CLAY STREET CAR PARK (Ray Harding, ECDC will attend for this item.)

PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW.

ARCHER & ARCHER.

Mrs G Walker
Assistant Clerk of the Council
2nd September 2002 

County Councillor J Powley.
District Councillor CW Fordham.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

Policing Strategies (85/02)
In the absence of PC Mark Hobson the Clerk reported on the crime statistics in the Soham area during June.
There were 60 reported crimes, 3 were dwelling burglaries, 5 other burglaries, 22 various criminal damage and 23 assorted thefts, there were also 2 assaults.
Although there did not appear to be an obvious pattern to these crimes, there had been a spate of thefts of school bags from the Village College and damaged caused at St Andrews School.

Chairman’s Action - Qua Fen Common (88/02)
NOTED that the costs of the legal action taken to evict travellers from Qua Fen Common will be met by the residents of Soham via the Town Council.
NOTED also that the eviction order relates to any further trespass within a 3 month period.

Parish Paths Partnership Scheme 2002-2003 (89/02)
The Clerk reported on a meeting held at the Pavilion between John Cooper, Cambs. County Council, Footpaths Liaison Officer, Mrs J Neville and Mr M George, Soham Footpath Society, Councillor Mrs PA Tuite and the Clerk. NOTED that the level of grant from ECDC towards the partnership has been reduced in each of the last 2 years, hence the reason for the greatly reduced funding towards the partnership.
RESOLVED therefore that ECDC be requested to provide a litter picking and collection service on the Millennium Walk “red-route”, that sufficient funds be made available by the Town Council to enable the Soham Footpath Society to cut the byways and that Cambs. CC be requested to provide the necessary services in respect of maintenance of droves.

Street Lighting (90/02)
NOTED that the single column had been installed in Kents Lane and that the Bushel Lane/Foxwood South footpath link scheme should be completed by the end of July.

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 June 2002
Planning              - 10th June 2002

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - JUNE 2002
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, as at 30th June 2002 and Budget Report to 30th June 2002, which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved..

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Consideration was given to a request from Soham Holiday Playscheme for financial assistance towards its funds.
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:
£300 towards its funds.

RACE RELATIONS AMENDMENT ACT 2000
The Council at its meeting held on 10th June referred the requirements of the above legislation to the Finance and Policy Committee for consideration and report.
NOTED there are no specific criteria to follow to comply with the general duty to promote race equality, but there is a need to comply and a need to assess whether race equality is relevant to Council functions. RESOLVED therefore that Council adopt the following resolution:
Soham Town Council acknowledges the general duty placed upon it by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The Council will continue within its functions and policies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discriminations, promote equality of opportunity and promote racial equality between people of different racial groups.
And have concluded that following the identification of relevant and non-relevant functions that racial groups are not differently affected in the exercise of those functions.

STANDING ORDERS
NOTED that the adoption of new Standing Orders will be on the agenda for the October meeting.
A copy of the revised Standing Orders will be circulated well before that meeting to enable councillors plenty of time to peruse and have any comments readily available in October.
NOTED also that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairmen of relevant committees have delegated powers during the August recess.

COUNTRY WILDLIFE SITES RE-SURVEY
NOTED that The Wildlife Trusts of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough seek permission to revisit the Country Wildlife Sites on East Fen and Qua Fen Commons to undertake a brief survey

ANGLE COMMON LEVEL CROSSING
NOTED that Railtrack have expressed concern at the increased number of reports of misuse at the Angle Common level crossing, most recently where a train was involved in a near collision with a Transit Van.
It cannot be emphasised enough that the correct procedure must be adopted every time the crossing is used.
Councillors requested that the Clerk contact Railtrack for an update on a previously proposed alternatively crossing..

STREET NAMING/NUMBERING
Notification of revised street numbering for Thomas Mews, new bungalow 56a Orchard Row and 27 & 29 Rosebay Gardens were received.

FRIENDS OF WAR MEMORIALS
RESOLVED that as the Town Council is responsible for maintenance etc. of its War Memorial, then it was felt that membership of the ‘Friends of War Memorials’ unnecessary.

CALC
NOTED that a Farewell Party was being held on Thursday, 25th July 2002 in the large training room at CALC in Huntingdon, for Charlotte Roger-Jones, County Secretary and General Manager who is retiring at the end of July.

SOHAM TOWN FORUM
It was reported that a Soham Design Group had been formed as part of the Town Forum as a catalyst for determining areas needing maintenance and minor improvement etc., and that it was understood that match-funding for the operation of this group was available from the District Council.
It was therefore agreed in principle to grant £1,000 to Soham Town Forum on condition that an equivalent sum was match funded by ECDC.

DECEMBER TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
RESOLVED that the December meeting of the Council would be held at 7.30pm on 16th December 2002 and not the 9th as previously advised.

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.30pm on Monday 9th September 2002.