2nd June 2008 Back to Minutes Index
A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Monday 2nd June 2008 at 8pm.
Apologies from Mr Blatch
Present Mrs Handley, Mr Huddleston, Mrs Conolly, Mr White, Mrs Hobbs, Mrs Pritchard, Mr Kilker and, in the Chair, Mr Dalton. Cl. Mrs Heazell and Cl. Kindersley were also present
Minutes of the meeting held on 14th April, 30th April and 14th May were received and signed. . Declaration of interest forms were returned. One is awaited.
Matters arising from the Minutes
1 Nixon's Hall Tablet. The Chairman is dealing with this.
2 Land Registration of Parish Property. This is in hand.
3 Hedge in Lowfields In the hands of the County Council. No action possible at present.
Hedge at 2 Wheeler's Way No change. There is also a tree in the garden which may be responsible for causing a water leak. The Cambridge Water Company is investigating.
4 Road at St Helen's Transfer. This is in the hands of the solicitors.
5 Standing Orders A draft had been circulated to all members for consideration. It was agreed an Advisory Committee be set up to consider what further modifications might be needed. The committee to consist of Mr White, Mrs Pritchard and Mr Huddleston.
6 Planning Procedures. The Chairman outlined the present mode of dealing with applications. This procedure does not strictly adhere to NALC guidelines. After a long discussion it was agreed that dates for interim meetings between main meetings would be arranged to consider any planning applications which had been received and had to be returned within the 21 day limit. All members of the Council would be invited to attend and the meeting would be open to members of the public, in the normal way. A meeting would be cancelled if no applications had been received.
7 Affordable Housing. The Chairman reported that the SCDC Planners had expressed concern that the hedge to the north of the Low Close development required further landscaping to be an acceptable boundary for the Green Belt. He and Mrs Heazell had an appointment to discuss this on 3rd June.
Negotiations were also in progress about the 'screening strip' to the west of the site. It was not yet settled who would own this area and who would be responsible for planting or maintaining it.
Item 2 in the minutes of 30th April asked for a preservation order on the hedge and trees bordering the Harlton Road. Agreed the Clerk should check on this.
Questions were asked about the history of the Housing Advisory Committee. The Committee was set up to deal with the provision of Low Cost housing and acts in an advisory capacity to the full PC. Decisions are taken only by the full PC. The Advisory Committee at present consists of 4 members, The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr Tebbit and Mr White. Mrs Conolly and Mrs Hobbs said they would like to become members.
The meeting then adjourned to listen to a question from the public about the Advisory Committee's procedures.
8 Proposed removal of Little Eversden telephone box by BT. It was noted that this box appeared to be used quite frequently. It was suggested that BT should consider making it a cashless phone box. The Clerk would write.
9. Freedom of Information. It was agreed that the PC needed to formalise its policy. Agreed to defer consideration of this to a later meeting.
10 Police Liaison The next meeting will be on 23rd July at 19.30. Possibly at Barrington.
11 Allotments. Mrs Pritchard had been unable to contact Liz Clemmow and so no progess had been made with plans to tidy up.
12 Dog waste bin between Leete's Lane and Rectory Farm A site was proposed next to the telegraph pole in the passing bay to the east of the road. The Clerk to check with SCDC Environmental Health.
13 Village Plan Mr White reported that a marquee would be put up at the Church Fete to outline their plans to residents.
14 Verge Posts in front of Brigham Memorial Seat. Agreed not to proceed with this.
15 Cost of Parish Council Training Sessions. Agreed to enquire if joining with other Parish Councils to increase the number of trainees would reduce the cost. Also find out if numbers had to be limited.
16 Finance.
Further refund on Recreation Ground Insurance of £70 is still awaited.
The following cheques agreed
Village Hall Car Park £50.00 LGA 1894 s.6(c) iii
Photocopying, Cambridge Insitu £73.71 LGA 1976 s. 133
Mr E.J.White, Village Plan Petty Cash £100.00 LGA 1972 s.139
Mr F. O'Keefe Internal Audit £50.00 LGA 1972 s. 111(1)
Recreation Ground Insurance £1401.03 LGA 1972 s.139
Statement of Accounts. Copies had been circulated to all members
Balance in hand Bank £4622.70
P.O. £2811.78
It was unanimously agreed the Statement of Accounts be adopted.
17. Proposed City Boundary Change. Agreed to discuss this further at the next Planning Meeting
18 Planning
West Peak developments Ltd. 16 Lowfields. Erection of two dwellings following demolition of existing dwelling. Recommended the Application be refused and a list of objections submitted. Also agreed that a site-meeting with the Planning Committee be requested.
Mr Huddleston and Mr Kilker declared an interest and withdrew from the room during voting.
Mrs B. Pullen, 20 Wheeler's Way. Extension. Approved by P.C.
19 Cl. Kindersley spoke of his concern at the new stacking control system for local airports which might include flights below 7000 feet.
He reported that as a result of the consultation on the Congestion Charge a large majority had been against it, both within the City and outside, reversing the findings of the Focus Groups. There were no plans to build a Park and Ride for the 603, but a further Park and Ride was likely in Haslingfield.
20 SCDC Report. Cl. Mrs Heazel reported that a new chairman had been appointed for the Scrutiny Committee. She remained a member of it and had also joined the Licensing Committee
21 Correspondence. In circulation.
Date of Next Parish Council Meeting
Monday 14th July 2008 in the Village Hall at 8pm.
Date of next Planning Meeting
Monday 23rd June in the Village Hall at 8pm.
Note: all the other proposed dates are possible and meetings will be held in the Village Hall at 8pm.