UNAPPROVED MINUTES
Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 26th April 2010 at All Saints’ Community Hall at 7.15pm.
Present: Cllrs. D. Mowatt (Chairman), I. Bloomfield, A. Brett, R. Gatward, J. Hales, M. Linnette, M. Sherwen, C. Stead, M. Townsend and R. Wakerley.
In attendance: The Clerk and two members of the public
735/09 Apologies for absence: C. Cllr. van de Ven, Cllrs. Barrett, Benfield and Purbrook
736/09 Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
737/09 Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd March 2010:
With the alteration at Item 690/09 (b) of the words “was sure” to “hoped that” it was proposed by Cllr. Gatward and seconded by Cllr. Brett that the minutes of 22nd March be signed as a true record.
738/09 Matters arising:
Item 692/09 (Urgent Matters) Cllr. Sherwen said there so many forms and some much information and compliance required that this matter had not been taken up by the Council. Cllr. Mowatt wanted to know if other councils had taken advantage of this offer and if so how had they managed to find the time. The Clerk is to talk to CALC on this matter so that she can find out which Councils took advantage of this offer. She is then to speak to the Clerk to ask how the Council managed all the paperwork.
Item 673/09 (Electricity supply to the Pavilion) this will be dealt with under correspondence.
Cllr. Gatward enquired if a new Internal Auditor had been found yet. The Clerk had contacted CALC who could not help in this matter so at the present time the Council is still looking for an Internal Auditor.
Cllr. Gatward enquired if there was as yet a logo for the Village Plan. She was told that at the present time there was not a logo in place.
739/09 To receive the Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6th and 19th March 2010:
6th: There were no comments.
19th: Cllr. Barrett had informed the Clerk that SCDC had noted the comments on Planning Application S/0785/09/F for 71 High Street.
740/09 Notification and Planning Consultation Documents:
There were no Notification or Planning Consultation Documents received.
741/09 To consider the following Planning applications:
(a) 5 New Road. Extension. S/0501/10/F. Recommend Approval
742/09 War Memorial:
It was proposed by Cllr. Townsend THAT THE QUOTATION RECEIVED FROM HIBBIT AND SONS FOR THE CLEANING OF THE WAR MEMORIAL AT A PRICE OF £1,500 BE ACCEPTED AND THAT IF ANY LETTERS NEED TO BE CUT AT A PRICE OF £6 PER LETTER THIS NEEDED TO BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME AS THE CLEANING IS CARRIED OUT. Seconded by Cllr. Stead and CARRIED.
743/09 New Road Cemetery survey:
It was proposed by Cllr. Townsend THAT THE COUNCIL ENDORSES THE SPENDING OF £1,500 FOR PLANS, SURVEY AND FINAL DRAWINGS FOR THE MOUND AT NEW ROAD CEMETERY. THESE ARE REQUIRED TO ENABLE QUOTATIONS FOR THE WORK TO THE MOUND TO BE SENT OUT TO TENDER. Seconded by Cllr. Wakerley and CARRIED
744/09 Watering of Soft Landscaping in New Road Cemetery:
It was proposed by Cllr. Hales THAT THE QUOTATION RECEIVED FROM HERTS AND CAMBS GROUND MAINTENANCE LTD FOR THE WATERING AT NEW ROAD CEMETERY OF NEW TREES, NEW SHRUB BEDS, TURFED GRAVES AND YEW HEDGE AT A PRICE OF £680 + VAT FOR THE WHOLE SEASON BE ACCEPTED. Seconded by Cllr. Sherwen and CARRIED.
The Clerk is to request the General Assistant, Gerry Squires to carry out any extra watering that is required for the new beds and turfed graves. She is also to look into sourcing some fine mulch for the beds.
745/09 Work in The Moor Play Area:
It was proposed by Cllr. Bloomfield THAT THE QUOTATION RECEIVED FROM HERTS AND CAMBS GROUND MAINTENANCE LTDFOR THE REMOVAL OF AN ELDER TREE IN THE MOOR PLAY AREA, PLUS WORK TO CLEAR THE EMERGENCY ACCESS ROAD TO THE RECREATION GROUND AT A PRICE OF £460 + VAT BE ACCEPTED. Seconded by Cllr. Hales and CARRIED.
746/09 Purchase of Old Recreation Ground:
Cllr. Brett explained about his negotiations with David Goodson to refine Heads of Term. The land is to be used as a village green or for community purposes. As part of the agreement, if the land is later sold, the purchaser has to enter into a direct covenant with Church Commissioners. Cllr. Mowatt thought the Council should now take advantage of the offer which would be funded out of reserves.
It was proposed by Cllr. Gatward THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL PURCHASES THE OLD RECREATION GROUND AT A COST OF £12,500 PLUS COSTS IN THE REGION OF £3,500 COVERING LEGAL, LAND AGENTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL FEES. AS THIS MONEY HAS NOT BEEN PRECEPTED FOR IT IS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF RESERVES. Seconded by Cllr. Sherwen and CARRIED.
Cllr. Brett will speak to Mr. Larcombe on this matter.
It will be decided at a later date under which committee this land will be dealt with in future.
747/09 To consider informing Melbourn Football Club that keys to the Pavilion are to be used only in emergency during the football season and at no other time.
The Clerk is to contact Melbourn Football Club and request the return of the key to the Pavilion until the start of the new season. She is also to speak to the Caretaker about the cleaning of the toilets.
Cllrs. Bloomfield and Townsend will look into the cost of purchasing two hand driers.
748/09 To consider allowing Jeremy Ashworth to paint the two kissing gates black (as at present) in All Saints’ Church yard.
The Council agrees to this and thanks Jeremy for his offer. The Clerk is to request that “wet paint” signs are displayed.
749/09 Financial Report as at 31st March: Noted
[Cllr. Stead left the meeting at this point the time being 8.50pm]
750/09 Cheques to be signed:
Cheque No 102608 is added to the list to show payment made on 29 March and as such is not included in the transfer amount.
The Clerk recommended the transfer of £8,600 from the Business No Notice Account to the Current Account..
It was proposed by Cllr. Hales that the cheques be approved and signed, seconded by Cllr. Brett and Carried.
751/09 Correspondence:
Kirstin Bicknell presented for the Council’s approval, the contract for the Public Arts Scheme. Having looked through it, Cllr. Brett found that some amendments needed to be made. When these amendments have been carried out Kirstin will show Cllr. Brett the contract again. If satisfactory, a member of the Council who will be attending the meeting with Kirstin and the artist Jo Chapman on Thursday 29th at the Parish Office will sign the contract..
(a) Letter from Andrew Lansley CBE MP – Pot Holes in Cambridgeshire. Noted
(b)E-mail from Sarah Wren – Riverside Park.
The Clerk is to thank Sarah for her very kind comments.
(c)CCC – Introduction of Electronic Consultation.
The Council are not willing to accept electronic consultations as it does not have the ability to print out large plans. The Clerk is to inform CCC of this fact.
(d)E-mail from Mike Cooper- Flooding in Back Lane.
The Clerk is to send a letter to the Environment Agency with regard to the flooding on Back Lane
(e)Letter from Mr. C Sabin – Land at 83 High Street
The Clerk is to inform Mr. Sabin that the Parish Council operates in the public interest and the sale of this land is not in the public interest.
(f)E-mail from B Collingbourne – Power upgrade to the Pavilion.
The Clerk is to inform Brian that the Council gives its permission for Option One to be carried out.
(g) E-mail from P Hill plus copy letter to SCDC Planning Department. Noted.
[Cllr. Hales declared a Personal Interest in the next item]
(h)E-mail from P Stevens – Dogs.
The Clerk has already informed Mrs. Stevens that the fence outside the Primary School is to be relocated further back so that the seat and bins can be accessed.
The Council will discuss the placing of a sign requesting owners not to let their dogs foul the green, on the area between Elm Way and the Doctor’s Surgery at the Conservation meeting to be held on 14th June.
(i) No further correspondence was received.
752/09 Report from C. Cllr. Susan van de Ven:
As C. Cllr van de Ven could not attend the meeting due to attending the Annual Parish Meeting at Foxton, the Clerk read out her written report:
Hundred Houses Housing Association/Police site: As agreed, I contacted HH to find out how plans are progressing, with a particular interest as your County Councillor in the prospect of re-situating our Library Access Point. Fundamentally of course this site will become a key area of District Council work as it is mostly about housing.
Chris Jackson has been off sick following an operation, so there has been some delay. HH had commissioned some early drawings on prospective new housing on the police site but the number of units proposed was decided to be unworkable in terms of making the scheme affordable. Another round of drawings with a higher density is now being worked on and should be ready ‘in a few weeks.’ I
Meanwhile I’ve asked the Library Service to please expedite the firming up an extension of use of current premises beyond December 2010.
The next few months will be critical and rather than wait for others to make the first move, I feel it is important for us representing Melbourn to take the initiative and ensure that there are no lost opportunities. A working party comprised of an LAP rep, District Councillors, parish council reps and myself should be ready to work together from the Melbourn end – I’ll liaise with the clerk and district councillors about this.
Fencing around the primary school and rest area: I met representatives of CCC and the contractors on site this afternoon. The land in question where the bench, bins and tree are blocked off belongs, according to the County Council, to them. However on the basis of common sense and to put the bench and bins back into use for the residents who need them, the contractor will re-site the fence. A small area of that patch of green needs to be kept within the fenced area from the inside of the building site as a break-out area in case of safety issues, but it was felt that half the green space will suffice for that purpose.
A505 Speed Limit review: I’ve queried with Richard Preston why the stretch between Flint Cross and Royston, i.e. the Melbourn turnoff, cannot be recommended for a speed limit reduction, given what seems to me a significant number of accidents around the turn-off on a par with Flint Cross junction. I’ve received the following answer and will continue to keep an eye on this.
Whilst the record at the Melbourn turn is not good, the site is not identified as an accident cluster site and the fatal accidents occurred outside the assessment period and did not take place at the junction. There is also no development at the junction.
The Flint Cross junctions are an identified cluster site and have more development making the site more viable for a 50mph limit. The speed limit assessment guidance does make the point that speed limits should not be seen as an alternative to accident remedial measures which I think would be more appropriate measure at the Melbourn turn, when resources allow.
Traffic Management Committee: I am an active substitute member of this committee and have attended the last two meetings. It was suggested by a member of the committee that the very existence of the committee needs to be reviewed because of a lack of funds to implement the work it recommends to go forward. The mere convening of the meeting itself costs the taxpayer in terms of officer time, etc.
School Crossing Patrol officer for the junction of The Moor and the High Street – the post has finally been filled and Mrs Angela Winter started officially on the 21st of April.
[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]
753/09 Cemetery and Churchyard Inspection Record:
It was Cllr. Stead’s turn to do the inspection and as he had already left the meeting no report could be given.
754/09 New Road Cemetery:
Cllrs. Sherwen and Hales will talk to Matthew Lane Sanderson with regard to matters concerning the gates.
755/09 Further Developments to Village Car Park:
Cllr. Brett explained that following the last planning meeting where he had been requested to arrange a meeting attended by Joanna Peek, Jenny Clark, Mr Larcombe and Councillors that this meeting has now been fixed for 12 May.
756/09 Update on BMX Trails:
Cllr. Linnette reported that he and Cllr. Barrett had attended a meeting with a Planning Officer and Environmental Officer. After this meeting a letter and report had been sent to the Planning Officer requesting him to comment if anything needed to be added to the report. So far nothing has been heard.
The main concern is contamination in the top corner of the site. This is to be covered with 200mm of top soil and hard standing.
The cheque for £85 being the fee for the planning application was signed.
757/09 Problem Solving Group:
Cllr. Brett reported there had been a good meeting with a Youth Participation Officer from Romsey Mill which is a charity that works with young people. The next meeting will take place on 11th May
[As the time was approaching 10.15pm it was proposed by Cllr. Townsend and seconded by Cllr. Wakerley that the meeting continue until 10.30pm]
758/09 Village Plan:
Cllr. Sherwen reported that work is progressing very well and at the moment is in advance of the time schedule. Cllr Brett reported that the Questionnaire for all residents will soon be finalised and that it is intended to launch it at the village fete.
759/09 Neighbourhood Panel:
Cllrs. Townsend and Bloomfield had attended a meeting in Foxton on Tuesday 20th April. Most of the discussion centred round the parking of cars by people using the Railway Station in Meldreth. Now that parking charges had been brought in people, were parking on the roadside and in private driveways.
It had been a very quiet winter as far as anti-social behaviour. This was mainly due to the very cold weather. Now that the nights are getting lighter the problems were beginning to start again.
The next meeting of the Panel is to be held at Bassingbourn Village College in July.
760/09 Committees:
(a) Finance & General Purpose:
Item 697/09 Cllr. Wakerley enquired if Melbourn Play Group were also subject to a 5% increase in its rent. The Clerk replied that it was and that she had informed them of this fact.
Item 696/09 The Clerk was asked if a member of the Ramblers Association would be attending the next meeting of the Highways and Rural Footpaths Committee. The Clerk replied that a member was willing to attend the meeting in July.
(b) Urgent reports from Committee Chairmen: There were no urgent reports from Committee Chairman.
761/09 Future Meetings.
(a) 3rd May – Bank Holiday
(b) 10th May – Annual Parish Council Meeting
(c) 17th May – Planning
(d) 24th May – Parish Council
(e) 31st May – Bank Holiday
762/09 Urgent Matters:
The Clerk reminded the meeting that the Open Day of the Bowls Club is to be held on 1st May.
Heydon Grange Wind Farm is to go on the agenda of the Full Parish Council meeting as well as the Planning agenda
Cllr. Hales reported that since the taps on the allotments have had non return valves fitted the water pressure is now very low.
Cllr. Sherwen asked what the Council intended to do this year with regards to a stall at the fete.
The Allotment Association have requested a meeting with members of the Parish Council one evening in the week commencing 17th May.
The Clerk told the Council she had booked a telephone training session on the accounts package on May19th, at a cost of £55.
There being no other business the chairman closed the meeting at 10.30pm