The meeting began with a minute’s silence for Cllr Kember, Chairman of the Parish Council who had died suddenly in January. Cllr Wolton, on behalf of the Council paid tribute to Cllr Kember’s tireless efforts on the village’s behalf and his immense contribution to the Parish Council and it was agreed that he would be missed.

The meeting was opened by Cllr Wolton.

Apologies were received County Cllr R. Martlew and District Cllr J. Stewart.

On a proposition by Cllr Drayton, seconded by Cllr Stopp and carried unanimously Cllr Frank Wolton was elected Chairman. Cllr Wolton signed his declaration of acceptance of office.

On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Footman and carried unanimously Cllr Stopp was elected Vice-Chairman.

On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Stopp and carried unanimously Cllr Whyatt was elected Trustee to the Townlands and Sitwell’s Charity and asked to bring a report to the Annual Parish Meeting.

On a proposition by Cllr Phillips seconded by Cllr Footman it was resolved that the minutes be approved as a true record with one amendment under item 9.1 to indicate that the streetlights in West Drive were those owned by the Parish Council. The Chairman signed the minutes.

Two letters from Mr Heffernon and Mr Massey’s report, expressing concern that an acoustic engineer had not been out despite three requests were all considered. On a proposition by Cllr Breeze, seconded by Cllr Wolton it was agreed that a letter of complaint be sent to Mr Heffernon threatening to take the matter to the scrutiny committee and individuals taking the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman if the District Council still had not taken action to enforce the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It was agreed that this letter should be copied to Mr Lansley, Dale Robinson (Head of Environmental Health Department) Patrick Adams (Scrutiny Committee Clerk) and the Chairman of the District Council amongst others.

4.2 (3.2) Traffic calming outside the school and parking problems

Sue Reynolds had replied that Phil Sharp should attend the site meeting to look at traffic issues outside the school. Although contacted it was noted that Mr Sharp had not as yet responded. Cllr Footman kindly offered to contact him also.

4.3 (3.3) Pat Matthews letter saying the District Council was unable to formally adopt the awarded watercourse but agreeing to continue supporting the village by maintaining where and when possible was noted.

The reply was noted from Carillion saying they would monitor the situation and place a deterrent if found to be necessary.

4.5 (3.6) A letter had now been received stating that the Parish Council had not been successful in its bids to the Jointly Funded Minor improvements Scheme.

4.6 (4.1.1) Lesley Dickinson had replied that the wooden edging strip near the public open space in Cavendish Way was included in the landscaping scheme to protect the walnut trees.

4.7 (6.2.3) Mr Newby’s letter. It was agreed to take this later in the meeting.

4.8 (6.2.5) Lesley Dickinson had responded that the District Council would be supportive when deciding if the Parish Council were following the management plan to the letter. The plan is to be drafted by James Blake as part of the Section 106 Agreement. It was noted that by the time the areas finally came to be adopted by the parish the five years enforcement period may well have elapsed anyway.

4.9 Correspondence from Mike Cooper and residents regarding water both on the roads and also on the footpaths because of blocked and or poor drainage was noted. It was agreed that a site visit be arranged and that Cllr Footman meet with Mr Cooper to discuss the matter further.

5.1.1 It was noted that a complaint from Mrs Matthews about youths throwing snowballs at her property had been dealt with by the Clerk.

5.1.2 A copy of a letter from Mr Gautrey of Long Meadow to Sue Reynolds regarding outstanding matters relating to landscaping and traffic calming was noted.

5.2.1 Parish Paths Partnership invitation from the County Council to join

It was agreed that the Parish Council had no desire to join the scheme and would continue with the current liaison with Karen Champion. Mr Gautrey’s comments in his letter regarding bridleway to Bourn were noted and it was noted that Karen Champion was trying to get Wilson Connolly to lay the proposed French drains and complete the cycle path. It was agreed that the S106 Agreement should be brought to the next meeting so that the details could be examined.

It was noted that this would be completed by the Chairman and the Clerk as agreed at the last meeting.

It was agreed that all members should give though to a corporate response and that the Clerk be informed so that a reply could be sent by 20 February.

5.2.4 The new Land Law relating areas of land in parishes where no owner was known of was noted.

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

6.1 S/2595/03/O Carlsen land between 62 & 66 West Drive – approved by the Parish Council.

6.2 S/2599/03/F Stern 10 Blythe Way – extension. Refused by the Parish Council.

6.3 Dart, Highfields Road – amended for information. Noted by the Parish Council.

6.4 S/0033/04F Rush,The Shieling – erection of outbuilding following demolition of existing. Refused by the Parish Council.

6.5 S/0034/04/F Rush, The Shieling – erection of building and use of land as a cattery. Refused by the Parish Council.

6.6 S/0406/02F Ashwell Developments – amendment of land adj to Plots 4&5 for a garage – noted by the Parish Council.

7.1.1 Orchid Management Plan

Cllr Footman was asked to look at this, its implications and to bring a recommendation to the next meeting.

7.3 Banner Homes

7.3 JS Bloor

7.5 Sports Association / CALYPSO - MUGA

7.5.1 The two letters from CALYPSO, dated 27 January and the Sports Associations flyer which had gone out to every home regarding membership fees and use of all recreation areas including the MUGA were considered. One letter from MUGA updated the Parish Council on the installation progress the other expressed concern at the proposed charging structure bveing introduced by the Sports Association.

At 9pm the Chairman adjourned the meeting to seek the views of those present and re-opened at 9.22pm.

It was noted that before a final decision could be reached on the use and any fees for the MUGA the views of the youth should be taken in to account.

On a proposition by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Stopp it was agreed that a committee should be set up (Cllrs Breeze, Stopp, Phillips and Wolton) to meet with representatives from the Sports Association to both continue the work agreed at the last meeting to consider the overall layout of the field to include the site for the cricket square, pavilion etc and also to look into the overall concept of how the recreation grounds would be managed and funded both for new schemes and for maintenance of existing facilities and what the level of Parish Council involvement in all this would be. They were asked to bring a recommendation to the next meeting. It was also agreed that the Parish Council would cover the cost of the room hire for this meeting.

It was agreed to carry this forward to the next meeting to allow time for a site meeting to take place.

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:

9.1.1 On a proposition by Cllr Stopp, seconded by Cllr Breeze it was agreed that both an in house training session with CALC should be arranged and specific planning training from the SCDC planning department.

9.1.2 It was noted that the Clerk had been studying and attending training for the AQA qualification. On a proposition by Cllr Lang, seconded by Cllr Stopp it was resolved that the Parish Council contribute towards the fees both training and exam which currently comes to £150 (£55 registration, £95 training) i.e. a Parish Council contribution of £37.50

9.1.3 It was noted that CCC has been reminded again about the unpaid verges agency services grant = £612.57. The grant for 2004-2005 was expected to increase by 5% to approx £643.19

9.2 On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Lang it was resolved to ask Mrs Saskia Dart if she would kindly undertake the internal audit again at the end of this financial year and also encourage her to attend the internal auditors seminar being arranged by CALC the cost being covered by the Parish Council.

Given the circumstances, on a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Lang it was resolved to grant compassionate leave to Mrs Kember and agreed that members would deliver the Journals this month. The kind offer from Mrs Dart to help was gratefully accepted.

Quotations from six companies⁽²⁾ were considered. On a proposition by Cllr Drayton, seconded by Cllr Lang it was resolved that the following quotations should be approved as they represented best value:

Herald Contract Services

Cambs City Services

9.5 PCSOs funding

Cllr Stopp reported on her meeting with Cllr Mark Bennett from Comberton and Supt John Raine. On a proposition by Cllr Stopp, seconded by Cllr Breeze it was resolved that, subject to match funding being attained the Parish Council would fund a PCSOs for the village at a cost of up to £7,000pa for three years.

10.1 Members email addresses.

It was agreed in theory it was possible to set up individual email addresses @caldecote.gov.uk for members. The circulation of papers or using space on the website where members could read papers downloading only what they wanted was also considered. It was agreed that Cllr Whyatt would look into this further.

10.2 Hard kerbing near the Bourn Brook bridge, damage to vehicle wing mirrors and the small size of the pipe resulting in a high water level were raised. It was agreed that Cllr Whyatt would take these matters up with Gareth Guest.

10.3 Commercial Services are to be asked again to undertake a litter pick along the length of the village paying particular attention to the area near Mitchell Wood House.

10.4 The Chairman reported that Ashwell Developments had contacted him and suggested that they would like to do something in Cllr Kember’s memory. It was agreed that this should be an agenda item at the next meeting.

10.5 Mr Newby and Mrs Tasker were thanked by the Parish Council for repairing the vandalised fencing around the children’s play area.

10.6 Cllr Whyatt was asked to find out from Mr Barker what was the latest position with the safety rail for the church steps and report to the next meeting.

10.7 The cost of metal railings/fencing for the children’s play area similar to that of the village hall fencing is to be considered further at the next meeting.

10.8 It was noted that vandals had ripped off the sign at the play area and a new location was required.

10.9 In response from a parishioner for more dog fouling notices in West Drive it was agreed to look what is already there, an article put in the Journal about dog fouling penalties and carry this forward to the next meeting.

Mr Morley reported on continuing problems because the awarded watercourse to the north of his property was not maintained. It was agreed that Pat Matthews should be asked if he would write to the riparian owner asking them to undertake some maintenance works.

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.20pm.

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