PRICKWILLOW VILLAGE COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

HELD ON MONDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2008 AT 8.00PM

IN PRICKWILLOW VILLAGE HALL

Present:

Tony Pearson, Jean Pearson, Wendy Wilson, Jackie Petts, Pat Langston, Doug Langston, Mike Wilson, Angela Shipp, Robin Pearson, Bob Matley, Dave Simpson Apologies from Edward Rice

1)     Tony welcomed all present.
2) Minutes of previous meeting were signed and approved. 3) Matters Arising: Village Plan Steering Committee – Jackie, Edward and Bob had met and done research, looking at other village plans and come up with a very impressive questionnaire (thanks Ed!). There are approximately 10 sections with 300 questions on West Country University website but we agreed that 5 sections were enough for Prickwillow. We need a village meeting to ensure that maximum exposure means enough villagers will complete and return their surveys, ensuring relevant action is taken to form our village in the coming years. Obviously we need to make absolutely sure that what is included in the questionnaire is going to work for us, hence the delay in proceeding quickly. Bob said that the issue of inclusion of a community shop was a complex matter as it needed to be run as a business. Jackie asked Bob if he’d contacted Stuntney about their village plan; he said he’d spoken to a lady at Little Downham. Funding – Tony said he had applied for a grant from Ely City Council for £80. Grass Cutting – at Lark Bank it looks great. Jackie spoke to Spencer Clark who had agreed to cut the grass free on a monthly basis. This has been reasonably successful, considering the weather we have been experiencing. Pat mentioned that a black van had been parked on the green near Corner Close, off Putney Hill Road, causing the grass there to be cut erratically; Tony replied that there was nothing to stop people legally parking on open grass spaces. However, it was agreed that a notice would be put in The Messenger to ask people to park considerately, especially as we were trying to make the village look nicer. War Memorial – Marcus had delayed getting pre-cut York stone effect as he may be able to source proper granite slabs for the same money. Obviously this would have greater durability; it was agreed that this was acceptable, especially since Marcus had said that it would be done by Remembrance Day 2008. Footpaths – Mike presented paperwork and photos of the footpaths both he and Pat had walked but as the internet was down, he was unable to provide a map depicting the whereabouts of these. Pat reported that she had recently walked the Soham Tunnel Drove footpath where cows were on the bank with their young and were understandably protective. It was impassable at the top and the cart track was awful to walk. Pat reports her findings to Mike, who contacts Simon Connell? at Cambridge County Council. It was agreed that Mike and Pat would finalise their report for the November meeting. Members’ Biographies – there are still some outstanding: Angela [now sent], Dave, Pat & Doug, Edward and Bob – please supply details to Jackie asap. This makes the face of the Prickwillow Village Council more human and lets others know about their neighbours. Pat took this opportunity to inform all present that both she and Doug would not be standing for re-election this year and it was therefore irrelevant for them to provide biographies. Recycling – Doug said that they were disappointed with the poor service they had received; living in Corner Close a neighbour’s plastic bottles had been left, which seemed rather bloody-minded of the collectors as they had taken the rest. Pat said she had recently been given a big stack of bags, both plastic and brown paper, so was currently happy. Those down Padnal Bank (Pat & Edward Rice, Dave Simpson) get absolutely nothing! Jackie said that ECDC were changing way this was done and if you had any problems, please contact her and she would help. Speeding – Ecops had recently sent Tony an email regarding speeding. He contacted them and stated the problems he experiences with regard to this on the straight stretch of road where he lives. They promised to come down with a radar gun. He has not been informed of the outcome, if any. At the recent Community Panel meeting, speeding was raised; Jean pointed out that you needed to visit more than one Neighbourhood Panel to ensure that action was implemented on the point you’d raised! Active traffic calming was once again raised but Dave was told by Tony that we’d been told because of farm machinery using the roads, measures had to be carefully thought out. It seems unlikely to happen in the near future and especially as we are in an agricultural area. Condition of Roadside Footpaths – Bob said Kingdon Avenue was fine but overhanging foliage from private residences was too dense in places. Perhaps a notice could be inserted in The Messenger asking residents to ensure they are not liable for injuries caused by their overhanging branches? This could be done at the same time as the request for residents to park more considerately. Hereward Housing should be informed about the terrible state of their land alongside Kingdon Avenue. Wendy mentioned the ongoing saga of ensuring maintenance re cutting back encroaching grass along the footpaths through Main Street and the state of the footpaths since a tarmac slurry had been hastily spread along the path (and overgrowing grass in places). Photos had been taken and would be presented at the Ely City Council meeting on 15 September which both Wendy and Pat would attend.	MW/PL AS/DS/ ER/BM JP TP WW/PL
4) Treasurer’s Report Angela reported that as at 4.08.08, balance was £432.25. She had paid our hall hire to Jessica Wilding but as yet this cheque had not been presented and we were still awaiting a bill for hall hire of our last meeting (7.07.08). As mentioned previously there is an outstanding bill for £275 from Marcus once work has been undertaken on the War Memorial.
5)      Reports from Outside Meetings Jean said that when our minutes were presented at the August City of Ely Council meeting, it was noted that we were going ahead with a Village plan. The City Council would very much like to be involved in this and see the questions we are suggesting so that they may be able to advise and help. They may be able to glean information which would be of value to them. Jean said that they would be available to help in a purely advisory capacity and we were not to fear interference. Councillor Eden confirmed their interest. Jackie said that ECDC would be changing the system for providing facilities for recycling. Each household will now be delivered a large supply of sacks/bags rather than one or two each week. It was important that any problems with recycling be reported to her so that she could endeavour to resolve any issues that arise.	JP
6) Christmas Meal – to be held after the November meeting if possible; Ship Inn at Southery unavailable. Angela investigating another booking but trying to keep it local (The Cutter, Ely; The Lazy Otter). She was pleased to announce that Dial a Ride has a 16 seater so our partners could also attend. It was agreed to give Angela a free hand booking an appropriate venue.	AS
7) Any Other Business As our next meeting is a week away from Remembrance Day, it was agreed that the poppy collection would be organised once more by Tony, who would contact the British Legion and arrange a wreath. Jean said we didn’t need two wreaths as last year and it was agreed that we would just place the one which was provided by the British Legion. The ACRE AGM paperwork had been received by Bob and passed to Wendy. It was mentioned that it appeared to contain little relevance to Prickwillow but it was agreed that Wendy would go as our representative as Tony had other commitments.	TP WW

Tony thanked all for attending; the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

Date of next meeting– Monday 3 November at 8pm in the Lazy Otter, Streatham, after which members will enjoy the Christmas Meal!