Monday 14th January 2008

Present - Cllrs. Murgatroyd (in the Chair) Brearley, Gardiner, Hatt, Lyster And Scott, County Cllr. McCraith, the Clerk and Financial Officer and 1 member of the public

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Wahlich and Dist.Cllr. Guest.      

Confirmation of Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th November last were taken as read, confirmed and signed.  After a discussion regarding the of the format it was agreed that, in future, the initials of the Cllr. who had agreed to take action on a particular item, his/her initials should be recorded in the margin. Cllr. Scott suggested that as he had not yet received the feedback he had requested it was agreed to discuss the matter further at the next meeting. Action TS

Matters arising

  1. Footpath between the Windmill and Barley. Cllr. Gardiner reported that he had been in touch with several farmers who would be affected by the footpath and the matter was still on going. Action AG
  2. Flint Cross Congestion.   Mr. Michael Oakman (Area Manager Maintenance Highways) had telephoned the Clerk to say that the County Council was in the process of carrying out an “accident Assessment” programme along the A.505 and when it was concluded we would be advised if the congestion at Flint Cross junction would be considered for improvement.
  3. Re: Land owned by Mr Tim Harvey (to discuss) The small piece Land owned by Mr Harvey in Hall Lane was apparently outside the village envelope and Cllr. Hatt would write to the Head of Planning to ascertain whether the Planners long term plans were to include this piece of land in the village envelope. Action RH
  4. Blocked road between Shaftenhoe End and Barkway.  (see attached slip)
  5. Affordable Housing date of official opening. Raglan Housing had changed the opening ceremony to Friday 18thApril at 10 a.m. and had advised invited guests accordingly. It was suggested that the Clerk obtain the names of the occupants of the houses in this development. Action Clerk
  6. Status of Planning Applications
    Rabbit Sanctuary. The Planning Dept. had decided that the sanctuary be removed and the land restored to its former condition by 16th November 2008   Mr. & Mrs. Ingle – May Street Bungalow extensions etc. – approved.
    Re Bridgefoot Farm Quarry. After discussion, it was agreed that the Chairman. Write to the Planning Department on this application. Action JM
  7. Financial Matters
    A statement of Income & Expenditure for 2007/8 was circulated by the R.F.O for perusal.
    Replacement seat in Playing Field to be made by Mr Oliver Davis. The order has been placed by the Chairman and a price of £650 had been confirmed with Mr. Davis.
    Re Registration of land. The Chairman was still in touch with our solicitors on this matter and the Chairman would report further at the next meeting. Action JM
     The Clerk would seek to establish when the two villages were merged. Action Clerk
    The P.F.A. submitted their provisional budget for 2008 (for which he would thanked) and  requested a cheque for £550 in respect of grass cutting.  The Clerk was also asked to request the Village Hall Committee to submit their budget for 2008 at the next meeting of the Parish Council. Action Clerk
    Due to vandalism and the fact that an attempt had been made to steal the lead from around the pavilion clock the P.F.A .had gone ahead with costing the installation of CCTV for the playing field, village hall, children’s playground and skateboard area. It would cost in the region of £4500 to £5000 to put the system in and financial help would be required.  However, opinion was divided as to the overall benefit to be gained involving the installation and running of this equipment.
    Cheques paid since the last meeting: Street lamp maintenance £31.91; children’s Christmas party £60; verge cutting £160 and bus shelter electricity £8.46.
  8. Parish Plan
    Cllr. Scott reported that the police had taken speed readings of 200 vehicles in Hall Lane and Barley Road and reported that 30% had exceeded the speed limit of 30 mph.   He would be having a meeting with the Committee tomorrow but he was uncertain whether the police would do any more checks as they were very heavily committed at the moment. Action TS
    Cllr. Scott said the Youth Club was going along very well and this was confirmed by Mrs. Ruth Diblee, who was present at the meeting. Mrs. Diblee also said that Emily and Andy Brown, who lived in the cottage adjacent to the playing field would be prepared to put up the barrier to the playing field entrance and keep an eye on any suspicious activity.  This offer was very much appreciated.
  9. Correspondence
    The Chairman reported that he had written to Cambs. County Council, South Highways Division regarding the gritting of New Road, Gt. Chishill.  He had received a complaint from a resident that the school bus had recently had difficulty driving along New Road because the road was dangerously slippery and had caused alarm among parents.  However, Mr. Oakman had replied that New Road was not on their list of precautionary gritting routes and listed the highways priorities.   After a short discussion it was agreed that the Clerk send a letter to the appropriate authority requesting a copy of the official school bus route. Action Clerk
    A letter was received from Cambs. & Peterborough Assn. of Local Councils advising that their AGM would be held in Bluntisham village hall on Saturday 2nd February 2008.
    The Parish Council had received a email from the local police about anti social behaviour in the village, and an email re Neighbourhood Policing Team
    A letter from Cambs. C.C. re tackling congestion in Cambridge and advising that a meeting on the matter would be held at Shire Hall on Wednesday, 30th. January which the Chairman and Cllr. Lyster hoped to attend. Action JM/GL
    Advice had been received from the village hall committee regarding increases in their hire charges.
    A letter had been received from South Cambs. District Council re Milestones and Mileposts, which the Chairman would follow up. Action JM
    A letter had also been received from the Campaign to protect Rural England regarding a meeting to be held on 1st March at St. Ives.
    A letter from South Cambs. D.C. regarding the inspection carried out by the Audit Commission on the progress (or not) made by the District Council; and requesting the Parish Council’s views.  Cllr. Gardiner agreed to reply. Action AG
  10. Any Other Business
    Cll. Lyster advised the meeting that she would like Little Chishill to be made a Conservation Area and also Area of Best Landscape. She would draft a letter to the appropriate authority which the Clerk would type and despatch. Action GL/Clerk
    County Cllr. McCraith reported that Cambs. County Council had appointed Mark Lloyd of Durham County Council, as it’s Chief Executive.
    Cty.Cllr. McCraith mentioned that the Government was making £500 million  available for transport and road improvements and Cambridgeshire was putting in a bid Including dual carriageway between Royston and Duxford to help ease the congestion on the Including dual carriageway at Duxford to help ease the congestion on the A.505 road charges would also be part of the bid.
    Cllr. Scott requested that “Neighbourhood Watch” be included on our next agenda. Action Clerk
    Cllrs. Murgatroyd and Brearley would circulate a notice throughout the village drawing attention to the Parish Council Election to take place on 1st May. Action JM/JB
    Regarding an email sent to Cllr. Scott from a resident in the new housing development requesting that a dog waste bin be sited at that end of the village.  However, the Clerk mentioned that the biggest obstacle would be the finding an appropriate site for it.
    Regarding the lock-up, by general agreement, it was decided to leave it as it is but make 12-monthly surveys. Action RH
  11. Date of next meeting.   It was agreed that the next meeting of the Parish Council be held on Monday, 17th March next.

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