Notes from the Parish Council March Meeting
Chairman Mr John Covill chaired the meeting with 5 Parish Councillors and 2 members of the Public.
Apologies: Sandra Wilson.
Minutes of Last Meeting: These were agreed.
Matters Arising:
Following on from last month's report, Geoffrey Woollard updated the meeting on the current situation with the High Street signs, noting that two had been moved but one still remained outside the village boundary and one still had a spelling error. He implored Cllr Alderson, with the support of all members present, to take the matter up with ECDC reiterating that the signs were still unnecessary and wrongly placed.
Reports:
- CCC - Cllr Hazel Williams reported to the meeting
- ECDC - Cllr Allen Alderson reported to the meeting
Correspondence Received: This was reported.
Parish Council Elections: The details and timetable for the forthcoming elections on the 3rd May 2007 were reported to the meeting. Nomination papers must be with ECDC by 12 noon on the 4th April 2007. Posters are to be displayed. Please see separate notice in Crier.
Exclusive Grant of Burial: This was approved.
Review of Cemetery Charges: It was agreed that there should be no changes in the current charges.
Proposed "Pocket Park", Water Tower site, Mill Hill: Subsequent to the posting of the agenda, a letter was received confirming that the current planning application for the scheme had been withdrawn. This was not discussed further.
Play Area - Annual Inspection (outstanding items): The Clerk told the meeting that RoSPA were due to carry out the annual inspection during April. Items that needed attention were the green moss covering to the surfacing under the swings and slide. Also the new growth at the bottom of the trees on the front boundary needed to be cut back. It was agreed that as the inspection was so close, all items would be left until the inspection report was received and then all items would be actioned.
Confirmation of Meeting Dates/Annual Village Assembly: It was agreed that Parish Council meetings would continue to take place on the 2nd Thursday of each month with the exception of August when there will be no meeting unless specifically called.
The Annual Village Assembly will, subject to Village Hall availability, take place on Wednesday, 16th May 2007.
Outstanding items of Maintenance/Repair:
- Road sign - Rogers Road. CCC had again confirmed that the replacement of the missing arm on this sign was not their responsibility as it was not to CCC specification and that the Parish Council should arrange for the repair.
- Bus stop sign - Rogers Road. The Clerk had spoken with Paul Nelson of CCC. He told the Clerk that he was having to look at budget cuts which were taking priority but confirmed that from the 8th April he would have a new member of staff whose priority would be to deal with matters such as bus stops and that he would make the bus stop at the top of Rogers Road a priority.
- Footpath - Rogers Road. Paul Butcher of CCC Highways confirmed that it was very unlikely due to budget cuts that this path would be resurfaced.
- Road edging - Lower End. Paul Butcher told the Clerk that this work was programmed in for approximately September/October following the work to the footpaths on the High Street. The work to be carried out will involve extending the kerbing from The Beeches along Lower End.
- Whilst talking with Paul Butcher, he confirmed that, funds permitting, a "slurry seal" would be carried out on the footpath running from The Beeches to Cage Hill later in the year. Also, with reference to the resurfacing of the footpath on Station Road, he felt that a bid through the Jointly Funded Minor Highways Improvements Scheme might be more successful.
Accounts for payment: These were agreed.
Planning Applications:
- Commissioners Farm, Swaffham Prior Fen - replacement barn with brick and timber frame. (Demolition of existing agricultural storage barn). There were no objections.
Planning Approvals:
- Recreation Ground, Station Road - Sports pavilion and associated car parking.
Items for the Next Agenda:
- Repair works to road sign on Rogers Road.
- Agenda for Annual Village Assembly.
- Year End Financial Summary.
If anyone has an item they would like included on the Agenda for the Annual Village Assembly, please contact the Clerk as below.
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 12th April 2007 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.