Minutes of a meeting of the Wimblington Parish Council held on Wednesday 22nd January 2014 in the small room of the Parish Hall Addison Road, Wimblington at 7.oopm.
Present M T Davis (Chairman) C Brown, J Clarke, P Crawford, E Gowler, A R Knowles, E Wright, P Hart, M Moulton,
R Wright (Clerk).
Apologies for Absence G Bellard (Holiday)
828/14 Vacancy
Following the publication of the Notice of Vacancy, Fenland District Council have received the required 10 signatures to request that the vacancy is to be filled by an election. The By-Election will take place on 13 March 2014, if it is contested. The Notice of Election will be published on 6 February 2014. Concern was raised about the Notice of Vacancy not being displayed within Stonea. The Chairman referred to John Elworthy’s (Editor of Cambs Times) Twitter notices and the feeling amongst parishioners in the reason for the election being called.
Pursuant to the National Code of Local Government Conduct Members are reminded that they must declare
If they have any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in respect of any item to be discussed at the Meeting.
Cllrs M T Davis & E Wright Summer Show, item 831/13(g)
829/14 Confirmation of minutes – RESOLVED that the minutes of meeting held on 10th December 2013 and GPF Committee of 16th December 2013 were correctly recorded and that they be signed as being a true record.
830/14 Police representative report - Pcso Sally Mitchell was unable to attend the meeting but had submitted a written report that had been circulated to all Councillors and the contents noted. In addition the Chairman reported that a 5 foot stone fountain had been stolen from a property in March Road.
The next NHW meeting was to be held at the bowls club in Church Street on January 22nd at 7pm.
It was noted that Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner is proposing to put forward a modest increase in the policing part of council tax to protect the front line, after the Cambridgeshire force received £1.2m less than expected in police grant for 2014/15.
The 7 pence per week increase would mean that the frontline continues to be protected.
If accepted, the precept will nominally provide a £131.5m budget for policing in 2014/15. This will allow Sir Graham to continue to deliver against his pledges as set out in the Police and Crime Plan.
The Clerk reported that an extra £2m from the Home Office Funding had been allocated to support Programme Metis – using technology to increase time officers spend in their community. Use of tablets to report crime thus reducing officers time on duplication of reporting and creating more beat time.
831/14 Matters Arising
a)War Memorial – Further to minute 819/3(a) Cllr Brown reported that he was waiting for the contractors to make an inspection and hoping that the cleaning may be done free of charge. Any works would need the approval of the Ely Diocesan Board.
Cllr Brown
b) Oak Tree Churchyard – The Chairman reported that Greenwood Tree Surgery had re-visited the site and removed further dead wood from the tree.
c) Wreath – Further to minute 819/13(a) - Cllr Brown reported that he had spoken to Marilyn Rose who would be writing to the Clerk.
d) Wi-Fi – Further to minute 825/13(b) The Clerk reported that costs for Wi-Fi were yet to be obtained. Clerk
e) Isle of Ely Way – Further to minute 826/13(g) Residents pressure group for crossing – Cllr Davis reported that she had written to the lady concerned and confirmed that no monies were currently allocated to the project and suggested that she formed an action group in order to pressure Highways into even considering such a scheme.
f) Public Time – The Clerk reported that R Marshall had been contacted regarding the hedge at Bridge lane and the speed limits on estate roads.
g) Summer Show – Further to minute 826/13(e). RESOLVED – That a donation of £100.00 be made for the purchase of a banner. (Cllr Davis and Wright took no part in voting)
832/14 Income Expenditure
a) The members considered and approved the following accounts for payment
British Gas Gas at hall 156.73 31.34 188.07
BT Phone at hall 60.20 12.04 72.24
Cambs CC Clerks pension 236.61
R Wright Clerks salary 627.38
Mrs M Moulton Booking Clerk 82.03
R Barker Caretaker 136.72
British Gas Hall maintenance 20.00 4.00 24.00
Fenland DC Hall rates 120.00
T Hampson Grass cutting 510.00 102.00 612.00
WSCC Donation 100.00
Fenland Fire Appliance LLP Service extinguishers 28.70 5.74 34.44
b) The Council considered the income & expenditure schedule for 2014/2015 and the recommendations of the Finance & general purposes Committee.
Concurrent Functions Grant – Further to a letter from A Melton Leader of Fenland District Council – over the next two years, FDC faces reductions in excess of £2 million, on top of over £6 million pounds of savings achieved in the last four years. The Concurrent Functions Grant for 2014/2015 will be reduced to two-thirds of the current years grant of £11,070 which is £7,380.In 2015/2016 one third and 2016/2017 no grant will be paid.
Council Tax support Grant £1,158, Concurrent Grant £7,380 and the net tax base 729
RATE SUPPORT GRANT The NALC chairman has already written to all member councils and NALC are in dialogue with ministers on the topic to try and achieve a more balanced outcome for parishes. The pass through of the part of the grant to parish and town councils across the county area is quite mixed with some districts passing through 75% of the parish allocation for
2014 – 15 and indicating reducing percentages over the two following years to other districts passing through Zero to the parish sector.
Benwick Parish Council has written to the Council to enlist its support in seeking Fenland District Council to change its policy they have already contacted our local MP Steve Barclay. The Chairman, J Clarke and the Clerk hope to attend the Cabinet meeting of 23rd January when the Concurrent Functions Grant will be discussed
RESOLVED – that a precept of £31,347 be approved. This relates to a Council tax of £43 for Wimblington.
c) Risk Management & health & Safety – Further to minute 820/13(c) the Chairman to give the Clerk the amendments which will be sent to Councillors so that they may give further consideration to the Audit Commission National Fraud Initiative, Corporate Procurement Policy, Fraud and Corruption, Whistle Blowing. Clerk/Chairman
833/14 Planning
FYR14/0004/F A Yardy/J Nichols Nixhill Farm, Nixhill Road – change of use – barn to offices, dwelling - supported
FYR13/0381/O Land east of 53 to 57 Doddington Road erection of 3 dwellings. An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State against the decision of Fenland District Council to refuse the above application.
FYR12/0803/F North Witch ford Lodge – revised car parking Layout and details of opening times – no objections
FYR14/0018/O D Negus %5 Eastwood End – dwelling – no objection but suggest a street light
FYR14/0022/TRTPO S Brown 42 March Road – Tree works - supported
834/14 Highway Matters/Street Lighting/Transport
a) Street lights Further to minute 822/13(a) the Clerk has requested FPC5 Doddington Road and FPC2 Eaton Estate to be replaced the quote for FPC2 Eaton Estate is £1116,64. RESOLVED – That the Clerk writes to FDC regarding the manner in which column heads had been removed without prior consultation with the PC. Clerk
b) Footpaths and highway issues
The Clerk confirmed that bids for works in 2014/2015 have been submitted as agreed under minute 810/13(b)
LHI bids 2014/2015 - officers noted that Wimblington had submitted two bids when strictly, it should be one. They were happy to put these two together as one proposal but the problem is funding. CCC can only allocate £10,000 to any one bidder and therefore any additional costs must be met by the third party. One of our bids was for Speed Indicator devices which cost around £5,000 each, so the £13,500 estimate was about right but officers asked if the Council could fund the £3,500 required. The second bid for 5 street lights was estimated at £9,000 but officers feel this should be estimated at £15,000.
The Parish revised their bid for the provision of three Street lights
Wimblington LHI 2013/2014 – The Clerk reported onscheme's currentprogress. The CCC Policy and Regulationteamhave recently been going through the current traffic regulation orders for Wimblington to pull our scheme together. They have noted a couple of other roads whichshould have the 30 mph extended. They will therefore pick these up at the same time, bringing all into line.
The extra’s being:
1. B1093 (Old Station Way) moving of existing30mph roundel closer to junctionwith A141 to include Pond Close within 30mph zone.
2. Eastwood End - The Southern bit, the signs need to be put either on/ far closer to the junction.Cambs CC are unsure why they were put so far back, it appears they own all the adjacent land according totheir mapping systems so should be able to move signs.
The scheme will be published in the'Fenland Citizen' on 23rd Jan 2014. And consultation will finish on 12th Feb 2014.
Salt Bins – further to minute 824/13(b) a request for salt bin at St Peters Church and Eastwood End has been submitted.
The report of the Rights of Way site visit made by Kate Day and Rod Marshall of 7th November 2013 was circulated to all Councillors.
Grass Cutting – RESOLVED – that the Clerk seeks quotes as per the existing tender terms. Clerk
835/14 Recreation Ground
a) WMPF – Further to minute 823/13(a) J Clarke reported that UK Power had quoted £950 to move electric supply and four builders would be approached for quotes for works. Cllr Davis reported that she would be meeting with play equipment suppliers on the 3rd & 10th February. J Clarke/M T Davis
b) Parkfield – E Gowler reported that business was slow and works to drain the playing surface were in hand at a cost of £4k.
836/14 New Cemetery/Churchyard/Allotments
a) New Cemetery – The Clerk report that all was in order at the Cemetery.
b) Wimblington St Peters Churchyard – The PCC had written to the Council requesting that they officially take over the maintenance of the Churchyard, they acknowledged that the PC have been maintaining it since closure in 2004 in a most excellent way. RESOLVED – That the Fenland District Council be asked to take over the maintenance and if it is not maintained to the Parish Councils expectations they may be prepared to assist with maintenance works.
The PCC reported that the clock was not striking correctly. The Clerk to contact Smith of Derby. Clerk
837/14 Parish hall
a) General matters – The Clerk reported that a quote for a 22mm Magnabooster from British Gas was £207.50. RESOLVED – that one was not required.
b) Other matters – The Chairman reported that appraisals for Mrs Barker and Mrs Moulton would be undertaken. Clerk/Chairman
c) Fenland Fire Appliance recommended a 2kilo Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher for the hall and a further sign to comply with new regulations regarding the way extinguishers are sited. RESOLVED – that the recommendation be approved Clerk
d) Solar Panels – Cllr Wright mentioned that FDC were informing parishes upon solar panels. It was agreed that contact be made with FDC. Clerk/Chairman
838/14Allotments
Further to minute 824/13(c) the recent request to erect sheds on the allotments site: - The DMA does not prohibit the erection of sheds; it simply states that the Association must seek prior permission from the Parish Council. Consequently, there is no need for an amendment to the DMA; all that is required is a formal letter of approval from the Parish Council to the Association. Clerk
839/14 Correspondence & Other matters
a) The Connections Bus Project is a charity that has been leading youth work sessions across Cambridgeshire for nearly 20 years.
From April 2014 vacancies in their weekly schedule to add new villages and the CCC Locality Team had suggested that Wimblington may be interested in taking up their service for your young people.
They offered a weekly visit of their youth bus lasting 2 hours and staffed by 3 trained and experienced youth workers. Available on the youth bus would be internet access, games consoles, music, crafts, sports, quizzes and tuck shop.
The fee for the above provision would be between £220 and £300 per session (depending on mileage from our base and number of villages taking up their services). RESOLVED – not to take up offer as costs to high for Parish to sustain.
b) Royal Garden Party - Nominations for the Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Party 3rd June 2014.
RESOLVED – That Cllr E Wright and guest name be put forward. Clerk
c) Fenland DC - Core Strategy The Parish Council have been invited to comment on the proposed modifications to the Core Strategy in respect of the Resource Use and Design Quality Supplementary Planning Documents. RESOLVED – that no representations be made.
d) Home-Start East Cambs & South Fenland: Support in your home when you need it. Cllr Wright reported that she had forwarded information about the scheme to the Wimblington News for publication.
e) Dogs Trust has just started a huge chipping campaign to run with the new government announcement that from the 6th April 2016 all dogs will have to be micro chipped. Dogs Trust have new roaming chipping teams who will be offering FREE micro chipping across the UK. RESOLVED – that the use of the parish hall be made available, the date and time to be confirmed.