MINUTES of a Meeting of the Parish Council Held in the Village Hall, Main Street

MINUTES of a meeting of the Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Main Street,

Little Downham, on Thursday, 3 September 2009 commencing at 7.00pm.

Councillors present: RC Stacey, in the chair, DA Adams-Payne, CE Hall, EW Hall, RS Martin, M Oldfield,

BL Taylor (7.14pm), AJ White and KO Winters.

In attendance: PC K Humble and PCSO J Hall, Carol Hebbard, Mick Oliver & Lauren Nicholls (Item 78/09) and two parishioners.

APOLOGIES - Received from Cllrs DJ Badcock and CM Frankland, Dist. Cllrs A Bailey, T Goodge and County Cllr P Read.
77/09 / TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
1. Cllr RS Martin declared a personal interest in item 86/09 (Byway 47) because he is a tenant of land in the area (Declaration no. 017-2009).
2. Cllr KO Winters declared an interest in item 92/09 (Highways) because he owns land on Black Bank Road, Little Downham (Declaration no. 018-2009).
7.03pm / Dist. Cllr Goodge arrived
78/09 / YOUTH GROUP
1. Little Downham Youth Group presentation and request for funding of youth workers 2009/10 – Carole Hebbard (Youth Group Chairman), Mick Oliver and Lauren Nicholls (Mepal, Sutton, Witcham and Coveney Community Development Team) explained how the Youth Group came to the decision between using Cambridgeshire Youth Services and the Community Development Team and answered questions from the Council. It was requested that consideration be given at times to the young people at Pymoor. It was agreed unanimously
RESOLVED: To support Little Downham Youth Group by funding two youth workers from Mepal, Sutton, Witcham and Coveney Community Development Team (via Sutton Parish Council) to provide youth support services from September 2009 to July 2010 (30 weeks -term time) at a cost of approximately £2000. A service level agreement will be drawn up and considered in due course.
7.40pm / Carol Hebbard, Mick Oliver and Lauren Nicholls thanked the Council and left.
79/09 / TO ADJOURN MEETING FOR PUBLIC FORUM
7.41pm
7.50pm / Meeting adjourned – Mr N Lee commented on the current conditions of Byway 47 in relation to item 86/09.
Meeting reconvened.
80/09 / PARISH CRIME MATTERS –
1. Police Crime Report - Nine crimes were reported in Lt Downham and Pymoor between 23/07/09 – 02/09/09 and a total of 36 calls for services were received.
2. To report recent events – A pile of burnt newspapers and magazines were found by the handyman on Little Downham recreation ground and has been reported recently and a girl was seen on the roof of the village hall this evening when members arrived for the meeting.
8.07pm
81/09 / PC Humble and PCSO Hall left the meeting.
DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (Dist. Cllrs A Bailey & A Goodge) – No reports
1. Dist. Cllr Goodge informed he is involved in CCTV and Parking in Ely. A total of 35 cameras are being overhauled. An email report from Dist Cllr Bailey informed that the Sustainable Fish Co. has gone into liquidation and closed the site at Pymoor; it is not known if the enforcement appeal hearing will still go ahead on 03/11/09. Murfitt tyre fire at Littleport continues to be monitored and the court hearing for illegal vehicle lorry movement has been put back to 13 October. The Fire Authority anticipates the fire to be put out by the beginning of October.
82/09 / COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT (County Cllr P Read) – Nothing to report on this occasion.
83/09 / TO APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1. RESOLVED: The minutes of 23 July 2009 (Full Council) were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
2. RESOLVED: The minutes of 13 August 2009 (Planning) were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
84/09 / MATTERS TO REPORT
1. (Min.46/09) SLCC Training and information Seminar 18/09/09 – It was confirmed that the Clerk, Cllrs Badcock, Oldfield, Stacey, Taylor and Winters are booked to attend.
2. (Min. 62/09.5) Anti-Social Behaviour in Little Downham – A follow-up meeting was held on 17/08/09 and attended by Brian Tully (Anti-Social Behaviour Coordinator), PC Humble and the Clerk. Notes of the meeting were received from Brian Tully and will be circulated to all councillors.
3. (Min.62/09.6) Trees at Straight Furlong, Pymoor – The Clerk is meeting with ECDC Tree Warden on 08/09/09.
4. (Min.67/09/.2) To consider re-investment of Standard Life Bank Fixed Rate Bond - due to mature 29/07/09 – The interest from the matured investment has been credited to the Current account. The balance of £30,000.66 has been re-invested and will mature April 2010.
5. (Min. 70/09.2) Youth Shelter Project in Little Downham – Quotes for the shelter are to be requested. ECDC has asked that a further questionnaire is carried out to show support for the choice of bus shelter over a youth shelter. This will be carried out in late September.
6. (Min.67/09.3) To appoint Internal Auditor – Caroline Wallace has accepted the position.
7. (Min.68/09A) ADeC – Offer of workshop for decision – Members of Lt Downham Sports & Leisure Committee and the Youth Group have expressed interests to attend.
8. (Min.70/09.4) To consider provision of netball posts in All Weather Court – Due to annual leave the Clerk had not been unable to obtain further information. This will be followed up.
9. (Min.76/09.3.3) Cambs Together - Rural Cambridgeshire: Ensure a Vibrant Future – Cllrs Adams-Payne and Winters volunteered to attend the East Cambridgeshire meeting on 08/09/09 at the Village Hall, Islesham.
10. Holes at bottom of Lt Downham Recreation Field – Following this being reported at the 23/07/09 meeting but not being minuted, it was confirmed that the holes had been filled in by the handyman on 27/07/09.
85/09 / LITTLE DOWNHAM SPORTS & LEISURE PROPOSAL
1. To receive report from Sports & Leisure Working Group – Adverse comments have been received from County Council Highways regarding the entrance of School Lane. The Sport & Leisure Group have sought advice from an architectural technologist. Funding may be available from the BBC, who would expect to be the major funding source and want to televise the building work within a 12 month period. More information is expected in November. Local fund raising events are being planned.
86/09 / PARISH PATHS
1. Byway 47 - Concern regarding condition of the Byway and request for gates to be installed. Mr A J Lee – Requests support for CCC to gate the Byway during winter months - Byway 47 was recognised as part of the Bishop’s Way. A recorded vote was requested; the result was as follows: In favour – Cllrs DA Adams-Payne, CM Frankland, CE Hall, EW Hall, M Oldfield, and A White. Against – Cllr B Taylor and KO Winters. Abstention: Cllr RS Martin.
RESOLVED: To write to Karen Whymark (CCC P3 Officer) to support Mr Lee’s letter and request that gates be erected at both ends of the Byway 47 during the winter months.
8.45pm / Dist. Cllr Goodge left.
For information only:
2. CCC (Public Footpaths No. 22 (part) & 23 Downham) Public Path Diversion Order 2009 – notice of confirmation – noted.
87/09 / PLANNING MATTERS
To consider planning applications received:
1.1 09/00508/FUL Mr Scott Eversman, The Common House, 1A Second Drove, Little Downham – Variation of Condition (02) of planning approval reference 96/00544/FUL to allow the occupation of the stables and ancillary accommodation as a part of the main dwelling house to include the conversion of the stables habitable accommodation and the construction of extension to form sunroom and to form link to existing annexe to main dwelling – AMENDMENT – Amended description and plans reducing the size of the proposed link element and showing the roof as being of a green nature.
RESOLVED: The Parish Council had no concerns.
1.2 09/00593/FUL, Mr K Atwal, 93 Main Street Little Downham - Construction of single garage and garden shed – Retrospective
RESOLVED: The Parish Council had no concerns.
1.3 09/00641/AGN, CN Seeds Ltd, 18 Main Street, Pymoor - Lean to extension to existing building – (PC) no observations.
2. Planning correspondence
For information only:
2.1 East Cambs Local Development Framework – Core Strategy Examination – Inspector’s Report – Notification of availability on ECDC website
88/09 / FINANCE
1. Monthly Internal Audit was carried out by Cllrs EW Hall and BL Taylor.
2. To authorise routine Criminal Record Bureau checks for relevant Parish Council staff and members and Book Café volunteers – Up-to-date checks are required for Council staff and, in accordance with the renewal of the Service Level Agreement, for the Book Café volunteers.
RESOLVED: To authorise the payments of enhanced CRB checks for the Clerk, the Handyman and current Book Café volunteers.
3. To consider setting up direct debits for Anglian Water payments – For the Clerk’s convenience, it was agreed to set up half yearly or quarterly direct debits.
RESOLVED: To approve setting up direct debits for Anglian Water based on the half yearly or quarterly bills.
4. To note Village Hall room hire increase and accept conditions of hire – The conditions were reviewed and noted
RESOLVED: To accept the conditions of hire for Little Downham Village Hall.
5. To approve bills and other items for payment
RESOLVED: To approve list of payments for cheque numbers 000577 to 000589 paid in August totalling £3884.13 and cheque numbers 000590 to 000596 paid at this meeting for the total sum of £3482.99.
89/09 / PARISH MATTERS
1. Neighbourhood Panel Meeting (27 July) – To receive Representative’s report (Cllr Winters)
– On the Police Authorities’ suggestion Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Lt Downham was dropped but will continue in Stretham and Haddenham. Cllr Winters had asked for police high visibility to continue in the parish and another Dog Warden to be employed by ECDC.
The Clerk informed that a ASB meeting arranged with her, PC Humble, PCSO Hall and Brian Tully will still go ahead currently preliminarily planned for Friday, 23/10/09.
2. Speed Watch – To consider carrying out Speed Watch checks on Lawn Lane, Lt Downham – Following complaints from parishioners, Cllr Stacey agreed to take the request forward but suggested that more volunteers be trained to carry out the checks.
RESOLVED: For Cllr Stacey to request use of the Speed Watch equipment for a speed check on Lawn Lane and the Clerk to advertise in the parish magazine for volunteers to be trained.
3. To consider contacting the Environment Agency regarding floodplain status of the area
(Cllr Winters) – Cllr Winters expressed concerns of potential flooding in the parish and requested that the Council obtains information from the Environment Agency.
RESOLVED: To write to the Environment Agency to ask “if there are any plans to divert water to Little Downham Parish or any neighbouring parishes”.
4. ECDC Conservation Officer – Request to meet with the Council to seek input and advice relating to the review the Conservation Area boundary in Little Downham – The Council approved and will invite ECDC Conservation Officer to the meeting on 24/09/09.
5. Little Downham Fete – Request to hold fete in Lt Downham Pavilion and Recreation area on Saturday, 5 June 2010 – The Council approved the request.
90/09 / PRESERVATION AREA
1. Pingle Wood – To consider request by Mrs C Parson to inset a plaque on the Parson seat in memory of her late husband, Roger – The Council approved the request.
2. Local Nature Reserve – To consider disabled Access for mobility scooters – One style of gate was considered, but the Clerk was expecting replies from other manufacturers. It was agreed that the Clerk should continue to make enquiries.
9.55pm / Cllr EW Hall gave apologies and left.
91/09 / RECREATION AREA
1. To update on Lt Downham & Pymoor Play Pathfinder Projects (Min.70/09.1) – The application for Little Downham was unsuccessful. Pymoor has been awarded a conditional grant of £25,000. A further survey is to be carried out with the school. Part B must be submitted by 14/10/09.
2. To discuss use of ‘Roller Shed’ at Lt Downham Recreation Area – Cllr CE Hall offered the spare play area railings to be kept in storage at Hall Transport Depot and the old 5-a-side goal posts can be removed.
3. To consider fence adjacent to Pymoor Recreation Ground (Min.70/09.5) – The chairman had spoken to adjacent neighbours. It was unanimously agreed under public health and safety that the fence should be removed as soon as possible.
RESOLVED: The Clerk was instructed to write, as a matter of courtesy, to Pymoor Cricket & Social Club and to the adjacent neighbours to inform that under public health and safety, the fence will be removed week commencing 21/09/09 and will not be replaced; comments relating to this are invited by 18/09/09.
92/09 / HIGHWAYS
1. Replies from CCC re matters reported at previous meetings (Min.71/09.2)–
1.1 Third Drove, Lt Downham – Necessary areas will be considered in the area patching.
1.2 Main Street, Lt Downham – No reply received yet.
1.3 Black Bank Road, Lt Downham – thanks were expressed for patching work.
2. To report current matters of information
2.1 Telegraph poles on Black Bank Road, Lt Downham – Concern was expressed that two poles near Peacock Bungalow have been replaced close to the carriageway.
2.2 Road Safety of Black Bank Road, Lt Downham – It was reported that on 22/08/09 (the day that Murfitt Tyre Recycling Plant caught fire) a vehicle had left the road and landed upside down in a field. It was proposed that the Council writes to Amanda Mays (CCC) to ask that she reviews Black Bank Road in light of the second accident in six months. Some members disagreed that the condition of the road was a factor of the accident. A recorded vote was requested; the result was as follows: In favour – Cllrs RS Martin, B Taylor and KO Winters. Against – Cllrs. DA Adams-Payne, CM Frankland, CE Hall, M Oldfield, and A White.
RESOLVED: Not to write to Amanda Mays on this occasion.
2.3 North Fen, Little Downham - Deep potholes need filling over the railway.
3. Adventurers Drove, Oxlode – When is resurfacing work expected?
4. Marshalls Drove, Lt Downham – Parishioner’s enquiry that an order was placed on the Drove in 2007/08 to close it during the winter months. Will it be done for this year? The Clerk was instructed to contact Karen Whymark (CCC P3 Officer) for an answer.
93/09 / CORRESPONDENCE
For information only:
1. Cambs ACRE AGM, 29/09/09, St Ivo Leisure Centre, St Ives, 5.30pm and Rural Cambridgeshire: Ensuring a Vibrant Future (evening of rural debate) 6.15pm – 9.00pm – Cllr Winters expressed an interest to attend.
No items were requested for the next meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 10.30pm.
Signed ………………………………..………………………..… (Chairman) Date ……………….………………

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