UNAPPROVED MINUTES
Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 22nd March 2010 at All Saints’ Community Hall at 7.15pm.
Present: Cllrs. D. Mowatt (Chairman), I. Bloomfield, A. Brett, R. Gatward, J. Hales,
D. Hardingham, M. Linnette, M. Sherwen, C. Stead, M. Townsend and R. Wakerley.
In attendance: The Clerk, Kirstin Bicknell and 16 members of the public
670/09 Apologies for absence: C. Cllr. van de Ven and Cllrs V. Barrett, F. Benfield C. Purbook, J. Robson and D. Cllr. J. Guest.
At this point in the meeting Kirstin Bicknell addressed the meeting:.
She thanked the Parish Council for its support and said that under a Section 106 agreement funding had been given for an Art Project. Out of some 30 artists who had applied a short list of six had been drawn up. The public had been invited to meet the artists and vote for a lead artist of their choice at a meeting held on Friday evening, 19th March, at All Saints’ Community Hall. Jo Chapman, having received a great amount of support at this meeting, was chosen as Lead Artist and she will start her project on May Bank Holiday. Jo produces works in etched metal, but she also uses other materials. She has completed a commission for Wisbech Library.
It was proposed by Cllr. Brett THAT JO CHAPMAN BE ACCEPTED AS LEAD ARTIST FOR THE PROJECT AND THAT KIRSTIN BICKNELL ACT AS PROJECT MANAGER. ALSO THAT PAYMENT FOR INVOICES IS MADE THROUGH THE PARISH COUNCIL, FUNDED BY SECTION 106 MONEY HELD AT SCDC. Seconded by Cllr. Gatward and CARRIED.
671/09 Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
672/09 Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd February 2010:
With the alteration to Item 616/09 of the word “can” to “cannot” It was proposed by Cllr. Gatward and seconded by Cllr. Wakerley that the minutes of 22nd February be signed as a true record.
673/09 Matters arising:
Item 620/09 (Highways and Rural Footpaths) Cllr. Sherwen enquired what was happening with regard to the yellow lines on Station Road. The Clerk informed him that she was waiting to receive a revised map from David Lines. The Clerk is to contact David and enquire when this map will be received.
Item 611/09 (c) (Correspondence ) Cllr. Gatward enquired if there was any news with regard to the investigation of the electrics in the Pavilion. The Clerk replied that as yet she had heard nothing with regards to this matter..
674/09 To receive the Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 1st and 15th March 2010:
1st: There were no comments.
15th: There were no comments.
675/09 (A) Planning Applications:
(a) (a) Land to the South-west of 50 Greengage Rise. Erection of 5 dwellings with associated access car parking and amenity space. S/0279/10/F. Recommend Refusal. Due to Overdevelopment. Inadequate parking and potential of parking beyond development area. Loss of public space /amenity play area.
(b) Application to carry out Tree Works subject to a Tree Preservation Order or situated within a Conservation Area. 6 Little Lane – Pine and Damson tree to be felled. Pine creating excessive shading and Damson is leaning towards house and could cause damage to the property if blown down.
The Council refers the damson tree problem to the Tree Officer, but has no problem with the removal of the Pine Tree.
(c) Application to carry out Tree Works subject to a Tree Preservation Order or situated within a Conservation Area. 12 Greenbanks – work to 3 Sycamore Trees due to health risk from pigeon droppings and the trees blocking the light to the house and garden. Pollard down to 20 feet.
No Comments.
675/09 (B) Notification and Planning Consultation Documents:
(a) The Planning Inspectorate – Appeal Decision. The appeal made by Mr Parmir Rai against refusal made by SCDC for a detached garage and store at White House Farm, Cambridge Road. S/1555/09/F. Appeal Dismissed.
(b) SCDC – Land to the South-east of 151-155 High Street. Erection of a pair of Chalet Bungalows. S/1945/09/F. Permission Refused.
(b) SCDC – Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 – Request for a Scoping Opinion – Heydon Grange Wind Farm Development, Heydon.
Cllr. Sherwen requested that Councillors go to the office to look at this document.
[Cllr. Bloomfield left the meeting at this point he time being 8.15pm]
676/09 Grass Cutting 2010/2011:
The Council received 5 tenders for the grass cutting in the village. These were discussed and the Council made the decision to accept the tender received from M&D Landscapes.
It was proposed by Cllr. Hardingham THAT THE COUNCIL ACCEPT THE QUOTE SUBMITTED BY M& D LANDSCAPES FOR A THREE YEAR CONTRACT AT A PRICE OF £6,605 + VAT. THIS PRICE APPLIES TO EACH OF THE THREE YEARS. Seconded by Cllr. Sherwen and CARRIED.
677/09. Gates to New Road Cemetery:
It was proposed by Cllr. Sherwen THAT THE DESIGN SUBMITTED BY MATTHEW LANE SANDERSON FOR THE GATES TO NEW ROAD CEMETERY BE ACCEPTED SUBJECT TO THE DESIGN BEING SOLELY FOR THE USE OF MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL AND THAT THE CONTRACT IS AMENDED TO REFLECT THIS. Seconded by Cllr. Gatward and CARRIED.
[Cllr. Stead left the meeting at this point the time being 9.00pm]
678/9 Financial Report as at 28th February: Noted
679/09 Cheques to be signed. Click on the pdf logo below to download the Cheque list.
The Clerk recommended the transfer of £13,425 from the Business No Notice Account to the Current Account.
The Clerk recommends the transfer of £1,811.32 from the Magazine Account to the Business No Notice Account.
With the cancellation of Cheque No 102593 for the amount of £12,055.50 and replacement by Cheque No 102607 for the amount of £1,480.50, it was proposed by Cllr. Townsend that the cheques be approved and signed, seconded by Cllr. Wakerley and Carried.
680/09 Correspondence:
(a) Letter from Mr Peter Chilvers – Post of Internal Auditor to the Parish Council.
The Clerk is to write to Mr Chilvers thanking him for his work as Internal Auditor and wishing him well.
(b) Letter from C Roberts – Permission to erect a sign on The Cross.
It was proposed by Cllr. Hale THAT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL PTFA BE ALLOWED TO ERECT A SIGN AT THE CROSS FROM MONDAY 12TH APRIL TO PROMOTE ITS SPRING FAYRE WHICH IS TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY 24TH APRIL. Seconded by Cllr. Hardingham and CARRIED.
(c) Letter from the War Memorials Trust – Thanking the Clerk for attending the meeting on 4th March.
The Council thanked The Clerk for her attendance at this meeting.
(d) Letter from John Travis, Chairman of Melbourn Village Plan Steering Committee – Conservation work in the village
The Clerk is to write to Mr Travis thanking him for his letter and informing him that the Parish Council would be keen to join forces will all interested parties. She is to inform Mr Travis that the Council believes that Item 1 in his letter is already catered for. Point 2 in his letter “Melbourn in Bloom” is of particular interest to the Council. She is to request that Mr Travis comes back to the Council with any plans on this area of the village as it feels that work carried out in this area would be of benefit to the whole community.
[Cllr. Hardingham left the meeting at this point the time being 9.30pm]
(e) Letter from Smiths Gore – the Old Recreation Ground.
Cllr. Brett was asked to look into this matter.
(f) Letter from P Saunders, Treasurer to Melbourn District Villages Association. – Thanking the Council for its donation. Noted
(g) Letter from Andrew Lansley CBE MP – Results of mini survey about youth facilities in South Cambridgeshire.
The Clerk is to write to Andrew thanking him for his letter and informing him that the Parish Council appreciates his concerns on this matter. She is also to inform Andrew that a survey has just been carried out at the Village College on year 9 pupils on their concerns and wants.
The Clerk was also asked to write again to Andrew requesting a response to the Council’s questions on the sale of the Police Site.
Cllr. Mowatt shared Cllr. Gatward disappointment in the lack of response from Andrew on this matter.
(h) SCL Strategic Partnership.
Cllr. Mowatt took away the paperwork for this item so that he may looking into it, in greater depth.
(i) No further correspondence was received.
681/09 Football nets:
Cllr. Sherwen has looked in the matter of hooks for the football nets and reported that this matter will be resolved in time for the start of the new football season.
682/09 Report from C. Cllr. Susan van de Ven:
C. Cllr van de Ven had e-mailed her report to the Clerk in case she was late for the meeting. Unfortunately the Clerk did not bring the report to the meeting. She was asked to e-mail it to all the Councillors. (See Addendum)
683/09 Cemetery and Churchyard Inspection Record:
Cllr. Sherwen will carry out this inspection in the next few days.
684/09 New Road Cemetery:
Cllr. Sherwen reported that he and Cllr. Hales have been looking at a design for the mound. Cllr. Sherwen showed the meeting a proposal in the form of a drawing of the mound showing a spiral footpath going to the top of the mound. This footpath is to be a meter wide and cut into the side of the mound. The mound will be flat on top with 2 seating areas and a trig point (which will be off centre). At the bottom of the mound it is proposed that there is a display informing people of the discovery of the Saxon remains. Cllrs. Sherwen and Hales have spoken to Matthew Lane Sanderson about the display area and trig point and were trying to achieve something which would tie in with the design of the gates. Cllr. Sherwen said that ideas and costings will be put to the Council at a future Parish Council meeting. The time frame for completion of this work is expected to be September/October. A copy of the report from the Archaeologist should be received in the very near future.
685/09 Further Developments to Village Car Park:
The lease with its amendments has been sent back to SCDC legal department.
The Problem Solving Group is meeting with two Car Park Designers this week.
[As the time was approaching 10.00pm it was proposed by Cllr. Townsend and seconded by Cllr. Hales that the meeting continue until 10.15pm]
686/09 Update on BMX Trails:
Cllr. Linnette said that at the present time there was not much to report. The proposed meeting with a Planning Officer and Environmental Officer had still not taken place due to both officers having other commitments.
687/09 ASB High Street Panel:
See Item 9 in Addendum
688/09 Village Plan:
Cllr. Brett reported that a draft had been made of the questionnaire which would be delivered to all houses in the village. This draft still needed work on it to refine it. The competition to design a Logo for the Village Plan had been well advertised. The next meeting of the committee was on 31st March.
689/09 Neighbourhood Panel:
The next meeting is to be held in April at either Melbourn or Foxton.
690/09 Committees:
(a) Play Areas, Recreation and Youth. Cllr. Gatward reported that the picnic table at Worcester Way had been damaged by fire.
(b) Cemeteries: Cllr Gatward reported that Herts and Cambs Ground Maintenance had carried out the planting of shrubs in the beds at the end of rows in New Road cemetery. Cllr. Gatward said that this planting looked a little thin at the moment but she was sure these beds would fill up as the plants developed.
(c) Urgent reports from Committee Chairmen: There were no urgent reports from Committee Chairman.
691/09 Future Meetings.
(a) 5th April – Bank Holiday
(b) 12th April – Annual Parish Meeting
(c) 19th April – Planning
(d) 26th April – Parish Council
692/09 Urgent Matters: The Clerk reported that the temporary post of Grounds Maintenance Operative which was to be funded under the Future Jobs Fund was now being advertised in the local Job Centre and on the Village Notice Board. Cllrs. Hales and Sherwen are to form the interview panel for this post.
The Clerk requested that the Council consider the fact that she may have to work extra hours over the next 2 months due to the volume of work. The Council accepted that the Clerk may need to work extra hours at this time and agreed to pay her, her standard rate of pay for any extra hours she may need to work.
There being no other business the chairman closed the meeting at 10.15pm
Addendum to the Parish Council meeting of 22nd March 2010
1. Library update
In the past month a concerted effort has been made on membership, parish council support outside of Melbourn, and village website update – all factors which we understand will be considered in the upcoming review of LAPs.
Foxton PC has agreed to continue its financial contribution and other parish councils are meeting around now to consider their letters of request for contributions.
Thanks to all who have checked to update their membership status. There is a large stack of joining forms in the library if you wish to take a few to hand out.
Thanks to Peter Simmonett who has helped to revitalize the village website pages on the library. This will be an ongoing effort to keep the pages fresh.
The Library chairman and I will be meeting the Village College warden this week to discuss details of an option 2 move to the college premises as the library’s alternative long-term option.
There are upcoming review meetings with Library officers and cabinet member for communities. We will need to demonstrate convincing plans by the parish council for the aspired move to the Hundred Houses High Street site, preferably in writing. Could be brought forward by the parish council?
2. Vicarage Close resurfacing
Following queries from residents, I was interested to find out what the District Council is doing to tackle the job of improvements to unadopted roads in Melbourn.
Cllr Barrett kindly put me in touch with David Rutland at SCDC to inquire about details of any planned road improvement work. In Cllr Barrett’s absence I hope it is OK to report on information from Mr Rutland. Vicarage Close is to be resurfaced – old surface removed and new surface laid down – in mid-April. Unfortunately this does not include the footways. There are complex financial arrangements making this work possible. Thanks again to Cllr Barrett for chasing this up.
SCDC mentioned that in their view, Bramley Avenue and Hinkins Close (also unadopted) are in better shape than many County roads.
3. Guided Bus overspend and public money
County Council budget papers include the following passage concerning borrowing to fund the Guided Bus overspend:
“Capital Funding and Spending: It should be noted that prudential borrowing includes £41 million to March 31 March 2010, £10.2 million in 2010/11, and £1.9 million in future years to meet contract payments on the Guided Busway. This is required to meet both the delayed receipt of S106 developer contributions and contract payments in excess of the target price. It is anticipated that £24.7 million from future developer contributions will be available to partly repay this debt, and the balance repaid by the contractor with interest on completion of the risk share process.”
There are no guarantees that the Council will get this money back. Northstowe Section 106 money: By the time Northstowe starts there will be a new government with new policies about funding infrastructure. We now know that Northstowe is to be an Eco Town and that it will be more expensive to build than originally anticipated. A Guided Busway legal dispute between CCC and Bam Nutall will involve legal fees to CCC. Therefore there are many uncertainties and some real risk of impact on public services, and the money is dependent on a satisfactory resolution of the current contractual stand-off between CCC and BAM Nutall.
4. Cut-backs for Village Colleges
County Council has agreed to write off a £1 million debt on behalf of St Neot’s Community College. Meanwhile Melbourn Village College and others are having to cope with very significant cuts and it has been difficult to bring the news of this unique debt write-off back to our college.
5. Barton Oil Club
You may have seen information in the local press about this scheme which is active in the Barton and Granchester Meadows, and also other parts of the county. A Meldreth Parish Councillor is hoping to interest parishes in our area in this cooperative model of oil sharing, which can save residents money. I will forward the letter to the clerk for your information.
6.Pot Holes
Highways has asked that we report only through street.scene@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, not www.fixmystreet.com. Some councillors are concerned as the latter has been promoted as a useful tool; this is being followed up.
7. A505 Flint Cross Remedial Work
I have chased and chased to determine why work hasn’t started yet. I’d been assured it would happen before the end of the financial year – end of this month. I have asked Highways point blank if it is actually going ahead and am not being given a clear answer. I am seeing Richard Preston tomorrow and will hope to get an answer
8. Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group
The Group was formally constituted on Feb 23rd, with 18 present and four giving apologies. Brilliant meeting and lots of pro-active people willing to get involved and do their bit. Good to have Melbourn well represented including Cllr Hales; parish councillors also from Meldreth and Shepreth.
Agreed priorities included disabled ramp to southbound platform at Meldreth, clearer and more accessible information on student fares, and lower car park charges.
Railfuture will be lobbying on our behalf and we will be accessible via their website. Next meeting June 16, 8PM, Foxton Village Hall.
9. Problem Solving Group
The group has been invited to use a room at the Village College for its meetings and this offer will be taken up after Easter.
We had an excellent meeting with the MVC warden and discussed a variety of potential projects bringing young people from the college into the community, including formalized input into the Village Plan process.
Difficulties of local groups – canoeing and judo – in finding space at the college was discussed and this is to be followed up, to facilitate the welcoming of village groups in future.
We are grateful to Phillimore’s for a donation of £660 in products. As a first stage, MVC students will be assisting in a PSG sponsored gardening project at Vicarage Close, hopefully to take place next week. The remainder of that fund will be available for other projects which the PSG is looking to scope.