Meeting Minutes: 25th July 2024

KIMBOLTON & STONELY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the annual Council meeting held at 7 p.m. on Thursday 25 July 2024 in the Youth Hall at the Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton.

PRESENT  Councillors Mrs D Hellett (in the Chair) P Seabrook ; Mrs R Lloyd; M. Buckley; J Lee; Mrs J Stainer; Ms C Jessup: K Hutchinson and Ms H Bradbury . 

118/24   APOLOGIES  were received from Councillor L Farrer

119/24   PUBLIC FORUM   Two young ladies attended with their Mother and one spoke about the play facilities in the village and her wish for improvements.    The Chairman thanked her for taking the trouble to attend and make the request and asked her if she would like to attend the meeting next week with her when she meets a play equipment contractor to discuss improvements. 

120/24   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.   

   Councillor Mrs Stainer declared a non-pecuniary interest in the matter of the Hunters Way land.

121/24  COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Ian Gardener said that he had received a letter from the Fire Authority updating him on the project which could result in the loss of Kimbolton Fire Station.     It read that a lot had been learned following meetings with the public and this, and other, councils and had informed their decisions on the way forward.  They are educating communities on the role of Firefighter and have produced a chart showing the number of 999 calls received in each area; how they were dealt with and by which station etc.    This information is being put on web pages.

They are currently running a trial by making two additional fire appliances available each weekend for one year.   Following this the results will be collated and it is unlikely that any firm decision will be made about the future of Kimbolton Fire Station before summer 2025.

The police and fire services have joined forces to trial the use of hydro-treated vegetable oil to power their diesel vehicles and reduce pollution.  Their intention is to buy no more diesel vehicles and purchase some electric ones.

Huntingdon has received approval for a blanket 20mph limit and the effectiveness of 20mph schemes is to be reviewed after 2 years.

Councillor Gardener left the meeting.

122/24    MINUTES of the Council meeting of 27 June and 3 July 2024 were read and approved as a true record of that meeting, subject to one amendment to 3 July minutes.

123/24  MATTERS ARISING

• The MVAS monthly report was presented by Councillor Ms Bradbury.
• Proposed closure of Fire Station – latest information reported above in item 121/24
• Pound Lane car park quotes.  The Clerk reported receipt of two quotes , one of which was in line with other quotes received and the other was considerably higher.    The Working Party will meet to consider them.                                                             ACTION POUND LANE W.P.
• Statute Fair.  Councillor Gooderham was not able to be present, so it was not known what the shortfall in the cost of traffic management would be. As time is getting short and a decision would be required before the next meeting, it was therefore proposed by Councillor Mrs Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Ms Bradbury and agreed to pay the excess costs up to a maximum of £2000.   Councillor Gooderham will be asked to confirm the amount as soon as possible and to confirm that Highways approval is in place for the road closure.

                                                                                                                                   ACTION RG

• Land at Hunters Way.     The Clerk confirmed that the Land Registry information was of little help in that it only confirmed ownership of the land is vested in Huntingdonshire District Council.  It gives no indication of the intended use of the land.                  Members felt that the land had been ‘handed over’ by the estate builders for the purpose of open space amenity land.   

It was agreed to write to the District Council and request that ownership of the land be passed to this Council after first acquainting District Councillor Gray of this decision and seeking his comments.                                                                                                            ACTION CLERK

• Insurance against Cyber Attacks.       The Clerk reported that this insurance cover would attract an annual premium of c£350 and, having read through the benefits, it was decided not to proceed with this insurance.
• Purchase of Hand Tools.   The Clerk has investigated the costs of hand tools requested by the Grounds Staff and it was agreed to purchase a leaf blower; a brushcutter; a hedge cutter; a leaf grabber and a socket set at a cost of c£1850, though the Clerk will attempt to improve upon those prices.  This was proposed by Councillor Mrs Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Lee and unanimously agreed. 

124/24    PLANNING

 The following application was considered.

24/01171  4 East Street Kimbolton – two storey and single storey front extension.

It was proposed by Councillor Ms Jessup, seconded by Councillor Mrs Stainer and unanimously agreed to recommend approval as appropriate development.

125/24    REPORTS

Allotments.    Councillor Mrs Lloyd said that she was pleased to see that a lot of areas at the allotments had now been strimmed.  There were still a few plots in need of attention and those recently vacated will require strimming and weedkilling.   It was agreed to advertise the vacancies.

Personnel.     The Chairman said that the temporary grounds helper she had engaged appeared to have given up the role.   It was thought that the £12 per hour offered for a self-employed person was insufficient and it was proposed by Councillor Buckley, seconded by Councillor Lee and agreed to re-advertise the role but at a rate of £20 per hour.

Pound Lane.    It was noted that the supports of the pull down exerciser were loose.

Lighting.  Since no action appears to have been taken about a new streetlight between Carnaby and Budgens it was agreed to seek a current price for a solar powered lamp from our lighting maintenance

Company.                                                                                                                      ACTION CLERK

Planning. Councillor Hutchinson drew members’ attention to the new government’s intention to bring out a new planning policy framework before the end of this month.

Hearse House.   The ornate window above the vehicle door is broken. Councillor Ms Bradbury will seek a cost of repair.                                                                                                                    ACTION HB                                              

Trees.    It has been noted that a number of trees need attention.  The Clerk will ask a tree surgeon to look at those in Halls Meadow and the playground and provide a costing.                  ACTION CLERK

Events.  The next event is the summer market to take place on Saturday 24 August.   It was suggested that a Parish Council stall might be a good idea.   Volunteers to man the stall were requested and Councillors Hutchinson and Mrs Lloyd volunteered.                                       ACTION DH KH AND RL

Sensory Garden.   This is proposed for the area of Halls Meadow to the west of the footpath by Beacon Finance. The Chairman is waiting to hear further about a design.  Councillor Mrs Lloyd said that Rotary might be interested in helping. Grant aid to be investigated.                                 ACTION DH AND RL

Litter  Councillor Ms Jessup suggested that another litter pick should be postponed for the time being, but agreed that posters around the village would be a good idea.                       ACTION CJ AND HB

Councillor Lee suggested hiring a sweeper with the intention of sweeping the whole village. He said that the cost is not great and the Grounds Staff could be taught to use the machine in a short time.

The Clerk said that each year he asks HDC to sweep the High St immediately after the Statty Fair, this being when no cars are parked, but they have not done so for two years.

It was proposed by Councillor Lee, seconded by Councillor Seabrook and agreed to ask the Grounds Staff whether they would be willing to undertake this work.                                      ACTION CLERK

Street Naming.   The idea of signing the historic names of areas of the village so that people knew were, for example, The Butts and Halls Meadow are, was a good one and it was agreed to investigate the cost of providing display boards.   The Clerk said that Tilbrook were designing boards to show the history of the village together with walking and cycling routes.  He said they would be on display at their ‘Meet the Councillors’ event at the village hall between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday next.

Councillor Mrs Lloyd asked that an additional ‘Kimbolton’ name sign be provided on Catworth Road.

OUTSIDE BODIES

Mandeville Hall.     Councillor Hutchinson said that he had not attended the last meeting of the Hall Committee, but reading from the minutes was able to say that the refurbishment of the ladies’ toilets was likely to cost around £7000.   There is still an unresolved problem with the roof leaking.

A questionnaire was circulated regarding the lack of attendance at a recent film show and the responses were varied, though none said their non-attendance was anything to do with an inability to obtain tickets.

The new Chairman of the Hall Committee has resigned.

KIMBOLTON TRUST  No meeting has been held, but applications for assistance are coming in.

KIMBOLTON SCHOOL GOVERNORS  The base of the swimming pool is now in and the lane lining completed.  There will be an official opening in September.

126/24 CRICKET CLUB – REQUEST TO LEASE LAND

It was thought that this idea raises many questions and it was agreed that the Pound Lane Working Party will first meet to discuss the matter and then, having done so, will arrange a meeting to discuss further with the Cricket Club’s representative.                   ACTION POUND LANE WORKING PARTY

127/24  THEFT OF MVAS SIGN   The Clerk reported on this and has reported the theft both to the police and our insurers.     Replacement cost is around £3000 and he is awaiting confirmation from the insurer before ordering a replacement.

128/24  CORRESPONDENCE

The only correspondence received was from allotment tenants who had received a letter from us reminding them of the need to cultivate their plots.  One tenant has decided to relinquish his allotment.

129/24  ACCOUNTS    

a)The following were approved for payment –

K & M Lighting     maintenance        £128.25

Ibbetts                 bolts                       £12.08

Pulse Digital  computer repair           £48.00

VisionICT        email hosting              £48.00

Mick George       skip hire                £355.20

Huntingdonshire DC  Fit trainer       £187.20

Wicksteed        elephant shroud      £101.65

Fishers                  sundries               £45.97

Glasdon Ltd       litter bin                  £413.18

Grafton Projects   cartridges etc      £251.09

H Brace         July work                  £1960.00

Payroll costs.  Pay, PAYE,NIC       £3194.98

C L Thatcher  fuel, chevron,LR        £124.31

Mrs D Hellett        fuel                      £163.67

b)  NALC proposed Financial Regulations.          The Clerk said that a working party had considered the regulations and determined the optional sections of the document which is now considered to be suitable for this council.    It was then proposed by Councillor Mrs Stainer, seconded by Councillor Buckley and agreed to adopt the regulations.    They will be posted on the website.

130/24  DISTRICT COUNCILLOR was not present.

131/24  HIGH ST PARKING  It is noted that now that the Veterinary Surgeon is open a number of parking spaces are being taken up by their staff.

132/24  MEMBERS’ POINTS OF INFORMATION

Councillor Mrs Stainer reported that the roadsign in Stow Road is not visible due to vegetation covering it and the same applies to the Gimbers End sign on Main Rd Stonely.    The ditch in Park Lane is overgrown.

Councillor Seabrook said the hedges on Main Rd Stonely are also overgrown and forcing large vehicles towards the centre of the road.    He thought that is the frontage will not cut them back then the County Council should do so.  He felt a lot more lorries were coming through the village.

It is understood that Grant Palmer are ceasing their bus service next month and it was agreed to write to the elected Mayor asking whether the service is being replaced and whether timetable can be supplied for the bus stops.

Councillor Hellett would like a price for the provision of a cover for the skip.

She also wishes drain covers which are damaged in Rookery Lane and on London Rd to be replaced.

A tree is growing at the electricity sub station in Hunters Way and needs removing.

133/24  IT WAS RESOLVED to exclude the Press and public from the following item in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960.

Appointment of Clerk and RFO

The Chairman said that three ladies had been interviewed and all seemed very capable.  Two lived some distance from Kimbolton and one lived locally.

It was proposed by Councillor Bradbury, seconded by Councillor Lee and unanimously agreed to offer the post to the local candidate.   

No proposal was made about salary or service conditions.

134/24   NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Council will be on Thursday 29 August 2024, commencing at 7pm in the Youth Room at the Mandeville Hall..

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2150 hours.