MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

PAYMENTS OF ACCOUNTS MADE IN APRIL AND STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 31st MAY 2003 (copy to be circulated).

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - BANCROFT LANE.
- Presentation by Circle 33 Housing Group

J L Wignall
Clerk of the Council
29th May 2003 

County Councillor J Powley.
District Councillors M Duckworth, JH Humphreys and AR Parramint.
PC Kevin Humble, Ely Police.

FILLING OF VACANCIES
NOTED that four applications had been received for the vacancies on the Town Council.
RESOLVED following a ballot that Mrs PA Tuite, Mr HJ Davies, Mr CK Hempstead and Mr J Kirkham be appointed to fill the vacancies.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES
The Council reviewed the Standing Committees contained within Standing Order 53 in the light of perceived needs and objectives for effective and efficient operation of the Council.
RESOLVED that in accordance with Standing Order 93 it is proposed that Standing Order 53 be varied to appoint the following standing committees
   a) Finance and Policy
   b) Cemetery and Allotments
   c) Community Amenities
   d) Planning

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

Policing Strategies (48/03)
PC Kevin Humble attended the meeting and gave a report on crime figures between 14th April 2003 and 12th May 2003, 45 crimes were reported in the Soham Area.
These included 14 burglaries, three of which were residential premises, there were also 7 shed/garages and the remainder were commercial premises.
There were 13 thefts, including 6 thefts from motor vehicles, three of which were thefts of diesel, 2 thefts of property in public houses whilst the losers were there and 1 deception, when a car was purchased with a cheque that was not honoured.
Of the total crimes reported there were also 11 assaults, 8 of which were domestic related.
Reports had also been received regarding skateboarding in Bancroft Lane and Budgens Car Park. The car park at Ennions Close is still being patrolled regularly and concerns had also been expressed by residents of the Broadpiece area, where there has been an increase in traffic, believed to be persons that had previously frequented the Fountain Lane car park.

Development for Soham (48/03)
The Clerk reported that the public exhibition for land North West of Soham had taken place and the manned evening had been well attended.

Insurance Review (51/03)
NOTED that Zurich Municipal, had agreed to carry-out a retrospective review of the Council’s policy.

Rent Review - Town Council Property (53/03)
Councillor AJA Hinsley declared a non prejudicial interest in accordance with Part 2 of the Code of Conduct in respect of this item.
RESOLVED to accede to the request by St. John Ambulance to a phasing of the rent increase by £150 per year for the next three years.

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 April 2003
Planning             - 14th April 2003

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - APRIL 2003
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, as at 30th April 2003, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 30th April 2003 which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and were in accordance with Council’s financial regulations.

PERIODICAL ELECTORAL REVIEW OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Consideration was given to the Draft County Council Proposals as contained in the consultation document produced by Cambridgeshire County Council. County Councillor J Powley elaborated on the two options and explained the reasoning for the percentage variations between the proposed divisions.
RESOLVED that Soham Town Council do not consider that Soham should be split, unanimously rejects the totally unacceptable proposals 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, and consider that any boundary alterations must at least coincide with the recently determined District Electoral Review Boundaries.

CCTV - CONTROL ROOM ANNUAL REPORT
Cambridge City Council’s CCTV System Control Room Fifth Annual Report 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2003 was received.

CHURCHYARD WALL
RESOLVED to accept the terms of grant offered by East Cambridgeshire District Council towards the cost of repairing the damage to the wall at St Andrew’s Churchyard.

POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS (PCSO's)
RESOLVED that Councillors Mrs RR Aitchison and Mrs M Count will attend a meeting to be held in the Council Chamber, at the Grange, Ely at 7.30pm on Wednesday 4th June 2003 to discuss the proposed appointment of Police Community Support Officers within East Cambridgeshire.

HANGING BASKETS
NOTED that a person has been appointed by East Cambridgeshire District Council to water the hanging baskets throughout the district.

TRAINING DAYS FOR NEW COUNCILLORS
NOTED that a training day for new Councillors will be held in the Council Chamber, East Cambridgeshire District Council Offices on Saturday 12th July 2003 at a cost of £30.00 per candidate.
Any new Councillor interested in attending should contact the Clerk.

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.30pm, Monday 9th June 2003.