Andrew Budden, Regional Development Manager for Hastoe Housing Association advised Cllrs that work on the houses off Bell Rd had started. The initial site meeting is on 13th March. Completion date is expected to be November. An Open Meeting will be held on Wednesday 3rd April at the Royal British Legion from 2.30pm until 7.00pm. Invitations will be sent to the 100 or so interested people. The Clerk will prepare posters and an advert for the Cresset. The criteria for occupancy is for those who live in, have a strong local connection or work in Bottisham, and priority will be given to those presently in Bottisham, then the adjoining ECDC villages (Lode, Swaffham Bulbeck, Westley Waterless and Brinkley) and then thirdly other East Cambridgeshire villages. The level of interest was such that Bottisham people would most likely be the occupiers. A committee of Housing Managers from ECDC, Hastoe Housing and Hereward Housing will make the allocations and their choice may be shared with the Council (in strict confidence) if we so wish. A brochure for shared ownership properties (minimum 40% and maximum 80%) will be issued soon. Financial limits will be set to a level where joint incomes would preclude house purchase in the normal market. Qualifications for the occupancy of shared ownership properties is exactly the same as for rented properties. The prices for these homes will be set within 3 months of the start of building. There will be no right to buy as our village settlement is less than 3000 and we are a rural area.

Landscaping plans are being drawn up with the District Council and a copy will be sent to the Clerk for the Council’s comments. A tree belt is to be planted around the site and wooden fencing is to be kept to a minimum. It was agreed that a seat could be purchased for the area adjoining Bell Road. The Council were asked to make suggestions for street names and Cllr Walker will contact the Staine Hundred Society for information on old field names. Mr Budden thanked the Council for their support. It was noted that negotiations had been ongoing for over 10 years on various sites. Mr Budden is prepared to attend the Annual meeting.

1. Apologies. Cllr McCartney

It was formally proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Walker that the meeting be suspended to allow for discussion with Mrs Dix and Mr Woodward on item 4 (b) - the removal of the laurel hedge in the cemetery.

A 10 minute time limit was set. The visitors expressed their shock at the speed of the work insufficient information and no prior warning that work was to take place. They were both concerned that there is now a perceived lack of privacy for those attending their loved ones graves. It was agreed that with hindsight some warning of the hedge removal should have been given as this was a sensitive issue. The Chairman explained that more grave spaces were urgently needed for those wishing to be buried in Bottisham and the Council had agreed that the removal of the laurel hedge was necessary to make this possible. It was agreed that the cemetery committee would meet to discuss additional planting within the Legion and Bowling Green hedges to obtain more privacy and that the protruding tree stump should be examined and possibly removed.

Mr Woodward requested that the moles at present in the cemetery should be removed. Mr Woodward thanked Cllr Tilley for his letter following the February meeting.

Cllrs Leake proposed that the meeting be resumed seconded by Cllr Rayment .

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

A.. Affordable Housing off Bell Road as previously discussed.

B. The Clerk will make a formal complaint to CCC regarding the delay in various highway matters being dealt with by Philip Sharp (Transport and Environment Dept.)

C. Cllrs Buchanan and Tilley attended the Parish Plan meeting on 26th Feb. The preparation of the Plan is continuing.

D. Cllr Tilley had priced Queen’s Jubilee mugs at £4.85 for a 3 colour design, minimum order for 200 mugs. It was proposed by Cllr Boal and agreed ( 8 votes in support) that mugs should be bought for those aged 11 years and under on 3rd June 2002. The Clerk will ascertain approximate numbers of children involved. Surplus mugs would be sold. A second supplier will be found to compare prices. An item will be placed in the Cresset offering a small amount of financial support to the groups and societies arranging events for the Jubilee. It is possible that the Church Fete altered to 1st June may revert to its usual weekend in July following the death of the Vicar and holiday commitments of several fete organisers.

E. The Clerk had written to the Police requesting a visit of the mobile Police Van for Bottisham as the previous planned visit was cancelled. The leadership of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Bottisham is not clear. Mr Hutchinson writes in the Cresset but is not the village coordinator.

F The standard model code of conduct adopted on 7th January is the correct code and declarations of acceptance of office were signed by all Cllrs. Cllrs details of interests for the Register to be held at East Cambridgeshire were received by the Clerk. The Clerk will contact CALC and ECDC about the necessary notification in the local press.

G. The claim under the Jointly Funded Minor Highway Improvement Scheme for repair or part replacement of the A1303 footpath was not successful.

H. Cllrs Leake and Walker attended the ECDC Parish Forum meeting on 26th Feb. District Council Budget, Structure Plan and the new Codes of Conduct were discussed.

a. The Chairman reported on the removal (theft) of pictures from the Round Room on 14th February. 2 framed photographs had been retrieved from the skip after the half term holiday and one of these needs to be re-framed with new glass. The wartime painting of the aeroplane over the hut at Tunbridge Lane has not been found. There were concerns that we had not had an official letter from the College concerning the theft and the reaction from the Police. There were associated problems at the College over the period and the 2 acts would be discussed together. It was agreed that the pictures would continue to be displayed in the Round Room, perhaps with more secure fixings and possibly only a few on show at any one time. The Chairman will comment on this matter in the next Cresset.

b. Laurel hedge in the cemetery dealt with above.

c. A meeting has been arranged with Mr Thornton from CC Highways department , following the resignation of Stephen Hill on 6th March to discuss village pavement problems following the survey by Cllrs in January and repairs needed to village roads.

6. Correspondence

ACRE. Cllrs Buchanan and Tilley will attend the Vital Villages Funding Seminar 30th April in Bottisham

CALC. Bulletin for January 2002 - circulated with agenda

The Civil Protection/Emergency Planning questionnaire was completed.

Details for Accounts workshop 5th March were available

CCC Details of Link Scheme needing more carers in our area - to be sent to Cresset
Alterations to Sunday and evening services on the 111, 122 and X12 are likely.

ECDC. East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Draft Strategy 2002-2005.

The Draft Structure Plan had been passed to Cllr Tilley. Details were circulated of the consultation meetings.

A poster for Leisure Week 8th-13th April will be displayed.

Decision List for Environment and Transport Committee 5th February 2002

Decision List for Policy and Resources Committee - 13th February 2002

Agendas for various meetings - out of date.

Cambs Constabulary list of crimes recorded for January 2002 - 5 for Bottisham

None reported from the Primary School although acts of vandalism have occurred.

Histon Police Sector December Newsletter.

It was agreed to invite PC James to our Annual Meeting on 15th May.

Home and Away Hereward Housing Newsletter - picture of Cllr Leake receiving the Key after the sale of Queens Court to Hereward in November.

Copy of CPRE briefing paper on the Governments Planning Green Paper

Letter from the Dill Owen, Labour Group Leader on ECDC explaining why his party would not be attending the official opening of Jubilee Gardens, Broad St. Ely.

Formal Declaration from the Health Minister about the new Primary Care Trusts to take effect from 1st April.

Letter from Laurie van Someren and John Harris requesting Council support for the Better Broadband Service. The Clerk will write supporting the venture in principle.

Details of the Cambridge Area Metro Service Exhibition from 1st 15th March.

Hereward Housing Newsletter for February 2002

Local Council Review for March 2002. Relevant items had been copied and circulated.

A letter from a villager complaining about broken glass on footpaths which need to be cleared quickly.

a. 01/01114/FUL - 68 Beechwood Ave - partial change of use to hair salon. Explanatory letter with planning permission letter.

b. 01/01147/FUL - 51 Lode Rd - conservatory to rear of property. Returned by the Council as ‘no objection’ and dealt with very quickly by ECDC as they had held on to it for a long time.

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. 02/00046/OUT - 42A High Street - demolish single storey structure and erect a detached dwelling. Returned ‘no objection to this outline planning application now that the traffic problems have been addressed. We note that this is for a one bedroomed property only - there does not seem to be scope to increase the number of bedrooms’.

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

d. 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. - No objection

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

02/00061/FUL - Land at 15 Arber Close - new detached house plus car parking for existing dwelling 15 Arber Close. Local residents have seen these plans. No objection provided that car parking to the house enables vehicles to turn within the site

f. 02/00141/FUL - 31 Tunbridge Lane ( ex surgery) - 2 detached dwellings in lieu of existing outline permission for 3 houses. Terraced housing requested to blend with nearby houses. 2 1/2 storey building ( 3 floors including roof space) will be higher than adjacent building. Consider that site should be used for 3 properties as originally approved. Site visit requested.

g. 02/00160/FUL (retrospective) 2A Arber Close for a shed 8m X 14m. There were no objections on planning grounds but concerns were raised on health and safety matters.

There have been problems with noise from this property connected with the cleaning business run from the site and Cllrs were asked to contact ECDC if there were any problems reported by neighbours.

a. 01/00147/FUL - 30 Bell Road amendment of original plans for additional windows.

b. 02/00161/FUL - Transmitting site Parsonage Farm -18m monopole to replace 15 m monopole with subsequent changes to dish and antenna

Cllrs Fitch and Leake were asked to obtain a summary of the Planning Green paper.

I. Parish paths partnership agreement signed and claim for £450 for work on replacement gate and clearing of the path at Bendyshe Farm is being considered.

ii. The litter pickers contracts for 2002/2003 will be discussed at an environmental meeting to be held soon

iii. The A1303 bus shelter broken panels have been replaced and the invoice paid. An insurance claim submitted has been made less the initial £75 costs. The Police have not caught the culprits.

Cllr Boal also reported that

a. There is continuing interest in obtaining CCTV cameras for the Triangle area. Chris Sproston of CCC Street Lights Authority and David Howell of Histon Sector Police are both willing to cooperate. Management Security Services will advise on the procedure for installation. The Clerk will write to ECDC Joanna Rogers in support of the request for ex Ely Car Park cameras to be passed to Bottisham.

b. Arrangements are in hand for the painting of the damaged wall of the brick bus shelter in the High Street.

c. Mr Bugg has arranged for the servicing of both mowers. The cost will be under £200.

d. The Prospect Trust have recently cleared the Church - High Street path and also the path from Downing Close to the High Street . The standard of work is very good.

e. Sand has been ordered for the adventure play area and the council will share the cost with the Primary School.

Anglian Water invoice for £191.57 was to be settled in full as no allowance was to be given for wastage.

Mr Morgan has not as yet reconsidered his decision to sell the area. The District Council after a site visit consider that tree preservation orders should be made on a significant number of mature trees. The new Tree officer will deal with this on his/her appointment. Cllr Fitch requested that information concerning landowners donation of land under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 be included in the Cresset report.

e. Cemetery Committee A meeting is to be held to discuss hedge planting within the cemetery and further consideration to the purchase of a new cemetery site.

7. Reports of County and District Councillors.

Cllr Fitch presented his County Council report.

a. The County Council budget increase for 2002/2003 is 9.3%

b. Cycleway installation and work at the Quy roundabout continues to planned timetable.

c. There have been applications for 240 places for September for Bottisham Village College. The maximum intake is 210.

d. Figures were given of the callout numbers for fires, road traffic accidents and other emergency calls from the Cambridge and Swaffham Bulbeck and Burwell Fire Stations.

Cllr Leake’s District Council report circulated with the minutes gave details of improvements to the recycling programme following the loan of a lorry from Durham, and information of East Cambs OnLine offering computer facilities throughout the District in pubs, village halls and sheltered housing complexes. There will be a conference on 29th May from 10.00am to 2.30pm at the Maltings, Ely for Think Country Child which will look at the safety, security and welfare of young people in rural areas. The Budget for ECDC will be finalised at the March Council Meeting. A large increase is expected as reserves are running low and there are additional responsibilities placed on the District from new Government initiatives.

8. Notified business. There were no urgent matters The Chairman requested that Cllrs should advise the Clerk or Chairman if they knew that visitors would be attending the meeting so that necessary preparation could be made and papers were available.

The following cheques were signed

Anglian Water - churchyard account - part payment. Signed 14/02 20.00

M Merri - repairs to A1303 Bus Shelter. Signed 16/02 213.75

Anglian Water - Churchyard account - final payment. Signed 22/02 171.57

TXU Energi - monthly account 8.61

S F Overton - Salary 237.00

S F Overton - half yearly expenses 200.00

S F Overton - Petty Cash 80.00

CALC - subscription to Assoc. of Burial Authorities 20.00

David Frost - Adventure Playground Equipment repair 30.00

The Prospect Trust - clearing of 2 footpaths 216.00

CCC Bottisham Village College Photocopying -19/12/01-28/2/02 23.51

CCC Bottisham Village College - Hire of Rooms 4 committee meetings

5 Council meetings 109.16

T Bugg - clearing of Laurel Hedge in cemetery 2200.00

10. Next Meeting