Soham Town Council - Minutes of Meeting

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of Soham Town Council will be held in The Council Chamber, Walter Gidney Pavilion, Fountain Lane, Soham on Monday 19th December 2005 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), Mrs FE Ross (Vice 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 M Count, Mrs ME Dwyer & Mrs PL Gibbon
In Attendance:	County Councillor Mrs J Broadway District Councillor Mr C Fordham Mr Glen Woodbridge, Soham Action 4 Youth
Apologies:	County Councillor Mr J Powley District Councillors Mr MJ Duckworth, Mr JH Humphreys, Mr J Palmer & Mr AR Parramint Councillors Mr CK Hempstead & Mrs PA Tuite
182/05	MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 10TH OCTOBER 2005 RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be approved and signed as a true record.
183/05	MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. Policing Strategies (165/05) In the absence of any police presence, details of recorded crimes for October 2005 were received. The Clerk reported a letter from Inspector Adam Gallop, outlining the content of the new Neighbourhood Policing agenda in East Cambridgeshire. Starting from December 2005 a monthly newsletter via e-mail will be sent to all Parish Councils the purpose of which will be to update members on current crime figures, advise of any changes in staff and give practical examples of the type work the police had undertaken in the preceding month. It will also invite comments from Parish Councils on what the main problems the parishes are experiencing. In addition to the newsletter, it is proposed that an officer will contact the Clerk at least once per month, the majority of which will be made by Community Support Officers. Community Beat Managers will not be encouraged to regularly attend Council meetings, however if a specific request is made for a Police Officer to attend a meeting, then every effort will be made to honour the request. Section 106 Contributions (165/05) Councillors Mr G Fisher and Mrs PA Tuite, and District Councillor M Duckworth declared a non-prejudicial interest in accordance with paragraph 9.2 of the Code of Conduct and retired from the meeting. Consideration was given to a letter received from Mr Dan Schumann, outlining suggestions for proven community needs that would support all youth organisations in the Town and that may be considered by the Council under the Section 106 provision. Councillors noted Mr Schumann's comments RESOLVED to instruct the Clerk to obtain further detailed information of Section 106 from East Cambridgeshire District Council. 55th British National Ploughing Championships (165/05) NOTED that a letter of thanks had been received from Mr Ken Chappell, Executive Director, The Society of Ploughmen Limited for the help and support they received on the occasion of the British National Ploughing Championships held in Soham 7th and 8th October 2005. Budget Report (168/05) RESOLVED that the Budget Report as at 30th September 2005 which is printed and attached to these minutes as an appendix, be confirmed and approved, and is in accordance with the Council's financial regulations. Soham Car Parks Review (172/05) NOTED that the proposed 3 month trial period of the Fountain Lane Car Park opening continuously began on Friday 11th November 2005.
184/05	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 October 2005 Planning - 26th October 2005
185/05	PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - OCTOBER 2005 RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 31st October 2005 which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.
186/05	CLOSURE OF AUDIT FOR YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2005 NOTED that the audited accounts for year-end 31st March 2005 were received and that no items had been raised.
187/05	SOHAM ACTION 4 YOUTH PROTECT Mr Glen Woodbridge, Youth Detach Worker, Soham Action4Youth attended for this item. He outlined the purpose of the group, which was to interact with the youth of Soham, the purpose of which was to set-up a dialogue with them and to ascertain their perceived needs within the Town. Three main issues had been raised, a new skateboard ramp with a shelter for them to congregate when wet etc., a purpose built 'football wall' to kick a ball against and also for the Fountain Lane Car Park toilets to remain open later in the evening. Mr Woodbridge stated that the Youth were prepared to organise a Steering Group to approach the Council to outline their requirements regarding a Skateboard facility. It was pointed out to Mr Woodbridge that the issue of the Fountain Lane toilets would have to be addressed to East Cambridgeshire District Council, as the authority under which ownership and therefore responsibility of the car-park area, including the toilets walls. The Council decided that the building of a specific 'football wall' was not considered to be a viable proposition at this time. RESOLVED that Mr Woodbridge obtain accurate costings for a proposed new skateboard facility, the Council would then consider speaking with the youth to ascertain exactly what they would like, if sufficient funding became available.
188/05	SOHAM & ELY HANGING BASKETS Councillor Mrs PA Tuite reported on the meeting she attended and outlined the proposals for the 2005 Season for hanging baskets. Three options had been tabled, those being to buy in the baskets from Plantscape and getting a quote for 200, costings would be required for budgeting; buying in the baskets and East Cambridgeshire District Council, Plants and Open Spaces Department to plant-up, for the first year would cost approximately £32.50 per basket; or thirdly, buying in the baskets, East Cambridgeshire District Council to plant and to water 3 days per week would cost approximately £50.00 per basket, for subsequent years the cost would reduce to approximately £12.00 per basket. RESOLVED to inform City of Ely Council that the preferred option for Soham would be to order 48 fully planted baskets, with the watering being carried out by its own workforce.
189/05	DRAFT TOWN PLAN The proposed Draft Town Plan was tabled for consideration. RESOLVED to accept the draft as a basis to send out for discussion and agreed that copies should be distributed as soon as possible, with a proforma for replies, to all schools, community groups, library, medical and health centre etc. and also those individuals that had already expressed an interest in being consulted. Replies to be received by mid January 2006.
190/05	REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Councillors G Fisher and Mrs PA Tuite and District Councillor M Duckworth declared a non-prejudicial interest in accordance with paragraph 9.2 of the Code of Conduct for this item in respect of the Viva Arts & Community Group and retired from the meeting during it's discussion. Consideration was given to a request for financial assistance from Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force for its World Challenge Expedition to Namibia 2006; Cambridge & Ely Victim Support towards it work in the community and the Viva Arts & Community Group's fund raising initiative to purchase, adapt and restore the building currently being used for its activities. 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: Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force - £500 Cambridge & Ely Victim Support - £250 RESOLVED also that although being very supportive of the work carried out by the Viva Arts & Community Group, due to limited funds for supporting community ventures, not to accede to the request at this time. RESOLVED further to suggest to Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force that they contact Soham United Charities for possible funding.
191/05	REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS County Councillor Mrs J Broadway spoke of her work at Cambridgeshire County Council highlighting the present Budget Schemes being discussed and the fact that it was likely that a 5% increase in it's Council Tax would be agreed. She also reported that £5,000 had been raised by walkers along the Fordham By-Pass prior to its opening for Cambridgeshire Air Ambulance East Cambridgeshire. Verbal reports were received from District Councillors Mr MJ Duckworth and Mr C Fordham on current activities at East Cambridgeshire District Council. Specific reference was made to the new office development, and the fact that it was not now going ahead, Councillor Mr C Fordham was supportive of this decision, however Councillor Mr M Duckworth felt that the whole area would have benefited from a move and felt that an opportunity had been missed.
192/05	CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHOW - 2006 A letter giving details of a proposed 'Custom Motorcycle Show 2006' to be held at the Comrades Club, Market Street on Sunday 28th May 2006 was received. RESOLVED that Mr C Martin be informed that the Town Council has no objections to the proposed event.
193/05	SOHAM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB A letter requesting permission to erect a wooden building adjacent to the existing pavilion at Soham United Football Club, Qua Fen Common was received. RESOLVED that (1) the Clerk advise the Club to ascertain whether Planning Permission would be required for this building, (2) the Council would raise no objection to the structure providing it was not a permanent building and (3) the Lord of the Manor's consent be obtained before work commenced.
194/05	SOHAM COMMUNITY HISTORY MUSEUM The Council considered a letter from the Soham Community History Museum stating that as part of a Lottery Heritage Fund grant it was looking to erect and interpretive artwork, of which the main focus would be the Soham Rail Disaster, at the present site of the Town's War Memorial in Red Lion Square. RESOLVED that due to the proposed site being situated in the Towns Conservation area and a focal point for its present War Memorial, not to approve it for such an artwork until the Royal British Legion and English Heritage had been consulted and to suggest that an alternative location should be investigated.
	The Press and Public were re-admitted at 8.45pm.
195/05	CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Library Development Open Days NOTED that Soham's Library Development Open Day would be held on Thursday 24th November 2005 during normal library opening hours and all members of the Town Council were invited. Jointly Funded Minor Highways Improvements 2006-2007 NOTED that Soham was unsuccessful in its bid for funding in the current round.
196/05	EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL - REVIEW OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SCHEMES NOTED that copies of a questionnaire to reply to the above review were available from the Clerk.
197/05	SOHAM TOWN FORUM NOTED the Agenda for meeting of the Soham Town Forum to be held at the Pavilion on Thursday, 24th November 2005 at 7.30pm and Minutes of previous meeting held on Thursday, 13th October 2005 were received.
198/05	EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL Draft Economic Development Strategy 2006-2011 NOTED that copy of the Draft Economic Development Strategy 2006-2011 was received for comments. RESOLVED to reject this document due to fundamental errors relating to Soham and it's population figures being completely wrong. RESOLVED also to invite Darren Hill, Economic Development Team Leader, East Cambridgeshire District Council to a future meeting, once a revised version of the document has been prepared. East Cambridgeshire District Guide An invitation had been received for Soham Town Council to contribute to the new District Guide and requesting up-to-date photographs of the parish and its people for possible inclusion. RESOLVED to ask Chris Scurrah, Soham On-Line, to supply photographs.
199/05	PAPERS TABLED Councillor Jeremy Friend-Smith - 'Highlights of the Week' 14 October - 11 November 2005 Healthy Living East Cambridgeshire - hlec News - Issue 14 East Cambridgeshire District Council - Domestic Violence Strategy & Directory. European Union Regional Policy - Inforegio news, Newsletter 138 September 2005. Cambridgeshire County Council - Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Joint Waste Partnership - Waste Strategy Consultation.
200/05	DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.15pm, Monday 19th December 2005.

Minutes of an extra-ordinary meeting of the Soham Town Council held at the Pavilion, Soham, on Wednesday 23rd November 2005.

Present:	Councillors Mrs RR Aitchison (Chairman), Mrs FE Ross (Vice Chairman), Mr PG Beer, Mr H Davies, Mr G Fisher, Mr GR Ginn, Mr AJA Hinsley, Mr J Kirkham and Mesdames Mrs PL Gibbon & Mrs PA Tuite
Apologies:	County Councillor Mr J Powley District Councillors Mr MJ Duckworth, Mr JH Humphreys, Mr J Palmer & Mr AR Parramint Councillors Mr CM Palmer, Mr PS Lane & Mr CK Hempstead and Mesdames M Count and M Dwyer.
	The Chairman explained that the reason for calling this extra-ordinary meeting was to discuss the possibility that the Town's Christmas Lights may not go ahead this year, due to an additional premium of £500 being requested by Soham Association of Commerce & Trade (SACT) insurers. SACT did not have the available 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: SACT Christmas Lighting Scheme - £500 RESOLVED also that the Clerk investigate the possibility of including the Christmas Lights on the Town Council's insurance schedule for future years.