Minutes of a meeting of the Wimblington Parish Council held on Tuesday 10th February 2009 at the Parish Hall, Addison Road, Wimblington at 7.00pm.

 

Present Cllrs S Spurr (chairperson), P Crawford, E Gowler, A Knowles, H J Moore, S Redhead, The Clerk, M Davis,

Cllr G Harper, P Holmes, PCSO D Williams, J Coady, B Coady, P Hart, M Moulton, J Young, R L Norris, C Brown, A Carlin,

Plus a two other members of the public.

 

Apologies for Absence Cllr E Wright (illness|), Cllr L N DiGovanni, Cllr J Tuck

 

The Chairperson reported upon the Declaration of Result of the Poll due to the vacancy of Cllr L Fisher-Cole. Maureen Therese Davis had been duly elected.

M T Davis duly completed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and was welcomed to the meeting.

 

Pursuant to the National Code of Local Government Conduct Members are reminded that they must declare

any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in respect of any item to be discussed at the Meeting.

Cllr E Gowler item 8d the cricket square at Parkfield.

Cllr S Spurr residents letter street lights Doddington Road. (7a)

 

Cllr Geoffrey Harper explained the Cabinet structure that Fenland had adopted and how Policy Development Groups advised the nine Cabinet sections. Fenland had been given an “Excellent” status last year. He spoke about the present developments, Business centres, Nene Waterfront, Cromwell park Wisbech, and the College of West Anglia.

He spoke upon Community First, one stop shops, Golden Age Fairs, waste collection and the housing position.

Shaping Fenlands future would be assisted with the creation of Neighbourhood marketing Boards, one for each market town plus a representative for the rural communities, and neighbourhood Groups that would meet twice a year.

Cllr Spurr mentioned her concern that little assistance was given in regards to Consultations and very often the Parish Councils missed out. She felt that representatives should give a presentation to Parish Councils. Cllr Harper stated that the Neighbourhood Boards and Groups should address the issue.

The question of waste collection was discussed as concern that glass was not collected and the increase in vermin. Cllr Harper said that Fenland residents were able to dispose of waste food each week through either the brown and green bin system. Glass collection may be considered.

 

238/09   Police Matters

PCSO D Williams reported that since the last meeting three crimes had been recorded. The incidents were theft of tools and trailer at Fullers Lane, moped from Doddington Road (since recovered), stolen TV and Wii from  a house in March Road.

 

               

239/09                Confirmation of Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of meeting 13th January 2009 were correctly recorded and that they be signed as being a true record.

 

 

240/09   Matters Arising

a) Car Park, Addison Road – The Clerk reported that no progress to date had been made over the re-cycling area and the car park.

b) Allotments – The Clerk had written to the tenant regarding the rent and no response from the residents has been received.

Cllr Spurr reported upon issues raised at the last meeting. Rents at March were £35 per plot. Quotes from four firms were sought for the water supply and only one had responded – P J Cotters in the sum of £1,050. RESOLVED – that the Clerk obtains a further quote but if no quote is forthcoming (next two week’s acceptance of his quote be made)

The question of ploughing was a still a concern and whether the area should be treated with roundup prior to any works. The Clerk also reported that the Council had been offered over 100 tons of peat manure that could be worked into the soil to assist the allotment association. RESOLVED – that the Clerk seeks advice on the ploughing and a quote is obtained for converting the grass pasture into allotment beds.

As the Council had not heard from the residents regarding the two metre strip a quote for fencing from the boundary is obtained. Cllr Knowles to seek a quote from A1 Fencing and the Clerk to obtain a similar quote for approximately 56m of six foot wooden fencing. The residents are to be informed of the Councils decision.

c) Youth Club – Cllr Spurr reported that a further meeting with the police and FDC had been arranged for 25th February.

 

 

241/09   Income Expenditure

a) The members considered and approved the following accounts for payment

British Gas                             Maintenance                                          20.00                     3.50                          23.50

Mrs M Moulton                   Caretaker/booking clerk                     189.09                                                     189.09                                    

R Wright                                Salary & expenses                                518.61                                                     518.61

Cambs CC                              Clerk’s Pension                                  130.77                                                     130.77

Robert L Norris                     Expenses allotment launch                     47.56                                                        47.56

Thomas Eaton School                Donation                                                88.65                                                       88.65

PRS ltd                                   Renewal of licence                                 55.00                       8.25                         63.25

T Hampson                           Hedge cutting etc                                             250.00                     37.50                         287.50

b) The Clerk reported upon income of £37,643.87 to 12th January 2009 and expenditure to date of £37,072.18

 

 

242/09                Planning

Observations on the following applications - none

Comments from Fenland D C - none

The next meeting of FDC planning committee is on 11th February 2009 at Fenland Hall, March

 

 

243/09   Highway Matters/Street Lighting/Transport

a) Street lights matters – Street light Manea Road – Fenland D C & Cambs CC have had discussions with edf regarding the cable on the pole which is a service cable and not appropriate to run a street light. The Council are still awaiting the outcome of talks.

MHB Services Ltd are still awaiting new swan neck brackets before undertaking works on the lights at Kings Street, March Road and Bridge Lane.

Cllr Spurr vacated the room and Cllr Moore read out the letter from the residents regarding the street lights in Doddington Road from Sisco Garage towards Doddington. RESOLVED – That the residents be informed that the current Street light budget allocation had been utilised but the request will be considered in the new financial year from the 1st April.

Cllr Gowler reported that although the new light at Boots Road had been erected it had not been connected. The Clerk was asked to write to Fenland asking that the light be connected as soon as possible.

b) Footpaths – An inspection of the footpaths in the village has been carried out and the entrance of the footpath on Blue Lane along side Knowles Transport site shows signs of recent flooding. Residents are not using the kissing gate but have made an entrance through the hedge. Cllr Knowles felt that the matter was not helped as the local farmer failed to maintain his drainage ditch. P Holmes agreed to look into the matter.

c) Highway matters – Complaints of grass cutting at Coney Walk have been received but an inspection revealed no problems and the matter will be monitored. Problems over smells at Blue Lane/Coneywood have also been received but upon a recent inspection no adverse smells were noticeable. The Clerk was asked to write to FDC and the Environment Agency informing them of the residents concerns.

The Clerk reported that the condition of the roads within the village remains a concern and some verges had deep ruts.

An inspection of Bridge Lane has been made and the green box at the junction with the bypass has been cordoned off by Anglian Water and the hedge appears to be causing no problems.

 

 

244/09                Recreation Grounds

a) Doddington Road. - A recent inspection revealed that areas are waterlogged but in general the site is in reasonable order. The play area has no visible rubbish and the equipment is in reasonable order. The area around the pavilion had a small amount of rubbish that has been cleared but signs that small fires were being made were evident.

b) Parkfield – The site in general is clear of rubbish and in good order. The play equipment shows no sign of defects.

c) Eaton Estate – The site was in good order and no signs of defect were evident to the play equipment.

d) E Gowler to report upon Parkfield – It was reported that the cricket section is looking to replace the cricket square. Cllr Gowler vacated the room whilst this matter was discussed. The Council as owners agreed to consider the funding of a replacement cricket square and would work with other parties to secure funding and donations. The Cricket Club to supply funding details.

 

 

245/09   New Cemetery/Churchyard

a) New Cemetery – The hedge at the new cemetery has been trimmed and the ground conditions were very wet. Recent burials have not helped with the water issue and work will be required to raise some of the sunken burial plots along with a general tidy up exercise. The Clerk reported that as regular receipts from burials were being received the Council should review the maintenance arrangements. RESOLVED – That T Hampson be asked to undertake grass cutting on a regular basis and act as a caretaker.

B0 Wimblington St Peters Churchyard – The Churchyard is in a reasonable order and no problems have been reported by the PCC.

 

 

246/09   Parish hall                        

Cllr Moore reported that the quote for the Randall programmer and thermostat was £198 plus vat

RESOLVED – that the quote from J F & R Edwards be accepted.

Cllr Moore and Spurr would be meeting with the solar panel people tomorrow and would report further at the March meeting.

The Chairperson reported that the living hedge proposed for the area between Mrs Boon and the hall may not be appropriate and suggested that a wooden fence be erected. RESOLVED – that the clerk obtain a quote for fencing.

Cllr Moore was called away due to an emergency and apologised to the Chairperson.

The |Chairperson reported that CATS had approached Mrs Moulton as regards to the use of the hall for a production in June. They would also wish to use the hall on a regular basis leading up to the production. The group originated from Chatteris but contained local people. They were using Doddington but the hire price was increased and they sought another venue. They were given a hire rate of £12.50 instead of £18 per hour. They also wished to implement some changes at the hall - two 32 amp sockets, curtains, and shutter to kitchen area.

RESOLVED – that a concession would be made and the hire rate would be £12.50 per hour and reviewed at a later date. The Company is allowed to undertake the changes. The Council to obtain a quote for a roller shutter between the kitchen and hall.

 

 

247/09                Correspondence & Other matters

a) Fenland D C – Standards Committee – Apologises was sent from the council as no representative could attend the meeting held on the 19th January 2009. P Holmes stated that a further date had been arranged for a session in Wisbech.

b) Cambridgeshire Transport Commission – Proposals to spend £500m to tackle congestion in Cambridge, including improvements to public transport, walking, cycling, highways and some form of congestion charge.  Deadline for responses could be made via the following web site www.cambstransportcommission.co.uk

c) Lillian Ream Collection – Cllr Wright was not in attendance so the possible exhibition in Parish Hall by the Lillian Ream Trust could not be discussed.

d) Parish Plan –Cllr Spurr reported that the update of the Parish Plan was in hand and questionnaires would be delivered on 7th March  in order for a report to be complied in April/May.

e) War Memorials Trust – The Council agreed that the draft letter in response to the WMT letter of 21st January be sent.

f) Correspondence circulated to Councillors – CALC 2008 AGM minutes – Wicksteed,  Playscape brochure –

Smiths of Derby newsletter January 2009 – EEDA Business link details – Peterborough City Council Mineral & Waste Development preferred options 2 – Timberline Street and play equipment brochure.

g) Cab would be attending at the hall on Wednesday 18th February and Wednesday 18th March.

h) Twinning – Cllr Spurr reported that hosts were required as Mozorello intended to send35 people over this year. Many would be from their Middle School, students aged 13-16. The Association were working with the Gala Committee and hoped to run a Tug of War and other sporting events.

 

 

248/09   Date of Next Meeting       

                Tuesday March 10th 2009

 

 

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