17th January 2011
A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Pavilion on 17th January at 8pm.
Apologies: received from Mr Tebbit and Cl. Kindersley.
Present, Mrs Handley, Mrs Pritchard, Mr Huddleston, Mrs Glasse, Mr Dinsdale, Mr Blatch, Mrs Hobbs, Mr White, and, in the Chair, Mr Dalton. Cl. Mrs Heazell was also present.
Minutes of the meeting held on 5th December were approved and signed.
Matters arising from the Minutes
1 Nixon's Hall Tablet. No change
2 Land Registration of Parish Property Declaration. This remains in the hands of the solicitors.
3 Road at St Helen's Transfer. Nothing further to report.
4 Trees at 2 Wheeler's Way The SCDC housing manager is handling this at present. The brambles have been cut back from the footpath by a kind but unknown person.
5 Hedge at Wimpole Road. This is has been cut back for better visibility eastwards.
6 Standing Orders. A copy has been circulated
7 Youth Bus and 100 Club Plan: Mr Blatch reported that the club has 100 members and now has enough money to cover costs for fortnightly visits until April and weekly visits until Christmas during term-times.
8 Telephone Boxes: Glass has been received by Mr Blatch and will be installed.
9 Salt Bins These have been delivered, put in place and filled. Thanks were expressed to those volunteers who spread the grit during the snow period.
10 Cycle Path Eversden to Comberton Still no progress.
11 Recreation Ground Multi-Use Games Area – Planning Application. In response to an email received from the SCDC planning officer reporting the views of the Environmental Health Officer, two points were raised.
1 Should the Application be withdrawn? 2 Should a site meeting be set up?
The Chairman proposed a motion not to withdraw, but to let the matter run for a month. During this time a site-meeting would be requested and a noise impact assessment carried out. The possibility of altering the contract for Watlands with Natural England would also be explored. The matter could be further discussed at the planning meeting on 31st January.
12 Dog Bin at Recreation Ground. This had been installed by SCDC with no charge to the PC, but without reference to the site desired. The Chairman agreed to enquire if it could be moved to the de-restriction sign pole at the start of Bucks Lane. without expense.
13 Affordable Housing. The Chairman had received a letter from Mr Pritchard saying that Bloor Developments had informed him on 16.12.10 that they would be willing to sell the land behind 30-40 High Street as an exception site for affordable housing. The Chairman had therefore made enquiries about the possibility of this site receiving planning permission. He listed a number of reasons why this was doubtful. This site was being canvassed as an alternative site to OSP 148. Since Mr Pritchard was present the PC agreed to ask him to give his opinions. He did so at some length. There were a number of further comments from members of the PC and of the public. Mrs Pritchard objected so strongly to one of these that she declared that she no longer felt she able to remain as a member of the council and would resign. She (and Mr Pritchard) then left the meeting. After further discussion, the Chairman put forward the following motion to vote on:
This Council does not propose to go back to the beginning with a fresh site.
Voting : 7 in favour 1 against no abstentions Motion Carried
14 Finance
Draft Budget for 2011/12 further considered in the light of possible increased charges to be devolved from SCDC. It was unanimously agreed the sum of £12,000 should be precepted.
Clerk's Salary and expenses £269.24 LGA 72 s112(2)
15 Cl. Mrs Heazell reported that she had accompanied the new CEO, Jean Hunter, around the Eversdens as part of her District Council Ward. She had been impressed by the Village Hall and expressed her admiration for the energy and activity of the community
16 Correspondence In circulation.
Date of Meetings
Planning Meeting Monday 31st January in the Pavilion at 8.30
Full Parish Council Monday 21st February in the Village Hall at 8pm.