LITTLE
GRANSDEN PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
Thursday, 5 September 2013 at 7.30 p.m.
at the Village Hall.
Present: Councillors J Gillett, A Penrose, B Bates, County Councillor S Kindersley,
District Councillor B Smith, 16 members of the public
Minutes
taken by: S Sullivan
The
Chair was taken by J Gillett.
2013
After
welcoming everyone, J Gillett said that he very much regretted to have to
announce the resignation, received that day, of Councillor Bourne.
142. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE J Jefferies
143. DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE
PECUNIARY INTERESTS None.
145. MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON 11 JULY were approved as a correct record subject to an
amendment at point 125. The minutes were signed.
146. MATTERS ARISING Point 123: A
Penrose reported that he had reported the split saltbin to the highways
department.
144. OPEN FORUM (15 minutes) (Taken out
of order)
Mrs Seabright said that she would like to say ‘thank
you’ to the 85 residents who had supported her in a recent High Court case. Mr
Pemberton expressed concern at the amount of public funds that had been spent
on defending the action. Mrs Seabright said that she had liaised with the
Parochial Church Council over the removal of the horse chestnut tree on the
footpath after a branch had fallen.
J
Gillett wished to record Mrs Seabright’s help in taking down the chestnut tree.
Mr
Safford asked about the progress of recruiting another parish councillor.
Mr
Brown advised that an ash tree on the border of his property in Main Road had
been taken down on safety grounds.
Mr
Bowron referred to the Local Development framework and said that residents
should be aware that if proposals to develop the land adjacent to the village
hall were taken forward, this could have a negative impact on the village hall,
restricting its activities.
Ms
Brooks enquired about speed restricting measures such as speed bumps or
speedwatch cameras. (In response, Councillor Kindersley advised that speed
limits were the responsibility of the County Council; it was the police’s duty
to enforce them. He suggested attending the Police Panel meeting.)
The
Open Forum was closed.
147. FIFTH PARISH COUNCILLOR Cllr Gillett advised that two applications had been
received. The process had now been compounded by Cllr Bourne’s resignation, as
yet another casual vacancy had been created; the statutory notice would be
placed on the parish noticeboard, with a view to obtaining a full complement of
councillors as soon as possible.
148. CONSULTATIONS AND PROCEDURES
148.1 Local Development
Framework – the extension of the deadline
for responses was noted. The new deadline was 14 October. The Parish Council decided
to make no further comments.
148.2 Local Development
Framework – the Parish Council
decided to make no further comments regarding the presentation on behalf of clients by Bidwells Land
Agents
148.3 Consultation
on Strategic Direction Statement – Water
– Cllr Penrose reported that this 68 page document listed seven or eight
priorities, and ways in which customers could help by conserve water and use it
responsibly. He felt there was no immediate need for the Parish Council to
respond, but that it was of ongoing interest.
148.4 Parish
Liaison Meeting An invitation to attend the next meeting on 1 October was
given to Cllr Penrose to consider.
149. VILLAGE SIGN –damage to the village sign as a result of a tractor
and trailer accident was noted. The Clerk had obtained an estimate for the cost
of its repair, and reported that the person responsible for the damage had
offered to repair it himself. Councillors AGREED to accept that offer. ACTION:
Clerk
The
meeting was closed while residents’ views were sought over repositioning the
sign. The meeting was re-opened.
It
was AGREED to re-position the sign on the verge on the south side of Primrose
Walk. Councillor Kindersley advised that Council permission would not be
necessary.
150. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORT Cllr Smith reported that winter gritting routes were
currently being considered. Under the LDP an infrastructure levy would replace
Section 106 payments, which would result in parishes receiving less money as a
direct result of development. The
maintenance and repairs to Council-owned tenanted properties had been
outsourced and had been the subject of complaints. There was concern about the
wider implications of the LDP on traffic management and infrastructure, and
public transport. It was suggested that a liaison group for example of villages
on the B1198 could be a useful way to promote the villages’ views effectively.
ACTION: Clerk to contact Longstowe Parish Council, which was
understood to be considering such a measure. (Mrs Seabright’s offer to attend
such a liaison group was noted.)
151. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Cllr Kindersley reported that the subject of buses was
back in the melting pot and a new team of five people had been appointed to
oversee. The County Council was trying to get by and run on subsidised buses. Cllr
Kindersley would keep the PC informed. The guided busway settlement would cost
the taxpayer £33 million.
152. WEBSITE – In Mr Griffiths’ absence, the Clerk reported that the
website was a work in progress. Residents could register for updates via the
blog and the Clerk was working with Mr Griffiths for agendas, minutes and
policy documents to be uploaded.
153. PLANNING 7 Church Walk S/2300/12/FL
Councillors noted that an appeal had
been lodged.
1 Church
Street, The Old Rectory S/0354/13/FL Councillors noted the receipt of material for
information only.
154. HIGHWAYS
154.1 Roads – It was AGREED to recommend that Primrose Hill be added to the winter
gritting programme – ACTION: Clerk;
154.2 Footpaths – Concern was expressed that the stump left by the chestnut
tree on the churchyard footpath could be a hazard – ACTION Clerk to contact
Highways;
154.3 Bridleways – Two residents had contacted the Clerk to express approval
and thanks for work carried out on Bridleways 4 and 7.
155. LITTLE GRANSDEN AERODROME- in response to a resident’s enquiry at the meeting on
11 July, the Clerk reported that Messrs Jefferies had replied that the log book
had been checked and although the amount of aerobatic activity had increased
because of Mark Jefferies’ engagements, the number of take-offs had not
increased.
156. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – Councillors noted that Little Gransden had a new PCSO,
Karen Mahoney; the next Police Panel meeting would be on 17 October at the
Ecohub, Gamlingay. ACTION: Clerk to confirm contact details for PCSO.
157. VILLAGE HALL – Trevor Brown reported that the grant for £13,000 had
been received and that almost all the projected work had been completed. An
opening ceremony had been held on 17 July. There had been a major problem with
blocked drains, which now seemed to have been resolved. Theatre of Widdershins
had been booked to present children’s puppet theatre (Three Billy Goats Gruff)
on 22 September, and Gamlingay Players had booked the hall for 9 November to
add an extra date for their latest production The Importance of Being Earnest.
158. LITTLE GRANSDEN ENERGY GROUP – Trevor Brown reported that there would be a
Gamlingay Green Day on 19 October at the Ecohub – entrance was free. He had heard no more from South Cambs
following their presentation to the village about working on historic houses.
159. FIRST WORLD WAR - COMMEMORATION No wish was expressed to commemorate the centenary of the start of the
First World War. It was noted that the Gransdens Society had put out a request
for residents’ recollections of any who had been involved. J Gillett said that
the British Legion had not so far issued any guidelines.
160. CHURCH – There would be a meeting to elect Churchwarden of Little Gransden Church Sunday 22 September after the
9.30 am service.
161. THREEWAYS, MAIN ROAD – Councillors noted that grounds maintenance had been
undertaken recently.
162. FINANCE – Remittance
received £2.20 in respect of copies
of information requested. Expenditure as follows: Training fees £70; Clerk’s
salary July 2013 £202.33, August 2013 £202.33, reimbursement of photocopying
and stationery expenses £15.99 - APPROVED Proposed by B Bates, seconded by A
Penrose
163. TRAINING – there would be outreach training at the Reading Rooms
on 2 October. ACTION: A Penrose to attend – he would contact Diane Taylor.
164. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday 7 November 7.30 pm, Little Gransden Village Hall (other meetings)
Provision
for Planning Meetings: 7 October, 2 December, 6.00
pm Village Hall.
165. CLOSURE OF MEETING 9.18 pm.
Little
Gransden Parish Council has adopted the Model Publication Scheme under the
Freedom of Information Act.