PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION.

J L Wignall
Clerk of the Council
29th October 2004 

County Councillor Mr J Powley
District Councillors Mr MJ Duckworth, Mr CW Fordham and Mr JM Palmer
PC Kevin Humble, Cambridgeshire Constabulary

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman reported on the presentation day of The Reading Rollercoaster, at which herself and County Councillor Mr J Powley had been asked to present the awards to children who had successfully completed the project, which had taken place during the school Summer holidays, as a thank you for the donation given by the Council in support of the event, the Chairman was presented with an 'activities' book made by the children which was tabled.
Councillor Mr J Powley said that it was hoped that this sort activity would encourage parents and children to use the libraries, as unfortunately many were under threat of closure due to lack of support.

It was with regret that the Chairman announced the advance retirement notice from The Clerk of the Council, John Wignall, which will take place at the end of March 2005. It was noted that vacant position would be advertised and advice be taken from CALC on the correct procedures necessary to obtain a replacement.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

Policing Strategies (139/04)
PC Kevin Humble informed Town Council that there were 29 crimes in the Soham area between 14th September and 11th October 2004.
These consisted of five assaults, two of which involved domestic situations, one involved neighbour disputes, one dispute was between school children and one between a group of females. Four burglaries, two of which were shed burglaries, one commercial premises and one residential in a remote location. Ten thefts were reported, these included three thefts from commercial
premises, one from a building site, one from a garden, one pick pocket type crime and one opportunist, which was the theft of a pension from a handbag, one theft occurred from a BT telephone box and also a theft from a school in Soham. Seven incidents of criminal damage, two drug incidents and one fraud were also reported during the same period.
Between 14th September 2004 and 11th October 2004 there were over 700 calls received by the police relating to the Ely area, 136 of these related to Soham.
The question was raised about the opening times of Ely Police Station.
It was explained that civilian staff operate the station at Ely and therefore it is only open to the general public when these members of staff are available, which would usually be normal office opening hours.
NOTED that the next meeting of Cambridgeshire Police Authority Local Consultation Group will be held at the Pavilion on Wednesday, 10th November 2004 commencing at 7.30pm.
NOTED also that a letter from the CCTV Consultative Group was being sent to the Police Authority pointing out its dissatisfaction at the police use of CCTV in Ely and Soham compared with monitored results of the same scheme in Cambridge City.

Commons (139/04)
NOTED that the letter to be sent to all residents of Qua Fen, East Fen and Angle Commons, along with copies of the Scheme of Regulation had now been signed by Mr Timothy Clark, Lord of the Manor and the Chairman, ready for distribution.

East Cambridgeshire District Council Office Accommodation (145/04)
NOTED that an open Meeting was being held at Beechurst Hall, Soham Village College on Thursday 14th October 2004 at 7.00pm so that the public can learn more about the proposals being considered by the District Council in respect of its office accommodation and have the opportunity to ask questions.
RESOLVED that the Chairman would attend the meeting.

Highways, Footpaths etc. (147/04)
Speed Management Review Programme
NOTED that the County Council are in the process of investigating speed restriction measures at The Shade/Townsend.

Cleaning/Clearing of Ditches
NOTED that East Cambs. DC had declined the request that they become the co-ordinating authority to achieve satisfactory cleaning and or clearance of ditches by riparian owners.

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 - 13th September 2004
Planning             - 13th September 2004

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - SEPTEMBER 2004
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 31st July 2004 & 31st August 2004 and the Quarterly Budget Report which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and were in accordance with Council's financial regulations.

PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE
The Boundary Committee for England have announced following representations proposals for the new electoral arrangements for Cambridgeshire. It is now proposed to create a new two-member Soham & Fordham division in order to better reflect community identity and improve electoral equality.
This proposal was welcomed as an improvement on the previous proposal to split Soham into two divisions..

DEVELOPMENT OF LAND OFF TOWNSEND
Reconsideration was given to an application for the erection of 357 dwellings at the above site following receipt of information in respect of affordable housing provision and amendments to housing layout and house types. It was noted that of the 133 affordable housing units 121 were being provided by one developer in two areas, one group adjacent to the spine road and a larger group to the rear of properties on Mereside, Julius Martin Lane and Thorn Close. It was also noted that the registered social landlordwill be Flagship Housing Association and tenure will be 50% social rented and 50% shared equity.
The remaining dwellings are being provided by each of the other developers and that the extension of the site equates to 27 extra dwellings.
It would appear that open space within the original site is now mainly, together with the playing field provision required by the Section 106 agreement, is outside the housing development area, namely the other side of the link road.
RESOLVED after full discussion to accept the housing layout and house-types in principle, subject to the following comments:-

a) The Town Council does still not consider that the grouping of "affordable housing" mainly in two sites constitutes integration within the development and would prefer a more "pepper-pot" provision throughout the development.
b) Further details of tenure in respect of the dwellings currently proposed as "affordable" by developers other than McCann are required.
c) The siting of McCann flats (type A & B) should be such as to prevent overlooking of any existing dwellings.
d) Details of "displaced" open-space is required, namely sites, type, accessibility etc. and responsibility for future maintenance.

RESOLVED also to reiterate that this acceptance is still subject to satisfactory schemes in respect of drainage, roads, landscaping etc. being agreed, and full public consultation by the developers.
NOTED that written confirmation had been received from East Cambridgeshire District Council that any concerns by local residents about any alleged planning contraventions should be forwarded to East Cambridgeshire District Council and not Soham Town Council..

STREET NAMING AND NUMBERING
Notification of addition of property name Rylatt House to 19 Hasse Road, Soham was received.

TREES
NOTED that East Cambridgeshire District Council had granted permission for the felling and pruning of four Willow trees beside garage 31 Nighthall Road and at the rear of 27, 29 & 31 Nighthall Road, Soham..

CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Passenger Transport Team
NOTED that the County Council had set-up designated contacts for passenger transport services to improve the levels of awareness of changes concerning bus services and other transport matters.

Bus Service Tenders April 2005
NOTED that the County Council is undertaking its review of bus services for new contracts issued from April 2005 and request feedback and comments regarding the proposed new services by 20th October 2004.

Local Authority Parking Enforcement (LAPE)
NOTED that as from 25th October the County Council will take over responsibility for enforcing parking restrictions in Cambridge from the police and traffic wardens.
The County and City Councils have agreed that the City Council will manage parking enforcement and a private contractor, Legion Parking Services has been appointed to provide parking attendants to replace traffic wardens. The parking attendants will operate to guidelines issued by both Councils.

CALC
NOTED that the County Annual General Meeting of Cambridgeshire Association of Local Councils will be held on Saturday 6th November 2004 at the Medway Centre, Huntingdon at 9.30am.
NOTED also that a specific grant scheme is almost complete aimed solely at those Councils with Quality Accreditation, although not confirmed it looks like grants of up to £15,000 will be available.
NOTED further that a Refresher Workshop for Parish/Town Councillors will be held on Saturday, 4th December 2004 at 9.30am at Unit 33, Stephenson Road, St Ives.

MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
NOTED that drafts of Code of Conduct for Local Government Employers and Review of Restrictions on Political Activities of Local Authority Employees had been received.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE DRUG AND ALCOHOL ACTION TEAM
NOTED that Lucas Oliver, Community Support Worker, Cambridgeshire drug and alcohol action team will attend the November Council Meeting to inform Councillors about DAAT and its work and to gather information about the community.

CALC
NOTED that following the successful inaugural meeting held in July that the next meeting of the East Cambridgeshire District Association will be held on the 5th October 2004 to continue the debate.
RESOLVED that the Chairman be the Town Council's appointed representative.

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.30pm, Monday 8th November 2004.