Parish Council Report November 2006:

Hilton

A14 Consultation  Representatives from Hilton and Fenstanton Councils met and agreed areas of common interest which should be jointly addressed to the Highways Agency and where further work should be undertaken in order to get the best for both communities.  The Hilton Council also briefed Hemingford Abbotts Council on similar issues but there was less scope for a similar joint approach.  The Highways Agency was expecting to hold a further exhibition in Hilton on their proposals for the new road and the favoured date was Friday 8 December.  The Council has agreed to ensure that the village would be well prepared for this second consultation exercise.  Finally, the A14 Action Group was scheduled to meet with Mr Djanogly MP on 10 November to stress the position of the village on the A14 upgrade.

Planning Matters   Applications  for an extension to 5 Mill Hill End, and for conversion of building and construction of Flats at Dunroaming Church Lane were Recommended for Refusal by HDC.  The installation of roof vents on Rose Cottage , the erection of a dwelling and extension to dwelling at Crossroads Potton Road,  the extension of outline planning permission for land opposite Hilton Hall, new garage at Wychwood, Church End and the  conversion of houses and outbuildings at 2/3 Graveley Way were Recommended for Approval by HDC.

Traffic   A meeting had been held with DC Bates to discuss how best to address the problems of traffic through the village.  A further meeting is to be held with Cambridgeshire County Council later in November to take this matter further.

Village Hall Car Park  Work is expected to start on 13 November and last for approximately two weeks.  Residents and users of the car park are asked to exercise caution on the site during this time.

Fireworks  The bonfire night held on 4 November was considered to have been very successful and made a small profit.

Crime.  There were four reported crimes during October.  Some 18th Century windows in High Street  were smashed by vandals.  There was an foiled distraction burglary in New England by someone posing as a Water Board official.  A burned out car was found abandoned in Potton  Road and a copper lightning conductor was stolen from the Church.

Protecting The Green    In order to limit the damage to the Green it was hoped to erect a traffic  barrier along the edge of Wraggs Row on a trial basis.  In addition, it was hoped to change the profile of the banking at the corner of the High Street to dissuade drivers from clipping the verge and damaging the Green at this point.

Play-Park Surfaces  The surfaces at the play park were again beginning to accumulate slime.  This situation will be monitored closely.

PARC Project.  The recent concert organised by Village Youngsters under the PARC Project had been  an extremely successful event.

Tree Cutting  Over the coming weeks there would be a active programme of trees surgery around the Green to remove dead or dying timber and to help restore visual balance within the village.