MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9TH SEPTEMBER 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 - 9th September 2002
b) Planning             - 9th September 2002

PAYMENTS OF ACCOUNTS MADE IN SEPTEMBER AND STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 30th September 2002 (copies enclosed).

SOHAM HERITAGE ECONOMIC REGENERATION SCHEME. (John Selby, ECDC will attend for this item.)

ANNUAL AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS 2001/2002. (see enclosed).

STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS. (previously sent)

COMMONS.

J L Wignall
Clerk of the Council
4th October 2001 

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

District Councillor CW Fordham.

Councillors HJ Davies and G Fisher
County Councillor J Powley.
PC Mark Hobson, Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
PC Kevin Humble, Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENT
The Chairman expressed her pride and thanks and said it was heartwarming to witness the personal involvement of Councillors and staff during this traumatic time. The overwhelming sense of loyalty and dedication to each other within our community showed the strength and caring of the community. Working together in partnership was a true test of our resolve to share with one another our deep feelings ably supported by the dedication and willingness to assist from the professional services.
I am sure that the Council are determined to take on board the aspirations of our community to continue to work together to enable us all to move on and look to the future.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 8TH JULY 2002.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be approved and signed as a true record together with notes of the extra-ordinary meeting held on 20th August 2002.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

Policing Strategies (101/02)
PC Humble had attended the Finance and Policy meeting to introduce himself to members of the Council and reported that two additional Community Beat Officers were being assigned to Soham and that the office at The Weatheralls Health Centre should be opened in the near future.

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 - 8th July 2002
Planning             - 8th July 2002
Planning             - 31st July 2002
Planning             - 14th August 2002
NOTED notes of meeting held on 31st July 2002 and 20th August 2002 in respect of the Football Fun Week and Learning Access Computer Suite.

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - JULY AND AUGUST 2002
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, as at 31st July 2002 and 31st August 2002, which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved.

CLAY STREET CAR PARK
Ray Harding, Executive Director Community Services, ECDC reported that a land asset management review was being undertaken by the District Council which identified low usage of the above car park. A number of options were being considered, including sale for housing, alternative use community use, retention in its present form, or a combination of uses. Currently the best option appears to be retention of part for car-parking and housing (including affordable housing) for the remainder.
Any alternative suggestions should be brought to the next Council meeting.

ANGLE COMMON LEVEL CROSSING
NOTED that no objections to the proposal by Railtrack had been received and that the Secretary of State has authorised the proposed works.

PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW
NOTED that the Boundary Committee for England had completed its review and that the appropriate map had been checked by the Chairman and Chairman of Planning Committee for accuracy.
A further letter had been received from ECDC indicating that suitable buildings for use as polling stations were no longer available in Barway and Soham Fen and that caravans were no longer appropriate.
To overcome transport difficulties or a postal vote only option it was suggested that ECDC should consider the use of private houses in these locations as polling stations.

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 8 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 8.11pm.

ARCHER AND ARCHER
A letter had been received from the Chair of Governors of Soham Village College, following telephone conversations with the Council Chairman, detailing proposals for closure of a footpath through the campus.

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 a Governor of St Andrews C of E Primary School.
Councillor Lane disclosed a personal interest as Vice Chairman of Ross Peers Sports Hall Management Committee.
but that such interest were not prejudicial interests in accordance with Section 9 of the Code of Conduct.

RESOLVED that because of the confidential and sensitive nature of agenda item 6 ‘Archer and Archer’, Standing Order 80 Confidential Business should apply. The unanimous decision of the Town Council was to support in principle for the reasons stated a ‘Voluntary Restraint Notice’ in respect of the public footpath running in front of the Sports Centre, joining Beechurst and Lodeside, but to review the situation at the next Town Council meeting on 14th October 2002, prior to which time consultations will take place with Cambridgeshire County Council, the Police, the Schools and the Community.

The meeting was re-opened to the press and public at 8.29pm.

RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLOR
NOTED that Councillor L Hart had tendered his resignation as a member of the Town Council, and that it was necessary to advertise a casual vacancy in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.

FLOOD EVENT DATA GATHERING
The Environment Agency detailed Councils involvement in flood event data gathering and provided copy of their post flooding questionnaire in the event of flooding being suffered over the coming months.

EAST CAMBS. PARISH FORUM
NOTED that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Clerk will attend the next meeting to be held on 28th October 2002.

NEWMARKET JOURNAL
NOTED that the new correspondent will be Annette Lachowski following the move by Lisa Davidson to Bury Free Press.

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER
NOTED Confirmation of Tree Preservation Order made by East Cambs. District Council on land at ‘The Squirrels’, 2a Fountain Lane, Soham.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE ACRE
NOTED Parish Plans Newsletter July 2002.

SOHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
A letter of thanks had been received from Soham Baptist Church for the use of the Recreation Ground free of charge for its ‘Family Day’ on the afternoon of Sunday, 21st July 2002.

ROAD SAFETY - A142 BYPASS
NOTED a copy letter sent to Isleham Parish County Council, Accident and Investigation road safety of A142 Soham Bypass junction Council from Cambridgeshire Team in response to fears in with East Fen Drove.

CAMBRIDGE AIRPORT & NEW PASSENGER TERMINAL
NOTED copies of Scoping Opinion on the proposed Environmental Impact Assessment issued by South Cambridgeshire District Council.

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.30pm, Monday 14th October 2002.