| Present: |
Councillors Mr CM Palmer (Chairman), Mr T
Brown, Mr N
Driver, Mr GR Ginn, Mr AJA Hinsley, Mr GM Hobbs, Mr PS Lane & Mr D Schunmann
and Mesdames Mrs RR Aitchison, Mrs PL Gibbon, Mrs J Gipp, Mrs PA Tuite & Mrs JA Webb |
| In
Attendance: |
County Councillors Mr JA Powley & Mrs J
Broadway
District Councillors Mr T Cornell, Mr M Duckworth & Mr J Humphreys |
| Apologies: |
District Councillors Mr J Palmer, & Mr T Parramint
Councillors Mr G Fisher & Mrs AEY Pallett. |
|
17/08 |
PUBLIC COMMENT TIME
There were no representations from members of the public. |
|
18/08 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman announced that Committee Meetings would be held on Monday
18th February 2008 at the Pavilion, starting at 7.15pm with the
Community Amenities Committee followed by the Cemetery Allotments
Committee at 8.00pm. If any Councillors had any items to be included on
either Agendas for these meetings they should let the Clerk know by
12.00pm on Wednesday 13th February 2008. |
|
19/08 |
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interest from Councillors in respect of
items on the Agenda. |
|
20/08 |
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 14TH
JANUARY 2008
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be approved and signed as a
true record. |
|
21/08 |
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising from the Minutes of Meeting held on 14th
January 2008. |
|
22/08 |
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 - 14th January 2008
Planning
- 30th January 2008 |
| 23/08 |
PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - JANUARY 2008
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances as at
31st January 2008 attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed
and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial
regulations. |
|
24/08 |
SOHAM TOWN FORUM
The Chairman reported that he had met with Mrs Donna Martin, Chairman of
Soham Town Forum to discuss how the Town Council might support the
Forum's future development.
RESOLVED that the Council should have two representatives on the Forum
and that the Councillors selected were the Chair (Ex Officio) -
Currently Councillor Mr CM Palmer and Councillor Mrs J Gipp. |
| 25/08 |
SOHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PANEL
NOTED that Councillor Mr N Driver had volunteered to take part in 'Speed
Check' training organised by the Neighbourhood Panel.
NOTED also that Councillors still felt that reasons given by the Chief
Executive, East Cambridgeshire District Council as to why Soham did not
qualify to have its own panel were unacceptable.
RESOLVED that the Clerk again write to the Chief Executive reiterating
that the Town Council totally disagree with his reasons and considers
the existing Soham Neighbourhood Panel to be unfair, not only to the
town's residents but also to the parishioners of the several villages
with whom the town shares the Panel. |
|
26/08 |
COMMUNITY FACILITIES WORKING PARTY
Councillor Mrs PA Tuite reported on the meeting of the working party
which had taken place on Monday 11th February 2008.
NOTED that the Consultants would be holding a consultation workshop, by
invitation only, at The Pavilion on Thursday 19th March 2008.
A draft report on the results from the consultation should be available
to Town Council by 3rd April 2008.
NOTED that the Consultants would be available to give a presentation
with the draft results at the Annual Town Meeting on 28th April 2008. |
|
27/08 |
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Requests for financial assistance were received from Ely & District
Citizens Advice Bureau and Soham Village College Community Education -
Young Parents Group.
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 interest of
the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner with the
expenditure:
Ely & District Citizens Advice Bureau - £1,000
RESOLVED also not to accede to the request from Soham Village College
Community Education - Young Parents Group at this time, but that the
Clerk requests further information regarding this group and also advise
that they contact Soham United Charities for assistance. |
| 28/08 |
COMMONS GRAZING 2008
The grazing of Qua Fen, East Fen and Angle Common for the 2008 season
was discussed.
It is very important that cattle as well as horses are grazed this year,
as per the guidelines of Higher Level Stewardship Agreement.
RESOLVED that the Clerk contact all previous graziers to ascertain
whether they would be interested in grazing in 2008, possibly on the
basis of 'free of charge' or for a small fee paid to them by the
Council. |
| 29/08 |
ESDAR
NOTED an invitation to Ely Soham Dial-A-Ride's fourth Annual General
Meeting being held at Witchford Village Hall at 11.30am on Wednesday
28th March 2008 was received.
RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs PA Tuite would represent the Town Council.. |
| 30/08 |
COMMUNITY SAFETY
PARTNERSHIP
NOTED that the Community Safety Partnership are conducting an Anti
Social Behaviour Survey in West Drive/West Drive Crescent/West Drive
Gardens, as a means of obtaining a fuller picture of an increase in anti
social behaviour in that neighbourhood.
NOTED also that when the survey is complete and the results analysed,
all participants and the Town Council will be sent a brief summary of
the outcome. |
| 31/08 |
CCTV
NOTED that minutes of the CCTV Steering Group meeting held on Monday,
4th February 2008 were received.
Councillor Mr AJA Hinsley gave a verbal report on detection figures etc. |
| 32/08 |
CARE NETWORK
An E-Mail expressing thanks for the donation made to the DENIVA: Soham
Community Support Scheme for 2008/2009 was received. |
| 33/08 |
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
COUNTY COUNCIL - ROAD SAFETY ISSUES
NOTED a reply was received from Cambridgeshire County Council, Road
Traffic Division regarding Town Councils various reported road safety
concerns within the town. |
| 34/08 |
FLOWER
TUBS/CHRISTMAS LIGHTS/PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Council considered a letter from a resident of High Street regarding:-
a) maintenance of the flower tubs in the High Street;
b) Christmas Lights;
c) certain issues with parking restrictions and double yellow lines
within the town.
RESOLVED that the Clerk reply pointing out that the flower tubs in the
High Street are maintained by East Cambridgeshire District Council,
however the Town Council do regularly raise the matter of maintenance
with East Cambridgeshire District Council; that the Christmas Lights are
organised by Soham Association of Commerce & Trade (SACT) and that the
Town Council has no direct input into the lighting decorations apart
from that it gives a fairly substantial grant to SACT each year to
assist with the scheme; and finally that double lines and parking
restrictions are wholly the responsibility of Cambridgeshire County
Council. |
| 35/08 |
VICTIM SUPPORT CAMBRIDGESHIRE
A letter of thanks was received from Victim Support Cambridgeshire for
Councils donation towards its work. |
| 36/08 |
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
COUNTY COUNCIL - SPEED LIMITS
NOTED that following a review of its speed limit policy, Cambridgeshire
County Council is now committed to undertaking a review of all speed
limits over 30mph on the A and B class roads throughout Cambridgeshire.
However, any requests for speed limits on lower class roads will be held
over until the completion of the A & B road review, unless the site
shows a history of high levels of speed related accidents. |
| 37/08 |
PAPERS TABLED
Andrézieux Bouthéon
- No. 105, February 2008
East Cambridgeshire District Council - Highlights of the Week, 18
January 2008 and 8th February 2008.
East Cambridgeshire District Council - Business Update, Spring 2008.
European Union
- Inforegio News, November 2007 & December 2007. |
|
38/08 |
DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at
7.15pm, Monday 10th March 2008. |
