Meeting of THORNEY PARISH COUNCIL held in the Council Chamber, Tank Yard,
Thorney on Monday 12 November 2012 at 7.00 p.m.
PRESENT
Chair: Councillor: J E G Bartlett
Councillors: R Bevington, Mrs. D Halfhide, J Rowe, Mrs. L Sheldrake, Mrs. S Selby,
E. Gee, J Brooks, B Ogden,
Peterborough City Councillors D McKean, D Sanders and D Harrington
Mr. J Woodhouse, Stagecoach, PCSO Donna Grummitt
18 members of the public
120/12-13
To receive and approve apologies for absence
D. J Buddle
121/12-13
To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests Declarations
To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests Declarations in any items on the agenda
– none
To approve minutes of the meeting of 8 October 2012
Minutes of the Council meeting held of 8 October were confirmed and signed
122/12-13
123/12-13
Matters arising from minutes
124/12-13
Public Participation and Mr. J Woodhouse, Stagecoach
(36 bus travelling along Park Crescent)
At the last meeting members of the public raised the following points:
1. Suggestion that buses turn round in Park Close
2. Many residents in the area use the bus
3. Some buses mount pavement to avoid cars damaging the surface of the
pavement
Mr. Woodhouse apologised for not attending the last meeting and agreed to go back
and look at the suggestion that the bus goes to the end of Wisbech Road, reverses
into Park Crescent and then onto the Duke of Bedford School.
The Chairman read the “call in” decision from Peterborough City Councillors that will
now go to the Sustainable Growth and Environment Capital Scrutiny Committee on
19th November.
On 5 November 2012, the Peterborough City Council Cabinet made an executive
decision relating to the Development of Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (Pv)
Panels (Solar Farms) and Wind Turbines. In accordance with the Constitution this
decision was published on 5 November 2012.
On 8 November 2012, Councillors Harrington, Sanders and Sylvester submitted a
request to call-in this decision on the following grounds:
(i) The decision does not follow the principles of good decision making set out in
Article 12 of the Council’s Constitution, specifically that the decision maker did not:
(a) realistically consider all alternatives and, where reasonably possible, consider the
views of the public
Councillor Harrington explained that Peterborough City Council did not initially
consult with the tenant farmers to explore if there were any alternative schemes
which would achieve the same results as the proposed scheme outlined in the report
e.g.
a. Building anaerobic digestion plant with co-operation from tenant farmers.
b. Straw Burning Plant
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c. Growing Bio fuel Crops on a certain percentage of land.
d. Installing renewables on and around farm buildings.
2. Farmer advice not taken into account initially on using grade 1 and grade 2
agricultural land for other use than farming.
a. National Planning Policy states that grade 1, 2 and 3a, land should only be used
for agriculture and should be used for no other purposes unless it has been clearly
established no alternatives are available. This has not been illustrated and
established in the cabinet report.
3. Have not engaged with any third parties to seek possibility of installing schemes
within industrial areas. E.g. warehouse roofs etc.
Notice of motion will be put to full Council on 25 November and if this is carried will
remain in force for a period of 6 months.
Mrs. Clipston, Chair of Newborough Landscape Protection Group,
(www.newboroughlandscapeprotection.co.uk) explained the lack of communication
and consultation once Peterborough City Council had notified tenant farmers of
Peterborough City Council right to cancel tenancy agreements.
Councillor Harrington said that timing and the combination of solar and wind energy
generation was essential for the scheme to proceed.
125/12-13
Matters for Information and Reports
1. Crime report – 8 crimes (3 theft, 2 burglary, stolen vehicle and cycle, and
domestic incident)
a. Skateboards, scooters and bicycles using a wide area of pavement
near the take-a-way shop in Wisbech Road – this has now addressed
and a letter of thanks received from Mrs. Orr Burns
b. Consult and seek the views of the local community regarding the
provision of a purpose built Skate Park.
c. If support is identified, set up an implementation / working group to
deliver a Skate Park to Thorney. Site visit completed with Ms. Almond,
Peterborough City Council Neighbourhood Manager. There is a need to
form a committee so that funding can be applied for – then consultation
within the village. Any skate park has to be 100m away from the
nearest property.
Councillor Rowe asked what a skate park had to do with crime and
order. Councillor Brooks said that Inspector Hill was promoting the idea
at the last Police liaison meeting
Councillor Ogden stated that Stuart Dodswell must be involved with the
project as he had done much work to bring it to people’s attention.
2. Bedford Hall Management Committee – Councillor Sheldrake – possibility that
lease terms may have to include clause to allow marriages. Main hall will be
out of action during January for floor repairs.
Meeting with Peterborough City Council Estates concerning bar extension.
Peterborough City Council wish to make full use of the building and believe
that moving the library and social centre into the premises will release the
building in Church Street.
3. Parish Conference 23rd October at Kingsgate, Parnwell – Councillor Selby
gave a brief outline and note from the event were circulated.
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4. Planning Forum 1 November – planning application fees to increase. At the
next forum a presentation will be made on the Enforcement teams work
Discussion on CIL fees – all revenue to go to Peterborough City Council for
their use.
126/12-13
To discuss the vacancies caused by resignations of
Mr. Bellamy and Mr. Murphy
Advert to be placed in Village magazine
127/12-13
Report from City Councillors
Councillor McKean – scoping exercise top Woburn Drive. Thorney Parish Council
objections to using this site for development submitted to Peterborough City Council
last year.
Councillor Sanders – welcomed a move away from Neighbourhood Committees back
to Parish Council Liaison. He agreed with Councillor Rowe concerning Police priority
involvement with consulting the public about skate park rather than crime prevention.
128/12-13
Finance
1. To note income and approve Payments
Fenland Stonemasons
Mr. Ewing
Anglia Regional Coop
Soc
Mrs. Bradbury
Mr. R Rex
Mr. Cunnington
Memorial Mr. Robinson
Allotment rent
£80.00
£30.00
Inter Mr. Thrower
Allotment rent
Allotment rent
Allotment rent
£150.00
£30.00
£30.00
£30.00
The following Cheques were drawn and signed:-
Payee
Mr. A E Hovell
Grounds
Maintenance
Shaw and Son
Glazewing
Grounds
Maintenance
Reason
Cheque
Amount
Postage, travel, telephone
001887
£51.30
Cut Abbey Lawns
New Cemetery Book
Skip at cemetery
001888
001889
001890
£48.00
£343.20
£62.78
Strim Abbey Churchyard
001891
£222.00
2. Monthly bank reconciliation – agreed and signed
3. Cherry tree at cross roads – Councillor Ogden chasing quotes for its removal
129/12-13
Planning Approvals and Refusals
12/01299/HHFUL Replacement of the 4 rear windows with aluminium windows as the specifications
supplied at 184 Wisbech Road – approved
12/01292
77 Wisbech Road – rear extension – approved
12/01052
84 Wisbech Road – extension to rear to create store and office above – appeal to
Secretary of State
Land South Of French Drove And East Of Scolding Drove At Wrydecroft - Removal of
conditions C2 and C3, and variation of C4 and C13 of Appeal Ref APP/J0540/N08/2090541
dated 01/04/2010 - Construct six wind turbines, transformers, control building and
compound, wind monitoring mast, access tracks, crane hardstanding and associated works,
plus a temporary construction compound and two temporary wind monitoring masts –
Permitted under Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order
2010 Without Compliance (Planning Permission)
Reason for decision:
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Subject to the imposition of the attached conditions, the proposal is acceptable having been
assessed in the light of all material considerations, including weighing against relevant policies of
the development plan and specifically:
- the proposed removal of conditions 2 and 3, and variation of condition 4 will still ensure that
sufficient mitigation measures may be put in place to prevent any detrimental impact upon the
operation of PAR system at RAF Wittering;
- the proposed deed of variation to the Section 106 Legal Agreement approved under appeal
reference APP/J0540/A/08/2090541 will ensure a sufficient financial contribution towards the
required mitigation measures; and no other material changes have been proposed to the
approved scheme which was considered acceptable by an Inspector at Public Examination under
appeal reference APP/J0540/A/08/2090541.
130/12-13
Planning Applications and other matters
1. Planning applications
12/01459
20 Sandpit Road – conversion garage to learning/quite room – no
objections
12/01565
Use of land South side Northey Road for gypsy family site – Thorney
Parish Council object to this proposal. Works may interfere with archaeological
remains, that this is in a flood area and note to be taken of past planning refusals for
similar developments in this area.
12/01465 Woodstock, Crowland Road – demolition existing dwelling and construction
replacement 4 bedroom dwelling – support application as new dwelling will be in
Duke of Bedford buildings style and materials.
12/01602
58 The Causeway – 2 storey rear extension – no objections
12/01497
Fire Station, Station Road – replace cladding – no objections
12/00503
5, Toneham Farm Cottages, Toneham Lane – new detached farm
dwelling – no objections
Lights outside village shop queried by local residents – brass type finish – Mr. Daley
consulted
131/12-13
Burial Authority
Roads and Footpaths
1. Street lighting – faults reported by Councillor Bartlett.
2. Parking Order amendment for layby near take-away Wisbech Road – Thorney
Parish Council objects to the proposals because resident permit parking will
set a precedent in the village. A similar suggestion for Church Street was
rejected by Peterborough City Council despite there being a sign stating
resident parking only. This layby is illegally used at present and enforcement
should be carried out. The area is heavily used by people calling at the shop
and should remain with its restrictions that are now present.
132/12-13
Parking Order amendment for area outside Duke of Bedford School – Thorney
Parish Council supports the proposals
3. Peterborough City Council confirms that the purchase order has been placed
to remove the two cameras in the centre of village and repair and re
commission the two cameras on the outskirts.
4. PCSO’s to be asked to enforce parking restrictions on slip road from Wisbech Road
into Church Street.
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5. Provision of salt bins. This is not a Parish Council function but should come from
Peterborough City Council.
133/12-13
Allotments
Village Matters
1. Balloon take off from Park – being dealt with by Peterborough City Council.
Balloon skims tree tops on takeoff when going west.
2. Litter and rubbish around youth shelter – Chairman to liaise.
134/12-13
135/12-13
Code of Conduct
Councillors may be granted a dispensation to take part in Council business where this would
otherwise be prohibited because they have a DPI. Provided Councillors act within the terms
of their dispensation there is deemed to be no breach of the Code of Conduct or the law.
Parish Councils are responsible for determining requests for a dispensation by a parish
councillor to speak or vote on a matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest
(DPI).
Thorney Parish Council reserves such decisions for the full parish council.
The parish council may grant a dispensation to either
1. Speak and/or
2. Vote
and dispensations may be granted for one meeting or for a period not exceeding 4 years.
In the interests of openness and transparency the parish council will amend standing orders
to ensure that any Councillor who has been granted a dispensation should declare the nature
and existence of the dispensation before the commencement of any business to which it
relates.
Thorney Parish Council agreed Dispensations to Speak and Vote for the following
Thorney Abbey: Councillors Bartlett and Gee
Bedford Hall: Councillor Sheldrake
Community Centre: Councillors Bevington and Bartlett
Thorney Society: Councillors Gee, Halfhide, Bevington and Bartlett
Royal British Legion: Councillor Brooks
Correspondence
1. Letter from Parochial Church Council thanking Thorney Parish Council for
agreeing to strim Abbey Churchyard 5 times per year. They will organise
times directly with Mr. Stevenson
2. Confirmation from ACRE Payroll services that they are ready for HMRC
Real Time Information requirements
3. Cambridgeshire Funding Fair, Newmarket Racecourse 19th November
136/12-13
137/12-13
Matters as agenda items for future consideration
Any other business
Trees in Park – Chairman to liaise with Mr. Wilcockson concerning additional
trees
138/12-13
139/12-13
Date of next meeting
Meeting of the Parish Council 10th December 2012.
The meeting closed at 8.46 pm
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