PRICKWILLOW VILLAGE COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING

HELD ON MONDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2008 AT 7.00PM

IN THE LAZY OTTER, STRETHAM

Present:

Tony Pearson, Angela Shipp, Wendy Wilson, Jean Pearson, Jackie Petts, Mike Wilson, Robin Pearson, Dave Simpson, Edward Rice Apologies from Pat & Doug Langston. Also attending as guests: Pat del Grazia, Nick Shipp

1)      Tony welcomed all present and thanked Angela for arranging the Christmas celebration.	ACTION
2) Minutes of previous meeting were signed and approved. 3) Matters Arising: Village Plan Steering Committee – Jackie and Edward had heard nothing from Bob Matley so decided to press on with contacting Stuntney as their village was a more appropriate-sized community to which we could compare our Village Plan. Edward asked Jean about the involvement of Ely City Council and she assured him that they would be only too happy to help. We need a village meeting to ensure that maximum exposure means enough villagers will contribute; is it worth having an additional meeting or run a meeting to discuss after the AGM? War Memorial – Marcus had submitted his bill for £250 – Tony said he’d done a nice job. This was now ready for Remembrance Day 2008. Angela to send a cheque. Poppies - rounds had now been sorted. Distribution over the coming week. Condition of Roadside Footpaths – Wendy and Pat had petitioned Ely City Council to discuss the footpaths; unfortunately Pat was ill on the day so Wendy had talked about her presentation (gave PVC copy to Jackie) which had been submitted the previous month. It was discussed and whilst Cllr Bell agreed that the footpaths did need some attention, it was felt that as budgets were constrained it was not a priority. However, City Of Ely Council said that they felt Prickwillow footpaths should be put on a rota that East Cambs District Council could manage on at least an annual or bi-annual basis. Footpaths – Mike said that he only had a name and address for Simeon Carroll, had written to him and was awaiting a response. Wendy handed Jackie the report Mike had submitted to all but that Jackie appeared not to have seen. Tony said he would try and find an email address for him. Prickwillow Messenger – Jackie said that she would be happy to take on producing a version of the Prickwillow Messenger. All applauded her, as it would be a shame to see our community lose this magazine. Tony was worried about Jackie getting the necessary sponsorship; Jean said couldn’t Hiam’s sponsor the village magazine and was told that they already did. There is an e-version of the magazine put on the website, which is much friendlier but generally it was felt that people preferred a paper version. There was funding to be obtained for small village projects but Jackie said she would work it out somehow.	ER/JaP All AS All TP
4) Treasurer’s Report Angela reported that as at 2.11.08, balance was £432.25; Tony said we had received a grant from City Of Ely Council for £80. Wendy to send letter thanking City Of Ely Council. Village hall hire (and £250 to Marcus re War Memorial) was to be paid, plus £25 subscription to ACRE.	WW AS
5)      Reports from Outside Meetings Jean said that she had attended the council meeting where Wendy had presented Prickwillow’s plea for cutting back encroaching flora on our footpaths. This was also the meeting where speeding had been mentioned. Both Jackie and Jean voiced their dismay that the access road to the new estate at Thistle Corner was still not open; it emerged that it had not been properly built to take heavy traffic. After 30 years of waiting and all to no avail!
6)      Speedwatch The subject of Speedwatch had re-emerged; this was a scheme whereby hand-held devices were issued to members of communities throughout Ely who had a problem with speeding traffic. City Of Ely Council felt it inappropriate to pursue but Cllr Bell had raised this again, as volunteers from Stuntney and Broad Street felt they could become involved in such a scheme: indeed they felt it essential it be revisited. There was also heavy traffic around Broad Street which should be monitored. Jean said that residents of Prickwillow had been encouraged to attend the last Neighbourhood Panel Meeting to discuss Speedwatch but nobody had taken up the offer. Wendy said that police had recently been seen in the village with hand-held devices, checking speeding. Although it was definitely experienced within the limits of Prickwillow, particularly at the far end of the village past Lark Bank and past the end of the 30mph zone heading into Ely, it was noted that Cambridgeshire had not adopted the policy of their neighbours in Suffolk who have a 40mph buffer zone either end of villages within their county.
7) Any Other Business Next meeting 12 January 2009 at 8pm – Annual General Meeting. Wendy to invite Sheila Friend-Smith (Tony to send her email address) and Jo Fitzpatrick. As Wendy is now Bookings Secretary of the Village Hall she would ensure this was in the diary. Jean said that she would be attending the remembrance at Prickwillow Memorial on 11 November at 11.00am – all are welcome.	WW/TP

Tony thanked all for attending; the meeting closed at 7.30pm.

Date of next meeting – Annual General Meeting, January 12, 2009 at 8pm at Prickwillow Village Hall.