Soham Town Council - Minutes of Meeting

A meeting of the Soham Town Council will be held at the Pavilion, Soham, commencing at 7.30pm on Monday, 14th March 2005, to transact the following business:-

Present:	Councillors Mrs RR Aitchison (Chairman), Mr PG Beer, Mr H Davies, Mr GR Ginn, Mr CK Hempstead, Mr AJA Hinsley, Mr J Kirkham, Mr PS Lane, Mr CM Palmer and Mesdames Mrs M Count, Mrs PL Gibbon, Mrs FE Ross (Vice Chairman) and Mrs PA Tuite
In Attendance:	County Councillor Mr J Powley District Councillors Mr JH Humphreys PC Kevin Humble, Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Apologies:	Councillors Mrs ME Dwyer and Mr G Fisher District Councillors Mr AR Parramint, and MJ Duckworth, Mr CW Fordham and Mr JM Palmer
	CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENT The Chairman welcomed Mr David Giles, who will be taken over the role of Clerk to Soham Town Council at the end of March 2005 when the current Clerk, Mr John Wignall retires.
21/05	MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 10TH JANUARY 2005 RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be approved and signed as a true record.
22/05	MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. Policing Strategies (02/05) PC Kevin Humble stated that 37 crimes had been reported in the Soham area between 14th December 2004 and 14th February 2005. The most concerning were reports of 1 incident of racial/religious aggravated harassment to staff at a local fast food shop, one domestic related threat to kill and one possession of an offensive weapon. Between the 14th December 2004 and 14th February 2005 there were over 1400 telephone calls were received by the police, of which 237 related to the Soham area. PC Humble also briefly described the reorganisation of policing arrangements for the Ely Sector. As from the 15th April 2005 this would be divided into two sectors - North and South. The South Sector will include Soham, Burwell, Fordham and Cheveley and will be covered by a team of 4 Community Beat Officers supported by Police Community Support Officers. There will also be a dedicated detective team as and when required. The Chairman thanked PC Humble for his report. Cofton Limited (03/05) The Chairman and Councillor Mr AJA Hinsley attended a meeting with East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board and Anglian Water in order to discuss residents' concerns regarding drainage issues on the residential development, land at Townsend, Soham. It was agreed that the drainage proposals were adequate for this site and development would not worsen the situation. Councillor Mr AJA Hinsley stated that while there were no prospective problems with the North end of the site, the South end could be affected due to the inadequate maintenance by landowners of existing drainage channels. Ely Southern Bypass (06/05) The Assistant Clerk reported that Mr James Paice, MP had responded to the Council's letter on this matter, stating that he was fully supportive of their views. Jointly Funded Minor Highways Improvements 2005-06 (07/05) The Chairman invited Councillor Mr J Powley to update the Town Council on this item. He reported that no further developments would take place on the Southern approach to the town until the cycle-way had been completed and a subsequent traffic assessment carried out. Regarding the Northern End (The Shade) Councillor Mr J Powley reported that some funding was available from East Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council but full options for tackling the problem had not yet been assessed. No improvement work would be undertaken until full consultation with the Town Council had taken place.
23/05	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 - 10th January 2005 Planning - 10th January 2005.
24/05	PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - JANUARY 2005 RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 31st January 2005 which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.
25/05	SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING Mrs Jane Hollingwoth, Principal Housing Officer, East Cambridgeshire District Council attended for this item and advised the Council that of the 357 dwellings on the Townsend/Mereside Development, 133 would be 'affordable housing' and would be a mixture of shared ownership and rental accommodation. Consideration was being given to 'key worker' housing (this currently attracts grant monies) and Soham residents, through a nomination agreement, would have first refusal on the allocation of affordable housing. Councillors expressed concerns on the number of flats being built and Mrs Jane Hollingworth was asked to investigate the justification for the one bedroom flats (74) and to advise the Council of her findings.
26/05	LAND AT 46 TOWNSEND - OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION The Council approved an outline planning application for the residential development of land at 46 Townsend, Soham (AA Griggs)..
27/05	FLOODING - THE BUTTS. SOHAM Councillor Mr AJA Hinsley had attended a site meeting with residents and representatives of Cambridgeshire County Council, Highways Department to discuss problems of flooding of the road.The County Council's view was that some road levelling and installation of kerbing plus residents appropriate action should alleviate the problem. RESOLVED that the Town Council write to the County Highways Department in support of this work.
28/05	TOWN TWINNING Councillor Mr J Kirkham reported the results of the Public Relations Committee's findings in respect of Andrézieux-Bouthéon's request for Town Twinning arrangements. Following lengthy discussions it was: RESOLVED that Soham Town Council looks favourably on the concept of twinning and agrees to continue investigations with a view to the forming of a Town Twinning Association. The Chairman thanked Councillor Mr J Kirkham for his and the Committees detailed work on this.
	It is hereby resolved in accordance with Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 that as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential or special nature of the business about to be transacted as Agenda Item 9 namely Application for Financial Assistance - Cambridge & Ely Victim Support, 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 9.28pm.
29/05	APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - CAMBRIDGE & ELY VICTIM SUPPORT Consideration was given to an application for financial assistance from Cambridge & Ely Victim Support towards providing practical help to those who have been victims of crime within the community. 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:- CAMBRIDGE & ELY VICTIM SUPPORT - £250.
	The meeting re-opened to the press and public at 9.29pm.
30/05	FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 NOTED information regarding the Councils responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 were received.
31/05	CALC - QUALITY TOWN & PARISH COUNCIL INITIATIVE RESOLVED that the Chairman and Mr David Giles will attend a special conference to be held 8th March 2005 at The Burgess Hall, St Ives Leisure Centre, St Ives.
32/05	TREE WORKS NOTED that East Cambridgeshire District Council had approved a schedule of tree work to be carried out at The Beeches, Clay Street, 70 Brook Street and St Andrews Park, Clay Street.
33/05	PAPERS TABLED Soham Town Forum - Agenda, Meeting 10 March 2005 Standards Board for England - Bulletin 22, January 2005 Cambridgeshire ACRE - Harvest, January/February 2005 European Union, Regional Policy - Inforegio News December 2004, No 129 Healthy Living - East Cambridgeshire - HLEC News, Issue 11, January 2005 DG Regional Policy - Map of the Eligible Areas 2004-2006 Hereward Housing - Home & Away, Issue 10 2005 East Cambridgeshire District Council - Business Update, Issue 32, Winter 2005
34/05	DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.30pm, Monday 14th March 2005.