Notes from the Parish Council August and September meetings
John Covill chaired the meeting with 7 Parish Councillors in attendance.
There were 5 members of the public present.
Public Participation:
East Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework with particular reference to -Site Allocations Development Plan Document Options Paper -Section 11 "Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople" .
At the August meeting, members of the Steering Group attended and gave a report on progress. They had secured written confirmation that ECDC would accept the submission of pre-completed questionnaires.
The Clerk was asked to record a vote of thanks to the Steering Group for their hard work and efforts in overseeing the process of completing and submitting the questionnaires to ECDC.
In support of the foregoing the Clerk was asked to write to John Hill, Chief Executive of ECDC noting that it was understood that the gypsy site element of the Regional Spatial Strategy had been scrapped by the current Government and thus requesting the ECDC's search for additional gypsy sites anywhere in the District should be abandoned forthwith. John Hill responded to this letter acknowledging the concerns raised and outlining recent guidance received from Government on determining the level of provision for travellers'sites now that the Regional Spatial Strategies were abolished.
At the September meeting, Cllr Allen Alderson reported that he had attended a meeting of the Strategic Development Committee where the need for travellers'accommodation was discussed. Refer to Cllr Alderson's separate report in Crier.
Correspondence for Consideration/Circulation:
CCC -Library Service Review: Consultation document re proposed changes in services due to Government cutbacks.
CCC -Winter Service -Gritting Arrangements: Details included a highlighting map showing roads covered as part of gritting schedule. It was noted that Cage Hill was not included and the Clerk was asked to bring this to the attention of CCC.
Matters Arising:
Footpath at The Beeches: ECDC confirmed that CCC would adopt this footpath subject to a number of works being carried out first including the installation of a handrail. A start date for the work was not known. The Clerk was to follow this up.
Review of Grasscutting Contract: This contract was coming to the end of a three year period and new tenders were to be invited for consideration. ECDC had confirmed that they would be taking over responsibility for cutting its areas in the Parish.
Progress Report -The Pound: Paul Latchford had put together a Design & Access Statement as required by ECDC. This was agreed and was to be submitted to ECDC for Listed Building Consent.
Reports:
CCC: Cllr David Brown reported
ECDC: Cllr Allen Alderson reported
Consideration of Planning Application for Land Adjacent 15 Cage Hill -demolition of existing garage and garden store and redevelopment of site for 2 No four bed houses with garages. Ref: 10/00567/FUL: There were no objections or comments.
- Consideration of Amendment to Planning Application for the Manor House, 37 Lower End -extensions and alterations, including curtilage buildings. Ref. 10/00376/FUL: There were no objections or comments.
- Consideration of Planning Application for Regent Farm, 7 Heath Road -construction of single storey timber building for business/ domestic office. Ref: 10/00593/FUL: There were no objections or comments.
Clerk's Report:
Dog Bins: ECDC confirmed that the dog bins are emptied once a week by Veolia. Details of locations were confirmed to ensure none were missed. Grit Bin -Fairview Grove: This was to be installed once location approved by CCC Officer.
Footpaths: Station Road and Rogers Road footpaths had been 'sprayed off'.
Annual Audit: External Auditors had completed their audit of the Parish Council accounts confirming all was in order.
Faulty Streetlights: These were reported for repair.
Accounts for Payment: These were agreed.
Parish Councillors' Reports:
Steve Kent-Phillips told the meeting that the footpaths at Tothill Road had been marked out for resurfacing and hopefully this would be carried out shortly.
Peter Hart reported that the fly-tipping at Barston Drove had still not been removed and asked Cllr Alderson to follow this up as it had been reported on several occasions.
John Covill reported that he had been asked for the Parish Council's views on the possibility of building some affordable housing units at the bottom of the Lower End site ('Dencora'field) with perhaps some commercial or market value units at the top of the site. Following discussion it was agreed that the possibility of some affordable housing units mixed with market value housing should be supported. There were some concerns expressed about whether commercial buildings would be approved but it was felt that this would be a matter for ECDC.
Peter Hart reported the following:
- Footpath No.11 was now fully re-opened (Village Car Park -Station Road) The hedgerow on Station Road needed cutting back. The Clerk was asked to contact those responsible.
- Overgrown hedges, etc., on footpath at the Coopers Green end needed cutting back. Clerk to contact owners of properties backing onto footpath.
Open Question Time:
August meeting:
Adrian Dickens explained a little more about the affordable/market value housing on the Lower End site.
David Greenfield told everyone about the problems caused by heavy rain and the inability of the gullies/drains to cope on Green Head Road. He had phoned CCC Highways about this and they had visited the area to inspect. Adrian Dickens confirmed that there were similar problems at the bottom of Cage Hill and Lower End where the water was flowing out of drains during periods of heavy rain and flooding the road.
If anyone would like further information on any of the above items, please do not hesitate to contact the Clerk.
The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday, 14th October 2010, starting at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
All are welcome to attend.