Notes from the Parish Council Meetings
10th December 2009&14th January 2010
John Covill chaired both meetings with 8 Parish Councillors and members of the Public in attendance (one 10/12/09 & two 14/01/10).
Public Participation: No matters were raised for either meeting.
Reports:
CCC: Cllr DavidBrown reported December & January meetings.
ECDC: Cllr Allen Alderson reported December meeting.
Correspondence Received:
CCC
Traffic Management Team - Countywide Advisory Freight Map - Concerns were raised about the implications of the proposals for the B1102 to be included on the map as a local route for HCV traffic. With hazards such as double bends and traffic calming measures in villages on the B1102 it was strongly felt that this route should not be included as either a local or strategic route.
Andrew Carauna - Jointly Funded Minor Highway Improvements Programme - 2010/11. Successful bids Lode, Soham, Cheveley, Littleport & Witcham.
ECDC
CathyWhite, TreesOfficer - approval for tree works atWellHouse, 50 High Street
CathyWhite, TreesOfficer- approval for tree works at St Cyriac'sChurch
CathyWhite, Tree Officer - approval for treeworks atOld BarnHouse, 25 High Street.
StreetNaming - residential development, land adj Water Tower,MillHill.
A New Plan for the District (Local Development Framework) - consultation document.
New Project to create permanent Woodlands across the District - A letter was received from ECDC asking if the PC wished to take part in this scheme. Initially the project involved identifying land within East Cambridgeshire that could be used to develop and implement a tree-planting scheme. It was suggested at the PC meeting that the land to the rear of Pulpit Corner might be a suitable area but this would require liaison with CCC/County Farms as landowners.
AlanWilliams, NHP Co-ordinator - details of meetings for 2010 & newsletter.
Matters Arising from Previous Minutes (for information only)
There were no matters arising.
Repairs to the Pound, Cage Hill: Rosie Burton, Conservation Officer for ECDC, had informed the Clerk that all grant aid had been frozen by ECDC but that she was happy to receive copies of invoices paid and estimates for the work to hold on file. The Clerk was to reply to Rosie Burton expressing the PC's concern about the withdrawal of funding stating that costs had already been incurred with the understanding that they would form part of a grant application to ECDC and a refunded at the completion of the work.
At the January meeting the Clerk reported that she had received an email from Rosie Burton confirming that grant funding was frozen for this year and that she did not know if there would be a budget for next year. Once this had been clarified, Rosie would add the costs of the professional services and the estimates for the work and provide a percentage grant. It was originally understood that the grantwould be a full grant, not a percentage. The Clerk was to clarify.
Parish Path Partnership Application for 2010/2011: The application forms, etc., were passed to PeterHart for his action and review.
Consideration of Planning Application for 60 High Street - remove two garden sheds to replace with two new sheds/utilities buildings under one roof. Ref: 09/00757/FUL: There were no objections but the PC commented that they considered it unfortunate that this was a retrospective application.
Final Approval of Precept for 2010-11 for submission to ECDC: This was agreed at £14,500.
Red2Green - donation request: A £100 donation was agreed.
Accounts for Payment: These were agreed.
Clerk's Report:
Footpath No.6 - Pulpit Corner to Devils Dyke: The installation of kissing gates continues to be reviewed with Karen Whymark of CCC.
Allotments: Following requests for allotments, it was suggested that an area of land on the B1102 could be split into sections to provide additional allotments. The Clerk was to look into this further.
Dog Bins: Purchase of dog bins to be considered at February meeting.
Parish Councillors' Reports:
(December meeting)
Peter Hart confirmed that the bus stop sign at the top of Rogers Road had been repaired and also a timetable added.
Peter Hart reported that FP11 from village car park was now fully open although still in current position. Cutting had made it passable and the hedge along the pavement on Station Road had also been cut. There just remained a small stretch before the sewage works that needed cutting. The meeting recorded their thanks to Mr & Mrs Cazenove for their assistance.
PeterHart reported to the meeting rubbish behind houses at PulpitCorner/MillHill. Potholes on driveway to village car parkwere reported.
(January meeting)
Geoffrey Woollard said that we were very fortunate to have two Swaffham Prior parishioners recently recognised in the New Year Honours List and asked that a letter of congratulations be sent to:
- Sir Michael Marshall for his knighthood awarded for services to business, charity and the community, and;
- Mrs Marcia Miller MBE for her fundraising work with the Red Cross.
Andrew Camps reported that he had received a request for an additional small grit bin at the bottom of Fairview Grove. Clerk was to action.
Andrew Camps reported that at the last Neighbourhood Panel Meeting there was a request for additional volunteers to join the Speedwatch Scheme. Another set of equipment was now available for use by volunteers. If anyone is interested in joining or would like further information, please contact Andrew for contact details.
OpenQuestion Time:
It was noted that some buses did not come through the village during the recent bad weather due to the condition of the roads particularly Cage Hill and this caused problems for people waiting for buses in the village that did not arrive. It was suggested that bus routes should be given preferential treatment and salt/grit spread so that buses could keep to their regular routes.
If anyone would like further information on any of the above items, please do not hesitate to contact the Clerk.
The next meeting will take place on Thursday, 11th February 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
All are welcome to attend.