MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
Draft Minutes subject to formal ratification at the next Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 28th March 2011 at All Saints’ Community Hall at 7.15pm.
Present: Cllrs. D. Mowatt (Chairman), V. Barrett, I. Bloomfield, A. Brett, R. Gatward, J. Hales, M. Linnette, A. Mulcock, M. Sherwen, P. Simmonett, M. Townsend (Vice-Chairman) and R. Wakerley.
In attendance: The Clerk
[The Chair was taken by the Vice-Chairman]
796/10 Apologies for absence: Cllr. Stead and C. Cllr van de Ven
797/10 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Brett declared a Personal Interest in Item 805/10 as he is a member of the Standards Committee.
798/10 Minutes of the meeting held on 28th February 2011:
It was proposed by Cllr. Hales and seconded by Cllr. Gatward that the minutes of 28th February be signed as a true record.
799/10 Matters arising:
Item 728/10 (Clear Crescent Play Area) Cllr. Sherwen had looked at the fence in the corner of Clear Crescent Play Area and found it to be still intact. It was decided just to repair the wire fence for the present time rather then install a gate.
Cllr. Gatward reported that in the address given by Kirstin Bicknell the word cylindrical needs to be inserted in front of the word tower in three places.
Item 726/10 (Recreation Ground) Cllr. Mulcock enquired if the Ranger had secured, oiled and covered the rollers on the Recreation Ground. The Clerk is to check with the Ranger if this work has been carried out.
800/10 To receive the Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 7th and 21st March 2011:
7th March: There were no comments.
21st March: The following amendments are to be made
‘Cllrs. Gatward, Hales and Simmonett declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest’ to read ‘Cllrs. Gatward, Sherwen and Simmonett declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest.’
The adding of the sentence – As the chairman had declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest he left the room and the chair was taken by Cllr. Hales.
‘At this point Cllrs. Gatward, Hales and Simmonett returned to the meeting.’ to read ‘Cllrs. Gatward, Sherwen and Simmonett returned to the meeting and the Chairman, Cllr. Sherwen took back the chair.’
801/10 Internal Auditor for the year 2011/2012:
It was proposed by Cllr. Hales THAT MR BRUCE HUETT BE OFFERED THE POST OF INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE YEAR 2011/2012. Seconded by Cllr. Brett and CARRIED.
802/10 Report from C. Cllr Van de Ven:
As C. Cllr van de Ven had sent her apologies for not attending the meeting, her written report was read out by the Vice-Chairman.
Code of Conduct and planning issues: As you know the Localism Bill is set to abolish Standards Committees. County Council will likely adopt code of conduct specific to Development Control which applies the same careful principles to protect against Bias and Predetermination. It is also looking to sign up to a voluntary general code of conduct and would like to do so on the basis of a standard shared by other local authorities.
Road safety education and children:
Since 1994-98, the council has succeeded, through a combination of road safety education, engineering and enforcement, to reduce by half the number of children killed or seriously injured through road accidents. The Melbourn area has some of the highest take-up in the county in terms of council-provided road safety education, from pre-school through secondary school.
The Department for Transport will shortly publish its new guidance for local authorities in their ongoing casualty reduction activities and targets for the next ten years. A significant development has been the change in the age category for child casualties, which will now include 16-17 year olds. By expanding the age definition for “children” a much higher number of accidents will be brought into focus, and councils will be required to bring those accident rates down. The County Council has reduced its budget for road safety education.
How much and when? All Road Safety Officers, and most of the Road Safety Education team budget to be at risk in the next year. We’ve been told that cycling training will continue, somehow (possibly to revert to volunteers). An overall Highways & Access directorate restructuring is currently being drawn up which will have a bearing on road safety education. I’ve asked for the cost to Melbourn specifically but figures can’s be broken down; however county-wide the Council spends about £2 per year per child. Any questions for me to feedback, let me know.
General accident statistics are in the public domain: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/safety/accidents/
School Crossing Patrol clarification: There is no funding for new school crossing patrols, and stricter criteria have been set down for continuing school crossing patrols – ‘controlled crossings’ (pelican crossings, etc) – will not have patrol officers. But Melbourn’s crossing meets necessary criteria and the post will be preserved. Our patrol officer is off sick and is expected to return.
Library Access Point: I attended the LAP AGM last week. As you know CCC has reduced stock deliveries to LAPS from once fortnightly to once monthly. There are ten LAPS; the delivery costs £13.70 per LAP. Some talk of clubbing together to purchase an extra delivery.
Youth Club: I have been in contact with Fowlmere Parish Council, which is outside the Melbourn County Division but inside the Melbourn Village College catchment area and thus a natural for the new youth club configuration. Their finance chairman will be attending the youth club steering group meeting this Wednesday evening. We will be looking at our administrative structure. The new youth club will begin after the school spring holiday. Thanks to Melbourn PC for leading the way.
The grandmother of a Melbourn Youth Club participant who is on the Barrington Village Hall committee arranged for us to have a ping pong table no longer needed in Barrington so that’s a nice extra piece of kit for the youth club.
Cllr. Gatward reported that for many years Cllr. Townsend had undertaken cycle training for children on a voluntary basis.
803/10 Travel Expenses:
It was proposed by Cllr. Barrett THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL MAKE A PAYMENT OF £20 TOWARDS TRAVEL COSTS TO ELIZABETH DURRANT IN CONNECTION WITH HER ATTENDANCE AT AN INTERVIEW FOR THE POST OF DEPUTY CLERK. Seconded by Cllr. Sherwen and CARRIED with 6 votes for: 5 votes against.
804/10 Clearance of verge on Royston Road:
It was proposed by Cllr. Sherwen THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE THAT THE QUOTATION RECEIVED FROM HERTS & CAMBS GROUND MAINTENANCE PRICED AT £1180 PLUS VAT FOR THE CLEARANCE OF THE VERGE ON ROYSTON ROAD BE ACCEPTED ON THE CONDITION THAT THE SITE IS CLEARED IN LINE WITH THE HEDGE ON ROYSTON SIDE OF THE WOODLAND. Seconded by Cllr. Wakerley and CARRIED.
Cllr. Gatward is to check that the work has been carried out satisfactorily before payment is made by the Clerk.
805/10 Standards Committee:
Cllr. Gatward felt that a limited discussion should take place as this matter needed a lot of consideration. It was then decided to hold a separate meeting on 3rd May at the Parish Office commencing at 7.30pm. The Clerk will inform Cllr. Stead of this meeting.
806/10 Quotation from Cambridge Fencing Company:
Due to the amount of the quotation received Cllr. Bloomfield was to source additional quotations.
807/10 Financial Report as at 28th February:
Mr. Bruce Huett’s advice is to be sought with regard to re-investing money from the Business No Notice Account.
808/10 Cheques to be signed: <Click on pdf icon for Cheque List> 
The Clerk recommended the transfer of £10,200 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. Simmonett and Carried.
809/10 Correspondence:
(a) Letter and receipt from P Saunders – Thanking the Council for its donation. Noted.
(b) E-mail from Matthew Kendrick – Land at 37 New Road.
The Clerk is to inform Matthew that the meeting can take place on 21st April in the Parish Office commencing at 7.30pm.
(c) Letter from DW Lighting – Maintenance of Private Street Lighting. Noted
(d) Copy of e-mail to Cllr. Barrett – From 21 The Moor with regard to noise from crows nesting in trees in Old Recreation Ground.
The Clerk will reply to this e-mail explaining that nothing can be done until the nesting season is over and that Ros Richardson, the Tree Officer is coming to inspect the trees.
(e) E-mail from Mr Bob Howard – Complaint about the BMX site in London Way.
The Clerk is to reply to Mr Howard explaining that the site is under construction and that the material and water on site are used for this purpose.
Cllrs. Sherwen and Brett declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in the next item due to them being members of the Village Plan Steering Committee and left the room. Cllr. Mulcock also declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in the next item due to him being friends with a member of the Play Areas Group and also left the room.
(f) E-mail from John Travis – Clear Crescent Play Area. This matter is to be discussed at an Extraordinary Meeting which is to be called by the Chairman, Cllr. Mowatt at a date which has as yet to be decided.
(g) Letter from CCC – Street Lighting Maintenance and Energy – 1 July onwards
Copies of the document are to be given to both Cllrs. Hales and Wakerley.
(h) Booklet from Cambridgeshire Community Services – Keeping in Touch. Noted.
No further correspondence was received.
810/10 Cemetery & Churchyard Inspection Report:
It was Cllrs. Simmonett’s turn to carry out the inspection and as this had not been done at the present time the book could not be filled in.
Cllr. Mowatt had been very impressed with the very detailed cemetery report which Cllr. Hales’ produced last month and thought that it set the standard for all future reports.
811/10 New Road Cemetery:
Cllr. Sherwen reported that he and Cllr. Hales had been to see Matthew Lane Sanderson. The fact of whether the fitting of the gates and the re- levelling of the ground should be carried out at the same time or separately was discussed. At the present time Cllr. Sherwen is waiting to hear from Matthew with regards to this matter.
812/10 Village Car Park:
The draft list of points raised by Councillors will be discussed at the Planning meeting on 4th April. Cllr. Brett will invite Craig Peacock to attend this meeting.
[As the time was approaching 10.00 it was proposed by Cllr. Hales and seconded by Cllr. Townsend that the meeting continue till 10.15pm]
813/10 BMX Trails:
Cllr. Linnette said there was a lot of work involved in putting up any sort of fence on the site. He suggested that concrete posts be placed a metre back from the boundary line, which would allow room for maintenance and for further hedging to be planted if required in future. The meeting decided to go with the idea of just placing concrete posts at intervals.
814/10 Village Plan:
Cllr. Brett reported that there had been a lot of midnight oil burned to finalise the Draft Plan. This was scheduled to be given to Councillors on 11th April. Then at the Full Parish Council meeting to be held on the 23rd May the Council will be asked to formally accept the plan.
815/10 Neighbourhood Panel: Next meeting to be held on 19th April at Melbourn Village College commencing at 7.30pm.
816/10 Committee Reports:
(a) Conservation: An allotment holder from Gray’s Allotment asked if the Council would have any objection to the Allotment being open on Melbourn Open Gardens Day. It was felt that this was a decision for SOAS and the allotment holders to make.
Justin from Herts & Cambs Ground Maintenance reported that the newly planted hedge on New Road needed to be kept watered.
The Clerk was asked if Gerry Squires had collected the spare tree stakes from Chalkhill Barrow. She replied that he had done so.
Cllr. Barrett said a big thank you to Michael Murden for the wonderful job he had carried out on the refurbishment of the seats in the village.
(b) Cemetery: The Clerk is to ask Gerry Squires if he would paint the metal seat in Orchard Road cemetery with Hammerite paint in either a black or dark green colour.
Cllr. Barrett enquired who was responsible for the maintenance of the cremated remains plot in All Saints’ Churchyard. Cllr. Gatward informed her that it was the responsibility of the PCC.
Cllr. Gatward reported the there could not be a brass push down tap fitted in New Road Cemetery as they do not manufacture one made in brass.
(c) Urgent reports from Committee Chairmen: There were no urgent reports from Chairmen.
[As the time was approaching 10.15pm it was proposed by Cllr. Hales and seconded by Cllr. Bloomfield that the meeting continue till 10.30pm.]
817/10 Future Meetings and approval of yearly meeting calendar:
(a) 4th April – Planning
(b) 11th April – Annual Parish Meeting
(c) 18th April – Planning
(d) 26th April – Parish Council (Tuesday)
The Council agreed to accept the yearly calendar as produced by Cllr. Mulcock. The Clerk will remove the item of Future Meetings from the agenda in future.
818/10 Urgent Matters:
Cllr. Hales will resend the litter picking map to Councillors as the timings were not felt to be correct.
The Clerk is to write to the three residents whose boundaries abut with the verge on Orchard Road to inform them that the Council is going to apply to the Land Registry for registration of this piece of land and enquire if they have any objections to this.