Notes from the Parish Council November Meeting
Mr John Covill chaired the meeting with 6 members and 2 members of the public.
CCC Report: Councillor Fitch reported to the meeting.
ECDC Report: Councillor Alderson reported to the meeting.
Parish Council Vacancies & Confirmation of Parish Council Representative for The Charities: Two vacancies still remain. Anyone wishing to become a Parish Councillor, please contact the Clerk for further details.
It was agreed that John Covill would act as one of the Parish Council representatives for The Charities.
Matters Arising – for information only
- Wall at The Beeches: Hereward Housing has accepted responsibility for this wall and has confirmed that their Maintenance Manager will be inspecting the wall to assess the problem. The Maintenance Manager may wish to take the wall down to ground level.
- Barrier – Coopers Lane: John Cooper confirmed to the Clerk that a local contractor has been instructed to install a new Green Oak barrier. This barrier will allow for wheelchair access and access for a small mower. It was reported to the Clerk that access from the High Street was limited for higher vehicles due to a low BT cable. This will be looked into.
Confirmation of Precept/Budget for 2005/06: A meeting was held on 4th November to discuss the budget for next year. It was agreed that the Precept figure would be £11,000 with no increase on 2004/05.
Grasscutting Services – 2005/06: Estimates for grasscutting services on a 1 year & 3 year contract are to be invited.
Data Protection Act: It was confirmed that the Parish Council should be registered for this and the cost of £35/annum was agreed.
Village Award: It was suggested that, subject to the agreement of the Village Hall Committee, a plaque be mounted in the Village Hall to which the name/s of anyone nominated could be added. The Clerk is to obtain prices for such a plaque.
Recreation Ground – use by Burwell Tigers Football Club: Steve Kent- Phillips attended a meeting with Richard Freeman & Simon Foreman of BTFC to discuss scheme proposals. The proposal put forward by BTFC is for 2 x Colts (¾ size) pitches and 2 x mini (¼ size) pitches. Portacabins will be erected on the site to provide changing and catering facilities. Outline plans are to be drawn up and submitted to the P.C. for consideration and agreement. Security of the site was again confirmed as a top priority. BTFC also confirmed that all the facilities would be available for village use.
Future of Land at Lower End (“Dencora” field): It was confirmed to Drift Road Ltd that the P.C. would not agree to any development of this site other than that proposed by Flagship Housing earlier in the year and then withdrawn. Drift Road were also asked if they would be willing to sell the land to the village and at what cost. A reply was received noting a purchase price of £1m over a suggested period of 3 or 4 years by instalments. It was agreed that this was not a realistic option for the village and that the cost was far too high.
Correspondence Received: This was reported to the meeting.
Planning Applications Received
- 67 High Street – erection of two storey rear extension
- 32 Fairview Grove – two storey side extension
There were no objections to the above applications.
- Burwell to Horningsea, proposed 132Kv dual circuit overhead line running through Burwell, The Swaffhams, Reach & Lode Parishes – “Landscaping”. This was discussed at length. Comments sent to ECDC.
- It was confirmed that the application for The Forge, High Street had been withdrawn.
Accounts for Payment: These were agreed.
Any Other Business:
The ongoing problem of vandalism in the village was discussed.
Open Question Time:
Concerns with reference to the security of the Recreation Ground were discussed.
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 9th December 2004 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.