Soham Town Council - Minutes of Meeting

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of Soham Town Council will be held in Hall 1, The Walter Gidney Pavilion, Fountain Lane, Soham on Monday 16th January 2006 commencing at 7.15pm with up to 15 minutes of public comment time on Agenda Items, followed by the formal business, and you are summoned to attend for the transaction of the following business:-

Present:	Councillors Mrs RR Aitchison (Chairman), Mr PG Beer, Mr H Davies, Mr G Fisher, Mr GR Ginn, Mr AJA Hinsley, Mr J Kirkham, Mr PS Lane & Mr C Palmer and Mesdames Mrs M Count, Mrs PL Gibbon & Mrs PA Tuite
In Attendance:	District Councillors Mr C Fordham, Mr MJ Duckworth, Mr AR Parramint PC Kevin Humble, Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Apologies:	Councillors Mr CK Hempstead and Mesdames Mrs FE Ross (Vice Chairman) & Mrs ME Dwyer County Councillors Mrs J Broadway & J Powley District Councillors Mr JH Humphries & Mr J Palmer
201/05	MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 14TH NOVEMBER 2005 & EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING HELD 23RD NOVEMBER 2005 RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be approved and signed as a true record.
202/05	MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. Policing Strategies (183/05) PC Kevin Humble reported that there had been 72 crimes reported in the Soham area between 11th October and 16th December 2005. These consisted of 16 Burglaries; 18 Thefts including theft of and from motor vehicles; 19 Criminal damage, these mostly consisted of damage to motor vehicles; 12 Assaults, seven of which were domestic related and a further three were between foreign nationals; there were also 2 Deceptions and 4 Making off without payment; and one Possession of a controlled drug. In total there were 289 calls made to Cambridgeshire Constabulary relating to the Soham area during the same period. Soham & Ely Hanging Baskets (188/05) NOTED that the Clerk had attended a meeting at the City of Ely Council and confirmed that it had been agreed that Soham would have 48 'permanent watering' baskets for the 2006 Season, with the Town Council's workforce carrying out the watering once again. Draft Town Plan (189/05) NOTED that copies of the 'Draft Town Plan' had been circulated to all schools, community groups, library, medical and health centres and several individuals who had previously requested to be consulted. Further copies were available at the Library, Council Office and On-line. Request for Financial Assistance (190/05) NOTED that letters of thanks had been received from both Cambridgeshire ACF and Cambridge & Ely Victim Support for the Council's donations towards their projects.
203/05	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 be adopted: Finance & Policy - 7th & 14th November 2005 Community Amenities - 7th November 2005 Cemetery Allotments - 7th November 2005 Planning - 30th November 2005
204/05	PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - NOVEMBER 2005 RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 30th November 2005 which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.
205/05	PRECEPT 2006/2007 Consideration was given to the anticipated out-turn of Income and Expenditure for 2005/2006 and the estimates for 2006/2007. The estimated net expenditure for 2006/2007 was £110,835. RESOLVED that this expenditure be met by a Precept of £108,800 and the balance of £2,035 to be taken from reserves.
206/05	TOWN TWINNING Councillor Mr J Kirkham reported that the Twinning arrangements with Andrézieux-Bouthéon were progressing well and that there had already been a substantial amount of visits either way between the two Towns. The first part of the official signing ceremony was due to take place in Andrézieux-Bouthéon on Saturday, 15th April 2006 and then in Soham on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 29th May 2006 to coincide with the annual 'Soham Carnival & Heavy Horse Show'. It was hoped that the local retailers would take part in a civic 'Window Display' competition, to be held in the week prior to the official signing ceremony, and to be judged by the French delegates. The Official Party attending the signing ceremony in Andrézieux-Bouthéon will be senior members of the Council and their spouses, however only the Councillors will have their expenses paid. It was also agreed that the numbers of representatives be limited to twelve per council. Councillor Mr J Kirkham asked that the Chairman sign a mandate agreeing all aspects of the signing ceremonies, however it was felt that this was unnecessary. The Chairman thanked Councillors Mr J Kirkham and Mr PG Beer for the 'teams' hard work. RESOLVED that Council support the arrangements proposed for the official twinning ceremonies in Andrézieux-Bouthéon and Soham.
207/05	TRAFFIC CALMING - HALL STREET A letter and petition was received from residents of Hall Street requesting a traffic calming scheme, following several minor accidents due to vehicles speeding. It was noted that due to the new cycle route in Fordham Road, there were now two speed humps within very close proximity of each other. RESOLVED that the Town Council support the request for traffic calming in principle and that Cambridgeshire County Council be strongly requested to consider a scheme for this area of the Town.
208/05	LAND ADJACENT 65 EAST FEN COMMON NOTED that the appeal made to the planning inspectorate regarding change of use of land adjoining 65 East Fen Common to a traveller's site had been dismissed..
209/05	REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS Both County Councillors Mr J Powley and Mrs J Broadway had given apologies for this meeting. District Councillor Mr M Duckworth reported on his involvement with the forthcoming District Local Plan which had been renamed the Local Development Framework, it was envisage that there would be more flexibility in the use of brown field sites for development. NOTED that East Cambridgeshire District Council will be holding a 'Listening Week' beginning 4th January 2006 when members of the public can put forward any views they may have regarding future development plans within the district. RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Economic Development Officer, East Cambridgeshire District Council and enquire whether East Cambridgeshire District Council will deal with the concerns expressed and objections raised at the Town Forum meeting and will East Cambridgeshire District Council take account of Council views and alter the draft accordingly?.
210/05	CAMBRIDGESHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE NOTED a copy of the East Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service draft Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006/2007 was received. RESOLVED that Mr Dave Robertson, District Manager be invited to attend the Town Council meeting in March 2006 to talk through its proposals and discuss their work in the local community..
211/05	CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL BUS SERVICES Notification was received of services going out to tender to be included in new contracts issued from April 2006. Draft Statement of Community Involvement Noted the Draft Statement of Community Involvement was received for consultation.
212/05	SOHAM CAR PARK REVIEW OF CLOSURES & PROPOSALS OF RE-TIMINGS NOTED that East Cambridgeshire District Council were reviewing off-street parking arrangements in Soham to begin on 15th December 2005 as follows:- Clay Street - to adopt a 8.30pm closure time for a three-month trial period, it was noted also that local residents a 8.00pm closure and the Town Council a 9.00pm, East Cambridgeshire District Council felt it an appropriate compromise to opt for the 8.30pm closure. Fountain Lane would remain open continuously for a three month trial period also..
213/05	PAPERS TABLED Soham Town Forum - Agenda, meeting 12/1/06 & Minutes, meeting 24/11/05 Councillor Jeremy Friend-Smith - 'Highlights of the Week' - 18/11/2005 - 16/12/2005 Inclusive Community Renewal Network East - E-Bulletin, December 2005 Hereward Housing - Home & Away, Issue 12 2005 Hereward Housing - Hereward Herald, Winter 2005 Magpas - Magpal, November 2005 Parish Paths Partnership - News Bulletin Winter 2005 Cambridgeshire County Council - 'Farms' Issue 1, Winter 2005 Care Network - December 2005 Newsletter Cambridgeshire ACRE - Community Action, Winter 2005 Association of Burial Authorities - Abainfo, Number 32, Winter 2005 CALC - 'The Bulletin', December 2005 Cambridgeshire Trading Standards - 'Inside Trade', Issue 1 November 2005 European Union Regional Policy - Inforegio News, No. 139, October 2005
214/05	DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.15pm, Monday 16th January 2006..