MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13TH NOVEMBER 2006 (copy attached).

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (matters not listed on the agenda below).

MINUTES OF STANDING COMMITTEES
a) Finance & Policy - 13th November 2006 (copy attached)
b) Planning             - 29th November 2006 (copy attached)

Mr D L Giles
Clerk of the Council
11th December 2006

County Councillor Mrs J Broadway
District Councillors Mr J Humphreys & Mr C Fordham.
Community Beat Sergeant PC Ken Moffat, Cambridgeshire Constabulary

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman announced details of forthcoming events.

Soham Association of  Commerce & Trade (SACT) are holding a Traders Open Day at the Pavilion on Saturday 25th November 2006, the Chairman asked for volunteers to assist her in 'manning' the Town Council stall, Councillors Mrs RR Aitchison, Mrs PL Gibbon and Mr J Kirkham agreed to help.

On Wednesday 15th November 2006 the Neighbourhood Panel are holding an open evening at the Pavilion to enable members of the public to come and have their say and on Wednesday 22nd November 2006 there is to be a Public Exhibition also held in the Pavilion, to give residents the chance to discuss with Rosie Burton, Conservation Officer, East Cambridgeshire District Council the extension of the Conservation Area being proposed.

The next meeting of the Hanging Baskets Committee was to be held at Ely City Council office on Monday 20th November 2006 at 4.15pm, Councillor Mrs PA Tuite will attend.

Finally, the Chairman introduced PC Ken Moffat, who had recently taken over as Community Beat Sergeant for the Ely Area. He outlined his hopes for the future and proposals for Community Policing in the Area..

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

Muscovy Ducks in Soham (192/06)
The Clerk reported that East Cambridgeshire District Council had agreed to assist with publicity to 'educate' members of the public on the feeding etc. of the ducks in residential areas.
Councillor Mrs RR Aitchison had also obtained information from DEFRA on the approved methods of control of these birds.

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 - 9th October 2006
Planning             - 25th October 2006

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - OCTOBER 2006
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 31st October 2006 as attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.

CLOSURE OF AUDIT FOR YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2006
NOTED that the audited accounts for year-end 31st March 2006 were received and that no items had been raised.

REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Consideration was given to requests for financial assistance from Care Network, towards funding of its proposed Mobile Warden Scheme for Soham and Soham Action 4 Youth (SA4Y), towards it Detached Youth Workers scheme, which has had to be discontinued due to the Community Safety Partnership withdrawing its grant funding of the scheme.

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 commensurate with the expenditure:

Care Network - £200

RESOLVED also that the Finance and Policy Committee meet with Linda Homan and Glen Woodbridge of Soham Action 4 Youth (SA4Y) to obtain more information on what funding is required and to report back to the December 2006 Council meeting.
County Councillor Mrs J Broadway agreed to investigate funding for Soham Action 4 Youth (SA4Y) from the CSP.

YOUTH BANKS
NOTED that Cambridgeshire Youth Banks were now open for applications from 13 to 19 year olds for funding projects led by young people that give them and other young people "things to do". This could be anything from sport activities, art projects, youth projects to music projects.
Further information and application forms can be obtained from www.cambsyouthbanks.org or call 01223 421588.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH MINERALS & WASTE PREFERRED OPTIONS CONSULTATION
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Preferred Options Consultation: 6th November 2006 - 18th December 2006 sets out the Councils preferred options in terns of policies which will guide minerals and waste development until 2021, and includes site specific proposals.
NOTED that an additional manned exhibition has been arranged at St Andrews Hall, Witchford on 22nd November 2006 - 2.00pm to 8.00pm. There will be a six week period between 6th November 2006 and 18th December 2006 to make representations on the new Plan. To be valid all representations must be submitted within this timescale.

EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
The October 2006 issue of the East Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood News, distributed by East Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood Policing Team, Ely Sector was received.
NOTED that the recorded crimes for Soham for October 2006 and details of Local Police Surgeries in November 2006 were also received.

EAST OF ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF PARISH & TOWN COUNCILS
The first newsletter for town and parish councils across the East of England was received. Via the quarterly newsletter it is hoped to keep councils informed of what is happening at a regional level that impacts on this sector of government.

EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL - SPORTS FACILITIES, PLAY AREAS & OPEN SPACES
East Cambridgeshire District Council had produced a Parish Summary on Sports Facilities, Play Areas and Informal Open Spaces, it is intended that some information from these studies may help to inform Section 106 negotiations.
NOTED that Councillors objected to some of the statements made regarding Soham's facilities within the Summary.
RESOLVED that East Cambridgeshire District Council be referred to the Soham Town Plan.

JOINTLY FUNDED MINOR HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES 2007-2008
NOTED that Soham's bid to the Jointly Funded Minor Highways Improvements Scheme 2007-2008 for traffic management measures in Hall Street had been approved, subject to the appropriate financial contributions and local consultations.

CONSULTATION OF REGISTRATION SERVICE
NOTED details of planned changes to the civil registration service in Cambridgeshire were received.
Any comments on the proposals should be forwarded to James M Milne, Head of Registration & Coroner Services by 15th November 2006.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE TRAFFIC CONGESTION
NOTED a further briefing about "Tackling the growing challenge of congestion in Cambridgeshire" will be held on Tuesday 14th November 2006 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Bailey Rooms on the Castle Park Site in Cambridge.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL - HIGHWAYS
NOTED that following a review of the highways budget there are now no funds available this financial year from the Traffic Management Discretionary Budget. This applies to minor ad hoc traffic management and Traffic Regulation Orders.

QUA FEN COMMON - NUISANCE
NOTED in reply to comments made regarding motor bikes, quad bikes etc causing a nuisance on Qua Fen Common, Inspector Adam Gallop had stated that he would pass all concerns to the local officers and ask that additional attention be given to the area.

COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE
NOTED information of the Countryside Alliances campaign to Save Rural Post Offices were received.

PAPERS TABLED
East Cambridgeshire District Council Leisure Services - In2 Sport & Play, October 2006
East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership    - Mid Term Review
East Cambridgeshire Domestic Violence Forum          - Strategy and Directory
Cambridgeshire County Council                                 - Senior Management Structure September 2006.
Hereward Housing                                                    - Outlook East Autumn 2006
CALC                                                                      - The Bulletin, November 2006
CiLCA                                                                     - Training Schedule 2007
East Cambridgeshire District Council                         - Performance Plan 2006
Cambridgeshire County Council                                 - Farms, Issue 3 Autumn 2006
European Commission                                              - Growth & Jobs Strategy, June 2006
European Union Regional Policy                                - Inforegio news, September 2006
Cambridge Older Peoples Enterprise 1                       - Newsletter No. 27, October 2006
East Cambridgeshire District Council                         - Directory of Services - Domestic Violence Forum

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.15pm, Monday 18th December 2006.