Apologies were received Councillor B. Drayton and District Cllr J. Stewart.

On a proposition by Cllr Kember seconded by Cllr Phillips it was resolved that the minutes be approved as a true record with two amendments firstly to show in Item 7.3 ‘Chris Taylor’ and secondly to 5.1.2 to show ‘speed bumps’. The Chairman signed the minutes.

The letter from Mike Sugden dated 5 December was noted. This said that he would take up the 30% equity share issue and that Mrs Pauline Gardner would contact the Parish Council. To date Mrs Gardner had not made contact.

3.2 (7.2.2.2) Mrs Sue Reynolds reply to the Parish Council’s letter regarding its concerns at the traffic calming outside the school which did nothing to slow traffic and its closeness to the proposed access to the Ashwell Development was considered. It was agreed that a reply be sent requesting details of the proposals and insisting that the Parish Council be kept fully informed and reiterating that speed and not parking is the issue at the school. It was also agreed to invite Sue Reynolds to meet with members, governors on site at either 9am or 3.15pm on a school day to witness the problems.

3.3 (11.1) The reply from the Environment Agency stating that the ditch was the District Council’s responsibility was considered. As the Parish Council knew this was no correct advise it was agreed to resolve this matter to write to Mr Pat Matthews, Land Drainage Manager and ask if the District Council would formally adopt the ditch in front of the Wilson Connolly Phase 1 development.

3.4 (11.3) Karen Champion had telephone to say that she was still trying to get Wilson Connolly to lay the French drains and that she had arranged for some bark chippings to be put on Path 3. Cllr Footman’s kind offer to spread these was gratefully accepted.

3.5 (11.4) No reply had as yet been received from the Highway Agency in response to the HGV parking between the exit and entrance of the BP garage on the A428.

3.6 (11.5) The outcome of the Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Bid was not yet known.

Mr Massey’s report, expressing concern that the speed that Mr Heffernon was suggesting meant that this matter would not be resolved until spring at the earliest, was read out. Nothing had been heard from Mr McCrystal in response to the Parish Council’s request for a site visit. It was agreed that any residents experiencing noise nuisance should contact Mr Heffernon directly and that he should be asked to provide his night time contact number.

4.1.1 Mr Scotcher’s complaint that Cleanaway and District Council refuse vehicles were damaging the private drive in front of 9-11 Cavendish Way was considered. It was noted that the Clerk had had already complained to Cleanaway and the District and advised Mr Scotcher to notify the District Council formally that he would hold them responsible for any damage by their vehicles. The residents moving their bins to the end of the private drive for collection would also help to prevent vehicle going down the drive. Mr Scotcher had also raised the change in paving edging form concrete to wood adjacent to the public open space. It was agreed to clarify this with Mrs Lesley Dickinson.

The letter from Eltisley Parish Council asking for support to campaign to get Parish Council’s listed as exempt as non-profit making organisations was considered. On a proposition by Cllr Stopp, seconded by Cllr Kember it was agreed to write to the MP and CALC in support.

On a proposition by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang the following responses were given to the applications:

5.1 S/0460/02F Ashwell Developments – amendment – No recommendation from the Parish Council.

The Chairman invited Mr Butler-Finbow to outline the amendments to the application, which included minor modifications to the designs of each property. It was noted that Ashwell Developments were in the tender process for the demolition on the site and that the construction work was due to start in April or May. It was also noted that the company now owned the sites.

5.2 S/2334/03/F Rainbow, 84 West Drive – demolition of existing dwelling and outbuilding and erection of 2 dwellings – amendment – No recommendation by the Parish Council with comments that the Parish Council note the amendments to the plans and the information on the drainage, the driveway and the standing area. It appears from these plans that the driveway has been narrowed and the Parish Council is slightly concerned at this. Clarification is requested.

Nothing to note.

6.2 Wilson Connolly

6.2.1 The letter from Martin Cassey to Chris Taylor dated 11 December stating that the drainage would be installed in strict accordance with the S106 Agreement was received with delight. It was noted that the drainage and seeding works would be carried out by MCM Landscaping Ltd. Atkins are to be informed so that they may undertake the checks on the specification.

6.2.2 The installation for the cricket square was considered and it was agreed that the Sports Association with support from Cllr Kember, Cllr Wolton and other interested members should consider the overall layout of the field to include the site for the cricket square, pavilion etc and bring a recommendation to the next meeting. A letter is to be sent to Wilson Connolly asking them to release the cricket square contribution.

6.2.3 It was agreed that Mr Newby should draft a letter which would be sent to Wilson Connolly after being checked by the Chairman.

6.2.4 It was drawn to the Parish Council’s attention that there continued to be problems with other areas of plantings, not as yet transferred to the Parish Council, within the Wilson Connolly site.

6.2.5 It was noted that James Blake had contacted the Council before Christmas regarding the management plans for the POS areas including the orchids which was long overdue.

Mr Blake sought clarification if the plan should be less detailed than required in the S106 and the Chairman and Clerk had reiterated the need for the S106 Agreement to be followed although he implications for the Parish Council undertaking these following transfer needed to be clarified with Mrs Dickinson.

6.3 JS Bloor POS matters – to consider the letter from Mills and Reeve

The letter from Mr Chris Taylor agreeing with Mr Farrant’s interpretation that JS Bloor trigger points were Phase 2 was noted.

6.4 CALYPSO and kick about area

6.4.1 It was noted that a letter had been sent to Customs and Excise regarding the situation for reclaiming VAT on the WREN grant which would not be paid through the Parish Council’s accounts. The implication was that possibly another £5,000 to cover VAT would have to be found to fund the project.

6.4.2 Cllr Phillips reported that Wilson Connolly had kindly provided free of charge the safety fencing. It was agreed that Cllr Phillips should put an article about the project delays in the Caldecote Journal.

A letter from Comberton Parish Council asking if Caldecote was interested in joint funding a PCSOS with some other parish councils was received and considered.

On a proposition by Cllr Kember, seconded by Cllr Footman it was agreed given the problems with youth vandalism in the village there was a need for improved security measures and that additional funds should be allocated in the forthcoming budget. It was also agreed to explore PCSOS’s further with the other parish council’s and that Cllr Stopp should be Caldecote Parish Council’s representative for this matter.

The bank statements and invoices were checked by the signatories.

On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Footman it was resolved that the following payments as listed in the finance report appended ⁽¹⁾ to these minutes, were approved:

It was noted that

Further to the last meeting the draft budget report was considered and on a proposition by Cllr Kember seconded by Cllr Breeze and carried unanimously the full budget (^{as appended 2)} to these minutes was unanimously approved:

In summary:

9.3 To approve the Precept for FY 2004-2005 and to consider the timing of the payments

9.4 Standing orders review and financial regulations

• Only one quotation shall be required for all works up to £500 (previously £300) providing the proposed contractor has before undertaken satisfactory work for the Council and has been shown by reason of competitive quotes to be best value.
• The Clerk together with the Chairman shall be authorised to spend up to £500 on urgent Council business reporting any such expenditure to the next meeting.