MEPAL PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk: Barbara Green, tel 07739 988736 or 01353 774711
Email:
Chairman: Mrs Elizabeth Stazicker, email , tel 01353 778129
NOTICE OF MEETING: Full Council Meeting
TIME: 7.30pm
DATE: Monday 14th September, 2015
VENUE: Mepal Village Hall, School Lane, Mepal
All members of the Council are hereby summoned to attend for the purposes of considering and resolving the business to be transacted at the meeting as set out below.
MEMBERS 4
VACANCIES 3
QUORUM: 3
DRAFT MINUTES
367/15 TO RECORD APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
368/15 MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
369/15 MEMBERS’ REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
None
370/15 SIGNED AND APPROVED MINUTES OF MEETING OF
a) 13th July (Full Parish Meeting)
b) 23rd July, 6th August and 1st September (Extraordinary Parish Meetings)
371/15 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Anna Bailey – the new Local Plan had been signed off. Two spurious planning applications had been received for developments in Haddenham and Witchford, and these had been refused. However an appeal regarding the Witchford application (150 houses) it was deemed that the local housing need was not being addressed by the Local Plan. Councils are now advised that the Building Line can be considered, as before, but this is not in itself acceptable reason for refusal. Applications must be in sustainable locations but local housing need must be met. New developments across District (eg Soham, Littleport) will count towards building target. It is likely to be up to 18 months until the Building Envelopes can be reinstated.
There will be a new development by the Stretham and Wilburton Community Land Trust (CLT) of 73 houses. CLTs have a board of local residents who consider local need and choose suitable sites, which may be outside the normal building line, eg farm land, so prices are generally lower and more accessible to local residents. The formation of a CLT allows villages to choose what is appropriate and desirable for them, and fight other proposed developments that may otherwise be passed due to housing need not being met.
East Cambs District Council is in the process of forming an umbrella organisation to help villages set up their own CLTs. There is also to be a Local Authority Trading company – Councils are not permitted to make profits, but a trading company would allow them to contract out certain services and profit.
Thanks to careful attention to budgets East Cambs District Council is on course to have a balanced budget until at least March 2017. The new leisure centre in Ely is still on track, as is the Ely By-Pass which is due for completion by the end of 2017.
Mike Bradley mentioned that there had been a few problems with the new footpath and cycle route from Sutton to Ely. Particular difficulties had been experienced by cyclists and people with prams and pushchairs when the main road had been resurfaced and large amounts of gravel had spread onto the pathway. Efforts are being made to ensure the pathway is kept clear in future.
372/15 OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was a report that dog fouling around the village is increasing again, particularly in and around Brangehill Lane and Lilibet Wood. An appeal to dog owners will be printed in the forthcoming Mepal People.
373/15 APPOINTMENT OF HANDYMAN
A handyman has now been appointed, following interviews earlier this month. The Clerk will finalise his contract and a list of priority work around the village compiled.
374/15 GRANT REQUEST FROM MEPAL EVENTS TEAM
There has been a request for grant towards a village celebration to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, from the newly formed Mepal Events Team. The date has yet to be set but it will be between April and June. An estimate for a large marquee, including insurance, indicates the cost could be £600 plus VAT. The Team hope to generate some income towards expenses over the next few months, including Mepal Mike, a toy monkey that it is intended will be lent around the area and people pay a fee to have their photo taken with it.
The Parish Council agreed in principle to approve funds up to £1000 (the Clerk will check regulations regarding grants). This will be subject to the receipt of an acceptable business plan and with the condition that, as far as possible, the Parish Council funds are repaid from any profit held by the Events Team after the event.
375/15 LILIBET WOOD
Advice has been received from The Woodland Trust regarding the maintenance of Lilibet Wood. Weeds should be cut back, although will not do any harm as long as they are below the tops of the new trees. To encourage growth compost can be inserted into the protective tubes around the trees, and these tubes should be kept in place to protect from rabbits, deer etc. A member of the Woodland Trust is willing to visit the site to advise further, perhaps in the Spring. As the planting of the Wood was a Community project it was suggested that, once the weeds are under control, future maintenance work could also be a Community event.
376/15 UPDATE RE PROVISION OF BALL WALL
Although only two tenders have been received it was decided to go ahead with the project, and award the work to Len Kimber, who has experience of similar work and provided the best quote. It was noted that he is not VAT registered. The Ball Wall is to go in front of the hedge, at right angles to the Pavilion. It is estimated that 5 trellis panels will be needed, with an approximate cost of £18 each, together with 15 pyracantha plants at £6.50 each, to grow up them. These will deter people from kicking balls against the Pavilion wall and prevent further damage. A budget of £120 each for trellis and plants was agreed. The s106 application will be completed as soon as possible, checking that it is acceptable to start the work while the application is still being processed.
Work is needed to remedy drainage problems on the football pitch and it was agreed that a meeting will be arranged between councillors, Mel Pooley and a representative from the Football Club to finalise arrangements for the work to be undertaken as soon as possible.
377/15 CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE MODEL FOR NON-EMERGENCY PATIENT TRANSPORT
There will be a public meeting in Chatteris to discuss this matter. It was agreed that the Clerk will try to arrange a public meeting to take place at the Village Hall in Mepal, on a Saturday if possible. The consultation will be promoted in Mepal People.
378/15 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES REVIEW CONSULTATION
It was agreed that the Parish Council accepts that contribution to the upkeep of public conveniences in Ely could benefit Mepal residents, but that is seems unreasonable for us to contribute to conveniences in Littleport, Fordham or Burwell. The Clerk will make that comment to the District Council and the consultation will be publicised in Mepal People.
379/15 HEDGEROW AND PATHWAY ALONG SCHOOL LANE
It is believed that the land adjacent to the pathways belongs to the Church Commissioners. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to them to ask about having the hedgerows cut back as soon as possible. We will also speak to them again about the unkempt state of the field alongside St Mary’s Church, and about any progress in having the horses removed. The Clerk was also advised that HAPPA may be able to help regarding the horses. She will contact them.
380/15 PARISH COUNCIL BANKING ARRANGEMENTS
It was agreed that following the difficulties with Lloyds Bank the Clerk would contact the Unity Trust Bank regarding moving the Parish Council’s account. The Unity Trust Bank have specialist accounts for local councils and several neighbouring Parish Councils use and recommend them.
381/15 ROAD SIGNS ALONG A142 APPROACHING MEPAL
There was a discussion about the provision of crossing signs, considering a quote received in the summer. In view of the cost (£5000+) and the fact that much of the footpath is in the Sutton parish, and used by Sutton as well as Mepal residents, we contact Sutton Parish Council to invite them to join us in a shared project. The Clerk will speak to them and arrange a meeting if desired. A vote was taken on whether to carry out the work even if Sutton are not willing to contribute. The vote was split and it was agreed to add this to the October agenda.
382/15 HORSE RIDER SAFETY AROUND VILLAGE
Consideration was given to ways of promoting horse and rider safety on the roads in and around Mepal, following concerns from a resident. It was agreed that recommendations in the Highway Code be promoted in Mepal People and that the Clerk write to local horse organisations to suggest they remind their clients of these.
383/15 PLANNING
Updated information regarding planning applications at:
a) Manor Farm – the application has now been approved by planners. The Clerk will write to Chris Norman to say the Parish Council is pleased to know that the decision has now been made, and asking if he can give an idea of a start date for the build.
b) Block Fen – pressure is being put on the District Council to insist that Hanson move ahead with the reinstatement of the land. It is believed the latest deadline is the end of September. The road is currently closed as all the companies involved in gravel extraction need to make improvements to the road.
c) ADAS land and buildings (informal consultation) – the Chairman has spoken to planners in South Cambs, who report they had no issues with the developers apart from small issues arising from the restricted size of their existing site. No problems are anticipated with the proposed development on the ADAS site.
384/15 WEBSITE
It was agreed that the Clerk go ahead and publish the new website. There is still a lot of work to be done but it is hoped that contributors will be more forthcoming when they can see the site as it is. A budget of up to £100 was agreed.
385/15 DEFIBRILLATOR
The purchase of a defibrillator for the village is being considered. A public demonstration has been arranged for 10am on Saturday 10th October, in the Village Hall.
386/15 Finance
Cheque payments to the following were approved:
Truelink (grass cutting) £583.32 & £795.56
Mepal Village Hall (rental) £80.00
SLCC (Parish Clerk course) £118.00
David Richards (Printing) £119.58
B Green (July salary) £457.72
HMRC (tax & NI) £114.40
B Green (August salary) £594.12
ECDC (licence change) £10.50
Direct Debit to the following was approved:
Eon (street lighting September) £19.64
387/15 ACTIONS UPDATE
None to report
388/15 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
None
389/15 DIARY DATES
Future dates: 12th October, 9th November
………………………………………………………………….. Clerk/Proper Officer
7th September, 2015