10^th January 2005     Back to Index

A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Monday 10^th January 2005 at 8pm.

Present Miss Sach, Mrs Handley, Mr Ellis, Mrs Clemmow,  Ms Hayes, Mr Blatch, Mr White and, in the Chair, Mr Dalton. Cl. Mrs Heazell also present

Apologies.  Mr Bane and Mr Tebbit . The Clerk also sent apologies. Illness prevented her attendance. Members sent sympathy and good wishes.

Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2004 were read. Mr Ellis asked for minute 15 to be amended from 'cars parked down both sides of Buck's lane' to 'cars parked in Buck's Lane'. This was agreed and the minutes were signed. However Miss Sach reported that members of the Recreation Ground Committee had monitored the situation on four Sundays since then and had observed cars parked on both sides of Buck's Lane and even some parked on the Harlton Road.

Matters Arising

1                    Harlton Road Notice Board. The Chairman reported that this notice board had been completed and arrangements were being made to erect it. He would welcome some assistance in this. Mr Tebbit was thanked for providing the wire mesh required. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Desmond Elbourne to thank him for all his work and his generosity in donating his labour. It was proposed that a small present should also be given to him as a token of the Council's gratitude.

2                    Footpath 13. Ivett's Lane. Nothing further to report. BT have not moved the pole.

3                    Verge cutting Miss Hayes reported that she had received further information and that she was still working on the project.

4                    Litter from Wheelie Bins and box collection. Cl. Mrs Heazell reported she had personally observed the collection procedure. There had been some improvement, but she would like to hear immediately from anyone who had complaints. She also reported that the Council was to consider ceasing to make payments to villages for recycling. The Chairman was strongly supported when he observed that this would be an unwise move, as it would reduce people's motivation to recycle and lose vital goodwill.

5                    Speed Restrictions.  Cl. Wilson had agreed to pursue our case. The Chairman reported that he had e-mailed Cl. Wilson but had received no reply as yet.

6                    Emergency Water Supply. The Chairman reported that there are now four wells known in the village. No further action could be taken at present since County Councils were meeting with the Government on 19 January to discuss future plans.

7                    Condition of Chapel Road at the far end. Mrs Clemmow reported that no patching had apparently been done. The Chairman will pursue this with the Highways Dept.

8                    White Poplar at Village Sign.  The Chairman had received an estimate of £180 from The Town & Country Tree Surgery Company to remove the potentially dangerous limb. It was proposed by Miss Sach and seconded by Mr White that this estimate be accepted at once.

9                    The Chairman reported that the Double Bend sign by St Mary's Church had been blown down and was broken off at ground level. It would be replaced as soon as possible.

10                Finance.

The budget proposals considered at the previous meeting were confirmed. The precept would therefore be for £15,300.00

The following cheque was agreed:

Clerk's Salary              £230.04

15        Consultation on move of Papworth Hospital to Addenbrooke's. Cl Mrs Heazell reported that the Consultants at both hospitals were strongly in favour of the move for clinical reasons.  The Parish Council pointed out that ordinary people feared the increased problems of access to Addenbrooke's and regretted the loss of Papworth

16        Car Parking in Wheeler's Way  At the previous meeting Cl Heazell showed a plan of a proposed increase in the parking spaces at Wheeler's Way. This was agreed to be acceptable and would be welcomed by the residents, but provided an increase of only six spaces.

18                            Planning Applications.  None

19                            New Village Hall Car Park  Mr Ellis asked what was happening about the plans for the new Village Hall Car Park. The Chairman replied that they had had to be put on hold until the work for the disabled toilet had been completed and paid for. The current occupiers of the field were sympathetic and helpful. It was agreed that there would be no objection to them using the field as a children's play area for a wedding in the summer and putting a temporary bridge over the ditch.

Correspondence  In circulation