FEN DITTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 2^nd May 2006

at the Recreation Ground Pavilion

 

Present:

 

Chairman:            R Smiley

Councillors:         A Alderson, M Cullen, E Daniel, B Felstead, I Ritchie

Parish Clerk:        S Scrivener

 

Apologies were received from M Clarke and C Jones.

District & County Councillor R Turner was in attendance.

 

301.     The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of the 4^th April 2006 were agreed.

 

302.       County and District Reports

 

i           Cllr R Turner reported that the Milton Sewage Works proposal went to Cabinet on 13^th April 2006.

ii          Cllr R Turner spoke against the proposal for various reasons and also complained of lack of consultation and emphasized the fact that it is possible for Anglian Water to remain on the existing site.

iii         Cllr R Turner considers the proposal detrimental to the village and to the Bridge of Reeds project.

iv         It was agreed that the Sewage Works would affect every resident in the village (ie every Parish Councillor) and that dispensation should be sought from SCDC so that all Parish Councillors could comment on the matter (also asking for dispensation re the Bridge of Reeds project).

 

303.     Matters Arising

 

i           Stanbury Close – request for brick wall

 

i           The request for the wall was considered but it was agreed that the best course of action was for residents of Stanbury Close to contact the owner of the adjacent field. Parish Clerk to advise Mr & Mrs Woolfenden.

 

ii          Flendyshe House

 

i           It was reported that the Parish Council is still awaiting an official response from SCDC concerning the matter.

ii          However, it was reported that Barbara Clarke had spoken to the Parish Clerk and informed her that it was not considered necessary to replace the bricks only to accelerate the ageing process. Parish Clerk to write to Barbara Clarke to ask for confirmation that this work will be carried out.

 

iii         New Bin – Wadloes Path

 

i           It was agreed to continue using the current bin due to the fact that a replacement would cost approx £400.00.

 

iv         Bridge of Reeds

 

i           It was agreed that the Parish Council support the Bridge of Reeds proposal but only on the basis that the organisers of the project can demonstrate that they have implemented measures that will protect Fen Ditton. Traffic being the main concern. Parish Clerk to send letter.

 

v          Resignation of Councillor Brent Swann-Auger

 

i           It was reported that Cllr B Swann-Auger had tendered his resignation with immediate effect.

ii          The Parish Clerk has advertised the position and informed the Monitoring Officer. Currently waiting to hear whether it is possible to appoint a new Councillor on a co-opt basis.

 

304.     Conservation

 

i           Option to Fertilize Football Pitch

 

i           Cllr A Alderson offered his recommendation to the Recreation Ground Trust for this work to be carried out.

 

305.     Recreation Ground

 

i           It was reported that the final funding application had been submitted to WREN.

ii          It was reported that a safety inspection had taken place on the Recreation Ground and that the entrance had been highlighted as a problem: “trip hazard at path and entrance – medium risk”.

iii         The repair of the entrance is included in the ‘Improvements to the Recreation Ground’ proposals (funding has been requested from outside sources).

iv         It was agreed that if funding was not forthcoming (decision would be known at the end of June) the Parish Council would carry out the necessary work immediately. In the meantime, quotes are being sought for the work and Highways have been contacted.

 

306.     Highways

 

i           It was reported that a letter had been sent to Highways raising various issues. A response has not yet been received.

ii          It was agreed that Cllr M Cullen would organise a meeting with Highways as soon as possible to discuss the entrance to the Recreation Ground and to possibly organise the annual walk about at the same time.

 

307.     Cemetery

 

i           A comprehensive list of up to date cemetery prices needs to be compiled. Parish Clerk to compile and forward to Cllr E Daniel for discussion.

 

308.     Planning Applications

 

i           ‘Refusal’ was recommended re S/0568/06/O – 2 bungalows at rear of 80 & 82 Horningsea Road for Mr C Bowman, Mrs L Bavister and Mr & Mrs Ward.

ii          ‘Approval’ was recommended re S/0738/06/F – Proposed showroom/workshop and extension to existing workshop – Marshall Car Centre, Newmarket oad for Marshall Motor Group Ltd.

 

309.     Accounts

 

i.          The following invoices were agreed:  

 

i           Herald Contract Services: cut and strim cemetery and village green: £82.25

ii          Recreation Ground Trust: 1^st installment 2006: £1300.00

iii         Allianz Cornhill: insurance: £458.12

iv         Mrs Sara Scrivener: salary and expenses: £226.32 + £69.43 = £295.75

 

310.     Correspondence

 

i           Letter sent to Mrs M Taylor re Sewage Works.

ii          Letter sent to SCDC re comments about brickwork at Flendyshe House.

iii         Letter sent to Mr R Slack re grave purchase.

iv         Letter sent to Highways re path along Ditton Lane and Wish List.

v          Letter sent to SCDC re resignation of Mr Brent Swann-Auger.

vi         DEFRA – re dog fouling (all via e-mail).

 

311.     Councillor’s Reports

 

i           Cllr R Turner agreed to investigate the problem of the overbearing conifers at the rear of the derelict house 44 Horningsea Road.

ii          Cllr R Turner reported that Mrs Stubbings (owner of 44 Horningsea Road) had informed SCDC that she wished to renovate the property.

iii         It was agreed that Cllr R Smiley and M Cullen would attend the Chairman & Vice Chairman’s Workshop. Parish Clerk to organise.

iv         It was reported that interviews for the new Parish Clerk would take place on Saturday 13^th May.

v          Cllr I Ritchie reported that he had reviewed the “Statement of Community Involvement” but had found the documents to be lengthy and full of “officialese”.

vi         It was reported that an employee of Herald Contract Servcies had been “offensive and confrontational” whilst cutting the grass on the Recreation Ground on Friday 28^th April. Parish Clerk to report incident to Herald.

 

312.     Date of Next Meeting

 

i           The date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 6^th June 2006 at the Recreation Ground Pavilion.

 

The public are welcome to attend meetings of the Parish Council

 

Sara Scrivener, Parish Clerk

Tel: 01223 292224      

E-mail: Sara.Scrivener@btinternet.com