Meeting Minutes: 27th May 2021

KIMBOLTON & STONELY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Annual Council meeting held at 8.45 p.m. on Thursday 27 May 2021 in the Main Hall at the Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton.

PRESENT  Councillors P Seabrook; K Hutchinson; D Poole; Mrs C Jessup; L Farrer ; Mrs D Hellett; Mrs R Lloyd ; R Gooderham & Ms S Mugglestone.

IN ATTENDANCE  County Councillor I Gardener & C L Thatcher, Clerk to the Council 

76/21  ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN    It was proposed by Councillor Gooderham, seconded by Councillor Poole and unanimously agreed that Councillor Paul Seabrook be elected Chairman for the 2021/2022 year.

77/21  APOLOGIES  were received from Councillors Mrs E Milne & Mrs J Stainer

78/21  PUBLIC FORUM  was not used.

79/21  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.   

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

80/21  COUNTY COUNCILLOR  Councillor Gardener reported upon the additional costs which will be incurred in relation to the pedestrian crossing.   The cost of providing power is considerably more than was expected, though it may be possible to connect to a County Council streetlamp supply and County Highways have just realised the extent of the diversion which will have to be put in place, advertised and signed.  This is via the A1;A14 and A45.   

Members wondered whether this was really necessary and Councillor Gardener will see what he can find out.

Councillor Mrs Lloyd joined the meeting.

The discussion turned to other forms of traffic calming, including 20 mph limits and ‘buffer zones’.

Councillor Gardener advised that the USAF at Alconbury were offering to clean war memorials in the locality.

He referred to the Flood Forum and said that an event at Alconbury showed the means of flood protection.  The Chairman said that he had received a letter, but he felt that the Environment Agency were not proactive.

Councillor Gardener will try to arrange a meeting with Environment Agency representative in July.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Gardener for all the time and effort he puts into helping this council.

Councillor Gardener left the meeting.

Councillor Gray joined the meeting.

81/21 MINUTES of the Council meeting of 29 April 2021 were read, approved and signed as a true record of that meeting,

82/21  MATTERS ARISING

• Neighbourhood Watch.  The rural watch patrols take place tonight.
• Pound Lane.   A meeting with the Cricket Club is needed soon.
• Cemetery Wall repairs    Quotes still awaited.
• Twinning.   No action to be taken during the pandemic.
• Pedestrian Crossing.  Situation reported in 80/21 above.
• Riverside land.  The land had been inspected by the Chairman and Clerk and Mr Kidman asked to quote for clearing it.  It was agreed to await the end of the bird nesting season before commencing work, except for the removal of dead trees, which could be considered to be a danger to the public.
• Proposed Street Market  Councillor Mrs Hellett will get a group of traders to come along. She asked about liability insurance.  The Clerk willcheck with our insurers regarding the organising of the event, but it is expected that traders will have their own insurance.

The School has offered an area in front of Lewis Hall.  There is now a need to advertise, which Councillor Mrs Hellett will coordinate.

• Footpath through Kimbolton School.    It was thought this path should be re-routed, given concerns for childrens’ safety but the response from the School is awaited.
• Coronavirus update was provided earlier by Councillor Gardener.

83/21  PLANNING

Applications.    The following were considered:

21/00575LBC  Kimbolton School – repairs to Gatehouse.  It was proposed by Councillor Hutchinson, seconded by Councillor Mrs Lloyd and unanimously agreed to recommend approval as appropriate development.

21/00456   1 Dukes Row, Kimbolton – erect garden room.

Members had inspected the site and were of the opinion that this proposal was not suitable development.  It was accordingly proposed by Councillor Mrs Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Gooderham and agreed to recommend refusal, on the grounds that the proposed building is too big and is out of character with the surroundings.

Ongoing Matters

Mulberry Cottage stables.  No report.

The Clerk read a letter from a neighbour of the development proposed for 37-41 Main Rd Stonely in which he expressed surprise that this council had recommended approval of the development.  It seems that his views were not quite as had been presented to council.   His letter was noted.

Councillor Ms Mugglestone left the meeting. 

84/21  REPORTS

Allotments     It was reported that the grass in the ‘public’ areas of the allotments was getting long and, pending the vacant plots being rotavated and seeded, it was agreed to use Roundup to keep the weeds down.

Highways.  A number of complaints and concerns have been raised regarding inconsiderate and indeed, dangerous, parking by some drivers near to White House and the former Vicarage.   The police have been informed.

Playgrounds.  The litter bins are full and there is rubbish on the ground.

Outside Bodies.   

Mandeville Hall – no report.

85/21  DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

Councillor Gray apologised for his lateness.  He said the District Council had been comparatively quiet for the past two months, but met 10 days ago in St Ives.     He remains a member of the Cabinet with responsibility for Strategic Finance.

He said he was sorry to hear of the cost increases for the pedestrian crossing.

The District Council intends to take back responsibility for parking control from the police.

It is also intended to re-build the planning service, which had suffered a considerable shortage of staff.

The Chairman thanks Councillor Gray for his support throughout the year. 

86/21  ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

It was proposed by Councillor Seabrook, seconded by Councillor Mrs Lloyd and agreed that Councillor Keith Hutchinson be Vice Chairman for the coming year.

87/21  CHAIRMAN’S ALLOWANCE

It was agreed that the Allowance for 2021/22 should remain at £200.

88/21  WORKING PARTY MEMBERSHIP

It was agreed that membership should remain as last year, i.e.-

Allotments  – Councillors Mrs Hellett and Mrs Lloyd

Burial and Cemeteries – Councillors Hutchinson, Gooderham and Farrer

Dog Fouling – Councillors Gooderham and Farrer

Footpaths – Councillors Mrs Lloyd; Mrs Stainer; Mrs Jessup and (co-opted) Mr G Lloyd.

Grounds and Car Parking – all members

Playgrounds – Councillor Mrs Hellett

Planning, Structures and Supervision of Property – all members

Trees – Councillors Gooderham; Mrs Stainer and Mrs Jessup

Personnel – Councillors Hutchinson; Farrer and Mrs Milne

Highways – Councillors Farrer and Poole

Neighbourhood & Countryside Watch – Councillors Farrer & Ms Mugglestone

Pound Lane – Councillors Hutchinson; Gooderham and Farrer.

The Chairman is an ex-officio member of all Working Parties.

89/21  REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

The following were agreed –

Civil Protection –  Councillor Gooderham

Mandeville Hall – Councillor Mrs Jessup

Kimbolton Trust 1986 –  Councillors Seabrook and Hutchinson

Kimbolton School Governors – Councillor Mrs Hellett

90/21  GENERAL POWER OF COMPETENCE

It was agreed that both this Council and the Clerk remain qualified and therefore the General Power of Competence will be adopted for the coming year.

91/21  FEES AND CHARGES

• Allotments.  It was proposed by Councillor Poole, seconded by Councillor Gooderham and agreed that the allotment rents would increase to £45 p.a. for a full plot and £22.50 pa for a half plot with effect from 1 October 2022.

• Cemetery

It was proposed by Councillor Gooderham, seconded by Councillor Hutchinson and agreed that all cemetery fees be increased by 2%, rounded to the nearest £5 above, with effect from 1 August 2021.

92/21  ANNUAL WALKABOUT

It was agreed to hold this event on Thursday 10 June, commencing at 7pm outside the Mandeville Hall. 

93/21  CORRESPONDENCE

• Concerns have been expressed by a number of residents regarding the thoughtless – and dangerous – parking on the bend by the White House in the High St.  The Clerk has informed the police.
• LHI bid.  The County Council has asked that either we reduce our bid to just one MVAS or increase our contribution from 10% to 20%.  After some discussion it was proposed by Councillor Mrs Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Gooderham and agreed to increase our contribution to 20%.
• MAGPAS request for donations.  It was proposed by Councillor Gooderham, seconded by Councillor Mrs Lloyd and agreed to donate £100 to MAGPAS. 

94/21  ACCOUNTS

• The following were approved for payment –

K & M Lighting.               Streetlight maintenance                 £125.48

Came & Co                     Piaggio insurance                          £463.68

Fishers                            Groundsman sundries                     £25.50

D Eades                          May work                                       £348.91

Payroll costs                   Pay, PAYE, NIC April                   £2244.77

Microsoft                         Office fee                                         £79.99

Dell                                  Computer warranty                         £44.33

95/21  HIGH ST CAR PARKING

          No report other than parking issues raised above.

96/21  MEMBERS’ POINTS OF INFORMATION

Councillor Farrer once more drew attention to the poor state of Carnaby footpath.

Councillor Gooderham referred to motorcyclists speed and noise at weekends and asked that the police attend on Saturdays and Sundays.

He also asked that consideration be given to planting a specimen tree for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.

Councillor Gray left the meeting

97/21  IT WAS RESOLVED to exclude the Press and public from the next item in accordance with the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960.

98/21  STAFFING MATTERS

Councillor Hutchinson reported upon, together with Councillor Mrs Milne, having held the annual appraisal of Sue Moran and matters arising were discussed.

99/21  NEXT MEETING

The next normal meeting of Council  will be held on Thursday 24 June 2021 in the main hall of the Mandeville Hall commencing immediately at 8pm.

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