Minutes of the Caldecote Parish Council Meeting on 2 May 2002 at 7.30pm
in the village hall
Present: Parish Councillors; B Drayton, T. Footman, O. Kember (Chairman), J. Lang, P. Phillips, F. Wolton and Mr Mark Kemp, Cambridgeshire County Council Network Manager and Mrs LG Stoehr (Clerk).
1.1 Election of Chairman
The proposal by Councillor Lang, seconded by Councillor Footman ‘that Owen Kember be elected Chairman’ was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
1.2 Election of Vice-Chairman
The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Footman ‘that Frank Wolton be elected as Vice-Chairman’ was carried unanimously.
1.3 Parish Councillors’ roles and responsibilities
The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang, that ‘the following responsibilities be approved:
Conservation and Tree Officer – Councillor Footman
Traffic and Highways – Councillor Wolton
Safer Caldecote/ Vandalism/ Police matters – Councillor Phillips
Safer Villages Initiative – Councillor Dr Stopp
Village Development – Councillor Kember
Village amenities/Community Audit/Webmaster – Councillor Lang
Wider and local planning – Councillor Drayton’ was carried unanimously.
1.4 Representatives on outside bodies
It was noted that Ian Slatter is to continue as the Minor Authorities Appointed Governor.
The proposal by Councillor Lang seconded by Councillor Kember that' Councillor Dr Stopp be elected as the Parish Council's CALC representative' was carried unanimously.
2. Apologies for absence
Councillor Dr C Stopp, District Councillor J. Stewart and County Councillor R. Martlew
3. To approve the minutes of the last meeting on 4 April 2002
The proposal by Councillor Phillips, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the minutes be approved as a true record with minor typing corrections was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the minutes.
On a proposition by the Chairman it was agreed to bring forward item 4.2.
4. Matters arising including
4.2 (3.1) Highfields Road
The Chairman welcomed Mr Mark Kemp to the meeting. Mr Kemp explained his role as Cambridgeshire County Council's Network Manager with responsibility for South and East Cambridgeshire. Mr Kemp agreed that:
It was also agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr P Sharp at the County Council to request the correct speed signs be erected without delay.
The Chairman, on behalf of the meeting thanked Mr Kemp for attending.
4.1 (3.4) Community policing and wardens
The Chairman welcomed PC Chris Bradley to the meeting. Recent incidents including the damage to the parish notice board near the social club were discussed. PC reported that he intended to confront juvenile crime and behaviour early. Concern was expressed at cars in the village parked at night facing the wrong way or on footpaths. PC Bradley agreed to monitor this and take appropriate action. He also agreed to put a piece in the Journal.
The Chairman thanked PC Bradley for attending.
4.3 (11.1) Village sign
Councillor Phillips reported on his visit to Mr Gaze's home workshop. It was noted that Mr Gaze had said that the sign was still at the foundry. The base has now been completed.
4.4 (3.3) Awarded watercourse
A letter dated 27 March had now been received from Mr Pat Matthews, Land Drainage Manager confirming that the District Council will carry out maintenance works to the Award Drain and that it will be added to SCDC's normal maintenance schedule but pointing out however the ultimate responsibility does not rest with SCDC and he cannot guarantee that the District Council may not always be agreeable to these works.
4.5 Renumbering of Highfields Court
A letter had been received from Diane Duncan at the District Council saying that she had begun the consultation process with a view to renumber Highfields Court from 74. It was agreed that a letter and a map should be sent showing the houses and fields that have not been taken into consideration and that the name of the caravan park should be clarified.
4.6 Village map/schematic map display board
It was agreed that this should be on the next agenda.
5. To attend to correspondence received since the last meeting
5.1 The letter from the audit commission regarding the new audit regulations were discussed. It was agreed to discuss the appointment of an Internal Auditor further at the next meeting after the Clerk had attended training.
5.2 The District Council's intention to carry out a Housing Needs Survey was noted.
5.3 Letter from Mrs Daines re outstanding whitethorn hedging near the A428 roundabout. The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Footman that 'quotations be sought for both the replacement of the hedging and the daffodil bulbs with a view to Wilson Connolly being asked to pay for the work' was carried unanimously. Agenda item for the next meeting.
6. Planning received since the last meeting including
6.1 S/0804/02/F Mr & Mrs Oatham, 129 Highfields Road - extension to bungalow to form a two storey dwelling The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'the application be approved by the Parish Council' was carried unanimously.
6.2 S/0833/02/F Mr & Mrs Tompkinson, 44 Highfields Road - conservatory. Councillor Footman declared an interest in the application and Councillor Drayton declared a pecuniary interest and withdrew from the discussion and the decision. The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'the application be approved by the Parish Council' was carried unanimously.
6.3 S/0858/02/F Childerley Restoration, 57 Highfields Road - extensions.
The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton, that 'the Parish Council refuse the application with the comments that this application is approved by the Parish Council only with the proviso that the awarded ditch is reinstated. Any existing piping should be replaced with pipes of the correct dimension (as per the Environment Agency's current legislation)' was carried unanimously. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Mr Pat Matthews seeking his support in this matter.
It was noted that the District Council had granted permission subject to conditions to:
Stevens - Highfields Road; Target Constructions - Bosserts Way, Trentham - 10 Bosserts Way, Bayman - West Drive and Woods - land at R/O 15/17 West Drive.
6.4 Wilson Connolly - relocation of substation on phase 2 was noted and the proposal by Councillor Lang, seconded by Councillor Kember that 'the Parish Council approve its relocation' was carried unanimously.
7. The village development including Grafton Pig Farm development
7.1 Banner Homes. The e-mail from David Bacon saying that he was under the impression that agreement had been struck with Anglian Water prior to the installation of the new foul water drain was noted but that he would check.
7.2 Outstanding drainage plans for the Banner site had now been received from the District Council.
7.3 Grafton Pig Farm development. The letter dated from Mrs Sally Fletcher of January's was considered. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang, carried unanimously, that 'a reply be sent commenting as follows:
Pavilion
The Parish Council is pleased that your client is agreeable to providing in principle a pavilion for the parish. A small committee has been set up to consider the parish's requirements and I will forward draft plans and for a pavilion and associated parking etc as soon as they are available.
Shop
To clarify the current position on a shop in the village. Wilcon Homes Ltd was required as part of their S106 Agreement to provide a site with outline planning permission and to market the site for 10 years. They were not required to build or give the parish an actual shop. This is the only designated shop site in the village and the Parish Council is not requesting an additional site. We estimate that to purchase the site and build a shop will be in the region of £200,000.
Now it has been established that your client is no longer required to provide an affordable housing contribution the Parish Council would be grateful if your client would be agreeable to provide instead, substantive funds to enable the site to be purchased and a shop built by the Parish Council or to if it becomes necessary to change our plans be used for another project of the Council's choice.
Access to the site adjacent to the school
As custodians of parish assets, rather than the Parish Council providing confirmation of its ownership of this land, the Parish Council put it to you that you should provide evidence of your ownership and right to develop the access as proposed.
Dog-walking path
The Parish Council seeks further clarification on the exact location of your suggested 'dog-walking' path as it is unclear if you suggest that this will be within the boundary of the parish recreation ground or on your client's site. Perhaps a plan might help us visualise your suggestion better.
We note that you indicate that you would like to gift to the parish council the boundary hedge. The Parish Council would like to give this point more thought at its next meeting once it has received your response to our letter and had an opportunity to considered the suggested dog-walking path further.
As background, Mr Callin attended a meeting on 13 July and on 27 July he presented a document which indicated that
'any future development of the village was seen to be medium to long term and that in the interim period consideration would be given to the public being given access to the wood and rough grassed areas. The land would remain in my clients ownership but the public liability and maintenance of the grassed area would have to become a responsibility of the Parish Council (full details to be considered)'.
He later goes on to say that
'I have not discussed in any detail how the surplus land would be managed but this could be readily resolved with my clients. I am confident that an agreement could be reached whereby the Parish Council/public could have access/use of the areas coloured in green on Plan A albeit at and appropriate Lease (outside the provisions of the Landlord and Tenants Act) to be in place'.
It was this aspect which the Parish Council wished to explore further possibly as a dog-walking area.
Finally, as is usual in Section 106 Agreements the Parish Council seek your assurance that your client will meet all the Parish Council's reasonable costs during the preparation and signing of the Section 106 Agreement so that we may appoint a Solicitor to act and advise the Council as necessary'.
7.4 Orchid reinstatement. A letter in response from the District Council and Wilson Connolly is outstanding.
8. To receive and consider the report from
8.1 Recreation Ground Working Party
The Clerk reported that it appeared that according to the S106 Agreement the recreation ground, including the tennis courts, should have been established no later than the planting season after the 50 house (free market dwelling) is occupied. This District Council has confirmed was in July 2001. This means that the whole recreation ground should have been established and open for public use (tennis courts, smaller children's play area etc) before 31 March 2002. This clearly has not been the case and Wilson Connolly appear to be in breach of its obligations. On a proposition by Councillor Drayton seconded by Councillor Wolton, carried unanimously, it was agreed that the Clerk and Councillors Drayton and Lang should meet and clarify the position with the Council's solicitor and that reasonable ensuing action should be taken as advised by the solicitor.
8.2 Shop Working Party
Councillor Lang reported on the communication from Dr Hawkins and the village's interest in having a shop.
9. Payment of bills
The proposal by Councillor Drayton, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the following bills be paid:
K Martlew - £33 salary
M Kember - £35 salary
Cornhill Insurance - £314.85 insurance policy (following satisfactory review)
Mission Computers - £206.10 Journal printing
Caldecote Village Institute - £45 room hire' was carried unanimously.
The proposal by Councillor Lang seconded by Councillor Kember that in accordance with its powers under Section 137 of the Local Government Act, 1972, the Council pays the already approved (at the Budget meeting) £500 to St Michael's Church which, in the opinion of the Council is in the interests of the area and its inhabitants was carried unanimously.
The proposal by Councillor Lang, seconded by Councillor Kember that 'the Parish Council increase its website space by agreeing an additional payment of £12.95 per annum to Portland' was carried unanimously.
10. Councillors' items
10.1 The caravan erected on Highfields Road was noted.
10.2 Broadband access. It was agreed to invite Neville Hawkins to attend the next meeting to discuss this initiative.
10.3 It was noted that there had been dog fouling in the village hall grounds.
10.4 Stray dogs in the village had been observed.
10.5 Councillor Wolton reported that he had kindly repaired the notice board lock in lower Caldecote.
10.6 It was agreed that Karen Champion should be notified that following recent hedge trimming by Mr George the trimmings had been trampled into the ground by the local hunt.
10.7 The redundant access gateway to Wilson Connolly Phase 1 site in Highfields Road is to be reported to Mr Pat Matthews.
10.8 The Highfields Road sign is to be reported again to Diane Duncan for reinstatement.
11. Closure of meeting and Parish Matters
There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.44pm.
signed…………………………………Chairman…….…………………Date.