Notes from the Parish Council Feb-Mar Meetings
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 two vacancies have now been filled. Mr Peter Hart joined the P.C. at the February meeting and Mrs Sandra Gynn at the March meeting.
Matters Arising - for information only
- Coopers Lane - barrier: A contractor has been appointed but despite several chase-ups, this work is still outstanding. It was noted that the condition of the lane is deteriorating and that the installation of the barrier is badly needed to stop vehicular access from the cemetery end.
- The Beeches - repairs to wall. It was reported that some demolition works have been carried out. The original plan before Christmas was that the contractors Haymills, Hereward Housing and a representative of the P.C. would meet on site to discuss the work needed Šthis did not happen and the Clerk is to look into this.
- Enhancement Scheme. Copies of letters to contractors and emails received from Cambridge Landscape Architects confirmed that the lantern is to be delivered direct to Rowley Engineering for installation as soon as possible. Following this, Ringway will construct a feeder pillar and wire up. It is hoped this work might be complete by the end of March. The redundant lamp post will then be removed in due course.
Meeting Dates/Date for Annual Assembly: Meeting dates for 2005/06 were confirmed. The date for the Annual Village Assembly was set as Wednesday, 18th May 2005.
CALC - renewal of annual subscription: This was agreed at £184-70.
Play Area
Estimates received for new seat: A further two estimates had been obtained by the Clerk. Following discussion, it was agreed that further details on materials, etc., were needed before a decision could be made. Carried over until the April meeting.
Annual inspection: Notification was received from RoSPA that this inspection would be carried out sometime during April. Report to follow in due course.
Outstanding rent payments to SPUC: The Clerk was asked at the February meeting to check on outstanding rental payments for the Play Area. It was confirmed at the March meeting that 2 payments were outstanding at £30/annum. The payment of £60 was agreed.
The Pound - renovation works: Following receipt of estimates from two contractors to carry out the works needed, a meeting was held on site with ECDC's Conservation Officer, Rosie Burton. She generally agreed the works. She was asked about the possibility of an ECDC grant towards the costs involved and confirmed that a 30% grant would be available upon suitable application. It was agreed that this should be included on the agenda for the Annual Village Assembly.
Recreation Ground - use by Burwell Tigers F.C: Plans for the scheme are progressing well. Following a meeting with BTFC, it was agreed that they would put together a planning application and the P.C. would submit this application to ECDC on BTFC's behalf. Any charges will be refunded by BTFC. Although it was previously thought that the ground might be used for training before the full scheme was in place, Richard Freeman of BTFC confirmed that they were not now planning to use the ground until the 2006 season. CCC Highways confirmed to the Clerk that funding would not be available to reinstate the footpath down to the Recreation Ground and suggested that BTFC be asked to include this in their applications for funding. BTFC agreed to do this.
Correspondence Received: This was reported to the meeting.
Planning Applications:
- (February meeting) Dovehouse Cottage, 84 High Street (revised application). 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 application.
Planning Permissions:
- (March meeting) The Gables, 28 Lower End
- Rose Cottage, 42 High Street
Accounts for Payment: These were agreed.
Any Other Business:
Streetlighting - faults on Cage Hill, Green Head Road and Mill Hill were reported and repaired.
Road signs - Andrew Camps met with Andrew Tipple of CCC Highways and agreed the position of the replacement "Swaffham Prior" sign. Directional signs for Upware were also discussed. Andrew Camps asked whether the sign to be fixed to the lamp post opposite the top of Station Road could include "Lords Ground Drove" as well as "Upware" to help direct lorries. Andrew Tipple is to look into this. Directional signs for Upware will also be placed at the top and bottom of Cage Hill.
Maintenance: At the same meeting, Andrew Camps asked that the leaves, etc., be cleared from under the trees on Lower End. Also, the possibility of repair works to the footpath on Rogers Road from the speed sign to the main road. Andrew Tipple confirmed that funds were not available for resurfacing this footpath but that hopefully funds could be found for some form of "dressing".
Village Hall driveway: Repair/reinstatement works are needed to this driveway. This will be included on the April meeting agenda for further discussion.
Open Question Time: There were no questions.
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 14th April 2005 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.