Minutes of the Meeting of Caldecote Parish Council on Thursday 4th November 2004 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
Present: Parish Cllrs B Drayton, C Stopp (Vice Chairman), J Lang, A Levett, T Footman, P Phillips and S Breeze.
In attendance: County Cllr R. Martlew, Mrs. L Hazel (Clerk) and 11 members of the public.
Apologies for absence : Cllrs F Wolton (Holiday), N Whyatt.
1. To approve the minutes of the 2nd September 2004
On a proposition by Cllr Stopp, seconded by Cllr Philips the minutes were approved as a true record. The Vice Chairman signed the minutes.
3. Matters arising for information only
2.1 Allianz Cornhill reply on Storm cell matrix
A letter dated 18th October 2004 from Allianz Cornhill was read. As the parish council’s insurers, Allianz Cornhill have advised not to take responsibility for the matrix.
A letter dated 29th October from Cambridgeshire Association of Local Councils was also read. The letter stated that the parish council is not a drainage authority and as such do not have flood alleviation powers. In the circumstances they are not convinced the council has any powers to take on the storm cell matrix as is being requested by the developer.
A letter from Andrew Lansley MP dated 29th October 2004 has been received informing the parish council that he will pursue this matter with the Environment Agency on our behalf.
2.2 TKA Tallent Chassis Ltd - Appeal update
Fiona McMillan, Legal Office, South Cambridgeshire District Council has informed the Parish Council that the court date has now been adjourned until Wednesday 24th November 2004 at Cambridge Magistrates Court. No more adjournments without attendance will be permitted. Experts from both sides are meeting again on 16th November 2004 to attempt to narrow the issues and progress the matter. It was agreed that the parish council should request an update on the situation after the meeting on the 16th November 2004 has taken place. County Cllr R Martlew informed the parish council that he will be speaking to Mr. B Heffernan in connection with this meeting
Mr. Massey reported that October has been one of the quietest months so far. Press noise has only been at a disturbing level on five occasions and loud roaring from the fans on 7 occasions.
A copy of an email sent from Mr. C Corcoran to South Cambridgeshire District Council with regards to planning permissions for the site and their reply was noted. Mr. Corcoran informed the parish council that planning officer’s where looking to see what has changed then if needed retrospective planning applications would need to be made. It was agreed that Cllr C Stopp would ring the legal department about this situation.
It was noted that TKA Tallent has to demonstrate that they are taking “best practicable means” to abate the nuisance. In relation to noise it was not clear what this meant. With regards to scrap metal being dumped some attempt to mute noise of scrap from conveyor belt has been made. It was noted that further advice needs to be sought on if it is agreed that all reasonable measures have been taken what further powers can be used. County Cllr R Martlew agreed to look into this on the parish council’s behalf.
2.3 Mrs. Snudden – Land deeds
Further advice was sought and it was noted that if any records of parish or community interest are deposited in a museum or with the county archivist, the local council can pay to have them restored, indexed, calendared or otherwise made useful.
2.4 Mrs. Piotrowicz – Safer Routes to Schools Project.
A letter dated 4th November 2004 was read. The parish council noted that this is a long term project during which time data will be collected, analyzed and acted upon. The main action is to explore ways of reducing traffic speed and improving crossing points across Highfields Road. It was agreed to put this on the agenda for the next meeting.
2.5 Probation Service – Planting of daffodil bulbs and laying wood chippings.
The Probation Service carried out a risk assessment to asses what is required. After discussion, the probation service declined laying of the wood chippings as it is too demoralizing for offenders. They prefer to carry out projects where they can teach the people. The probation service did say they would plant the daffodil bulbs and the parish council is awaiting a date for this to be carried out. As it is now planting season for the daffodil bulbs the parish council agreed that if the probation service where unable to plant them by the 14th November 2004 then the parish councilors would undertake the project themselves.
It was agreed that the parish councilors would undertake laying of the wood chippings themselves. Karen Champion is to be contacted to arrange delivery of the wood chippings. Upon receipt the parish councilors have agreed to lay them on the Hardwick Bridleway up to East drive only.
3 To attend to correspondence/communications received since last meeting including.
31 Parishioner correspondences
3.1.1 Tree Bosserts Way.
A letter dated 25th October 2004 from Westley & Huff Chartered Surveyors was read. They have been passed a letter from Mrs. Joslin in connection with the above. Cliff Freed of Burghley Contractors has been asked to look at the tree and will prepare a report. Once this is received any recommendations will be followed.
3.2 Other
3.2.1 CALC training date 18th November 2004.
The Parish Council was reminded of this date. Sue Tasker who is a new co-optee to the Caldecote Parish Council Sport and Recreation Committee has confirmed her attendance. Eddie Rivero has yet to confirm.
3.2.2 Parish Clerk’s training.
On a proposition by Cllr S Breeze, seconded by Cllr P Philips it was agreed that the parish clerk should attend an intensive clerks two day training session.
3.2.3 Draft Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees.
This was noted
A letter from Cambridgeshire Association of local Councils dated 4th October 2004 was read out. The letter indicated changes are to be made in the bursary training awards available. They are as follows:
· Available to all parishes with a budget of less than £25,000 per annum.
· Training for the Certificate in Local Council Administration could cost the parish less than £50.
A grant scheme is almost complete aimed solely at those councils with Quality Accreditation. Once again details are not firm but it looks like grants of up to £15,000 will be available. It was agreed that more information of Quality Accreditation needs to be sought.
4 To attend to planning received since the last meeting including
It was agreed to take item 4.3 first. A copy of a letter from Mr. C Corcoran to Mr. D B Huseell, Development Services Director opposing this application was noted.
S/2050/04/F Jackson, 16 West Drive – extension and double garage. On a proposition by Cllr. B Drayton, seconded by Cllr. J Lang it was agreed to refuse this application due to overshadowing of house on north side
4.1 S/2045/04/0 Purser, Orchard Farm, Main Street – agricultural dwelling. On a proposition by Cllr. S Breeze, seconded by Cllr T Footman the application was recommended for ‘Approval’
4.2 S/2098/04/F Matthews, Land adj 79 West Drive – bungalow. Cllr B Drayton declared an interest in this application and withdrew from the room whilst this application and item 4.4 were discussed.
A member of public spoke opposing this application for the following reasons:
· The proposed development would run the entire length of his garden affecting his privacy.
· It is not clear how high the building is and could potentially block out light
· At present all houses are well spaced out in West Drive.
· The new property would only be 4 inches away from his fence which would make it impossible to maintain.
The above points were noted and considered. On a proposition by Cllr A Levett, seconded by Cllr. P Philips it was agreed to Refuse this application due to major overdevelopment effecting privacy of adjoining properties. There was also a question of land drainage.
4.4 S/1662/04/F Cambridge First Ltd, corner of Furlong Way and Highfields Road – erection of 2 shops and 4 flats – additional car parking and landscaping, provision of off-site lay by parking. The parish council noted that this application has already been returned with ‘no recommendation’ boxed ticked.
It was noted that Cllr C Stopp had a meeting with South Cambridgeshire District Council on this matter and is awaiting an update on the latest position.
4.5 Local Development Framework (LDF).
It was agreed to put this on the agenda for the next meeting.
4.6 SCDC planning notices.
It was noted that SCDC has granted permission for a replacement dwelling and garage at Glendale, Main Street, Caldecote.
5. The village development
SCDC have confirmed that the street name ‘The Willows’ is now official for the 6 plots off West Drive.
Clarification on ownership of the hedge in front of the housing association houses in Furlong Way adjacent to the MUGA is required. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Granta Housing Society Limited to clarify ownership.
It was noted that the transfer papers for Banner Homes have still not been received. It was agreed this needs to be chased up.
The parish council noted that mud is being deposited on the main road from the Ashwell Development and there is no access for children walking to school. It was agreed that a letter be sent regarding this.
6. Reports
6.1 Sport and Recreation Ground Committee – to discuss quotes for remedial landscaping work.
It was noted that detailed plans of all public open spaces is being drawn up to enable quotes to be obtained for village maintenance. A detailed site visit to establish which trees by the MUGA are damaged or dying and need replacing is to be carried out and marked clearly on the plans for future reference.
6.2 PCSO’s – Update.
On a proposition by Cllr. C Stopp, seconded by Cllr. S Breeze it was agreed to continue with the recruitment of a PSCO. It was noted that Caldecote would jointly share a PCSO with Comberton and Cambourne. It was agreed to agenda this item for the next meeting to allow more details to be obtained.
7. Finance.
7.1 Grass cutting specifications for quotes.
The specification for the grass cutting and village maintenance is to be drawn up and approved so quotes can be obtained for consideration. It was suggested that Herald Contract Services be contacted to bid for this work
7.2 Notice Board quotes.
Two companies have been contacted to provide quotes for a new notice board. Only one quote was received by Sign Works. On a proposition by Cllr. S Breeze, seconded by Cllr. P Philips it was agreed to contact Sign Works to carry out this work as per the quote.
7.3 Bus Shelter quotes
It was agreed to put this on the agenda for the next meeting to allow quotes to be received.
7.4 To prepare a budget for the financial year.
It was noted that the new parish clerk had not prepared a budget before and will require some help on this. It was agreed that the previous clerk Mrs. G Stoehr be contacted to help and train the new clerk on this matter.
7.5 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 T Footman, seconded by a Cllr P Philips the following payments were approved:
|
LG Stoehr (Clerking support services) |
£xx.xx |
|
Mission Computers |
£181.50 |
|
Caldecote Village Institute |
£178.50 |
|
Cambridge City Council |
£940.00 |
|
Herald Contract Services |
£99.88 |
|
L Hazel (Salary) |
£xx.xx |
|
L Hazel (Expenses) |
£45.45 |
|
M Kember |
£27.30 |
|
K Martlew |
£33.00 |
8. Councilors’ items
It was bought to the attention of the parish council that there are various water leaks around the village. It was established that some are not water leaks but are due to the ditches being blocked and water is over spilling onto the roads. It was noted that South Cambridgeshire District Council has now taken over responsibility of the ditches. It was agreed that they should be contacted to arrange for the blocked ditches to be cleared out immediately to prevent further flooding particularly in the old part of the village.
It was noted that the potholes in Highfields Road are to be repaired. A small section of Highfields Road from numbers 111 – 115 is to be completely removed and resurfaced.
It was noted that the bollard outside number; 72 Highfields Road is broken.
It was noted that the hedge which backs onto the footpath behind the Banner Homes development needs cutting. It was agreed that a letter be sent to all the residents concerned requesting that they cut the hedge.
It has been bought to the attention of the parish council that the Hedge approaching into Strympole Way needs to be cut back. It was agreed to contact Mike Cooper to get the hedge cut back.
It has been bought to the attention of the Parish Council that the church railings have still not been installed. On a proposition by Cllr S Breeze, seconded by Cllr. C Stopp it was agreed that a letter be sent to Mike Cooper enquiring as to when they are to be installed and to agenda this item for the next meeting to await a reply.
10. Closure of meeting and Parish Matters
There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.25 pm.
Signed………………………… Chairman …….…………………Dated.