From our Reporter at the Parish Council Meeting
HAZEL WILLIAMS HAS BEEN DEFEATED and David Brown is our new CCC representative.
Geoffrey Woollard, always impeccable in the formalities, proposed a letter of
thanks to Hazel for all the work she had done for the village. John Jordan
supported this and added that due acknowledgement should be made "for
Hazel having prioritised Swaffham Prior over all her other interests" .
Geoffrey visibly paled, and yelled "Hold on! We don't have to go that
far."
Having held office for such a short time David Brown had very little to say. The ever helpful Hazel had supplied a report for June which was handed around. This included the titbit that "A Lowry painting belonging to Cambridgeshire Schools Art collection was sold at auction recently for £450,000. When bought it cost £31.50." I wonder what else is in the collection.
Before the real business began Geoffrey again intervened and brandished the Crier. He quoted that he had been likened to Gene Hunt (only to the extent that they both value truth, plain speaking and honesty). Geoffrey had not been aware of Gene's existence, went out of his way to know him, did not like him, thought he was uncouth, and disagreed with the comparison. Fair enough, but if he had tried to know Gene better he would have found he had a heart of gold. One PC wag revealed that Gene Hunt had registered a protest about being likened to Geoffrey. The meeting then returned to the church clock and that it cannot be seen from the High Street. Geoffrey said he loved all trees and couldn't see the necessity to touch "such a lovely tree" as the offending lime. He maintained it was only one man who wanted it to see the clock. This was disputed. Andrew said that because it "was a public clock people ought to be able to see it." For a long time in the discussion it was assumed that the Church was involved until the meeting was reminded that ECDC is responsible for the maintenance of the Churchyard and that the Church has nothing to with it. This information put the debate on course and it was amazing how many people had views. Sandra Gynn was brilliant and had to constantly remind the meeting that the PC had a duty towards the village. She pointed out that people had been asked to bring their concerns to the Annual Village Assembly and that when they do so the concerns can't just be brushed under the carpet without due consideration. Eric thought the Lime should be "topped" as on Town Close, and Andrew reminded the meeting that there is also a conifer in totally the wrong place, and that it needs to be taken out. John Jordon suggested they should write to ECDC to ask how they plan to cope with the trees to make the tower and clock visible.
I think the general view of the meeting was to "adjust" the trees so that the church clock can be seen. But I don't recall any action being proposed and seconded. I will need to read Karen's minutes. Meantime, as the PC is the only body which can approach ECDC with any authority, perhaps a petition could be presented to the PC showing there really is a strong wish to see St Cyriac's clock and tower.
It was fascinating to see so many viewpoints expressed and, as with all of us, everyone thought they were right. There was a similar shindy during the discussion on the Play Area equipment. Steve reported that for the first time ever the annual inspection classified everything as "low risk" . There was some concern whether that still left a danger, and Karen wondered whether there should be a once a week tick box check of the Play Area. Geoffrey thought this a wonderful idea and proposed a weekly rota. Steve was aghast at such a suggestion, thought it "overkill" , and wondered if this meant there should be weekly checks of the bus stop, Coopers Green etc. Geoffrey maintained that under the present system if a bar broke on the Climbing Frame it could be a year before it would be repaired. Steve reminded the meeting that he does keep a regular informal eye on it and gently assured Geoffrey that because the Play Area is used daily it would not be 365 days before someone told him about a broken bar. Also of course between 50 to 100 people walk past the Play Area each day -and would notice. It was then revealed that "Low Risk" is the lowest possible category and we cannot do any better. Even the inspectors say there is no such thing as "No Risk"
Retrospective Planning Applications can often upset people and that for New Gant Farm in Swaffham Prior Fen was no exception. It appears to be a pretty large extension to the original building and one must wonder how the architect and the builder could possibly have proceeded without planning permission. But they did. The following discussion again resulted in a great deal of talk. Geoffrey thought the guy was a good chap, that the result was pleasing, and that it ought to be let go. That seems to be the point of view which supports our MPs fiddling expenses. But in this case no-one can say "It's in the rules, Guv." Few, if any, shared Geoffrey's opinion. "It was not a mistake" ; "he knew exactly what he was doing" ; "it casts a snook at the regulations" ; "it encourages other people to do the same" ; "it encourages people to break the law" ; what if everyone did this?" The PC regretted the owner's behaviour but could find no reason to object.
This always makes it so difficult for Planning Departments because it is almost common knowledge that even if it is rejected, permission would almost certainly be granted on appeal and ECDC (US!!) could spend and lose a lot of money disputing it. Not raised was the other Retrospective Planning Permission which was in the news but not discussed. Allen Alderson could not attend the meeting but he handed in a report which was distributed to everyone without being read out or discussed. He revealed that a resident in Reach had objected (we were not told why) to the aerial of the Reach and Swaffham Prior Broadband service (RASP) and that RASP has had to apply for retrospective planning permission. Allan wrote that "The planners initial reaction was for refusal" . Users have always claimed that the service it provides is significantly superior to that available from BT or other providers, and some years ago it was indeed the only sensible option. Allan has been active, has involved the Planning Committee, and he ends "hopefully permission will be granted." I can't wait for the next Retrospective Planning Application to come in -as it is sure to happen.
In the Clerk's Report Karen regretted the increasing amount of dog fouling she comes across in her twice daily walk. One member was very sympathetic and hoped it was "not getting on top of her" . There was a suggestion that hot spots should be identified and that A number of years ago dog fouling was a very serious problem (far more than today), with the High Street being regularly bespattered and Coopers Lane and environs being described by John Norris as Skid Row. Poop bags supplied by ECDC were left just inside the Village Hall for anyone to collect. A big effort was made to identify those at fault, the campaign was successful, and the Village Hall poop bags were no longer needed. It is sad to think that some people are again being thoughtless. The PC is thinking of putting up poop bins. But this will not identify the people at fault. The only solution is to identify, name and shame. Perhaps the early morning dog walking mafia could help and throw a little light on the matter. What an interesting meeting. Something for everyone and rarely have I heard so many members putting in their twopenny-worth.