PAYMENTS OF ACCOUNTS MADE IN OCTOBER 2007 AND STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 31ST OCTOBER 2007 (copy attached).

EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY 2008. Jane Fletcher, East Cambridgeshire District Council will attend for this item.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE & PETERBOROUGH MENTAL HEALTH - FOUNDATION TRUST CONSULTATION 2008. (A representative from the Mental Health Trust will attend for this item).

Mr D Giles
Clerk to the Council
7th November 2007

County Councillor Mr JA Powley & Mrs J Broadway
District Councillors M Duckworth & J Palmer

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman reminded Councillors that the Clerk was still awaiting the return of Declarations of Financial and other Interests from some members.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interests from Councillors in respect of items on the agenda.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

East Cambridgeshire District Council Neighbourhood News & Soham Area Neighbourhood Panel Newsletter (153/07)
The Clerk reported on a reply that he had received from Inspector Alan Saville, following Councils request for a Police presence at Council meetings. Inspector Saville had agreed that where contingencies of duties allow, PCSO Kieran Moran would attend meetings.

East Cambridgeshire Sustainable Community Strategy 2008 (154/07)
NOTED that the representative from East Cambridgeshire District Council was unable to attend the October 2007 meeting, but would make a presentation at the November 2007 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 - 10th September 2007
Planning             - 26th September 2007

Matters arising

Big Wild Read 2007 (FP45/07)
Councillor Mrs PA Tuite reported on her attendance at the awards ceremony at Soham Library for the presentation of certificates etc. to children who had completed the 'Big Wild Read 2007).
NOTED the Library thanked the Council for its support in this year's project.

Staffing Matters (FP46/07)
NOTED that Finance and Policy Committee had agreed to the hiring of an additional member of staff for the cleaning of primarily the kitchen, toilets and council chamber at the Pavilion.

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - SEPTEMBER 2007
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances as at 30th September 2007, attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.

QUARTERLY BUDGET STATEMENT - 30TH SEPTEMBER 2007
RESOLVED that the quarterly budget statement as at 30th September 2007, attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN SOHAM WORKING PARTY
NOTED minutes of the meeting of the Working Party meeting held on 17th September 2007 were received.
Councillor Mrs PA Tuite gave a report to Council as to the progress of the working party so far.

REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Requests for financial assistance were received from Newmarket Citizens Advice Bureau towards its work in the area and the Soham Association of Commerce and Trade for the Christmas Lights.
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 with the expenditure:

Soham Association of Commerce & Trade - £2,000.00

RESOLVED also not to accede to the request from Newmarket Citizens Advice Bureau, as Council already supports the Ely branch of the same organization which has an outreach service in Soham.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL - JIGSAW, ARCHAEOLOGY COMMUNITY PROJECT
NOTED that this Council had been short listed to be invited to take part in the JIGSAW Community Archaeology Project, for which Cambs. County Council Archaeology Field Unit (CAMARC) are planning to submit to The Heritage Lottery Fund to request a grant.
Among other events, the project (JIGSAW) will appoint Community Archaeologists who will set up, train and support a network of Parish Archaeology Wardens (PAW'S). These will work within a Parish (or group of Parishes) to promote community archaeology projects, aid in reporting of finds and work with both voluntary and professionals interested in heritage/archaeology. They would also work with other similar groups e.g. CCAN (Cambridge Community Archives Network).
RESOLVED that Council strongly support the proposal and look forward to working with CAMARC, should the scheme come to fruition.

CARPARK ISSUES IN SOHAM
District Councillor Mr J Palmer reported that he had spoken to Alison Callaby, East Cambridgeshire District Council regarding outstanding issues with Soham car parks, these being the regular flooding of Fountain Lane Car Park and the opening times of the Clay Street Car Park.
NOTED that East Cambridgeshire District Council were still awaiting a quotation from the company who had carried out a survey for work on the Fountain Lane Car Park, this was still not forthcoming therefore East Cambridgeshire District Council intended to contact another drainage specialist to see if the problem could be rectified.
NOTED also that following a request for the Clay Street Car Park to be opened earlier i.e. 5.30am/6.00am, Alison Callaby had informed District Councillor Mr J Palmer that as this would require the clock to be adjusted and would require a call out to the engineer, and bearing in mind that East Cambridgeshire District Council are charged for each visit, they were awaiting advice from the company as to whether this could be done under instruction without the need for an engineer to be on site.

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.15pm on Monday 12th November 2007.