CASTOR PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 6^th FEBRUARY 2008 8.00 P.M. IN THE VILLAGE HALL

PRESENT: John Taylor John Howard

Tracey Blackmore Martin Chillcott

Brian Goode Jayne Mann

Eleanor Hoggart William Baxter

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Andy Smith. Members of the public present: Councillor Diane Lamb, Councillor John Holdich, John Allsopp, Mr Damani, David Shaw, David Henderson, Mr & Mrs Barnes, Peter Lee, Ian Sheldon and Martin Whelan

2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING held on Wednesday 9th January 2008 had been circulated prior to the meeting and a copy placed on the Notice Board. Proposed by Martin Chillcott and seconded by Brian Goode that the minutes be approved.

3. AGENDA ORDER – The agenda order was revised for those present.

4. MARTIN WHELAN - PARISH LIASON OFFICER FROM PETERBOROUGH CITY COUNCIL TO ATTEND THE MEETING - Mr Whelan had attended the meeting to observe proceedings.

5. PLANNING

a) 07/01134/FUL – Change of use to A1 Community pharmacy on ground floor, retention of first floor as offices at The Old Chapel, Church Hill, Castor – The planning inspectorate will determine the appeal by written representations only

07/01666/FUL - Change of use to A1 Community pharmacy on ground floor, retention of first floor as offices at The Old Chapel, Church Hill, Castor - This application has been referred to committee for a decision.

b) 08/00007/OUT - Erection of 45 homes, access roads and landscaping a land at the end of Clay Lane and to the rear of Green Farm Close and Allotment Lane, Castor -The Parish Council have objected to this application on the grounds of the build density, impact on the conservation area, road safety and inadequacy of the current road system at Clay Lane/The Green and Church Hill and the impact of large volumes of construction traffic on Clay Lane itself and on the amenities of the residents of Clay Lane and The Green in particular. Due to the enormous amount of local concern regarding the transport/highway safety the Parish Council have also requested a site visit. David Henderson has been asked to look at the conservation issues. John Taylor thanked David Shaw, John Allsopp, Martin Chillcott, Tracey Blackmore and Shailesh Vara MP for all their hard work on this matter. John Holdich suggested that the Parish Council may like to consider how may houses they would accept if this application is agreed.

c) 07/01990/FUL - New 3.6 m fence to side at High and Over Peterborough Road, Castor - William Baxter, Tracey Blackmore and John Taylor declared an interest and left the meeting while this application was discussed. No objections

d) 07/02012/LBC - Installation of access to second floor roofspace at 1 Polls Yard, Castor - no objections

6. MATTERS ARISING

a) Road Safety – .Nothing to report. Peterborough City Council will look at the possibility of the second speed warning sign in the new financial year. Put this item on the May agenda.

b) Glebefield –Nothing to report

c) Farmers Cross – Eleanor Hoggart had looked at the planning application

prepared by Rev. William Burke. The drawing of the cross needs to be more

accurate and also the position needs to be clarified. Eleanor Hoggart will

discuss this further with Rev. W. Burke. The long term maintenance and

responsibility of the cross also needs to be clarified.

d) Children’s Play area – No update at the moment

e) Village Website – John Allsopp has set up a new site called Castor News, this is not intended to replace the original Website or the Parish Mag, it will be a means for the village residents to keep up to date with local issues etc. It is hoped that the running costs will be covered by advertising. John Allsopp asked the Parish Council to provide minutes, list of Councillors etc It was proposed by Martin Chillcott and seconded by Jayne Mann that we support this project.

f) Village Handyman - Andy Smith is obtaining further quotes.

g) Woodlands – No update

i) Affordable Housing Trust – William Baxter and Jayne Mann had a meeting with the rural housing trust. It became quite apparent at this meeting that the possibility of the Parish Council forming a housing trust was a non starter. After discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council should be looking at this as a long term project.

j) Village Signs - The idea of brown information signs at the entrances to the villages was discussed. The general view was that this would only encourage more traffic into the village and at this moment in time was something we did not need.

7. FINANCE –

Payments:

Mrs S. Henson - Backpay £ 46.96

St. Kyneburgha PCC re Burial Ground Maintenance £1,842.89

Mrs S. Henson Wages for Jan £ 198.51

Receipts:

H.M. Revenue & Customs - VAT Refund £ 814.16

Interest on the Deposit Account £ 781.99

Interest on the Current Account £ 0.23

Current Account £ 2,463.98

Deposit Account £51,402.21

-------------

£53,866.19

=======

8. VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT – Ian Sheldon will arrange the AGM for the Village Hall Management Committee.

9. CORRESPONDENCE - Jim Daley had sent the results of the draft Castor Conservation Area Appraisal, the Parish Council were disappointed to see that their comments did not appear in the report. The clerk will report back to Mr Daley.

10. REPORTS AND ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA

Agenda items:

Pharmacy – TB/JA

Road safety – JT

Glebefield – TB/JT

Clay Lane development – TB/JT

Children’s Play Area - TB

Woodlands – MC

Farmers Cross – JT

Village Handyman –JT

Picnic bench – JT

School Update - JT

11. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR - Ian Sheldon asked if the BT Telephone box on Peterborough Road could be refurbished, the Clerk will contact BT

The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL ON WEDNESDAY 5TH MARCH AT 8.00 PM. IN THE VILLAGE HALL