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MINUTES OF THE HILTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 07-08 HELD ON MONDAY
1 SEPTEMBER 2008 IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs Shardlow (Chairman), Ward, Bottoms, Dunn, Randall, Halford, Hird
In Attendance: Nadine Taylor Clerk to the Parish Council, District Councillor Stevens and seven parishioners.
1. To note Apologies for Absence. Cllrs Robinson, Stott
2. Declarations of Interest.
Cllr Randall declared an interest for item 16, being the owner of the property.
3. To Approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6 July 2008 and Planning Meetings held on 24th July and 11th August 2008. All approved and signed by the Chairperson
4. Parishioners Open Session (10 minutes).
Lissie Wright, Chairperson of the A14 Action Group – her information was deferred to item 8.
One parishioner mentioned the light outside the village hall, the timing was out.
Dr Salem’s item was deferred to item 16 on the Agenda
Mr Dyke Price of the Common Rights Owners item was deferred to item 13.
5. To Authorise the Payment of Accounts.
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a.
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£54.00
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Hilton Methodist Church
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b.
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£580.00
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JSC Grass Cutting – June
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c.
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£415.80
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N Taylor Salary & Expenses July 08
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d.
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£110.00
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Cricket Club Grass Cutting july
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e.
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£50.00
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HDC – electoral services
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f.
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£580.00
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JSC Grasscutting – July
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g.
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£45.75
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B Ashby – Handyman Wages
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h.
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£368.80
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N Taylor Salary – August 08
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i.
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£110
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Cricket Club – grass cutting aug
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k.
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£21.35
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B Ashby – August
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l.
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£50.00
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DREPest Control
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In addition the Council agreed to pay £580 to JSC Services for August Grass cutting account.
Cllr Bottoms proposed, Cllr Randall seconded and it was agreed unanimously to approve payment of the above invoices.
6. New Councillor – Mr Martin Hird
Martin Hird was co-opted onto the Parish Council; it was proposed by Cllr Halford and seconded by Cllr Bottoms with unanimous approval from all. Cllr Hird joined the meeting.
7. Sub Group Members
The Planning Committee sub group is: Cllrs Shardlow (chair), Ward, Robinson, Dunn and Hird
The F&GPWG sub group is: Cllrs Stott (Chair), Robinson, Halford, and Randall. Cllr Halford agreed to be CPALC representative and the village hall representative was to be left vacant but a Councillor would volunteer when requested.
8. Review of A14 Consultation Process.
Lissie Wright, Chairperson of the A14 Action Group attended to brief the Parish Council. The A14 Action Group have initiated a joint villages forum, all villages involved are working together on common issues. On occasions there are likely to be conflict of interests between villages and this is being addressed. Common issues include Noise, air pollution and increase in traffic through the villages. One particular concern is noise barrier, planting is planned to take place a fair distance from the new road and it is preferred to have it closer.
Highways have been supportive regarding suggestions whilst not divulging any potential outcomes.
The junction at Wood Green, Highways will be making a decision in the next 2 to 3 months; the cost of the junction is likely to be in the region of £5m. A14 Action Group and Hilton Action on Traffic overriding view is that this junction has no benefit for Hilton residents and could potentially increase rat running through the village. It was suggested that Hilton Parish Council, H.A.T. and the A14 Action Group meet with Highways to discuss this junction further.
A letter stating a preliminary consultation has been received regarding Borrow Pits at Oxholme Farm and Woolpit Farm regarding sand and gravel extraction. The concerns regarding this borrow pits relate to the potential levels of traffic that will be generated though the village and the long-term impact after the A14 is built. Pit holes could potentially then be used for waste disposal. The company involved, Lafarge states its excellent restoration process. It was agreed that Cllr Halford, Cllr Shardlow would meet with Lissie Wright to respond to the Borrow pit consultation letter as soon as possible.
9. Hilton Action for Traffic.
Cllr Halford briefed the meeting. The statistics from the traffic count held on 15th July have been published on notice boards and on the village website. There has been a 3% increase in traffic since 2006, with a 20% increase during the rush hour.
H.A.T. proposes a further count on Graveley Way probably during rush hour only.
St Ives Neighbourhood police have conducted 7 roadside checks since June and followed up on offenders.
Some Councillors will attend an E-Cops meeting on Wednesday 3rd September. The police have a new scheme being trialed in a South Cambs Village with volunteers measuring speeds using devices provided by the police. Offenders receive a letter. E-cops are looking for a further volunteer village to undertake this.
The Trading Standards initiative currently has 5 Hilton volunteers who have observed 22 HGV vehicles coming through the village during banned hours. 6 of these companies have received “serious warning” letters from Trading Standards.
10. Parish Document Storage
Deferred to the October Parish Council meeting.
11. Finance and General Purposes Working Group Update
At a meeting held in July it became apparent that the nature of these meetings did not meet current freedom of information rights to the public. It was proposed that these meetings would now be held in public, with agendas posted on the boards twice a year in October and April to discuss budget planning. This was proposed by Cllr Halford and seconded by Cllr Randall with all agreed.
12. Fireworks
Graham Barradell has agreed to organise the annual firework display. A max budget of £1300 was proposed by Cllr Bottoms, seconded by Cllr Dunn and agreed by all. It was agreed that the date for the firework display be decided by Mr Barradell and the Clerk agreed to find out what dates other villages were holding their displays to minimize the clash. Cllr Randall requested the choice of fireworks include minimal shrieking and loud bangs which can cause fatalities to livestock.
13. Easement at Punchs Grove
Conroys, the owners of Punch’s Grove via their solicitors have agreed to pay the Parish Council £12,000 for an easement across the Green. This amount was offered following advice from a Cambridge Barrister who was employed to value the land.
The Common Rights Owners sited the request that the Easement go along the gravel driveway and not across the Green. In this case the utilities should therefore go under the bridge, unless there is a strong argument why this cannot happen. The Parish Council felt that due to clause 5 in the deed that in the event of interference, damage or destruction of the service media by the Parish Council then it would be liable to pay compensation. As the Parish Council has a duty to maintain the ditch that runs in front of the property it was agreed that the P.C. would be less vulnerable to causing damage if the utilities ran under the bridge.
The Parish Council agreed that they are minded to grant the easement BUT with the clause that the easement run under the bridge. The Parish council agreed to delegate authority to the Chariperson, Margaret Shardlow, in order to avoid further delay. Proposed by Cllr Bottoms and seconded by Cllr Dunn with all in favour. The Clerk to write to Copleys solicitors.
14. Easement Request at 4 Church End
The Parish Council still has no proof of a prescriptive easement across the green. It was therefore agreed to leave it in the hands of the solicitors until such a time when evidence is produced and the matter can be re-addressed.
15. Easement Request at Grange Cottage
It was agreed to pass Mr Wilson’s letter, dated 12th February 2008 requesting domestic easement across the Green to our solicitors for action. Mr Wilson has agreed to pay all legal and administrative costs. Discussion took place whether a single easement is granted as Mr Wilson now parks 2 cars on driveway. Cllr Randall produced approved planning applications, dated May 1978 which clearly showed the house before it was extended had 4 entrances to the barns. The Clerk agreed to write to the solicitor stating this point and confirming that the P.C. was minded to grant the easement.
16. Easement up-date St Francis Toft and Clare Cottage
Formal Easements are sought from the prescriptive right of way from the land registry documents. Domestic easements in favour of Clare Cottage and St Francis Toft. No discussion took place on the business license at Clare Cottage, this matter to be on the agenda for the October meeting.
Dr Salem, neighbour to Clare Cottage raised concern that Clare Cottage has 2 access points and felt the Parish Council should make a charge for the second easement. It was felt that there should be no charge for prescriptive rights of way.
Domestic easements to Clare Cottage and St Francis Toft were agreed were proposed by Cllr Ward and seconded by Cllr Dunn with all in approval.
17. Village Pavilion
Cllr Shardlow asked for any objections to looking into costs highlighted in the schedule of works produced by a surveyor recently. Cllr Shardlow to ask Julian Thomas to action this. When we have a better idea of what needs doing and how much it may cost this item will return to the Parish Council to be discussed about the potential use of the pavilion. No objections from the councilors present to this course of action.
18. Update of Road Surface at Church Leys Estate
Highways have agreed to resurface the cul-de- sacs only.
19. Retrospective Planning Approval at Reeve House
As this meeting had ran over time this item was left until the end and Cllrs Shardlow, Ward, Dunn, Bottoms and Hird stayed to make comment with 3 parishioners and the Clerk also present.
No objections were made and the plans agreed.
20. Decision Regarding regular slot for District Cllrs at Meetings
Cllr Bates had previously requested he have a regular item on the agenda. It was agreed that under item 4 Parishoners Open Session, it would include District Councillors if required. The Clerk agreed to send Cllr Bates a copy of the agenda in advance and make available to him the approved minutes of the previous meetings.
21. CPALC Training Courses – Funding
Cllr Randall proposed and Cllr Bottoms seconded the proposal that Nadine Taylor, Clerk attend 2 training courses at a cost of £200. Cllr Shardlow encouraged all Councillors to look at the list of courses, especially new councillors; it was felt very beneficial for new councilors to attend the new councillor course.
22. Wet Patch near the Church
Deferred to October Meeting.
23. 2008/2009 Tree Surgery
Cllr Randall will be walking around the village with the tree surgeon during October. Any parishioner with any tree concern should contact the clerk directly. The Clerk agreed to publicise through spectrum and village notice boards.
24. Clerks Items
Village Benches – the Clerk is awaiting quotes from New Farm Cabinet Makers regarding repairs
Flood Forum – Cllr Stott will be our representative on 15th Oct
Travelers – the Clerk will ensure that the P.C. knows what to do in the event of travelers entering the green. On this note Cllr Randall noted that there still is no padlock on the gate accessing the back field. Cllr Randall offered to purchase a new one and invoice the P.C.
Litter Bin – we have received a request for a bin to be located at the playground. The Clerk agreed to get estimates and to also chase the District Council about a larger bin outside the village shop. It was also noted that the bin outside Monarch Farm was overflowing, clerk to action.
The Clerk received an email from a parishioner, Mr Blake, citing things that need attention around the village, for example struts where the wildlife sign used to be near the playground. As time was late the Clerk agreed to circulate the email and action where appropriate.
25. Councillors Items
Cllr Shardlow drew attention to the withdrawal of service of Stagecoach buses between Cambridge and Fenstanton. Many Hilton villages use this service and the reduced service is not satisfactory. Fenstanton Parish Council will be making a protect and Councillors were asked to to agree to support Fenstanton’s protest. The Clerk to write to Fenstanton Parish Council supporting their complaint.
Cllr Ward requested that future Parish Council meetings have a new time of 19.30. This was agreed by all and the Clerk agreed to publicise this on the village website and ensure it is highlighted on the agendas posted on the boards.
M Shardlow
Chairman Hilton Parish Council 6 October 2008
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