COMBERTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in

the Old Village Hall on Wednesday 9 March 2005 at 7.30pm

Members present:

Councillors:

Mr A Bailey

Mr M Bennett

Mr D Charge

Dr C Chambers

Mr A Hollick

Dr J McCabe,

Mrs D Morison

Dr H Roscoe

Mr R Rowlands

Mrs A Webb

Miss C Westgarth (Chairman)

In attendance: Cllr S Harangozo, Mrs G Stoehr (Clerk) and 4 members of the public.

1. To approve apologies for absence

Apologies were received from, Dr F Hughes and Mrs S Hyde.

2. To approve the minutes of the last meeting on 9 February

On a proposition by Mr Bennett, seconded by Dr McCabe the minutes were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

3. Matters arising from the meeting

3.1 (3.1 & 3.2) CCC highway matters

Letters from Mick Oakman dated 24 February[1], inviting representatives of the Council to meet with Mr Cooper to discuss the drains in West Street, from Andrew Lansley MP, dated 21 February[2] to Mrs Marsh about the roundabout on Barton Road, and the report from Mrs Hyde[3] on her meeting with Mr Lines were received and considered.

It was agreed that Mrs Morison, Mr Bennett should meet with Mr Cooper and that Dr Wright should be invited to attend. A letter is to be sent to Mr Lansley pointing out the inconsistencies by the County Council with regard to the roundabout.

It was noted that the meeting to discuss the traffic calming had not taken place because the County Council had not replied and agreed to carry this matter forward to the next meeting.

3.2 (3.3) Website and community access point – invitation to meeting[4]

The letter thanking the Parish Council for its comments and inviting representatives to a meeting was noted.

3.3 (5) Connections bus visits

It was agreed that PPIC would consider the continuation of the bus visits at its next meeting on Wednesday 23 March.

3.4 Other

3.4.1 (7.3.2) Leach Homes landscaping. The Chairman reported that a meeting had been arranged at the request of Leach Homes to discuss with Mr Marler (Leach Homes) and Ms Lesley Dickinson (SCDC) the landscaping and public open space at the development. It was noted that Mr Cook was to attend and that a report would be brought to the next meeting. It was also noted that a resident had written regarding the hedge on the southern boundary and that this matter would be discussed also at the meeting.

3.4.2 Pavement works in the Valley. A letter is to be sent to the County Council seeking clarification on what is happening.

3.4.3 It was noted that a meeting to progress the bus shelter was being arranged.

On a proposition by the Chairman item 5 followed by 8.1 were taken at this point in the meeting.

5. Parish Plan

Mr Bennett reported that:

· a meeting of the PPIC group had been arranged for 23 March

· the youth shelter had now been installed however sadly one complaint regarding its positioning had been received. It was noted that the Parish Council had undertaken full consultation with the village in Contact and had received no adverse comments.

· The skateboard park continued to be well used.

8.1 Petition for improvements to parking provision in the north end of The Valley

Mrs Morison declared an interest in the matter and signed the declarations book. A petition[5] presented by Cllr Harangozo and signed by twenty three residents was received and considered. It was agreed that this matter should be carried forward to the next meeting to enable all members to visit the Valley at different times of the day and look at the problems.

It was noted that parking problems were not localised to the Valley and the Transport Working Group was asked to prepare a report on the options for the next meeting.

4. County Councillor and District Councillor reports

Cllr Harangozo’s report[6] was taken as read. It was noted that a meeting had been arranged for Mr Ray McMurray Planning Officer to meet with the Planning Committee. An invitation was extended to all members of the Council to attend on 23 March at 6.45pm in the Old Village Hall.

The TWG were asked to prepare a report on parking problems outside the Post Office for consideration at the next meeting.

6. Finance

To receive the financial report and to approve the payment of bills⁽^{appended 1 to these minutes)}

The invoices and bank statements were checked and the financial report noted. On a proposition by Mrs Morison, seconded by Dr Roscoe, the expenditure as listed in the financial report and monthly financial statement was approved in accordance with the Councils powers:

Cambs Water (pavilion)	£100.60
Powergen (pavilion)	£84.49
Signwork Ltd	£82.25
Alarm Maintenance (pavilion)	£87.60
LG Stoehr (salary)	£123.50
LGS Services (support & expenses)	£575.92
Rekk Ltd (youth shelter)	£8576.33
Ridgeons (groundsman materials)	£27.70
Easy Service Ltd (pavilion water leak)	£117.19
N Gristwood (groundsman)	£651.00

6.2 Annual review of Groundsman and Clerk’s terms and conditions

The report from the working group reviewing the Groundsman’s contract[7] was received and considered. On a proposition by Dr Chambers, seconded by Mr Hollick it was agreed to extend the Groundsman’s contract for a further year on the same terms and conditions. It was noted that a timesheet was to be completed each month and the working group was to consider claims for out of pocket expenses and report to the next meeting.

It was agreed to carry the Clerk’s review forward to the next meeting as the working group had not had an opportunity to meet.

6.3 PC Computer

On a proposition by Dr McCabe, seconded by Mrs Morison it was resolved that the Parish Council’s computer which was beyond economic repair be written off and removed from the assets list.

Miss Westgarth, Mrs Webb and Mrs Morison declared an interest with regard to the scanner. On a proposition by Dr Chambers, seconded by Mr Bennett it was resolved that the scanner be offered to the primary school if it was able to make use of it.

It was noted that the office contained a number of old pieces of IT equipment which had been written off in the past but never removed from the office. Mr Bennett and Mrs Webb kindly offered to look at these to see if they could be donated to either the school or a charity.

7. To receive reports and consider recommendations contained in the reports

7.1 Planning

Mr Charge’s report[8] was received and noted

7.2 Village Hall representativeand Steering Group representatives

Dr McCabe’s report[9] and also two letters from Mr B Cook dated 3 and 5 March[10] [11]were received and considered.

In response to the letters from Mr Cook on a proposition by Mr Bennett, seconded by Dr Chambers it was resolved that:

3 March 2005 - Heads of Terms etc reply

· Having revisited the two leases the Parish Council conclude by overlaying the two poor site plans and in consideration of the land conveyance plan for the new village hall that the area of land which will form the proposed new lease is as marked in red on the accompanying plan i.e. the land conveyance plan for the new village hall.

· The Parish Council wish to stress that it has no intention of merging the two leased areas and requires, subject to the advice of its Solicitor, for them to remain distinct. The old village hall lease includes an area of land to the northern, eastern and southern boundaries which was not shown on Mr Cook’s plan.

· It is important to the Parish Council that the access route to the playgroup is retained. Approximately two of the proposed car parking spaces and some of the proposed landscaping are within the curtilage of the old village hall site/lease and therefore some modification to the plans will need to be made in this area.

· The land covering the car parking area should be leased to the Village Institute Trustees, as per their request, as this would allow them to properly develop and maintain it in good state. However, a covenant or similar would be placed on the lease through which the Parish Council would reserve its right to allocate parking privileges for purposes other than access to the new village hall.

5 March 2005 – Village Institute Trustees being allowed to build New Village Hall reply

· The Parish Council request a copy of the reply to the Charity Commission in reference to the paragraph 'regarding the use of the institute' and any further correspondence specifically on this matter.

7.3 Quality Council report

Miss Westgarth and Dr McCabe reported on the CALC meeting that they had attended with the Clerk at Haslingfield Pavilion. It was noted that the only criteria that the Parish Council had not met to enable it to become a quality council was the number of members elected.

7.4 Tree Group

The Tree group’s report[12] was received and considered. It was agreed that the County Council’s attention should be drawn to the tree stump in Westlands, the cypresses overhanging the footway in Kentings and also the ash tree growing from the pavement behind 10 Barrons Way.

A letter is to be sent to Mrs James regarding her kind offer to purchase two replacement flowering cherry trees.

It was noted that one of the oak trees close to the bowling green has a disease and a quotation for its replacement is to be obtained.

Cllr Harangozo was asked to chase the transfer for Watts Wood.

8. To consider matters arising out of correspondence/communications received including

8.2 Request for financial support – Children’s Services Manager, Libraries[13]

In response to the letter requesting financial support the proposal by Miss Westgarth, seconded by Mr Hollick, carried unanimously that in accordance with its powers under Section 137 of the Local Government Act, 1972, the Council donate £25 to Cambridgeshire County Council towards its library services which, in the opinion of the Council is in the interests of the area and its inhabitants.

8.3 Village of the Year competition[14]

It was agreed not to enter this year but to consider an entry again next year.

8.4 Defra – Clean Neighbourhoods[15]

The letter from defra outlining new legislation which from 7 December 2004 gave new powers to parish council including the ability to issue fix penalty notices for litter, dog control, graffiti and fly posting was noted.

8.5 ODPM – Vibrant Leadership & Why Neighbourhoods Matter

Noted.

8.6 CCC – Rights of Way Improvements Plan[16]

It was agreed that Miss Westgarth as P3 Co-ordinator would prioritise the list and that members wishing to complete the questionnaire as individuals could obtain a copy off the County Council’s website.

8.7 Code of Conduct Consultation

A copy was given to individual members so that they could reply with their own views.

8.8 SCDC Rough Sleepers Count

No rough sleepers were known to be in the parish.

8.9 A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick – letter from A Lansley MP & CCC

The letter from Andrew Lansley[17] to the Secretary of State regarding the delays to the A428 work and the letter from the County Council[18] urging the Parish Council to write objecting to the delays were considered. It was agreed to write urging Alistair Darling to start the A428 works without further delay.

8.10 SC Transport Plan – to note the response[19]

The TWG was thanked for preparing the response to the consultation a reply to which had been required before the Council meeting.

8.11 Letter from Mr R Cook

The email from Mr Cook[20] about nuisance from the recreation ground was considered. It was agreed that the matter would be closely monitored over the next few months

8.12 Other

8.12.1 Horlers

The letter from Mr and Mrs Horler[21] explaining that they were retiring and that the pre-preparatory school would be closing was noted. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the couple wishing them all the best for their retirement.

9. Recreation ground including

9.1 Proposal for recreation Trust

It was agreed that this matter should be carried forward to the next meeting.

10. Urgent matters brought forward with the Chairman’s consent

None

9.2 Recreation ground extension

At 9.48pm on a proposition by the Chairman, carried unopposed, in accordance with S1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, that is negotiations for land acquisition, the public were temporarily excluded from the meeting and were instructed to withdraw. The Clerk and Cllr Harangozo were invited to remain.

At 10.04pm the meeting was declared re-opened to the public.

There was no further business and the meeting closed at 10.06pm

Signed ……………………………Chairman ……………………date.