Parish Council Report August/September 2006

HILTON

A14 Consultation Despite little evident movement from the Highways Agency, the A14 Action Group monitors the position closely and regular meetings of the Group continue to be held. The Council expects to hold early meetings with Fenstanton and Hemmingford Abbotts Councils to explore common environmental concerns.

Planning Matters The Parish Council recommended that an application to undertake alterations and to introduce a new roof light at Hilton House be APPROVED.

Traffic Through The Village The traffic census held in Hilton on 12 July was very successfully and the Council should like to thank all those that took part. However there is a suspicion that traffic on the day of the count was somewhat lighter than normal possibly due to roadworks on the A428. To check the validity of this perception, we hope to organize another count for early October. The data from the July count is currently being analysed and the results will be published in the next issue of Spectrum.

Village Hall Car Park Tenders were recently invited for an extension to the car park at the Village Hall. From these a successful contractor has been selected to undertake the work and the car park should be in use before the end of this year.

Fireworks The Parish Council again agreed to organise this years bonfire and firework display in the village. However, last year’s event made a small loss due, we believe, to a drop in numbers attending. Residents are urged to support this home-grown event to ensure that it can continue.

Crime. Four crimes were reported to the police in July and August. These included a smoking manure heap on the Green, a break in to an excavator in Potton Road , and two house break-ins on The Green resulting in the theft of a car and a quantity of copper pipe respectively.

Doggy Doo. Disappointingly dog fouling continues to be a problem along Church Lane. Dog excrement can be dangerous to health, especially to children. There is a bin at the end of the Lane and dog walkers are asked to securely bag the waste and deposit it in this bin. The District Council will install some fresh notices along the Street to help raise awareness.

Concessionary Bus Deals The District Council have asked that we stress the new arrangements coming into force shortly. First all bus pass holders will be able to travel free within Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough. The passes are valid 0930 to 2300 Monday to Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, bus passes will be accepted on the Cambridge Park and Ride. Existing new style passes are valid to March 2008 but holders of the old-style orange pass will need to replace them even if they are still valid. The new arrangements will come into force from early October.

Recycling. Huntingdonshire District currently tops the national league with more than 55% of our waste being re cycled against a national figure of just 23%. Between April and June this year our re-cycing diverted almost 18,500 tons of waste away from landfill which has also helped reduce the production of harmful greenhouse gasses. In addition, re-cycling saves us money. Landfill tax is running at £18 per ton rising by £3 every year and the cost of dumping is met from our taxes! Waste Chiefs across the County have asked the Parish Council to thank householders for their efforts in making such a performance possible.