UNAPPROVED MINUTES
Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 22nd February 2010 at All Saints’ Community Hall at 7.15pm.
Present: Cllrs. D. Mowatt (Chairman), V. Barrett, A. Brett, R. Gatward, J. Hales,
D. Hardingham, M. Linnette, M. Sherwen, M. Townsend and R. Wakerley.
In attendance: The Clerk, C. Cllr. van de Ven, Kirstin Bicknell and 3 members of the public
600/09 Apologies for absence: Cllrs. I. Bloomfield, C. Purbook, J. Robson, C. Stead and D. Cllr. J. Guest.
At this point in the meeting Kirstin Bicknell addressed the meeting. She gave an update on the artists’ submissions for Stockbridge Meadows. Around 30 artists have expressed an interest in this project. The shortlist will be drawn up by Cllrs. Gatward, Hales and Sherwen and any other Councillors who wish to attend the meeting. This meeting will be held at 4.00pm on Tuesday 2nd March at the Parish Office. Some of the artists, who have expressed an interest, live in Melbourn. The interview day is 19th of March, from 2.00pm to 9.00pm and the doors are open to the public from 6.30pm so that they can come along and talk to the artists. Comment forms will be handed out so that people attending can make their views known on which artists they would like to carry out the work. Each artist will give a presentation of 7 minutes which will focus on their past work and response to the site.
Cllr Mowatt thanked Kirstin for her presentation.
601/09 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Gatward declared a Personal Interest in Item 611/09 (i)
602/09 Minutes of the meeting held on 25th January 2010:
It was proposed by Cllr. Gatward and seconded by Cllr. Barrett that the minutes of 25th January 2010 be signed as a true record.
603/09 Matters arising:
Item 540/09 (Staffing Procedures) Cllr. Gatward enquired if any progress had been made with regard to setting up a committee. It seemed that this was still waiting for Cllr. Bloomfield to action.
604/09 To receive the Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 1st and 15th February 2010:
1st: There were no comments.
15th: There were no comments.
605/09 Post of Internal Auditor:
It was proposed by Cllr. Townsend THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL OFFER THE POST OF INTERNAL AUDITOR TO MR PETER CHILVERS. Seconded by Cllr. Barrett and CARRIED.
The Clerk will write to Mr Chilvers offering him this post.
606/09 Model Standing Orders:
It was proposed by Cllr. Townsend THAT MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL ADOPT PART TWO OF THE MODEL STANDING ORDERS FOR LOCAL COUNCILS AS RECOMMENDED BY NALC. Seconded by Cllr. Sherwen and CARRIED.
607/09. Memorial Plot in New Road cemetery:
It was proposed by Cllr. Hardingham THAT AS REQUESTED BY A RESIDENT OF THE VILLAGE A CREMATED REMAINS PLOT IN NEW ROAD CEMETERY BE SOLD FOR THE PURPOSE OF A MEMORIAL PLOT ONLY. Seconded by Cllr. Barrett and CARRIED.
608/09. Notices for River Mel bank:
It was proposed by Cllr. Wakerley THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL PURCHASE TWO SIGNS FOR THE BANKS OF THE RIVER MEL REQUESTING THAT DOG WALKERS DO NOT ALLOW THEIR DOGS TO FOUL THE RIVER BANK. Seconded by Cllr. Linnette and CARRIED
609/09 Financial Report as at 31st January: Cllr. Sherwen asked if it was possible to include the previous month’s report with the minutes so that financial comparisons could be made.
Due to the early departure of C. Cllr. van de Ven the next item was taken out of order.
612/09 Report from C. Cllr. Susan van de Ven:
1. Melbourn Library: The Melbourn and District Association asked me to meet with County library officers to find out what the future holds for funding, and also to update the committee on prospects for relocation.
I met with CCC officers in early Feb just after proposed budget cuts had been published. Some misinformation has been published in the press but essentially the story is cuts to an already starved service.
CCC looking to cut four of its own libraries in year 3 – this does not mean library access points. But it is also looking to reduce mobile library service and to cut funding to LAPs by 50%. Our LAP figures it can cope with that and I won’t go into the details here. The crucial issue for Melbourn LAP and by extension the parish council which has so generously supported the LAP is the question of permanent premises. I reported to CCC that discussions with HH have been ongoing and there is agreement on all sides that a high street location would be best for the future success of the library. But even if a project in cooperation with HH moves efficiently, it will take time. Relocating families currently living on the site will take significant time. The lease on the portable cabin runs out at the end of this year; I asked for an extension and this was agreed but on strict basis that the building passes another structural inspection. This is now being arranged. It was not clear whether an extension would be for one or more years – this to be negotiated.
CCC will also be looking to update any outstanding SLAs, but emphasized the caveat within the SLA that support could be suspended if the library is not performing well. They also specifically indicated that they will be expecting to see firm and persuasive plans toward relocation – not aspirational, but concrete steps indicating progress toward a desired outcome.
It was agreed at last week’s library meeting that a back-up relocation option should be explored. The chairman suggested that we explore the college premises site option, as well as the option to remain where we are but in long-term premises. She and I have arranged to meet the warden to discuss.
At the library meeting we agreed to approach other parish councils which might naturally support the library – at present we have support from Melbourn, Foxton, Meldreth and Shepreth. Letters have been sent out to Barrington, Fowlmere, Thriplow, Chishills, and I’ve contacted county councillors for those villages to ask them to encourage support.
We will also be doing a membership and book checking campaign. Please could parish councillors ensure that if they don’t already have library cards, that they visit the Melbourn LAP and sign up. This will help. Please also either check materials out from Melbourn LAP, or if you order library items on line, arrange to collect them from Melbourn. If you check out at Cambridge, return them here. Every transaction helps and Melbourn gets to keep any fines on late items returned to the system via Melbourn.
2. Rail user group meeting: This will be taking place tomorrow evening and we’ve had support from Railfuture which have been spreading the word on our campaign, and also offered to take forward any specific items on our wish list to their discussions with FCC, DfT, etc.
3. Little Lane and Meeting Lane: Mike Linnette and I had a good meeting with David Lines. We discussed ways of restoring and resituating various bits of signage with the aim of providing clear indications of restricted access to these lanes which are getting used as shortcuts between the High Street and Orchard Road. Also identified a number of obsolete and ambiguous signs in the High Street, between Meeting Lane and the stop lights, and I am waiting to hear back from David Lines now. The premise is that all of this signage is pre-existing and on that basis Mike and I hope the Council will agree to restore and put right at its own cost. We also discussed the problem of access to Chapel Lane from Orchard Road and I understand that the parish council highways subcommittee has already discussed and approved proposed parking restrictions.
I’ve had concerns from residents about unadopted roads and these are being addressed by the District Council.
4.PSG has been focussing on proactive youth work and a number of small projects are underway. A meeting is scheduled with the Village College warden.
[C. Cllr van de Ven left the meeting at 7.58pm]
[As the time was approaching 8.00pm the Chairman Suspended Standing Orders to allow for public participation]
[The Chairman resumed Standing Order at 8.03pm]
610/09 Cheques to be signed. Click on the pdf logo below to download the Cheque list.
The Clerk recommended the transfer of £12,600 from the Business No Notice Account to the Current Account.
The Clerk recommends the transfer of £2,050 from the Business No Notice Account to the Parish Plan Account
It was proposed by Cllr. Barrett that the cheques be approved and signed, seconded by Cllr. Hales and Carried.
611/09 Correspondence:
(a) E-mail from Simon Gascoyne – Request to use football pitch and Pavilion on Good Friday afternoon for Memorial Match in memory of Cliff Waldman.
It was proposed by Cllr Hales THAT MELBOURN FOOTBALL CLUB BE ALLOWED THE USE OF THE FOOTBALL PITCH AND PAVILION ON GOOD FRIDAY FOR THE PURPOSES OF A MEMORIAL MATCH IN MEMORY OF CLIFF WALDMAN. Seconded by Cllr. Gatward and CARRIED.
(b) Letter from Brian Collingbourne – Village Fete.
The Clerk is to write to Mr Collingbourne informing him that the Council agree that the Village Fete Committee could have use of the Old Recreation Ground for parking, the new Recreation Ground and Pavilion to host the village fete on Saturday June 26th. Permission was also given for a “music on the Moor” event which is to be held on the New Recreation Ground after the fete.
(c) E-mail from Brian Collingbourne – Electrics in the Pavilion.
The Clerk is to write to Mr Collingbourne informing him that the Parish Council agrees to the investigation and requires a copy of the report.
(d) Letter from Neil Wilson – Thanking the Council for its proposed Donation.
Noted.
(e) Letter and Copy of Account from P Saunders, Treasurer to Melbourn District Villages Association – request for donation for 2009/2010.
The Council had already precepted for this donation and a cheque had been signed for this amount at the meeting. The Clerk will write to Mr Saunders informing him that the Council were very pleased to support the Melbourn District Villages Association.
(f) Letter from Andrew Lansley CBE MP – Broadband Access. Noted
(g) Cambridgeshire Horizons – Stakeholder questionnaire.
Cllr. Hales expressed an interesting in filling in the questionnaire, which he then took away with him.
(h) Letter from Dawn and Peter Norbury – Incident on Sunday 17th January involving a car parked on London Way.
Cllr. Linnette is to draft a reply for the Clerk to send.
(i) Letter from Julian Gutteridge – Land adjacent to 100 High Street.
Cllr. Brett is to draft a reply for the Clerk to send.
It was decided to fence the boundary between 100 High Street and Stockbridge Meadows. Cllr. Hales and Sherwen will measure the length of the fencing needed and report back.
(j) Letter from Mr Larcombe – Grinnel Hill.
The Clerk is to inform Mr Larcombe that there are no formal leases, tenancies or easements over the land.
(k) E-mail from Mr Larcombe – Village Car Park, position of SCDC legal department on the vexed issue of “overage”.
Cllr. Brett told the meeting that there was now a need to get back to SCDC on other amendments to the lease. Noted
(l) No further correspondence was received.
613/09 Cemetery and Churchyard Inspection Record:
Cllr. Gatward had done the inspection and a lot of points had been raised in her report. This matter is to be put on the agenda of the next Cemetery Committee meeting on 8th March
614/09 New Road Cemetery:
Cllrs. Sherwen and Hales had meet with Quentin Carroll (and one other) who told them they were not far off concluding the examination and preparing the report on the remains. Cllrs. Hales and Sherwen had been working on the layout and design of the form of the mound. They have marked out a spiral pathway round the mound. Cllr. Hales reported that a spiral path fitted in with the Saxon renewal of life. Cllr. Mowatt asked how the remains are to be retained when returned back to the council. He was told that it was proposed to bury the remains at the top of the mound.
Cllrs. Hales and Sherwen are to visit Matthew Lane Sanderson and were requested to ask Matthew when the final plans and contract for the cemetery gates would be sent to the council.
615/09 Further Developments to Village Car Park:
Cllr. Brett reported that the Problem Solving Group was waiting for a report from the Architectural Consultants. When this is received the group will produce there own report, which will then be put to the Planning Committee.
616/09 Update on BMX Trails:
Cllr. Linnette reported that the soil testing company had sent back its report. The site is suitable for use by BMX riders. There is only one area that has any contamination and that is the corner by the stile, which can be used in its present state. It can either be covered with soil or hard-standing. If the latter was used it would make a parking/viewing area. Cllr. Hardingham asked if it could be fenced as well.
Cllrs. Barrett and Linnette are waiting the report from the Scientific Officer before they can make an appointment with a Planning Officer.
617/09 ASB High Street Panel:
.The Clerk was asked to drop Anti-Social Behaviour from the title.
At the last meeting the members concentrated on an initiative with children in school. The group is doing a lot with young people.
618/09 Village Plan:
Cllr. Brett reported that at the last meeting four people drafted the questionnaire which is to be sent to everyone in the village. The results are then to be processed and these will be presented to rest of the committee.
619/09 Neighbourhood Panel:
Anti-social behaviour and speeding were discussed at the last meeting. The next meeting is to be held in April at either Melbourn or Foxton.
620/09 Committees:
(a) Highways and Rural Footpaths: Item 569/09(b) Cllr. Sherwenasked if these sites were provisional or had they been confirmed. He also asked if the sites had been chosen in conjunction with wheelchair users. Cllr. Hales told him the decision for the sites had been taken without reference to wheelchair users.
Item 569/09(e) Cllr. Hardingham enquired what was happening with regard to the Yellow Lines on Station Road. The Clerk replied that David Lines was going to send a new map showing the alterations as requested by the Council. If the Council approved this map then the processing involved with this work could begin.
Item 569/09(d) Cllr. Hales asked the Clerk if CCC had replied with regards to the tender document for the path on land by Elm Way. The clerk replied that it had not as yet.
(b) Conservation: Cllr. Gatward spoke with reference to the report from the Allotment Association and asked if the hedge around the allotment was to be removed or just the gaps filled in. She was assured by Cllr. Hales that the hedge was not to be removed, just the gaps were to be filled in.
Item 586/09 Cllr. Hardingham asked about the situation with regard to Plot 35b. The Clerk said this had now been resolved and the rent for the plot had been received.
(c) Urgent reports from Committee Chairmen: There were no urgent reports from Committee Chairman.
621/09 Future Meetings.
(a) 1st March – Planning
(b) 8th March – Highways and Rural Footpaths + Cemeteries
(c) 15th March – Planning
(d) 22nd March – Parish Council
(e) 31st March – Finance and General Purpose
622/09 Annual Parish Meeting:
The Clerk told the meeting that this would be held on 12th April commencing at 7.15pm at All Saints’ Community hall.
623/09 Urgent Matters:
The Clerk informed the meeting of the schedule of dates she had received from SCDC. These dates are with regard to the submitting of nominations for seats on the Parish Council (dates may be subject to change) for the Local Parish Council elections, which take place every four years
Monday 29th March – Parish Notice of Election published.
Thursday 8 April – noon Parish nomination close
Tuesday 16 April – noon Parish close of withdrawals of nominations
At this stage any parish, where there are more nominations than seats for election, will go to poll.
Cllr. Mowatt would like an article in the local newspaper informing residents of the forthcoming election. Cllr. Linnette will do this when the Clerk has been informed that the dates are no longer subject to change.
There being no other business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.55pm
Addendum to the Parish Council meeting held 22nd February 2010
A member of the public addressed the meeting and asked if it was at all possible to show on the cheque list what period was covered by some of the payments. He mentioned E.on (Electricity bills) and Sheene Mill Retail Therapy (Office rent) as two examples. The Clerk will look into this matter.