A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Monday 14th January 2008 at 8pm.

 

 Apologies from Mrs Pritchard and Ms Hayes.

 

Present Miss Sach, Mrs Handley, Mrs Clemmow,  Mr Ellis, Mr White, Mr Tebbit, Mr Blatch and, in the Chair, Mr Dalton. C.Cl. Mr Kindersley and Cl. Mrs Heazell were also present.

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd December 2007 were received and signed after adding to Item 18  'Edgar's Cottage' approved by Parish Council.

 

Matters arising from the Minutes

 

1 Nixon's Hall Tablet. The Chairman reported he had this in hand.

 

Land Registration of Parish Property.  This is also in hand.

 

Hedge cutting  Agreed to request the County Council to cut the hedges on the west side of Lowfields and the one between the Hoops and Clunch House, Great Eversden.

 

Bin at Bus Shelter, Gt. Eversden. Replacement erected and bill for £228.53 received.

 

Road at St. Helen's transfer.  Negotiations in the hands of solicitors.

 

Quarry at Hill House Farm, Gt Eversden.  Work completed and satisfactory.

 

Windfarm  Gt Eversden.  Agreed this should be reported in Cambridge News and a brief, factual notice circulated throughout the villages.

 

2 Tennis Club:  The Chairman invited Mr Wood to address the meeting about this project. Ely Diocesan Board of Finance are willing to sell a portion of land at the back of the glebe field in Chapel Road for use as a tennis court. Mr Wood's request was whether the Parish Council were ready to support their application to the District Council for funding. This would not require the PC to guarantee funding. A privately commissioned survey of the recreation field was also submitted. This showed that it would be possible to place two tennis courts in the SW corner of the Recreation Field if the three football pitches and the Cricket pitch were moved. The Parish Council were agreed to support the Tennis Club in principle, but were divided on the choice between the several possible sites, one adjacent/behind the village hall as described to them by Mr Wood, the previous schemes on the recreation ground and the new proposal. Although it was suggested that any duplication of changing/toilet facilities was undesirable, it would in any case be required whichever site was chosen. The costs of any re-siting of the existing pitches would be substantial if courts were to be constructed side by side in the SW corner of the Recreation Field. No costings, detailed schemes or facility plans however were put to the meeting and no informed decision could therefore be made. It was agreed that the P.C. sign a suitably amended letter of support for a Tennis Club on one of the proposed sites as a means of accessing SCDC funding.

 
3. Bins at St Helen's, Lt. Eversden The collection of bins continued to create problems, because the vans will not collect the bins from outside the houses opposite the Church (Nos. 8-12 Church Lane)  Mrs Heazell agreed to investigate the matter further.

 

4 Police Liaison.  Next meeting at Orwell Village Hall on Wednesday 23 January at 7 for 7.30

 

5. Standing Orders  NALC Model to be examined and ours updated.

 

6. Village Plan  Mr White reported their grant application had been successful and they were awaiting a cheque. The first steering meeting had been held and a questionnaire is being prepared.

 

7. Mileposts.  Following a letter received enquiring whether there were any mileposts in the Village the Chairman reported there were in fact two local ones, one about 200 yards along the A603 below the Wheatsheaf and the second one on Orwell Hill.  Both were in good order.

 

8. Finance.  It was unanimously agreed that the proposed budget for the year 2008-2009 be altered to include the sum of £700 for expected election expenses.  The precept for the year would now be £5500.

 

 The following cheques paid:-
 ACRE Affiliation Fee    £25,00  LGA 72 s 143 (1)
Clerk's Salary plus expenses (backdated) £284,42 LGA 72 s 112 (2)
Further refund on Recreation Ground Insurance of £70 expected.

 

9. Planning
 Chimney at Wood's Barn. Approved by SCDC if black
 Edgar's Cottage. Refused by SCDC on grounds of 'abandonment'. Concern expressed at this decision, but agreed to discuss further when an Appeal is received.
 Old Rectory. Listed Building Application.  Conversion of Garage to Office, Playroom etc.  Approved by PC.

 

10. SCDC Reinspection. A letter received asking for our views on the performance of the Council since their inspection in October 2006, when some weaknesses were identified with the corporate governance of the organisation. It was agreed that the Officers should be complimented on their work and dedication .  Mention should also be made of the excellent work done by our local Councillor, Mrs Heazell.

 

11. Cl Mrs Heazell reported that the proposed door to door collection of plastics had been estimated to cost one million over two years.  The policy is now on hold. She also spoke of the Housing Futures Plan to sell present housing stock.  She felt strongly that tenants should have a say in what happens to their houses and most did not want to be transferred to a Housing Association.
The Scrutiny Meetings being held in villages were regarded as very successful.

 

12. Cl. Kindersley spoke about the forthcoming Police Liaison Meeting and hoped there would be a good attendance so that people could voice their concerns.  Officers from Highways Department would also be attending.
He also reported on the appointment of a new Chief Executive of the C.C.

 

13. Mr Blatch raised his concern about a difficult tenant in one of the houses on Harlton Road.  His behaviour is a concern to residents and in particular to parents of children waiting for the school bus. Cl. Mrs Heazell to investigate the matter further, and the Chairman should also write to Mr Stephen Hill, Housing Manager.
 
14. Correspondence.  In circulation.

 

 Date of Next Meeting    Monday 25th February 2008 at 8pm in the Village Hall