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 14th November 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), Mr PG Beer, Mr H Davies, Mr G Fisher, Mr GR Ginn, Mr CK Hempstead, 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 Mr J Powley District Councillors Mr JH Humphreys PC Kevin Humble, Cambridgeshire Constabulary Helen Randall, Care Network
Apologies:	Councillor Mrs FE Ross & Mrs PA Tuite District Councillor Mr C Fordham, Mr J Palmer, Mr AR Parramint & Mr MJ Duckworth County Councillor Mrs J Broadway
164/05	MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 12TH SEPTEMBER 2005 RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be approved and signed as a true record.
165/05	MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. Policing Strategies (144/05) PC Kevin Humble reported that there were 34 crimes between 13th September and 10th October 2005. These consisted of 3 assaults of these 1 was domestic related and 2 involved local youths; 9 burglaries 4 of which were dwelling and 5 were garage/shed burglaries; 14 thefts 6 of which were shoplifting - two persons on bail for three of the offences, 1 deception - use of a stolen credit card; 5 criminal damage; 2 fraud - one relating to currency and the other to a vehicle excise licence. Section 106 Contributions (144/05) NOTED that the Council are still busy looking at suggestions for Section 106 agreements, but were willing to consider any range of proposals. 55th British National Ploughing Championships (149/05) The Chairman reported that the Ploughman's Supper held following the Church Service on Friday 7th October 2005 was very well received and comments were made on the welcome everyone involved with the championships had received from the Town. Public Relations and Twinning (151/05) Public Relations NOTED that the new Mini Guide for Soham had been published but we were still awaiting copies for distribution. Twinning Councillor Mr J Kirkham reported on the recent, very successful visit of delegates from Andrézieux-Bouthéon to Soham's Pumpkin Fair and a return visit has been organised for members of the Pumpkin Fair Committee to attend Andrézieux-Bouthéon for it's equivalent event. There had also been an educational visit of French delegates to Soham Village College, St Andrew's Primary and Weatheralls Primary School. The Reading Voyage (156/05) It was reported that the Chairman and County Councillor Mr J Powley had attended Soham Library to present medals and certificates to those children who successfully completed this year's reading challenge. A total of 127 children tool part in this Summer's event.
166/05	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 - 12th September 2005 Planning - 28th September 2005 Cemetery & Allotments - 3rd October 2005 Community Amenities - 3rd October 2005
167/05	PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - SEPTEMBER 2005 RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 30th September 2005 which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.
168/05	BUDGET REPORT RESOLVED to defer to November meeting.
169/05	RISK ASSESSMENT RESOLVED to carry out Risk Assessments for all Town Council activities. The Council Chairman would carry these out in conjunction with the Chairmen of the Cemetery & Allotments and Community Amenities Committees who would undertake, in conjunction with the Clerk, to prepare Risk Assessments for their relevant committees. RESOLVED also that the Clerk be authorised to obtain such technical advice that may be necessary.
170/05	REVIEW OF CONSERVATION AREA NOTED that Rosie Burton, Conservation Officer, East Cambridgeshire District Council was not in attendance and this item was withdrawn from the agenda.
171/05	PRESENTATION - CARE NETWORK Helen Randall, Care Network attended and gave a presentation on the work of the Care Network. RESOLVED to support the scheme wholeheartedly and to consider the possibility of financial support at a future date.
172/05	SOHAM CAR PARKS REVIEW NOTED that East Cambridgeshire District Council were carrying out a review of closure and proposals for re timings of Soham Car Parks. Mrs Alison Callaby, Town Centres Officers, East Cambridgeshire District Council is currently exploring whether there may be a compromise that could be adopted in terms of each car park and suggest that for a three-month trial period that Clay Street could be closed later at 8.30pm, bearing in mind that the barrier design allows for exit after that time, and that for the same three-month period that Fountain Lane would remain open continuously thereby allowing unrestricted use. RESOLVED to agree in principle the three month trial period for both carparks but to request the closure time be altered to 9.00pm instead of 8.30pm and to request that East Cambridgeshire District Council consider the installation of the barrier system at Fountain Lane.
173/05	REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Councillor Marion Count declared a non-prejudicial interest in accordance with paragraph 9.2 of the Code of Conduct for this item in respect of Dial-a-Ride. Consideration was given to a request for financial assistance from Soham Association of Commerce & Trade (SACT) towards its Christmas Lighting Scheme, Vitalise towards it work providing breaks for disabled persons and their carers and Dial-a-Ride towards it's ongoing expenses. 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 - £1,100 Vitalise - £ 200 RESOLVED also not to accede to the request from Dial-a-Ride at this time, but to request that a representative from its organisation attend a Council meeting early in the New Year to give a presentation on its work. RESOLVED further to suggest to Vitalise that they contact Soham United Charities for possible funding.
174/05	REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS Verbal reports were received from District Councillor Mr J Humphries on current activities at East Cambridgeshire District Council. Specific reference was made to the new office development; car parking in Ely; the possibility of alternate week refuse collections and budget planning for 2006/2007. County Councillor Judy Broadway spoke of her work with the Cambridgeshire Police Authority highlighting the fact that East Cambs. has the best crime detection rate for the County and the authority were looking at the possibility of merging with adjacent Police Authorities. County Councillor Mr J Powley spoke of his work at Cambridgeshire County Council and highlighted the success of the Customer Service Centre at St. Ives and the associated recently held Customer Service Week. He also reported that the County were preparing their budget for 2006/2007 and initial indications were that the County is facing a difficult financial year.
175/05	CALC Parish Forum NOTED that the next meeting of the Parish Forum will be held on 7th December commencing at 7.00pm, any items for the agenda should be sent to Mr Keith Barrand by 15th October 2005. Draft East of England Plan NOTED that the examination in public of the draft East of England Plan will begin on 1st November 2005.
176/05	COMMUNITY RENEWAL NETWORK EAST NOTED that the Community Renewal Network East, E-Bulletin - September 2005 was received.
	The Press and Public were re-admitted at 8.45pm.
177/05	CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Priorities and Budget Strategy, 2006-2010 NOTED that views on the Cambridgeshire County Council's Priorities and Budget Strategy 2006-2010 were being sought, all comments to be forwarded by the end of October 2005. Consultation Draft Customer Charter NOTED that Cambridgeshire County Council's Draft Customer Charter was available for comment, copies were available on the Council's website or a hardcopy was available by contacting Eleanor Bennett on 01223 718723. Any responses should be forward to the County Council by Friday 28th October 2005. Bus Service Tenders April 2006 NOTED that Cambridgeshire County Council were undertaking its review of bus services that may be included in new contracts issued from April 2006. Any comments or opinions on the existing services should be forwarded to them by 19th October 2005.
178/05	SOHAM TOWN FORUM NOTED the Agenda for meeting of the Soham Town Forum to be held at the Pavilion on Thursday, 13th October 2005 at 7.30pm was received.
179/05	HANGING BASKETS NOTED a letter of congratulations on the excellent hanging basket display was received and its comments passed on to Colin Bullman and Michael Hobbs.
180/05	PAPERS TABLED European Union Regional Policy - Inforegio News, August 2005 Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Fire Authority - Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006/2007. Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service - Best Value Performance Plan 2005/2006 and Fire Authority Plan 2005/2006. Cambridgeshire County Council - County Farms News October 2005. The Fens News - Autumn 2005 Cambridgeshire County Council - Countryside Services Team - Annual Report Apr 2004-Mar 2005 Hereward Herald - Autumn 2005 Councillor Jeremy Friend-Smith - Highlights of the Week 16 September to 7 October 2005 inclusive..
181/05	DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.15pm, Monday 14th November 2005.