Present: Parish Councillors; T. Footman, O. Kember (Chairman), J. Lang, P. Phillips, Dr C Stopp, F. Wolton and Mrs LG Stoehr (Clerk).

It was noted that Mrs Turner (Clerk) had resigned and that the minutes would be taken by Mrs Stoehr.

Councillor B Drayton, County Councillor R. Martlew and District Councillor J. Stewart

2.1 5 September

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the minutes be approved as a true record' was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the minutes.

2.2 12 September (extra-ordinary meeting)

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'the minutes be approved as a true record' was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the minutes.

3.1 5 September

3.1.1 Telephone kiosk re-siting update

Further to the August meeting and the letter sent to Mr Don Jones by the Chairman Mr Jones had telephoned Mrs Turner. As no details were to hand it was agreed to carry this matter forward to the next meeting.

3.1.2 Speed limits within the development roads

As no replies to the Council's letters had been received it was agreed to carry this matter forward to the next meeting.

3.1.3 Notice board and schematic map location and design update

The revised schematic map is to be sent to Signworks.

3.1.4 East Drive access - no reply carry forward.

3.1.5 TKA Tallent Chassis

A letter of complaint form Mr and Mrs Bell of West Drive regarding continuing noise disturbance was considered. It was agreed to carry this letter froward to the next meeting until Mr McCrystall had replied to the Chairman's letter.

3.1.6 Bus shelter near the village hall

It was noted that the base had been levelled as requested but only with soil and therefore there was not a proper pedestrian entry to the village hall. It was agreed to carry this matter forward to the next meeting until a reply had been received from Wilson Connolly.

3.1.7 Granta homes landscaping

A letter had been received indicating that Granta would look into this matter and report back.

3.1.8 One of the two benches kindly donated by Councillor Lang had now been installed on the recreation ground. The other is to be installed once the location has been decided. The proposal by Councillor Footman, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'two plaques with the wording 'donated by J Lang 2002' be purchased by the Clerk and put on the benches' was carried unanimously.

3.2 12 September

3.2.1 Notice boards. As Councillor Drayton was not present it was agreed to carry this item forward to the next meeting.

3.2.2 Village sign

The County Council is to be asked to reposition and reduce the height of the 40mph sign near the village sign.

The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Phillips that 'the village sign be added to the Council's insurance policy' was carried unanimously.

4.1 IC Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Publication Schemes

A letter and supporting information on the Act had been received and was noted. It was agreed to circulate this and discuss it further at the next meeting.

4.2 Proposed Parishing of the New Settlement of Cambourne

Following consideration of the draft consultation document it was agreed that the Parish Council noted the draft but had no comments.

The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Footman that 'the Parish Council submit the same bid as last year to widen the pavements in Highfields Road and agree to the 60p per elector should the bid be successful' was carried unanimously.

4.4 South Cambridgeshire District Council's Housing Strategy.

4.5 A complaint from Mr Speed of West Drive that large lorries were using the 11 ton limit bridge and coming up through the narrow road was considered. It was noted that the Chairman had already given him contact details for the relevant authorities so that Mr Speed could further his complaint.

4.6 Noise at the Social Club.

A copy of Mr McKeown's letter of complaint to the Social Club was received and noted.

4.7 A428 Access.

A copy of a letter from Andrew Lansley MP to Brian Smith, Director of Environment and Transport, Cambridgeshire County Council regarding the access to the A428 once the proposed dualling is completed was noted.

4.8 Bosserts Way.

A copy of a letter dated 15 September from the residents in Bosserts Way to Mr S Daniels of Target Construction refusing right of access and refusing to grant a way leave for drainage was received and noted.

4.9 Highfields Court.

A copy of a letter from D Hussell, the District Council's Planning Director to Councillor Jim Stewart regarding complaints received regarding the request to renumber Highfields Park. The proposal by the Chairman that 'the Parish Council agrees the existing practice as designating Highfields Court should be maintained' was carried.

4.10 Multi-play arena.

Correspondence from Simon McIntosh, Assistant Director of Housing and Community Services, regarding the recent site visit to consider a proposed grant application from CALYPSO for the multi-purpose arena was received and considered.

The District Council's reluctance to support an application following its recent consultation with nearby residents and the proximity of the facility some 65 metres to the nearest housing was noted.

In response it was noted that

The Clerk was asked to reply pointing out the above and saying that the Parish Council was disappointment at the District Council's change in position at such a late stage.

4.11 Whippet bus service

In response to two complaints about Whippet bus service firstly the cancellation of the last bus at 5.35pm and secondly regarding the driver arriving early in the morning and waiting with his engine running the proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Dr Stopp that 'a letter of concern be sent to the bus company' was carried unanimously.

4.12 A copy of a letter from Mrs Morley, 63 Highfields Road to Pat Matthews at the District Council regarding the awarded ditch adjacent to her property had been received. It was agreed to carry this forward and discuss this under item 7.2.

4.13 Complaint regarding Planning Appeal handling for application to r/o 65 Highfields Road

The letter from The Planning Inspectorate in reply to the Parish Council's complaint at the way that the Appeal at 65 Highfields Road had been handled was considered. It was noted that the Inspectorate had finally admitted that their Inspector had been wrong.

5.1 S/1788/02/F Lloyds/TSB, BP Childerley gate Filling Station - Extension for ATM Room. The proposal by Councillor Footman, seconded by Councillor Dr Stopp, that 'the Parish Council refuse the application on the grounds of:

5.2 Lloyds/TSB BP Childerley Gate Filling Station - sign. Approved by the Parish Council.

5.3 S/1832/02/F Barker, The Old Rectory - shed. No recommendation from the Parish Council.

5.4 Notice had been received that the District Council had reused the application for 353 St Neots Road and granted permission to Mrs Woods, R/O 15-17 West Drive, 42 East Drive for an extension and garage, Wilson Connolly Phase 2 with numerous conditions and the Primary School's swimming pool.

6.1 Wilson Connolly recreation ground

A complaint from Mr Watson regarding children using the slide as a skateboard ramp was considered. It was agreed to look into bylaws at the next meeting.

6.2 Wilson Connolly traffic calming

A letter of complaint from Mr B Chapman, Calor Gas Stockists regarding the problems when delivering to the village because of the road mumps was noted. It was agreed to carry this item forward to the next meeting when the plans could be studied again.

6.3 Wilson Connolly orchids

Carry forward to the next meeting.

6.4 Wilson Connolly shop

In response to the letter of concern from a resident regarding the proposed shop site it was agreed that a letter should be sent in reply noting his concerns and explaining that no formal detailed application has been received for a take away or other.

6.5 Grafton Pig Farms development

In response to the letter from Mrs Fletcher Councillor Kember proposed that the Parish Council accept Mrs Fletcher's offer of £160,000 to be used at the Parish Council's discretion. This was not seconded.

The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Phillips, that the Parish Council reply that 'it is considering the offer of £160,00 however an offer of £200,000 was more the amount that the Council had in mind. Additionally, the Parish Council was both surprised and disappointed that her client is not prepared to grant public access or landscape, the retained land nor provide a circular woodland walk as previously agreed in a public meeting attended by Mr Callin on 13 July and in writing on 27 July' was carried with five votes in favour and one vote against.

6.6 Banner and Bloor including S106 and POS obligations

In response to Mr Ian Heywood's call regarding the transfer of the POS which had now been seeded it was agreed to carry this forward to allow time for the S106 to be considered at the next meeting.

It was noted that nothing had been heard from JS Bloor and that the children's play equipment had not been installed.

The Chairman's report on his and Councillor Wolton attendance at this meeting was received and considered.

It was noted that Pat Matthews had telephoned offering to support the Parish Council in identifying measures required to improve the awarded watercourse and assisting with works if applicable if the Parish Council will carry out a visual survey of the watercourse in the first instance and highlight problem areas on a map. It was agreed that Councillor Wolton, Drayton and Footman would do the survey.

7.3 A letter from Gareth Guest, Cambridgeshire County Council's Bridges Engineer regarding works to the bridge over Bourn brook was received and considered. The County Council is to be given details for the landowners adjacent to the brook where known.

It was agreed to circulate information on parish plans before the next meeting and that an item be included in the next Journal seeking support. An application for Countryside Agency via its Vital Villages Scheme will also be considered further at the next meeting.

The Clerk reported that the Internal Audit had been completed and the Parish Council thanked Mrs Sakia Dart who was present at the meeting. Comments on the Audit included: minor amendments to VAT claims are to be made on the next claim including the Staples credit and late banking of one grant cheque.

The proposal by Councillor Phillips, seconded by Councillor Wolton, that 'the following bills be paid:

Mrs C Turner - £30 Clerking' was carried unanimously.

Additionally Mr Gaze's invoice was considered and the proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'the Parish Council pay £1538 as agreed in the contract(1500 plus delivery charges)' was carried unanimously.

Further to the decision at the last meeting to pay James Blake just £450 towards their invoice the Clerk advised that the Parish Council should pay 12 x £43.50 = £522 plus VAT i.e. £613.35 as agreed in the contract. The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Dr Stopp that 'a payment of £613.35 to James Blake be approved' was carried unanimously.

The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Dr Stopp that 'given the current problems finding a Clerk and Responsible Officer, Mrs G Stoehr of LGS Services be contracted to supply clerking and financial services to the Parish Council for £147.18 pcm. Mrs Stoehr being known as the Clerk and/or proper officer and the Responsible Financial Officer of the Council' was carried unopposed.

10.1 A parishioner had requested a dog bin near Bosserts Way. Agenda item for the next meeting.

10.2 It was noted that the bin outside the club had been vandalised. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the club.

10.3 The road name sign Highfields Road near Strympole Way is still broken. Report again to the District Council.

10.4 Councillor Wolton reported that the perspex in the A428 bus shelter did not have any perspex in the windows it was agreed to leave this for the time being.

10.5 It was noted that the graffiti had now been removed by the City Council.

10.6 Highfields Road blocked culverts and standing water on the road is to be reported to Highway Division.

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at pm.