Apologies were received from Parish Councillors S Breeze, N. Whyatt and District Councillor J. Stewart.

Mr Kilby had offered to attend the meeting in response to the letter from the Parish Council earlier in the year after several incidents when access to and also from the village was impossible due to traffic jams on local roads. Mr Kilby explained that there had not been an incident that he knew of when emergency vehicles could not get through a traffic incident and that in the case of the unusual conditions of snow etc the fire and rescue service would always do their up most to attend an emergency.

A full copy of the Fire and Rescue presentation is appended ⁽¹⁾ to these minutes.

It was noted that:

The proposal by Councillor Lang seconded by Councillor Phillips that ‘the minutes be approved as a true record following minor typing corrections’ was carried unanimously and were signed by the Chairman.

As nothing further had been heard since the last meeting it was agreed that Mr Toft and Mr Wan should be contacted to ascertain if they were still interested in the site. It was reported that there might be other interest in the site.

On a proposition by Mr Phillips, seconded by Mr Footman it was resolved to submit a bid for a continuation of the pavement from the Banner Homes development to the Hardwick bridleway, within the 30mph area and the 60p per elector was approved should the bid be successful. A letter requesting the widening of the footpath in Highfields Road from the discretionary budget had already been sent to Phil Sharp.

No reply had been received as yet to the Parish Council’s letter to the Charity Commission. It was reported that Mr Reed had passed the charity’s accounts to the Church.

No response had been received from Mr Heffernon to the Parish Council’s letter. Councillor Stewart had reported to the Clerk that he was pursuing the matter with the District Council.

It was noted that the complaints continued and that approximately two weeks ago loud scraping noises were heard from the factory at 6.45am. Reversing bleepers had also been noted on several occasions. It was agreed that another letter should be sent to the District Council insisting that enforcement action is taken.

Taken earlier under item 4.4.

5.2 Other

5.2.1 A reply from Go East had finally been received in response to the numerous letters, phone calls and faxes from the Parish Council responding to the compulsory orders for the A428. It was noted that the bus shelter would not be effected by the A428 works. Councillor Martlew reported on the public inquiry and it was agreed to look at the implications for village resulting from the nearby Hardwick/Dry Drayton junction. It was agreed that the parish Council supported the concept for less traffic near the village and would not wish to see the current A428 become a rat run.

5.2.2 Affordable housing

The meeting was reminded that representatives from Shire Homes and Nene Housing Society would be attending the next meeting to discuss the allocation and criteria for all affordable/social housing in the village and residents were urged to attend.

A letter from the District Council requesting information on empty homes in the parish and their condition was considered. Two were noted; one near Meurnier House and also Mr Roooke’s dwelling in Highfields Road. It was noted that neighbours near Mr Rooke’s property had been notified that the site might be developed.

It was noted that the village’s status was now designated as ‘Group Village’. Following a rough count of new dwelling built on land allocated under the ‘rural growth status’ it was agreed to monitor the numbers of housing built on the allocated land.

5..2.5 In response to the request from Comberton Badminton Club for a link on the parish website this was approved as the club was non-profit making and residents from Caldecote were welcome to join.

Local Plan No. 2 Modifications. It was noted that this contained nothing relating specifically to Caldecote however it did contain a general piece regarding backland development.

A letter from CALC was received and considered which was in response to the Parish Council’s letter asking them to take up concerns from parish councils in the district at the non-enforcement of S106 Agreements by the District Council. It was noted that they had contact Mr Chris Taylor and were awaiting a reply.

It was noted that Councillor Wolton and the Clerk had been invited to meet with Mr Iain Hayward and the developer’s landscaper to look at the site and would report to the next meeting.

8.2.1 Following the site meeting with Matt Broomfield, Martin Casey and members it was noted that work to the recreation ground still had not started as promised.

8.2.2 It was noted that the village green had been sinking over the storm cell matrix and agreed that this should be monitored.

8.2.3 Mr Newby, present at the meeting was thanked by the Parish Council for kindly undertaking repair work on the to the children’s play area fencing and gate.

8.3 JS Bloor POS matters

The POS is to be checked to see if firstly there are trees on the area that might affect the storm cell matrix and secondly if fencing has or will be provided for the play equipment.

8.3.2 A letter from JS Bloor regarding the transfer of the POS was received and considered. It was noted that JS Bloor were checking with Wilson Connolly when Clare Drive would be opened between the two developments so that the POS containing the turning head could be reinstated before transfer of the two areas at the same time.

The booklet had been received from CALC and would be circulated. It was agreed to carry this matter forward to the next meeting.

All bank statements and invoices were available for checking. On a proposition by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Phillips the payments as shown in the financial statement^(appended) were approved:

One quotation from Herald Contract Services had been received and two contractors had refused to quote because they did not agree with the planting scheme and could not be responsible for ensuring the trees thrived if a similar replacement planting was required. It was agreed that this should be checked with Lesley Dickinson before further quotations were sought.

The contractor had complained that his equipment could not access the two areas without going through the shrubs as the path way still required installation. It was noted that Wilson Connolly had told members at the site meeting that this matter would be attended to.

10.1 An open notice board for village notices and bins for the bus shelter outside the village hall and by the church lay-by are to be considered for next year’s budget.

10.2 The kind offer from Councillors Drayton and Lang to donate bulbs for planting in the village was gratefully received. It was agreed that Councillor Footman should bring a plan recommending locations for their planting to the next meeting.

10.3 A letter is to be sent to the enforcement officer about the fencing adjacent to Bourn bridleway which is restricting access from the Wilson Connolly development to the bridleway.

10.4 Traffic calming. Nothing further was known since the letter from Sue Reynolds to Wilson Connolly in July. Councillor Martlew offered to look into this again. Councillor Footman is to meet with Mr Mike Cooper at 9am on 16 September to discuss this, the lack of kerbing near Hall Drive/Clare Drive and other highway matters.

10.5 A letter is to be sent to Mike Cooper regarding the lack of safety rail near the church.

10.6 It was noted that a second air chamber (rising main) is to be installed by Anglian Water in the bridleway.

10.7 The installation of the telephone kiosk is to be chased.

10.8 Three broken and or missing road signs near the kennels are to be reported to the District Council.

10.9 Councillor Phillips was thanked for kindly straightening bridleway 3’s way marking sign.

10.10 It was noted that the contractor finally had cut some of the verges however base of the trees in West Drive were damaged by the contractors vehicle banging repeatedly into the base of the trees.

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.45pm.