Horningsea Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday, 30th September 2015 at Horningsea Village Hall
Present: Richard McMahon (Chairman), , Robert Balm, Jessica Kitt, Tessa Pleasants (Parish Councillors), Margaret Starkie (Parish Cllr. & Clerk for meeting), District Cllr. Robert Turner & CC Cllr. John Williams and 10 members of the public. Open Forum: Lucy Frazer, MP, gave a short presentation outlining her three main areas of interest, Infrastructure, Business Support & Education & answered residents’ questions. (Appdx. 1) Other issues raised at Open Forun: 1.Withdrawal of school ‘bus; concern over effect of winter for children walking to FD Primary. CC Cllr. Williams explained that there was no legal requirement to provide a ‘bus and that the completion of the cycle way and A14 slipways crossings had been PC school deemed safe. He had tried to influence the committee hearing the liaison to appeal without success. He has also lobbied for a crossing closer suggest to to the school at Fen Ditton. One resident suggested that the Head of FD Bottisham school ‘bus might be used to take children to FD Primary Primary early as there is a breakfast club. 2. Speedwatch – addressed under agenda item 54 3. Scotsdale – application for hard core parking. Neil Waterson, Bidwell’s agent, attended. See RT’s report agenda item 50. Before the main meeting started, the Chairman expressed the council’s sympathy to Andy Clarke on the sad loss of Cathy. Letter to AC 45/15-16 Apologies were received from Cllrs. Andrew Neeley & Michael Gingell and Parish Clerk Hayley Livermore. The meeting was declared quorate 46/15-16 Declarations of disclosable pecuniary & other interests - None 47/15-16 Minutes of the extraordinary meeting 19th August 2015 were agreed and signed. 48/15-16 Matters Arising from the minutes of two previous meetings: The Chairman had discussed the management of the Goose Green HPC Clerk - Children’s Play area with the chair of HRA. He expressed the Letter to be council’s appreciation of all the work done by the HRA to finalised and develop and maintain it. A draft letter setting out the agreement of sent to HRA principles on which the Play Area should be managed was discussed with members and two representatives of the HRA and agreed with the additional point of a log recording HRA inspections. 49/15-16 Planning Application S/1975/15/FL Demolition and replacement To SCDC of greenhouse to rear of a Grade 11 building; King’s Acre, High Street was considered and approved with no comments; proposed by RM, seconded by JK and agreed unanimously. 50/15-16 Report from District Cllr. Turner – Recommendations on Boundary Review sent to Boundary Commission will reduce number of District Councillors to 45 in 2016. All out elections in 2018 and thence 4 yearly. PC will be in line, i.e. 2016 election and then 2018 (this will be cheaper than PCs having elections to own timelines). Boundary Commission will have final decision. RT, TP and MS had been invited to site visit at Scotsdales. Clerk: Hayley Livermore 28 Ox Meadows, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9FL Tel: 07725080631 [email protected]
Horningsea Parish Council
RT supports PC’s decision to reject application for hard core as intermittent parking area. Decision notice of rejection will be sent soon by SCDC together with an enforcement notice. Mr. Waterson, Bidwells Agent, reiterated that the owner was keen to meet with residents, wants to be good neighbours and wants to keep residents informed of future plans. Report from County Cllr. Williams –see Appendix 3. Includes Cycle Route, withdrawal of school ‘bus, Boundary Commission delay, resource from EST, proposed electric ‘buses, survey of guided ‘busway, street lighting programme, possible cuts to children’s services, single strategic planning strategy. 52/15-16 Update on grasscutting contract. Still difficuty in contacting Letter to Groomfields; play area, Millenium Green and Cemetery overdue Groomfields for cutting. Resident RP & GH offered to cut green and play area; the chair expressed appreciation & it was agreed to pay for their fuel. MS proposed getting further quotations from other contractors. One final attempt to contact Groomfields to be made by letter. 53/15-16 Update on Lugg’s Lane conveyance – PC solicitors had no response from buyer’s solicitor since 27th August. RMcM MS contact proposed a last attempt be made by direct contact with buyer for a MA private meeting & if no success consider withdrawing at November meeting. 54/15-16 Proposal to buy or contribute to the cost of Speedwatch equipment and to purchase Speedwatch signs for installation by MS contact CCC. Report had ben submitted by local coordinator (appended). CCC Police equipment currently being shared by four villages. RB proposed buying signs, seconded by TP & agreed unanimously. Contribution to purchase of own equipment to be reviewed at future meetings dependent on number of volunteers and availability of police kit. 55/15-16 Resident’s request to CCC resurfacing St. John’s Lane Issue Clerk to with surface water drainage blocked causing erosion of surface. contact PC will contact Anglia Water & Nicola Burden of CCC 56/15-16 HRA proposal to plant commemorative VE Day tree in MS contact cemetery. Chair of HRA has indicated that if not appropriate, tree JW could be planted in Jubilee Gardens. MS advised that trees are not appropriate in cemeteries because of roots and that they are rarely seen by residents. Agreed that HRA be thanked and asked to plant tree in Jubilee Garden. 57/15-16 Proposal by Cambs. Constabulary for PCs to make a grant ot MS contact pay overtime to PCSOs for parking patrols. Agreed that Srgt Davison parking issues do not justify cost. Cars parked on High street slow speeding traffic but should not be parked on pavement. 58/15-16 Notice of the consultation on Draft Cambridgeshire Flood and Noted Water Supplementary Planning Document had been received. The document can be viewed on CCC website.
59/15-16 Finance a) The following payments were approved: M. Starkie – reimbursement travelling & other expenses - £29.28 Clerk’s salary - £208.29
Clerk: Hayley Livermore 28 Ox Meadows, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9FL Tel: 07725080631 [email protected]
Horningsea Parish Council
Clerk’s reimbursement travelling expenses - £29.70 Cambs ACRE Payroll service - £36.00 HMRC - £180.20 Second half-Precept of £7012.50 has been received b) Bank reconciliations for April to end of August were approved c) Clerk wages payment method - proposal to pay by Standing Nov. meeting Order – deferred until November meeting d) Transparency code compliance – requires publication of RB train HL payments over £100 monthly on website and annually after AR on website After current payments the current A/C will be £14,754.21 in credit with the deposit account ~ £11,443 (no recent deposit A/C statements available). This is in line with Budget for 2015-16. 60/15-16 Annual Insurance renewal – due in December 2015. RMcM Contact HRA suggested it was time for a review. MS suggested meeting with & Trusts for HRA & Trusts & Cane & Co. (specialist PC insurance brokers) to meeting. discuss. 61/15-16 Clerk & Councillor Training RB proposed council pay part of Contact PCs clerk’s ILCA training with Brinkley PC; seconded by MS. & CAPALC Councillor training with other local PCs to be explored. 62/15-16 The following correspondence had been received: a) SCDC Notes from boundaries review workshop – MS had no action at attended workshop this time b) Cambridgeshire ACRE office move noted c) Local Plan Examination - SCDC Response to Inspectors Letter noted d) SCDC Decision Notices - consent to Demolition of Orangery and Extension Crown & Punchbowl and change to advertising noted sign Crown and Punchbowl e) CCC – trial of communication newsletters noted f) Cambs. Constabulary – Human Trafficing Summit invitation circulated g) SCDC approval of the designation of a Neighbourhood Area noted for Waterbeach noted h) Local plan examination-Inspectors response 63/15-16 Members’ responsibilities RMcM announced that he had been offered a Chair at Warwick University but that he was prepared to continue chairing PC until the AGM in May 2016. MS offered congratulations on behalf of members and appreciation of his offer which would ensure continuity in the council. Election of vice-chairman was deferred until November meeting. Responsibilities were agreed – see Appendix 2 64/15-16 Notices & Matters for next meeting: Extraordinary meeting Agenda: Planning Application ; External Auditor’s AR report Ordinary Meeting November Agenda: Risk register; Insurance; Parish Plan; Emergency Plan Proposal for defibrillator Date of extraordinary meeting: Wednesday 7th October 2015 Date of next Ordinary Parish Council meeting: Wednesday 25th November 2015. The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10pm
Clerk: Hayley Livermore 28 Ox Meadows, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9FL Tel: 07725080631 [email protected]
Horningsea Parish Council
Appendix 1 Discussion with Lucy Frazer, QC, MP Her areas of interest & support: Infrastructure – Rail freight improvement between Nuneaton and Ipswich with double track from Soham to Ely proposed to relieve number of lorries on A14. Cost had escalated to £135m so currently on hold. Education – LF supporting fairer funding for Cambridgeshire schools to bring to national level. She is pressing the select committee for a change to funding formula. Business support – broadband issues. An open meeting has been arranged 23rd October with Connect Cambridgeshire, BT & Openreach. Questions: Q. New rail station for Cambridge North; what impact will this have on Waterbeach station? A. RT and JW both replied there are no plans for relocation or closure. Q. Horningsea suffers from a very poor ‘bus service and recent charging at P&R has resulted in cars parking in Cambridge and local villages. A. LF agreed that rural areas suffer. RT – Wing development may provide funding to improve ‘bus routes. JW would like P&R charging abolished but maintenance of car park needs funding, however charging had resulted in 12% drop in use. Q. Speeding an issue but PC not successful in CCC local improvement bids. A. LF has raised speeding issues with Cambs. Constabulary and Crime Commissioner. Funding is limited. JW – CCC has revised way in which they communicate outcomes of bids to make decision making more transparent. Q. Concern on recent “cosying up” to China which has considerable human rights issues. Will support for Dalai Lama continue? A. LF shares concerns but recognises that there is already great investment by China in our infrastructure. LF offered to arrange tours of House of Commons for anyone interested. She welcomes questions and comments and can be contacted through website http://www.lucyfrazer.org.uk/contact
Clerk: Hayley Livermore 28 Ox Meadows, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9FL Tel: 07725080631 [email protected]
Horningsea Parish Council
Appendix 2 Councillor responsibilities 1. Statutory Obligations a. Quy Fen Trust TBD b. Bottisham United Charities RMcM & MG c. Horningsea Parish Charities RMcM d. Village Hall and Green Trust Liaison MS e. HRA Liaison TP f. Liaison Fen Ditton School JK 2. External Liaison Representation a. ACRE ?AN b. Neighbourhood Policing Panel MS c. CAPALC RB d. South Cambs District Council Liaison MS 3. Responsibilities a. Street Lamps, Pavements, Speed Management Cycle Path TP b. Strategic Planning MS c. Parish Plan RB d. Community Transport and Buses ?MG e. Youth and Children’s Issues JK f. Cemetery MS g. Finance RMcM h. HR/employment MS
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Appendix 3 Report from County Cllr. John Williams 1. On 4 August the Greater Cambridgeshire City Deal Executive Board approved funding which will enable the Horningsea Road cycle route to be completed and for improvements in Ditton Lane as part of the package of cross city cycle improvements. The funding has to be spent by 2018. 2. With the withdrawal of the school bus there are serious traffic problems outside the school in Horningsea Road with parents dropping off and picking up children including obstructing the footpath and cycle path. The head teacher and governors are meeting with the county education department to press for a safe crossing outside the school as soon as possible to encourage cycling from Horningsea and it is talking with Fen Ditton Parish Council about the parking issues to see if there is common ground for a Local Highway Initiative bid. 3. The Boundary Commission has delayed publishing its decision on the future reduction in the number of councillors and the consequent changes to divisions until later this year. It is expected that Horningsea along with Fen Ditton village will be transferred into a new Waterbeach division. 4. The Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is investing £500m on a range of measures to support the development and uptake of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) up to 2020. The County Council supported Cambridge City Council on a successful bid to encourage new purpose built electric taxis (and related charging infrastructure). The successful bid secured resource from the Energy Saving Trust (EST) who will undertake a review of the taxi and private hire vehicles and usage in the Greater Cambridge area, and consider operation and supply side factors.
Clerk: Hayley Livermore 28 Ox Meadows, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9FL Tel: 07725080631 [email protected]
Horningsea Parish Council
The EST will produce a report and bespoke action plan to support the transition to ultra low emission private hire vehicles and taxis. These outputs will provide the evidence base needed to submit a bid by end December for a share of £20 million Delivery Phase funding covering a 3-year period from 2016/17. 5. The county council is leading on the development of a bid for low emission bus funding, deadline for which is end of October. The bid will be submitted jointly with Stagecoach for the deployment of new Flywheel equipped buses on routes through the congested city centre. This technology is ideal for stop-start driving conditions such as for buses on the Citi and Park and Ride routes. Trials elsewhere have shown impressive results in terms of emissions reductions and fuel savings. Electric buses have been ruled out owing to a lack of technical maturity for double decker vehicles and poor reports from trials of electric hybrid buses in London. 6. The county council and BAM Nuttall have agreed to carry out a series of surveys and investigations into the construction of the guided busway. We have raised a number of concerns with BAM Nuttall about the construction of the guided busway which centre around movement of the foundations and the joints between the guideway beams. The two parties have now agreed to jointly fund a series of investigations and surveys and we have agreed to put our legal action on hold pending the outcome of the surveys. The investigations include testing of the guideway components both on- site and in laboratories, a series of surveys to monitor movements of the beams and foundations, and a complete walkover survey of the Busway. Busway services will not be disrupted as all intrusive survey and investigation work will be carried out at night after the last bus. The survey work has now commenced and will take six months to complete. 7. The street lighting programme is due to be completed by the end of June 2016. As of this June 40,032 street lights had been upgraded representing 73% of the total. Due to further Government cuts in the county council grant and as a result the need to find nearly £300,000 of savings from the highways budget it is necessary to bring forward the dimming of street lights to start at 8pm (to 6am) and to turn off lights on all but the main traffic routes from midnight to 6am. Parish councils have been notified of the other street lights that will be turned off and can for a small sum pay to have particular lights left on if they want. 8. Also in the recent Budget the Government has cut spending on children health services in Cambridgeshire by £1.6 million from next April. The county council is currently looking at ways to accommodate this shortfall but it will inevitably mean cuts to current children services. The will be public consultation on this early next year. 9. The Government is pressing local authorities in Cambridgeshire to work ever closer together to be more efficient and has asked the county council and the Peterborough unitary authority and district councils to look at either a combined authority or unitary authority model for the county for a proposal to be completed this autumn. This will inevitably mean parish councils shouldering more of the responsibility of funding and managing non-statutory local services for their communities. 10. It has been confirmed that from 2018 the Greater Cambridgeshire City Deal Executive Board will take on the responsibility of producing a single strategic planning strategy for the Cambridge sub region.
Clerk: Hayley Livermore 28 Ox Meadows, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9FL Tel: 07725080631 [email protected]
Horningsea Parish Council
Appendix 4 Speedwatch report for Horningsea
The equipment monitors vehicles travelling at 32mph or more The registrations of vehicles travelling at 36mph or more within the 30mph area are reported to the police database and owners receive an advisory letter from the police. The owners of vehicles which are monitored as travelling at or more than 36mph three times receive an advisory visit by the police. There are no prosecutions.
Total No. of sessions 30
Total No. of vehicles passed by 6932
Average number of vehicles passing by per session 231
Total no. of vehicles doing 36mph or more 208
Average number doing 36mph or more per session 7
Number of vehicles doing 40mph or more 51
Number of vehicles doing 50mph or more 5
% of total cars speeding at 36mph or more 3%
Clerk: Hayley Livermore 28 Ox Meadows, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9FL Tel: 07725080631 [email protected]