Notes from the Parish Council January Meeting
Chairman Mr John Covill chaired the meeting with 7 Parish Councillors and 2 members of the public.
Minutes of Last Meeting: These were reported and agreed.
Speaker from ACRE - Jo Fitzpatrick, Community Development Worker for East Cambridgeshire. Jo Fitzpatrick was invited to attend the meeting to explain the idea of a Parish Plan. Outline as below:
- A Parish Plan would be a way of consulting with the whole community to gauge priorities for the future of the Village. Collecting of information could take several forms but usually comprises of a questionnaire. ACRE can offer assistance in the putting together of a suitable questionnaire to suit the requirements of SP.
- The Plan is usually a 5-year Plan.
- This would not be completely organised by the PC but a group of interested people within the Village.
- A grant of £1,500 would be available. The PC would be expected to contribute 50% of the cost.
- The process usually takes approximately 1 year.
- Jo explained the benefits of such a plan suggesting as with other villages that had already completed their Parish Plan, the results were always surprising and once residents' priorities had been established through analysis of the questionnaire, useful projects had been put in hand to safeguard and improve Village facilities. It was agreed that the PC would defer this for further consideration after the elections. It was suggested that this might be an item for the Annual Village Assembly.
CCC Report: Cllr Hazell Williams reported to the meeting.
ECDC Report: No ECDC report.
Correspondence Received: This was reported to the meeting.
Letter received reference High Street (adjustment to High Street limits): Correspondence was received asking the PC to confirm its agreement to the fact that the High Street commences at the western end of the village where the sign is currently located. The PC agreed with this, noting that moving the "High Street" sign would serve no purpose. This was prompted by the difficulties being encountered by Royal Mail's numbering of properties and not using property names.
Review of Cemetery Charges: This was deferred until a future meeting when more information would be available.
Cambridgeshire ACRE - Renewal ofMembership: This was agreed.
Repairs to Road Sign - Rogers Road: A replacement arm for this sign was chased with CCC. The Clerk received a reply stating that as the sign is not a standard directional sign and there was very little funding available, perhaps this repair was something the Parish would be more able to deal with. The Clerk was asked to reply noting that this matter had been ongoing for approximately 2 years and that the PC felt it was a matter for CCC.
Final Confirmation of Budget & Precept for 2007/08: A Precept of £14,500 was agreed.
Accounts for Payment - These were agreed.
Planning Applications Received:
- Recreation Ground, Station Road - sports pavilion and associated car parking. There were no objections.
- Kent Hall, 3 Heath Road - demolition of existing stable block, erection of new building for gym and hot tub. There were no objections.
- Land at Mill Hill - seven dwellings with associated access. The majority of the PC objected to this application, stating that it was for too many units and the problems of overlooking of neighbouring properties and additional traffic onto Mill Hill.
Planning Approvals Received:
- 11 Station Road - two storey side extension.
- 9 Cage Hill - construction of a car-port, alterations to wall and demolition of existing lean-to.
Any Other Business:
The Clerk informed the meeting that the repair works to the pathway at the back of the Village Hall would be carried out end-February, beginning of March.
The damaged bin in the bus shelter had been removed. A replacement is to be ordered.
Open Question Time.
General discussion.
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 8th February 2007 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.