4th April 2011
A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on 4th April 2011 at 8pm.
Apologies: received from Mrs Hobbs and Mr Huddlestone.
Present, Mrs Handley, Mrs Glasse, Mr Dinsdale, Mr Blatch, Mr Tebbit, Mr White and, in the Chair, Mr Dalton. Cl. Mrs Heazell and Cl Kindersley were also present.
Minutes of the previous meeting held on 21st February were agreed 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 Chairman will discuss this further with the SCDC housing manager.
5 Standing Orders. Nothing further to report.
6 Telephone Boxes: Glass has been received by Mr Blatch and will be installed when the weather is better.
7 Cycle Path Eversden to Comberton The sub-committee of Mr Dalton, Mr Huddleston and Mrs Handley and Mrs Glasse had not yet met. Mr Dinsdale said he too was interested in the project. Mrs Heazell warned about the new stricter transport policy of refusing bus places for pupils who lived within two miles of their school.
8 Recreation Ground Multi-Use Games Area – Consultation. Mr Blatch said discussions were in progress and contact had been made with the Tennis Club.
9 Affordable Housing Update. It is understood that Accent Nene are expecting to submit final plans by 22nd April. Cl. Mrs Heazell said that there were now 22 names with a village link on the housing list.
10 Bin Collection at Low Close. It was reported at the Little Eversden Annual Parish Meeting that the refuse lorries do not drive into Low Close, but that residents have to leave their bins on the pavement, which constitutes a hazard for pedestrians. Cl. Mrs Heazell agreed to take this up with SCDC.
11 Village sign. A statement at the Little Eversden Parish Meeting said that new arrangements needed to be made for grass cutting near the village sign as the original team could no longer manage. Mr Blatch said that he understood that he was in charge of maintaining the village sign area and was doing so. He was aware that someone was regularly cutting the grass. There seemed to be some confusion amongst the volunteers and it was agreed to check with them to clarify the situation and report to the next meeting.
12 Standards Committee. It was agreed that before adopting the proposed Voluntary Code of Practice that members should wait and see what the draft Code contained and, following that, members may consider its adoption.
13 Finance The following cheques agreed and signed:
AON Village Hall Insurance £1356.50 LGA 1972 s133
Clerk's Salary and expenses £274.75 LGA 1972 s111(2)
Cambridge Insitu. Copying £53.42 LGA 1976 s133
Mr White made an appeal for a grant towards the Village Hall owning their own film equipment. The present hiring arrangement was expensive and difficult. 69 residents have signed a petition in support and funding is being sought. The cost is about £4500 and the promise of a 10% grant from the PC would be helpful. After discussion it was proposed by Mr White and seconded by Mrs Handley that a grant of up to £500 should be made. Carried unanimously. Carried unanimously. Mrs Heazell offered to approach SCDC with a view to soliciting a grant from them which offer was gratefully received. Mr White also reported the foundation of the Eversden Society (subscription £10pa) to support film nights and other social occasions. There were already 51 members, but wider publicity would be useful.
14 Planning
A new application had been made to convert a barn at Manor Farm, Harlton for weddings and other social events. Some improvements had been made to the previous application, but it was noted that Harlton PC had refused the application. Eversden PC had previously voted for 'No Recommendation' and it had been decided to repeat this.
Mrs B Knell, Briar Security systems Ltd. Extension to side and rear of Nixon's Hall. Agreed 'Approve' provided no objections from close neighbours.
Mr White reported the collapse of the side of the ditch near the top of Wimpole Road. The Chairman agreed to report this to Mr Vacher.
14 Cl. Mrs Heazell reported that it was now recognised that there were not enough volunteer drivers to replace the bus services that would cease when the subsidy is withdrawn. There was a proposal to consider a grant for mini-bus and professional drivers, but no decision had yet been taken. There was also a suggestion for paying drivers in car schemes more of their expenses and it was pointed out that some insurance companies were charging drivers more for participating in car schemes.
The Connexions bus was considered a great success by this PC and in other villages, though Mrs Heazell thought there was little interest in it by Cabinet members of SCDC.
Concessionary bus fares scheme is now run by CC. They may wish to stop them on the Park and Ride buses. Mrs Glasse asked about the regulations for concessionary fares which she had been told were costing the council more than was necessary.
15 Cl. Kindersley mentioned the Street Lighting Contract which was being circulated and which will require a decision from the PC.
CEMEX are applying for planning permission to back-fill the quarry.
The LA have now agreed the funding for a secondary school at Cambourne, but there are still problems connected with a 4th primary school.
Gamlingay Village College is now in special measures.
16 Correspondence In circulation.
Next Meetings
Great Eversden Parish Meeting 11th April in the Village Hall at 8pm.
Planning Meeting (if necessary) Monday 27th April in the Pavilion at 8.30
Full Parish Council Monday 16th May in the Village Hall at 8pm.