MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 28th June 2010 at All Saints’ Community Hall at 7.15pm.
Present: Cllrs. D. Mowatt (Chairman), V. Barrett, I. Bloomfield, A. Brett, R. Gatward,
J. Hales, A. Mulcock, M. Sherwen, P. Simmonett, C. Stead, M. Townsend and R. Wakerley.
[Cllr. Townsend the Vice-Chairman took the chair for this meeting]
In attendance: The Clerk and C. Cllr van de Ven
106/10 Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Hardingham and Linnette
107/10 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Bloomfield declared a Personal Interest in Item 123/10. Cllrs. Sherwen and Simmonett declared a Personal Interest in Item 121/10
108/10 Minutes of the meeting held on 24th May 2010:
With the alteration to Item 46/10 of the words “showed the meeting a” to “referred the meeting to a” it was proposed by Cllr. Sherwen and seconded by Cllr. Simmonett that the minutes of 24th May be signed as a true record.
109/10 Matters arising:
Item 37/10 Cllr. Sherwen reported that whilst at the Village Fete he had noticed that many of the signs on the Recreation Ground needed attention due to wear and tear and graffiti.
110/10 To receive the Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 7th and 21st June 2010:
7th: There were no comments.
21st Item 100/10 (Co-operative Store)
Cllr. Hales reported that the work being carried out was to the refrigeration units. Cllr. Barrett said that the work to the roof was now finished.
Item 99/10 (White House Farm) Cllr. Barrett reported that the Enforcement Officer had managed to get hold of the Planning Officer and they are trying to arrange a site visit.
111/10 Heydon Grange Wind Farm:
There were no further developments at the present time.
112/10 Report from C. Cllr. Susan van de Ven:
C. Cllr van de Ven presented her report to the meeting:
1. Concerns about school crossing point at the High Street junction with the Moor: flashing lights and school crossing patrol officer are there precisely because of bend in the High Street and lack of visibility. It would make more sense for people to cross closer to the old Police site, but realistically, this point is used by children and others and the idea is to give young pedestrians some assistance.
2. Melbourn Library Access Point: Usage up, Under Fives Story Time continuing through summer holidays, looking to open Tuesdays. Good presence at Melbourn Fete.
3. Youth services cuts – consultation now taking place with staff on massive cuts. Keeping a watching brief.
4. Library services cuts: As you already know, the Parish Council has received a letter from Sue Williamson about the County’s prospective approach to cuts across County library service, and in particular the position of LAPs. Cuts to books stocks and frequency of delivery of books look set for reduction but we will have to wait and see.
5. Parish Councils’ take-up of some services by local authorities facing cuts: This will be a reality in some form or other. It is probably most helpful to try and anticipate as best as possible.
6. Practical Solutions Group– no meeting since last parish council.
113/10 Co-option to the Council:
The Council have now been told it can co-opt suitable applicants to the Council. Cllr. Simmonett is to put this information on the website and the Clerk will mention this in her piece for the village magazine if the position has not been filled at the time of writing.
114/10 Quotation for work to entrance of the Moor Allotments:
This is to be left until the matter of the water pressure has been resolved. Cllr. Sherwen is in contact with two companies who provide this sort of service. He will discuss this work with them.
115/10 Quotation for work to path on land off Elm Way:
Due to lack of interest in quoting for this work Cllr Sherwen is to mention this work to the two companies he is in contact with over work in New Road Cemetery.
116/10 Quotation for work to tap and water troughs in New Road Cemetery:
Due to the amount of money involved and uncertainty as to what was wanted, it was decided to discuss this matter at the next Cemetery Working Party meeting which is to be held in one months time.
Cllr. Hales asked C Cllr. van de Ven if she could look into what was happening with regard to the Council’s suggested locations for dropped kerbs to assist those with mobility difficulties.
117/10 New Mandate:
It was proposed by Cllr. Barrett THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM FOR A NEW MANDATE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES. Seconded by Cllr Brett and CARRIED.
118/10 Model Standing Orders:
Cllr. Hales informed the meeting that the Standards Board says that most complaints dealt with by them originate at Parish level. He felt that with regards to Quality Status the council could meet certain criteria but fell short on some aspects.
It was proposed by Cllr. Simmonett THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL PURCHASE TWO COPIES FROM CPALC OF PART 1 AND PART 2 OF MODEL STANDING ORDERS FOR LOCAL COUNCILS (PART 1 AND PART 2 COME BOUND AS ONECOPY) AT A PRICE OF £25 PER COPY. Seconded by Cllr. Gatward and CARRIED with 11 votes FOR and 1 ABSTENTION.
119/10 BMX site:
Item 119/10 and 127/10 were both dealt with at the same time.
Cllr. Barrett reported that she had spoken to the Planning Office who in turn had spoken to the Scientific Officer and they were not sure where the idea that the infill of soil must be to a depth of 200mm, had originated from, as this needs to be 422mm in depth. As this depth will affect the entrance it is to be tapered into the standing area which has to be covered by the 422mm depth of soil. This area is clearly defined within the green square shown on the diagram
Cllr. Barrett is to draft a letter to Adam Finch informing him that the Council is in agreement with regards to the soil depth of 422mm. The Clerk will send this letter.
Cllr. Gatward stated that she was not happy with vehicular access on this site.
Cllr. Barrett said that the site was getting overgrown. The Clerk is to ask the Ranger to look at the site to see if he can deal with it. If not the Clerk is to report back to the Council that this work needs to go out to a contractor.
120/10 Financial Report as at 31st May: Noted
121/10 Cheques to be signed:{Cheque list for 28 June 2010}
The Clerk recommended the transfer of £ 23,200 from the Business No Notice Account to the Current Account.
The Clerk recommend the transfer of £2,145 from the Magazine Account to the No Notice Business Account
.
It was proposed by Cllr. Stead that the cheques be approved and signed, seconded by Cllr. Hales and Carried.
Cllrs. Sherwen and Simmonett did not vote on this as they were cheque recipients
122/10 Correspondence:
(a) E-mail from Royston and District Transport – thanking the Council for its continued support and its donation. Noted
(b) SCDC – Community Pride and Village Hero Awards.
Cllr. Hales wanted to know why this letter had not been sent sooner.
The Clerk is to ask this question and also inform SCDC that the Parish Council already operates its own awards.
(c) Campaign to Protect Rural England – AGM 7.30pm Tuesday 6th July Visitors Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton. Noted
(d) Letter from Mr Bruce Huett – Internal Auditor to Melbourn Parish Council. Noted
[Cllr. Stead left the meeting at this point the time being 9.00pm]
(e) Letter from Sally Saunders – Lease of Melbourn Parish Council Office.
The Clerk is to acknowledge this letter and thank Sally and inform her that the Council will make every effort not to take advantage of her extended notice time and to thank her for her flexibility.
Cllrs. Barrett, Bloomfield, Brett, Hales and Simmonett are to compile a list of Council requirements pertaining to new premises. The Clerk is to forward the list of requirements already sent to the Rev. O’Brien, to the above Councillors. This list of requirements will be considered by the All Saints Community Hall Committee on Friday. If the Council went this route it was decided that extra storage space would have to be sought.
Cllrs. Bloomfield and Wakerley felt that the Little Hands Nursery building would be ideal for the Parish Office as it was owned by the Council.
(f) Letter from Neil Wilson – Thanking Melbourn PC for its donation. Noted
(g) E-mail from Sara Denyer- Melbourn Fair and Circus
(h) SCDC – Election of Parish Council Member to Standard Committee.
The Clerk is to write informing SCDC that The Parish Council were not interested in voting due to the lack of information supplied with regard to the candidates.
(i) E-mail from Brian Collingbourne – Disquiet at Parish Council approval for timing of Circus Tyanna for its visit to Melbourn.
Cllr. Mulcock will pass on the Councils apologies and will ensure that the Fete Committee are spoken to if the situation arises again.
The Clerk is to send a letter of congratulations to the Fete Committee. She is also to say that the Council were heartened by the increase in turnout over last year.
(j) SCDC – Questionnaire for Parish Council from Standards Committee’s Parish Liaison Working Group. Cllr. Hales is to complete this questionnaire
[As the time was approaching 10.00pm it was proposed by Cllr. Barrett and Seconded by Cllr. Mowatt that the meeting continue till 10.15pm]
(k) CCC – Impact of cuts on Connexions and Youth Work provision. Noted
(l) CCC – LAP cut in provision of newly published books. Noted
(m) No further correspondence was received.
[Cllr. Barrett left the meeting at this point the time being 10.10pm]
123/10 Old Recreation Ground:
It was proposed by Cllr. Hales THAT THE VILLAGE COLLEGE BE ALLOWED TO USE THE OLD RECREATION GROUND FOR THE PURPOSES OF PARKING, FOR A PERIOD OF SIX WEEKS. THE GATE IS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED EACH DAY BY THE COLLEGE GROUNDSMEN AND IF THE WEATHER IS INCLEMENT THE RECREATION GROUND MUST NOT BE USED FOR PARKING. Seconded by Cllr. Sherwen and CARRIED.
[As the time was approaching 10.15pm it was proposed by Cllr. Sherwen and seconded by Cllr. Hales that the meeting continue till 10.30pm]
124/10 Cemetery and Churchyard Inspection Record:
It was Cllr. Mowatt’s turn to inspect the cemetery and as this had not been carried out as yet the book could not be filled in.
Cllr. Mowatt felt that the Council could be looking at having a single Contractor to carry out all the work required in both cemeteries.
[Cllr. Bloomfield left the meeting at this point the time being 10.16pm]
125/10 New Road Cemetery:
The working party had been discussing the gates and the mound and it seems that both may need planning permission. It was felt that the Council could make the application itself. The Working Party meetings are to take place every four weeks.
126/10 Further Developments to Village Car Park:
Cllr. Brett felt that Mr Larcombe is to be congratulated on the fact that having just returned from his holiday he had managed very quickly to return the lease to SCDC legal department. It is now hoped that this matter will be concluded in the very near future.
127/10 Update on BMX Trails:
Dealt with under Item 119/10.
128/10 Practical Solutions Group:
The next meeting is to be held at the Community Centre at the Village College at 10.00pm on Tuesday 29th June.
129/10 Village Plan:
Cllr. Sherwen reported that there were 34 volunteers came forward at the Fete to offer their help in delivering the questionnaire which is to be delivered to every household in the village.
130/10 Neighbourhood Panel:
The next meeting will be held in July at Bassingbourn.Village College
131/10 Committees:
(a) Conservation: Cllr. Gatward reported that there is to be a swing gate fitted with either a catch or spring at the end of the tarmac path in the car park of Stockbridge Meadows Riverside Park. This will allow access to the park for wheelchairs etc.
(b) Cemetery: The Clerk had been asked by a resident of the village if there was anywhere to scatter cremated ashes in New Road cemetery. At the present time there is not a designated place. The Working Party will discuss this matter at their next meeting.
(c) Urgent reports from Committee Chairmen: There were no urgent reports from Committee Chairmen.
132/10 Future Meetings.
(a) 5th June – Planning
(b) 12th June – Highways and Rural Footpaths + Play Areas, Recreation and Youth
(c) 19th June – Planning
(d) 26th June – Parish Council. Prior to the meeting there will be a talk by a Governor of Addenbrooke’s Hospital with time for questions. (From 6.45pm to 7.15pm)
133/10 Urgent Matters:
There were no urgent matters.
There being no other business the vice-chairman closed the meeting at 10.30pm