Minutes 13th August 2013 – Swaffham Bulbeck Parish Council

NUMBER 396

Held in the School on Tuesday, 13th August 2013, starting at 7.30pm

Present: Margaret Chadwick-Chairman (MC), Brian Ambrose (BA), Mary Smith (MS), Lynn Reed(LR), Gordon Reid(GR) and Sharyn Robinson(SR)

Members of the Public: None.

In attendance:
ECDC – Cllr Allen Alderson
Parish Council Clerk – Karen King

3317: Apologies for Absence:
CCC – Cllr David Brown – conflicting meeting
Bert Collins – conflicting commitment
Sue Romero – away
Ian Woodroffe – away

3318: Members’ Declaration of Interest for Items on the Agenda + Requests for Dispensation:
None.

3319: To Approve & Sign the Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting Number 395, 16th July 2013:
SR noted error in numbering. Subject to this minor amendment the minutes were agreed and signed as a correct record. Proposed: Brian Ambrose. Seconded: Gordon Reid.

3320: Matters Arising from Previous Minutes (for information only):
Min.ref.394/3300: Clerk received an email suggesting the installation of outside table tennis tables and permanent barbeques on The Denny. There followed discussion on other possible options such as an outside toilet near the Pavilion, a shelter over the Newmarket bus stop seat and a skateboard ‘deck’. Clerk asked to find out more about a skateboard ‘deck’. Action: Clerk
Min.ref.395/3312: MS said she had heard nothing further from the website designers but would chase this up.
Action: MS
Min.ref.395/3312: BA reported that the agreed changes to the signs on Vicarage Close were still outstanding. Clerk to follow up. Action: Clerk

3321: County Councillor’s Report:
A copy of Cllr David Brown’s report was circulated prior to meeting. There were no questions.

3322: District Councillor’s Report: Cllr Allen Alderson reported to the meeting. There following discussion on housing in the District and Community Land Trusts.

3323: Correspondence for Consideration/Circulation:
CCC – Winter Gritting Routes: Following discussion it was agreed that Heath Road should be added to the schedule for gritting.
ECDC – New Waste Collection Service – promotional events & updates. LR & IW to attend event at the Amey Cespa waste treatment facility at Waterbeach on 22/8/13. Report to next meeting. There was some discussion on access issues for collection of wheelie bins – SR referred to Downing Court. AA to find out more about the problems facing Downing Court and report back.
ECDC (Cambridgeshire ACRE) – Community Facilities Audit – next stage. It was felt that the requested information had already been provided and the PC did not have the resources to undertake such a project.

3324: Local Highways Improvement Bid – Report on Meeting with CCC:
MC, SRO, SR and GR met with Matthew Belton of CCC Highways. MC had circulated a written report on the meeting – summary;
• Explanation of PV2 formula used by CCC: The PV2 formula uses a calculation involving both pedestrian and vehicle flows to assess the justification for a pedestrian crossing.
• Using the above formula the pedestrian count did not meet the requirements for a Zebra Crossing.
• Possible alternatives included a Pelican crossing with traffic lights but this proved far too expensive.
• Raised section of road which was affordable but Councillors strongly felt this was not a good option.
• It was considered that SB was a special case. MB confirmed he could not make a special case judgment but was happy to report back to his line manager, Matthew Pickering, suggesting a further on site meeting.

Following discussion it was agreed the MC would forward her report to MB with a request for a meeting with Matthew Pickering and other interested parties on site. SR asked that Cllrs David Brown and Allen Alderson attend the meeting to support the village in its bid.

3325: Clerk’s Reports:
Play Area/Recreation Ground: Following play area inspections, suppliers contacted for prices and availability of replacement parts for the zip wire unit, swings, etc.
Tree in Denny Wood: Report received of fallen tree causing some obstruction to the path. It was noted that a ‘pathway’ had been created around the tree and there was no immediate action required.
Min.ref.394/3298: Application for tree works completed and to be submitted. There followed further discussion on whether to crown the Horse Chestnut tree and plant a suitable replacement nearby with a view to felling at a later date, or, to fell the tree now. It was agreed to fell the tree now to avoid future trees being out-of-line. Application to be amended. Action: Clerk
Boundary hedge, Commercial End: Email received about the hedge encroaching onto the footpath opposite Butler’s farm with the hedge growing around the lamp-post and footpath sign. Clerk to speak with Footpaths Officer at CCC. Action: Clerk
Tree works approval: 91 High Street.
Planning Permission: The Bungalow, Abbey Lane.

3326: Finances including Approval of Payment of Outstanding Accounts:
Payments:
a) Karen King – Clerk’s salary (July 2013 + gratuity payment of £125) £ 324-03
b) Inland Revenue – Clerk’s PAYE £ 81-00
c) Herts & Cambs Ground Maintenance – grasscutting £ 897-60
d) Redmayne Arnold & Harris – review of land rents £ 450-00
Total: £1,752.63

Payments agreed; Proposed: Sharyn Robinson. Seconded: Mary Smith.

Receipts:
Waterbeach Angling Club – June £ 5-00
UK Power Networks – June £ 76-86
BAA Bank Interest – July £ 1-28
Cemetery – memorial fees (Trapp-M145) £ 50-00
Total: £133-14

Cllr Allen Alderson left the meeting at 8.45pm

3327: Parish Councillors’ Reports
• MC carried out play area inspection for July and reported on items requiring attention.
• MS gave her apologies for the next 2 meetings.
• MC referred to the CAPALC newsletter and its section on value of assets which noted the value of an asset must be what was paid originally/historically. There followed discussion.
• SRo asked that the Jubilee Wood be an agenda item for the September meeting.

Meeting closed at 8.50pm

3328:- Dates of Next Meetings:-
3rd September
1st October
5th November
3rd December
7th January 2014
4th February
4th March

APPENDIX 1
CCC:
Michael Cunliffe – Winter Gritting Routes
Transport Delivery – Transport Strategy for Cambridge & South Cambridgeshire – Consultation
ECDC
Lynne Smart – Chairman’s Weekly Highlights
Patrick Pierrepont – Pre Launch Open Day + Promotional Events
Alison Brown – East Cambridgeshire Community Facilities Audit – next stage
Joan Cox – Register of Pecuniary Interest Form
Ian Lorman – approval for treeworks at 91 High Street
Planning
Planning Permission – The Bungalow, Abbey Lane
General
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – 111 Number
Lois Baker, Community Liaison Forum – meeting report
Cambridge ACRE – East Cambridgeshire Community Facilities Audit – next stage
Unison – how the District will meet its budget shortfall
SCDC – LDF – Publication of Proposed Submission
SLCC – Salary Award 2013/14.