CASTOR PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE  MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2007 8.00 P.M. IN THE VILLAGE HALL

 

PRESENT: Tracey Blackmore               John Howard

                      Eleanor Hoggart                  Martin Chillcott

                      William Baxter

                      Brian Goode                  

                  

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: John Taylor and Andy Smith. Members of the public present: Councillor John Holdich, Councillor Diane Lamb, Jim Daley, Kerry Davies, John Allsopp, Andy Martin, Paul Kirkup Bill and Jacky Pickering, Andy Sullivan, Bob and Jayne Mann, David Shaw, Russell Prance and John Goodall

2.      MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING held on Wednesday 3rd October 2007 had been circulated prior to the meeting and a copy placed on the Notice Board. It was noted that those councillors present had been missed off, this will be corrected.

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

4.      CLAY LANE DEVELOPMENT – English Partnership had held the consultation in the village with regard to their outline planning permission for 45 Houses. Concerns were expressed regarding the number of houses, the access, drainage and increase in traffic on to an already congested  area i.e. The Green. Tracey Blackmore informed the meeting that the Parish Council  would be arranging a  meeting with Paul Rossington, Head of Planning.  Martin Chillcott proposed that over the next month the Parish Council expected English Partnerships co-operation to discuss the concerns, see all reports and details that have been published, the Parish Council will engage with English Partnerships but when not satisfied will reassess. 

5.      PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY – Martin Bradshaw had written to the Clerk to withdraw his nomination for this vacancy. Mrs Jayne Mann was then given an opportunity to speak. It was proposed by Eleanor Hoggart and seconded by William Baxter that Jayne be accepted to fulfil this vacancy. The Clerk gave Jayne Mann her declaration of office, which was signed at the meeting.

6.      PLANNING

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 – this application has apparently been appealed against but as of yet the Parish Council have received no notification.

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, Peterborough – This is exactly the same as the previous application , a meeting has been arranged with the Head of planning at Peterborough City Council to discuss this. A meeting has also been arranged with the applicant, Mr Damani to discuss the leaflets that have recently been circulated around the villages. The Parish Council would like to thank John Allsopp for all his efforts on this matter.

07/01653/CTR – Fell and remove Silver Birch and Maple tree at 4 Green Farm Close – No objections , but would like suitable native species to be replanted.

7.      MATTERS ARISING

a)      Road Safety – .Nothing to report

b)      Glebefield –Nothing to report

c)      Granite posts on the Green – these have been put in on the Green.

d)      Village Cross – William Burke had sent a report to the Parish Council them that a cross has been ordered from J.G. Cross and Son from Crowland, it is proposed that it be dedicated in memory of the farms in the village, with a view to it being dedicated at the Parish Festival on Sunday 13th July 2008. The Parish Council will investigate if planning permission will be needed also it was discussed that full details are needed with regard to maintenance, insurance and repairs. In principle the Parish Council are prepared to support this project and underwrite the £1,400.00. The Clerk will contact William Burke.

e)      Children’s Play area – This will go on the next agenda.

f)       Allotment rents – John Howard declared an interest and left the meeting while this was being discussed. The Clerk had clarified that Ailsworth Parish Council are charging £6.00, £9.00, £12.00 and £18.00 for a full plot. It was agreed that we would bring our rents in line with this

g)      Bulbs, trees and re-seeding of verges – This is in hand.

h)      Village Website – Martin Chillcott will chase Steve Walker

i)        Office Equipment – It was proposed by Eleanor Hoggart and seconded by William Baxter that a budget of £550 be set for purchase of laptop and printer.

j)        Tools for the Village – this will be put on the next agenda.

k)      Horse Shelter – Mr Wood had contacted Andy Smith with regard to the position of the Horse Shelter and it was agreed that this be given permission. Mr Wood accepts that it would be his responsibility for any future removal of the Shelter.

l)        Landy Green Way gate – It was proposed by Eleanor Hoggart and seconded by Tracey Blackmore that  a budget be set of £300 for the replacement gate. William Baxter will deal with this matter.

8.      REQUEST FROM CASTOR & AILSWORTH PRESCHOOL FOR A GRANT OF £150.00 FOR CHILDS WORK BENCH AND IT EQUIPMENT – The clerk will reply asking for a copy of their accounts and also have they requested any help for funding from CASPRA.

9.      CASTOR CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL -  Jim Daley, a conservation officer from Peterborough City Council had attended  the meeting to answer any question on this matter. A copy of the draft Castor Conservation Area Appraisal had been posted to all councillors prior to the meeting. The Appraisal will be on the City Council website next week, a consultation period of 6 weeks will then begin, it will then come back to the Parish Council early in the new year, Jim Daley will attend the January meeting. The Peterborough City Council planning committee will adopt this as part of the planning guidance.

10.  PETERBOROUGH GROWTH STUDY QUESTIONNAIRE – Eleanor Hoggart and John Taylor had attended a meeting at Peterborough City Council regarding this matter.  The study had picked out 8 main villages to take more housing. Castor and Ailsworth are classed as one and we can expect in the next 10 to 15 years development of 80 to 100 houses (Clay Lane is included in this, but not Station Road) It was agreed that we would leave things as they are and not complete the questionnaire.

11.  POLICING PRIORTIES FOR RURAL NEIGHBOURHOOD PANEL MEETING ON 15TH NOVEMBER – This meeting will be held in the village hall all councillors are encouraged to attend.

12.  FINANCE –

Payments:

Anglian Water re rates for Allotments                                                   £       46.21

Harry Adcock re Oakposts                                                                      £     610.12

Society of Local Council re Clerks Training                                        £     195.00

Evergreen Club grant                                                                               £     500.00

Moore Stephens re Audit Fee                                                                 £     347.87

Cosmo re Picnic Bench                                                                           £    209.15

W. Baxter re Granite Posts                                                                      £1,500.00

Cambs ACRE re Rural forum                                                                  £      15.00 

Mrs S. Henson Wages for Oct                                                                 £    198.51

 

Receipts:

Interest from Yorkshire Bank                                                                  £          1.34

 

                Current Account                £  4,884,98

                Deposit Account               £52,246.22

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                                                           £57,131.20

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It was proposed by Eleanor Hoggart and seconded by Tracey Blackmore that the following be paid:

a)      Howard Scott Associates re Disability Access Audit re The Old Chapel - £160.00

b)      Brian Gibson re The Green perimeter posts - £970.00

c)      Baxter Avey regarding Haulage of the Granite Posts - £405.37

13.  VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT – Nothing to report at the moment.

14.  CORRESPONDENCE

a)      Peterborough City Council regarding Peterborough Planning Policies Development Plan Document- no comment

b)      Statement of Interest Forms – The Clerk will contact Peterborough City Council to see whose has been returned.

c)      The Evergreen Club had written with thanks for the grant for £500.00

15.  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 

   Bulbs and trees - WB

   Woodlands – MC

   Landy Green Way Gate – WB

   Village Cross – SH

   Tools for the Village –JT

   Village Website – MC

   Proposed Bus Routes – TB

   Office Equipment - SH

 

    12.QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR  - None 

 

The meeting closed at 10.10 p.m.

 

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