Great Chishill - Businesses & Organisations - Village Organisations - Parish Council

Present - Cllrs. Murgatroyd (in the Chair) Brearley, Gardiner, Hatt, Scott and Wahlich, County Cllr. McCraith, 4 members of the public and the Clerk and Financial Officer.

Confirmation of Minutes
Regarding this item, Cllr. Scott suggested that all the items referred to in the Minutes, be annotated by a numbering system to enable them to be referred back. The Clerk did not think it necessary to change the present system, but she would accept it if that was what the Parish Council wanted The Minutes of the meeting held on 9th October were duly taken as read, confirmed and signed.

Parking in Hall Lane
Regarding the misunderstanding which existed between residents of Hall Lane, the Clerk had been in touch with Mike Cooper, Highway Supervisor, who had confirmed that the area in question was for public parking. Mrs. Buckland had therefore circulated a letter to all residents affected advising them that this was the case.
Proposed Footpath between the Windmill and Barley
Cllr. Gardiner said he had very little to report although Parish Cllr. Phil Smith of Barley offered to get in touch with the farmers whose land would be affected and get their response.
Affordable Housing
The Chairman reported that the completion date had been put back to 23rd November. The question of having an official opening ceremony was discussed and it was finally agreed that Mr. Andrew Lansley, our M.P. be invited to carry out the ceremony and to let us have a date in February or March when it would be convenient for him to do so. The Clerk would write to Mr. Lansley accordingly.
Mr. Murgatroyd proposed and it was unanimously agreed that Mr. Robin Driver also be invited to attend. Mr. Driver had been instrumental with Mr. Murgatroyd in helping to get an Affordable Housing scheme off the ground. It was also agreed that Messrs. Bayer and the site manager be sent an appropriate letter of thanks.
The Parish Council had received a statement regarding the naming of the site from Ms. Catriona Dunnett (Head of Street Naming), which was brought to the attention of the Parish Council.
Status of Planning Applications
The Clerk reported that the Planning Appeals made by Mr. Slowman (Heydon Road), Mr. Wren (Barley Road) and Mr. & Mrs. Gadian (May Street) had all been approved.
Financial Matters
Confirmation of cheques paid since last meeting:- T. Scott £55.38 (speed metering device); Cambs. ACRE £25 subscription; Bus shelter light £8.46; British Legion Wreath £15; Charitable Trust £100; Adams Harrison £472.75 (registration of land) and £63.99 S.C.D.C. waste collection.
The budget for 2008/9 was presented by the Financial Officer and, after a short discussion, it was proposed by Cllr. Gardiner that the Precept for 2008/9 be increased by 5%. The Financial Officer suggested that this be rounded up to £20,800. Cllr. Gardiner then proposed, Cllr. Brearley seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the budget and the Precept of £20,800 be accepted.
Regarding a notice board for the bus shelter, no further action would be taken (in view of past experience of vandalism).
Replacement seat for playing field. Mr. John Bates had kindly agreed to donate the wood (oak) for the seat and Mr. Oliver Davis had agreed to make it at a cost of £680. This was put to the meeting and carried.
Regarding the lock-up, this work would be held in abeyance for the time being in view of the cost involved.
The letter from the Solicitors, Messrs. Adams Harrison, regarding registration of land, had been received and reported to the Parish Council. The Chairman would look further into the registration of the Plaistow land and also the land on which the lock-up was built. The Solicitors also required the date on which Little Chishill merged with Great Chishill. The Clerk would make enquiries.
To set Precept for 2008/9
Following the decision made under Item 6, the Precept for 2008/9, as proposed by Cllr. Gardiner, seconded by Cllr. Brearley and unanimously agreed would be set at £20,800.
To discuss village plan
Cllr. Scott reported that a lot of energy had been generated by the village plan and the very large sum of £5,500 had been raised by the “Auction of Promises” for the children’s playground. The organisers of this event were to be congratulated.
The Youth Club had held several meetings and Cllr. Scott suggested that the Clerk write to the Clerks of Barley, Chrishall and Heydon asking them to bring this facility to the attention of the young people (aged 11 to 17) in their parishes.
A radar gun had been purchased to record speeding through the village and it was hoped to get several volunteers to activate this equipment throughout the village.
A Summer Ball was proposed for the 21st June 2008.
Correspondence
The CALC bulletin was circulated to members of the Parish Council.
Regarding a “No Smoking” sign being put in the bus shelter, this was not considered necessary in our bus shelter.
Any Other Business
The Chairman reported the blocked road between Shaftenhoe End and Barley which had been caused by the June flooding and which was causing considerable inconvenience to those living in Little Chishill and Shaftenhoe End, and although it was the responsibility of North Herts. to clear it, apparently they were not prepared to consider doing it before November 2008. Local farmers are prepared to clear the road but they need authorisation etc. before doing so. The Clerk was asked to write to North Herts. District Council stressing the inconvenience to local residents having to wait another year before the road is cleared.
The Clerk read a letter from Dr. Goodall regarding wild rabbits in his field, which he had dealt with and Cllr. Hatt suggested the Clerk write thanking him and reminding him that it may be necessary to repeat the exercise annually.
Cllr. Scott mentioned that he had recently spoken to Mr. Tim Harvey who had said that an “open door” was now available for discussing his land in the village. It was decided to discuss this matter further at the next meeting.
Cllr. Hatt asked if a letter of thanks could be sent to Jo Jones who had kindly taken on the work of running the village website. The Clerk would do this.
County Cllr. McCraith mentioned that the Government was making £500 million available for road improvements and Cambridgeshire was putting in a bid for transport improvement including a dual carriageway from Duxford to help ease the congestion on the A.505.
Mr. Ken Lawrence asked whether the grass area in Wallers Close could be cleared for use as parking. The Chairman said that the Highways Dept. had been approached some time ago on this matter but the Parish Council had been told that money was not available.
Cllr. Wahlich asked if a letter could again be sent to the Highways Dept. regarding the congestion at the junction at Flint Cross. The Clerk would write to David Lines on the matter.
Date of next meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Monday, 14th January 2008.