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MINUTES OF THE HILTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 02-08 HELD ON MONDAY 3 MARCH 2008 IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs Wright (Chairman), Barradell, Fleming, Robinson, Shardlow and Ward.
In Attendance: Mr Thomas, Clerk to the Parish Council, and four parishioners.
1. To note Apologies for Absence. Cllrs: Halford, Randall, and Stott.
2. Declarations of Interest.
Cllr Robinson declared a prejudicial interest in Item 7c as an immediate neighbour, and Cllr Barradell claimed an interest as a neighbour in Item 10c but considered it not to be of a prejudicial nature.
3. To Approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 4 February 2008 and the Planning Meetings held on 7 February and 18 February 2008
Approved.
4. Parishioners Open Session (10 minutes). The Chairman closed the meeting
Cllr Robinson stated that he had no objection in principle to house proposed in the planning application covered under Agenda Item Number 7c, but he reiterated his earlier concerns that because of its set back position, behind the building line set by Sunnybrooke and Trins Close, the proposed dwelling would be intrusive on his home and privacy, overlooking his garden and bedroom windows.
5. To Authorise the Payment of Accounts.
a. £1516.40 J A Thomas Salary
b £132.70 J A Thomas Allowances
c £36.60 B Ashby Handyman's wages
d £2285.37 S Barnett Ditch Maintenance
e. £580.00 JCS Services Grass Cutting May 07
f. £342.00 NFCM second part payment on notice board
The Council noted that the cost of ditch maintenance, item 5d, was inclusive of VAT but would return within the agreed provision once VAT had been reclaimed. Cllr Robinson proposed, Cllr Shardlow seconded and the Council approved payment of the above accounts. In addition, the Clerk was authorized to pay the invoice of £1950 from Mr Conway for the clearance of the beech tree at the High Street and to seek formal approval at the next meeting.
6. Review of A14 Consultation Process.
The Chairman advised that a meeting had recently been held with a number of local villages to consider the possibility of presenting a joint approach for the provision of adequate environmental mitigation measures as part of the basic design of the proposed A14 upgrade. The meeting was considered to have been successful and a draft letter to the Highways Agency was currently in circulation amongst these communities for approval. In addition, the Highways Agency, via their agent, Atkins Ltd, had informed the Joint Forum that it would welcome an initial meeting with the group, possibly in early April.
7. Planning Issues
a. Appeal Against Decision on Development at Land SW of Columbia: The Council noted that it had recommended in September 2007 that the application to build a new house on land South West of Columbia should be refused. The Council recalled that their decision had been based on the view that the proposed house was of an inappropriate design for the location and would be out of keeping with the street scene. The proposed house was also considered to be too large for the plot and that there were concerns about access to the site as well as the impact of the proposed cellar on neighbouring properties. Finally, changes to Columbia to accommodate the new house were also considered to be out of keeping with the immediate area. The Clerk was to represent the continuing concerns of the Council to the Planning Appeal.
b. Proposed Windfarm at Cotton Farm Public Exhibition. The chairman advised that the proposed wind farm at Graveley could result in the erection of eight turbines, each over 400 feet high, which would be highly visible from all directions. An action group had been formed to oppose the proposal and the chairman had already attended a presentation by the group and was to attend an exhibition called by the developers on 8 March to learn more about the project. The Council was concerned by the number of environmental intrusions currently threatening the local area and be the potential landscape precedent set if the Cotton Farm Windfarm were to be agreed. The Clerk was asked to write a letter letting the action group know of Hilton's concerns with copies to MPs the District Council and relevant parish councils.
c. Amendment to Planning Application Adjacent to Sunnybrook. Cllr Robinson left the meeting for the duration of this item. The Council noted that the amended drawings showed that the balcony had now been removed and the first floor windows on the eastern elevation had been reduced in size. Nevertheless, the Council still considered that the location, which was set back behind the building line, made the development intrusive on the neighbouring property. The Clerk was to pass the Council's comments to the District Council.
d. Reeve House. The Chairman advised that a number of parishioners had contacted the Council highlighting that Reeve House differed in a number of key respects from the approved drawings and the Council had already written to the District Council asking for clarification. A response from the District Council was currently outstanding and the Clerk was to hasten. In addition, the owners of Reeve House had recently erected a tall, close-panel fence along the High Street and this had drawn considerable comment from residents who considered it unsightly and inappropriate for the setting. The Council had been asked if its erection was permissible, in a conservation area. The Council noted that the original planning approval included a condition that the design of boundary treatments was to be agreed with the planning authority. The Council also considered that the fence had been sited too close to the edge of the ditch, potentially destabilizing the bank and was likely to cause damage to the watercourse. The Council had sought advice on the fence from the District Council and a reply was outstanding.
8. Paths Maintenance.
A number of Councilors had recently inspected footpaths in the village and had prepared a prioritized schedule of work for the coming year. Based on this schedule, the Clerk was to submit a P3 bid to Cambridgeshire County Council. The priorities set could also be used as a starting point for any P3 bid next year.
9. Flight Holding Patterns
The Chairman explained that the National Air traffic Service had made proposals to move aircraft holding patterns associated with Luton and Stansted Airports. The proposals brought air traffic over the area around Hilton. The consultation period for these proposals was to end on 22 May 08. Data currently available suggested that up to 25 flights a hour could use the holding pattern with each aircraft generating up to 60dBs. The Council was concerned at the prospect of a further intrusion on the rural scene and the likelihood that once established the use of the holding patterns would increase. There was some debate on the likely impact of noise and air pollution with Councilors noting that the intrusion did not appear excessive in some of the areas under existing holding areas. Overall the Council felt it currently had insufficient information to come to a final decision. The Clerk was to draft a suitable letter on this matter to the District Council and DC/CC Bates asking for their position and any further information they might hold.
10. Consideration for New Easements: Progress Report
a. St Francis Toft & Clare Cottage. The Clerk advised that he had obtained written agreement from the claimant's solicitors that they would meet Parish Council costs. They had also been asked to provide the Council's solicitor with details of the claim, along with supporting evidence. When this was available, the Council would be asked to consider the request.
b. Grange Cottage. The Clerk advised that the claimant had provided written agreement to meet Parish Council costs. The claimant had also been asked to provide details of the claim, along with supporting evidence, to the Council's solicitor. When this was available, the Council would be asked to consider the request.
c. New House at Punch's Grove The Clerk advised that solicitors representing Conroy Construction had recently approached the Council disputing the need for an easement for new services to the new house to be built to the west of Punch's Grove but, nevertheless agreeing to reach such an arrangement. The Council considered it advisable to address this request through their solicitor. Recognising that this approach could attract costs, as yet unknown, Cllr Fleming proposed, Cllr Robinson seconded and it was agreed to instruct Copleys solicitors to represent the Council. The Clerk was to advise the claimant to deal with the Council's solicitor. The Clerk was also to instruct Copleys to act for the Council on this matter and to make them aware that the Council was concerned about the positioning of any new services, especially where they crossed the ditch, and associated inspection covers, ,as well as the principle and any financial settlement. Copleys were also asked to raise the question of what new services were provided when the new house, Redwoods, east of Punch's Grove was built.
11. Replacement for Parish Clerk.
The Chairman advised the meeting the Clerk would stand down in June, or earlier if a replacement could be found. The Council agreed to establish a working group consisting of Cllrs Wright, Robinson and Shardlow to review the Clerk's job specification and hours. When the review was complete, the Council would consider how best to advertise for the post. The Clerk was to place a vacancy notice in the CALC magazine inviting interest with a deadline of 21 April.
12. Elections
The Clerk confirmed that the quadrennial election of Parish Councilors would be held on 1 May 2008. Entries for the election must be with the District Council by 12 April. The District Council anticipated making the formal announcement to the electorate at the end of March. The Clerk was to place a notice in Spectrum, on the web and on the notice board as soon as possible.
13. Changes to Investments.
The Clerk advised that Barclays Bank had established the required Instant Access Account and would activate the planned Savings Bond following instructions and the transfer of funds by the Council. Investec had remitted their holdings totaling £15055.79, and these had been deposited with the Bank. Unknown to the Council, New Star had amended the account number and the Clerk was to resubmit a new instruction. Norwich Union appears to have confused the Council's account with a joint account belonging to the Clerk and his wife. Norwich Union had been asked to rectify the error and to remit the funds without further delay. (Clerk's note: Norwich Union subsequently remitted a cheque for £14977.83!)
14. Repair of Fences.
The fence along the top of the ditch to the side of the cricket pavilion was broken as were a number of rails in the fence along the side of Reeve Ditch. The Clerk was to establish whether the District Council had responsibility for the fence at the cricket pavilion and depending on the outcome, was to ensure that both fences were repaired as soon as practical. If at all possible, it would be good to reuse the rails from the cricket pavilion fence at Reeve Ditch. The Clerk was also to ensure that the tiles on the lych gate that had been loosened in the recent high winds were not a hazard to the public.
13 Clerk's Report on Parish Matters.
The Council was content for the cricket club to apply to the County Council to close Fenstanton Road for home matches. The Clerk was to ask the Cricket Club to renew this authorization on an annual basis.
14. Councillors' Items
Cllr Fleming advised that the County Council had still to provide details of the proposed footpath along the B1040 and would continue to progress.
Cllr Shardlow advised that the Traffic Group had met and she expected to give a more comprehensive report at the next meeting.
Cllr Wright advised that the transparency of the F&GPWG had recently been questioned. The Clerk was to establish the guidelines for non public meetings and the matter would be discussed when this further information became available.
F J Wright
Chairman of Parish Council
7 April 2008
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