MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11TH SEPTEMBER 2006 (copy attached).

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (matters not listed on the agenda below).

MINUTES OF STANDING COMMITTEES
a) Finance & Policy - 11th September 2006 (copy attached)
b) Planning             - 27th September 2006 (copy to follow)

Mr D L Giles
Clerk of the Council
4th October 2006

County Councillors Mrs J Broadway & Mr J Powley
District Councillors Mr C Fordham & Mr J Palmer
Cecilia Tredget, Deputy Chief Executive, East Cambridgeshire District Council

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.

17-21 Churchgate Street (143/06)
NOTED that the matter of the condition of the above premises and the dangers posed by the number of derelict vehicles etc. were
still under review.

200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery - 2007 (147/06)
NOTED that Dr Brycchan Carey would be giving a talk on slavery and Olaudah Equinao between 7.00pm-9.00pm on Wednesday 12th October 2006 in Beechurst Hall, Soham Village College and to discuss projects for next years events.

Display Cabinet for Pavilion (151/06)
NOTED that quotations had been received from Stephen Munns, Carpenter and Soham Joinery for supply of the above.
RESOLVED to approve the acceptance of the quotation in the amount £679.85 from Stephen Munns.

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 July 2006
Planning                      - 26th July & 30th August 2006
Cemetery & Allotments - 24th July 2006
Community Amenities   - 24th July 2006
Cemetery & Allotments - 14th August 2006 (site meeting)

Matters arising:

FP48/06 - Ducks at Brook Dam
RESOLVED that Cambridgeshire County Council be requested to erect a 'No Fishing' sign at Brook Dam Pool following a request from the RSPCA, due to the incidents of children with rods hooking and damaging ducklings.
RESOLVED also that a request to not feed the ducks be added to the sign.

PL60/06 - Design Guide for Development in Soham
RESOLVED that the Design Guide for Soham be adopted and forwarded to East Cambridgeshire District Council with a request that it be incorporated in the Local Development Framework being formulated.

PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS - JULY AND AUGUST 2006
RESOLVED that the schedule of payments and statement of balances, and Summary of Income and Expenditure as at 30th June 2006 & 31st July 2006 attached to these minutes as appendices, be confirmed and approved, and are in accordance with Council's financial regulations.

EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD PANELS
Cecelia Tredget, Deputy Chief Executive, East Cambridgeshire District Council attended for this item and gave a presentation on the proposals to form Neighbourhood Panels in the District.
Neighbourhood Panels would be a panel of people that best represent the community and who are able to influence and advice on local priorities, they will also be used to consult on local issues.
It is proposed to set up a pilot panel in the Soham area consisting of representatives from Soham, Fordham, Isleham, Wicken, Snailwell, Chippenham and Kennett. Each Parish/Town Council will be asked to select a Parish/Town Councillor to become a panel member, along with 2 District Councillors and a County Councillor. The Panel will be encouraged to co-opt up to 6 other influential members of the community, such as the secondary school head teacher, the local vicar, community groups that play a large part in the neighbourhood area, there will also be a team of officers to support the Panel and ensure that actions are carried out between Panel meetings. Town Council requested that considering that Soham is warded into Soham North and Soham South; that 2 representatives should be permitted to represent the Town on the Panel.
RESOLVED that Councillor Aitchison and the Chairman would both consider becoming Town Council representatives on the Pilot Panel, if two were permitted.

PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP - PROGRESS REPORT
The Chairman reminded Councillors of the previously agreed policy, (see minutes of extra-ordinary meeting 20th August 2002)
regarding statements to the media made on behalf of the Town Council.
Councillor Kirkham gave an up-date report regarding the booklet.
RESOLVED that the Clerk investigate ways as to how the information could be made available on the 'Internet' and in hard copy. This investigation to include liaison with Soham Town Forum and East Cambridgeshire District Council.

LODESTAR
NOTED that Councillor Ginn had produced his first article for Lodestar and was happy to continue providing information for
'Councillors Comments'.

TRANSPORT PLANNING FOR CAMBRIDGE 2006-2021
Councillor Beer reported on the meeting he had attended regarding the transport challenges Cambridgeshire faces between
2006-2021, bearing in mind that 'transport' means all of Cambridgeshire and not just Cambridge City.
A further meeting was planned, arrangements for which had not yet been decided.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS - REVISED CONSTITUTION.
A summary of a report, leading to a new Constitution for CALC which is more applicable to its current role than the present one was received.
NOTED the CALC Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, 14th October 2006 at Bluntisham Village Hall.
RESOLVED that the Chairman, Councillor Mrs FE Ross will attend.

EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
The East Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood News, distributed by East Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood Policing Team, Ely Sector was received.

EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL - REVIEW OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SCHEMES QUESTIONNAIRE
NOTED a briefing paper based on a report that was submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30th March 2006 following the results of the questionnaire circulated to Parish Councils at the end of last year was received.

RICHARD GOWING - COMNMONS REEVE
The Clerk reported that Richard Gowing, the Commons Reeve for Soham had received an honorary fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. This honour is only bestowed upon those who are considered to have made a major contribution to the profession of farriery.
RESOLVED that the Clerk send the Councils acknowledgement and congratulations to Richard on his outstanding achievements.

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES 2006
An update on Bottisham, Burwell and Soham Youth Service Summer Holiday Activities 2006 was received.

SOHAM TOWN FORUM
Minutes of meeting held on Thursday, 10th August 2006 and Agenda for meeting to be held on Thursday 21st September 2006 were received.

EAST CAMBS. COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP
NOTED that the East Cambs. Community Safety Partnership would be holding a Community Safety Consultation Event on Wednesday 4th October 2006 at The Maltings, Ely from 4.00pm to 6.30pm.

CALC - PARISH FORUM
NOTED the next joint Parish Forum will be held on Monday 30th October 2006. Any items for the agenda should be submitted to Keith Barrand, County Secretary by Friday 6th October 2006.

LION MILLS SITE
NOTED that The Development Planning Partnership, representatives of clients purchasing the Lion Mills Site, will hold an
exhibition of proposals for the site on Wednesday, 4th October 1.00pm - 8.30pm at the Pavilion.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH NHS
NOTED the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS, Annual Public Meeting and Good Practice Awards Presentation 2006 will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday 27th September 2006 at the Marriott Hotel, Hinchingbrooke Business Park, Huntingdon.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CONSTABULARY
NOTED that in recent months an increase in burglaries targeted at older people have been reported. The Cambridgeshire &
Peterborough Distraction Burglary & Rogue Trader Task Force were requesting support from Parish Councils in the District in
publicising information on how to make elderly and vulnerable residents aware of the risks.

SOHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
A letter of thanks was received from Soham Baptist Church for the use of Recreation Ground and Pavilion free of charge for its 'Praise in the Park' events held on Sundays 18th June 2006 and 9th July 2006.

EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE CVS
Information was received about what the East Cambridgeshire Council for Voluntary Service can offer local Voluntary Groups.

GAMBLING ACT 2005
Information on the major changes to the licensing of gambling activities, which are due to come into effect September 2007 were received.

DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOTED that the next regular meeting of the Council would be held at 7.15pm, Monday 9th October 2006.