Minutes of a meeting of Gt. & Lt. Chishill Parish Council held in the village hall on Monday, 9th March 2009 at 7.30 p.m
Present: - Cllrs.Gardiner (in the Chair) Brearley, Dibblee, Erskine and Scott (who did not join the meeting until Item 3) together with the Financial Officer, Clerk and District Cllrs. Barrett and Guest and County Cllr. D. McCraith. Mrs. G. Hayde and colleague from Chrishall joined the meeting following Item 2.
1.Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Cartwright and Murgatroyd.
2.Parish Clerk Recruitment. The Chairman reported that six formal applications were received – 3 from the village, 1 from Chrishall, 1 from Royston and 1 from Buckland. 3 were selected for interview and the unanimous decision was that Mrs. Sarah Scott, who had submitted an excellent CV, be recommended for the job for one year when the position could be reviewed and made permanent. This recommendation was put to the Parish Council who confirmed that they had no problem with the “Conflict of Interest” involved and it was unanimously agreed, on a proposal by the Chairman, that Sarah Scott be offered the position. To ensure a smooth changeover, the Clerk would continue for 5 months from 1st April and the Chairman would write to Sarah accordingly.
3.Confirmation of Minutes. The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th January were taken as read, confirmed and signed subject to an amendment to paragraph 2 of Item 6 as follows: - re Chalky Walk – Mr. Stimson (Parish Path Partnership Liaison Officer) advised us on the practicability of providing a similar surface to that at Gypsy Corner for the bad parts of Chalky Walk.
4. Matters arising.
Defibrillator. The Chairman welcomed Mrs. Gaynor Hayde and her colleague to the meeting who were present to give a report on their experience of using the defibrillator. Chrishall have 9 volunteers who offer their services on a rota basis. They are trained in the use of the defibrillator and instructed as to their role in an emergency. They cover a radius of 5 miles which includes our Parish. They received 69 999 calls in a 12 month period. Gaynor and friend answered many questions on the practicalities etc. of the scheme and said that local doctors supported them. The most important aspect was the speed at which the emergency calls could be answered. The ambulance service played a vital part in reducing the time taken to reach the emergency. Gaynor promised to let the Parish Council have some literature etc. containing advice on the scheme. Cllr. Erskine would draw attention to the scheme in the village newsletter. Action: JE.
The Chairman thanked Gaynor and her colleague for attending the meeting and giving such an informative report, which was much appreciated. They then left the meeting.
The Clerk reported that Mr. Harvey’s hedge along Hall Lane had now been cut back. Unfortunately, however, complaints had been received about the amount of thorny trimmings left on the footpath. Cllr. Scott suggested that the Clerk write to Mr. Harvey drawing his attention to this and requesting that the hedge be cut back every other year on a regular basis. The Clerk would also write to Mr. Cooper (Highways) about the state of the footpath along Hall Lane between Colts Croft and Wallers Close the surface of which needed attention in several places and overgrown grass cut back.
Action: Clerk
2.
The missing roof tile on the bus shelter had not yet been replaced. Cllr. Murgatroyd would deal with it.
Action: J.M.
Re “Works to the village lock-up”. Cllr. Murgatroyd would report on
This matter at the next meeting.
Action: J.M.
Village Vandalism. Cllr. Dibblee reported that she had spoken to Youth Club members in the strongest possible terms about bad behaviour and mindless vandalism in the pavilion and village hall and told them that the Club would have to be closed if any of them were involved in the future. After talking to them, they offered to help with laying the bark chippings in the children’s play area, which was a helpful response.
Re Removal of Road Name signs. The Clerk would write to Mr. Cooper drawing his attention to the removal of the Plaistow Way sign and also the May Street sign, which had been knocked over by a car in the recent very cold weather. Mrs. Buckland would again ask Mr. Cooper that the 30 mph sign outside the affordable housing development be re-sited without delay.
Action: Clerk
Re Rabbit Sanctuary. The Chairman confirmed that no further information was forthcoming from the residents of Wallers Close although he understood that the Planning Department had been there and reviewed the situation.
Re Lynchetts Farm. Regarding his proposal about a wild life haven being established in the chalk pit, Cllr. Scott advised that he had spoken to the Rentals Officer recently who appeared to be supportive of the idea and Cllr. Scott hoped to take the matter further with him. It was hoped that villagers would get involved with the necessary clean up. The Chairman congratulated Cllr. Scott for his initiative in putting forward this idea.
Action: T.S.
Cllr. Erskine asked whether the chalky walk bye-way could be reverted to a bridle way. In this respect she would get in touch with Mr. & Mrs. Brand who may, in turn, get in touch with Mr. Stimson.
Action: J.E.
5. Status of Planning Applications. There was nothing to report on this Item although Bob Hatt was concerned about the abuse of a planning application by Mr. Akhtar.
6. Financial Matters. The Financial Officer drew attention to the fact that the skateboard/basketball area was not covered by insurance, which left the Parish Councillors individually exposed in the event of an accident. It was suggested that an appropriate warning sign be placed on the skateboard, and that the area be included in our insurance without delay.
Notice board for Little Chishill. The Clerk reported that when Mr. Cooper (Highways) confirmed the siting, the board would be erected. The Clerk reported the following cheques paid: - £250 (notice board deposit); £72.30 (Newsletter); £45.26
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Cambs. County Ccl. (street lamp payment); £72.34 (R. Hatt); £545 Oliver Davies (notice board) and £65 “Update subscription.
7. To discuss Speedwatch
Cllr. Scott reported that a training meeting had been held recently on the use of a Speedwatch detection unit. 3 Local volunteers are required to be trained in the use of the device, which will log the speed and registration number of any car exceeding 30 mph through the village. Cllr. Dibblee mentioned that Dr. Goodall of Barley Road would be a very willing volunteer.
8. Street Monitoring. There was nothing to report on this Item.
9. Correspondence.
Various emails had been forwarded to the Parish Council including Cambs. & Peterborough Joint Municipal Waste Strategy and Bassingbourn and Melbourn
Neighbourhood Panel next meeting 20th April.
A questionnaire on Allotments had been received from C.P.A.L.C., which the Chairman would complete.
Action:A.G.
A letter from the Secretary of the Village Hall Committee had been received drawing our attention to the problems they are experiencing with young people trying to enter the hall when it is being used by others and also entering the disabled toilet via the window, thus enabling them to have access to the village hall facilities without permission. It is essential that when leaving the hall a check is made that this window is closed, in an effort to stop this nuisance.
10. Any Other Business. County Ccl. McCraith reported that the police had had a “traffic Blitz” on Bassingbourn and Melbourn.
11. To confirm date of next meeting and Annual Parish Council meeting in May.
After discussion it was agreed that the next Parish Council meeting be held on Wednesday 22nd April and the Annual Parish Council meeting on Wednesday, 20th May. It was also suggested that the Annual Parish Meeting be held on 19th June (but this date was flexible and would be confirmed later).
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.