MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SOMERSHAM PARISH COUNCIL Held at The Millennium Sports Pavilion, The Trundle, Somersham On Monday 10 th June 2013 at 7.30 p.m.

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1 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SOMERSHAM PARISH COUNCIL Held at The Millennium Sports Pavilion, The Trundle, Somersham On Monday 10 th June 2013 at 7.30 p.m. In accordance with the Councils Mobile Phone and Recording of Meetings Policy for permission to use any electronic devices or mobile phones it was agreed by all councillors present to allow permission for Mr Jebson to leave his electronic device on. PRESENT WERE: Miss M Blewett, Miss J Bullard, Mr S Criswell, Mr M Greaves, Mr E Harris, Mr M Hoy, Mr S Innes, Mr A Jebson, Miss L Minter, Mr P McCloskey, Mr I Smith, Mr G Siggs, Mr R Sutton (in the Chair) and Mrs P Bryant Parish Clerk. IN ATTENDANCE: DC G Bull and 7 members of the public 1. APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were accepted from: Paul Suckling personal 2. PARISH COUNCILLORS DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Mr Criswell declared an interest in the Draft Huntingdonshire Local Plan to PUBLIC FORUM It was proposed by Miss Bullard, seconded by Mr Jebson and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to close the meeting for a period of time to allow members of the public to participate in an open forum. The meeting was closed at 7.31 pm and reconvened at 7.33pm. Matters discussed: FUL Holbrook Farm, Short Drove, Somersham 4. PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY The period for members of the public to call for an election to fill the vacancy has passed and it is now being advertised for co-option. The closing date for application is 2 nd August PLANNING MATTERS PLANNING APPLICATIONS FUL High Street, Somersham Remove existing sheet metal roof & replace with traditional slate It was proposed by Mr Jebson, seconded by Miss Blewett and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to recommend no objection. The proposal of slate is more in keeping with the property and will improve the street scene FUL Holbrook Farm, Short Drove, Somersham Conversion of buildings to dwelling to include demolition of existing barn & erection of single storey extension Considerable discussion was held on this proposal. Mr Siggs commented the farm site was looked after well by the owners and would support the application. Mr Criswell stated he was not sure if the proposed dwelling complies with planning legislation, he believed the applicant requires an agricultural assessment to justify the dwelling. Mr Criswell felt the parish council need to be consistent with their decision making and this is building in the countryside. Page 1 of 6 Pages

2 It was proposed by Mr Siggs and seconded by Mr Hoy to propose no objection. The conversion will greatly improve the area and building, the barn needs to come down. This proposal was rejected by the councillors by 3 votes for, 8 against and 1 abstention. It was proposed by Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Criswell to object to this proposal and recommend that it comes before the parish council again with an agricultural assessment to support the conversion. This was agreed by 9 votes for and 3 abstentions TREE 46A, High Street, Somersham 2 x Horse Chestnut Trees pollard to previous pollard points It was proposed by Mr Smith, seconded by Miss Minter to propose no objection this was agreed by 11 votes for and 1 abstention. The work is necessary as the trees have grown tremendously and are imposing. PLANNING APPLICATIONS APPROVED FUL Park Farm, Church Street, Somersham Change of use of agricultural building to class B1 (retrospective) PLANNING APPLICATIONS REFUSED Nil PLANNING CONSULTATIONS Huntingdonshire DC Draft Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036 Stage 3 consultation Commencing Friday 31 st May Friday 26 th July 2013 Huntingdonshire DC Review of Local List Application Validation Requirements. Response due 11 th June 2013 It was proposed by Miss Bullard, seconded by Miss Minter and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to accept the list. PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE Cambridgeshire CC H/05001/13/CW Colne Fen Quarry, Chatteris Road, Colne Fen Restoration of land at Colne Fen using imported inert waste to create conservation habitats. Confirmation of parish council s comments. Cambridgeshire CC H/05001/13/CW Colne Fen Quarry Amended Transport Assessment Mr Criswell said the parish council ought to discuss again and briefed the meeting on current situation, he also confirmed Chatteris, Earith & Colne Councils have all objected. It was proposed by Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Hoy and RESOLVED by all councillors present with 2 abstentions to object and remain with the parish councils original decision. 6. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETIMG HELD ON 13 TH MAY 2013 The Minutes of 13 th May 2013 were proposed by Miss Bullard, seconded by Miss Blewett and RESOLVED by all councillors present with 2 abstentions to be a true record of events and were duly signed by the Chairman. 7. POLICE REPORT E-cops s - Inspector M Greenhalgh is moving posts. The new Inspector will be Dick Lowings Page 2 of 6 Pages

3 Crime statistics for years ending April 2011 and April 2012 The Chairman updated councillors on the meeting held between Sgt Andrew Street, Mr Criswell, the Clerk and himself. All outstanding policing matters relating to Somersham were discussed including the parking problems associated with the White Audi. Miss Bullard expressed her concern that the CCTV may need an upgrade especially on The Cross. The Clerk will look at this. 8. REPORT FROM COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR S CRISWELL & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR G BULL Cllr Criswell reported there have been several s with the rumour the Whippet 21 service will be withdrawn in September. To confirm there are no plans to withdraw the service. Huntingdonshire Area Community Transport are promoting themselves locally and are available for community transport. Cllr Criswell will put an article in the next edition of Somersham4u Newsletter. Mr Jebson asked Cllr Criswell why the Girton interchange is still shut, was it something to do with an unstable structure? Cllr Criswell said some of the under structure has washed away. Cllr Bull said he had nothing specific to report for Somersham but would like to see a copy of the Minutes of the discussion regarding the local plan from the next meeting (July). Cllr Bull reported concerns have been raised at the green wheelie bin costs for a second bin from this year. Cllr Criswell confirmed HDC discussed the sustainability of whether it was better for householders to compost on site or drive to a recycling centre. 9. PARISH CLERK S REPORT Inc. o Correspondence: CPRE s Transport Toolkit Cambridgeshire ACRE Changes to ACRE s Services o Matters Arising Report The Community Notice board has arrived and the Clerk has requested Highways for an installation date. o To Consider Undertaking a Neighbourhood Plan for Somersham The Clerk gave a further explanation about Neighbourhood Plans and if completed how this would increase the level of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) the parish council would receive. It was proposed by Miss Bullard, seconded by Mr Smith and RESOLVED by 7 votes for, 2 against and 2 abstentions to put the proposal on hold. The parish council would have to take the lead and unless all councillors are behind the project, are prepared to contribute to the work load and pilot a steering group then it is best to leave this project alone. It was agreed to revisit the proposal in 6 months. 10. FINANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT including: - o Monthly Accounts The monthly accounts were proposed by Mr Sutton, seconded by Miss Blewett and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to be paid and the cheques were duly signed. o Finance & Risk Management Working Party meeting held 6 th June 2013 Mr Siggs requested his name was added to the list of apologies as he had provided them prior to the meeting. o Year-end Accounts for 2012/2013 The accounts were proposed by Mr Jebson, seconded by Miss Minter and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to be accepted. Page 3 of 6 Pages

4 o Annual Return for 2012/2013: o Section 1 was proposed by Mr McCloskey, seconded by Mr Hoy and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to be accepted. o Section 2 was proposed by Mr Hoy, seconded by Miss Blewett and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to be accepted with all responses being yes. 11. HIGHWAY including Public Footways - Repairs/ Maintenance Correspondence: Mr D McCandless St Ives Road Safety Committee report update Cambridgeshire CC Fixed Speedwatch Notices cost to purchase:- Sign + Post total cost It was proposed by Miss Minter, seconded by Miss Blewett and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to proceed with an order of two signs for Somersham and to ask Colne Parish Council if they would like one ordered at the same time to keep costs down. Jo Challis CCC re 40 mph buffer zone Mr Criswell explained the consultation process that has taken place to date including the information the parish council carried out their advertising in Somersham4u newsletter. It was proposed by Miss Minter, seconded by Mr McCloskey and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to proceed with the project. It was proposed by Miss Minter, seconded by Miss Bullard and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to extend the grass verge cutting from the end of Gypsy Lane to the parish boundary with Pidley on Pidley Road. Highway issues: Hedge the hedge at a property at the end of Loftsteads is overhanging the footpath. The house number will be supplied to the Clerk to enable her to write to the property owners. 12. STREET LIGHTING Inc. repairs The Clerk will chase George Hay CCC re No 26 The Trundle which is hidden in the overgrown hedge. 13. REPORTS FROM SOMERSHAM PARISH COUNCIL WORKING PARTIES & REPRESENTATIVES: a) The Norwood Building There were no matters to report. b) The Victory Hall Miss Minter gave an update report. o draft Minutes of 14 th May 2013 c) Amenity Area Working Party (Inc. Somersham LNR) o Amenity Area Working Party meeting held on 6 th June 2013 Friends of Somersham Local Nature Reserve Mr McCloskey reported. o SNRG Draft Minutes 1 st May 2013 o AGM notice 10 th July 2013 Somersham Lake Mr Smith reported work was carrying on as usual with grass cutting and general maintenance. Repair work will start on the duck feeding platform shortly. Page 4 of 6 Pages

5 d) Millennium Sports Field Miss Bullard presented a good over-view of the SSLA s current position, the draft business plan and event planning as below: o Draft AGM Minutes 21 st May 2013 o It was proposed by Miss Bullard, seconded by Miss Blewett and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to propose no objection to a road closure application for Dunkirk Drove, Parkhall Road/ Short Drove for the Somersham Sprint 10k in September. o It was proposed by Miss Bullard, seconded by Miss Blewett and RESOLVED by a unanimous vote to submit 2 planning applications on behalf of the facility for floodlights on pitch 1 (nearest the pavilion) plus an all-weather pitch. These new facilities feature in the draft business plan. o Mr P Hind Somersham Town Cricket Club. Letter of grievance in response & with reference to the reduced fees agreed by the SSLA for the Club. It was agreed the Clerk would acknowledge receipt of Mr Hind s letter and contents. e) Christmas Lights Working Party Mr Smith reported a working party meeting was due this week. f) Youth Working Party / Youth Club & staff management Miss Minter reported Richard Jenkins is coming to end of his management contract and a Youth Working Party meeting will be held to discuss this. In addition Alice Boon is still going to cover a couple of sessions whilst others are away. Alice s contract will be amended to reflect her new role. Interviews are happening next week with regards youth club staff vacancies. g) Community Information Centre Miss Minter gave an update on the library - the AGM will be on 31 st July 2013 and John Graham has done some special crosswords for the Carnival to raise money, the crosswords have been beautifully done. The Parish Clerk updated members on the Library lease. Mr D Rosmarin CCC confirmed he is no further forward until he receives an answer from the county solicitor regarding the various questions raised. h) Somersham4u Newsletter Team Report o Meeting report 16 th March 2013 The next deadline is 30 th June. o Mr Smith reported feedback from people who say they don t like the new newsletter and believe the yellow Voices version was better. i) The Educational Charity of Thomas Hammond - No report. j) Localism Working Party o Meeting Report 23 rd May 2013 k) Somersham Time Bank Somersham Steering Group Meeting report 22 nd May REPORTS OF EXTERNAL MEETINGS ATTENDED BY PARISH COUNCILLORS Mr McCloskey reported attending the Hunts Flood Forum; a report has been circulated via BURIAL LAND EXTENSION The Clerk has written to HDC Planning and as yet has not heard whether the work carried out has been signed off. The Clerk reported the burial land extension is likely to be consecrated in September The Clerk confirmed she will be checking the deeds with John Few, Leeds Day Solicitors to establish who has legal responsibility for the boundary wall. Page 5 of 6 Pages

6 16. NOTICES AND MATTERS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA No matters were reported. The next ordinary Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 8 th July 2013 at 7.30 pm in the Millennium Pavilion. There being no further business the meeting closed at pm.. Richard Sutton Chairman Page 6 of 6 Pages

7 ACCOUNTS 10 June 2013 The following accounts were required before the meeting: Wages Somersham Carnival Committee Stall C Lights Southern Electric Electricity Lake sea container TOTAL June 2013 Talk Talk Broadband DD Talk Talk CIC DD Huntingdonshire DC Norwood Building rates DD Lake sea container rates DD Information Commissioners Office Data protection Reg fee DD HMRC Tax & NI Gibbs & Dandy Plc. Galvanised bucket Unity Trust Bank Transfer of funds for salaries 30, CAPALC Affiliation fee British Telecom Viking Payments Stationary etc VHMC Hall hire Play Innovation Street Snooker balance ESPO Norwood Building gas Community Info Centre gas Cole & Day Groundsman s fuel Secura-cam Fire alarm maintenance E-on Street lighting Wages 2 x youth club staff Arien Signs Community notice board Mrs P Bryant Expenses refund TOTAL 45,614.01