At a Meeting of THORNEY PARISH COUNCIL Held at the Council Chamber, Tank Yard, Thorney

Meeting of THORNEY PARISH COUNCIL held in the Council Chamber, Tank Yard, Thorney on Monday 12 November 2012 at 7.00 p.m. 1. PRESENT Chair: Councillor: J E G Bartlett Councillors: R Bevington, Mrs. D Halfhide, J Rowe, Mrs. L Sheldrake, Mrs. S Selby, E. Gee, J Brooks, B Ogden, Peterborough City Councillors D McKean, D Sanders and D Harrington Mr. J Woodhouse, Stagecoach, PCSO Donna Grummitt 18 members of the public

120/12-13 To receive and approve apologies for absence D. J Buddle 121/12-13 To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests Declarations To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests Declarations in any items on the agenda – none

122/12-13 To approve minutes of the meeting of 8 October 2012 Minutes of the Council meeting held of 8 October were confirmed and signed

123/12-13 Matters arising from minutes

124/12-13 Public Participation and Mr. J Woodhouse, Stagecoach (36 bus travelling along Park Crescent) At the last meeting members of the public raised the following points: 1. Suggestion that buses turn round in Park Close 2. Many residents in the area use the bus 3. Some buses mount pavement to avoid cars damaging the surface of the pavement Mr. Woodhouse apologised for not attending the last meeting and agreed to go back and look at the suggestion that the bus goes to the end of Wisbech Road, reverses into Park Crescent and then onto the Duke of Bedford School.

The Chairman read the “call in” decision from Peterborough City Councillors that will now go to the Sustainable Growth and Environment Capital Scrutiny Committee on 19th November. On 5 November 2012, the Peterborough City Council Cabinet made an executive decision relating to the Development of Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (Pv) Panels (Solar Farms) and Wind Turbines. In accordance with the Constitution this decision was published on 5 November 2012. On 8 November 2012, Councillors Harrington, Sanders and Sylvester submitted a request to call-in this decision on the following grounds: (i) The decision does not follow the principles of good decision making set out in Article 12 of the Council’s Constitution, specifically that the decision maker did not: (a) realistically consider all alternatives and, where reasonably possible, consider the views of the public Councillor Harrington explained that Peterborough City Council did not initially consult with the tenant farmers to explore if there were any alternative schemes which would achieve the same results as the proposed scheme outlined in the report e.g. a. Building anaerobic digestion plant with co-operation from tenant farmers.

1 b. Straw Burning Plant c. Growing Bio fuel Crops on a certain percentage of land. d. Installing renewables on and around farm buildings. 2. Farmer advice not taken into account initially on using grade 1 and grade 2 agricultural land for other use than farming. a. National Planning Policy states that grade 1, 2 and 3a, land should only be used for agriculture and should be used for no other purposes unless it has been clearly established no alternatives are available. This has not been illustrated and established in the cabinet report. 3. Have not engaged with any third parties to seek possibility of installing schemes within industrial areas. E.g. warehouse roofs etc.

Notice of motion will be put to full Council on 25 November and if this is carried will remain in force for a period of 6 months.

Mrs. Clipston, Chair of Newborough Landscape Protection Group, (www.newboroughlandscapeprotection.co.uk) explained the lack of communication and consultation once Peterborough City Council had notified tenant farmers of Peterborough City Council right to cancel tenancy agreements. Councillor Harrington said that timing and the combination of solar and wind energy generation was essential for the scheme to proceed.

125/12-13 Matters for Information and Reports 1. Crime report – 8 crimes (3 theft, 2 burglary, stolen vehicle and cycle, and domestic incident) a. Skateboards, scooters and bicycles using a wide area of pavement near the take-a-way shop in Wisbech Road – this has now addressed and a letter of thanks received from Mrs. Orr Burns b. Consult and seek the views of the local community regarding the provision of a purpose built Skate Park. c. If support is identified, set up an implementation / working group to deliver a Skate Park to Thorney. Site visit completed with Ms. Almond, Peterborough City Council Neighbourhood Manager. There is a need to form a committee so that funding can be applied for – then consultation within the village. Any skate park has to be 100m away from the nearest property. Councillor Rowe asked what a skate park had to do with crime and order. Councillor Brooks said that Inspector Hill was promoting the idea at the last Police liaison meeting Councillor Ogden stated that Stuart Dodswell must be involved with the project as he had done much work to bring it to people’s attention.

2. Bedford Hall Management Committee – Councillor Sheldrake – possibility that lease terms may have to include clause to allow marriages. Main hall will be out of action during January for floor repairs. Meeting with Peterborough City Council Estates concerning bar extension. Peterborough City Council wish to make full use of the building and believe that moving the library and social centre into the premises will release the building in Church Street.

2 3.Parish Conference 23rd October at Kingsgate, Parnwell – Councillor Selby gave a brief outline and note from the event were circulated. 4.Planning Forum 1 November – planning application fees to increase. At the next forum a presentation will be made on the Enforcement teams work Discussion on CIL fees – all revenue to go to Peterborough City Council for their use.

126/12-13 To discuss the vacancies caused by resignations of Mr. Bellamy and Mr. Murphy Advert to be placed in Village magazine

127/12-13 Report from City Councillors Councillor McKean – scoping exercise top Woburn Drive. Thorney Parish Council objections to using this site for development submitted to Peterborough City Council last year. Councillor Sanders – welcomed a move away from Neighbourhood Committees back to Parish Council Liaison. He agreed with Councillor Rowe concerning Police priority involvement with consulting the public about skate park rather than crime prevention.

128/12-13 Finance 1. To note income and approve Payments Fenland Memorial Mr. Stonemasons Robinson £80.00 Mr. Ewing Allotment rent £30.00 Anglia Regional Coop Soc Inter Mr. Thrower £150.00 Mrs. Bradbury Allotment rent £30.00 Mr. R Rex Allotment rent £30.00 Mr. Cunnington Allotment rent £30.00

The following Cheques were drawn and signed:- Payee Reason Cheque Amount Postage, travel, Mr. A E Hovell telephone 001887 £51.30 Grounds Cut Abbey Maintenance Lawns 001888 £48.00 New Cemetery Shaw and Son Book 001889 £343.20 Skip at Glazewing cemetery 001890 £62.78 Grounds Strim Abbey Maintenance Churchyard 001891 £222.00

2. Monthly bank reconciliation – agreed and signed 3. Cherry tree at cross roads – Councillor Ogden chasing quotes for its removal

129/12-13 Planning Approvals and Refusals 12/01299/HHFUL Replacement of the 4 rear windows with aluminium windows as the specifications supplied at 184 Wisbech Road – approved 12/01292 77 Wisbech Road – rear extension – approved 12/01052 84 Wisbech Road – extension to rear to create store and office above – appeal to Secretary of State

3 Land South Of French Drove And East Of Scolding Drove At Wrydecroft - Removal of conditions C2 and C3, and variation of C4 and C13 of Appeal Ref APP/J0540/N08/2090541 dated 01/04/2010 - Construct six wind turbines, transformers, control building and compound, wind monitoring mast, access tracks, crane hardstanding and associated works, plus a temporary construction compound and two temporary wind monitoring masts – Permitted under Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order 2010 Without Compliance (Planning Permission) Reason for decision: Subject to the imposition of the attached conditions, the proposal is acceptable having been assessed in the light of all material considerations, including weighing against relevant policies of the development plan and specifically: - the proposed removal of conditions 2 and 3, and variation of condition 4 will still ensure that sufficient mitigation measures may be put in place to prevent any detrimental impact upon the operation of PAR system at RAF Wittering; - the proposed deed of variation to the Section 106 Legal Agreement approved under appeal reference APP/J0540/A/08/2090541 will ensure a sufficient financial contribution towards the required mitigation measures; and no other material changes have been proposed to the approved scheme which was considered acceptable by an Inspector at Public Examination under appeal reference APP/J0540/A/08/2090541.

130/12-13 Planning Applications and other matters 1. Planning applications 12/01459 20 Sandpit Road – conversion garage to learning/quite room – no objections 12/01565 Use of land South side Northey Road for gypsy family site – Thorney Parish Council object to this proposal. Works may interfere with archaeological remains, that this is in a flood area and note to be taken of past planning refusals for similar developments in this area. 12/01465 Woodstock, Crowland Road – demolition existing dwelling and construction replacement 4 bedroom dwelling – support application as new dwelling will be in Duke of Bedford buildings style and materials. 12/01602 58 The Causeway – 2 storey rear extension – no objections 12/01497 Fire Station, Station Road – replace cladding – no objections 12/00503 5, Toneham Farm Cottages, Toneham Lane – new detached farm dwelling – no objections

Lights outside village shop queried by local residents – brass type finish – Mr. Daley consulted

131/12-13 Burial Authority

132/12-13 Roads and Footpaths 1. Street lighting – faults reported by Councillor Bartlett. 2. Parking Order amendment for layby near take-away Wisbech Road – Thorney Parish Council objects to the proposals because resident permit parking will set a precedent in the village. A similar suggestion for Church Street was rejected by Peterborough City Council despite there being a sign stating resident parking only. This layby is illegally used at present and enforcement should be carried out. The area is heavily used by people calling at the shop and should remain with its restrictions that are now present.

4 Parking Order amendment for area outside Duke of Bedford School – Thorney Parish Council supports the proposals

3. Peterborough City Council confirms that the purchase order has been placed to remove the two cameras in the centre of village and repair and re commission the two cameras on the outskirts.

4. PCSO’s to be asked to enforce parking restrictions on slip road from Wisbech Road into Church Street.

5. Provision of salt bins. This is not a Parish Council function but should come from Peterborough City Council.

133/12-13 Allotments

134/12-13 Village Matters 1. Balloon take off from Park – being dealt with by Peterborough City Council. Balloon skims tree tops on takeoff when going west. 2. Litter and rubbish around youth shelter – Chairman to liaise.

135/12-13 Code of Conduct Councillors may be granted a dispensation to take part in Council business where this would otherwise be prohibited because they have a DPI. Provided Councillors act within the terms of their dispensation there is deemed to be no breach of the Code of Conduct or the law. Parish Councils are responsible for determining requests for a dispensation by a parish councillor to speak or vote on a matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI). Thorney Parish Council reserves such decisions for the full parish council. The parish council may grant a dispensation to either 1. Speak and/or 2. Vote and dispensations may be granted for one meeting or for a period not exceeding 4 years.

In the interests of openness and transparency the parish council will amend standing orders to ensure that any Councillor who has been granted a dispensation should declare the nature and existence of the dispensation before the commencement of any business to which it relates.

Thorney Parish Council agreed Dispensations to Speak and Vote for the following Thorney Abbey: Councillors Bartlett and Gee Bedford Hall: Councillor Sheldrake Community Centre: Councillors Bevington and Bartlett Thorney Society: Councillors Gee, Halfhide, Bevington and Bartlett Royal British Legion: Councillor Brooks

136/12-13 Correspondence 1. Letter from Parochial Church Council thanking Thorney Parish Council for agreeing to strim Abbey Churchyard 5 times per year. They will organise times directly with Mr. Stevenson 2. Confirmation from ACRE Payroll services that they are ready for HMRC Real Time Information requirements 3. Cambridgeshire Funding Fair, Newmarket Racecourse 19th November

5 137/12-13 Matters as agenda items for future consideration

138/12-13 Any other business Trees in Park – Chairman to liaise with Mr. Wilcockson concerning additional trees

139/12-13 Date of next meeting Meeting of the Parish Council 10th December 2012. The meeting closed at 8.46 pm