Meeting Minutes: 27th June 2019

KIMBOLTON & STONELY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Council meeting held at 7 p.m. on Thursday 27 June 2019 at the Youth & Community Room, Mandeville Hall, Thrapston Rd., Kimbolton.

PRESENT  Councillors P Seabrook (in the Chair); Mrs D Hellett; D Poole; Mrs J Stainer; Mrs R Lloyd; Mrs S Hawkes and L Farrer.

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

90/19  APOLOGIES were received from Councillors K Hutchinson; Mrs E Milne and Ms S Mugglestone.

91/19  PUBLIC FORUM  An allotment tenant was present to complain about the lack of maintenance to the area of the allotments, in particular the vacant plots and the overgrown nature of the gateways and hedges.   The Chairman acknowledged that this had been neglected and promised that the Grounds Staff would prioritise this work.

92/19  DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

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

93/19  COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Councillor Gardener reminded members that the deadline for bids this year is 4 August.

He has spoken with the Highways Maintenance Engineer regarding the flooding in Hatchet Lane and that will be attended to in July.

The combined authority is looking at transport across the county and there will be a series of public meetings, the nearest of which will be in Huntingdon on 13 July, between 1000 and 1500 in the Library. 

The Chairman asked about footpath grass cutting which, he felt, was largely not being done.  Councillor Gardener agreed to find out about this.

Councillor Farrer joined the meeting.

94/19  MINUTES of the Council meeting held on 30 May 2019 were read, approved and signed as a true record of that meeting.

95/19  MATTERS ARISING

• Neighbourhood Watch.    No report.
• Hearse House repairs   The arboricultural report has been forwarded to the Planning Officer.
• CCTV.  The Clerk has met with the representative of ProTec who is suggesting a system and providing a quote.
• Cemetery Extension

• Consecration    The event went well, though there was some criticism made later on social media that not all organisations in the village had been invited to attend.

Members agreed that the cemetery looks good and wanted to record their thanks to the Grounds Staff for clearing up and removing the sand and bricks from the entrance.

It was agreed to place a plaque in the cemetery to record the date upon which the ground was consecrated.

• Benches.  Regrettably, the suppliers had failed to deliver them in time for the consecration, despite promises to the contrary.  However, they have now been installed.

• Walkabout had been postponed due to bad weather and it was agreed that it should now take place on Wednesday 3 July.
• Christmas Decorations.   The Working Party has not yet met and this will remain an agenda item.
• Stonely Bus Shelter.   This will be inspected on the Walkabout.
• Risk Management Working Party has not yet met and this will remain an agenda item.
• Pound Lane Working Party.  No meetings since the last reported, but efforts will be made to attempt to obtain grant aid.

96/19  LOCAL HIGHWAYS INITIATIVE 2019

Following discussion it was agreed to seek funding for –

• 40 mph ‘buffer’ areas on all 5 roads entering the village, prior to the 30 mph limits
• A single yellow line outside properties on Park Lane to require parked vehicles to be parked on the west side, thereby slowing down traffic entering the village.
• A reactive speed sign and 4 posts, enabling the sign to be moved around the village.

Councillor Gardener left the meeting

97/19    PLANNING MATTERS.

• Applications

19/01019  Kimbolton School – demolish prefab building in Outdoor Pursuits Dept and replace with new.

It was proposed by Councillor Farrer, seconded by Councillor Mrs Stainer and agreed to recommend approval of the application.

• Ongoing Matters.     Mulberry Cottage stables.  No report.

98/19    REPORTS

Allotments.  Councillor Mrs Hellett provided her monthly report on the allotments and note was taken of the representations made by tenants.  The Grounds Staff will be asked to prioritise the spraying and strimming of the allotment area.   The possibility of laying black plastic on vacant plots to keep down weed growth will be considered.

Playgrounds.   Councillor Mrs Hellett also provided her report on the playgrounds.   The tree roots at the Mandeville Hall entrance could constitute a trip hazard and matter will be laid to alleviate this.   Councillor Mrs Hellett suggested using ‘MrCleverClean’ to clean the play equipment.

It was noted that the grass at Pound Lane had not been cut and the Clerk will chase the contractors.

Outside Bodies.

Kimbolton Trust.    The Chairman reported on the Trust’s activities.

Kimbolton School.  No meeting since our last meeting.

Mandeville Hall.  Councillor Mrs Lloyd said that the Hall was now making money from the solar panels and the committee is considering buying large batteries to enable surplus energy to be stored until needed.  It is thought the batteries might be located on a flat roof area.

99/19  CORRESPONDENCE

• Notification received that the owner of 22 Main Rd Stonely had appealed to the Inspector regarding refusal to grant permission for a dwelling on land adjacent to that address.
• A circular to advise that Luminus Homes will now be known as Chorus Homes.

100/19  ACCOUNTS

a)The following were proposed and approved for payment –

CGM Group Ltd                   Grass cutting                                    1531.76 inc VAT

K & M Lighting                  Streetlight mtnce & new light               1600.11 inc VAT

Wicksteed Leisure            Repair to roundabout                             427.42   “    “

E-ON                                 Energy                                                   662.86  inc     “

Mick George Ltd                Skip hire                                                201.60   “     “

David Ogilvie Ltd               Seats for new cemetery                      4290.00    “     “

Lee Bolton Monier-Williams   Consecration fee – Bishop’s office 1140.00   “      “

Vision ICT Ltd                   Website updates Op London Bridge      126.00   “     “

RGS Arboricultural Consultants    Report re Hearse House            540.00  “      “

JD Garden & Landscaping   Bases for seats & gate pillars           4790.40  “      “

D Eades                             June work                                              413.10 no   “

Payroll costs                      Pay, PAYE & NIC                               2186.36   “     “

C L Thatcher                      Fuel for Piaggio etc                                41.00  inc   “

101/19  DISTRICT COUNCILLOR was unable to be present

102/19  HIGH STREET CAR PARKING  Nothing to report.

103/19  MEMBERS’ POINTS OF INFORMATION.

Councillor Mrs Stainer said that cars owned by 6^th Formers at Kimbolton School had been racing in the High St.

Councillor Mrs Hawkes said that green refuse bins had not been emptied in some areas.

Councillor Mrs Hellett said that she had arranged a Crime Prevention Workshop which, provisionally, will take place on Tuesday 24 September.

104/19  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next normal meeting of Council will be held on Thursday 25 July 2019, commencing at 7pm in the Youth and Community Room at the Mandeville Hall.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2055 hours.