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 10th October 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), Mrs FE Ross (Vice-Chairman), Mr PG Beer, Mr H Davies, Mr G Fisher, Mr GR Ginn, Mr AJA Hinsley, Mr J Kirkham, Mr PS Lane & Mr C Palmer and Mesdames M Count ,Mrs ME Dwyer, Mrs PL Gibbon & Mrs PA Tuite
In Attendance:	County Councillor Mr J Powley District Councillors Mr MJ Duckworth, Mr CW Fordham & Mr JH Humphreys PC Kevin Humble, Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Apologies:	Councillor Mr CK Hempstead County Councillor Mrs J Broadway District Councillor Mr AR Parramint
143/05	MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 11TH JULY 2005 RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be approved and signed as a true record.
144/05	MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES. Policing Strategies (121/05) PC Kevin Humble reported that there were 36 crimes reported between 12th July 2005 & 8th August 2005 and 26 for the period 9th August 2005 to 12th September 2005. These ranged from the usual criminal damage and thefts, to 1 threat to kill, which was a family dispute. Soham Life (121/05) NOTED that to date Soham Life has been funded via advertisements and is a self funding document, so the original request for 'pump priming' funds no longer applies, however the Forum are keen to ensure that this venture does not lose momentum and therefore would highlight that whilst 'pump priming' monies are not required, there may be occasions when sufficient advertising is not forthcoming and it would be on these occasions when some level of support from the Town Council may be needed. RESOLVED to support the project if necessary. Town & Parish Plans (125/05) The Chairman reported on the first meeting of the working party which was held on 7th September 2005. Section 106 Contributions (128/05) Further suggestions were received for possible Section 106 contribution agreements. These were a play area at the North end of the Town, a Community Hall and improvements to Scout/Guide Huts. However the preferred proposals at present would be new Skateboarding facilities and updated playground equipment on the site at the Recreation Ground. RESOLVED however that the Clerk should meet with the leaders of Soham Scouts and Guides to discuss what would be needed in the way of new facilities.
145/05	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 - 11th July 2005 Planning - 27th July and 31st August 2005
146/05	PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - JULY & AUGUST 2005 RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 31st July 2005 and 31st August 2005 which are printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.
147/05	BUDGET REPORT RESOLVED that the Budget Report which is printed and attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and is in accordance with the Council's financial regulations.
148/05	STRATEGIC FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT FOR EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE NOTED that East Cambridgeshire District Council is currently in the process of collecting information on flood risk in the District and request any available reliable information on flooding in and around Soham. RESOLVED that insufficient information provided on which to act and request that more information be asked for, including a more informative map of the Town.
149/05	55th BRITISH NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTED that a free 'shuttle bus' service will be made available to transport individuals to and from the town centre and the championships site. NOTED also that following the church service on Friday evening, there will be a display of tractors, ploughs etc on the Recreation Ground followed by a Reception and Ploughman's Supper in the Pavilion for the organisers and competitors. 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: £400 towards the cost of organising a display on the Recreation Ground and providing a Reception and Ploughman's Supper at the Pavilion on Friday 7th October 2005.
150/05	SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BILL NOTED that local authority support of the Local Works, Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill was being sought. RESOLVED to support this Bill in principle.
151/05	PUBLIC RELATIONS AND TWINNING Public Relations Councillor Kirkham reported on the progress of the Soham Information Booklet, and copies of The Draft Booklet and minutes of a meeting held at East Cambridgeshire District Council with the Ely Standard were received. With regards to the Town Guide, whilst funds will be available from advertising, some finance will be required from Soham Town Forum and the Town Council. RESOLVED to support the necessary funding in principle, but to make a final decision when exact costings were known. It was noted that there were still some Councillors photographs missing and arrangements were to be made to get this rectified. Twinning RESOLVED to approve and accept the setting-up of a Twinning Association. Councillor Beer reported on the meeting and signing of the Constitution, which took place on the 6th September 2005, he also stated that the association now had 27 paid-up members with a total membership of 44. It was noted that some delegates from Andrézieux-Bouthéon would be attending the Soham Pumpkin Fair on Saturday, 24th September 2005 and a further contingent would be coming for an educational visit to the Village College from 6th to 8th October 2005. Furthermore a group from Soham would be making a return visit to Andrézieux-Bouthéon on 16th - 18th October 2005 for it's Pumpkin Fair. It is hoped that the official twinning signing ceremony will take place in March 2006, however the Council requested that details of the document should be made available to Council members as soon as possible, to enable this to be ratified by the Town Council prior to the final process.
	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 namely Life Project and Land at 65 East Fen Common 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. Press and Public left the meeting at 8.41 pm.
152/05	REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Councillor Mr AJA Hinsley declared a non-prejudicial interest in accordance with paragraph 9.2 of the Code of Conduct for this item. Consideration was given to a request for financial assistance from MAGPAS. towards its local Community First Responder Scheme for Soham. 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: MAGPAS First Responder Scheme - £1,000.
153/05	LIFE PROJECT The Clerk gave Councillors a report on the first 3 months work of this project. It has been operational since 3`d May 2005 and has been working towards gaining respect and trust of local young people. The next 3 months will see a development of this service and time will also be spent trying to raise funds to ensure the continuity of the service after April next year.
154/05	LAND AT 65 EAST FEN COMMON Councillors were updated on the latest information received, pending an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate on 23rd November 2005.
	The Press and Public were re-admitted at 8.45pm.
155/05	TRANSFER OF JUSTICE LICENCE Notification was received of an application for the Transfer of justices Licence in respect of "The Cherry Tree" Public House, 66 Fordham Road, Soham.
156/05	THE READING VOYAGE NOTED a letter of thanks was received from Richard Young, Cambridgeshire County Council, for the Council's donation towards this year's summer reading challenge.
157/05	PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTH NOTED the establishment of the Patient and Pubic Involvement in Health Forum for the East Cambs. and Fenland Primary Care Trust.
158/05	WICKEN PARISH COUNCIL NOTED a letter of reply from Wicken Parish Council, in respect of its proposal for a joint submission to 2006/2007 Jointly Funded Minor Highways Improvements.
159/05	SOHAM COMMUNITY HISTORY MUSEUM NOTED a letter of thanks from Soham Community History Museum for allowing its Archaeological Exploration, West Entrance to Recreation Ground, which took place on Sunday 24th July 2005. A full report of its findings would be forthcoming.
160/05	CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL NOTED that the Cambridgeshire Environment Report 2005 is now available in paper copy at public libraries and online at:- www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/policy/cer/
161/05	SOHAM RAILWAY STATION NOTED an e-mail from Dr Henry Tribe in support of the re-opening of Soham Railway Station and providing additional information to backing-up his views. RESOLVED that the Clerk arrange a meeting between Dr Tribe, Christopher Scurrah, Soham Town Forum and the Chairman to discuss the possibilities further..
162/05	PAPERS TABLED East Cambridgeshire District Council - Briefing papers from May's 2005 Parish Forum meeting. Community Renewal Network East - E-Bulletin, July 2005 Soham Town Forum - Minutes, Meeting 14th July 2005 East Cambridgeshire District Council - Big Lottery - Living Landmarks Cambridgeshire County Council - Brochures & Application Forms 'Grant aid to small Community Groups and Voluntary organisations'. Soham Community History Museum - Minutes, Meeting 11th August 2005 Cambridgeshire County Council - Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy Standards Board for England - Bulletin 25 Cllr. Jeremy Friend-Smith - 'Highlights of the Week' 15th July 2005 - 9th September 2005. European Union, Regional Policy - Inforegio news, June & July 2005 CALC - Agenda, AGM 15th October 2005
163/05	DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.15pm, Monday 10th October 2005.