ACTIONGreat and Little Chishill Annual Parish Meeting
Venue: Village Hall
Date: Wednesday 20th May 2009
Time: 7:30pm
In Attendance
Chairman: Andrew Gardiner
Vice Chairman: John Murgatroyd
Parish Councillors: Brearley, Dibblee, Cartwright, Erskine, Scott
Outgoing Clerk: Cynthia Buckland
Incoming Clerk: Sarah Scott
Financial Adviser: Reg Buckland
District Councillors: Val Barrett, Janice Guest, Susan van de Ven (Meldreth & Foxton)
County Councillor: David McCraith
PFA Representatives: Paul Drury and Jeff Gill
Youth Group Representative: Bianca Stanford
Other: Graham Stanford
1. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
2. Election of Chairman / Vice Chairman
The Clerk asked for dominations for the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Andrew Gardiner nominated as Chairman.
Proposed: Ruth Dibblee
Seconded: Christine Cartwright
John Murgatroyd nominated as Vice Chairman.
Proposed: Janet Erskine
Seconded: Christine Cartwright
Other Business
3. Confirmation of Minutes
Minutes for 22nd April 2009, taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Road signs that are in need putting up in Plaistow Way, May Street and more recently a
missing sign in Heydon Road (by the new houses). The Clerk had chased Diane Duncan
and Councillor Barrett offered to follow this up on our behalf. Councillor Barrett
4.2 Councillor Brearley had produced some documentation at a previous meeting
relating to upgrading / improving footpaths. The Chairman asked if any further
information was available. Councillor Brearley will investigate. Councillor Brearley
Councillor Erskine mentioned she had forwarded some information relating to Chalky
Walk to the Parish Councillors.
ACTION
4.3 Lilac tree obstructing pavement outside 16 Hall Lane. The hazard had now been
partially removed.
4.4 Dead Almond tree, Wallers Close. Clarification of who owns the piece of land in
question needs to be established in order to contact the correct department to facilitate
removal of the tree. Jenny Clarke is the Land Officer at the District Council. Clerk to
contact. Clerk
4.5 It was proposed that a map should be developed to identify key areas of responsibility
in terms of grass cutting duties ie Highways or Parish Council contractor.
5. Status of planning applications
5.1 Ref: S/0410/09/F, 36 Barley Road – Approved 13/5/2009
5.2 Ref: S/0326/09/F, 14 Colts Croft – Refused 6/5/2009
5.4 Ref: S/1926/08/F Rectory Farm, Little Chishill – Approved 14/5/2009
5.5 Ref: S/0997/08/LDC (Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing Use)
- Refused 6/5/2009
6. Insurance
6.1 Mr Buckland read out a statement regarding the insurance matters relating to the
skate park and basketball area. Councillors Scott and Brearley queried this information.
The Chairman intervened raising the following points:
As it stands the ROSPA report is not clear as to the nature of ‘conflict’ and ‘high risk’.
When the ROSPA representative comes to inspect in the next few days this needs to be
clarified and also if it is these two activities together that are high risk / a conflict
or simply the skate park equipment. In the interim, Councillor Brearley will cover
the basketball hoop and erect a ‘out of action until further notice’ sign. Councillor Brearley
Councillors Scott and Brearley agreed to work together to produce a report
on costings to refurbish the skate park equipment and to move the basketball hoop
(if deemed necessary by ROSPA). Cllrs Scott & Brearley
The Chairman reported that he had received a petition showing support for this facility
from over 100 members of the community. Councillor Dibblee commended
Curtis Redrupp and the youth of the village for their initiative and actions.
The Chairman also applauded them and will write accordingly. In response to the
comments that the facility is rarely used, Youth Group member Bianca Stanford
commented that these facilities are well used and popular but naturally when the
weather is poor the facility is not used as much.
Councillor Scott asked Mr Buckland for a copy of his complete report. Mr Buckland
6.2 Mr Buckland presented the insurance figures he had obtained, which are as follows:
ACRE - £1616.70
Allianz - £1289.00 plus £26 (for covering the Clerks liability)
Came and Company - £1059.07 (covers all Parish Councillors liability)
The Came and Company covers sub-contractors and volunteers carrying out work
on the playing field facilities he suggested this was the best option.
6.3 Mr Buckland mentioned that as the Youth Group and Children’s Playground
Committees have their own separate bank accounts this means they cannot
be deemed sub-committees of the Parish Council and must obtain their own insurance.
He suggested for this purpose it might be beneficial if they merged going forward.
ACTION
7. Financial Matters
7.1 The Chairman agreed to accept the Came and Company insurance quotation.
7.2 Mr Buckland informed the council that he has moved £11,000 from the
Alliance & Leicester to Barclays. He has left £197.62 in the account to keep it open.
7.3 Mr Buckland asked if £200 could be released for the CPALC Clerks training for
Sarah Scott – Chairman agreed.
7.4 The Clerk reported the follow had been paid by cheque:
|
CHEQUE NO. |
PAYEE |
DESCRIPTION |
AMOUNT |
|
N/A |
|
Bus Shelter Tile |
£45.00 |
|
N/A |
Berforts |
Newsletter |
£46.65 |
|
N/A |
|
Waste Bins |
£256.04 |
|
N/A |
|
Bush Shelter Lights |
£8.46 |
|
N/A |
CPALC |
Subscription |
£188.96 |
|
N/A |
Playing Fields Assoc. |
Grant |
£2400.00 |
|
N/A |
Village Hall |
Grant |
£3100.00 |
|
N/A |
Youth Group |
Grant |
£1000.00 |
|
N/A |
Children’s Playground |
Grant |
£1050.00 |
|
N/A |
Sarah Scott |
Salary |
£362.30 |
|
N/A |
Berforts |
Newsletter |
£46.65 |
7.5 It was suggested that some funds were set aside for painting the skate park equipment.
Councillor Dibblee produced a flyer on obtaining grants for improving play spaces. It
was agreed that the Youth Group apply, incorporating a paint request for painting the
Pavilion. If the grant application were successful then any monies given or set aside
for the skate park could be paid back to the PC. A £2K ballpark figure was suggested. Councillor Dibblee
8. Correspondence
8.1 Cambs ACRE survey had been completed and returned.
8.2 CCC Big Lunch – no action to be taken.
9. Any Other Business (finalise Annual Parish Meeting arrangements).
9.1 Annual Parish Council Meeting Arrangements
Clerks to send out invitation letters and agendas. Clerk & Sarah Scott
Purchase of wine and nibbles Councillor Murgatroyd
Publicise in newsletter Councillor Erskine
Flyer to village Councillor Brearley & Sarah Scott
9.2 Letter to be written to the Youth Club apologising for basketball hoop being out of action. Clerk
9.3 It was proposed that the Parish Council thank Stephen Saunders for his years of service
to the PFA at the Annual Parish Meeting – this was agreed
9.4 The Village Hall committee would not be holding a meeting after the Annual Parish
Meeting. They were asked if they wanted to speak at the meeting. Paul Drury to
speak with Stuart Farrow and report back.
ACTION
Any Other Business (Continued)
9.5 Church Clock – winding is becoming more difficult. It was suggested that
Councillor Erskine puts something in the newsletter asking for fit volunteers to under-
take this task. Councillor Erskine
The FO said that £500 had been put to one side for an automated winding system.
This subject will be an agenda item for the next meeting. Clerk
9.6 Councillor Dibblee had a concern about the Standards Committee and planning issues.
Councillor van de Ven said it was commonplace and permitted for Parish Councils to
apply for dispensation from the Standards Committee and that is was simple to do.
9.7 Councillor Dibblee pointed out an error in the FOCUS publication about bus services in
Great Chishill and Heydon. Councillor van de Ven had rectified this.
9.8 The village sign at the crossroad was obstructed by growth from the flowerbed.
Councillor Murgatroyd to speak with Mr Parkes. Councillor Murgatroyd
9.9 The churchyard has bamboo overhanging from a neighbour’s garden that could
benefit from a trim. Councillor Murgatroyd to speak with Mr and Mrs Tunnicliffe. Councillor Murgatroyd
9.10 Giveway sign at the end of Heydon Road is not visible due to overgrown hedges
belonging to Mr and Mrs Wharlich, these also obstruct the pavement. Clerk to contact. Clerk
9.11 Councillor Cartwright asked if there was any feedback on the email that the Clerk
had sent to Mr Cooper about New Road – no feedback to date.
9.12 Councillor Erskine asked if there was any progress regarding a pathway to Barley.
It was reported that the farmer has no objection if the side of the fields are used, but
this is not a formal endorsement of this use.
9.13 Mr Gill asked if the owner of the car that parks sideways on Hall Lane (thus using
at least 2 spaces) could be dissuaded from doing so. Councillor Scott explained that
they had been asked before, but it is unlikely that they will change their ways.
The Clerk suggested writing to the owner and also Mr Cooper of the Highways
department. Clerk
9.14 Councillor McCraith thanked Bianca Stanford for coming along and congratulated
the Youth Group for their initiative regarding the skate park.
9.15 Councillor McCraith said that the A505 speeding review was completed but there will
be a delay in the publication of the findings as it is deemed political. The information
will be available after the elections.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 20:37.
Date of Next meeting: Wednesday 22nd July 2009