Minutes of the Caldecote Parish Council Meeting on 3 October 2002 at 7

Minutes of the Caldecote Parish Council Meeting on 3 April 2003 at 7.30pm

in the village hall

Present: Parish Councillors; B Drayton, T. Footman, O. Kember (Chairman), J. Lang, P. Phillips, Dr C. Stopp, F. Wolton, Councillor County Councillor R. Martlew, District Councillor J. Stewart and Mrs G. Stoehr (Clerk).

1. Apologies for absence

Nil.

2. To approve the minutes of

2.1 the meeting on 6 March

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

2.2 the public and extra-ordinary meeting on 13 March

The proposal by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Phillips that 'the public and extra-ordinary meeting minutes be approved as a true record' was carried unanimously and were signed by the Chairman

2.3 the public and extra-ordinary meeting on 14 March

The proposal by Councillor Lang, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the public and extra-ordinary meeting minutes be approved as a true record' was carried unanimously and the Chairman signed the minutes.

3. Matters arising

3.1 School hedging

A letter from Ian Slatter who had undertaken the work on behalf of the school was read and the Chairman reported on a conversation with Mr Barry Fletcher.

3.2 Bylaws

It was agreed to carry this forward to the next agenda to allow time for the papers to be circulated.

3.3 Emergency procedures and responses from the Emergency Services

Letters from the Primary Care Trust and Cambridge Fire and Rescue detailing their contingency plans were received and considered. It was agreed to carry forward emergency procedures to the next meeting until the information had been circulated around all members. The proposal by the Chairman that 'a representative from Cambridge Fire and Rescue be invited to the Annual Parish Meeting if available' was carried unanimously.

3.4 Reinstatement of grass at the children's play area

It was noted that the grass in the children's play area had been reinstated by Anglian Playground Services however the area now needed rain or watering. It was agreed to monitor the growth and that Councillors Drayton, Lang and Wolton would look into alternative surfacing options.

3.5 Parish paths including the dumping of bottles on P1, the surface of Portway bridleway and Bourn Drift

3.5.1 A copy of the letter from Karen Champion giving advice regarding dumping and saying that they could be cleared off the bridleway by Environmental Health but not off private land is to be sent to Mr Venal at 3 Highfields Farm.

3.5.2 Councillor Footman reported that he had discussed the surface work with Karen Champion. It was agreed that the surface was improved.

3.5.3 Rising main on Bourn bridleway.

Concern was expressed that the rising main approximately 200 yards from the first left hand bend was still leaking despite repeated reports and discussions with Anglian Water. It was agreed to report the matter to the Environment Agency.

3.6 Telephone kiosk re-siting

As nothing further had been heard about the suggested location it was agreed to contact BT again.

3.7 TKA Thyssen Chassis Ltd

Mr McCrystall's reply indicated the progress on the bund to date was considered. Mr Carter of Highfields Road had reported crashing for 10 minutes one morning and the sound of fork lift truck beeping at 7.30pm were noted. Contact is to be made again with Mr Heffernon at the District Council and it was agreed that if the matter did not improve the Parish Council would give further consideration to declaring the factory a statutory nuisance.

3.8 Traffic calming and speed bumps

A copy of a letter from James Dunn from Wilson Connolly to Michael Oakman asking that he declare the bumps satisfactory was read. Councillor Martlew reported that Mike Cooper had said that the bumps were not nearly near the required specification and it was agreed to as Michael Oakman to declare the bumps non-compliant. Copies of two letters from residents to the County Council about damage to their cars were noted.

3.9 Bridge reconstruction

Gareth Guest is to be asked for a progress report. The removal of the hedge was noted and it was agreed that a letter be sent insisting on the reinstatement and suitable landscaping when the work to the bridge was finished.

3.10 Highways Agency's consultation on the A428 and the bus shelter.

A token acknowledgement had been received from the Highway Agency to the Parish Council's letter about the bus shelter on the A428. Another formal letter is to be sent.

3.11 Postal complaints

An acknowledgement letter from PostWatch had been received and it was agreed that this matter should be carried forward to the next meeting.

3.12 Grafton Pig Farms

It was noted that the rats had decreased on the pig farm site but had moved elsewhere in the village. It was agreed to put the Pest Control Officer's contact details in the Journal.

4. To attend to correspondence/communications received since the last meeting

Minor correspondence for information is to be circulated.

4.1 SCDC consultation on the draft Economic Development Strategy

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the responses as noted by Councillor Lang be sent to the District Council' was carried unanimously.

4.2 DefRA Quality Council Status

Noted.

4.3 SCDC Rough sleepers count

None known within the parish.

4.4 Periodic Electoral Review of Cambridgeshire County Council - the Boundary Committee

To be circulated.

4.5 CCC Local Transport Plan

It was noted that the consultation period would begin shortly and it was agreed to carry this forward to the next meeting.

4.6 Parishioner correspondence

4.6.1 A letter from residents in Cavendish Close was received and considered. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that a reply be sent saying that the Parish Council sympathises with the concerns but is unfortunately unable to do very much about the paved areas.

When the development was first conceived and during each stage of the planning consultations the Parish Council strongly objected to the inclusion of private drives.

The blocked paving areas were to be conveyed on purchase to the adjacent householder. With joint responsibility for maintenance' was carried unanimously.

It was agreed that once the POS had been transferred to the Parish Council it would once again consider the issue regarding damage to the edge of the public open space.

4.6.2 A letter from Mr McKeown regarding the school swimming pool was considered.

4.6.3 A letter from Mrs Robbarts about the damage to her property done by vehicles going over the speed bumps was noted.

4.6.4 Mr Salisbury's letter to Wilson Connolly was noted and Mr Salisbury was asked to let the Parish Council know the outcome.

5. Planning received since the last meeting

5.1 S/0313/03/F Rush, The Shielings, Highfields Road - erection of dwelling following demolition of existing bungalow (carried forward from the March meeting) The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Drayton that 'the Parish Council refuse the application with the following comments

The Parish Council note the existing agricultural use of the property and field. It does not object in principle, however to development which will enhance a run down area but does consider as essential:

A legal agreement for maintaining the road to the A428 and to Highfields Road

satisfactory foul water and surface water drainage systems

A condition that the field attached to the house and grounds is properly maintained either as an agricultural unit or as a larger garden/paddock to the house' was carried unanimously.

5.2 S/0459/02/F Ashwell Developments Ltd. Grafton Pig Farm - erection of 6 dwellings- amended

'No recommendation. The Parish Council support the acoustic screening'.

5.3 S/0460/02/F Ashwell Developments, Grafton Pig Farm - erection of 33 dwellings - amended.

'No recommendation.

The Parish Council offer the following comments on the application:

The access/exit to from Highfields Road to West Drive as marked on the attached plan needs to be looked at. In particular the Parish Council is concerned at the junction being so close to the nearby traffic calming chicanes.

The bollards should be continued on the POS between the private drive and the POS as marked on the plan (A) (Ashwell Developments have verbally indicated their agreement to this)

A bollard should be provided at the entrance to the POS path as marked on the plan (B)

The path from the development adjacent to the small POS area is to be made safe by culverting the ditch which runs along the southern boundary of the site as marked on the plan (C )

The Planning permission should be subject to a S160 Agreement being signed which includes for £160,000 for a 'tangible community facility' and an amount of commuted sum for the future maintenance of the POS following transfer to the Parish Council. The Parish Council is agreeable in principle to taking over the two areas of POS within the southern site, the hedge on the southern boundary and the strip marked on the plan (D) subject to the signing of the S106 Agreement

The triangle of land marked on the plan (E) should be included within the curtilage of plots 1 & 4. The Parish Council does not want to adopt this land.

Permitted development rights should be taken away from the dwellings to prevent any loft conversions or windows being added in the roof - to protect the neighbours

A 1.8m close boarded fence with 0.6 trellis on top should be provided along the northern site boundary (Ashwell Developments have verbally indicated their agreement to this)

The Parish Council support the mix and amended dwelling styles and also the reduced number of dwellings as shown on this application.'

It was greed to send a letter to the County Council regarding the chicanes near the school and to ask the Police to carryout speed checks near the school.

5.4 S/0140/03/F Leaman, 38 West Drive - amended. Approved by the Parish Council.

6. The village development including

6.1 Orchids Management Plan

A copy of the management plan for the Orchids had been received and is to be circulated.

6.2 Other

The Chairman reported that he had been contacted by the Pat Matthews and would be shortly visiting the village to undertake further works.

7. Recreation grounds and public open spaces including

7.1 Sports association

Councillor Wolton reported on the Sports Association meeting held yesterday evening attended by Jane Lampshire the District Council's Sports Development Officer. It was agreed to circulate the minutes from the meeting once available.

It was noted that rocks and stones were being thrown into the tennis court ad that children had been seen climbing the tennis court fencing. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Wilson Connolly drawing attention to both these matters. Mr J Newby offered to sign a declaration that the tennis courts had not been laid correctly.

7.2 Other

7.2.1 Councillor Wolton reported that on 21 March he had been called out to the recreation ground by a resident and had witnessed 30 teenagers acting inappropriately. This had been reported to the Police.

7.2.2 CALYPSO and the Multi-Use Games Arena (MUGA)

Councillor Phillips reported that delays in the kick about area transfer threatened the grant offer from WREN. It was agreed to contact WREN to explain the situation and ask for an extension on the grant. It was noted that the equipment would take approximately 10-11 weeks from order to delivery and installation.

7.2.3 It was noted that the small gate on the children's play area may have been damaged and Councillor Wolton kindly offered to check this.

8. Finance and payment of bills

On a proposition by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Footman the following payments were approved:

LGS Services - £708.06 clerking and expenses

Signworks - £646.25 schematic maps

CALC - £259.04 affiliation fee and publication

K Martlew - £33 Salary

Sports Association - £100 start up grant

8.1 Community Association affiliation fees

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that the Parish Council agree to pay the £5 Community Association affiliation fee.

9. To agree the dates for the First and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and the Annual Parish Meeting

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the First and Annual Meeting be held on 15 May and the Annual Parish Meeting be held on 22 May' was carried unanimously.

Councillor Drayton tended his apologies for both meetings.

10. Councillors’ items

10.1 It was noted that the ESPI Network House advertising sign had still not been removed and it should be reported to the Enforcement Officer again.

10.2 Daffodils is to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

10.3 Councillor Wolton reported that he had met with Mike Cooper to consider the surface water run off on the highway on the hill to the north of the church. It was noted that there were several ponds in the area and Councillor Wolton agreed to discuss the matter with the owners.

11. Closure of meeting and Parish Matters

Mr Newby asked that the Parish Council give consideration to the effects of traffic using the recreation ground. It was agreed that this should be an agenda item at the next meeting.

The Chairman ended the meeting by thanking the members for all their hard work during the term of this Council and for their 'good fellowship'. Thanks were also extended to both Councillor Stewart and Councillor Martlew.

The meeting and councillors echoed their thanks to the Chairman.

It was noted that the seven existing members of the Parish Council had been returned uncontested and that Mr Steve Breeze from West Drive had also been elected to the Parish Council. Mr Neale Whyatt from College Farm, Main Street had stood for election but unfortunately his form had been returned. An invitation was extended to Mr Whyatt to attend the next meeting with a view to co-option.

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.28pm.

Signed…………………………………Chairman…….…………………Date.