Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 19th January at 7.15pm
Present: Cllr Barbara Cooper (Chairperson)
Cllr Will Bevan
Cllr Ben Holland
Cllr Peter White
Sharon Brown (Clerk)
Also present: Cllr Bridget Smith and one member of the public.
OPEN MEETING
No items were raised.
81 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Tumi Hawkins & Mrs Christine Morton, Skylark Editor.
82 TO SIGN AND APPROVE MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the Meeting on 15th December were agreed and signed. Proposed by Cllr White, seconded by Cllr Holland and approved unanimously.
83 REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS
Cllr Bridget Smith was welcomed to the meeting and she gave a verbal report: a) Guests from Ukraine: Sth Cambs has more guests than any other District in the country; accommodation continues to be sought urgently; the government payment to host families has been raised, b) Local Plan: the planned housing growth to 2031 has already been exceeded and further increase will be required due to the vibrant medical and technological sector. Water supply is a limiting factor in the region, c) National Planning Policy Framework – is open for consultation until 2/3/2023. The relationship to Neighbourhood Plans was discussed, d) SCDC is trialling a 4-day working week, e) Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority: The results of the Transport Strategy consultation are now being analysed. Public transport funding is particularly difficult.
Cllr Howell provided a verbal report, via a phone call, concerning speed measures on the A1198 and his conversation with the Police and Crime Commissioner (see Item 84e below).
84 MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF INTEREST for items on the agenda
None.
85 MATTERS ARISING/TO REPORT FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) – COUNCIL TO REPORT THE FOLLOWING
a) Neighbourhood Planning: A good number of replies have been received, some lengthy. Coding of the qualitative data results is being undertaken by Mrs Coe and will be reviewed initially by Cllr Cooper and the Chairman of the working group. Early indications are in favour of producing a Neighbourhood Plan.
b) Verge problems between Longstowe Hall and Wayside: Great disappointment was expressed that the remedial work has still not gone ahead and only interim bollards been placed along this stretch of road. The Local Highways Officer has submitted a revised project for costings, as the original was considered too expensive. It was noted that enforcement of the speed limit here would be beneficial. A speed limit sign for this section of road will be investigated.
c) Gullies through the village: The gully at the corner of School Lane / Old North Road has been cleared. The gullies by St. John’s Farm were cleared and jetted on 5th January. This has not resolved the problem of flooding that leaves only the centre of the road clear. Further investigation has been requested.
d) Footpaths through village – condition: A site meeting concerning Rushbrook Close pavements has been arranged with SCDC for 7th February.
e) Speed measures on the Old North Road through Longstowe: Cllr Howell has had a conversation with the Police and Crime Commissioner, who sees no problem in a reduction of the speed limit through the section with houses on the A1198 and possibly to 20mph on the B1046 in the village. A letter will be sent to Cllr Howell asking for written confirmation of these comments. It was noted that agreement of the Police and Crime Commission was not required when making an application for reduced speed limits, but veto from this quarter would effectively prevent any change.
86 FINANCE
Precept 2023-24. Agreed to raise the Precept to £8100.00.
87 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
None
88 TO CONSIDER OTHER MATTERS
a) Village Hall update: The dormant account containing approximately £5000 has been reactivated. Electricity usage and bills are now settling down and Cllr White continues regular monitoring. Hiring and access to the hall continues to be monitored.
b) Village Hall Committee – request concerning ownership of play equipment: Consideration of further advice sought from CAPALC, postponed until the next meeting.
c) Complaints Procedure – document development: Consideration of amendments postponed to the next meeting.
d) Village sign – refurbishment: A request has been made to the Longstowe Millennium Account to fund the sign refurbishment / repainting.
e) South Cambs Magazine: The winter magazine has not been received. Enquiries made by Councillor White have led to a single magazine being posted to him.
89 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
A list of correspondence received is printed in the Agenda which is placed on the notice boards and on the web page prior to the Parish Council meeting; details are available from the Clerk.
90 SYKLARK – TO CONSIDER ANY EDITORIAL ISSUES
Items for the Spring issue: Neighbourhood Plan report; Cllr Bevan will write an article concerning field margins. The Clerk to liaise further with the Editor on content. Agreed a letter would be sent to the Editor accepting and thanking her for her offer of home printing the Skylark.
91 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: THURSDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2023, AT 7.15 PM, AT LONGSTOWE VILLAGE HALL.
There was discussion as to holding at least some of the meetings virtually. Further advice will be sought from NALC.
Signed by Date
Chair