MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14th OCTOBER 2002. (copy attached).

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

MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. (copies attached).
a) Finance & Policy - 14th October 2002
b) Planning             - 14th October 2002

PAYMENTS OF ACCOUNTS MADE IN OCTOBER AND STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 31st October 2002 (copies enclosed).

PROPOSED COMMUNITY PROJECT
Linda Homan, Senior Youth & Community Worker, will attend this item

CCTV UPDATE AND LAUNCH

CORRESPONDENCE.

J L Wignall
Clerk of the Council
1st November 2002 

Councillors Mrs PA Tuite (Chairman), Mrs RR Aitchison (Vice Chairman), D Bradley, HJ Davies, G Fisher, GR Ginn, B Houghton, CK Hempstead, C Palmer, RS Lane and Mesdames M Count, J Hobbs, PL Gibbon and FE Ross.

John Selby, Conservation Officer, ECDC

County Councillor J Powley

The Chairman reported that ex-Councillor LR Hart was presently in hospital after collapsing at his home and that good wishes had been sent from the Town Council wishing him a speedy recovery.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

Policing Strategies (120/02)
NOTED that no information regarding crime statistics for last month had been received from the Police. However the Clerk was able to report that PC Dave Leonard had joined PC’s Mark Hobson and Kevin Humble as the third Community Beat Officer for the Soham area.

Clay Street Car Park (123/02)
It had been noted by Councillors since the September meeting, that the East Cambs. car park in Clay Street was being adequately used, especially on Sunday when it was approximately three quarters full and on Wednesday when it was still at least half full.
RESOLVED therefore that ECDC be requested to do a further survey following the alterations to opening times at the Fountain Lane Car Park.

Archer and Archer (126/02)
Disclosure of Personal Interests - Section 8 Code of Conduct
Councillor Bradley disclosed a personal interest as a member of Ross Peers Sports Hall Management Committee.
Councillor Houghton disclosed a personal interest as Governor of St Andrews C of E Primary School.
Councillor Fisher disclosed a personal interest as Head Teacher of St Andrews C of E Primary School.
but that such interest were not prejudicial interests in accordance with Section 9 of the Code of Conduct.
Further consultations had taken place with Cambridgeshire County Council, the Police, the Schools and the Community regarding the ‘Voluntary Restraint Notice’ in respect of the public footpath running in front of the Sports Centre, joining Beechurst and Lodeside. The Council unanimously agreed to the following resolution:
RESOLVED that in light of the views expressed particularly by the Police during the consultations the Town Council would not support continuation of the Voluntary Restraint Notice after 31st October 2002.

Resignation of a Councillor (127/02.)
NOTED that as no notice in writing was received from ten electors requesting an election, the Town Council may now proceed to fill the vacancy by co-option at its next meeting.

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 September 2002
Planning             - 9th September 2002

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - SEPTEMBER 2002
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, as at 3Qth September 2002, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 30th September 2002, which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved.

SOHAM HERITAGE ECONOMIC REGENERATION SCHEME
Mr John Selby, Conservation Officer, ECDC attended the meeting and gave a presentation, complete with slide show, to explain the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme due to be launched early next year.
The scheme is a partnership between English Heritage and the District Council to provide grant money to repair derelict buildings, encourage the use of under-used or vacant buildings and refurbish business premises in the centre of Soham.
English Heritage has offered a sum of £90,000 over three years provided the District Council match funds it and subject to agreeing an implementation plan by the end of January 2003.
Councillors welcomed this new initiative and look forward to its implementation.

ANNUAL AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS 2001/2002
The Clerk reported that East Cambridgeshire District Council have offered to provide an internal audit service on an hourly charge basis.
RESOLVED that East Cam bridges hire District Council be appointed as Internal Auditor to Soham Town Council commencing with the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2002 on an hourly basis at rates to be agreed subject to a maximum of three days for the first year of Audit and two days per year thereafter.
And also RESOLVED that questions 1-8 in the Statement of Assurance be answered in the affirmative and that the Statement of Assurance be approved.

STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
RESOLVED that the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations previously circulated, subject to the minor amendments agreed in relation to Standing Order Nos. 5, 38, 40c, 80 and 90 be adopted with immediate effect.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
RESOLVED to adopt the model scheme titled ‘Model Publication Scheme for Local Councils (Core Classes Only) produced in accordance with section 20 of the Information Act 2000 and will publish information in accordance with that scheme.

Pedestrian Crossing - Pratt Street
NOTED that work to install a new pedestrian crossing in Pratt Street, which was agreed as part of last years bids to the Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Scheme, will commence in November.

Jointly Minor Funded Improvement Scheme - 2003/04 Bidding Round
RESOLVED that as Soham has been successful for the previous two years and is considering improvements planned under the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme that no bid be made for this year.

Bus Shelters
NOTED that the County Council had agreed in principle to the provision of four new bus shelters in Soham.
A possible grant would be available of up to £1 000 and the District Council and Soham Town Council would also make contributions toward the cost.
RESOLVED to agree in principle to the provision of bus shelters and Councillors would report back to the November 2002 meeting with suggested sites for the new shelters.

Roundabout Sponsorship
NOTED that ‘Marketing Force’ has been appointed by Cambridgeshire County Council to obtain advertising sponsorship and to maintain and enhance roundabouts, and that Marketing Force were seeking approval to apply the scheme to the roundabouts, presently maintained by the Town Council.
RESOLVED that the Council agree and welcome this new initiative.

COMMONS
The Chairman reported that there had been significant correspondence with Mr Clark, his representatives and solicitors in an attempt to arrange a meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest and maintenance of the commons. Unfortunately it had not been possible to hold a meeting and Mr Clark has categorically stated to the Executive Director of Legal and Democratic Services at ECDC that he is not prepared to either meet or hold discussions with the Town Council or its representatives.
In the circumstances it was resolved that the Town Council reluctantly will only be able to provide those services contained within the scheme of management until such time as further progress can be made.

It is hereby resolved in accordance with Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 that as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential or special nature of the business about to be transacted at Agenda Item 11 namely Archer and Archer it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded from this meeting and they are herewith instructed to withdraw. Meeting was closed to press and public at 8.46pm.

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Consideration was given to applications for financial assistance from 'Soham Families’ (Time 4 Me) towards its running costs, The Winged Fellowship Trust, towards providing quality breaks for disabled people and their careers and SACT, towards recurring costs of the Soham Christmas Lighting Scheme.

Disclosure of Personal Interests - Section 8 Code of Conduct
Councillor Mrs FE Ross declared a personal interest in Soham Families but that such interests were not prejudicial interests in accordance with Section 9 of the Code of Conduct.

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:
Soham Families (Time 4 Me)  - £100
Winged Fellowship Trust        - £150
SACT                                   - £1,000

THE CORNERSHOP, HALL STREET
Consideration was given to a request for a letter of support from the owner of the Cornershop, Hall Street in his bid to obtain a Countryside Agency grant towards the cost of refrigeration equipment to enable him to stock fresh food products.
RESOLVED to support this request in principle.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
NOTED the temporary closure of the A142 Angel Drove, Ely and Knave Acre Drove, Isleham for resurfacing work to be carried out, commencing weeks beginning 14th October 2002 and 30th September 2002 respectively.

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER - 2A FOUNTAIN LANE, SOHAM
NOTED confirmation of consent to the pollarding of a Lime tree at 2a Fountain Lane, Soham to be carried out when the tree is dormant (from mid November to February).

HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY, MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON A LOCAL LEVEL
NOTED a presentation on the subject of energy efficiency and affordable warmth for all is to be held at the Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely at 10.00am on 18th November 2002.
RESOLVED that the Chairman and the Clerk will attend.

ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY
NOTED the Advertising Standards Authority, Annual Consumer Conference, to be held at the Q.ton Forum, Cambridge on 14th November 2002.

SOHAM COMMUNITY DRUGS POLICY PROJECT
NOTED the meeting of the Soham Community Drugs Policy Project is to held on Tuesday, 26th November 2002 at St Andrews School, Soham and combines local schools, community education and the Police. RESOLVED that the Chairman would attend as representative of the Town Council.

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.30pm, Monday 11th November 2002.