Meeting Minutes: 27th June 2024

KIMBOLTON & STONELY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the annual Council meeting held at 7 p.m. on Thursday 27 June 2024 in the Youth Hall at the Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton.

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

IN ATTENDANCE County Councillor I Gardener, District Councillor J Gray and C L Thatcher, Clerk to the Council

93/24 APOLOGIES There were none

94/24 PUBLIC FORUM was not used.

95/24 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.

None were made.

96/24 COUNTY COUNCILLOR Ian Gardener said that the Quality of Life Survey is available online until 19 July.

He reminded members that photo ID is now required when voting.

Recycling Centres will now accept coffee pods.

There is a mapping service to identify water courses.

He has chased Highways regarding the two unserviceable signs in Stonely.

Councillor Seabrook interjected by drawing attention to the hedge adjacent to the B645 through Stonely, which is overgrown and forces vehicles towards the centre of the road. He is particularly concerned about school buses. Councillor Gardener said that if the names of the relevant properties are given to him, he will get Highways to write to the householders.

A final decision on 20mph applications will be taken on 3 September, though he should learn the results by 29 August. Members further discussed the decision to apply for 20 mph blanket coverage and Councillor Hutchinson wished to make clear that the advice he had been given by the County Council was to apply for the whole area and, if successful, then reduce the coverage to those parts thought necessary.

Councillor Farrer joined the meeting

97/24 MINUTES of the Council meeting of 30 May 2024 were read and Councillor Mrs Hellett presented 19 changes she wished to be made to the minutes. She was unwilling to sign the minutes until those changes had been made and therefore the approval of the minutes of 30 May 2024 was deferred until the next meeting.

98/24 MATTERS ARISING.

Councillor Seabrook referred to minute 69/24 in which the Chairman had referred to improving relationships between the Council and the Mandeville Hall Committee and the Cricket Club and asked what was meant by that. The Chairman said that there had been a ‘frosty relationship’ which she wished to see improved. Councillor Seabrook said that there is no frosty relationship and all organisations are working together successfully.
It was agreed to change the positions of the MVAS signs. ACTION:CLERK
Councillor Gooderham said that so far this year there had been 70 calls for service and that at their Open Day they had signed 3 new recruits, so they now have 8.

He is retiring from the service on 6 January 2025.

Whilst the question of closure of Fire Stations is still live, no decision has yet been made.

Statty Fair. Councillor Ms Jessup asked about the arrangements for road closures. Councillor Gooderham said he has spoken with the fairground operator and will be speaking with him again next week. He will then contact FirstCall TM and find out the costings for the traffic management. ACTION:RG

Councillor Gooderham left the meeting.

Village ‘Walkabout’.

Repair is needed to the spring elephant in the Playpark together with

the benches. ACTION CLERK

A possible sensory garden in Halls Meadow is being considered.

ACTION:DH

Councillor Gardener left the meeting.

The main part of Halls Meadow brambles need cutting and dead trees removed. CLERK

A cover for the skip in the cemetery to improve the look was suggested. “

The allotments were described as being largely in a disgraceful state and it was suggested that the bench be placed on the top of the old bonfire area.

Letters are to be sent to those who are not cultivating their plots. ACTION:CLERK

The Rookery Lane and Causeway drain covers are bent and twisted. The reference printed on them is D400.

Councillor Farrer left the meeting.

Cemetery Cottage.

The Clerk reported that the quote for the shower room in the sum of £3458.00 made by Mr Shipley was confirmed as being in accordance with the specification provided. It was therefore proposed by Councillor Mrs Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Ms Bradbury and agreed to engage Mr Shipley to undertake the work.

Website. The Clerk reported that he had met with James Moore and they had discussed areas of the website which do not appear to be working correctly and instruction upon updating the website had been given. Unfortunately, this process is far more laborious than at present. Accordingly Mr Moore has offered to update the website with information provided to him.

There are still errors in the content which need addressing.

Pound Lane Car Park Quotes. Nothing further received.

99/24 PLANNING

The following application was considered.

24/01051/TREE 8 Station Rd, Kimbolton – remove Scots pine.

It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Lee and agreed to recommend approval.

The Clerk referred to another planning application which had arrived too late for inclusion on the agenda and said that a special meeting will be necessary to be able to respond within the time limit. It was agreed to try to arrange a meeting for 3 July 2024.

100/24 REPORTS

Allotments. Councillor Mrs Lloyd said that complaints had been made about the lack of mowing of public areas in the allotments. The Clerk said that it was simply due to a lack of time and the bad weather, but they had been mown now.

Footpaths. Councillor Mrs Stainer said that the footpath from Rookery Lane by the allotments and the path around the pond had not been cut.

District Councillor Jonathan Gray joined the meeting.

Playpark. Councillor Lee has met with a company named Playdale to look at potential sites for play equipment. They have suggested ideas and will help towards obtaining grants.

Maintenance. The streetlight on the footpath by Beacon Finance is out. ACTION:CLERK

It was said that it would be nice to have the hearse refurbished and that Regency Funerals might be willing to help with that. ACTION:DH

Councillor Mrs Stainer said that a tree by the electricity sub station in Hunters Way is dying.

The Agreement for use of Pound Lane pitch for football was presented and signing agreed.

There is a meeting of the Personnel Working Party tomorrow.

Events. It was agreed that the summer fair will be on 24 August and the Christmas event will be on 1 December.

REPORTS BY REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES.

Mandeville Hall Committee. Councillor Hutchinson said that the new Chairman of the Mandeville Hall Committee is Barry Andrews and Stan Rhodes is Treasurer. Projects include the ladies toilets and repairs to the roof where there has been water ingress. Some chairs are stained and will be cleaned. The film night was cancelled as only 3 tickets were sold.
Kimbolton Trust No meeting had been held. Councillor Mrs Hellett said that perhaps the Trust might pay for a new defibrillator to be placed on the outside of the Medical Centre.
Kimbolton School Governors. Councillor Mrs Hellett said that the School AGM is tomorrow and that the swimming pool refurbishment is on schedule.

Councillor Farrer re-joined the meeting.

101/24 KEEP THE VILLAGE TIDY CAMPAIGN

Councillor Ms Jessup said that many people had remarked that the village was looking scruffy and she suggested a leaflet distribution asking residents to take care of their own areas. Posters will be produced. ACTION:HB

102/24 NAME PLAQUES/STREET SIGNS

Councillor Ms Jessup said that there are many places within the parish which are known by their ancient names, but do not have any indication of where they are. She would like to see signs placed on such areas as ‘The Butts’ and ‘Hall’s Meadow’ and suggested that perhaps a competition could be instituted at school for an appropriate design. ACTION:CJ/DH

103/24 CORRESPONDENCE

The Clerk reported on the receipt of a circular from our insurers urging us to insure against cyber attacks. It was agreed to await information on costs.

104/24 ACCOUNTS

The following were approved for payment –

Ibbetts Mower hire 600.00

Seabrook Farms Weedkiller & fuel 152.76

K & M Lighting Maintenance 128.15

Hunts District Council Fitness instructor 234.00

Fishers Sundries 144.43

SSE Energy 485.34

CAPALC Chairman’s course fee 100.00

H Brace Grounds contractor 1680.00

L Roberts “ “ 216.00

Glasdon Ltd Litter bin 375.29

Rural Services Partnership subscription 60.00

Payroll Pay, NI and Tax 3271.39

Mrs D Hellett reimbursement petrol 75.82

Mrs R Lloyd reimbursement gift 25.00

The Clerk referred to the recent update of Financial Regulations by NALC and recommended that this council should adopt them. Some regulations stated the law on particular positions whilst others enabled council to choose what best suited them. He will circulate the draft regulations and suggest the variable items. ACTION:CLERK

105/24 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR Councillor Gray had enquired about the advertising of the Hunters Way open space as being for sale. He had spoken with the District Council and been told that the regulations do not allow for the Parish Council to be consulted. He has complained to the Chief Executive. The decision to dispose of the land had not yet been finalised and it was agreed to place this matter on the agenda of the next meeting for a decision to be made on our response.

ACTION:CLERK

106/24 HIGH ST CAR PARKING no report

107/24 MEMBERS’ POINTS OF INFORMATION.

Councillor Hutchinson asked for clarification on the General Power of Competence. It appears that the percentage of councillors needing to have stood for election was 66%, not 75% as advised. In practice, this makes no difference in this Council as both numbers will require 8 councillors to be so qualified.

Councillor Mrs Stainer said that the cemetery gate in Carnaby has been given a facelift, but now the bridge needs cleaning and algae treated.

Car parking in the area of Dukes Row on the pavement is becoming a problem.

Councillor Ms Jessup said that parking on yellow lines takes place in Newtown.

A wish-list for the village to help forward planning would be useful.

The Chairman said that she had been told that signage was needed on the council’s vehicle to meet regulations.

The Grounds Staff had provided her with a list of hand tools needed.

She wishes to reinstate the Flood Action Group. Councillor Seabrook said it remains in being and the first action should be to get the silt removed.

108/24 TO RESOLVE to exclude the Press and public from the following items in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 on the grounds of confidentiality.

A contractor, LR, had been engaged to assist the Grounds Keepers primarily with grass cutting, at a rate of £12 per hour for up to 16 hours per week, as and when required. This was proposed by Councillor Seabrook, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellett and agreed.

Procedure for the appointment of Clerk and RFO.

The Clerk, having resigned will leave the council on 31 August. The Chairman said that she had arranged for a meeting of the Personnel Working Party to take place tomorrow at which a prospective candidate will be interviewed.

The Clerk reminded council that the Working Party could make no decisions and that it will be necessary to obtain the approval of the council to any appointment proposed. He also suggested that it would be useful to circulate the vacancy details throughout Cambridgeshire SLCC members and via Northants ALC, which he will do, and will place a closing date of 15 July on applications.

109/24 NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Council will be an additional meeting on Wednesday 3 July, followed by the normal meeting on Thursday 25 July 2024, commencing at 7pm in the Youth Room at the Mandeville Hall..

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2245 hours.

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