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MINUTES OF THE HILTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 04-07 HELD ON MONDAY 30 APRIL 2007 IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs Wright (Chairman), Adams, Barradell, Randall, Robinson, Shardlow, Stott and Ward.
In Attendance: Mr Thomas, Clerk to the Parish Council, and two parishioners. Two Community Police Support Officers were in attendance up to Item 6.
1. To Elect a Chairman
Councillor Wright offered herself as Chairman for the coming year. Approved unanimously.
2. To Elect a Vice Chairman
Councillor Fleming offered to continue as Deputy Chairman. Approved unanimously.
3. To Elect Officers
The officers of the Council and members of specialist roles was agreed and a list is at Annex A
4. To note Apologies for Absence. Cllr Fleming
5. To Approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 30 April 2007
Approved unanimously
6. Parishioners Open Session (10 minutes).
The Community Police Support Officer, Mr Davies, provided details of the new internet based "ecops" system as the preferred means of exchanging data about local crimes. Cllr Robinson highlighted that it was difficult for the community to know if the police were acting on information passed to them from residents. The Chairman thanked Mr Davies for attending and asked him to note the need for closer communications between the police and the community. The Clerk was to publish details of ecops in Spectrum.
7. Declarations of Interest.
The Clerk informed the meeting that CALC had recently recommended that Parish Councils do not adopt the new Code of Conduct until a number of details had been clarified. CALC expected to be in a position to provide guidance in time for Councils to meet the statutory introduction date for the Code at the end of September. The Council agreed unanimously to suspend implementation of the Code of Conduct pending the availability of further information from CALC.
Cllr Randall expressed an interest in Item !0 resulting from the proximity of his house, but continued to take part in discussion on that item.
8. To Authorise the Payment of Accounts.
a. £47.00 Wicksteeds; Safety Inspection
b. £205.63 Huntingdon Plant; Supply of Soil
c. £34.21 D Hedge; Handyman's Wages
d. £186.20 Village Hall; Hire Charges
e. £650.00 JCS Services; Grass & repairs
f. £211.50 R A Hart; Landscaping work
g. £1145.63 Lattenbury Services; New Barrier
h. £33.96 J A Thomas Repayment of costs
i. £100 Hilton Cricket Club; Grass Cutting
j. £82.81 J R Swailes; Audit Fees
Payment of the above accounts was proposed by Cllr Randall, seconded by Cllr Stott and approved unanimously.
The Clerk was asked to contact Lattenbury Services to ask that the nut securing the locking mechanism on the new barrier is either welded or fitted with a self locking nut to make the whole barrier more secure.
9. Review of A14 Consultation Process.
Cllrs Robinson and Wright along with DC Bates had recently met with Mr Burton of Lattenbury Farm to gather further details of his proposal to build an earth screening bund along part of the proposed A14. As a result of this meeting, the Council agreed to write a letter to the Highways Agency supporting Mr Burtons initiatives, especially for his suggestions to use his own land, but insisting that adequate screening must be included as part of the basic specification for the new road. Cllr Wright was to draft a letter for the Highways Agency to be delivered before the final specification of work was issued for tender.
In addition, the Chairman advised that a fruitful meeting had been held between members of the A14 Action Group and DC Bates to set out the position of residents on the environmental problems likely to be generated by the new A14 with special emphasis on reducing the traffic along the B1040.
The Chairman had also attended a meeting involving DC Bates, representatives of Fenstanton, Hemingford Abbotts and Hemingford Grey Parish Councils and a consultant from a road construction company to discuss the environmental impact issues expected to result from the new A14.
The Council agreed that in view of the likely long term impact of the noise generated by the new road there was benefit in seeking advice from an acoustic specialist. The Council accepted that the cost could be as high as £1500 and agreed to underwrite these costs, but noted the possibility of setting up of a fund-raising campaign at a later date. The Council agreed that it was essential that any input must be made available to the Highways Agency before the specification of work was issued for tender. Cllr Randall proposed, Cllr Barradell seconded and it was approved unanimously that the Council underwrite the spend up to £1500 on contracting an acoustic specialist to advise on measures to reduce the noise impact of the new A14 on the village. Cllr Wright was to contact Mr Landucci to conclude his brief for an acoustic specialist as a matter of priority
10. Parking on The Green
The Council thanked Cllr Barradell for his work on getting the raised earth curb established along the side of Wraggs Row. The Clerk was to order the specified grass seed mixture up to the overall cost ceiling of £600 agreed in the April meeting.
11. Planning Framework for Hilton.
Cllr Barradell summarized the specialist planning meeting called to consider a discussion held with Mr Ingram Head of HDC Planning Services and advised that a number of letters of clarification had also been exchanged. Mr Ingram had advised that the definition of a Conservation Area has been amended and recommended that Hilton apply for a review. He also explained some of the planning changes expected to be introduced via the Core Planning Document currently under consultation. In light of this information, the Clerk was to draft a letter to HDC asking for an early review of the Hilton Conservation Area with a request that the Council be involved in that process. HDC had also recommended that the Village Design Statement should be brought up to date when a review of the Conservation Area had been completed and approval of the Core Planning Document completed.
The Special Planning Meeting also discussed the advice recently received from Copley's Solicitors that easements and licenses were a very difficult area in law and had advised Hilton that the best way to seek a definitive judgment on matters such as changes to the terms of easements following initial agreement was via a barrister at a cost of perhaps £1500. The meeting recommended that the Council wait for settlement of a number of other cases currently under legal consideration and review its position in the light of decisions taken. The Council agreed to revisit this subject when more information was available.
The Council also agreed to defer any further discussion on "affordable housing" until after the revised Conservation Area review and the Core Planning Document was available.
12. Playpark
The annual safety inspection by Wicksteed Leisure had highlighted a number of safety problems some of which were considered ‘high risk'. As a result, the Council had closed the play park pending resolution. Subsequently, Wicksteeds had visited the park and made a number of recommendations to resolve the problems. The Council agreed to address the safety issues as a priority and to review the long term issues in slower time. The Clerk was to arrange for the damaged areas to be fenced off until repairs had been completed. Cllr Ward was to hasten the services of an engineer to repair the gate. Once these actions were complete, the play park could be re opened. Cllr Shardlow proposed, Cllr Ward seconded and it was agreed unanimously that up to £300 should be spent on the fencing and for the repair of the gate.
The Clerk was to seek prices for the removal of one or both of the Whizzers" and the restoration of the surrounding surface. The Clerk was also to obtain quotes for a maintenance contract to pressure wash the rubber surface area. Cllr Adams agreed to see whether any grants could be made available to assist in finding long term solutions.
13. Grass Punch's Grove.
Cllr Stott explained that the Council had advised Mr Conroy of the required grass mixture to be used in front of Punch's Grove. However, the instructions were now seen to be somewhat ambiguous and may have contributed to rye grass being planted. Cllr Stott advised that the cutting regime chosen should result in a gradual natural reintroduction of the required mixture. The Council agreed that no further action was required.
14. Approval of the Annual Audit Return for FY 2006/2007.
The Clerk informed the meeting that apart from an observation regarding the excessive levels of investments, the internal auditor had approved the accounts for the year ending 31 March 2007. Against this background, the Council approved the Annual Return for the external auditor.
15. Appointment of Councilor.
The meeting formally welcomed Mr Cameron Adams to the Council.
16 Grass Cutting
Cllr Stott explained that in 2006 the Council had agreed to cut half the former soccer pitch for use by youngsters from the village. A number of Common Rights Owners (CRO) had recently objected to the cutting regime on the basis that it harmed the flower species. The Clerk was to write to the secretary of the CRO highlighting the Council's approach and seeking a consolidated view from the CROs.
The Council agreed that the current lanes cut through the hay area on the Green were too wide. The Clerk was to remind the contractor that the lanes should not exceed one meter. The Council also noted that dog fouling on the Green had increased. The Clerk was to remind residents in Spectrum to take greater care and to place droppings in the bins provided.
Cllr Randall agreed to trim the low hanging tree near the Lych gate whilst residents had trimmed the hedge near the Post Office.. The Clerk was to add the question of maintaining non-adopted areas of the village to the next F&GPWG.
17. CPH Number
Cllr Randall explained that it could be to the advantage of the Parish to have a DEFRA County Parish Holding Number. A CPH Number would allow the Council to apply for management grants for the Green. No costs were involved and Cllr Randall agreed to submit the necessary application. The Council agreed to apply for a CPH Number and thanked Cllr Randall for his offer.
18. Clerk's Report on Parish Matters.
The Clerk advised that Highways West had finally agreed to remove the fallen tree near the Church. However it was clear from discussions that there was considerable doubt regarding ownership of the land on which the tree had stood. The Clerk also advised that West Highways would fill the potholes in Wraggs Row but could not resurface the road for the foreseeable future due to budgetary pressures.
19. Councillors' Items
a. 5 Mill Hill End. The Council had received an amendment to Application No 0700849 for comment. The Council agreed that the amendment was an improvement and the Clerk was to advise HDC accordingly.
b. PARC. Cllr Shardlow explained that the recent leaflet drop had provided a number of volunteers to help run the PARC project. Cllr Stott also made a number of outline proposals for the involvement of young people in the business of the Council and the Clerk was to add this matter to the agenda of the July meeting.
c. B1040 Group Cllr Shardlow advised that it was hoped to renew the Group over the coming weeks.
F J Wright
Chairman of Parish Council 4 June 2007
ANNEX to
Minutes 05-07
Hilton Parish Council:-Officers and Appointments for 2007
Chair: Cllr Wright
Deputy Chair Cllr Fleming
F&GPWG Cllr Stott (Chairman), Members: Cllrs Adams, Fleming, Robinson and Wright
Planning Committeee Cllr Barradell (Chairman), Members: Cllrs Fleming, Robinson, Shardlow and Ward.
Hilton Common Joint Consultative Cmittee Chairman, Cllr Shardlow and the Clerk
Coordinator Fireworks WG Cllr Barradell
Tree Warden Cllr Randall
Parish Paths Partnership Cllr Fleming, The Clerk
St Ives Road Safety Committee Cllrs Shardlow and Adams
A14 Action Group Representatives Cllrs Adams, Barradell, Robinson and Wright.
CALC Vacant
St Ives Sector Police Consultation Group Cllr Randall and The Clerk
Hilton Neighbourhood Watch Committee Cllr Randall, Mr Potter and The Clerk
Hilton Town Trust Charity Cllr Ward and Mrs Fleming
Village Hall Management Committee TBA
Hilton Wildlife Conservation Group. Cllr Randall and Stott
Bank Signatories Cllrs Barradell, Fleming, and Stott
Actions Arising from Meeting 05-07 dated 4 June 2007
6. Parishioners Open Session
The Clerk was to publish details of ecops in Spectrum.
8. To Authorise the Payment of Accounts.
The Clerk was asked to contact Lattenbury Services to ask that the nut securing the locking mechanism on the new barrier is either welded or fitted with a self locking nut to make the whole barrier more secure.
9. Review of A14 Consultation Process.
Cllr Wright was to draft a letter for the Highways Agency before the final specification of work was issued for tender.
Cllr Wright was to contact Mr Landucci to ask him to conclude his brief for an acoustic specialist as a matter of priority.
10. Parking on The Green
The Clerk was to order the specified grass seed mixture within cost ceiling of £600 agreed in the April meeting.
11. Planning Framework for Hilton.
The Clerk was to draft a letter to HDC asking for an early review of the Hilton Conservation Area with a request that the Council be involved in that process
12. Playpark
The Clerk was to arrange for the damaged areas to be fenced off until repairs had been completed.
Cllr Ward was to hasten the services of an engineer to repair the gate.
Once these actions were complete, the play park could be re opened. Cllr Shardlow proposed, Cllr Ward seconded and it was agreed unanimously that up to £300 should be spent on the fencing and for the repair of the gate.
The Clerk was to seek prices for the removal of one or both of the Whizzers" and the restoration of the surrounding surface.
The Clerk was also to obtain quotes for pressure washing the rubber surface area.
Cllr Adams agreed to see whether any grants could be made available to assist in finding long term solutions.
16 Grass Cutting
The Clerk to write to the secretary of the CRO stating Councils reasoning and seeking a consolidated view from the CROs.
The Clerk was to remind the contractor that the lanes should not exceed one meter.
The Clerk was to remind residents in Spectrum to pick up all dog droppings and to place droppings in the bins provided.
The Clerk was to add the question of maintaining non-adopted areas of the village to the next F&GPWG.
17. CPH Number
Cllr Randall agreed to submit the necessary application.
19. Councillors' Items
a. 5 Mill Hill End.
The Clerk was to advise HDC accordingly.
b. PARC.
Clerk was to add this matter to the agenda of the July meeting.
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