16^th July 2007     Back to Index

A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Monday 16^th July 2007 at 8pm.

Present Miss Sach, Mrs Handley, Mr Ellis, Mr Blatch, Miss Hayes, Mrs Pritchard, Mrs Clemmow, Mr White and, in the Chair, Mr Dalton.   D.Cl. Mrs Heazell and C.Cl. Mr Kindersley were also present.

Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th June 2007 were agreed and signed

Matters arising from the Minutes

1                    Footpath 13. Ivett's Lane.  BT pole still there. Still no progress

2          Nixon's Hall Tablet. No further progress..

3          Land Registration of Parish Property.  This is being processed and the solicitors, Kester Cunningham John, have been requested to act for the Council.

4          Hedge cutting  Agreed to write to the Highways Dept. and ask them to take this problem in hand, as the personal approach has failed. The residents responsible will be notified.

5          Wimpole Road repairs.  It is understood that the Highways Dept had held a site meeting with their contractors, but that any decision taken has not been notified to the Parish Council.

6          Footpath 25.  Not quite sure what is the correct action to take.  It is understood that members of the Ramblers Association have encountered problems and have complained to the County Council several times.

7          Clerk's Salary review.  Review should be available in July.

8          Road at St Helen's. Negotiations are taking place between the builder and interested parties, including the PC.

9          Bin at Gt. Eversden bus shelter replacement  Mr Blatch had obtained details of some bins. Agreed to discuss at next meeting when further research had been done.

10        PC Policies  A list is being formed

11.       Parish Assets List.  This is now complete, including the Handbells.

12.       Bins at St Helen's  At present only bins left outside the church are collected.  Cl Mrs Heazell advised that discussion should take place with Mr Stuart Harwood-Clark at SCDC Waterbeach Centre.  He will then arrange for the bins to be collected from outside the houses.

12        Third representative from the PC on the Recreation Ground Committee. Agreed that Mrs Clemmow should be appointed.

13.       Ivetts Lane.  This should be twelve feet wide, but some trees are encroaching.  As this is scheduled as a public highway, it was agreed to ask Highways Dept. to deal with them.

14        Code of Conduct.  Unanimously agreed that Council should adopt Model Code with the addition of Para: 12 (2).  Agreed to ask CALC to include the Council in their package advertising deal and to send the necessary cheque of £24.

15        Village Footpath Map. It would be useful to have a copy of this on the village web-site, but their were issues of copyright.  Suggested that CC be asked if they have a suitable map, and that Chairman should also purchase a copy of the 1:25,000OS map.  To be discussed further at the next meeting.

16        The Housing Committee  Another meeting to be arrranged

17        Standing Orders. Agreed this would be brought up to date using a copy of the new Model Standing Orders obtained from NALC.

18.       Village Plan  Mr White reported that he planned to call a meeting on Thursday 4^th October when more people would be available, and would circulate the villages about three weeks before.

19        Tennis Club. Mr Wood gave a presentation on the current situation, outlining three possible sites.  There was much discussion on this subject. Miss Sach spoke on behalf of the Recreation Ground Committee. Finally the Chairman said that the Parish Council were not in a position to make any commitment until all details were finalised.  Mr Wood mentioned that it would require £3,000 annually to maintain the courts, and if this amount could be raised, he hoped use of the courts would be free.

20.       Speeding.  Cl. Kindersley mentioned that there was to be a meeting of the Neighbourhood Policing Panel at Gamlingay Village College at 7pm on 25^th July.where local matters of concern could be raised.  He hoped as many PC members and other residents as possible would attend. 

            Concern was expressed at the number of lorries travelling through the village at present, in addition to speeding cars.  It was also noted that grass verges had not properly cut this year, restricting vision at junctions. Agreed to write to Highways Dept. about this.  Cl. Kindersley also spoke about the increased hazard at the Wheatsheaf junction as a result of the removal of the Speed Camera and the use of the refurbished Wheatsheaf.

21        Cemex.  It was reported by Cl. Kindersley that at a recent liaison meeting it had been stated that the CEMEX project had been suspended, not abandoned.

22        Finance.  The following cheques agreed and signed:

            Moore Stephens Audit Fee                                 £141.00          LGA. (1972) s.111(1)

            Insurance for Recreation Area                 £1,300             LGA. (1972) s.133

23.       Planning

            Proposed conversion of The Hoops to residential use.  Strongly and unanimously opposed. Agreed that Mr White should attend to speak on behalf of the Parish Council when this is discussed at the Planning Committee. He will recruit another member of the public (perhaps Mr Lloyd-Parry).

            Mr & Mrs Chivers, Garage at Plumstead.  Approved on appeal.

            Mr & Mrs Alexander, 1 Finch's Field, Refused by SCDC

            Caravan at Merry's farm proposed by letter from Mr D. Rolph. Await this application from Planners, but no objection expressed.

24.       Mr Ellis expressed concern at the removal of some trees next to the pavilion on the Recreation Ground.  Miss Sach replied that under Health and Safety rules it was necessary to allow for access for Emergency Vehicles and to allow the final erection of new fencing. Replacement trees were to be planted in memory of Mr Derek Mallows.

25        Railway Bridge at Toft. Mr Ellis also reported that he had heard that the Railway Bridge at Toft would be closed for reconstruction.  This would take between three weeks and three months and cause major difficulties.  Agreed to find out more.

26.       Cl. Mrs Heazell reported meetings of the Public Scrutiny Committee were to be held at Comberton Village Hall on 11^th October at 5.30pm and also at Foxton Village Hall on 15^th November.

            She also reported that the question of the Housing Stock of SCDC was again being debated and tenants' views were being sought through elected representatives. The PC will be asked to comment again on this issue.

27.       Correspondence.  In circulation.

            Date of Next Meeting    Monday 3^rd September 2007 at 8pm in the Village Hall