MINUTES OF FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
11th NOVEMBER 2013 AT 8 PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Clive Dalton, Kate Green, Sue Glasse, Carol Handley,
Kieran O'Callaghan, Alison Pritchard, Gemma Spencer and, in the Chair, Paul Tebbit,
1 Apologies were received from John White and Cllr Robin Page.
2 The minutes of 30th September 2013 were approved.
Public Participation
3 Miss Sach informed the Council that the field at Pound Drift is being fenced off and there is concern amongst local dog walkers. It was confirmed by another member of the public that this land had recently been sold auction. Mr Dalton informed the meeting that Footpath 19 crosses the aforementioned land.
4 Clare Gibbons from SCDC, who was in attendance at the meeting, informed the meeting that under the 'Community right to bid,' the Council could nominate land of Parish importance and put on asset register. If and when land on the register came up for sale, the Council would be informed and have the opportunity to bid.
5 Mr Nicholson expressed his thanks to the Parish Council for their help in putting him in contact with SCDC and the planting of new tress in Finches Field.
6 Mrs Pritchard, as a member of the public, informed the meeting that a new environmental impact application had been submitted regarding OSP148. The Council had no specific information about the application apart from the fact that it formed part of the new application for affordable homes.
Declarations of Interest
7 Mr Tebbit declared an interest in the item regarding Holbein Farm, Kingston Road, Great Eversden.
Demand Responsive Transport
8 Clare Gibbons from SCDC attended the meeting to discuss Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) within our Eversden and the surrounding areas, known as Area C. Mrs Gibbons explained that Eversden would retain the 18a scheduled bus service in the morning and evening. However during the day residents could book the journeys they want to make. The bus can take them anywhere within a defined 'Roam Zone' and allow them to join other connecting services if their destination is further afield. This will become operational by 1st April 2014.
9 To complement this service and as part of the county wide strategy to support transport services Cambourne is to benefit from enhanced facilities to create a transport interchange on the High Street. Features planned for the interchange include a spacious bus shelter, an interactive information point with real time passenger information and a phone point to allow booking to be for the DRT. The bus would be booked via internet or via the telephone. Each booking is independent and can either be pre-booked or within half an hour of travel time. All these facilities will be very dependent on which service provider is appointed to the contract but it is envisaged that the drivers will be there to serve the public. The service is open to anyone to use although when asked Mrs Gibbons said the Suffolk model, that Ms Spencer had visited, was predominantly used by elderly and those with restricted mobility.
10 Ms Green suggested a Public meeting to discuss when the service is launched.
Cambridgeshire Future Transport Meeting
11 Mrs Gibbons went on to discuss the Cambridgeshire Future Transport Project. This project is a consultation to discuss the same issues as DRT but within Area G, covering Harlton, Barrington and surrounding areas. Mrs Pritchard indicated that she could attend the meeting on Wednesday 13th November at Haslingfield. A decision will be made for this area in March 2014.
12 The Council thanked Mrs Gibbons for attending.
13 Matters Arising
a) Emergency Planning: Mrs Glasse reported that Ms Spencer had taken over from Mr Huddleston. They had been in contact with Cambridgeshire Police and were receiving a copy of the Community Resilience Agenda.
b) Recreation Ground Opening at Bucks Lane. Mr Dalton reported that under the Disability Act footpaths should be 2m wide. This is not being insisted on if the footpath is situated behind the lamp-post in the car park, thus meaning no loss of parking space. We have been advised that the cost is approx. £3500, however our understanding is that we should only be paying 10% of this. Mr Dalton is pursuing this. It was resolved that if the cost to the Council is over £400 this should be carried forward to next years budget.
c) Standing Orders: These have now been agreed and it was resolved that the electronic copy would be forwarded to all to see and Mr White would be asked to consider them and propose any modifications the Council might wish to make.
d) Defibrillator: Comberton Crusaders were advised that due to their affiliation to the FA they could buy the equipment at a discount. This decision has now gone back to the FA for clarification and no progress has been made. Mr Tebbit raised the ongoing issue of CCTV for the Pavilion. It was agreed that the Parish Council would pay the initial cost of approx £800-£900 for the 4 cameras to be installed so as to reclaim the VAT and, if necessary in future, invoice the Recreation Ground back for the cost.
e) 30 mph stickers: Ms O'Callaghan confirmed that the stickers had been delivered to Little Eversden residents, although no monies had been received.
f) Road Surfacing & White Lining. Mr Dalton informed the meeting that Denis Vacher had been succeeded by Sian Maloney at SCDC. It was reported that a party had been seen outside Finches Field measuring although no action has happened to date. Mr Dalton has emailed to chase. On the subject of potholes, Ms Green asked whether pavements or roads took priority. Cllr Kindersley, in attendance, responded that an assessment of danger to the public was carried out and the work carried out accordingly.
g) Wimpole Road Exit: Hedge Obstruction - Mr Tebbit informed the meeting that he had cut back the hedge on the corner and Mr Banks would complete when convenient.
h) Village Hall Extension Update: A proposal had been made for an extension across the back but it would be in the region of £100k . A smaller extension was suggested near the toilet block but Conservation disagreed as it was incongruous. No further progress has been made.
i) Telephone Box Lighting: This is now working. The Clerk agreed that she was content to contact BT for future problems.
j) Parish Council Liaison Meeting: The Clerk reported that this was a useful meeting to attend and questions from the Parish Council were able to get a direct response.
k) Flood Asset Management: No information available as yet but Cambridgeshire Council will inform the Clerk of the outcome as soon as available.
Footpaths
14 Mr Dalton reported that 9 people had turned up for the footpath walk on 3rd November. They had covered all footpaths, with the exception of No. 19. Mrs Handley showed the meeting recent photographs of the mud churned Footpath 26. Mr Tebbit agreed to speak to the Right of Way Officer.
Final Stage of Land Registration at St Helen's
15 Mr Dalton informed the meeting that the transfer from Amber Development to the Parish Council had never been completed, however he would check all matters were now resolved with Ashton KCJ.
Police Liaison Meeting
16 Mr Dalton informed the meeting that he had attended the meetings for a number of years. Anti-social behavior and speeding were regularly discussed. Ms Green asked about a village police presence and cameras. Mr Dalton will investigate Speedwatch further.
The Local Highway Initiative 2014/15
17 This initiative is jointly funded by the County Council and the applicant. The closing date for applications is Monday 9th December.. It was resolved that the Clerk would forward the application form to Mr Dinsdale who would complete and return for the A603 project in conjunction with Harlton as suggested by Cllr Kindersley.
A603 Harlton/Eversden Update
18 Mr Dinsdale reported that no further update regarding the A603 would be available until the end of November.
OSP 148: Housing Needs Survey
19 The Clerk read an email from Gary Duthie dated 8th November, reporting that the planning application has now been formally withdrawn so will not fail to be re-determined following the previous decision notice having been quashed on 7th October 2013.
20 As discussed at the last meeting a new housing needs survey is recommended. Mr Tebbit reported that Schuyler Newstead at South Cambs had indicated the Council meet with Cambridgeshire ACRE who are involved in rural housing. It was suggested that the Council use the proposed planning date of Monday 2nd December to meet Mr Mark Deas of Cambridgeshire ACRE. Ms Newstead and Mr Deas would like to move the meeting forward to 7 pm instead of the scheduled time of 8:30 pm.
2014 Meeting Dates
21 Following the circulation of possible monthly dates, Mrs Handley reported that we were apparently unique within the locality in having 6 weekly meetings, other Parishes had either monthly or 2 monthly meetings. It was resolved that meetings would remain 6 weekly and Mr Dalton will check with the Editor of Tailcorn as to whether future meeting dates can be published in Tailcorn.
Planning
22 Further to the Council's approval of the plans at Merry's Farm, Wimpole Road the application had been resubmitted due to several alterations to the original plans. For ease of reference Mr Tebbit had requested a document from Bidwells that highlighted all the alterations. Mr Tebbit circulated the aforementioned document and explained each change individually. The Parish Council unanimously agreed to support the new application.
23 This item was chaired by the Vice-Chair since the Chairman had declared an interest. Holbein Farm: It was agreed that Mr Tebbit would remain in the meeting to answer any questions. The application was to demolish various building and erect one new building. It was unnecessary for the Council to make a decision on the application as it was resolved that SCDC determined that the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority is not required for the siting, design and external appearance of the Holbein Farm application. No further action is required. The Council unanimously approved the proposal.
Finance
24 All payments were agreed.
CAPALC New Clerks Intensive Training £200.00 LGA 1972 s142
CAPALC Standing Orders £25.00 LGA 1972 s142
Mayola Music Handbell Insurance £122.89 LGA 1972 s111
Clerk’s Salary £295.75 LGA 1972 s112(2)
Ashton KCJ Land Registry £725.00 LGA 1894s.6(c) iii
Budget
25 The Chair asked Councillors to think carefully about what needed to be added to next year's budget and to forward any suggestions in advance of the December meeting to himself and the Clerk.
Councillors Reports
26 Cllr Kindersley reported that the recent presentation by CEMEX was extremely unpopular locally and wanted to assure parishioners that this was definitely not a 'done deal'.
27 Cambridgeshire County Council Constitution Committee have agreed their new framework which will change from a Leader/Cabinet model to a Committee model. He informed the Council that we will shortly receive an email with a link to the new constitution. There will now be a new 5th committee based around public health
28 The Listed Building Conservation Section is being reviewed and planning officers are having their jobs refocused.
29 South Cambs have set up an organisation called South Cambs Homes Committee. They will invest £6m in South Cambs Council Housing and land owners should approach the Council if they have available land..
30 Cllr Kindersley reported that a recent health profile for South Cambs showed 2,500 children in SC are living in poverty. Life expectancy is also 4.3 years lower for men in less deprived areas!
Next Meetings
Monday 25th November, Planning, if required.
Monday 2nd December – meeting with Cambridgeshire ACRE (and Planning, if required, at 7 pm. The Clerk will advise the venue in due course.
Full Parish Council meeting on Monday 16th December at 8 pm.