From our Reporter at the Parish Council Meeting
BOTH THE CHAIRMAN AND THE CLERK were looking very bonny after their extensive
holidays and the remainder of the PC also had a nice shine.
Alan Alderson was away at another important meeting but Hazel Williams brought us up to date with affairs at the CCC with her usual concise, comprehensive and clear report. The CCC is already two and a half million pounds overspent, one and a half of which is because it is impossible to budget for Adult Support Services and the need to look after certain children and young people. These are the two areas which cannot be controlled, estimated or truncated and it leaves CCC very vulnerable. Also, because CCC has always had a low council tax, a 5% increase yields less than the tax of a possibly more profligate council. Anyway the point to remember is that the main problem is caused by the young and the old - those in between are good value. Read Hazel's report for the rest of the news, as you should also read Alan's. (What Reports??? Yes, where are you, Councillors! Eds)
While Hazel was still at the meeting Geoffrey Woollard raised what he called "the very moving letter" in the November Crier about the troublesome traffic on Mill Hill. For a variety of reasons the traffic has increased greatly and all agreed a solution has to be found. Hazel advised the PC to speak to the CCC engineers to get an idea what may be accepted and then to make an application to the Minor Highways Funding. "Tried that some years ago and it didn't work". "Well, try again" was Hazel's response. She also said that there were already 6 successful applications in the pipeline awaiting funding. Then came out oodles of ideas covering everything from speed cameras to islands. One of the problems is that you cannot have a crossing in a 40mph area. This item will now run and run and Hazel reminded the meeting that "this conversation could be replicated in half the villages in the county."
The Recreation Ground/Burwell Tigers arrangement is now but a half whisker away. Even a half whisker can break a camel's back - so, no more until next month.
Karen reported that she has been granted a £200 bursary to help her become a Quality Clerk, that she will complete the course in January, and then, she announced "THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES ROUND HERE". Most of the PC visibly quaked and the one faint "what?" was silenced by one look from Karen. Whatever the changes I bet there will be more forms to complete!
The budget for next year has an increase of £750 bringing it up to £14,500. The increase is to cover the possible expenses of a PC election next year. If there are more than 9 candidates the cost of the election will be £750. If the election is uncontested the charge will be £30. Eric asked when we last had an election and did we pay £750 then. No-one knew as it was so long ago. Geoffrey thought the imposition of the charge was an "explosive issue", a "denial of democracy" and a "stifling of free speech". This was really rousing stuff and if he continues like this he will qualify to become a Crier reporter. The cost will be about £2.50 per head in Prior - the cost of a half pint or a double cone ice cream. Other members were equally outraged and I understand that two valued members offered to drop out if there were more than 9 candidates. This is all very commendable but I questioned (to myself) whether this is equal to rigging the vote and whether the charge of £2.50 is really too much to pay for a little democracy. Over the years something must have changed because the usual lament is that insufficient people are prepared to stand.
In the last report I mentioned Geoffrey's concern that the National Trust (NT) appeared to be opposing the bridleway linking Burwell to Upware and then on to Wicken. It is not unusual for a villain to become a hero, or vice versa, and so Geoffrey found out when he learned that the NT actually supported the bridleway and that the objectors were the boat owners (and other locals) at Upware. Geoffrey gave a short resume of their objections - horse droppings, disease from horse hair dust, and other potential disease - as opposed to the benefit of a safe leisure facility for horse riders.
The objections as presented by Geoffrey appeared to be very unreasonable making us all blow raspberries at the selfish boat owners. That is until you read the complete list of objections posted at Upware Lock and on the Cock-up Bridge. The half mile between these two points is a very special place. It is especially attractive and good for all walkers including the elderly and children. Why the protesters are objecting is that making this public footpath a bridleway will open it up to cycles, and inevitably motor-bikes and quad-bikes (don't tell me they won't go there), and that what is a beautiful stretch of grass will become a muddy morass. The fear is that something quite special will be destroyed, and I cannot entirely disagree. Both viewpoints are understandable and the Enquiry in Burwell will have been completed and the decision taken before this Crier is published. I hope we have a fair account of the proceedings.
Planning Applications were tenth on the agenda and two new applications were given the usual careful consideration and were accepted with no objections. Earlier, while discussing the "Section 106 Agreement" (of little direct reference to Prior), the Chairman suddenly erupted and said that he deplored receiving no feedback when the planners ignored the PC's objections to an application. And later he returned to the same point when the PC had been over-ruled yet again. He claimed that the PC was nearer to the ground, more aware of local conditions, and took more things in to account. Rarely have I seen a good-natured man so irate.
During the meeting a couple of points had been made about the Crier PC reporting. I cannot recall all the words but there was a little concern. Fortunately I was there at "Open Question Time" and the general opinion was "Yes, that was true" and "I now see what was meant". Also, as words like "more care" receded, phrases like "inspirational reporting" (I think) and "embellished poetry" (I think) came to the fore.