WILBURTON PARISH COUNCIL. Parish Councillors:- Mr. Alan Yarrow Mrs. Anthea Dodson Mr. Victor Harris Mr. John Seaman, MBE Ms. Ann Sherwood Mr. Peter Warren Mr. Dominic Drane Mr. Paul Massey Mr. Chris Fella Parish Clerk:- Mrs. Gillian Woods MINUTES of a meeting held on Monday 10 May 2010 in the Baptist Church PRESENT: Cllrs Warren, Yarrow, Fella, Dodson, Massey, Seaman and Sherwood. Julie Cornwell from East Cambs District Council, Alan Roffey from Speedwatch and 1 local resident. 1.APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Cllrs Harris and Drane 2.MINUTES The minutes of the previous meeting, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as a true record. 3.MATTERS ARISING (a) Future of the Pavilion and Recreation Ground Cllr Warren confirmed that the gates will be put on the Pavilion. Giles Dodson from Bidwells contacted the Parish Clerk offering to attend the Annual Meeting if required, where the future of the Pavilion and recreation ground will be discussed. Cllr Yarrow will be contacting him regarding this. Cllr Dodson suggested that the Agenda for the Annual Meeting be changed so that the Reports and Accounts are discussed before the future of the Pavilion and Recreation Ground. This will enable a fuller discussion with all present able to have the time to voice their opinion. All Cllrs agreed this was a good idea and Cllr Yarrow will make the amendments when he chairs the meeting. Cllr Fella stated that, regardless of the outcome, maintenance work should still be carried out to the Pavilion in the meantime. Cllr Fella asked whether a play area could be considered in Berristead Close. It was confirmed that this had previously been considered, but the local residents were totally against it, especially to the skate park element. (b) Football pitch No further update
(c) East Cambs Woodland Creation Project Cllr Sherwood requested that Julie Cornwell from East Cambs District Council be allowed to speak regarding the project. The Meeting therefore closed. The District Council is working with the Woodland Trust and landowners to find land to plant more trees to try and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The land being used will not be land that is for agricultural purposes, only land that is currently unused. The land remains the owners but must be accessible to the public, and insured by the Parish Council. Woodland Trust buy the trees, which are planted by residents alongside the Woodland Trust. The cost of the trees is paid for through carbon offsetting ( 25.00 offsets each ton of carbon average per person is 6 tonnes), mainly through socially responsible businesses. The Woodland Trust will approach those residents and businesses that have been put forward by the Parish Council to see if they would like to offset their carbon. The costs vary depending on the type of tree, density, size of plot etc. Costs could be reduced by applying for a green grant of up to 2500. Must be new land for this scheme, not for in-fill of existing areas, but Julie will check with the Woodland Trust to see if they have any other Schemes for this. If a plot of land has been identified, the Woodland Trust arrange a site meeting, and will discuss what species were here historically, what type would like to be grown, what would grow in soil type and what is wanted to be achieved. The Woodland Trust will also maintain the trees for the first 2 years. The Parish Council need to identify land, provide the necessary insurance which should not be too expensive (some insurers do not increase the premium) and provide a sign. East Cambs District Council will assist in the co-ordination and advertising of the Scheme and assist in completion of the forms for the grant. Planting will be this autumn. Julie Cornwell was thanked for her time and attending the meeting at short notice. Alan Roffey, Co-ordinator for Cambs Western region for Speedwatch was then invited to speak whilst the meeting was open to the Public. Alan confirmed that Speedwatch was a volunteer run organisation which tries to educate the general public to adhere to speed limits. They need more volunteers who can be on the road at busy times during daylight hours Monday-Sunday. Most volunteers did not realise this and can only do weekends, and only have 2 for Wilburton. There are also new procedures for becoming a volunteer. An Information request form is completed and sent to Ely Police Station. Ely Police Station then send application pack, which needs to be completed and returned. Once Ely Police station have received the completed application form, they allocate a number and send the rest of the required paperwork. Once this has been completed and returned, the police contact Alan saying they have a prospective volunteer. Alan then arranges the required training, which must be done with Police in attendance. Police will sign the form, at which time the volunteer is then covered by police insurance. Speedwatch needs 3-4 volunteers per shift and are desperate for volunteers.
If caught speeding, the driver will get a letter from the police. If the driver receives 3 letters, they get a visit from the police and lead to being prosecuted for persistently driving above the speed limit. Alan was thanked for his time and attending the meeting, after which the meeting was re-opened. 4. REPORTS FROM COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Cllr Hunt was not in attendance Cllr John Seaman Cllr Seaman confirmed that he was unable to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 12 May and will compose a report for the Clerk to read out. Decriminalisation and car parking issues in Ely are still on-going. The County Council is involved as issues include street parking as well as car parking. Charges have not as yet been raised as a topic for debate, but may well have to be discussed in the near future, possibly free for a short period and then charges made per time period. Financially next few years will be difficult with cost cutting. 5.CORRESPONDENCE Letter received from Cambs County Council confirming 0 grant allocation for Parish Path Partnership Scheme for this year. Cllr Sherwood continuing with walking the footpaths in the area to identify areas ready for re- applying for a grant in the future Newsletter from Cambs County Council regarding Countryside Access and Public Rights of Way. No action required. Letter from Keeleys regarding annual fee in connection with Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme Incorporated into accounts. E-Mail from local resident regarding the state of the Pavilion and surrounding area. The Parish clerk is to send letters to all users asking them to leave the premises in a clean and tidy state and to report it immediately to the Council if it is found in an unfit state. Growing places Children s Centre asked if any storage in Hall for their soft play equipment. Cllr Sherwood will meet up with Karen Gladwin from Growing Places Children s Centre to look at what space is available. The Parish Clerk will pass on Cllr Sherwood s contact details to Growing Places. Query received from the football club regarding the purchase of white line paint for marking out pitches. Cllr Warren will obtain a quote from Stadier Sports in
Witchford for approval by the Council. It was proposed by Cllr Dodson and seconded by Cllr Massey that if the quote was reasonable, that it could be ordered prior to the next meeting. Cllr Yarrow received a letter from East Cambs District Council Consultation on East Cambs Council Decision making arrangements. No action required. Draft Emergency Plan for Parish. Cllr Warren will start the completion of the form with assistance from Cllr Dodson if required. 6. FINANCE (a) Accounts for Payment Council Insurance 1848.11 Donation Church Hall 20.00 Grass-cutting F Ball & Ckt Field 101.06 Grass-cutting Recreation ground 371.95 Membership fee 90.00 Caretaking St Peters Hall 277.33 Clock winding 36.83 Grass-cutting Cemetery 230.00 Parish and Booking Clerk 279.80 Internal Audit 122.65 Keys for Pavillion 10.50 It was proposed by Cllr Seaman and seconded by Cllr Sherwood that all payments be made. (b)accounts 2009/2010 & Annual Return Cllr Yarrow congratulated the Parish Clerk on the efficient and prompt job she made of preparing the accounts and Annual Return, which has been signed and returned by the Internal Auditor. 7. PLANNING No Planning applications have been received. 8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Local resident advised that the bus shelter was being used as a public convenience on a nearly daily basis in the evenings.
In the woods at Doghouse Drove young trees are being cut down and left where they have fallen in the ponds. It has been reported to Forestry Commission 3 times but no action taken. 9. COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS Cllr Dodson advised path in Cemetery uneven and paving slab broken. Also some gravestones are tilting. Cllr Warren advised some street lights are on in the day time when they should be off. Will obtain the numbers and pass to Clerk to report. Also, one in Littlefield has been taken down which it is assumed will be replaced. Clerk raised question of looking at revising current procedures for booking St Peters Hall will look at writing some procedures, producing booking form and hall hire conditions (to include deposit and payment in advance) for next meeting. 10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 14 JUNE 2010 There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.35 pm.