Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 28th September 2022 at 7.15pm
Present: Cllr Barbara Cooper (Chairperson)
Cllr Ben Holland
Cllr Peter White
Sharon Brown (Clerk)
Also present: Members of the public – 2.
OPEN MEETING
Churchyard: It was noted that the Parochial Church Council (PCC) had commissioned an independent ecological report of the church yard in response to a directive from the Church of England who are encouraging all churches to survey their church yards and allow the grass to grow during the period of March and September when the plants are in flower and habitats are at their most active to encourage the bee species that are seriously under threat of becoming extinct.
Several parishioners had expressed concern about the lack of grass cutting and the impact it had on their ability to enjoy visiting the grave yards of their loved ones. It was agreed that the Parish Council would contact the PCC to express the concerns raised by residents in the Parish.
Footpaths through the village: A member of the public drew attention to the poor state of the roadside footpaths through the village, including along the A1198. Request was made for the Parish Council to pursue resurfacing / repair with CCC Highways.
Vacancy on the Parish Council: A resident of the village has expressed an interest in the vacancy and will be invited to the next meeting with a view to co-option.
35 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Mark Howell, Cllr Will Bevan and Mrs Christine Morton, Editor Skylark.
36 TO SIGN AND APPROVE MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the Meeting on 21st July were agreed and signed. Proposed by Cllr White and seconded by Cllr Holland.
37 REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS AND PCSO
Cllr Tumi Hawkins: a written report for September was received which included the issues: a) ‘Warm Hubs in Winter’, b) E-W Rail update, c) City Travel / Access Consultation, d) A428 update, e) airport flight paths, f) recycling of electrical items.
Also received from Cllr Hawkins, information concerning the withdrawal of Bus route 18.
38 MATTERS ARISING/TO REPORT FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) – COUNCIL TO REPORT THE FOLLOWING
a) Neighbourhood Planning: Unfortunately, the resident survey has not yet been finalised or distributed. The Chair of the working group has resigned and a new appointment has yet to be made. A meeting is scheduled for the 17th October. At this meeting a decision will need to be made to appoint a new chair and to agree the way forward ref. surveying residents in the village.
b) Defibrillator: this is up and running and registered with the national service. An extra notice will be placed by the defibrillator itemising how to access it. A village training session on using the defibrillator will also be arranged. Action: Cllr Cooper.
c) Gullies through the village: The three gullies recently notified as blocked on the A1198 have now been cleared by the Local Highways Officer, by hand. The next projected jetting of gullies along the A1198, is in March 2023 and on a two-year maintenance cycle, although we have been notified that implementing this exactly is difficult due to budget restrictions. CCC Highways have also agreed to investigate the continued flooding across at least half of the road by St. John’s Farm, B1046.
d) Verge problems between Longstowe Hall and Wayside: The projected Highways work to reinforce the verge edge has not yet gone ahead. Project to be followed up. Action: Clerk.
e) Speed measures on the Old North Road through Longstowe: Discussion to be furthered with Cllr Howell. Action: Cllr Cooper.
f) Road markings and kerbs in Longstowe: Noted, the meeting with CCC Highways, Cllr Howell and Longstowe PC and the options for the Park Lane / High Street / School Lane junction subsequently provided by Highways. A ‘stop sign and stop line’ for Park Road was considered a basic option. Funding options were discussed, noting that Highways would require LPC to pay for all / most of any works at this junction. Street Works Licence information to be obtained. Action: Cllr Cooper.
39 MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF INTEREST for items on the agenda
None.
41 FINANCE
a) Community Chest grant remittance £314.00: Noted.
b) Victoire Press – invoice September Skylark £96.00: Agreed.
c) Data protection renewal 12/10/2022 – DD £35.00: Agreed and Noted.
d) Change of Mandate – bank account: The change of mandate to the current Clerk has now gone through.
e) Additional signatory(ies) for bank account: Now that the ‘Change of Mandate’ for the Clerk has been finalised, application can be made to add Cllr Holland as a signatory.
f) SAAA – Option to opt out of the SAAA central external auditor appointment arrangements: Agreed to remain within the SAAA central external auditor appointment arrangements.
g) Clerk’s Pay and Expenses mid-Jun – mid-Sept 2022 £796.81 HMRC £120.18: Agreed.
h) Accounts update: Noted.
42 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
None
43 TO CONSIDER OTHER MATTERS
a) Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Condolences were posted on the LPC website, mentioning Her Majesty’s grace, compassion and dedication towards people, together with her proud advocacy for animals and their welfare.
b) Village Hall update: The cleaning by one volunteer is sufficient at present as there is currently one weekly hirer. There is a village Quiz evening at the end of September and the first History Group talk since covid has now taken place.
c) Village Hall Committee – request concerning ownership of play equipment: There was discussion around this point, including VAT, equipment value and insurance cover. Full implications and details of the different factors will be brought together. The VH Committee was also asked to provide a reason for the request.
d) Bus route 18: The issues arising were discussed at some length. Agreed to respond to Cllr Hawkins with the concerns of the parish council on this issue.
44 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.
bb) Attention was drawn to the ‘Information on Anglian Water’s proposed new reservoirs’.
45 SYKLARK – TO CONSIDER ANY EDITORIAL ISSUES
Items for the late Nov / Dec. Skylark should be provided to the Editor by mid-Nov. Items to include: History Meeting, Friday Teas, Churchyard grass cutting from PCC, Neighbourhood Plan, defibrillator, Village Quiz evening.
46 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: THURSDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2022, AT 7.15 PM, AT LONGSTOWE VILLAGE HALL.
Signed by Date
Chair