1

Minutes13 September 2017

Attendees:
Matt Eaton, Chairman
Ray Jakes, Vice Chairman
Donna Linsey, Parish Councillor
Mr Chris Williams / David Hurrell, Parish Councillor
Geoff Hall, Parish Councillor / Robert Turner, SC District Councillor
Tracey Thorby, Parish Clerk
No / Agenda Item / Action
1. / Apologies:
Bill Watts, Parish Councillor / David Kerney, Parish Councillor / John Williams, County Councillor
2. / Members’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda:
None
3. / Minutes from Planning Meeting - August 2017 meeting
Agreed and signed as a true record.
4. / Matters arising from previous meeting including:
A / Cambridge C.C. Highways matter:
Nicola Burdon her contact is
Tracey contacted Nicola Burdon and advised the following:
  1. Reference: 00260175 (Old Ref: NM-83670) Signpost at top of Albert Road/Newmarket Road still not replaced. This has been ordered but unfortunately does take time, unable to give timeframe.
  2. NM-83671 Footpath by Mr & Mrs Carr very bad. Nicola has sought quote for edging the footpath. Once the footpath has been edged then she will come and review the footpath.
  3. NM-83678 Wheatsheaf to offices path in a terrible state. Nicola has sought quote for edging the footpath. Once the footpath has been edged then she will come and review the footpath.
  4. Blocked drain across road from 15-17 Main Street. Jet Team visited 4 September 2017 and emptied. Remove item.
  5. Grass overflowing the footpaths need cutting back. Update on 13 July 2017, Nicola is awaiting quote for work.
  6. Reference: 00258695 road surface/potholes between Newmarket Road and the cycle path under the A14, CB25 9AG, Cycle Route 51. Update on 13 July 2017, Nicola confirmed still working process due to diverting cyclists.
  7. Leaves in drains, especially down Church and Stow Road as the drains are not working, blocked, water over the grating. Annual gullying was agreed by CCC and Jet Team visited on 31 August and 1 September 2017 and following week commencing 4 September 2017 and completed. Remove item.
  8. Reference:00270144 reported by Ray on 5 July 2017, Damaged Bollard on Stow Road, bollard has been knocked down and broken off. Ray unable to seek update. Tracey to follow up.
/ Tracey
Tracey
Tracey
Remove
Tracey
Tracey
Remove
Tracey
B / Speeding in the village:
Ray previously update Parish Council by e-mail on 24 August 2017 to advise:
“Hi Parish Councillors,
Bill,David and I have just met with a representative from Highways. He advised us of the following regarding a bid to LHI (Local Highways Initiative).
1. Maximum grant is £10000 with the PC expected to contribute.
2. Flashing signs are supported but have to be mobile. This means they have to be moved to different positions through the village at least every month!
3. We could apply for 2 of these.
4. Data indicating traffic flow and speed would support our case.
5. If we had speed cushions there would need to be approximately 10 pairs.
6. Using road narrowing would not require cushions as well and would be cheaper. We would probably have three.
7. Rumble strips could be used as you approach the 30mph sign from Lode.
8. Some additional road marking/colouring may be added.
At this stage the advice is to collect traffic flow data and develop a proposal by 15October for our LHI funding. It would be possible to amend this before the final decision is made once costings have been calculated.
I will ask WSP who helped collect data some years ago if PC agree. It would cost about £600 for this. Please let me know by 30 August if you support the data collection.”
Response received from Parish Councillors to support data collection. Ray has been trying to contact WSP contact but as yet to receive a response.
Ray has produced a survey to be completed by parishioners. Has given every Parish Councillor 10 copies and allocated sections of the village and suggested knocking on parishioners’ doors and asking the questions and completing the surveys. Requested the survey responses back in 10 days.
Mr Williams suggested if putting in speed bumps that full width platforms would be better as a problem with motorbikes racing through the village. This was discussed and it is good argument but also emergency vehicles and a large amount of haulage companies/lorries come through the village and full width platforms would cause more noise and problems with ambulances carrying patients. Mrs Jakes has got a version of the survey for the college and contractors.
C / Internet/Website:
Nigel is going to e-mail through the Jackdaw Chatters for Tracey to upload. As yet not received so Tracey will chase. Will not need ‘Church Service’ page as this information is included in the Jackdaw Chatter.
Matt forwarded invoice for internet and Tracey raised cheque for £113.00. / Tracey
Tracey
D / Parish Clerk:
PAYE – David was going to look into this but has had to give his apologies for tonight’s meeting. / David K
E / Accounts:
Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2017:
Query being received from PKF Littlejohn LLP Auditors, Tracey answering.
Precept
Second half of precept due to be received on 22 September 2017, £5,065.00. Once received will transfer some or all into ‘savings’ account
VAT Returns
Tracey will get the VAT Returns for 15/16 and 16/17 completed by meeting in November 2017. Has collected paperwork required from The Hut cabinets. / Tracey
Tracey
Tracey
F / Cemetery:
Mr Farndale
Bill spoke Mr Alan Farndale on 29 August who confirmed he does want the plot. Tracey spoke to Donna just prior to meeting. It was discussed how this occurred, what happened and learning from this, extremely sensitive subject. Tracey to provide Donna with new Certificate for her parents.
Bench
Geoff advised Mr Gaskin has not placed the bench for Marion in the cemetery as yet.
Headstone Seeking Approval
Ivett & Reed have forwarded a headstone design on behalf of Mrs Hickey-Colman regarding approval for Mrs B Hickey’s headstone. Design reviewed and all Councillors Approved. Tracey advised Sharon Hobbs at Ivett & Reed.
Cemetery Hedge
Tracey still requires to complete contract for Richard Watts for 3 years at £280.00. / Tracey
Tracey
G / Churchyard – Weed Control:
Tracey called Susan Merry at Truelink and awaiting a call back. Tracey has followed up with two further e-mails on 14 August 2017 and 8 September 2017. Susan Merry at Truelink has confirmed on 11 September 2017 that this should be completed shortly. Remove from agenda. / Remove
H / Rec maintenance:
‘No dogs allowed by Parish Council’ two signs required. Ray e-mailed Matt and approved purchased for the 2 signs £40.00 plus VAT x 2.
Andy the Moleman been to visit on 6 September 2017 to treat recreation ground, has been back 13 September and put more traps down and will be back next week and will monitor and come back until resolved for now.
Tracey advised no further contact has been made regarding the interest from the Veteran Team to use the football pitch which is disappointing with the amount of time Tracey, Martyn Livermore and his team had put into the enquiry. / Ray
I / Dog Fouling:
Dog Legislation information on SCDC on the website is extremely out of date (10 years plus). Tracey to contact Environmental Health to seek an update of rules which can also be incorporated into the responses in the future. No update since 1996 Act. Agreed remove from agenda. / Remove
J / Church/Fable Farm:
Tracey contact William Trotter and Chris Bradley for update can provide Parish Councillors and Parishioners on 8 September 2017. Mr Bradley responded on 11 September 2017:
“The court file has been submitted as well as a report outlining how the County can get rid of this mess.
I can’t tell you anymore.
It is believed the occupier of the farm has gone abroad, if you know different let me know please.”
Ray advised he spoke to Hugo Mallaby. County Farms,around middle of last week and was advised the tenant had court proceeding raised against him and had two weeks to leave Church/Fable Farm and if the tenant does not leave the bailiffs will be going in. CCC has responsibility to clear up the land as the tenant has not.
Robert will seek clarification from Mr Trotter to find out exactly what is happening, what is the state of play. Is the Haulier going to be prosecuted? Tracey will also e-mail Mr Bradley and Mr Trotter. / Robert/
Tracey
K / Church Car Park Fence:
Geoff clarified two rails need replacing and two posts straightened. Work completed and cheque raised for £80.00. Remove item from Agenda. / Remove
L / Parking in Station Road
Tracey wrote polite letter asking if they could refrain from parking on the bend/path as concerns have been raised.
Matt has been to view as parishioner called and unhappy about the letter that it was not discussed with them before the last meeting. Parishioner raised what happens regarding bins being put on paths andhis wife is unable to get past on her mobility scooter. Tracey advised she had been contacted by a separate parishioner and asked to call. Matt will contact both parishioners, Tracey to forward details.
Parish Council have addressed the issue and unable to take any further action. Bill to advise the complainant.
Regarding bin concern David advised he has tried putting his bins on other side of the road and they will not take them so they have to be put on the side of the footpath, which is narrow and does not have very good surface condition.
Robert advised that maybe put a comment in the Jackdaw Chatter to request people put their bins in as soon as possible. It was noted that would not be possible for those working all day. Remove from agenda. / Matt
Bill
Remove
5. / Agenda items
A / Complaint Letter:
Complaint letter received regarding condition of pathways. Tracey has acknowledged, updated as far as possible and has sought verbal consent to forward to any relevant bodies.
Parish Council would like to forward letter in entirety to Nicola Burdon at CCC Highways to ask them to respond directly to parishioner concerning the complaint. Tracey to contact parishionerto confirm they are happy for letter to be forwarded un-anonymised and send to Nicola and copy in John and ask Nicola to respond directly back to parishioner / Tracey
B / Recreation Ground Theft:
Strimmer, Hedge cutter and diesel stolen from tractor shed down recreation ground. Padlock cut and taken so no fingerprints. Crime number provided but no visit required from police.
Tracey contacted Zurich on 1 September 2017 to raise a claim. This has been reviewed and Zurich state “the items stolen do not match the items we have listed on the specified items All Risks Section C of our policy and our claims department have therefore contacted me to advise that they are not in a position to pay the claim.” Ray has subsequently contacted Zurich and we require to go through our assets in more detail for the different sections to provide an updated risk asset register with new replacement values for each item, or if easier to group the headings and total the values for gardening equipment; street furniture; play equipment, for example. Ray offered to complete assess register details.
Ray advised the strimmer and hedge cutter are good but old but would only get £50.00 at a car boot and our excess is £250.00 and the diesel we are unable to claim for.
Ray has reviewed replacing the equipment, not top of the range but has found: Qualcast Strimmer £125.00 plus VAT and £100.00 plus VAT for a Qualcast hedge cutter at B&Q. Parish Council gave permission to purchase.
Ray advised Colin has taken the rotary mower home and keeping safely locked up. / Ray
Ray
C / Pavilion:
Heater in visitor’s area is dangerous and needs replacing. Ray has disconnected and removed and taken it home.
Prad advised the heaterdoes not need to be replaced as not used. Remove from agenda. / Remove
D / Event – 23/24 September 2017
A Ancient Oak Medieval Fayre is coming to the village which I hope may be of interest to you all. Being held on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September from 09.30hrs - 17.30hrs. Tickets on the gate Adults £8.00, OAPs £5.00 and under 16's go FREE or Advanced tickets online Adults £6.00, OAPs £3.50.
Advertised on our website and I will be putting on FB. Tracey advised regarding signage. Remove from agenda. / Remove
E / Cobnut Tree:
Tracey has been given a two year old Cobnut Tree by a work colleague who bikes around the village for pleasure Monday to Friday and hoped that the Parish Council could plant it somewhere in the village along with our fruit trees etc.
Suggestion put in the recreation ground, possibly around the play/skate ramp area. Ray also has walnut tree. Ray will have a look where can plant. / Ray
F / Complaint – post missing by Chicane, Church Rd
Bill been asked when the post on the edge of the footpath by the chicane outside parishioners’ house will be renewed. It has been missing about six months. Last week two cars were racing down Church road, one went around the chicane whilst the other went inside it. Apparently, they completed that twice.
Ray has previously raised in July concerning a different chicane, add to ‘CCC Highways’ and Tracey to chase and raise new report for missing post on pathway at chicane in Church Road. / Tracey
6. / John Williams, County Councillor report:
  1. I now represent the County Council on the Greater Cambridge Partnership and I am a member of its Strategic Planning and Smarter Cambridge working groups. The latter group considers the use of new technologies to meet the effects of the economic growth forecast for the Cambridge sub-region.
  1. I am pleased to see work start on the shared cycle pedestrian path to Lode. We must keep up the pressure to provide a safe route through the village in the next tranche of Greater Cambridge partnership funding from the Government.
  1. Further to my last report about the public consultation on Children Centre’s following pressure from my group there was a public drop-in on the closure of the Bottisham Children Centre on Monday at the centre beside Bottisham Village College which you should have been notified about.
  1. The County Council is working with South Cambs on an exciting 6-month pilot project named – HOOP (Housing Options for Older People). The project offers specialist housing advice and support to older people. The customer journey starts with a questionnaire asking older people (over 65s) about their home and how it suits them. This can be completed on line or via a leaflet. The answers are then used to put people in touch with local housing options (sheltered housing, extra care schemes), support services and community groups that can provide a mixture of practical support and advice - with the aim of helping people to make informed choices about their housing and wellbeing at an early stage. This is only the second place in the country the service has been localised, up until now HOOP has been a national tool. We want all people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible and are committed to helping them to do that, therefore this pilot proposes more local solutions and suggests alternative independent housing opportunities and support to help people think through their housing options. It is hoped that if the pilot is successful, a full Cambridgeshire HOOP tool will be developed in 2018. You can keep up date at
  1. In tandem with the public consultation on Children Centres mentioned in my last report the county council has also been using the summer holiday period to consult on the libraries service in order to deliver cuts in its budget. This consultation also finishes on the 30 September but under pressure from my group additional workshops have now been planned for October across the county including one at the Central Library on Monday 2 October from 6.30pm to 9pm.
  1. There is a glitch – shortly to be mended we are told – on the County Council’s system which means that bus pass holders will not have had reminders at the appropriate time to renew their pass. It would be wise for anyone with a bus pass to check the renewal dates – and in particular if you are visually impaired or know someone who may be.
  1. And finally can I remind you that deadline for bids for the Local Highway Initiative scheme is now 15 October. See website for details. The costing of bids will now include all officer time which will increase the cost of a project by about a third. There is now also a privately funded scheme where parish councils together with third parties can pay for minor highway works without funding from the county council.
Robert Turner, District Councillor report:
Parish Planning Forum
There is to be a Parish Planning Forum 6pm, tomorrow Tuesday 12 September in the Council Chamber.