County Councillor Fitch attended for part of the meeting.

A minutes silence was held in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Cllr Buchanan has signed the Book of Condolences in Cambridge on behalf of the Council.

1. Apologies. None

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 4th March were agreed and signed.

A.. Affordable Housing off Bell Road. Building work is in progress and an open meeting is to be held on 3rd April. A list of suggested road names will be passed to Mr Budden.

B. The Clerk made a formal complaint to CCC regarding the delay in various highway matters being dealt with in the Transport and Environment Dept. Mark Lugg is now dealing with our requests and has promised that work will soon be done. The commitment to kill your speed initiative is on going.

C. Samples and catalogues from Chris Aston Ceramics for commemorative mugs will be considered by each Cllr before the next meeting. There are 200 children under 11 who attend the Primary School, Saplings Playgroup and registered at the local surgery so we will need to order 252 mugs. Bottisham WI are to send a letter requesting financial support for the Celebration Tea on June 1st for older villagers. The Church Fete will now be held on 13th July.

D. Cllr Buchanan will speak to John Hutchinson to ask if he would become Village Co- ordinator for the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Bottisham and provide a small display at the Annual Parish Meeting.

E. ECDC will arrange for the necessary notification in the local press for our adopted code of conduct. Details of the procedure for application for dispensation to speak at meetings even though an interest has been registered are available.

F. The Clerk will make the necessary arrangements by advertising in the Cresset, on the Bottisham Web site and in the Cambridge Evening News for the Annual Parish Meeting on 15th May 2002. Invitations have been accepted by PC James, Andrew Budden for the Hastoe Housing Association and Mr and Mrs Houghton from the Hilton Park Care Centre. Invitations will be sent as in previous years.

G. Following the Chairman’s letter in the Cresset the missing painting has been anonymously returned undamaged.

a. The bus shelter on the A1303 has again been vandalised and another glass panel smashed. It was agreed that the lower panels should be replaced by steel or some other durable material. Cllr Boal will contact Peter Rank for advice and an estimate. Mitex or polycarbonate panels from Glasdon (the original suppliers) would cost £68 each panel plus carriage costs of £45. Fixing costs would be additional to this.

b. There have been several acts of vandalism within the village on a Friday night and despite several requests to our Community Policeman, Mark Hurry, we have not seen him or any police officer nor received acknowledgment of our calls. The Chairman and others have walked several problem areas on some Friday nights but not found any acts of vandalism. It is understood that the names of the culprits are known but people are unwilling to come forward for fear of reprisal. It was agreed that a letter should be included in the Cresset requesting information on any further incidents to be reported directly to Police, or to the Clerk or Cllrs for them to pass information on. No action can be taken to stop these petty acts without information being given. Any information leading to a conviction could attract a small reward.

5. Reports of County and District Councillors.

Cllr Fitch presented his County Council report.

a. Both the Village College and the Primary School have very tight budgets for the coming year.

b. Cambridge Fire and rescue service have prepared a free safety check leaflet and Cllr Fitch will check if this is to be delivered to each household.

c. Alex Gee at CCC is now responsible for any bus timetable changes. Drummer Street Bus Station is due to be refurbished with the possibility of the coach terminus being moved to the Rail Station.

d. Cllr Fitch will check the delay in replying to several Cllr’s request to accompany police officers on one of their shifts.

e. He reported on a large amount of items (including mattresses) deposited near the Sewage Works. The Clerk will contact the Council.

f. Cllr Walker complained about the expense of ‘boxing in’ radiators and pipes at the Youth Centre resulting in reduced heat to the premises. Cllr Fitch will question this seemingly unnecessary expense.

Cllr Leake’s District Council report circulated with the minutes gave details of Leisure Week between 8th and 13th March and the involvement of youngsters within the District giving their opinions on current arts provision and ideas for other activities. Details of holiday refuse collections and information on the dog registration scheme and the Council Website were also given. Cllr Leake will again ask for applications for the Chairman’s award for young people in the Cresset. Cllr Boal will obtain information about a questionnaire from Gerry Daish about young people in Bottisham who deserve praise.

6. Correspondence

1. ACRE

Rediscover the Value of Age 8th April Maltings Ely Cambs Older People Advisory Group

Harvest magazine for March/April

Arts in Cambs on Tour leaflet

Details of Annual Meeting 18th April at Haddenham, Talk on New Partnerships - New Opportunities covering Parish Plans.

Details of the Village of the Year competition have been received. Entry must be made by 16th May. The Chairman will review the submission for 2001 and the Clerk will request information from village organisations about their group in the Cresset report. Although there is not now such an emphasis on tidy and litter free villages we will use this opportunity to ask residents and shop owners to keep frontages free of litter.

2. CALC. - Bulletin for March 2002 - circulated with agenda

Information on introduction of Public Speaking at Development Control Committee meetings for planning applications determined by the CCC.

Newsletter concerning Draft Structure Plan proposals for East of Cambridge - circulated with agenda. Copies were sent to villagers in Cherry Hinton, Fulbourn and Teversham.
A ‘Tiredness Kills’ poster has been displayed. Details will be sent to the Cresset.

4. DTLR Poster displayed for the Campaign against the illegal poisoning of wildlife.

5 ECDC Information on abandoned cars will be sent to the Cresset

East Cambs Community Safety Strategy 2002 - 2005 will be considered at May meeting.

Details are requested of parish plans to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Decision List for Council Meeting 5th March 2002

Decision List for Community Services Committee - 12th March 2002

Decision List for Strategic Development Committee - 20th March 2002

Decision List for Policy and Resources Committee - 27th March 2002

Agendas for various meetings - out of date.

Cambs Constabulary list of crimes recorded for February 2002 - 2 for Bottisham

Histon Sector March Newsletter.

Details of Police Local Consultation Group Meeting and agenda for 27th March. Cllrs Boal and Rayment and County Cllr Fitch attended.

February 2002 update newsletter for Care Network

Clerks and Councils Direct magazine for March 2002

Details of Society of Local Council Clerks.

Letter from Pete Johnstone suggesting we do a survey of cars through Bottisham before and after installation of Quy Roundabout Traffic Lights. There were no volunteers to do this and it was considered to be a County Council initiative.

Copy of Countryside Focus for Feb/March 2002 from The Countryside Agency

Papers for Sawston Sector Police Local Consultation Group meeting on 23rd April.

Cllrs Boal, Buchanan, McCartney, Rayment and Tilley will attend.

Cllr Fitch had sent a copy of his reply to Mrs James’ letter concerning several perceived traffic problems within Bottisham and the Clerk will write to her.

a. 01/01114/FUL - 68 Beechwood Ave - partial change of use to hair salon. An explanatory letter was also received following our many objections.

b. 01/01147/FUL - 51 Lode Rd - Victorian conservatory to the rear.

c. E/03001/CC - Bottisham Village College - replacement of 1 x 5 bay building with another and retention for a further 3 years for a 1 X 5 bay unit

d. 02/00061/FUL - Land at 15 Arber Close - new detached house plus car parking for existing dwelling 15 Arber Close.

e. 02/00046/OUT - 42A High Street - demolish single storey structure and erect a detached dwelling.

a. 02/00030/FUL - Former A1303 Service Station, Newmarket Road - renewal of planning permission for the change of use to allow for stationing of portable office building. Returned ‘no objection subject to a review after 3 years’

b. 02/00092/FUL - 49 Bell Road - two storey extension to the side - no objection

c. 02/00060/FUL - Swynford Paddocks Hotel - single storey timber framed glazed conservatory upon a dwarf wall. - no objection

d. 02/00208/FUL 28 High Street - single storey extension to the rear - no objection

e. 02/00217/FUL 11 Arber Close - 2 storey extension, front linking porch, part rebuilding of the garage and minor internal alterations - no objection.

02/00196/FUL - Hilton Park Care Centre - construction of additional care unit.

a. An offer of training by ECDC on planning matters has been made - a workshop is to be set up with other parishes.

b. The Principle Planning Officer from ECDC Geoffrey Hall has advised that any debate as to the scale and type of housing on land to the rear of Bell Road will involve the Parish Council.

c. There will be a meeting in April to further discuss the planned Design Statement. Information has been received from Comberton Parish Council. ECDC will be happy to help and advise in this matter.

d. Copies of letters from two residents of Arber Close concerning application 02/00160/FUL for retrospective permission for a shed. This matter is under consideration by ECDC Nigel Brown and Cllr Leake will check on the present position. Council reservations concerning Health and Safety have been notified.

e. The Clerk will send details of applications decided and decisions to the Cresset.

f. The Planning committee will send the Parish response to the Deposit Draft Plan Consultation for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan Review. Individual comments may also be sent.

a. Mr Thornton from CC Highways Dept has met twice with Cllrs Buchanan and Boal and John Allen as representative of the Park Estate (Bottisham) Residents’ Society Ltd to discuss village pavement problems. All papers relating to the survey made by Cllrs and Society committee members were given to Mr Thornton together with a plan for his consideration. It was agreed that tree roots uplifting the paths, parking half on road and half on the footpath and heavy use of driveways was the cause of much damage. Jenyns Close has been repaired as an emergency and money will be spent over a period of time in repairing trouble spots in many areas.

The High Street will be re surfaced in this current financial year.

Mr Thornton suggested that we request that the A1303 path at present used for walking becomes a cycle path so that funding could come from a different budget.

b. It was agreed that the litter picking areas be amended to create areas of equivalent size for 3 litter pickers at £5 per week commencing on 1st May. Cllr Buchanan will check whether the Village College is responsible for clearing litter from the sloping grass on Lode Road.

c. The lawn mowers have been serviced.

d. Trees within the old cemetery and outside 99 Beechwood Avenue have been assessed by the Trees Officer and whilst there are no safety problems some tidying is recommended.

e. The Spring Lane sign was incorrectly ordered by ECDC and the replacement should be available soon.

a. Cllr McCartney reported on the recent District Audit when an unqualified opinion was given. There were a few issues raised and corrected statements prepared. It was proposed by Cllr McCartney , seconded by Cllr Walker that the accounts now be accepted and details passed to the District Auditor for final signature.

b. Information on new auditing procedures for 2002/2003 have been received. This will be cheaper but involve more council checks of procedures and the appointment of an independent auditor. The Clerk will check if a resident can be classed as an independent person and if so contact Andrew Hume who previously helped the Council.

There has been no response from the owner or his solicitor or to the request in the Cresset for land to be donated.

a. Cllr McCartney will arrange for the purchase of laurel bushes to infill the cemetery hedge and a working party will be arranged to plant them.

b. A code of conduct will be prepared for contractors working in the cemetery following recent insensitive treatment of an adjoining grave when a headstone was being placed.

c. The Clerk will contact the Local Education Authority concerning the area of land at the far end of the Primary School site at the back of the Church presently planted with small trees. The area known as Camping Close was Common ground and facts of ownership are to be obtained. It was agreed that this was the most appropriate site although its use as a cemetery would be controversial but probably less of a problem than opening the old cemetery for re-use.

8. Notified business.

It was agreed in principle that a path to the surgery possibly from Mulberry Close should be considered at the next meeting.

There was no urgent business.

a. The Clerk will check the number of Cllrs representing a quorum at both committee and council meetings.

b. The Clerk will write on behalf of the Council to the surgery thanking Hilda Buchanan who has recently retired as Practice Nurse.

The following cheques were signed

ECDC - code of conduct local press details - signed 25/03/02 20.00

TXU Energi - monthly account 8.61

S F Overton - Salary 246.00

S F Overton - Petty Cash 40.00

Mr Bugg - 1st village, cemetery and old cemetery grass cuts 545.00

ECDC - cemetery rates 48.44

CALC - subscription to Local Council Review magazine 10.99

David Frost - Adventure Playground Equipment repair 18.00

Saplings pre School Playgroup - S137 payment 250.00

10. Next Meeting

Tuesday 7th May 2002 7.30pm Round Room at Bottisham Village College