COMBERTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in
the Old Village Hall on Wednesday 10 November 2004 at
7pm
|
Members present: Councillors: |
Mr A Bailey Mr D Charge Dr C Chambers Mr A Hollick Dr F Hughes Mrs S Hyde |
Dr J McCabe Mrs D Morison Mr R Rowlands Dr H Roscoe Mrs A Webb Miss C Westgarth (Chairman) |
In attendance: District Cllr S Harangozo, Cllr R Martlew, Mrs G Stoehr (Clerk) and 3 members of the public including Mr C Fisher, NHW Co-ordinator, Sawston Sector, Cambridgeshire Police.
1. Presentation on Youth NHW –
Christopher Fisher
The Chairman welcomed Mr Fisher to the meeting and invited him to address the Council. Mr Fisher gave a presentation on this new district initiative the aims of which include:
· To give the young people a sense of belonging in the community, through becoming involved in projects
· To reduce juvenile crime before it happens through involvement in community projects, thus reducing boredom
· To represent the young people by being youth co-ordinators and training them to be alert, looking out for anything suspicious and assign the information on to an adult
· To teach young people responsibility and about democracy
· To educate young people about crime, key social issues and how to
help reduce crime within a community. This includes helping fix broken fences,
tidying up untidy areas and cleaning up any graffiti.
Further detailed information on the scheme had already been circulated. It was noted that £500 seed money was required from the Parish Council to start the initiative in the village. Mr Fisher would then be responsible for find the remaining grant funding required and setting up the scheme in the village.
Mr Fisher was thanked for attending and the Parish Council indicated
that they would reflect on the presentation.
2. To approve apologies for absence
Mr M Bennett (ill
approved by the Parish Council), C Chambers (late) Ann Webb (late).
3. To approve the minutes of the last meeting on 13 October
2004
On a proposition by Dr McCabe, seconded by Mrs Morison, the both the
minutes and also the confidential minutes were approved as true records and
were signed by the Chairman.
4. Matters
arising or carried forward from the meeting
4.1 (9.7)
SCDC Community Access Point in Comberton – update
It was noted that a letter had
been received which indicated that the proposed Community Access Point would be
in the Comberton Leisure Centre and would be open to all the community. Further
information is to be sought on how this will work and when it will be available
for general public use.
4.2 (8) Driveway access across Parish Council land – Highcliffe Properties – land to the rear of 111 Barton Road
It was noted that the public meeting had been scheduled for Tuesday 16 November at 7.15 pm at the Meridian Primary School.
4.3 (11) Topham and Banks – recreation ground extension including letter from resident
There was nothing to note on the proposed recreation ground. A letter from Mr Banyard in reply to the Council’s letter was received and considered and the Parish Council reiterated that it had instructed the Clerk to write in the public session of the meeting. A copy of the approved minute is to be sent to Mr Banyard for information.
4.4 (9) Swaynes Lane kerbing and associated CCC actions
No reply had been received to the Parish Council’s letter. Cllr
Martlew reported that Mr Lines asked for more information on some of the items
that were attributed to him and it was agreed that this should be sent. Cllr Martlew also reported on the
traffic-calming scheme outside the village college and that it could not be
completed because the scheme ran out of money. It was agreed that the Chairman
should meet with Mr Cooper to discuss further the kerbing issues near the
sensory garden. Cllr Martlew was thanked for his report and asked to ensure
that the County Council formally replied to the Parish Council’s letter.
The Parish Council reiterated its concern
about the dangerousness of the Long Road/St Neots Road junction.
5. County
Councillor and District Councillor reports
Cllr Harangozo reported on path
maintenance in the village and complaints that he had received from residents
regarding the ditch to the rear of the School Houses between Kentings and West
Street. Other complaints, which had also been sent to the Parish Council, were also
considered at this point in the meeting.
On a proposition by Mrs Morison, seconded by
Miss Westgarth it was agreed that the Parish Council would arrange for the
ditch to be cleared if the riparian owners were willing to contribute towards
the cost. Cllr Harangozo kindly agreed to ask the District Council to clear the
rats.
It was noted at this point that Five Star had
been contracted to clear rats from the pond area.
Cllr Harangozo also reported that he was the
new chairman with responsibility for the arts and community development. The
Parish Council congratulated him on the appointment.
6. Parish
Plan
Carried forward to the next
meeting.
7. Finance
7.1 To receive the financial report and to approve the payment of bills(appended 1 to these minutes)
The invoices and bank statements were checked. On a proposition by Mrs Morison, seconded by Dr McCabe, the expenditure as listed in the financial report and monthly financial statement were approved:
|
SCDC (rates) |
£176.00 |
|
Comberton Village Help Scheme (S137 donation) |
£917.00 |
|
BT (pavilion phone) |
£132.72 |
|
Cambs & Peterborough Fire Authority
(alarm) |
£77.00 |
|
Herald Contract Services |
£446.50 |
|
Ridgeons (Groundsman’s materials) |
£50.30 |
|
ESPO (goal net) |
£30.84 |
|
LG Stoehr (salary) |
£149.50 |
|
LGS Services (clerking support &
admin) |
£588.59 |
|
N Gristwood |
£594.00 |
It was noted and/or agreed that:
·
£448.16 from the Skateboard
Group has been banked and will show on the next financial report
·
£319 had been received from Mrs Sims as the money
collected for the pay and play tennis this summer
· The Alliance & Leicester account papers have been processed and the account should be opened shortly. On a proposition by Dr McCabe, seconded by Miss Westgarth it was agreed that once opened the funds could be transferred from the Lloyds Bank account and the Lloyds Bank account closed.
· On a proposition by Miss Westgarth, seconded by Dr McCabe Mrs Pauline Wright was appointed the Parish Council’s independent Internal Auditor for FY ending 2005 and it was agreed that she should be asked to undertake the half yearly audit at her earliest convenience.
7.2 Assets Review
The assets review
report 1 was received and considered and members were thanked for
attending. On a proposition by Mrs Morison, seconded by Dr McCabe it was
resolved that the small mower (£147), the sprayer (£90) and safety equipment
(£220) as detailed in the report should be written off because of their age and
condition. The mower is to be removed from the insurance policy.
7.3 To consider the specification for the grasscutting and village
maintenance so that quotations may be obtained
The Groundsman’s
comments on the contract and the suggestion that he could cut the pond and
village hall area and the recreation ground hedge if a hedge trimmer could be
purchased were considered.
On a proposition by Mrs Morison,
seconded by Mr Hollick the draft specification excluding the pond and village
hall site was approved which included the cost of cutting of the hedge by a
contractor. Tenders are to be brought to the January meeting.
7.4 Interactive sign Barton Road – to consider the sole
quotation
It was noted that:
· The Barton Road scheme seems very effective at
slowing traffic approaching from the Barton direction and this gave reason to
question if an interactive sign is really necessary.
·
Vehicles
exiting Herringfield Drift have very limited visibility to the right and have
to pull out on to the roundabout to try to see if their exit is clear which is
dangerous. Obviously this is very dangerous
· The antiskid surface has been dug up and
replaced with ordinary tarmac.
· Traffic lights are once again in place.
It was agreed
to write to the County Council and ask if they would assess these matters
before the interactive sign is considered again. It was also agreed that Mr
Charge would attend any site meeting if arranged at a convenient time.
As everything
had been done, including writing to the MP, to try to get the section of Barton
Road between
8. To receive reports and consider recommendations contained
in the reports
8.1 Planning including recommendation on response on Local Development framework2
Taken as read.
8.2 Village
Hall representative and Steering Group Representatives
Mr Hollick’s report 3 was received and considered, as was a letter from Mr B Cook Acting Chairman to the Trustees asking if the Trustees could still count on the £60,000 contribution from the Parish Council towards the proposed new village hall. The Trustees strong commitment to move ahead with a new smaller scheme was noted and the plans were available for viewing.
On a proposition by Mr Hollick
seconded by Miss Westgarth it was resolved that the Parish Council had no hesitation in continuing its commitment to
contribute £60,000 towards a new hall as detailed in its letter dated 17
January 2003.
The Parish Council noted Mr Cook’s intention to
ask the Lottery Board for details of the caveats that they did not like in the
heads of terms and t was agreed that Dr Chambers, Mr Hollick and Dr McCabe
would meet with representatives of the Trustees once the trustees had the
necessary information to try to resolve this matter. It was also agreed that
the Clerk should attend this meeting.
On a proposition by Dr McCabe, seconded by Mrs
Morison it was resolved that the Parish Council agreed to the two test trenches
being dug on the site.
8.3 Recreation
ground / village report
The report 4 was taken as read.
8.4 Tree
Group
The Group’s report 5 was received
and considered
8.4.1 Watts
Wood
It was noted that the transfer still had not
been completed and that the delay rested with the District Council.
It was agreed that the Groundsman should meet
with Mr Cook and the Tree Group to see what work he would be able to undertake
as part of his duties and what would need to be put out to contract.
8.4.2 Pond
On a proposition by Mrs Morison, seconded by Miss
Westgarth it was resolved that the Parish Council accept the Tree group’s
recommendation for the pond and that the works identified be approved:
· The area north of the pond to be cleared and sown to grass in spring next year.
· Ash trees growing in the cleared area to be removed and native hedging to provide a backdrop for the pond along the northern boundary (holly, hawthorn and guelder rose) be planted
· The low stone retaining wall to be extended a further 5 m around the northern edge of the pond.
· Several willow plants in the margin of the pond to be removed to prevent damage to the pond base, which is likely to rupture the seal, and the brick wall on the west side of the pond
· The removal of some of the rushes colonising the NE edge to control expansion of the patch.
It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Mike Cooper at the County Council as this tree was not the Parish Council’s responsibility.
On a proposition by Miss Westgarth, seconded by Mrs Morison the actions as listed were approved.
9. Comberton Contact
A report from Dr Chambers on
Comberton Contact was received and considered which indicated that the
publication had a surplus of funds and was considering its options. On a
proposition by Mrs Morison, seconded by Miss Westgarth it was agreed that:
· As a fully independent body, it is believed that Contact is able to dispose of any surplus howsoever it wishes.
· The parish council are not obliged to pay the section 137 grant to Contact.
Mr Peter Wolfers, present at the meeting, was introduced to the Parish Council and was thanked for taking on the role of Editor. The Council acknowledged the excellent standards of publication, the value of the publication to the community and the hard work of all the volunteers.
10. To consider matters arising out of
correspondence/communications received since the last meeting
10.1 Street trading consent – Cretin, 14
Egremont Road, Hardwick – kebabs and burgers, Green End
The consultation on an application
for a street trading licence (Monday to Saturday 6.30pm to 11.30pm) plus
numerous letters of complaints and concerns from residents and businesses
within the village were considered.
Mrs Cretin who was present at the meeting
asked if she could address the Council in a view to try to resolve some of the
complaints. The Chairman agreed in order to allow the Council more information
before a decision was taken.
On a proposition by Mr Hollick, seconded by
Miss Westgarth, in consideration of the number of
complaints, both written and verbal that the Parish Council had received
regarding late hours, disturbances and also litter and fat being left around
the site and poured down the street drains, it was resolved to recommend that
the trader’s days should be restricted to Tuesday to Saturday, 6.30pm to 11pm
with half an hour maximum for clearing and vacating the site. The Parish
Council asks that conditions be imposed for the thorough clearance of the site
and the removal of the waste products and fat. It is also recommended that the
licence should be for a shorter 3-6 months trial period with a full review
before an annual licence is considered.
12. Urgent matters brought forward with the Chairman’s consent
None.
There was no further business and the meeting closed at 10.00pm.
Signed ……………………………Chairman ……………………date.