Minutes of the meeting of Barton Parish Council held on Thursday 10th January 2019 in the Village Hall, Barton at 7:30 pm

Transcription

1 Minutes of the meeting of Barton Parish Council held on Thursday 10th January 2019 in the Village Hall, Barton at 7:30 pm Present Cllrs. Lorraine Mooney (LM) Chair, Jonathan Woods (JW) Vice Chair, John Howland Jackson (JHJ), Martha Shedd (MS), Margaret Penston (MP), Sarah Pitchford (SP) (arrived 7:45pm,) Mike Radford (MR) Clerk: Ian Minto (IM) Members: 9 Quorum: 3 In Attendance: 8 members of the public, District Councillor Ian Sollom. The open forum for public participation 8 members of the public attended. One resident talked about his concerns with the proposed widening of the cycle path under the Quick Win Greenways scheme with specific reference to the path/area on the Village Green behind the pond. He had expressed his views on the village Facebook, to the Clerk and Cllrs by and to the Greenways organisation and requested further thought and consideration be given to this project by the PC. He opposed widening the path and cited priority/conflict and safety between cyclists/pedestrians, the rationale behind the proposal suggesting a demand for the cycling path to be enabled as low and the (permanent) effects on the appearance of the remainder of the Village Green as issues. He also recognised safety of cyclists and proposed some measures to provide alternative safety considerations. These would include, reducing the speed limit (as vital), traffic calming measures on the road bend, and consideration given to the crossing points given the proximity of the School. A group of residents from Haslingfield Road followed up their concerns over speeding on the approach and exit to and from the Village past their houses as initially expressed on . They outlined their concern that the recent resurfacing of the road had exacerbated the speeding by various vehicles and were greatly concerned that nothing had been done to ensure that traffic calming measures were included in the scheme. In addition, some aspects such as a SLOW sign on the road had not been replaced. They recalled incidents where lampposts had been crashed into and a general feeling of vulnerability. They questioned the apparent inaction of the PC to help allay these matters and implored this to be rectified. A previous speedwatch scheme carried out by the PC having no apparent follow up was also cited. The traffic calming scheme in Haslingfield was also mentioned with a clear implied desire for the PC to follow this lead. One resident, whilst part of this group, also mentioned other concerns regarding lack of PC consultation, the Greenways scheme generally having potential to open up footpaths and bridleways in the Parish to illegal activity, the lack of football on the recreation ground and the Village Green cycle path issue. The residents were thanked for their involvement and their clear passion and concerns /57 Apologies for absence: Cllr Natasha Hodge It was announced that Cllr Henton had resigned from the PC and steps were being taken to replace him /58 Minutes of meeting of 4 th December for approval

2 The minutes were approved unanimously and signed by the Chair 18-19/59 Matters Arising from Minutes none that were not covered elsewhere 18-19/60 Declarations of interest for items on the agenda Cllr Woods declared interest in matters concerning The Barton Tennis Club Cllr Penston declared interest in any matter involving BRIG and planning notifications regarding Burwash Manor Cllr Radford declared interest in any matter involving planning notifications regarding Burwash Manor 18-19/61 County Councillor Report: This was received and circulated prior to the meeting /62 District Councillor Report Cllr Sollom was present but lack of any significant DC activity over the Xmas/New year period had meant a report was not necessitated. He did report that he had submitted a response to the housing consultation pertinent to the area. Cllr Sollom reported that the Strawberries and Creem festival would again take place at Haggis Farm on June th There is an online licence consultation which he will provide details of. Cognisant of issues concerning the maintenance of the recreation ground and also the speeding issues outlined by residents, Cllr Sollom suggested contacting the Clerks at both Comberton and Granchester since both had similar issues to deal with. Finally Cllr Sollom, in view of the residents concerns, gave a steer on highways projects and process and their complexity 18-19/63 Finance a) Finance: To approve accounts for payment Clerk Salary (gross) Cllr. Expenses (re website) Direct Debit Plusnet John Baker Mower services Barton Institute Management Committee SLCC subscription Receipts Payment of invoices for training SCDC S106 Funds a) Bank Balances at 31/12/18: Current Account: 13, Instant Access 39, IM/LM

3 18-19/64 To Receive and discuss reports on Council Matters a) The proposed Budget and Precept had been further discussed at the Governance and Finance working group meeting on 2 nd January 2019 and the recommendations circulated in advance of the meeting. Cllr JW introduced the budget and precept rationale and Cllrs discussed the recommendations and specifically sought clarification on the following matters: The proposed budget (circulated) for the restoration and maintenance of the football pitch ready for the season and beyond as an annual sum. Specific grass cutting issues were noted; Whilst they would be paid in 2019 due to lack of sufficient notice, a proposal to no longer pay annual grants would be analysed alongside a proposal to replace by grant requests from organisations. This would replace the dilemma of supporting standard operating costs being paid and make the process of supporting village organisations events and projects on a case by case basis fairer and more equitable. Details would be produced of application procedure; The Clerk hours would be increased from 9 to 12 per week; The desire for greater community engagement to assist decision making; The early identification, where feasible, of village projects and Localism potential; The Precept was recommended at 25,000. Councillors resolved unanimously to approve the budget and recommendations for 2019 Councillors resolved unanimously to approve the Precept recommendation for 2019 b) Cllr JHJ informed Council that he had contacted Mr Pemberton to inform him of the decision to not proceed with the bridge on the Recreation ground to Wimpole Road IM produced quotes for the proposed height restriction gate for the recreation ground. Prices so far were in the region of One more was required. Cllr Radford undertook to get a further quotation from a local steel fabricator. c) The report of Governance and Finance group meeting had been circulated. d) The code of conduct for meetings was circulated and Cllrs asked to note. e) The report of an informal meeting of some Cllrs held on 18/12/18 was circulated. Many good points were raised but the overriding discussion point was the need for and means of greater community engagement. Cllr Shedd outlined her initial plans for a village directory and further ideas for pro-active communications with the Community. f) The resolution concerning the remit and composition of working groups was deferred until next meeting. The working groups would be: Governance and Finance Amenities and Open Spaces Travel, Traffic and transport Communications and community engagement 18-19/65 Clerk correspondence and report Correspondence received had been concerned with speeding issues and the cycle path extension and it was pleasing that residents had attended the meeting to express views. Correspondence from Mr J Boocock had been received and for a variety of reasons he is to retire from the bulk of his volunteer work on behalf of the village. Deep and heartfelt

4 gratitude was expressed to John for his monumental efforts over the many years. There is a need to secure the services of a replacement for John /66 Recreation Ground The report of the meeting with the Barton Bowls Club attended by Cllrs JW and SP and Clerk IM had been circulated and described as positive and pro-active. Outcomes were agreed as Both sides understood the PC was not trying to secure money from BBC The PC hopes to be pro-active in support of village organisations and amenities The potential for a 10-year lease (or possibly longer) was supported although a legal perspective on this would be sought as to whether a licence might be an alternative and would still secure the BBC tenure. There would be a review following 10 years In terms of grant aiding it was understood that as yet no final decision on the BBC request could be made since the whole issue of grant aiding various village organisations was being rationalised in terms of fairness and process. Affiliation to a national bowls association should be investigated as a source of funding and to cover other sports governance issues. Likewise for other grant aiding bodies. Further investigations to be made into grounds maintenance issues and procedures. b) The budget for the recreation ground restorative and future maintenance work had been circulated and incorporated in the overall budget to be approved. c) The discussion on the proposed meeting with BRIG was wide ranging but the proposed agenda of: Landlord and tenant relationship including leases and legal matters; Financial matters; The recreation ground and especially football; Communications between both organisations; The way forward; was approved by both parties and had been sent out to attendees /67 To receive and discuss Planning notifications The following 3 notifications had been received and circulated. All can be seen on Notification of prior approval for a larger home extension Single storey rear extension Application Ref: S/4753/18/PA 251, Wimpole Road, Barton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7AE Application Ref: Retrospective planning permission for a playground S/3494/18/FL Burwash Manor Farm New Road, Barton, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7EY Discharge of conditions 3 (materials external surfaces), 4 (hard and soft landscaping), 8 (traffic management plan) and 10 (visibility splays) of planning consent S/2586/16/FL for construction of new detached

5 Application Ref: dwelling house and single garage in part of the front garden of an existing semi-detached dwelling house 1, Haslingfield Road, Barton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7AG S/4750/18/DC 18-19/68 To receive and discuss reports on Highways matters: a) IM had received further communications from the Haslingfield Rd residents and was good to see them at the meeting and hear their views. IM was in process of contacting relevant officials from Highways and other organisations to ascertain bidding preparations for general traffic calming in the village. There is a clear need for village engagement regarding this and to re-instate a speedwatch scheme. PC request that residents report traffic incidents directly to the Clerk and that they participate in SpeedWatch, as data collected are an essential element in applying for calming measures b) In terms of the cycle path extension and Greenways project there is a need for further consultation with Greenways concerning the area around the village green and pond. Greenways are aware of this and there is a possibility of the path being sided out and resurfaced. IM to follow up. c) The Gate sign at the entrance to the Village on Comberton Rd. will need replacing as part of the scheme. The offer from Greenways or a bespoke sign replacement are being investigated /69 To receive and hear Small works and Maintenance Report and log including Barton Beavers a) The BB had replaced the bench top at edge of Bowls club, were in discussion with the Arbory Trust for them to replace the one near the burial ground and the others that need replacement tops are being systematically replaced /70 Neighbourhood Watch Cllr Pitchford presented her report. Reported Crime was zero in the Barton area Notice of Fraud involving firstly fake TV licensing and secondly from people purporting to be from HMRC demanding instant payment by bank transfer. She will attend the next Police Hub meeting in Swavesey where the main topic is the challenges of local policing. She hopes to discuss and clarify issues regarding speeding from Police perspective A survey has been launched to provide views on willingness to support policing as part of council tax. The link is Next Council meeting: Tuesday 5 th February :30 pm in the Village Hall Future Council Meeting: Tuesday 5 th March :30 pm Village hall Meeting closed: 22:00 Chair: LM