Meeting Minutes: 16th December 2021

KIMBOLTON & STONELY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Council meeting held at 7 p.m. on Thursday 16 December 2021 in the Youth Hall at the Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton.

PRESENT  Councillors P Seabrook; K Hutchinson; R Gooderham; D Poole;  Mrs R Lloyd ;  L Farrer;  and Mrs D Hellett.

IN ATTENDANCE  C L Thatcher, Clerk to the Council 

211/21  APOLOGIES  were received from Councillors Mrs E Milne; Mrs J Stainer; Ms C Jessup and Ms S Mugglestone

212/21  PUBLIC FORUM  was not used.

213/21  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.   

  Councillor Mrs Hellett declared her interest in the matter of Mulberry Cottage stables.

214/21  COUNTY COUNCILLOR was unable to be present.

.

215/21 MINUTES of the Council meeting of 25 November  2021 were read, approved and signed as a true record of that meeting .subject to item 209/21 where it refers to the cemetery gate, being changed to ‘left open at the end of several days’

216/21  MATTERS ARISING

• Neighbourhood Watch.  The Clerk said that the Rural Watch had been in operation last Monday.
• Pound Lane  The Clerk reported that John Lightfoot had said that planning approval was not necessary for the type of car park we proposed, as it was for less than 50 cars.  Councillor Hutchinson will seek confirmation on this as he believes planning approval is necessary.
• Twinning.   No action to be taken during the pandemic.
• Pedestrian Crossing   Councillor Gardener has been chasing this over the past weeks and the latest information is that Milestone will be providing the quotation on 20 December.
• Cemetery Wall repairs.  It was agreed to defer this item

Councillor Farrer joined the meeting.

 f) Street Market  A Zoom meeting was held earlier this week to discuss the event.  It was thought generally to have gone well and we have learned from it.  It is not known what the School’s view of it is. The Clerk has written to Andrew Rouse but so far has received no reply.  Councillor Mrs Hellett will speak with the Bursar, following which, if there are no problems, the Clerk will write regarding parking for future events.    The 10 April was suggested as a possible date 

g) Christmas Lights   Councillor Farrer said that people seemed happy with the lighting and next year he will arrange for extra trees to fill in the gaps.

     h)  Flood protection.  A response from the Environment Agency was awaited.

.i)  Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration.  It was agreed that our event would be on Sunday 5 June and the Chairman will ask David Watson if he would again assume his Town Crier role.  The Clerk said that material for a few banners had been purchased so that it could be seen whether we will be able to produce them for the event.    The possibility of planting an oak tree and inviting the Lord Lieutenant will be considered at the next meeting.            A Working Party meeting will be held after Christmas.

J  Hearse House toilets.  John Lightfoot had produced an initial plan, with the toilet situated to the left of the personal door into the Hears House.  This is subject to no problems being presented by the electricity meter and fuseboard’s location.

k.  Thrapston Rd streetlight.  The general feeling was that a light on the pathway across Halls Meadow would be more beneficial than a new one in Thrapston Road, but the cost of each being nearly £2500 was concerning and no decision was made.

l) ) Coronavirus Update.  It is understood that Omicron is present in the area and appears to be transmitted more easily that the Delta variant.

Councillor Gooderham left the meeting.

217/21  PLANNING

The following applications were considered –

21/02591  Highview House, Station Rd – vary conditions re plans and materials.

It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Hellett, seconded by Councillor Mrs Lloyd and agreed to recommend approval as appropriate development.

21/02527  Land east of 14 Harvard Way – erect warehouse (B8) unit.

Councillor Hutchinson remarked upon the additional height of 4m.  Councillor Mrs Lloyd thought the industrial estate was plenty big enough and feels there should be a boundary established with a landscaped perimeter.  It was proposed by Councillor Hutchinson, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellett and agreed to recommend approval subject to the Planning Authority being satisfied that the proposed height of the building is similar to others on the site and to arboricultural screening being placed along the north and east sides..

Ongoing –  Mulberry Cottage stables – no reports.

218/21  REPORTS

Allotments.     Councillor Mrs Hellett presented the report.  She suggested a further notice regarding the bonfire and that the area be fenced off.       The plot by the vehicle gates being levelled by John Whitehead.

Pound Lane Recreation Ground.  Councillor Mrs Hellett said that dogs had fouled the whole area around the exercise equipment.

.

219/21  PURCHASE OF PLAY EQUIPMENT   Councillor Mrs Hellett again presented her suggestions for a cross trainer at Pound Lane and a zebra see-saw at The Fire Station Playpark. But members asked that something more adventurous be considered.

                              It was thought that the elephant could be refurbished as could the bench and perhaps JW could help, together with further repairs to the Playpark and Allotments gates. 

220/21  HIGHWAYS SIGNS TO REINFORCE WEIGHT LIMITS  It is evident that the weight restriction covering the roads in this area was being ignored and it is thought that much of the problem stems from a lack of warning signs.  On the B645 there is one by the A1 at St Neots and one between Hargrave and Tilbrook, but signs upon entry to the village are believed necessary.  Perhaps these could be coupled with ANPR cameras to deter HCV drivers with prosecutions where they are ignored.   The Clerk will write to Highways and seek their support.

221/21  CORRESPONDENCE    

• The proposed holding pattern for aircraft arriving at Luton Airport has, unsurprisingly, been approved and flights will commence using it from February next.
• Complaints received from residents regarding footpath resurfacing in Aragon Place which took place without adequate warning to the residents.
• Cambridgeshire Local Councils conference takes place on 14 January by Zoom and members and Clerks are invited to attend.
• CIL Funding Round.  Clarification was required as to whether 100% was being offered or just a portion of costs.
• A circular inviting comments on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough budget was noted.

222/21  ACCOUNTS

• The following were approved for payment –

K & M Lighting      maintenance     128.15

Bystander magazine     advertisement     45.00

J C Fendick – childrens roundabout     350.00

Phantom Power – PA re Street Market     420.00

Ashtons Legal  – legal opinion Pound Lane     1143.60

Vision ICT Ltd – biennial .gov fee      78.00

Payroll costs Pay PAYE NIC      2313.60

C L Thatcher- reimbursement

defibrillator pads.   110.00

land registry fee.   20.00

material for banners    62.88

Lifebuoy & stands. 208.99

VAT on above   80.38

Postage stamps     39.0

Total.     521.85

223/21 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR was unable to be present

224/21  HIGH ST CAR PARKING  no report

225/21  MEMBERS’ POINTS OF INFORMATION

Councillor Mrs Hellett said that she had noted that surveyors were looking at drains in Hatchet Lane and wondered if anyone had knowledge of this.

Councillor Mrs Lloyd asked whether the Parish Council would consider circulating guides to new residents.

226/21  NEXT MEETING   

It was agreed that the next normal meeting of Council will be held in the Youth Room at the Mandeville Hall on Thursday 27 January 2022 commencing at 7pm.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2130 hours.