Minutes of the meeting of Elsworth Parish Council held on Wednesday March 17th 2004 in Elsworth School Hall

PRESENT: Ian Maddison (IM) (Chairman) Mrs Annie Howell (AH), Messrs Alan Farrow (AF), Robin Grange (RG), David Holland (DH), Ian Macgregor (IMc), Michael Taylor (MT) James Witherow (JW)

IN ATTENDANCE

Cllr Mrs S Johnstone SJ) (Later part of meeting) Cllr. Mrs B Walters (BW) (District Councillor), Mrs E Sim (ES)(Clerk), 3 parishioners

OPEN FORUM

John Hicks and Gordon Thwaites raised the matter of the position of the proposed speed cushions in Boxworth Road. The Parish Council would seek clarification for the exact positions and was mindful of their concerns over the proximity of the cushions to their respective properties.

IM stated that the Atkins' plan was not what the PC had agreed.

1. Apologies for absence

Anthony Taylor (AT),

2. Declarations of Interest

AH and IMc declared an interest in matters relating to the brownies. DH declared an interest in matters relating to the preschool. AF declared an interest in matters relating to the Church.

3. Minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2004

The Minutes were agreed and signed (Prop RG Sec IMcG)

4. Matters arising from the minutes

8.4. The information on the local access forum had been passed to Berry Kenny.

8.6. Victim support donation was on the agenda for this meeting.

8.9. A copy of SCDC request for information about maintenance of open spaces in the village had been passed to Berry Kenny for Fardell's Lane and the Sports club

8.15. ROSPA safety inspection. The Clerk had emailed requesting notification of the exact date and stating that the PC wished to send a representative to accompany the inspector.

8.17. Ramblers Association. Footpath across Pitt Dean Farm. AF would walk the path and report to the Clerk who would contact the Ramblers Association.

9c. IM reported on the meeting with the Sports Club held in response to a letter received from the club with regard to damage to the pitches from rabbits and badgers.

11e Parking by the school was on the current agenda. The PC had put up signs asking drivers to respect the verges.

5. Items for any other business

1. The demolition of the front garden wall section at No 5 Smith Street - Under Planning

2. Doggy Bins- under Village Matters

3. School meeting - under school liaison

6. Reports from

a) County Councillor. SJ reported that the County had agreed a deal with the government over the council tax. They were faced with a choice of 9% imposed or agreeing 6.9% and a deal with the government. Council tax bills would be going out soon explaining where the money would be spent.

b) District Councillor. BW reported. Following the Clerk's query of the amount paid for the recycling credits she had ascertained that the PC had been underpaid. An additional £94 was due for the 2003-4 credits. Plastic recycling would commence in the coming months. BW had been asked to comment on the traffic calming measures for the village and requested any further comments from the PC before the plan is submitted to DC members in April.

7. Communications -

7.1. CCC. David Brace. Intention to install Additional Speed Control Cushions. On agenda item 8b

7.2. The Boundary Committee for England - Draft recommendations. Periodic Electoral Review of Cambridgeshire County Council. Request for PC views Review of Cambridgeshire requesting comments by April 26th. Also CCC Senior Democratic Services Officer. Re Periodic Electoral. Noted

7.3. ODPM Standards Board for England - Consultation papers. Copies of Draft Guidance to monitoring officers by the standards board for England: local investigation of allegations of misconduct under the local authorities (code of Conduct) (local determination) (Amendments) regulations 2004. Noted

7.4. CALC County Training partnership Information on the requirement criteria of a competent Clerk/Council to attain quality Parish Council status. IM & ES to discuss

7.5. CCC Notification of adoption of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Waste Local Plan. Noted

7.6. SCDC Notification of adoption of South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004-03-16. Noted

7.7. Information Commissioner. Data Protection Act 1998. Confirmation of entry in the register. Entry for Elsworth Parish Council was made on 20th February 2004 and expires on 19th February 2005. Noted

7.8 SCDC Summary of South Cambridgeshire Recreation audit and needs study results for Elsworth. Request for response from the PC. Response would be made re Fardell's Lane Land

7.9 Elsworth Sports Club - copy of Sports Club's response to the audit for recreational facilities. . Noted

7.10. SCDC Copy Directory of Activities for Older Adults and those returning to a more active lifestyle 2004.

7.11. SCDC Copy of Disability Sports and Social Clubs Directory 2004

7.12. SCDC Commercial services. Request for publicity for the kitchen waste bins available to parishioners. Clerk would respond re possibility of distribution at Elsworth Show

7.13. CCC South Highways division. Copy of letter to Mr Bill Law from Mark Kemp re installation of a new culvert in Fardell's Lane. IM said that he had spoken to Gareth Guest of the CC requesting a copy of the plans for the culvert. The plans received were no different to that of the existing culvert... Atkins is redesigning to turn the culvert from meeting the brook at right angles. It was confirmed that work would not commence until the PC had seen the final design. There were also reservations on the comments in a letter with regard to lowering the road at the Smith Street bridge and a meeting had been held with Mike Oakman of CCC Highways. The County had agreed to do test boring to see how deep the road footings were.

7.14. Mr B Kenny. Copy of letter from Mr Kenny to DEFRA re refuse collection in South Cambs

7.15. James Stevens DEFRA. Copy of response to Mr `Kenny Re refuse collection in South Cambs

7.16. SCDC Development Services Dept. Letter re Ashwell House Fardell's Lane failure to comply with landscaping scheme. A site meeting was held and a response from the owner is anticipated.

7.17. CCC. Highways supervisor. Proposals for kerbing Broad End from Fardell's Lane junction to entrance to sports field on east side of the road. On agenda 8c

7.18. Tony Stairs. Concern over the state of the verges in Broad End and request for help to ensure verges are repaired and protected. Also -Pam Stairs. Response to PC consultation of kerbing in Broad End. The Clerk would print & laminate notices requesting drivers to respect the verges, to be erected on the verge areas

7.19. John Sterland. Response to PC consultation of kerbing in Broad End

7.20. Peter Charter. Copy of letter to Elsworth School Headmistress and governors re Vehicular access in Broad End and Fardell's Lane

7.21. James Howell. Chair of Elsworth School governors. Copy of response to Mr Charters' s letter of 7.20

7.22. Elsworth Sports Club. Copy of letter from Sports Club to Elsworth School refusing request for parents of school children to be allowed to park on the pavilion car park because of insurance issues.

7.23. Richard Randerson & Berry Kenny. Re sluice in Brook Street. Statement of personal opinions regarding the sluice and offer of professional advice. Copies to be sent to PC member . IM to respond.

7.24. Valerie Seekings. Response to PC request for Internal Audit services. Nature of services and notification of anti money laundering legislation. On agenda 11c

8. Parish Council matters

Report from Fardell's Lane Committee

IM Presented the report, a copy of which is appended to the minutes. The committee was pleased that so many people have taken part in the project and there have been photos taken before and after the work. The intention was that these would contribute to a portfolio for the Anglia in Bloom Competition. IM thanked all those who were involved with the project.

Report on Traffic Calming proposals.

At the last PC meeting agreement was reached to do away with the table at the bottom of the Drift and opt for speed cushions at a point between the Drift and the George and Dragon Pub (based on advice from David Brace). There had been discussion about the chicane feature outside 46 Boxworth Rd and Dale Farm. It was thought to be more appropriate to opt for a set of speed cushions. A letter from David Brace detailed an amended plan with:

1. the option for cushions between the Drift and Orchard Close or between the Drift and the George & Dragon

2. a set of cushions in place of the chicane to the east of Duncock Lane, and

3. additional cushions towards Browns Farmhouse.

IM Stated that the CC stance was for a calming feature to be placed at regular intervals and that an interactive sign had been included in the original scheme where the CC now wanted to put the additional cushions.

Councillors voted on proposals for the positioning of the cushions:

1a between the Drift and the George and Dragon Pub. 5 in favour
1b between the Drift and Rogers Close. 1 in favour
Proposal 1a) was agreed.
2 past Duncock Lane in place of the chicane. All PC members were in favour of this.
3 councillors were not in favour of a further set of cushions towards Browns Farmhouse at present although they recognised the possible future need.

David Brace would be consulted with regard to the PC requests and asked about the interactive sign.

Proposals for a youth shelter and a hard surface area for play and sports.

IMcG had spoken to representatives of the Sports Club who had welcomed the proposals being submitted to the club. Two potential areas had been identified. The Clerk would contact Jane Thompson Sports Officer of the District Council about the grant that had been agreed by the DC for the basket ball hard standing. The demarcation of the PC area for the play equipment and leisure activity equipment was being finalized by the PC and the sports club.

Report on the Bus Stop on A428

IM and the Clerk had inspected the area. It was felt that as most people drove to this area to drop people for the bus it would now be easier and safer to drive into Cambourne Business Park where there already was a regular service. The Clerk was instructed to request a bus timetable for the Cambourne services be erected in Elsworth and to approach the developers with regard to their paying for the provision of a cycle rack for use by commuters.

Parking in Broad End & County Council proposals for Kerbing

The PC had received a copy of proposals from the County Council to kerb the side of Broad End opposite the school. Copies of the proposals had been given to all residents of Broad End with a request for comment to the PC. The PC had requested costings from the County for installation of oak bollards as an alternative to kerbing. It was resolved to await the response from the County Council over costing of the bollards and come to a view after that.

Format and Agenda for Annual Parish meeting

Councillors agreed the agenda items and format of the meeting.

ROSPA safety inspection.

The Clerk was instructed to request a specific date for the inspection and inform ROSPA that the I McG would accompany the inspector.

Servery

The Clerk and the Headmistress had had discussions about the future of the servery. The Clerk had written to the school to request their views on its future use. It was noted that the school was planning to decorate in the autumn half term and the headmistress had asked the PC if they would be willing to redecorate the servery at this time. The PC would await a response from the school to its letter.

9. Village Matters -

Village/Parish Newsletter. The PC debated the interaction of the Parish Council newsletter and the Elsworth Chronicle in the light of current Freedom of Information Act 2000 requirements. Various options as to future formats and funding were considered and other parishes' magazines' format and funding considered. The PC requested AF to present a proposal for the future operation and publication of the Chronicle including proposals for number of issues per annum, content, deadlines for inclusion of articles, advertising costs, distribution, editorial body and request for funding support. IMcG would liaise with AF.

Village sign. The sign had been taken down as the post was unsafe. The sign (including the ironwork surround) would be restored and the post replaced with a new oak post. The Clerk was instructed to investigate sources for the restoration.

Church Gates. The Church gate providing emergency access to the Drift had been damaged by Ridgeons when they delivered wood for the repair of the Church fence on the boundary with Upperfield. Ridgeons had replaced this gate with a new one at their cost. The small gate on the Drift side was in a bad state of repair. IM and the Clerk would inspect all the church gates and seek quotes for repair. Funding assistance would also be investigated.

Community Beat Manager. Councillors were pleased to note that PC Misik had been returned to the beat from secondment duties in Cambridge City.

Broadband. Following the information leaflets detailing how to request Broadband distributed in the parish by the Parish Council and the Jamieson children the target number required by BT for installation of the service had been reached. It was anticipated that broad band would be installed in the village in September 2004.

Doggy Bins. Following complaints received from some residents living near the church a dog bin was proposed for installation in the area. Objections to the siting of doggy bin had been received from some other residents living near to the church. Two bins had been installed in areas of the village where the problem was also acute and were being used. It was recognised that there may be additional bins needed to comply with health and safety requirements.

10. Working parties

Trees & Waterways. IM presented a report, which is appended to these minutes.

Planning. Councillors had been alerted to the demolition of the wall in Smith Street outside no 6. This formed part of the continuation of the Manor wall. Request for demolition had not formed part of the planning application submitted for the extension to No 6. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the SCDC planning dept with regard to the status of the wall.

Village Liaison. Nothing to report.

Recreation & Welfare. Nothing to report.

School Liaison. AF reported that the school wished the decoration of the servery to be done. No formal response had been received from the school or governors to the PC's letter with regard to the future of the servery. The new pedestrian gate had been installed and a new hedge planted. The governors felt that the issue of parking in Broad End outside the school was a matter for the PC. Lesley Minter was retiring as headmistress and interviews would be held shortly. Four candidates had been shortlisted.

Roads Paths and verges. RG presented a report, which is appended to these minutes. In addition the Parish Council supported the school's wish that Fardell's Lane should be the main walkway for children to go to school and would strongly discourage vehicular use of the road during peak school drop off and pick up hours. The minutes of this meeting would be sent to the Head teacher. It was noted that the Community Beat Manager also strongly supports discouraging vehicles from using the road during peak times. A suggestion was put forward for consideration for the school bus to turn round in Paddock Row. IMcG would investigate this possibility.

Web site. Thanks were expressed to DH for the hard work he had put in getting the web site up and running and for his support in the updating and maintenance of the site. DH reported the site was currently averaging 106 page requests per day. Interest as measured by page requests continued to grow. March 2004 looked to be the busiest month so far, with ~7000 page requests (extrapolated). Top search word hits: Elsworth, Papworth, village, wheelie. Most read pages: News, Diary, Images of Elsworth, Parish Council. There were 188 visitors in the last month, 163 of whom were new visitors.

11. Finance

Donation requests

Elsworth Brownies _ Agreed £150 (Prop AF Sec AT). It was agreed that the PC would request details of how the money would be used.the use of a donation. .
Elsworth Pre-school - No written request had been received.
Holy Trinity Church. No written request had been received.
East Anglian Air Ambulance. Agreed £100 (Prop AH Sec DH).
Victim Support. Councillors declined the request for grant aid.

Date for meeting for agreement of new financial regulations. Councillors agreed to meet on Wednesday 28th April.

Appointment of Internal Auditor. Councillors unanimously agreed to appoint Mrs Valerie Seekings as Internal Auditor (Prop RG Sec AH)

Members' allowances and expenses. Councillors noted the correspondence with regard to the anomaly of repayment of out of pocket expenses only to elected members. Councillors deplored the omission of co-opted members in this arrangement and supported the request that the ODPM rectify this omission.

Monthly accounts for payment

The following payments were agreed. (Prop RG Sec AH)

Items Paid since January meeting

BT PC phone bill        80.85
The Information Commissioner Data Protection for web site       35.00
Mrs E Sim Reimbursement for Flowers for Rev Mosedale's funeral  30.00
St Peter's Church Restoration fund Donation in memory of Rev Mosedale 30.00

Items for payment

Papworth Everard Parish Council rental of machinery and copies &
internet package        20.00
Elsworth school Hire of Hall £101.25 photocopying £13.60 = 114.85
Wicksteed Leisure. Repair of swing seats and painting   275.09
Ridgeons Wood for church fence  163.68
CALC Affiliation fee 2004-5     154.72
Glasdon Uk litter bin   90.15
Express printing Elsworth Chronicle     277.00
Elsworth Sports Club Hire of pavilion for Youth Club    120.00

Receipts

SCDC Recycling credits  £212.42
VAT Return £2,843.48

12. Date of next meeting -

Annual Parish Meeting Wednesday May 26th 2004