Meeting Minutes: 19th December 2019

KIMBOLTON & STONELY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Council meeting held at 7 p.m. on Thursday 19 December 2019 at the Youth & Community Room, Mandeville Hall, Thrapston Rd., Kimbolton.

PRESENT  Councillors P Seabrook (in the Chair); K Hutchinson; Mrs D Hellett and D Poole.

IN ATTENDANCE  County Councillor I Gardener; C L Thatcher, Clerk to the Council and two members of the public.

189/19  APOLOGIES were received from Councillors Mrs R Lloyd; Ms S Mugglestone; Mrs J Stainer; Mrs E Milne & L Farrer and District Councillor J Gray.

190/19  PUBLIC FORUM  The owner of Stonely House was present and presented his proposals for the development of the site, showing members his plans.   He will shortly apply for planning permission.

191/19  DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Councillor Mrs Hellett declared her ongoing interest in the matter of Mulberry Cottage stables and the Chairman declared an interest in the planning application relating to lane E of Montagu Gardens..

192/19  COUNTY COUNCILLOR    Councillor Gardener informed members that the County Council has today agreed its Environmental Strategy Action Plan.   By 2025 all County Council buildings will be fossil fuel free and all vehicles powered by electricity.

The construction of their new headquarters at Alconbury Weald has now started.

The new A14 is now open between Ellington and Swavesy and demolition will soon commence on the bridge at Huntingdon.  It is anticipated that works in Huntingdon will continue until 2022.

193/19  MINUTES  The minutes of the Council meeting of 28 November 2019 were read, approved and signed as a true record of that meeting subject to the inclusion under 178/19 of mention that Councillor Hutchinson had raised the matter of the proposed new scheme of delegation, later referred to by Councillor Gray.

194/19  MATTERS ARISING

• Neighbourhood Watch.   The Clerk reported that the Rural Watch team had been out on 6 December. 
• Blueline Security.  The Clerk confirmed that he had asked Blueline to quote in accordance with the request of the Working Party and he had told them of the deadline for this meeting.  He had even today phoned Blueline just to make sure that nothing had gone wrong, but could not speak to anyone, so had left a message asking for a reply today.  Nothing has been heard.
• Vehicle Parking by Mandeville Hall Users.     Concern has been expressed about the indiscriminate and thoughtless parking by some individuals who park on, and block, footpaths.   Consideration was given to requesting yellow lines to prevent parking on Thrapston Rd, but it was acknowledged that this would be ineffective due to the lack of policing.   It was agreed to monitor the situation.
• Hearse House repairs   Councillor Farrer has promised a quotation after Christmas.
• CCTV The Clerk said that the cameras are now operative and, in fact, police had already made use of the ANPR feature to trace a vehicle.  Police are very pleased that the cameras have been installed.
• Website.   The Clerk said that he has been unable to improve very much upon the price offered by our present supplier and he therefore proposed that we remain with the present supplier.  This was agreed.
• Christmas Decorations   Unfortunately, the tree lights chosen are not as bright as had been thought and had attracted criticism in some quarters.  There is little that can be done this year, but changes will be made next year.
• Churchyard Cobbles   Councillor Farrer has promised a specification after Christmas.
• Pound Lane Working Party.   No further meeting as yet.
• Twinning   A reply has been received from the Mayor of Fernie.   She says that at the moment her Council is embroiled in committee changes, but she would like to discuss what form the twinning could take and would like to meet with our Chairman via Skype.   The Chairman said that he would be happy to do so in the New Year.

195/19    PLANNING MATTERS.

• Applications  

19/02397   The Cottage, 25 Main Rd Stonely – erect detached garage.

It was proposed by Councillor Poole, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellett and unanimously agreed to recommend approval.

18/01411  Land E of Montagu Gardens – erect 21 dwellings (minor amendments)

Councillor Seabrook declared an interest, took no part in the discussion and did not vote.

It was proposed by Councillor Poole, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellett and unanimously agreed to recommend approval.

19/02445  Bigrams Farm, Easton Rd Stonely – erect detached garage with guest room over.

It was proposed by Councillor Hutchinson, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellett and agreed to recommend approval subject to the condition that this will never become a separate dwelling.

19/02170  28 High St – remove postbox and make good.

It was proposed by Councillor Hutchinson, seconded by Councillor Poole and unanimously agreed to strongly recommend refusal.  The postbox should remain on the listed building to maintain the façade.

19/02283  The Old Chapel, 39 Thrapston Rd – erect double-sided pole sign.

It was proposed by Councillor Hutchinson, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellett and unanimously agreed to strongly recommend refusal.  The proposed sign is totally out of keeping with the village and is unnecessary advertising clutter.

19/02277  25 Park Lane, Stonely  – dropped kerb.

It was proposed by Councillor Poole, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellett and recommended for approval.

• Ongoing Matters.     Mulberry Cottage stables.  No report.

196/19    REPORTS

No reports were presented.

Outside Bodies.

Kimbolton School Governors.   Councillor Mrs Hellett said that school numbers were still increasing. 

197/19  CORRESPONDENCE

• Notification of street works involving road closure in Easton Rd.
• Proposed changes to footpaths in the east of the parish had been circulated.
• The Fire Service Integrated Risk Management Plan consultation was available and had been circulated. 

198/19  ACCOUNTS

a)The following were proposed and approved for payment –

Pro Tec Security Ltd                   CCTV system                              3528.00

JD Trees & Landscaping Ltd       Tree felling                                    200.00

Anvil Mobiles Ltd                        Sim for CCTV                                   43.90

K & M Lighting                           Streetlight maintenance                  125.48

D Eades                                     December work                              247.86

Southern Electric                       Streetlight energy                            886.80

C L Thatcher                              Fuel for Piaggio                                31.31

Payroll costs                              Pay, PAYE & NIC                         2186.36

199/19  HIGH STREET CAR PARKING  Nothing to report.

200/19  MEMBERS’ POINTS OF INFORMATION.

Councillor Mrs Hellett said that the ‘dog fouling’ signs need cleaning

There is a hole in the ground adjacent to the large oak tree in the Causeway.

Councillor Hutchinson said that the ‘Pound Lane’ sign is broken and is lying on the ground.

201/19  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next normal meeting of Council will be held on Thursday 30 January 2020, commencing at 7pm in the Youth and Community Room at the Mandeville Hall.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2045 hours.