group and the £1000 for the Parish Plan activities would be transferred into the Deposit Account until funds were required. The £500 donation to the Life Education Centre would be paid in the next financial year.
Balance of Youth Group Account - £6932.50
Balance of Parish Plan Account - £810.55

8. The Youth Group
Mrs Adams told the meeting that the detached youth workers had reported back to the Youth Group on the three forums which had taken place. As a result of this the Memorial Hall would be booked for the first Friday evening in every month for activities for all age groups, with each group having its own time slot. A Youth Worker, Lizzie Ward, had been appointed who would help with these evenings along, hopefully, with parent volunteers. Outings were also being organised such as to Peterborough Speedway together with talks and visits.

9. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 26th April 2005 at 7.45 in the New Memorial Hall.

Return to top

Close this window