Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 18th May at 7.15pm
Present: Cllr Barbara Cooper (Chairperson)
Cllr Will Bevan
Cllr Mrs Bobbie Coe
Cllr Elly Hemmins
Cllr Ben Holland
Cllr Peter White
Sharon Brown (Clerk)
Also present: 8 members of the public.
1 ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON & SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF OFFICE
Cllr Barbara Cooper was proposed as Chairperson for the forthcoming year; proposed by Cllr Bevan, seconded by Cllr White and unanimously agreed. Cllr Cooper was duly elected and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
2 OPEN FORUM
The meeting was closed during the Open Forum to enable contributions from the public.
a) DISCUSSION WITH THE POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER, 7.30 PM – concerning speed measures in the village:
The Police Commissioner Daryll Preston was thanked for attending the meeting. He gave an introduction about the role of Police Commissioner and thanked the Parish Council for the invitation to discuss the speeding problems in Longstowe. He noted that implementation and management of speed measures rests with the County Council and that the Police could only advise / make comment on speed reduction proposals. Cllr Cooper noted that consultations with County highways on the introduction of further measures had led to CCC stating that the police would block any new initiatives, in particular on the A1198. Noted further, that neighbouring villages on the A1198 all now has speed measure to 30 mph or lower in place, Longstowe being the exception.
The Commissioner raised the matter of ‘what would make people drive more safely in an area’, noting that experts consider that speed reduction infrastructure, not just signs, was usually needed.
The Road Safety data held by the police for Longstowe was questioned. The Commissioner had not been provided with any accident information for the parish from his staff. That a number of very serious accidents have occurred recently at or near the crossroads, is well known by local residents. Many potentially serious accidents have also been narrowly avoided. The Commissioner asked that all situations of concern, accidents or near accidents be reported to the police, so that a full record would be available and that he would refer back to staff concerning police data. A resident raised the point of the geometry of the A1198 junction and slight bend in the road to the north, together with the telecommunications box, which make the junction dangerous if vehicles are over the speed limit. This effectively includes police cars, which have been involved in such two such accidents. The Commissioner agreed to take the concerns about serious accidents to the Chief Constable.
Speedwatch as a useful instrument in managing speeding traffic and as a source of data was raised by the Commissioner, as was the use of a flashing radar. Possible Speed Camera use was discussed, but would be a CCC Highways responsibility. There was renewed interest amongst the attendees, in reactivating a Speedwatch team. It was noted that Longstowe does see quite regular speed monitoring by the police, however, this is only ever during the daytime, whereas evenings and weekends were critical times as well. The Commissioner agreed take the matter of speed data collection to the Vision Group (CCC / Police / Fire service / other organisations).
The question was posed from the Parish Council as to whether the situation should be a made political matter.
The new government ruling was noted, that villages anywhere can apply for 20 mph zones within the built-up area. The possibility of applying for a 20mph zone on the B1046 and a 30mph zone on the A1198 was put forward.
Agreed that the points raised would be pursued and information brought to the next meeting of the Parish Council.
b) Other Items:
Potholes: A member of the public raised her concerns about the extent and severity of the pothole
situation during the winter and still on-going, noting that family cars had required extensive repairs.
Concerns included lives being at risk and especially those of cyclists, motorcyclists, children and
horse riders as people tried to swerve around the holes. The CCC Highways Road Fault reporting
portal was noted, as well as the possibility of making damage claims via the same website. There
was understanding of strained local government budgets, but the urgent need for relevant funding
to manage the problem and pre-emptive maintenance was considered important.
3 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
County Councillor Mark Howell.
4 MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None.
5 TO SIGN AND APPROVE MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the Open Parish Meeting and Parish Council Meeting, both of 20th April were agreed and signed; proposed by.Cllr White, seconded by Cllr Bevan and approved unanimously.
6 REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS
District Councillor Tumi Hawkins: written Annual Report and May 2023 Report received.
7 MATTERS ARISING/TO REPORT FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) – COUNCIL TO REPORT THE FOLLOWING
a) Neighbourhood Planning: The report on the village survey is awaited from the Neighbourhood Planning Working Group.
b) Milestone – verge near Longstowe Hall Farm entrance: Once the verge works have become firm, the milestone will be replaced.,
c) Speed measures on the Old North Road through Longstowe: The Police Commissioner attended the Open Forum of this meeting, as minuted above.
d) Coronation event: A very popular event with over eighty adults and children attending. The Charles III 50p coins were distributed to all children under 18 years old. Thanks were expressed to all those involved in the organisation and running of the event.
8 FINANCE
a) Accounts update – mid-Apr – mid-May 2023: Noted.
b) Precept A 23/24, remittance for Apr-Sept 2023 DC £4050.00: Noted.
c) Defibrillator and locking box, British Heart Foundation £1719.07: Agreed.
d) Clerk’s Pay and Expenses mid-April – mid-May 2023 £325.28 HMRC £61.88: Agreed.
9 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
None.
10 TO CONSIDER OTHER MATTERS
a) Village Hall update: The new gutters in place from 18th June; new lock and key box for front door being fitted 19th June. A new socket is being fitted to take the internet router in a suitable position and the internet is now functional at the VH. A full 5-year electrics test is being arranged. Front door light fault is in-hand. Barclays has as reinstated a dormant VH account and has eventually added the interest due.
b) Village sign – refurbishment quotes: Awaiting reply concerning quote.
c) Village Hall Committee – request concerning ownership of play equipment: Considered that formal a letter of transfer from the PC would be drafted. The LPC and Village Hall insurances to be checked.
d) Play equipment – resident’s enquiry: The final date for indicating interest in being on the working group is 15th June.
e) Dates for Parish Council Meetings 2023/24– online / in person: Agreed that Parish Council Meetings would be reduced to ten from eleven, with a meeting no longer being held in February. Also agreed that winter meetings October to March, would be held online, unless a voting matter came forward.
11 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVE
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:
Item f) SCDC: Parish/Cabinet Liaison Meeting Monday 5th June, 6pm, at SCDC, Cambourne: Cllr Cooper will attend the meeting.
12 SYKLARK – TO CONSIDER ANY EDITORIAL ISSUES
In-house printing will be undertaken again. Items for inclusion in the June Skylark include: Coronation tea and photos; Play equipment Working Group – request for volunteers; Speedwatch volunteering; report on the Parish Council meetings.
13 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: THURSDAY 15TH JUNE, AT 7.15PM, AT LONGSTOWE VILLAGE HALL.
Signed by Date: June 2023
Chair