It was noted that before the Council meeting this evening Mr Bob Morgan, Planning Officer, South Cambridgeshire District Council had attended a training meeting with members.

Apologies were received from District Cllr J. Stewart.

On a proposition by Cllr Lang seconded by Cllr Footman it was resolved that the minutes be approved as a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.

The vacancy had been advertised in the last Journal and on the parish notice board. It had also been placed in this month’s edition however this had not been delivered as yet to all homes.

One resident, Mr Alan Levett of 50 Highfields Road had offered himself for co-option.

On a proposition by Cllr Phillips, seconded by Cllr Lang and carried unanimously, Alan Levett of 50 Highfields Road was co-opted onto Caldecote Parish Council and he signed his declaration of acceptance. Cllr Levett joined the meeting.

It was noted that currently Portland provide the web space free of charge and that to have more space and email addresses would be between £11 and £40. It was also noted that not all service providers take .gov.uk addresses. It was agreed that Cllrs Whyatt and Lang should consider this matter further and bring a recommendation to the next meeting.

Cllr Martlew was asked to liaise with the County Council and Mr Barker to resolve this swiftly.

Letter from Mrs Fitz-George, the owner of Jason Farm Kennels saying she had no knowledge of any proposed development of the land and also from Januarys withdrawing form the negotiations but indicating that they were considering another undisclosed site in the village and may contact the Parish Council again to discuss this further.

The letter and minutes from the recent District Council’s Scrutiny Committee meeting was considered. On a proposition by Cllr Lang, seconded by Cllr Stopp it was resolved that this matter should not end here and that Daniel Farrand of Mills and Reeve be asked to reply on the Parish Council’s behalf. Approval for a payment of up to one hour of the solicitor’s time i.e. £150 was also approved.

It was noted that a site meeting with the County Council had been arranged for Monday 19 April and it was agreed that Cllrs Breeze, Levett, Drayton and Phillips should attend.

Letters from residents in West Drive were received and considered. It was noted that there was now a new contact at the factory, Mr John O’Sullivan, who had visited Mr Massey’s home with Mr Heffernon and the acoustic surveyor to undertake some monitoring very late one night and into the early hours of the morning.

As no reply had been received to the Council’s letter and given the length of time this matter had remained unresolved, on a proposition by Cllr Lang, seconded by Cllr Breeze it was resolved to write a letter of complaint to the head of Environmental Health with copies as before and to inform the District Council that the matter had now been placed in the hands of the Parish Council’s solicitor.

4.7 Cllr Martlew reported that he was discussing the speed/traffic survey with residents in Main Street and would report the outcome to a future meeting.

5.1 To consider the recommendations carried forward from the Recreation Ground Advisory Group

It was agreed that the Group should meet on 19 April at Cllr Breeze’s home to consider this matter further and to bring a recommendation to the next meeting.

5.2 Statement of enforcement

It was agreed that this was something that could not be rushed and that the matter be carried forward to the next meeting.

6.1.1 Mrs Rayner – complaint about the speed bumps

In response to the email letter of complaint about the speed bumps from a resident it was noted that this had been forwarded to the County Council for reply and that the Parish Council had asked to be kept informed of the outcome.

It was agreed to hold a site meeting on Monday 19 April at 3pm to look at the plans for the traffic calming, review which had been considered by the Parish Council and what modifications if any were still required so that the Parish Council could discuss this further with the County Council. It was agreed to invite Ms Sue Reynolds and Mr Phil Sharp to attend the next meeting so that this could be progressed.

Cllr Martlew was asked to urge both Ms Reynolds and Mr Sharp to attend and to also speak with Mr Sharp about the outstanding site meeting to look at issues, both traffic calming and parking, outside the school.

6.2.1 SCDC Kitchen bins. It was noted that the District Council proposed to introduce kitchen waste bins and that the introduction had been slightly delayed.

Uzma Ali of Shire Homes had contacted the Parish Council with details of the next phase of affordable housing which was expected to be completed in the autumn and that the District Council and Nene Housing Association were about to begin allocation.

The housing will comprise of:

A letter had been sent by the Clerk to the 13 names registered with the Parish Council and a copy of the Parish Council’s list sent to SCDC.

Cllr Drayton declared a prejudicial interest in this next item and having signed the declarations book withdrew from the meeting thus taking no part in the discussion or the decision.

The letter dated 1 April from Cambridge First indicating that confirm that they were due to finalise the purchase of this site from Wilcon Homes within the next week and hoped to proceed with the development of the site as soon as possible. It asked if the Parish would support the idea in principle of our modified proposal for the site so that we can proceed with more detailed designs for your further consideration.

The proposal was for a shop with a floor area of approximately 70 sq.m (including store and ancillary areas with this being offered to the Parish at a peppercorn rent for a period of 5 years. In order to provide this facility they indicated that they would need to construct residential accommodation above for sale, probably in the form of 4 small flats.

They had also raised the point that the present Section 106 Agreement for the Caldecote development refers to this site for the use of a shop and ancillary accommodation only i.e. independent flats for sale would not be permitted.

On a proposition by Cllr Breeze, seconded by Cllr Stopp it was agreed that in principle the Parish Council supported this basis of this proposal and that it would look to negotiate with the applicants a way of securing the flats for use as low cost/affordable/social/key worker housing and that it also agreed to the S106 being modified in this way.

6.2.4 It was noted that the Church had requested financial support for the grass cutting and fabric. Additional information had been requested from the Treasurer.

7.1 S/0460/02/F Ashwell Developments – amended for info & SCDC approval.

The appeal for Cambourne Enhanced an additional 1700+ homes at Cambourne was noted. It was agreed to respond that the Parish Council opposed this increased level of development to the west of the parish as the infrastructure e.g. roads, medical facilities and secondary schooling etc would not support this additional development.

8.1 Taylor Woodrow Developments

8.2.1 Drainage including Atkins report

In response to the Council’s request that Atkins undertake checks on the laying of the drainage in accordance with the 106 Agreement it had been noted that the contractor had not laid the geotextile membrane. Following discussions with both the contractor and Atkins, Atkins had agreed that it accepted the reasons as given by the contractor to be a valid explanation and the Recreation Ground Working Group which had been given the power to take urgent decisions on the establishment of the recreation ground on the Parish Council’s behalf had therefore accepted this modification to the S106.

8.1.2 Landscaping, seeding, electricity cabling and other matters

8.1.2.1 The landscaping company, MCM Landscapes had verbally agreed to provide a copy of the plans which showed where the silt pit are and it was noted that Mr Taylor was to plough the area in preparation for the seeding later in the autumn.

Mr Mel Pooley had advised on the type and specification of the amenity grass seed for the recreation ground. This recommendation had been given the full support of Mr Tony Leach, The Institute of Groundsman and Ms Jane Lampshire, Sports Development Officer, South Cambridgeshire District Council.

It was noted that the suggested mixture requires a little less maintenance than an all rye grass mixture but is hardwearing and is suitable for football and rugby as well.

On a proposition by Cllr Lang, seconded by Cllr Wolton it was agreed to accept this recommendation and to write to MCM Landscapes as follows:

8.1.2.2 It was agreed that posts or other means of identifying where the cricket square and drainage is should be established.

8.1.2.3 It was noted that the head wall was still outstanding.

8.1.2.4 On a proposition by the Chairman Mr Newby was invited to address the meeting.

Mr Newby explained that he would like to commission and pay for a report on the recreation ground by the Sports Turf Research Institute which would offer advice on the establishment of the proposed recreation ground.

8.2 Banner Homes

8.3 JS Bloor

8.3.1 Play equipment

As nothing further had been received from Mrs McArdle and to allow an article to be placed in the Journal it was agreed to carry this matter forward.

8.4 Ashwell Developments

It was noted that work had begun on the southern site and also that contractors vehicles had been seen using the northern entrance to West Drive. It was agreed to write to Ashwell Developments asking them to put up appropriate signage and to notify contractors that they should not use this route.

On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Footman it was resolved that the following payment be approved: £

It was noted that two salary cheques to Miss Martlew had not been cashed by her and it was agreed to consider at the next meeting if these needed to be reissued.

10. Councillors’ items

10.1 It was noted that the District Council had not emptied the dog bins each week an that following a report to them this now appeared to have been rectified.

10.2 It was noted that the round about sign to the north of the mini roundabout at the junction of Highfields Road and West Drive had still not been straightened despite the report to the County Council.

10.3 Dog fouling in West Drive is to be reported to the Dog Warden.

10.4 It was noted that the post and rail fencing near the bus shelter had been broken and agreed that this should be reported to Taylor Woodrow Developments.

10.5 It was noted that Karen Champion had reported that the drainage on Bourn Bridleway had now been completed and that she intended to cut back the next stretch of hedging to widen the bridleway.

10.6 Condolences were expressed to Mrs Slatter and her family following the sudden death of her husband, Mr Ian Slatter who had been the Minor Authorities Appointed Governor.

10.7 The County Council is to be asked to remove the redundant Highfields Caldecote road sign to the south of Strympole Way.

10.8 Quotations/estimates for metal railings around the children’s play area is to be discussed further at the next meeting.

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