MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

PAYMENTS OF ACCOUNTS MADE IN APRIL AND STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 30TH APRIL 2003 (copy to be circulated).

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2002/2003 (copy attached).

PERIODICAL ELECTORAL REVIEW OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL.

J L Wignall
Clerk of the Council
2nd May 2003 

County Councillor J Powley.
District Councillors JH Humphreys and CW Fordham
PC Kevin Humble

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

Policing Strategies (31/03)
PC Kevin Humble attended the meeting and gave a report on crime figures for the Soham area between 11th March and 13th April 2003. There were 1 burglary of a residential property, 29 thefts, 17 assaults of which involved three families and none of the incidents were considered serious, 9 criminal damage and 3 malicious phone calls, these were domestic disputes.
As Council are aware a number of areas in Soham have caused concern because of the behaviour of certain groups of children and teenagers. The problems at Berrycroft appear to have abated, however checks are still being made. Large groups of youths congregating on the Recreation Ground had been reported, and this area is one of those being patrolled and various groups have been spoken to regarding their behaviour.
PC Humble had visited Clay Street/Ennions Close on a number of occasions and has yet to encounter any disorder, however he had spoken to a number of residents and is satisfied there is some sort of problem. A meeting had taken place between PC Humble, Julie Buck of ECDC and some residents and Julie Buck will be making some recommendations to the District Council regarding what may be achieved.

Affordable Housing (34/03)
The Clerk reported that Circle 33 Housing Association were looking to attend the June Council meeting to outline draft proposals for development of land at Bancroft Lane..

Development for Soham (35/03)
The clerk reported that the planning process for land North West of Soham was ongoing and it was hoped that the developers would be arranging a manned public exhibition to be held at the Pavilion in early May 2003.

Application for Financial Assistance (37/03)
A letter of thanks was received from Cambridgeshire County Council, Libraries and Information Services for the Town Council's grant of £300 towards 'The Reading Game'

MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF STANDARD COMMITTEES
RESOLVED that the minutes of the following committees, which are printed and attached to these minutes be confirmed and approved and the recommendations contained therein adopted.
Finance & Policy - 10th March 2003
Planning             - 10th March 2003

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - MARCH 2003
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, as at 31st March 2003, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 31st March 2003 which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices. be confirmed and approved, and were in accordance with Council’s financial regulations.
RESOLVED also that in view of the reduced cost of cameras and installation charges of the CCTV System it would not be necessary to raise a loan and that the scheme should be paid from reserves.

It is hereby resolved in accordance with Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 that as publicity would be prejudiced to the public interest by reason of confidential or special nature of the business about to be transacted as Agenda Items 5, 6, 7 and 8, namely Insurance Review, Applications for Financial Assistance, Rent Review Town Council Property and Grazing Tenders it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded from this meeting and they are herewith instructed to withdraw. Meeting was closed to press and public at 7.56pm.

INSURANCE REVIEW
The Clerk advised Council of the 45% increase in insurance premiums for the ensuing year and explained the implications of new insurance rules and regulations.
RESOLVED to accept premiums for this year, but to request a review and investigate the need for other options for future years.

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Consideration was given to applications for financial assistance from Cambridge & District Citizens Advice Bureau towards cost of repairs following flood damage to its Cambridge office, East Anglian Childrens Hospice towards running costs and Soham On-Line Community Website towards running costs.
RESOLVED that the Council in accordance with its powers under Sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act, 1972, should incur the following expenditure which, in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure:-

East Anglian Childrens Hospice         - £100
Soham On-Line Community Website  - £200

RESOLVED also not to accede to the request from Cambridge & District Citizens Advice Bureau as the Ely branch of this organisation receives financial support from this Council.

RENT REVIEW - TOWN COUNCIL PROPERTY
The Clerk reported on a meeting held between representatives of the Town Council and St John Ambulance to discuss the matter of vehicular access to the Recreation Ground by St John members for their weekly meetings. It was suggested that access arrangements similar to those operating for other lettings of the Pavilion could be made available subject to a rent increase to reflect both this and up to date rental values.
RESOLVED to approve the agreement, whereby the annual rent charged to St John’s for use of the annex to the Pavilion be increased to £500 per year from 1st April 2003 and increase by 2 equal instalments of £250 on 1st April 2004 and 1st April 2005. The rent thereafter shall be reviewed annually, the first review to be made 1st April 2006.

ELECTIONS 1ST MAY - CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENT
Regarding the forthcoming Town Council and District Council elections the Chairman made the following announcement:

Councillors, Public and Press
It is now time for me as Chairman to make a statement about the unfortunate recent events.
These events have been well publicised, for those who haven’t read the newspapers lately I have a copy with me.
I need not mention names, organisations or authorities that were responsible. What’s done is done; I know my colleagues were extremely upset about these events as they fully intended to run in this election year.
I myself was devastated at the prospect of possibly not being in the running
I had decided not to stand for the District Council elections one of the reasons for this was to devote more of my time to Soham Town Council, as we have many projects still ongoing.
It is ironic that such a bungle has now brought into play something we’ve always stood by and that is bureaucracy, but on this occasion due to insufficient candidates the certified candidates will be elected unopposed without a contest.
Still leaving four seats on the Council to be filled. All three candidates did everything they were required to do and are still prepared to service their Council.
Having said that, I would like to say a few words to those Councillors who did not stand for re-election.
We as a Council have worked together for many years we have all had our differences on occasions but all of us with one common goal that is to work for the good of our community.
I would like to thank you on behalf of myself and your fellow Councillors for all the work and commitment you have shown and given to us, and maybe at the next elections you may feel there is a need for you to return. Good luck for the future. Thank you one and all.
Councillors Bradley and Hobbs thanked the Chairman for her unstinted work over the past 12 months.

ROSS PEERS SPORTS CENTRE FOOTBALL FUNWEEK
RESOLVED to grant permission to Ross Peers Sports Centre for a Football Funweek coaching course to be held at Soham United Football Ground from Monday 18th August 2003 to Friday 22nd August 2003.

REQUEST FOR SOHAM TOWN COUNCIL TO ADOPT LAND
NOTED that an offer had been made to the Town Council for the adoption a small piece of land within the Martin Close housing estate.
RESOLVED that whilst appreciating the offer the Council decided to decline adopting this piece of land, as it is not considered large enough to provide a formal play facility and the Council have no plans for the provision additional facilities within Soham..

HARKNESS NEW ROSES
NOTED that an invitation had been received from Harkness New Roses for representative from Soham to participate in the public introduction of the ‘Soham’Rose’ at the Chelsea Flower Show and to accept a small bouquet of the rose.
NOTED also that Harkness New Roses wish to present a group of the ‘Soham Rose’ to the Town if a suitable position for planting could be suggested.
RESOLVED that the Town Council would be pleased to accept this kind invitation and suggest that the most suitable site for a group of the roses would be in the circular flower bed in front of the Town Council offices.

THE ‘QUALITY’ TOWN AND PARISH COUNCIL INITIATIVE
NOTED that details of the scheme and the straightforward tests to achieve ‘Quality’ status had been received. Detailed guidance should be received in May 2003 and County Panels set-up by June 2003, after which applications for ‘Quality’ status can be made..

A142 FORDHAM BY-PASS
NOTED that Cambridgeshire County Council’s Development Control Committee considered the above application of 24th March 2003. Planning permission for the development was granted subject to 13 conditions.

STAGECOACH AND WHIPPET BUS AND COACH SERVICES
NOTED revised services for Stagecoach and Whippet services over the forthcoming Bank Holidays were received.

PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE
It was reported that the County Council had formally started a review of local government electoral arrangements for Cambridgeshire to take account of population changes and to achieve as far as possible equality of representation.
County Councillor J Powley explained the possible implications of the recommendations concerning East Cambridgeshire with particular reference to the alternative proposals for Soham, and requested comments thereon.
RESOLVED that Soham Town Council unanimously rejects the totally unacceptable proposal to divide Soham by creating a Soham North district together with the town part of Soham South district ward, and the transfer of the remainder of Soham South (the Downfield estate, surrounding areas and the parish of Wicken) to be combined with the Fordham district ward and Isleham district ward.

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.00pm, Monday 12th May 2003