Minutes of the Meeting of Caldecote Parish Council on Thursday 2 September 2004 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
Present: Parish Cllrs S. Breeze, B Drayton, C Stopp, F Wolton (Chairman), T Footman, J Lang, N Wyhatt and P Phillips.
In attendance: Mrs. G. Stoehr LGS Services, Mrs. L Hazel (Clerk) and eleven members of the public.
Apologies for absence : Alan Levett.
1. To appoint a Clerk and RFO to Caldecote Parish Council
In Mrs Hazel’s absence, on a proposition by Cllr Footman, seconded by Cllr Drayton it was resolved to accept the recommendation from the Chairman and Vice-Chairman that Mrs Lisa Hazel of 3 Devonshire Mews be appointed as Clerk, Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Offer to Caldecote Parish Council as per the terms and conditions detailed in the draft contract (appended as confidential). The contract included information such as the starting salary scale, hours to be worked, holiday entitlement and probationary period and it was noted that the appointment would be subject to satisfactory references being obtained.
It was noted that the caliber of applicants had been high and it was agreed that a letter should be sent to the unsuccessful candidates thanking them for applying.
It was also noted that Mrs Hazel was due to go on two weeks holiday starting Monday and it was agreed that this should be taken from Mrs Hazel’s annual entitlement.
Mrs Hazel was invited to join the meeting and was welcomed by the Council.
On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, seconded by Cllr Drayton it was resolved that Mrs Hazel take the minutes whilst the Ex-Clerk, Mrs Stoehr present the items on the agenda and advise the Council for the rest of this meeting.
2. To approve the minutes of the 1 July 2004
On a proposition by F Wolton, seconded by T Footman Both the minutes and the confidential minutes were approved as true record after one amendment in item 5.3 – Planning Application for 62 – 66 West Drive to read ‘no recommendation’ not ‘refused’. The Chairman signed the minutes
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3. Matters arising for information only
3.1 TKA Tallent Chassis Ltd – update
Information on TKA’s appeal against the abatement notice and complaints statements was noted. It was noted that the noise from the reversing beepers had improved but new thumping and fan noise had been heard. A background paper from C Corcoran on broader issues was received. The court hearing has been postponed until 13th October 2004.
The Parish Council expressed its disappointment over the length of time it has taken to deal with this matter and also the lack of progress information being provided by the District Council. Councilor Martlew stated that this was not acceptable. It was agreed to prepare a statement ready for the court hearing and that the Parish Council should attend if possible.
3.2 Other
3.2.1 (3.3) Enforcement Policy - reminder letter to be sent.
3.2.2 (6.2) Storm cell matrix - Recent letter has now been received from Anglian Water on phase 2 of the Taylor Woodrow site explaining that they would not adopt the storm cell matrix and that it was a requirement of the Environment Agency. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Environment Agency asking them to take the above matter on board.
3.2.3 (6.4) Banner Homes – A letter dated 16th July 2004 has now been received showing ownership and maintenance of hedge along bridleway and East Drive rests with the adjoining houses.
3.2.4 (8.1) Church Gate - K Champion has confirmed that the installation of the new lich gate at the Church would fall over a Public Right of Way. Confirmation that this is acceptable would therefore need to be sought before going ahead with the new gate. It was agreed that the Parish Council would e-mail the Church to let them know this.
3.2.5 (5.2) Planning application, Tarrant, 74 Highfields Road - A letter has now been received from South Cambridgeshire District Council explaining reasons for relocating the garage to 2m from the boundary and not the 4m recommended by the council.
4. To attend to correspondence/communications received since last meeting
4.1 Parishioner correspondence
4.4.1 Play Equipment on Public Open Space in Grayway Close - Following the recent article in the Caldecote Journal several responses to the article had been received. As this fell within the remittance of the sport and Recreation Committee it was agreed that this would be dealt with by it.
4.4.2 Light near the new multi-use games area - A letter has been received from Mr. Newby complaining that the Parish Council had installed and set up a light over the new multi-use games area without public consultation. This was considered and it was noted the light falls under the Parish Councils full control and that it was installed purely upon health and safety reasons and that as yet it has not been in use. It was agreed that if concern was voiced it would be looked into and it was agreed that this would be put on the agenda at the next Sports and Recreation Committee meeting.
4.4.3. A letter of complaint from Mr. Newby to South Cambridgeshire District Council has been received and passed to the Parish Council for information only with regards to the landscaping. This has been passed onto the Caldecote Parish Council Sport and Recreation Committee for them to deal with.
4.4.4 A copy of a letter from a resident has been received referring to the recent flooding of the car park adjacent to the recreation ground. It has been noted that Shelly Bidwell of the District Council is dealing with this.
4.4.5 13th and 15th Century Deeds - A letter has been received from Mr. and Mrs. Snudden asking if the Parish Council would like to make a donation towards the purchase of 13th and 15th century deeds relating to land in Caldecote. It was agreed that before doing so the Parish Council would need to look into the purchase of the deeds further and obtain more information. The Parish Council would favor making a donation but it was agreed that this matter would be carried forward and put on the agenda for the next meeting.
4.4.6 Social Club – A complaint about activities in the Social Club were received. It was noted that there had been problems in the recent hot weather due to the Social Club opening the fire exit doors to let in cool air thus resulting excess noise. It was also noted that the builders on the adjacent building site were using the Social Club car park to park their cars in. It was agreed a letter would be sent to South Cambridgeshire District Council.
4.2 Other
4.2.1 BP Express, Childerley Gate – Transfer of license noted.
4.2.2 ODPM - Consultation code of conduct for local government employees is to be circulated. Agenda item Oct/Nov.
4.2.3 Minor Improvement Scheme - A letter has been received from the Minor Improvement Scheme asking if the Parish Council would like to put in a bid for two items of minor improvement to be carried out if successful. It was agreed that the Parish council would be putting in a bid for the following two items;
On a proposition by F Wolton, seconded by T Footman it was resolved to pay £1 per elector if successful.
4.2.4 School signs - It has been noted that the agreement by Mr. Sharp to install flashing lights on the two school signs that would flash at peak times has not been carried out. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Sue Reynolds at County Council asking when this work was scheduled to take place.
5. To attend to planning received since the last meeting including
5.1 S/1490/04/F Harper, 69 Highfields Road – extensions to bungalow to form 2 storey dwelling.
On a proposition by Cllr F Wolton, Seconded by Cllr T Footman the application was recommended for refused due to the impact it would have on the adjoining properties.
5.2 S/1245/04F Baldwin, Westwind Highfields Road – amendment.
This was noted by the Parish Council.
5.3 Ashwell Developments – amendments for information only.
5.4 S/1573/04F Chalmers, 43 Highfields Road – replacement dwelling.
On a proposition by Cllr F Wolton, seconded by Cllr T Footman it was agreed that the Parish council make ‘no recommendation’.
5.5 S/1616/04/f Reed, Glendale, Main Street – replacement dwelling and garage.
On a proposition by Cllr F Wolton, seconded by Cllr T Footman it was agreed that the Parish council make ‘no recommendation’.
5.6 S/1707/04 – Land adj to 100 West Drive outline permission for new dwelling to be know as 102a.
Cllrs Breeze and Footman declared an interest in the application and both withdrew from the room whilst the application was determined.
On a proposition by Cllr F Wolton, seconded by Cllr Lang the application was recommended for refusal due to concerns over the access to the driveway. The vote was recorded as four votes in favour of refusal and one abstaining.
Cllrs Footman and Breeze re-joined the meeting.
5.7 Ashwell Developments – amendments for information only.
6. The village development
6.1 To consider S/1662/04/F Cambridge First Ltd, corner of Furlong way and Highfields Road – erection of 2 shops and 4 flats.
Cllrs Phillips and Footman, declared an interest in the application as Trustees of the adjacent village hall along with Cllr Drayton and all withdrew from the room whilst the application was determined. A letter received from a resident with regards to the height of the proposed development was noted and considered.
On a proposition by Cllr Breeze, seconded by Cllr Lang it was agreed that the Parish Council would make recommendation for ‘approval’ with the following comments:
Caldecote Parish Council strongly recommends approval of this application for a much needed parish facility. It is considered well designed and the development of both the two shop units and also the one and two bedroom flats will be useful additions to the village.
The Parish Council recommend that a condition is imposed to prevent inconvenience to neighbouring properties with respect to noise, smell, late night trading and litter. Also additional screening should be provided for the boundary with Highfields Road.
It should be noted that it has been agreed between the Developer and the Parish Council that one shop unit will be leased to the Parish Council; the finer details of which are being negotiated between our respective Solicitors.'
It was agreed that the Parish Council would need to make further negotiations with the developer in connection with the lease. A letter is to be sent to the developers stating that the Parish Council has noted the deviation in the Section 106 Agreement which they accept.
The Parish Council will update all residents on the above in the next issue of the Caldecote Journal.
6.2 Developer Matters
6.2.1 Ashwell Developments – road. It was agreed that the Parish Council would write requesting a progress report.
7. Finance
7.1 To receive the financial report and approve the payment of bills
The financial statement was received and considered and the invoices and bank statements were available for checking. On a proposition by the Cllr F Wolton, seconded by a Cllr T Footman the following payments were approved
|
Herald Contract Services |
£199.75 |
|
Mission Computers |
£225.50 |
|
EDF Energy |
£498.20 |
|
LGS Services |
£161.26 |
|
K Martlew |
£33.00 |
|
M Kember |
£27.30 |
Plus the payment to SD Phillips for £641.55 for his invoice for the wooden post supply and installation.
7.2 To approve the salary payment to Mrs. Stoehr for August. On a proposition by Cllr Wolton, it was agreed to carry this matter forward to the end of the meeting so that it could be discussed as a confidential matter.
7.3 Proposal for a new notice board – It was agreed that before the Parish Council could make a decision on this plans and costs of materials were required.
8. Reports
8.1 Sport and Recreation Ground Committee – Draft minutes noted. The next meeting is planned for the 22nd September 2004.
It was noted that the bins provided for dog users were overflowing and creating a hazard. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Dog Warden concern this with the provision of providing more bins if necessary.
8.2 Flooding Meeting Chaired by Andrew Langley – Cllr Wolton reported on his attendance at the recent flood meeting chaired by Andrew Lansley and the insurance implications for dwellings and villages previously subjected to flooding. The Parish Council would like to express its thanks to Andrew Langley for all his help on this matter and would convey this in a letter to him.
It was noted that during heavy downfalls storm water was going into the sewage and this need to be look into. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Environment Agency and Anglia Water on the way forward.
8.3 RPG14 Meeting on additional housing - It was noted that this meeting is due to take place on 24th September 2004 at 7.30pm and it was agreed that the Chairman should attend and represent the Parish Council.
9. Councilors’ items
9.1 It was noted that you can access the bridleway from Claire Drive and that notices need to be erected to warn motorists of this and to slow down.
9.2 Cllr Footman reported that Highway Division has said that Highfields Road would not be top dressed until after the S38 had been signed.
9.3 It was noted that outside 115 West Drive the road was breaking up. Highway Division needs to be notified.
9.4 Cllr J Lang’s kind offer of free daffodil bulbs to replace the ones previously dug up by BT was considered. It was agreed that the probationary team should be contacted to come and plant them.
9.5 It was agreed that a letter needs to be sent to City Services on the poor standard of grass cutting.
9.6 Graffiti was noted on the slide in the children’s play area.
9.7 Several people stated that turning right out of Furlong Way was becoming dangerous due to the need to pull out into the middle of the road before being able to see what traffic is oncoming. It was agreed to write to Mike Cooper to try and resolve this.
9.8 The broken Village Hall sign is to be reported to Mike Cooper.
9.9 It was noted that the Caldecote Journal for East Drive was delivered late.
9.10 It was noted that there is a water leak in West Drive/Highfields Road.
9.11 highway Division is to be notified that the 30mph sign near the West Drive roundabout still needs replacing.
9.12 It was noted that the hedge outside the school is overhanging and needs to be cut. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the School informing them of this.
9.13 A firm date for the CALC training hd still not been arranged. It was agreed that this needed firming up as soon as possible.
9.14 Concern was expressed over the sudden temporary water supply cuts in West Drive.
10. Closure of meeting and Parish Matters
At 10.20pm on a proposition by the Chairman, carried unopposed, in accordance with S1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted i.e. the Parish Council considering contract of its employees, the public were temporarily excluded from the meeting and were instructed to withdraw. Mrs Stoehr and the Clerk were invited to remain.
At 10.45 the meeting was declared re-opened.
There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.46pm.
Signed………………………… Chairman …….…………………Dated.