#WITCHFORD PARISH COUNCIL ALL PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. #1160 Witchford Parish Council

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1 #WITCHFORD PARISH COUNCIL ALL PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1160 Witchford Parish Council Clerk: Mrs A Hodges, 88 West Fen Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 3AA Telephone Minutes of the Annual General Meeting and the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 18 th May 2011 at 7.30 pm in St. Andrews Hall. Present: In attendance: Apologies: Mr G Jellicoe (in the chair), Mr A Shields, Mrs D Field, Mr G Matthias, Mr T King, Mrs S Bromley-Allen, Mr I Allen Mr H Palmer, Mr I Brand County Councillor Hunt, District Councillors G and P Wilson Annual General Meeting 1 Election of Chairman for year 2011/2012 Mr Jellicoe took the Chair and asked for nominations for Chairman for the forthcoming year. Councillor Jellicoe was duly elected and the declaration of acceptance of office was signed by the new Chairman. 2 All Councillors present signed Declarations of Acceptance of Office. 3 Election of Vice-Chairman for year 2011/2012 Councillor Shields was duly elected. 4 Review Hire of Herbage - Discussion took place regarding the hire of herbage at The Old Recreation Ground. It was agreed to make no change in the charge of 150 to Mr Oakes at the present time. It was agreed that an invoice for 40 be sent to Grovemere for rent of herbage at Old Scenes. 5 It was agreed to write to Mrs Field and to Mrs Burroughes and Mrs Robinson thanking them for continuing to give permission for permissive paths to be used across their land. 6 The Parish Council s Risk Assessment document was noted and approved. 7 The Annual Review of Internal Audit was noted and approved. It was noted that annual review of internal audit is no longer a legal requirement for Councils with a budget of under 6.5m; however, Councillors decided that it would be good practice to continue to undertake this review. 8 It was agreed to defer discussion on appointments to groups and working parties until the Council is back to full strength. 9 The Parish Council s existing Standing Orders were confirmed. 10 The Parish Council s revised Financial Regulations were noted and approved.

2 Parish Council Meeting 11 Cllr Bromley-Allen declared a personal interest in item 7.iv. The Clerk declared a professional interest in item The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6th April 2011 and the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 11 th May 2011 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman Co-option of Councillors 13 Mr I Brand and Mr H Palmer advised the Parish Council that they were willing to be co-opted onto the Council. All Councillors agreed that they should be co-opted. Mr Brand and Mr Palmer then signed their Declarations of Acceptance of Office. There are 2 places remaining to be filled on the Council. A notice requesting expressions of interest in being co-opted from any qualified person will be placed on the parish notice board. 14 Councillor Palmer reported on a meeting of the Household Waste Recycling Centre Liaison Group he attended on 9 th May. The Group was taken on a tour of the new site. Issues relating to construction works, traffic control, and site security had been discussed. The project is within budget and is on course for completion on time in October. Councillor Palmer confirmed that there was a landscaping programme to provide screening but that planting would not take place until this Autumn at the earliest. 15 The publication of the East Cambridgeshire Strategic Partnership Sustainable Community Strategy was noted. 16 The publication of the Cambridgeshire County Council Integrated Plan was noted. The County Council has adopted new corporate objectives. These are: Supporting and protecting people when they need it most; Helping people live independent and healthy lives in their community; Developing our local economy for the benefit of all. There was a discussion about the potential for service delivery being devolved to Parish Councils and the possible financial implications of this. 17 A letter was received from East Cambridgeshire District Council advising that Parish Councils will no longer be asked to make a contribution to the ongoing funding of Neighbouring Panels. Councillors Jellicoe and Shields (the Parish Council s Neighbourhood Panels representatives) advised that they consider the Panel to be a productive forum for addressing local issues. Councillor Allen advised that Cllr G Wilson will the Liberal Democrats District Councillor representative on the West Area Neighbourhood Panel. Reports from District Councillor. 18 Councillor Allen reported that the Annual Meeting of the District Council will take place on 24 th May. It is expected that the new Leader of the District Council will be Cllr Moakes (Sutton) and Deputy Leader will be Cllr James Palmer (Soham). Cllr Allen has seconded a motion proposed by Cllr Moakes that the District Council should continue to hold evening meetings to make it easier for the public to attend. The new constitutional arrangements will be going ahead. The East Area Joint Committee for traffic issues will be reinstated. Cllr Allen reported with regret that the rules governing the make-up of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee have been changed so that it is no longer automatic that the Chairmanship of this committee will be taken by an opposition group member. 19 A request for a donation from Witchford First Responders was received and it was agreed that a grant of 1250 should be made. The First Responders will be advised

3 also to approach Grovemere for a donation. 20 A request for a donation from 1 st Witchford Guides was received and it was agreed that a grant of 300 should be made. 21 A request for a donation from Ely Soham Dial-a-Ride was received. Councillors noted that there are now 58 members of the scheme in Witchford. In light of this, and of the funding cuts the scheme has recently suffered, it was agreed that a grant of should be made. 22 A request for a donation from Witchford Women s Institute was received. After discussion, Councillors took the view that the Parish Council should support the Women s Institute because of the important social role it plays in the lives of its members. The Parish Council agreed that a grant of 250 should be made. Planning 23 10/00639/OUT erection of a 2-storey dwelling on land to the side of 17 Common Road The Parish Council noted the Inspector s Decision letter on the appeal against East Cambridgeshire s District Council s refusal to grant planning permission. The Parish Council had commented that the proposed removal of trees might have a detrimental impact on the local area. The Inspector has dismissed the appeal. 24 There was considerable discussion on recent developments with the X9 bus route. Councillor Bromley-Allen has received complaints from bus users that the new 2- houly timetable makes getting to appointments in Ely very inconvenient. There are also problems with connectivity with onward travel to Cambridge and concerns that overcrowded buses are bypassing Witchford village altogether. Councillor Jellicoe reported on his correspondence with the County Council Passenger Transport Team following problems he witnessed with overcrowding on a single-decker bus on this route with elderly residents trying to get to the market in Ely. The managing director of Stagecoach was contacted by the County Council. Subsequently, a double-decker bus has been laid on for this route. Nevertheless, problems caused by the reduced frequency of the service remain. Councillors consider that an additional service is needed at peak times, for instance at 9am. The Clerk was asked to write to Stagecoach to request that a senior representative attend a forthcoming Parish Council meeting to hear and respond to the Parish Council s concerns. A specific notice of this meeting should be placed in the Witchfordian and put up in bus shelters to advise residents. 25 Notice has been received of the Cambridge and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Site Specific Proposals Examination, which is part of the process in the drafting and adoption of a new Minerals and Waste Plan for Cambridgeshire. The relevant policy for Witchford is Policy SSP W4A - Grunty Fen - the inclusion of a cell for stable nonreactive hazardous waste at this site. The Parish Council has already objected to this proposal and has nothing further to add. 26 The Service Level Agreement for legal services with East Cambridgeshire District Council s legal department was signed by the Chairman on behalf of the Parish Council. 27 It was agreed that the Parish would continue to take part in the County Council s Parish Paths Partnership scheme, and the Clerk was asked to complete the necessary forms. It was noted that there is no longer any funding available for public path works from the scheme, but that the professional advice and support of the County Council s Rights of Way Officer would continue to be available. In addition the County Council will provide networking and training events for local P3 Co-ordinators,

4 and will support parishes in making bids to private or charitable funds as appropriate. The Parish Council received a manual produced by the County Council to assist parishes in carrying out path maintenance and improvement works. 28 Drainage, cultivation and clearance works have been completed at the new parish allotments in Manor Road. The Chairman expressed his great appreciation to Mr Ivor Brand for his assistance with setting up the allotments. 29 Cllr Field advised that there are no reported problems with the Parish Council owned 1163 play areas at Common Road and Bedwell Hey Lane. 30 Councillors have received reports of graffiti being daubed on the Victoria Green play area equipment, and also that the fencing at this site is damaged. This play area is the responsibility of East Cambridgeshire District Council. All complaints have been passed to the District Council. The Parish Council has noted that the play equipment and fencing at Victoria Green is in rather poor condition, and asked the Clerk to request that the District Council maintain the site to a safe and appropriate standard. 31 Grass-cutting is currently taking place at 3-weekly intervals as the Parish Council requested. The Council will continue to liaise with Truelink to ensure that grasscutting takes place at appropriate intervals throughout the season. Councillor Field requested that the playing field cut be deferred until after the Whitsun Bank Holiday and the Clerk will contact Truelink accordingly. 32 The Best Kept Village 1995 sign has been pulled up by persons unknown and is currently in store. Councillors agreed that it should be replaced in its original location. 33 The wildflower seed sown at Sandpit Drove has not germinated due to the very dry weather this Spring. Cllr Palmer advised that re-seeding will be required this Autumn. 34 Cllr Bromley-Allen reported problems for people driving out of Bedwell Hey Lane and people crossing Main Street from Bedwell Hey Lane to the bus stop caused by parked vehicles on the corner of Main Street leading eastwards. The PCSO will be asked to determine how far from the junction it is safe for vehicles to park and to talk to the householder as appropriate. 35 Cllr Jellicoe reported a complain he received about damage to a garden fence adjacent to the permissive path leading between Marroway Lane and Field End. This has been passed onto the police and the PCSO will patrol the area. 36 The fence at the intersection of Dunham s Lane and the bypass has been knocked down. The County Council Highways department has been informed. 37 Complaints about overhanging vegetation were reported at Briars End and on Main Street west of Rackham School. These will all be passed onto the County Council Highways department so that they can contact the landowners. 38 Cllr Jellicoe and the Parish Tree Warden will inspect overhanging branches at a location on Main Street adjacent to Needhams Restaurant, assess what work is needed and contact the landowners accordingly. 39 There have been repeated complaints about people allowing their dogs to foul the public footpaths around the village. Also, it was noted by the Parish Council that there is an increase in people leaving dog waste hanging in plastic bags from trees and hedges. Councillors commented that these are both very unpleasant and asked local dog-walkers to remember to clear up after their dogs and dispose of waste responsibly.

5 40 A report has been received that the dog waste bin on Main Street near Needham s Restaurant is in need of repair. Cllr Jellicoe will inspect this to see whether repairs are possible or if a new bin is required. 41 Cllr Jellicoe thanked Mr M Thompson for cutting back the hedge at public footpath No10 and Mr C Goodjohn for works on the structural rebar on the same path. 42 Cllr Allen reported that he has received complaints about the low-hanging branches on trees at Elm Close. Cllr Jellicoe and the Parish Tree Warden will inspect these With regard to the parking area at Victoria Green, the Clerk reported that further information is still awaited from the Land Registry. 44 It was noted that the bins at Victoria Green are still periodically not being emptied. This is the responsibility of Veolia. 45 The water leaking onto Barton Close has been tested by the Environmental Health Officer who has confirmed that it is not foul water. He is referring the problem to Anglian Water. In the meantime, Cllrs Jellicoe and Allen have inspected the site, which it was noted is actually highway. The Parish Council delegated Cllrs Jellicoe and Allen to meet with highways officers to progress. 46 Cllr Allen is continuing to pursue the issue of East Cambridgeshire District Council charging 350 to carry out inspections under the onerous hedge legislation. 47 A meeting was held on 16 th May 2011 between Cllrs Jelllicoe, Allen and the Clerk and representatives from Sanctuary Housing to discuss the boundary between the Common and the track running along the eastern side of the Common. Further information is awaited from Sanctuary Housing. 48 The picnic bench for Bedwell Hey Lane play area has been delivered. 49 Following a complaint about persons camping on open space to the rear of Ward Way, East Cambridgeshire District Council (which owns this land) confirmed that no camping is allowed on District Council owned open space and that incidents of camping should be reported to it so that appropriate action may be taken. The Parish Council decided that it was not necessary at this time for it to formulate a policy for camping on its own open spaces. 50 The Millennium Wood bench has been repaired and replaced. The Chairman thanked Cllr Allen for his help with welding and Mr R Button for providing materials. 51 The Clerk explained the Annual governance statement to the Parish Council. This was discussed, agreed and signed by the Chair. 52 Finance: It was agreed that the bank reconciliation for March and the clerk s monthly expenses be noted and the cheques on the schedule of cheques be approved. 53 The bank reconciliation for the financial year , receipts and payments information for and the report on significant variations circulated by the Clerk were noted and agreed. The Annual Return for the External Auditor was agreed and signed by the Chairman and the Clerk. The Council s Internal Auditor s report is awaited. 54 The Parish Council approved the following items: the proposal to advertise for sale the old mower that has been in store unused for over two years, the purchase of incidental items needed for the repair of the Millennium Wood bench, and for the Parish Council to fund the provision (at the appropriate time) of fencing and a gate at the junction of the Millennium Wood with the new footpath link.

6 55 Diary Dates Date of next meeting Wednesday, 8 th June 2011 There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m. Signed:.. Chairman Date:..