920 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LITLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN LITLINGTON VILLAGE HALL ON TUESDAY 14 th NOVEMBER 2017 PRESENT: Cllr Pipe (Chairman), Cllr Williams, Cllr Barlow, Cllr Sharp, District Cllr McCraith, County Cllr Kindersley Members of the Public 1 In the absence of Cllr Bathmaker. and Vice-Chairman Cllr Wiltshire. the meeting was chaired by Cllr Pipe. 7.30 pm PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 01. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr McClelland, Cllr Bathmaker, Cllr Wiltshire, Cllr Jones, Cllr Pledger, District Cllr Cathcart 02. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS AND DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS RELATED TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA There were no interests declared. 03. OPEN FORUM Comments and observations from Members of the Public 3.1 Recreation Centre/Village Hall improvements There was no update available. 3.2 Royston Road Traffic Issues 3.2.1 Speed Signage There was no update made. 3.2.2 Update on CCC Minor Highway Improvement Scheme 2018/19 The application had been submitted by the closing date of 15 th October 2017. 3.3 Bassingbourn Road Parking Update The Clerk advised that she had been left a telephone message by a Bassingbourn Road resident willing to help progress the opening up of the gardens for parking. Cllr Cathcart was to follow up with Geoff Clarke, the South Cambridgeshire District Council Housing Manager. 3.4 Village Hall Play Area Update Councillors were awaiting the proposal requested from Pre-School at the last meeting. 3.5 Other issues 3.5.1 Abington Road Grass Verge Concern was expressed over the verge opposite the development site. There was a huge rut in the ground and one of the reflector posts by the drainage ditch had been knocked over. Cllr Barlow advised that he had been in touch with the planning officer about this as the damage had been caused by the builders. Cllr Bathmaker had also reported the damage on the County Council website. The Chairman suggested that once the building work was nearing completion the builders be asked to repair the verge. In the meantime the Clerk was asked to ensure that the report had been logged on the County Council website. 04. COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS 4.1 District Council Cllr McCraith reported that the progress on the Local Development Plan was still disappointing. Earlier in the day the Clerk had circulated an update from the Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council. Cllr Kindersley added that to date the plan had taken 3years and 8 months which was the longest in the country. If the plan was not adopted by March 2018 it would have to be delayed until after the elections in May 2018. Commitment was also required form the District Council to start work on the new plan from 2019. The five year housing supply issue continued until the Local Development Plan was signed off. Cllr Sharp asked if there was any pressure from the Government to get the Plan finalised. Cllr Kindersley advised that Lucy Campbell MP did ask but was told that the holdup was due to the local authority. 4.2 County Council Cllr Kindersley had circulated a report. He referred to the redesignation of children s centres which would lead to a number of closures including Bassingbourn. This would cost the tax payer more due to more children being taken into care. People were being told that the work carried out by the centres would be taken over by outreach workers. Cllr Kindersley s
921 experience did not confirm this. He stated that the idea of the centre was for people to go there if they were in trouble or think that there would be trouble. It would be impossible to find those families which was very depressing. Local issues were then reported. There was currently a consultation on the Hertfordshire County Council Transport plan where the A505 and Royston were not mentioned. Cllr Kindersley stated that Cambridge was a magnet for residents in the area and with large developments planned an increased number of people would be using the A505. He was aware of the issues with the junctions and suggested that the three Parish Councils adjoining the road ask questions through the consultation on safety improvements. Cllr Kindersley then went on to report that that the number of people killed or seriously injured on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough roads had increased by 33%. There had previously been a downward trend. Councillors agreed that the Clerk would make a representation to the consultation on the Hertfordshire County Council website. Cllr Kindersley had attended a presentation on the reopening of the Three Tuns public house in Guilden Morden. The owners would soon be asking for support. Cllr Kindersley concluded his update by referring to the latest correspondence regarding changes to the Sheen Farm planning application addressing most of the concerns raised in the recommended objection by the Parish Council. There was now the proposal for 50% affordable housing. Councillors were waiting for an amended planning application for these changes and at that stage would arrange a Planning meeting to discuss their latest views. The Chairman thanked Cllr McCraith and Cllr Kindersley for their update. 05. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 5.1 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting dated 10 th October 2017 Minutes of the meeting, copies previously circulated, were agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman. 06. LIVE INITIATIVES/UPDATE ON RESOLUTIONS FROM LAST MEETING 6.1 Action Point Review of Parish Plan The Action Points were noted in the October minutes. 6.1.1 Planting of Bulbs around village Cllr Wiltshire had purchased some bulbs for planting. It was agreed that she be reimbursed for the purchase cost up to 20. 6.2 Update on Clunch Pit Activity and TRO The County Council had advised that the order for the change had been passed to the press. The Order would also be posted on site with consultation letters sent to statutory consultees. The Clerk advised that further signage had been ordered to replace missing motorcycle signs. The application submitted by Cllr Jones for a Community Chest Grant would be considered by South Cambridgeshire District Council on the 21 st November 2017. 6.3 Update on Plans for a Christmas Celebration Cllr Barlow reported that the Working Group had met and put plans in place for the 9 th December 2017. Royston Round Table had agreed to provide and man their float which would be static by the village green from 4.30pm. Volunteers were needed from 9.30am to help set up. Cllr Barlow had prepared a poster advertising the event which he circulated to the meeting. It was agreed that the posters be displayed around the village as soon as possible. 6.3.1 Agreement of Budget for Event Cllr Barlow proposed a budget of 250 for the event which included refreshments and the Christmas tree. This was seconded by Cllr Sharp with all Councillors in agreement. 6.4 Update on Defibrillator Purchase The Clerk confirmed that she had circulated the quotation from Community Heartbeat, for 2146 plus VAT, to Councillors who agreed that the order be placed. Once received the equipment would need to be installed by an electrician. The Clerk reported that the Village Fayre Committee had donated 500 towards the purchase. She had also applied for a grant from Royston Round Table and the outcome of this was awaited. 6.5 Traffic Issues Meeting with County Highway Officer The Clerk had asked to meet with the officers regarding various traffic issues around the village. She had been told that a meeting would be arranged once the applications for the latest LHI had been assessed. The Clerk to urge a meeting date for the next Parish Council Meeting. 6.6 Village Projects/Planning Questionnaire Jones
922 A draft questionnaire was to be prepared by Cllr Jones. 07. CORRESPONDENCE 7.1 Rural Community Survey for South Cambridgeshire The Parish Council had been asked to consider an on-line survey from Rural Services Network. The idea was to achieve a network of 250,000 rural residents across England so that the clear consensus rural response system could be established to matters of the day. Details had been circulated to Councillors. 08. PLAY AREA /RECREATION GROUND/CENTRE 8.1 Play Area update 8.1.1 Play Area Weekly Inspection Report Mrs Williams confirmed the equipment was satisfactory. 8.1.2 Overgrown Trees in Play Area Agreement of Quotation A quotation had been received to cut back the hedge alongside the play area for a cost of 160. It was agreed that the quote be accepted. The contractor, Mr Baker, would be asked to carry out the work. Cllr Williams advised that there was also a concrete post from the car park barrier which needed to be reinstated. Councillors agreed that she ask Mr Baker for a quote to reinstate this. 8.2 Recreation Centre Operational Issues The Clerk reported that the Management Committee had not met recently. She referred to the next item on the agenda reminding Councillors that the Recreation Centre was owned by the Parish Council and that the existing changing facilities were abysmally below an acceptable and legal standard. The showers in the away changing room could not be used at all due to safety reasons and had been taped off. She urged Councillors to support the proposed new changing block so that the recreation ground could continue to be used for sport. It was suggested that Councillors look around the Recreation Centre to see the urgency. A discussion took place on the planned refurbishment of the Centre which entailed a separate building. The Chairman reminded Councillors that if there was a separate building for changing the existing Recreation Centre could be refurbished to accommodate storage space, a disabled toilet and a larger kitchen. 09. PLANNING 9.1 Sheen Farm List of Projects for S106 Contributions As discussed at the September 2017 meeting James Fisher, the District Council Section 106 Officer, had advised that if the planning application was successful projects in the village needed to be identified to secure financial contributions towards them. Councillors had been working on a list which included Replacement Windows and Facia Boards for the Village Hall which would cost approx 7550 Additional Children s Play equipment for the recreation ground play area and the area outside the Village Hall equipment and costings to be sought Recreation Centre changing room extension/refurbishment 100,000 A footpath from the Sheen Farm estate to the play area (should the development go ahead) which would cost anything between 15,000 to 12,000 depending on how much work was carried out as DIY Replacement bench for the Whitethorn wood cost around 500 Water connection and toilet facilities in the parish Church As there were only four Councillors in attendance it was agreed that the Clerk would prepare a draft return for the requirement, circulate to Councillors for their additions, with approval of the project list at the next meeting. Councillors questioned whether a contribution could be requested towards the Church facilities as the Parish Council had been made aware that funds from the parish precept could only be used for the maintenance of the burial ground and not towards the infrastructure of the Church. The Clerk to query this with Mr Fisher and also advise him of when to expect the Parish Council list. 9.2 Additional Planning Meeting The Clerk advised that she had received notification of a planning application for The Lilacs, Meeting Lane, to demolish the existing bungalow and build two detached dwellings. A response to this application was required before the next scheduled Parish Council meeting. It Williams Cllrs Williams &
923 was agreed that a Planning meeting would be held on Wednesday 29 th November venue to be confirmed. Cllr Williams to confirm. The Clerk would find out the position regarding an amended planning application for Sheen Farm and if available would include that consultation on the same agenda. 10. NEXT PARISH POST A Parish Post had been distributed at the beginning of November 2017. Mr Conrad, the County Council Strategic Asset Manager, had asked that an item be put in the publication to update residents on the proposed changes to the Sheen Farm plans. Cllr Bathmaker had stated that he did not want this item branded as a parish post to compromise the Parish Council position but did want to ensure that the County Council was given fair opportunity to get their responses to villagers concerns circulated. He had asked Cllr McClelland to contact the Parish Post Editor to see if an edition was possible for distribution at the beginning of December. Cllr Sharp advised that the Church also had some information to publish. He also would prepare an item on dog fouling. Details of the village Christmas celebration would be listed but it was agreed a separate flyer would still be delivered to each house in the village. McClelland 11. FINANCES 11.1 Payment of Accounts K BAKER Recreation Centre cleaning October 2017 100.00 Arrears from September 2017 25.00 125.00 MR A PIPE Materials for repair to play equipment (inc. 1.04VAT) 6 25 STEWART BULLARD & SON Grasscutting 2017 verges 706.64 Churchyard 385.00 2 additional cuts 56.00 Recreation Ground 1500.00 VAT 529.53 3177.17 E-ON Recreation Centre electricity (inc. 5.41VAT) 113.66 CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Half year Rent for land at front of recreation ground 75.00 MR M BAKER Grasscutting village greens, cemetery 2017 2298.00 Repair to bus shelter 150.00 2448.00 BASSINGBOURN PARISH COUNCIL Paper towels for Rec Centre 15.90 Stationery 29.89 45.79 THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Poppy wreath 25.00 CAMBRIDGE WATER BUSINESS Recreation Ground water rate April Oct 17 25.29 HALLMARK EQUIPMENT SERVICE LTD Additional motorbike signage (inc. 2.00VAT) 12.00 ABLE PLUMBING Recreation centre work inc replacement water heater 240.00 TOTAL 6293.16 PROPOSED Cllr Sharp SECONDED Cllr Barlow 12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR INFORMATION FOR URGENT CLERK ACTION 12.1 Request for Visibility Mirror Cllr Williams reported that she had received a request for a mirror to be positioned at the top of Malting Lane to show traffic travelling along South Street. This was a dangerous junction for vehicles leaving Malting Lane. He request would be an agenda item for discussion at the next meeting. 12.2 Request for Brown Direction Signs A request had been made for the direction signs to the Village Hall and Recreation Centre. The Clerk advised that brown signs were usually for visitor attractions. Direction signs for building
924 such as these were provided by Cambridgeshire County Council. Investigation would be made with County Highways for discussion at the next meeting. 12.3 Proposal to cut down Recreation Ground/South Street hedge A request for part of the hedge bordering South Street to be cut down had been made. It was suggested that this would make the recreation ground more visible from the road and users safer. The Clerk advised that under the previous Local Development Plan the hedge was classed as important countryside frontage so permission would probably be needed to change the hedge in any way. This would be an agenda item for discussion at the next meeting. 13. DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday 12 th December 2017 There was no further business. The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10 pm Chairman Date