A Councillor's Comments - December 2006/January 2007

At our December 2006 Council Meeting there was no member of the public to engage in "Public Comment Time, so the meeting proceeded with "Chairman's Announcements", followed by any declaration of interests. One member did declare on the agenda item to do with St. Andrew's Church Hall, but the Clerk felt that this was not necessary.

After the normal preliminaries of standing committee reports and monthly payments and accounts had been dealt with, we moved on to the financial review of 2006/2007 and the budget 2007/08 and the precept. Having looked at figures showing the anticipated out come of the 2006/2007 budget from a precept of £108,800 and looking at a projected budget for 2007/2008 it was felt necessary to set a precept of £119,000.

The next item on the agenda was the "Church Hall," but it was not what some members thought it would be. It was simply as set out in the agenda to look at a notice of motion considered by East Cambridgeshire District Council when they met here in Soham on the 5th December 2007. The motion being; "That the council supports the retention and development of St. Andrew's Church Hall and adjoining land for community use." Nevertheless all members present were able to present their views including the District Councillors, and an open and frank debate took place. It was decided that the "Church Hall" would be an agenda item for our January 2007 meeting when there maybe some form of proposition in place.

A request for financial support came from the "Soham Action 4 Youth", and this was a follow on from last month when we requested more details, it would seem they were asking for regular funding from the council. The council although happy to help with any shortfall on a temporary basis responded to their request by asking them to explore other sources of funding first.

The January 2007 Council Meeting began with Alison Evans, a representative from St. Andrew's Parish Church giving the reasons for the sale of the Church Hall. The Church needed money for a kitchen and toilets in the Church, providing much needed facilities to visitors attending funerals and baptisms, as well other events. She said there were problems in the roof, the lead was 125 years old, and there were builders costs of £300,000. They had raised some money through fund raising and donations, but that was not enough, they still needed to sell the Church Hall to fund their refurbishment. They had received several offers but in light of East Cambridgeshire District Council's proposal to suspend the sale for six months they would defer the sale until the East Cambridgeshire District Council meeting at the end of January 2007.

Under Chairman's Announcements we were reminded of the second meeting of the Neighbourhood Panel to be held at Beechurst Hall, Soham Village College on 17th January 2007 and in declaration of interests four people declared.

There was a Progress Report from the Soham Youth Council. Two young people addressed the meeting, telling us what they had done so far, the production of two five minute films combating anti-social behaviour, and also what they hope to achieve in the future, a cafe where young people could go, partnership with the Town Council, and a representative from the Council to attend their meetings. They also answered questions put to them by Council members.

The main item on the agenda was the proposal regarding the sale of St. Andrew's Church Hall. The amended proposal was; `This council being aware of the resolution passed by East Cambridgeshire District Council and Soham Town Forum, requests that the Church Authority suspends the sale for three months so the Council may investigate ways the site may be developed for the benefit of the community.' The proposal indicated ways this could be achieved, which also included a community consultation. There was an open debate about this and those supporting the proposal were stating they were not against the sale but were concerned about losing this prime site for residential development. The proposal was upheld by majority voting.

The meeting concluded with three requests for financial support.

1. Magpas, for the first responder group in Soham
2. Citizens Advice Bureau, for their outreach service in Soham
3. Victim Support, helping people coping with crime in this area.

The result was £750 each for Magpas and CAB. and £300 for Victim Support..

Kindest Regards

George Ginn
Soham Town Councilor