COVENEY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 8 December 2003 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Coveney.
Present: Chair, M Duffield. Vice Chair, V Ingham and D Thorogood Councillors, J Mumford & S Thorogood. District Councillor, A White. Clerk, E Bourne.
7.20 - 7.30pm Open Forum
No members of the public present.
| 1. | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE |
| Apologies received from Councillors N Andersen & C Nix. Also from District Councillor B Daters. | |
| 2. | MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on Monday 10 November 2003 were agreed as correct and signed. Proposed D Thorogood, Seconded V Ingham. |
| 3. | MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES |
| Village Sign - A grant had been awarded from the RDA Rural Initiatives Fund to complete the work. D Thorogood to proceed as necessary. | |
| The Shamba, The Causeway, Coveney - Clerk had contacted ECDC and had been told a monitoring officer would visit. No further details to date. | |
| Rubbish, Jerusalem Drove - Remaining bales believed to belong to a person from Witcham. M Duffield to try to make contact and discuss. | |
| Litter Pick, November, - Few councillors available to help but a successful litter pick was carried out by those present. | |
| Land West of 1, Jerusalem Drove, Appeal - D Thorogood attended appeal and put forward Parish Council's views. (See 4. Planning) | |
| Shed, 21 Main Street, Coveney - No further correspondence received from Development Services. | |
| Telegraph Pole, Outside Eastfield House, Coveney - Loose box on pole now secured by BT. | |
| Litter Bin, Wardy Hill - Bin not yet repaired. Clerk to pursue with Mr Tickner. | |
| Wardy Hill to Witcham Road. - Letter had been sent to Highways Dept., following survey by D Thorogood , asking for major repair works and full resurfacing work to be carried out. | |
| Fly-Tipping, West Fen Road - Rubbish had now been removed. Notice regarding fly-tipping had been placed in December issue of Parish Magazine. | |
| Back Lane, Wardy Hill - Still obstructed. Clerk to contact ECDC again. | |
| Village Website - M Duffield had sought advice on possibility of setting up website through company called The Local Channel. Advisors suggested Council not go ahead with company as Parish Council would not have any control over content. Other possibilities to be pursued. | |
| Broadband - Following collapse of original company, this was to be put out to tender again. No date now known for start. | |
| Emergency Procedures - Clerk to send to ECDC. | |
| Parish Plan - Mr Noel Duffield had shown an interest in helping with the Parish Plan when the committee is formed in the New Year. Clerk to forward name to N Andersen/S Nix. | |
| Welcome/Sympathy Letters - S Thorogood circulated draft letters. All agreed with wording. Councillors to notify S Thorogood of any known newcomers to the Parish or bereavements within the Parish. | |
| Kissing Gate, Wardy Hill - Clerk produced copies of minutes showing money had been received for placing kissing gates at either end of Footpath No 7. Councillors agreed work to be carried out as soon as possible. M Duffield to ask Branching Out for quote. A White also proposed names of likely manufacturers. A Winters (Landowner) to be contacted before work can proceed. | |
| Audit Fee - Clerk had received notice of next year's fees. It seemed likely that the fee would be less next year due to the Parish Council having no major projects ongoing. | |
| 4. | PLANNING |
| Appeal – Land West of 1 Jerusalem Drove - Appeal dismissed | |
| 23 Main Street, Wardy Hill - Application for 2 storey rear extension for garage and bedrooms, single storey extension for utility and sunroom. Councillors had no objections. Clerk to notify Development Services. | |
| 5. | STREET LIGHTING AND HIGHWAYS |
| Mud on Roads - Councillors agreed that many farmers were making a great effort to keep the roads clean this winter. However it was noted that one or two places were still very poor and consequently dangerous. Clerk to send letter to Parish Magazine for the attention of the Farming Community. Mud on road in School Lane still a problem. Clerk to find original letter to Cambs County Council. D Thorogood to draft and Clerk to type and send another letter. | |
| 6. | REPORTS |
| Neighbourhood Watch | |
| Crime Statistics -No reported crime for the month of November. | |
| Drugs Policy for Young People -S Thorogood and D Thorogood attended this event and reported back to the Parish Council. | |
| 7. | RISK ASSESSMENT |
| V Ingham continuing to study Risk Assessment documents and will report to next meeting. | |
| 8. | RUBBISH |
| Litter Pick - No organised litter pick to be held in December. D Thorogood and J Mumford to do on an 'as and when' basis. | |
| 9. | CORRESPONDENCE |
| Ely Soham Dial-a-Ride - Details of new service given to Councillors. M Duffield to read literature and send comments if necessary. | |
| Youth Facility, Witchford - It was thought that N Andersen might possibly attend the first meeting. Clerk to contact her. If unable to send a representative, Council to send comments. | |
| Withdrawal of Tree and Hedge Pack Scheme - Councillors disappointed to learn of the withdrawal of this scheme, which is to take effect from 2004. | |
| Parish Path Partnership 2004/2005 - Clerk to send for application form. | |
| Draft Corporate Plan - D Thorogood to read documents and comment if necessary. | |
| 10. | FINANCE |
| Financial Reconciliation presented. | |
| Expenditure | |
| A request was received from SOFA for a donation. It was agreed that funds were not available for this. Clerk to write to SOFA detailing Councillors decision but reporting their willingness to help in other ways whenever possible. | |
| Insurance - Modification - Councillors agreed that the Pound should be added to the Parish Council's Insurance Policy at a cost of £39.90 per annum. Clerk to contact Insurers. | |
| Play Area Benches - M Duffield had arranged to meet a person from Branching Out to discuss replacement benches. Clerk to put on January agenda. | |
| 11. | TREE PLANTING |
| It was decided that none of the original applicants were eligible for trees or hedging under this scheme. | |
| 12. | INTERNAL AUDITOR |
| The Clerk reported to Councillors her difficulty in obtaining an Internal Auditor for the forthcoming year. Councillors advised contacting the District Auditors again as it was thought to be ultimately their responsibility. | |
| 13. | VILLAGE HALL NOTICE BOARD |
| It was reported that the Village Hall Notice Board had fallen into a state of disrepair. Clerk to contact Roger Dyer re. repair and practicalities of use. | |
| 14. | CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO PARISIONERS |
| It was agreed that posters should be produced and displayed on village notice boards wishing Parishioners a Happy Christmas from the Parish Councillors. M Duffield to arrange. | |
| 15. | DATE OF NEXT MEETING |
| Monday 12 January 2004 at 7.20pm |
The meeting closed at 9.15pm