MINUTES OF THE HILTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 06-08 HELD ON MONDAY
7 JULY 2008 IN THE VILLAGE HALL

Present: Cllrs Shardlow (Chairman), Ward, Bottoms, Robinson, Randall.

In Attendance: Nadine Taylor Clerk to the Parish Council and two parishioners.

1. To note Apologies for Absence. Cllrs Dunn, Stott, Halford, DC Bates

2. Declarations of Interest.

There were no interests declared regarding the published agenda.

3. To Approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 2 June 2008 and a Planning Meeting held on 23 June 2008. Both approved.

4. Parishioners Open Session (10 minutes).

The Chairman closed the meeting

Mr Salem, on behalf of the cricket club bought up the moles on the green which was deferred to Item 14 of the agenda. He also mentioned the bench outside Clare Cottage which was in need of attention but also asked whether the P.C. could prevent cars parking in front of this bench.

The Chairperson re-opened the meeting.

5. To Authorise the Payment of Accounts.

a. £102.23 C Parsons Web Hosting Jan 08
b £42.00 I Stott Nettle Killer
c £103.27 C Parsons Web Hosting Jan 07
d £580.00 JSC Grass cutting
e £402.56 Moore & Stephens Audit return
f. £377.57 Clerks Salary & Expenses
g. £281.00 Village Hall Rental
h. £70.00 A.D.I. Ser Repair to cricket pavilion
i. £110.00 Hilton Cricket Club Grass cutting

Cllr Robinson proposed, Cllr Randall seconded and it was agreed unanimously to approve payment of the above invoices. In addition, the Council agreed that payments of £54.00 to Hilton Methodist Church, £580.00 JSC June Grass Cutting, £368.80 Clerks August Salary, £110 Cricket Club July Grass.

6. Review of A14 Consultation Process.

The next Joint Villages Forum will meet on Tuesday 29th July. Representatives of the Highways Agency, their contractors and a representative of Cambs County Council Highways to discuss: paths, cycle routes, bridleways, visual screening, flood risks, environmental concerns, impacts of construction. The other concern is regarding a possible junction at Wood Green and the impact on the village. Mike Wright of Atkins, an expert in noise, has agreed to attend the meeting.

Lissie Wright, Chairman of the A!4 Action Group would like to meet with representatives from Hilton Action on Traffic Group and the Parish Council. Cllr Robinson agreed to attend along with Cllr Halford, the Clerk to propose dates to meet.

7. Hilton Action for Traffic.

Cllr Shardlow briefed the P.C. H.A.T. will be doing a further traffic count on Tuesday 15th July to assess the volume of traffic since the last count in 2006.

H.A.T. now has an incident recording database and urge parishioners to report any incident or accident to them.

Cllr Bates has agreed to speak to Warboys Parish Council who recently received a 24 hour lorry ban. It was agreed it would be very useful to meet with them to gain information on their success.

Ecops meeting on 4th June was well attended and police stated that they would give Hilton priority in speed checks. Since the meeting on the 4th June there have been 2 police speed checks in the village.

8. Lorry Watch

Volunteers are needed to “lorry Watch”, during the overnight banned hours. Cllr Halford and Keith Fleming observed the road between 5 and 7 am and recorded 5 Lorries coming through that were over the weight limit. These Lorries will be reported to Trading Standards. Any parishioner willing to do this should contact Cllr Halford who is the Lorry Watch Coordinator.

9. Post Office Closure Briefing.

Announcements will be made on 8th July regarding which Post Offices will close and those parishes affected are invited to attend a meeting on the 17th July. It was agreed that we need not seek a representative until we have heard whether Hilton Post Office is to be closed.

10. Extension to Grass Cutting Contract

It was agreed to accept John Carter’s quote for cutting the green and church yard for the next 3 years. Cllr Robinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Bottoms and all agreed.

11. Repair to Village Benches

Bernie Ashby, the Parish Council’s handy man, has photographed and assessed all the benches in the village that need repair and/or renovation. It was agreed that the clerk would contact New Farm Cabinet Makers to ask if he would quote to repair the damaged benches. Bernie to show the contractor what needs doing. It was also proposed by Cllr Bottoms and seconded by Cllr Ward, and all agreed that £100 be spent on materials and labour to renovate the other benches over the summer months by Bernie Ashby.

12. Joint Funded Minor Improvement Scheme 2009/10 bidding

H.A.T. (Hilton Action on Traffic group), would like to submit a bid into the above scheme. Several options are available, all of which could calm traffic through the village. If the bid was successful the Parish Council would be committed to contribute £1.00 per person on the electoral register. Cllr Robinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Randall and all unanimously agreed.

13. Report: Easement at Punch’s Grove

Further to a meeting with Copleys Solicitors by Cllrs Robinson and Dunn it has been agreed that Conroy Construction/Mr and Mrs Conroy will meet the costs of seeking counsel advice as to the level of consideration to be paid for the granting of the Easement. It is hoped to have this advice by the end of this month.

14. Moles on Cricket Pitch

Proposed by Cllr Robinson and Seconded by Cllr Ward and all agreed to invite DRE Pest Control to trap the moles. The approximate cost is £50.00 and the Clerk to ensure that there is no risk to members of the public.

15. Update on Road Surface at Church Lees Estate (Rutland Green)

A meeting has taken place on site with Louise Collier from Highways Agency, District Cllr Bates, Cllr Halford and Mr Shardlow, Mrs Aldridge (residents) recently to discuss the surface. Louise Collier will report back in one month of the action, if any that will be taken.
It was also noted that the Westbrook estate was also in poor condition.

16. Clerk’s Report on Parish Matters.

Drainage at The Green at Church Lane, we have received one quote and further quotes to be sought. At this stage the quote should be for investigative work and then put forward to F&GPWG and onto Parish Council meeting for decision.

Papworth Children’s Centre, the Clerk has agreed to attend a meeting on 22nd September to find out more about their services and how the Parish Council can support this service.

The Lime Trees bordering the church yard need attention and this item to be put forward to the F&GPWG meeting to scheduling and budget planning. It is understood that the Town Trust will meet half the costs.

A small wasp nest was reported at the maze and Bernie was able to remove it.
The Clerk is due to meet with Highways Agency regarding the hedge along the passage way between Mill Hill End and Smeefield which has been maintained by local residents who are no longer able to continue. The Clerk to write to the residents concerned to thank them for this service.

F&GPWG meeting date 24th July, Cllr Bates has been invited to attend.
Gates at Punch’s Grove, if any councilor has any concerns or queries over the proposed gates the architect is happy to discuss and change at this very early stage in the plans.
Core Strategy Submission – the clerk had received discs from HDC and would ensure that Hilton is not affected before returning a “no comment” response.

15. Councilors’’ Items

A window was broken on Potton Road and the concerned parties have received an official warning from Police.

The Mayor of St Ives has written asking if the Parish Council had any objections to him wearing his chain of office in Hilton Village Hall on Sunday 12th July at a CRUSE annual general meeting. No objections.

Cllr Shardlow confirmed that she is happy to stand as Chairperson until December but would like another Cllr to come forward to take over from her then. Cllr Shardlow also stated that she would prefer not to be involved in precept for next year’s budget.

M Shardlow

Chairman Hilton Parish Council 8 July 2008

ACTION

A14 Action Group: Clerk has emailed Lissie offering Cllrs Robinson and Halford as Parish Council representatives. If they are unavailable for the meeting date other Cllrs to stand in.

Lorry Watch – Clerk to add a note in Spectrum report asking for parishioners to undertake early morning “lorry watch”.

Grass Cutting – Clerk has written to JSC Services accepting his quote as contractor for next 3 years.

Benches: Clerk has contacted New Farm Cabinet Makers to see if he would be willing to undertake any repairs and ask Bernie to show him what needs doing. Awaiting reply.

Moles: Clerk has contacted DRE Pest Control, awaiting reply.

Drainage on Green near Church Close, Clerk to contact HDC, Ian Lack for a quote and source another contractor. Put quotes forward to F&GPWG for financial decision.

Hedge between Mill Hill End and Smeefield Letter sent to Mr and Mrs Sheail to thank them for maintaining hedge which Highways are now going to undertake annually.

Core Strategy Submission – Clerk has reviewed and it does not affect Hilton.