Farcet Parish Council

Full Council Meeting 9^th November 2010

Minutes

Present: Cllrs Davies, Hyland, G Barker, S Barker, Watkins, Day and the Clerk Mrs Janette Rickman                                                                                                                                                       

1.	To receive and approve apologies:  Cllr Moore – ill, Cllr Blackford – family emergency Cambridgeshire County Councillor McGuire – appointment.
2.	Declaration of interest in items on the agenda: None
3.	Public Forum. Cambridge County Councillor Nick Guyatt was present and did not want to address the council.
4.	It was proposed by Cllr Hyland, seconded by Cllr Watkins and carried that the minutes from the meeting held on 12th October were approved subject to amendments.
5.	Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 12th October. The hall windows have been cleaned.
6.	It was proposed by Cllr Watkins, seconded by Cllr Barker and carried that the minutes of the meeting held on 28th October were approved.
7.	Huntingdonshire DC will have the authority to elect an executive leader from among its councillors. The new leader will take effect on 8th May 2011.
8.	Proposed Cuts by HDC. HDC will cut spending by 33% over 4 years. The effect on Farcet will be fewer grass cuts, increase charge in bulky collections, a proposed closure of the HDC customer service shop in Yaxley, cuts in social housing and housing advice. The Community Facility grant will be closed as will be the budget for safe cycling routes. More cuts are expected in February when HDC prepare their budget. Farcet PC or volunteer groups could bid to take over work carried out by HDC or work in partnership with them. It was proposed by Cllr Watkins, seconded by Cllr S Barker and carried that the Clerk will write to HDC Councillor Terry Rogers, Yaxley, Stilton and Folksworth Parish Councils to voice the council’s opposal to the closure of the Yaxley Community Information shop.
9.	The clerk was asked to obtain a quote for the partial renovation of the war memorial as there is some wear and also some names are missing.
10	The clerk was asked to contact Emma Munden at Cambridgeshire CC regarding the fifteen thousand pounds 106 money that is reserved for Farcet PC spending on traffic calming.
11	It was proposed by Cllr Watkins, seconded by Cllr S Barker and carried that the meeting in December starts at 8pm to enable Cllrs Watkins, Butler, Davies and S Barker to attend the Yaxley Parish Council meeting to question them about the Eli Nightingale charity.
12	From 2011, Parish Councils will have the option to use modern banking methods to pay creditors. NALC and the SLCC will work to put important safeguards in place to avoid misuse of the system. This change is to prepare for the abolition of cheques in eight years time. The Council welcomed the move but insist that the safeguards are discussed before commencing this method.
13	It was proposed by Cllr Watkins, seconded by Cllr Day and carried that the council commence the expenditure on preparing the planning statement for the change of use of land on Straight Drove from agricultural to community use.

14	It was proposed by Cllr G Barker, seconded by Cllr Hyland and carried that the accounts are paid.
15	It was decided that the hall floor is not refurbished until it shows signs of extreme wear.
16	The cost of the bulky collections will increase by 100% - 150% in 2011-12 due to HDC withdrawing its subsidy.  However, the council agreed to keep the three collections in 2011-12 and will monitor costs.
17	The finance report was noted. The Bank of Ireland account balance is £32,070.38, Saver account - £23,405.17, Community Account - £11.37, The Village Hall account £905.18 and petty cash - £7.60. Total funds at the end of October were £56,399.70
18	It was proposed by Cllr Watkins, seconded by Cllr Hyland and carried that the council donate £20 to Victim Support.
19	It was proposed by Cllr S Baker, seconded by Cllr Day and carried that the council donate £100 to the Salvation Army.
20	The NHS has closed the bid from Co-operative Chemists Ltd to be included in the pharmaceutical list for Farcet.
21	The land working party met on 25th October. They recommend that no more play equipment is installed on Haddon Way, that 106 money can be used to fund the land purchase and associated work. The council approved these recommendations.
22	Cllr G Barker informed the council of how the parish plan is proceeding. A draft questionnaire is now in place. There will be a leaflet drop in the village in advance of the questionnaire. A quiz on 27th November at the Village Club and a Community Café on 11th December will be held to raise funds. Cllrs Davies and Day offered items and activities to the café.
23	The village hall took £593 and spent £542 in October. Bookings are increasing. More one-off bookings taken.
24	Cllr Hyland and Cllr Davies attended the Neighbourhood Forum. Items discussed were the adoption of Ferndale, the Spaldwick Parish Plan and wind farms. Cambridgeshire C Cllr Nick Guyatt spoke about the Normans Cross Action Group. A donation from the council towards possible consultation costs was discussed. It was suggested that because of the effect of the Gt Haddon development on the village, the work of the group is important. The donation should be calculated more fairly dependent on population. This item will be placed on the agenda for the December meeting.
25	Cllr Hyland offered to attend the development control panel on 15th November where the application from Float Fish Farm will be discussed. The clerk will confirm the times.
26	The police report showed 1 trailer theft, car break-in, property damage, deliberate fire, and damage to a boat,
27	As there was no further business, the meeting closed at  9.30pm

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