Minutes of a meeting of Gt. & Lt. Parish Council held in the village hall on Monday, 26th January 2009 at 7.30 p.m.

 

Present:- Cllrs. Gardiner (in the Chair) Brearley, Cartwright, Dibblee, Erskine, Murgatroyd and Scott, together with the Financial Officer, Clerk, Dist.Cllr. Guest. County Cllr. McCraith (who arrived late to the meeting) and two members of the public.

 

1 Apologies for absence were received from Dist.Cllr. Barrett.

 

2 Confirmation of Minutes.  The Minutes of the meeting held on 15th December were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

 

3 Matters arising

 

The Clerk confirmed that Mrs. Dawn Crow had kindly agreed to be Webmaster for the Parish Council.

 

Cllr. Dibblee reported that the Youth Club worker would be visiting the Club for 2 hours shortly – which would be very helpful to the Committee.

 

She also mentioned that she had been in touch with Chrishall Parish Council regarding their experience with the use of a defibrillator.  Apparently it had been successful although there were drawbacks attached to its use and availability and also in obtaining enough volunteers to operate the equipment – although it had been improved and was easier to use.  Cllr. Diblee would ask Chrishall to make a                        recommendation to us.  The Financial Officer advised that no money had been budgeted for a defibrillator                                                            ACTION: R.D..

 

Cllr. Dibblee also referred to correspondence relating to possible changes in South Cambs. Housing policy.   Dist.Cllr. Guest explained the position and confirmed that tenants were fully informed and their interests taken into account.

 

The question of dog fouling throughout the village was again referred to and the Clerk reiterated that South Cambs. D.C. had already turned down a request for another waste disposal unit in Heydon Road unless the Parish Council was prepared to pay for its supply, installation and servicing.

 

The Clerk reported that Mr. Tim Harvey’s hedge along Hall Lane had still not been cut back and the Clerk would write to him again advising him that this work must be done as a matter of urgency.                                                          ACTION: Clerk

 

30mph sign outside the new development.  The Highways Dept. confirmed that the sign would be moved as requested, the cost being met by Raglan Housing.

Cllr. Murgatroyd reported that Raglan Housing had done their first inspection and were very satisfied.

 

Replacement of bus shelter roof tile. Cllr. Murgatroyd would arrange for this to be replaced.                                                                                         ACTION: J.M.

 

 

                                                              

 

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4 Parish Clerk Recruitment. The Chairman reported that at least 5 people had applied for the position and had been requested to provide C.V’s.  He proposed that a sub committee of Cllrs. Murgatroyd and Erskine together with himself be appointed to interview possible applicants and they would then seek total agreement by the Parish Council and proceed with a recruitment programme.

                                                                

5. Gritting Schedule

 

The Chairman was pleased to report that Mr. Oakman (Highways) had now agreed to include May Street and Little Chishill on their Winter Maintenance policy – but will have to review the situation during the summer.

 

6. Footpaths – Update

 

£600 was held in Reserve on this account.  In view of the amount of work carried out by Lorraine and Peter Brand, it was agreed that the Clerk send them a letter of thanks.

 

Chalky Walk was in a bad condition but the Chairman was pleased to say that a temporary surface had been put down which had made some improvement and Andrew Stimson (Parish Paths Liaison Officer) would visit the site and investigate the situation. Mr. & Mrs. Brand are going to put up signage.

 

7. Status of Planning Applications

 

Application from. Mrs. S.E. Dreary – 14 Colts Croft – refused.

Application from Bridgefoot Farm Kennels – Flint Cross – refused.

Application from Mr. P. Wiseman had gone to Appeal.  We would be advised of the result.

 

8. Financial Matters

 

Notice board for Little Chishill.  Four quotations had been obtained and on a proposal by the Chairman it was unanimously agreed that Mr. O. Davies’ quotation be accepted. Cllr. Erskine would liaise with the Clerk regarding siting of the board.

                          ACTION: JE & Clerk

Correspondence from South Cambs. D.C. regarding funds being available from Cambridgeshire Community Chest were handed to Cllr. Dibblee.

                                                                                                       ACTION: R.D.

 

The Clerk advised re cheques paid since last meeting as follows:- Berforts South East (Newsletter) £55; Bus shelter light £8.46 and Archant Herts (Crow advert. £79.21)

 

Cllr. Erskine mentioned that it may be necessary to increase cost of printing the monthly Newsletter to £90. This extra expense of 50% not budgeted for.

 

9. To Discuss “Speedwatch”

 

Cllr. Scott reported on a meeting he had attended on 5th January and circulated an illustration of South Cambs. New equipment which would appear to prove more successful in monitoring cars which exceeded the speed limit.  There would be a training meeting for a group of volunteers and the equipment could be shared with other parishes.                                                                                ACTION T.S

                                                                                                      

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10. Street Monitoring

                                                               

Cllr. Scott drew attention to the overgrown hedge along a stretch of footpath on Heydon Road which obliged pedestrians to use the road. It was agreed that the Clerk advise the owners to cut it back without delay, especially as it involved an important road sign. Other Cllrs. would give the matter of monitoring  their attention and report at the next meeting.

Monitoring had been organised as follows: - Cllr. Murgatroyd (May Street), Cllr. Cartwright (New Road) Cllr. Dibblee (Hall Lane), Cllr.Scott (Heydon Road) and Cllr. Brearley (Barley Road)

                                                                                                      ACTION : as above

 

11. Correspondence

 

A letter from South Cambs. D.C. re “Works to the village lock up” would be dealt with by Cllr. Murgatroyd. The Financial Officer reminded Cllrs. That the matter had been put on hold and no money allocated.                                    ACTION: J.M.                            

 

A letter re Neighbourhood Watch Annual Conference on Saturday 31st January 9.45 at Huntingdon, was reported to the meeting.

 

12. Any Other Business

 

Cllr. Brearley reported an incident of vandalism by the bus shelter and spoke to the parents of one of the boys involved. Unfortunately his visit had been treated with derision – however Cllr. Dibblee agreed to arrange for the Youth Club Committee to have a word with their members.  Cllr. Scott felt that such wanton vandalism should be reported to the police in future, although some reluctance to this action was expressed.                                                                                       ACTION: R.D.

 

A member of the public who was present at the meeting drew attention to what he regarded as the abuse of the Planning Department’s conditions placed on the rabbit sanctuary.  Cars were still being parked in the Close and in front of tenants’ garages; there was an increase in the number of rats attracted to the sanctuary  and it was felt that a very close eye should be kept on the situation.  Dist.Cllr. Guest agreed to approach the Environmental Health Officer to check on the running of the sanctuary.  The Chairman suggested that the tenants make a note of the abuses taking place so that the Parish Council could inform the Planning Department officially.

 

Cllr. Dibblee advised that a resident had spoken to her about horse riders who emerged on to the B.1039 adjacent the windmill from a footpath, (not a bridle way) which he regarded as a dangerous manoeuvre.  Mr. Law could be approached about making a bridle way entrance on to his land.  (Later the Chairman spoke to Mr. & Mrs. Brand and they agreed to prosecute the matter).

 

Mrs. Jean Wiseman had reported block drains from Hall Farm to the Essex border on the B.1039 and the Clerk was instructed to email Mr. Mike Cooper (Highways) about blocked drains throughout the whole village.                                ACTION:  Clerk

 

                                                            

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Cllr. Scott that he understood that the present tenancy of Lynchetts Farm would shortly expire and it would be an opportunity to approach the new tenant with a view to the chalk pit being converted into a wildlife haven under the custodianship of the

Parish Council The Parish Council was very interested in this idea which could only be an improvement to this neglected area and Cllr. Scott agreed to approach the subject to the Agents at the Open Day on 3rd February. However, there would be costs involved regarding insurance and maintenance.

 

13 Date of next meeting

 

After a short discussion it was agreed that the next meeting of the Parish Council be held on Monday, 9th March.

 

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.