Notes from the Parish Council January 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: The Clerk had been contacted about the two vacancies. Hopefully more news on this at the February meeting.
Matters Arising –for information only
- Enhancement Scheme: The supplier of the lantern has been chased and it is hoped that there will be more positive news next month.
- Coopers Lane –barrier: The contractor is waiting for an order from CCC to carry out this work. This has been chased.
- Repairs to wall at the Beeches: A meeting to discuss the repair works is to be arranged.
National Cycling Network –directional signs: The Millennium Commission, who funded much of the initial development of the Network, had offered to give additional funds for a decorative sign to be installed at a prominent position in villages on route. The suggested location for Swaffham Prior was at the bottom of Cage Hill on the ‘green’. It was agreed that there were already enough directional signs in this location and that another one would just clutter up the area. Following the suggestion to CCC that the new sign be added to the posts of the signs already installed, CCC confirmed that this was not possible but that the current directional signs could be added to the new sign mounting. The meeting felt it was unclear how this would work and agreed that CCC should be asked for exact location and type before any decision could be made.
Play Area –quotation received for new seat: The estimate received was considered to be high and the Clerk was asked to obtain further quotes. Recreation Ground –use by Burwell Tigers Football Club: A draft plan for consideration was received from BTFC. Concerns were raised about the turning area for parked cars once on the ground. This will be discussed further. BTFC will be asked that a cross-section detail of the gate area be included in their Planning Application. Changes to the current lease agreement between PC & Mr Hurrell, the owner, will be put in hand through solicitors.
Also, due to difficulties covering all the playing/training requirements for the coming season, BTFC had asked if, subject to discussions and approval from the FA, they could use the ground from March. The meeting agreed to this. Following on from the above, it was agreed that CCC Highways should again be asked to repair/reinstate the pathway to the Recreation Ground. Grasscutting Season 2005 –tenders received: Two invitations to tender for this service were issued and ECDC approached to see if they could carry out the work needed. Only one tender price was returned, that of K H Services. Discussions were held with ECDC but they confirmed that although they would be able to carry out the grasscutting, they did not take away the cuttings. Following discussion, it was agreed to accept the estimate on a 3-year contract on a unit price from K H Services. Annual Return 2003/2004 –amendment: This was agreed.
Final Confirmation of Precept for 2005-06: The Precept of £11,000 was confirmed. The Clerk will confirm this with ECDC as required. Correspondence Received: This was reported to the meeting.
Planning Applications:
- Rose Cottage, 42 High Street –part-demolish and rebuild two storey link, increasing height by 1.8m to create bedroom and w.c. Convert brick outbuildings and extend to accommodate new kitchen, utility and bathroom. Extend garage. Replace windows.
- The Gables, 28 Lower End –erection of a single storey dwelling Dovehouse Cottage, 84 High Street –Proposed new one and a half storey extension to existing dwelling with single storey link, associated minor internal alterations and repair to existing house and landscaping. Removal of existing single storey kitchen extension.
There were no objections to the above applications.
Accounts for Payment: These were agreed.
Any Other Business:
Streetlighting –faults on Cage Hill, Fairview Grove and High Street had been reported. For information, once a fault is reported, Ringway have 7 working days to repair.
It was noted that some plants at the front of the Village Hall were straying over onto the footpath. Mr Readhead undertook to tidy this.
Overhanging hedges on the footpath running at the back of the houses on Greenhead Road and on Lower End were reported. The Clerk will write to residents asking them to cut these back.
Open Question Time:
Mr Limb informed the meeting that concrete blocks had been placed at the bottom of Heath Road asking if anyone knew why this had been done.
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 10th February 2005 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.