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FC 02/2014
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HADDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 12 th February
2014 at 7.30pm at the Arkenstall Village Centre, Station Road, Haddenham, Cambs.
Attendance: Cllrs Bush, Fairchild, Goddard, Haigh, Hugo, Lyon (Chairman), Norman, Page, Parr, Smith,
Tindall, G Wilson and P Wilson.
1.
GUEST SPEAKER
Cllr Lyon welcomed Emma Grima, Infrastructure Programme Manager from East Cambs District Council
who had attended the meeting to speak about Community Infrastructure Levy. Developers will be
required to make a contribution to the District Council, based on a rate of £90 per square metre and 15%
of this will be passed on to the Parish Council to be used for the good of the parish. If a Neighbourhood
Plan were in place the amount coming to the parish would rise to 25%. There is already £778 to come
from development in Haddenham and a possible £14,000 for proposed development over the next 18
months.
The transfer of funding is expected to take place in April and October each year and must be spent
within 5 years. Payments could be made more frequently than twice a year or held back according to
what the Parish Council wishes and progress of projects. There will be criteria for what it can be spent
on and the Council will be required to demonstrate the receipts and expenditure in its annual accounts.
There are plans to exclude self-build homes from paying CIL, i.e. one dwelling built for that person to live
in for a minimum period of 3 years and this is going through government at the moment.
Class B industrial developments and social housing will also be exempt from CIL. Retail Classes A1 –
A5 will be liable but this will be reviewed next year.
The remaining 85% of contributions will be allocated at 5% for administration and 80% towards a
Regulation 123 List of projects that the District Council will compile and authorise, e.g. Ely Leisure
Village, Littleport School. Parishes may also be able to apply for projects to be added to that list but
Emma will return at some point to discuss this in more detail.
Cllr Lyon thanked Emma for attending and she left the meeting.
2.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING having been circulated to all members were taken as read. Cllr
Parr proposed and Cllr G Wilson seconded that the minutes should be signed as a true record of the
meeting subject to clarification of the “metre intervals” mentioned in Item 7 under required conditions.
Motion carried unanimously.
3.
MATTERS ARISING (For Information Only)
a.
Flashing Speed Signs: (See Minutes FC 01/2014 Item 1) The Clerk advised that the sign in West
End/Hillrow requires a replacement sensor and this is being sourced by the County Council. When the
engineer comes out to fit the new sensor he will also carry out a full inspection of all the other flashing
speed signs and put any necessary repairs in place including the one in Station Road.
b.
Contribution to Station Road Crossing: (See Minutes FC 01/2014 Item 13) The Clerk had
approached the Great Mill View developer regarding a contribution to the proposed crossing in Station
Road but unfortunately they would not be prepared to make one.
c.
Response from Rights of Way Officer re proposed wind farm: (See Minutes FC 02/2014 Item 11C)
The Officer is aware of the proposals for a wind farm and had responded to the Scoping Opinion
advising that there are already significant problems with byways being damaged and he would
discourage any increase in vehicular traffic. He had also advised that if a wind farm was built at this
location then the County Council might try to seek some compensation for the loss of enjoyment of the
paths. If planning permission is granted the byways must remain open and unobstructed at all times,
building materials and contractor’s vehicles must not be stored or parked on them. No alteration to the
byway surface is permitted without the consent of the County Council, hedges and fences must be
maintained and the developer has no right to obstruct a public right of way. The Clerk has also
forwarded details of the application for a temporary mast to the Officer.
It was agreed that Cllr Hugo would speak on behalf of the Parish Council at the District Planning
Committee Meeting on 5th March.
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Cllr G Wilson reported that an amendment to the temporary mast plan had been received and the
consultation date had now been extended to 26th February. This may delay the plan going to the District
Planning Committee until April.
Cllr Haigh raised the issue of whose opinion the Council should be representing and was told it should
be the majority but Cllr Norman felt it should be the minority as well.
4.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from County Cllr Hunt.
5.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
6.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Several members of the public wished to speak regarding the proposed application to build 100
dwellings on land to the rear of Orchard Way/Pear Tree Close off Wilburton Road and voiced their
objections, which are included in Item 11.
7.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
a.
Accounts to be authorised:
Name
Service
BT
Anglian Water
Itemised
Total
Amount
Chq No/
Method
HPC telephone Dec 13 – Feb 14
£80.52
DD
Water charges @ Fairchild’s Meadows 11.10.13 –
14.01.14
£29.76
DD
£1173.26
BACS
06.02.14
J Manning
Clerk’s salary January 2014
Copier
Warehouse Ltd
Library copier Dec 13 – Feb 14
£93.17
BACS
LGSS Pension
Fund
Clerk’s pension January 2014
£530.33
BACS
E-ON
Energy Charges January 2014
£587.12
BACS
J Manning
(January 2014)
Stationery
Internet charges Jan – Mar 14
Website fees 28.01.14 – 28.04.14
Dog poo bags for Fairchild’s Meadows
£27.49
£68.40
£17.96
£68.15
£182.00
BACS
£500.00
£2700.00
£3200.00
BACS
Haddenham
Library
HPC office rent 2012/13
Library lease 2012/13
Anglian Water
Water charges @ Burial Ground 11.10.13 – 13.01.14
£33.63
DD
East Cambs DC
Dog fouling notices
£12.00
2139
AmeyCespa
(East) Ltd
Wheelie bin and Duty of Care charges January 2014
£48.24
DD
Cllr Fairchild proposed and Cllr Parr seconded that all of the above accounts should be authorised for
payment. Motion carried unanimously.
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8.
FC 02/2014
CORRESPONDENCE
Further correspondence had been received from a resident in Station Road regarding the continuing
problems with loose straw littering the road and causing problems. The Clerk will write to the District
Council again and ask for the road to be cleaned on a regular weekly basis to try to alleviate the issue.
She also advised that she had received notification that one of the trees in the old vicarage, which
overhangs Station Road, is due to have some crown lifting work carried out and this should help as well.
The Clerk will also advise the resident of these actions and ask him to write to the District Council about
the road cleaning to add support to the letter from the Parish Council.
The District Council has given approval for the provision of additional bins for garden waste only. An
annual licence fee of £48 will be charged to the householder and this will be reviewed annually. Initially
500 bins will be made available but if there is a higher demand additional bins will be ordered and made
available. It is hoped that residents will be able to submit an application mid February and that the bins
will be available from the beginning of April. They will be allocated on a first come first served basis and
once the initial 500 have been allocated further applications will be placed on a reserve list. Only one
additional bin per household will be available in the first instance. Payment for the licence will be
accepted by telephone using a debit or credit card. Currently the one blue (recyclables) bin per property
restriction will remain but all policies connected with the new bin services will be reviewed in September.
Following meetings with local parish councils and working groups the 106 and 110 bus service
timetables have been revised to reflect feedback from those meetings and develop what will hopefully
be sustainable services based on current and potential future usage. The number of 106 passengers
travelling from Cottenham and Rampton accounts for approximately 20% of the existing passengers.
The new timetable removes the Cottenham to Wilburton section of the route but this enables the
frequency of the service to the villages where the majority of passengers are travelling from to be
increased to hourly. An additional service for Stretham and Lt Thetford will be provided as well as
enabling journeys to be made to Cambridge by transferring at Stretham, all of which should increase the
usage of the revised service. To partially offset the reduction of service from Cottenham to Ely the 110
service will operate on Saturdays in addition to Thursdays and on both days will divert via Rampton.
The next stage is to tender for the services and then register them with the Traffic Commissioner and it
is estimated that the new services will be in place around July this year and the Parish Council will try to
advertise them as widely as possible in the parish. Cllr Norman asked for clarification on if there two
stops for High Street and Hop Row as they are shown on the timetable as one. The Clerk will query this
and also ask for the Aldreth arrival and departure times to be shown more clearly on the finalised
timetables. Cllr G Wilson wished to propose a vote of thanks to Cllrs Parr and Lyon for their hard work in
helping to bring about these changes and this was seconded by Cllr P Wilson and carried unanimously.
Thanks were also given to Cllr Hunt for his involvement especially with the Stretham Hub.
Two men have been charged with several offences after they stole a vehicle in Haddenham and went on
a two-day crime spree. The owner of the car had left the keys in the ignition whilst he popped into a local
shop and the offenders took the opportunity to steal it. They will appear at Cambridge Magistrates Court
in the near future.
Following the consultation on establishing a local register of “Buildings of Local Interest” the project has
now been approved by the District Council and Lorraine Brown the Conservation Officer is seeking
nominations for buildings/structures to be included on the register. It is hoped this will identify and
formally recognise the significant assets, which define the district from: houses to bridges, war
memorials and walls, as well as street furniture, monuments and designed landscapes. Nominations
should be lodged by 4.00pm on Friday 2nd May and application forms and more information can be
obtained from the Clerk.
An event will be held on Sunday 6th April giving a unique opportunity to ride/run the washes from Mepal
to Welney and enjoy the outdoor attractions and wildlife whilst raising money for charity. Participants can
register on line at www.rotaryclubely-hereward.org.
9.
INFORMATION FROM DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Cllr Gareth Wilson reported that the Development and Transport Committee had discussed the Draft
Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Renewable Energy Development (commercial scale),
which sets out the Council’s proposed approach to large-scale renewable energy proposals. This will be
going out to consultation and comments and suggestions can be made on the District Council website.
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He also reported that following the suggestion that central government might cut £500,000 from the local
government grant the District Council Administration had wanted to bring in a consultant to find ways to
cut services but this idea was squashed and East Cambs Officers had come up with almost a quarter of
a million pounds savings in this year, giving a substantial surplus to put into reserves. However, the
Administration still plans to make up to 23 staff redundant and remaining staff will be expected to carry
on with the same workload. Some management staff have been offered their jobs back at a reduced
salary of approximately 20% less. In order to justify the cuts they have decided to take a total of
£1,921,770 out of the income from 2016, 2017 & 2018 and put it into a new reserve in case a future
Government cuts more of its council grant. This is despite the fact that the accounts for this year are in
surplus and next year’s budget is fully balanced without any increase in council tax and without any
“savings” from redundancies.
10. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, WORKING PARTIES AND GROUP REPRESENTATIVES
A.
Finance & Emergency: The next meeting will be held on Monday 24th February.
B. Planning: The next meeting will be held on Thursday 20th February.
C. Fairchild’s Meadows: The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 26th February.
D. Green Footpaths & Trees: Cllr Norman reported that a tree belonging to the school had been damaged
in the recent winds and fallen over onto trees near the Haddenham Play Area but had been cleared
away by the school the next day. Fallen trees in Hinton Hedges Lane would be cleared away by a Pond
working party the following weekend.
Ivy on the fence in the Churchyard is becoming very overgrown and Cllr Fairchild advised that the fence
and brick wall actually belong to the developers next door and it is therefore their responsibility to clear
the ivy from both sides. Cllr Bush will speak to them about it.
The County Access Team had advised that they intend to replace the footbridge from Sand Path over
the Cut because it is becoming unsafe.
E.
Road Safety: Cllr G Wilson reported that a sign had appeared in Duck Lane advising that the Local
Minor Highway traffic works will be undertaken in the near future.
F.
Street Lighting: The Clerk advised that PCSO Annie Austin did not agree with the decision taken last
month to monitor the lighting situation in Church Lane (See Minutes FC 02/2014 Item 11F) and she
wished the Council to reconsider. It was agreed that the decision as taken would still stand.
G. Arkenstall Centre: The booking system is being sorted out and will be going live on line shortly;
bookings will be available to be made up to 18 months in advance.
H. Haddenham Youth Club: Cllrs Parr, Page and G Wilson will meet with the new Youth Development
Co-ordinator for Ely, Littleport and Witchford on 10th March to hear of the plans and projects in place for
2014.
I.
Haddenham Library: Cllr Goddard reported that there was currently a systems failure, which is being
rectified. The next Friends meeting will be held on 26th February.
J.
Recreation: The next meeting will be held on 20th February. Cllr Parr advised that the committee had
given permission for the Pavilion to be used free of charge for a British Legion event on 20 th July.
10. GLADMAN DEVELOPMENTS LTD
Cllrs Bush, Tindall and G Wilson had met with two representatives from Gladman Developments Ltd
during the month to discuss a proposal for 100 houses to be built on land off Wilburton Road. Issues
raised with them included:




The land is outside the village development envelope.
The site had not been highlighted in the Village Vision or Parish Plan as a preferred site for
development.
Access on an already bad and very busy junction.
Heavy traffic using Duck Lane as a rat run in rush hour times.
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Large agricultural vehicles also using Duck Lane.
Capacity levels at the school and doctors surgery.
Gladman Developments are working on behalf of the landowner and hoped to submit an outline
planning application on 6th February. The following points were ascertained:



If permission is granted the land would then be sold to a builder/builders and the houses would be
built and released in phases, most likely over a three-year period.
There would be a broad mix of house sizes and this would be determined by demand from
potential buyers.
Any affordable housing included in the plan would be transferred to a social landlord upon
completion.
Following the meeting Cllr Bush had pursued enquiries regarding capacity levels at the school and
surgery. The surgery had responded that it is already over capacity with no room for expansion and the
recruitment of doctors is very difficult. The school is almost full to capacity with 9 classes (some mixed
year) currently supporting 266 pupils. There are plans to install a mobile classroom for September 2014,
if required, in order to allow the school to increase its PAN to 40 to cope with current pressures in the
catchment area.
Cllr P Wilson advised that although a pre-application meeting had been held with the Planning Officer no
formal application has yet been submitted but the Officer had confirmed that the proposal is totally
against the District’s policy.
The Draft Local Plan has not yet been finalised but will include the Village Visions for Haddenham and
Aldreth. Sites at New Road and Rowan Close were the only two highlighted in the Haddenham Vision as
potential housing sites in Haddenham.
As mentioned under Public Participation several residents also put forward their views/objections and
they are captured in the points listed above at the informal meeting. The Council advised that it is unable
to submit any comments until a formal planning application has been received but urged residents to
submit their views to Gladman’s and copy them to the Council. Cllr P Wilson will keep everyone
informed regarding the submission of an application.
12. HADDENHAM WAR MEMORIAL
Cllr Parr proposed and Cllr G Wilson seconded that an order should be issued to Hibbitt & Sons
(Masonry) Ltd to carry out cleaning and re-pointing work and repainting the names on the Memorial at a
cost of £1030 + VAT. The Clerk will specify that the work should be complete before 1 st November 2014.
Motion carried unanimously.
(War Memorials (Local Authorities’ Powers) Act 1923)
13. NO2 MONITORING
Cllr G Wilson proposed and Cllr Page seconded that the monitoring should continue to be carried out in
2015, as it has been Precepted for but then to be reviewed annually after that. Motion carried by a show
of 10 hands. Cllrs Fairchild and Norman were against and Cllr Haigh abstained.
14. ELY SOHAM DIAL-A-RIDE
The County Council is proposing to withdraw it’s annual grant to ESDAR and also the 50%
reimbursement for accepting bus passes and if accepted this will have a grave impact on the charity.
These cuts together with increased costs for staffing could mean the loss of the community transport
scheme. Cllr G Wilson proposed and Cllr P Wilson seconded that the Parish Council should double the
annual grant allocated to ESDAR for 2014/15 to bring it up to £500 and that this should be reviewed
annually. Motion carried unanimously.
(Local Government & Rating Act 1997 s27)
It was also agreed that a letter should be sent to the County Council to lobby for the proposed cuts to be
scrapped and advising that the Council has doubled its grant. The Clerk will also suggest to ESDAR that
it should consider wider publicity to raise the profile of its services.
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15. QUALITY STATUS
(See Minutes FC 01/2014 Item 16) The Clerk had obtained information relating to the advantages of the
Quality Status Scheme but also advised that it is currently on hold whilst alternatives are being looked
at. She had been advised by CAPALC that Haddenham’s Quality Status would remain current until
such time as a decision is made on what will replace it.
16. STREET LIGHT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
(See Minutes FC 01/2014 Item 11F) The Clerk advised that the current maintenance agreement with
Westcotec Ltd could be extended for a further year to 31st March 2015 at the current prices. Cllr Tindall
proposed and Cllr Parr seconded that this should be authorised. Motion carried unanimously.
(Local Government Act 1894 s8(1)(i))
17. PLANNING COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE
A suggestion had been made to amend the Terms of Reference to include a clause that large planning
applications should automatically come to Full Council for consideration but it was agreed this would be
difficult to clarify and that it should be left to the judgement of the Clerk whether plans should come to
the Council or Committee.
18. TINDERBOX PRE-SCHOOL
Cllr Parr proposed and Cllr G Wilson seconded that permission should be given to the Tinderbox PreSchool to hold an Easter Fun Day on Saturday 5th April at the Aldreth Playing Field. Motion carried
unanimously.
19. WISER RECYCLING EVENT
Another electrical recycling event will be held in Haddenham & Aldreth, date to be decided. The
Clerk will liaise with Paul Duggan to finalise the details and advertising.
20. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 16th April 2014 at 7.30pm at the Arkenstall
Centre. The format of the agenda will be slightly different this year with a general report from the
Chairman instead of reports from all working parties and committees. An article explaining the difference
between the Annual Parish Meeting and an Annual Parish Council meeting will be placed in Village
Voice and on the website and notice boards. Residents and local organisations of Haddenham &
Aldreth will be invited to submit agenda items by Tuesday 11th March. The Clerk will also approach the
WI, Local History Group and The Ark to ask if they would like to send a speaker to report on their
activities. The agenda will be finalised at the March meeting.
21. MATTERS TO REPORT
Cllr Norman advised that he does not find the Wilburton Parish Council minutes published in Village
Voice very easy to understand.
A wiring plan for the Social Club lights will be obtained for the records. (See Minutes FC 01/2014 Item
14)
Cllr Fairchild advised that he had been contacted by the Emergency Planning Team for a contact
number for the Arkenstall Centre and he had given them the Caretaker’s number.
The Clerk advised that further to enquiries regarding the Haddenham Fen Road (See Minutes MM
11/2013 Item 2b) the County Council has no plans for that section of the road to have any major
maintenance works this financial year. Cllr Hunt is awaiting information from the Local Highway
Manager for East Cambridgeshire to detail what works have been done recently and ascertain what else
needs doing.
Cllr Parr reported that although a large dip in the Grunty Fen road had been repaired it was not a very
good job and would probably need doing again in the near future.
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22. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 12th March 2014 at 7.30pm at the Arkenstall Village
Centre, Station Road, Haddenham, Cambs.
There being no further business the meeting was called to a close at 9.50pm.
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