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MINUTES OF LOLWORTH PARISH MEETING
held in Robinson Hall, Lolworth on Thursday 14th November 2019 at 8.00 pm.
Chairman: J. Short Clerk: J.E.F. Houlton Also present: District Councillor Sue Ellington, County Councillor Lynda Harford, Team Minister Geoff Dodgson 35 Residents.
1. Apologies Alex & Veronica Sutherland, Pat & Sigi Disley, Ed & Gill Coe, Liesa Clarke, Frances & Bryon Bache, Gina Williams, Ray Hampton, Jen Wakefield
2. Welcome to Newcomers Michael Davies, Tricia Daniels & Terry O’Brien
3. A14 Update from John Akester & Aaron Scott • The Swavesey to Brampton Hut section will open on Dec 9th 2019 • It is anticipated the Local Access Road will be opened at the end of March 2020 • The request for motorway status was withdrawn although some traffic restrictions may be instigated • Traffic Management is not managed by Highways England but by a separate contractor
In response to questions from the floor John Akester agreed to investigate • re-opening the west bound entry/exits on a temporary basis • improving the signage both to Lolworth and to prevent traffic entering Robins Lane believing it was entering Bar Hill • difficulty in identifying a gap in a series of cones
4. Minutes of the previous Meeting held on 25th April 2019
Adoption of the minutes of the meeting held on 25th April 2019 was proposed by Carol Churcher, seconded by Becky Palmer and unanimously agreed. Accordingly, they were signed as a true record.
5. Matters arising
a) A14 Parish Legacy Fund. The application for replacing the windows in Robinson Hall was successful; work is anticipated to start early next year. 2
b) Second bin for dog faeces. SCDC declined to support this given the existence of the bin on the green. c) Grass cutting in the communal orchard has been done by Andrew King.
6. Junior Club
We had a very successful spooky walk, we were joined by old and new Lolworthians, 9 children were on the walk. We visited 9 houses in all. Thank you to all those that took part. The children had a really great time and far too many treats. We finished up at Robinson Hall for cake and juice. The children did some colouring and played put the mouth on the pumpkin. Gina Williams
7. Correspondence a. Correspondence with Cambs County Council over remedial work to clear the drains in Robins Lane has been disappointing. Problems have been identified but promised work has failed to materialise and recent emails have been ignored, despite County Cllr’s Harford’s help. It was suggested drainage should be considered in the wider context of road improvement. Cllr Harford agreed to investigate a schedule of works. b. It has been suggested the broken goal posts on the green should be taken to the tip. The meeting agreed.
8. Tree Officer’s report
Carol Churcher reported that six of the fruit trees in the communal orchard have died, together with a blossom tree on the green. The Chairman agreed that replacement trees at £5-10 per tree could be purchased from village funds. An alternative funding source might be grant(s) which will be investigated.
9. Planning Applications
S/2841/19/PA Agricultural Building, land at Long Acre, Robins Lane. Prior approval for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) and for associated operational development. Application refused as the proposed enclosure of the section below the front projecting roof would extend beyond the walls of the existing building.
S/2644/19/FL 5, The Green, Lolworth, Cambridge, CB23 8HF. Retrospective application to erect decking on top of an existing brick outbuilding. Permission refused since it would result in direct views into the first floor rear bedroom window and private amenity area of no.6 The Green and significant overlooking of the private amenity areas nos.3 and 4 The 3
Green and no.7 The Green, resulting in an unacceptable impact upon the residential amenity of the occupiers.
10. Town Acre Charity
The land which lies behind the houses on the green and extends along the High Street in front of the bungalows, is held in trust by the Town Acre Charity. Current trustees are Dave Cressey and Sue Houlton. About half of the area is laid to some 12 allotments rented to villagers who maintain the paths between them. The remainder of the land supports a children’s play area, a hard surface sport area, and the communal orchard. This half of the land is an amenity available to all residents of the village. The Clerk was asked to advise those on the village e-mail list that allotment holders have agreed to a modest increase in rent and that they will hold a working party for a general Spring clean up. Donations from villagers who use the compost/bonfire areas will also be sought and produce sales to increase Charity funds are being investigated. Ash disposal from the bonfire also needs to be considered.
11. Joint Community Warden Scheme
Sue Houlton outlined a Joint Community Warden Scheme managed by Age UK which could be shared between a group of villages (currently Fen Drayton, Fenstanton, Elsworth and Lolworth).
On weekdays, a Warden assists anyone over 60 years of age to continue to live independently at home by providing daily contact and support, either by a personal visit or telephone calls to ensure a sense of security and wellbeing. The Warden would also provide advice on support options in the community (eg possible care providers), as well as practical support in terms of weekly home visits, as needed, collection of prescriptions, and small volume shopping. One Warden can support 15 users.
Service Providers Age UK: managerial input to select and appoint Community Warden, monitor their performance, pay, etc and meet regularly with councillors from the villages to manage progress. Parish Councils: responsible for identifying possible users; and providing funding for relevant proportion of the overall costs.
Funding Users: Current charges of £7 per week; users may provide additional voluntary contributions Parish Council Funding Sources: it seems likely that for the first two years of the scheme, beginning approx April 2020, funding other than user contributions could be 4
covered by grants. Thereafter a sustainable financial model is required with financial support from the Parish Meeting.
It was agreed that representatives for the Village continue consultations with the other three villages currently involved to develop a financial model which could work for Lolworth. No final decision will be taken without reference back to the Parish Meeting. Gift Aid will also be explored.
12. Financial Report
The Financial Report was presented by the Chairman – see appendix one – who proposed the precept be maintained at £3,750.
Proposed by Derek Hill Seconded by Greg Veit Passed unanimously
13. District Councillor’s report
District Councillor Sue Ellington pre-circulated her report – see appendix two. Morale is low due to restructuring of SCDC Management, with planning being particularly affected by staff shortages. There were no questions.
14. County Councillor’s report
County Councillor Lynda Harford pre-circulated her report – see appendix three. There were no questions.
15. Any other Business
Geoff Dodgson thanked Gill Coe for her initiative in researching the Joint Community Warden Scheme and for all those who have agreed to be drivers in the “Give a lift” scheme that Gill is organising.
16. Date of the next meeting
Wednesday April 22nd 2020 at 8.00 pm
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.55 pm
Signed Date