GRAFHAM PARISH COUNCIL



GRAFHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Parish Clerk: Mrs M Life, 6 Home Close, Grafham

Chair: Mr Ian Gardener, 5 Haycraft Close, Grafham

Tel: 07780 119311 e mail: clerk@

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF GRAFHAM PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON

TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2020

Following government guidance relating to COVID-19, this meeting was held remotely using a video conference application. Those present were Mr Ian Gardener (Chair), Mr David Russell, Mr Patrick Curran, Mr Alastair Watson and Ms Joanne Dunn

Cllrs Peter Downes and Darren Tysoe were also in attendance.

The meeting of the Parish Council was convened at 7.30pm.

20/090 Public Forum

There were no representations from members of the public.

20/091 Apologies for absence

There were no absences.

20/092 Reports from County and District Councillors

The reports from Mr Tysoe and Mr Downes are appended in full to these minutes and discussed further during the meeting. (Appendices i and ii)

20/093 Councillors’ interest

None were declared.

20/094 Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2020

• An amendment to minute 20/83 was put forward but was not agreed

• An amendment to minute 20/79 was agreed to include information concerning the Community Heat Scheme and this was agreed.

20/095 Matters Arising

1. Neighbourhood plan

• The first full draft of the NP has been reviewed by the residents, and also informally reviewed by HDC. The residents’ comments were very supportive of the document, whilst also asking for greater emphasis on multi-use paths, flooding and Buffaload issues. HDC were also very complementary of the draft, but nonetheless provided several suggestions for improvement. The HDC comments have all been addressed and the residents’ comments will be addressed by the end of February.

• The next stage is the “Pre-consultation review (Regulation 14)”, a six-week review period, which will invite neighbouring councils, utility providers and environmental bodies, etc., to comment on the Plan. The aim is to commence this process in early March.

• A Neighbourhood Plan is expected to be reviewed the PC during its lifetime, and HDC recommend this should be an annual process.

A Community Action Plan has been produced, which captures non-planning issues that the community raised as being important during the creation of the Neighbourhood Plan. This is a normal by-product of the NP process and it is expected that addressing this should become a routine part of PC business.

2. Community heat scheme

The contract for the feasibility study has been placed with Element Energy and a kick-off meeting was held on the 15th January. The project timeline remains the same, so should complete by the first week of June.

A contract has also been placed with “LineUndrawn” for the community engagement aspects. This currently comprises email broadcasts to those who have signed up, Facebook postings and a scheduled public meeting (via Zoom) for the 1st March.

3. Signs concerning “No Parking in the Village” have been damaged on two occasions and the Council have received two complaints about this. It has been suggested that a stronger metal sign might be used (at Anglian Water’s expense) and with permission from Cambridgeshire Highways. Cllr Gardener will ask AWA and suggested that we invite Ms Angela Tarry of AWA to our next meeting to discuss any progress concerning the permit system to allow residents of Grafham to use the Fisherman’s car park.

4. Gigabit broadband in Grafham

There is no progress to report concerning this item and the voucher scheme which gives £1500 per household to cover the costs of bringing the service to the front door of all residents. It was noted that the cost quoted for Ellington for a similar exercise per household via Openreach is £3000 per house. Cllr Darren Tysoe will provide a link to the Council from which it is possible to sign up to the scheme.

5. Implementation of traffic calming

The installation of equipment purchased by A14 Legacy fund will be done by Cambridgeshire Highways and should be confirmed by the Local Highways Initiative. Cllr Gardener will investigate.

6. The sign acknowledging the funding received from Amey for the village hall will be sited inside the village hall. Cllr Russell will arrange this.

7. There is nothing to report on the arrangements for cutting the grass in the churchyard. Clerk will make contact with our contractor to arrange for this work to be added to our contract.

20/096 Comprehensive Risk Assessment

It was agreed to set up a specific meeting date to discuss and review the draft assessment issued by the Clerk.

20/097 Arrival routes into London Luton Airport

Cllr Gardener reported that the District Council has made representation to NATS and that he has put the views of the Parish Council. With regard to the question of moving the route to the west or east of the currently planned route, it seems that there can be no movement to the right as this would intrude on flight paths towards America and to the left would intrude on restricted airspace over Mildenhall. There are no plans for the expansion of Luton Airport as the runway cannot be extended, there being no room.

Cllr Russell agreed to advise the council on any noise reduction should the 8,000ft lowest level be adjusted to 9,000ft or 10,000ft

Local Parish Councils, the District and County Councils have all lodged complaints. Also, our MP Jonathan Djanogly has written to the LLA and NATS consultation expressing his opposition. The final decision lies with the Civil Aviation Authority.

20/98 Financial matters

• The following accounts were approved for payment:

o Clerk’s fees for January £ 317.25

o Land registry search fee £ 23.94

• The following accounts have already been settled and were approved:

o Clerk’s fees for December £ 317.25

o Manor Farm Tree Services £ 816.00

o R J Sykes – NP design services £ 380.00

o W Taylor – NP services £ 225.00

o Great Staughton PC – Heat scheme share £ 287.51

o PKF Littlejohn – audit fee £ 240.00

o Easiprint - NP printing services £ 445.00

• The current financial position shows a balance of £12,613.30.

20/99 Flooding in Church Road

Cllr Downes’ report included an assessment of the issues of flooding in Grafham, in particular in Church Road, where it was agreed that nothing of its like had been seen in Grafham for many years. It was further recognised that earlier inaction on clearing drains and ditches had led to the current state. Key to this is the reporting of issues to the relevant authority (similarly with footpath issues). It was reported by Cllr Downes that £20m has been allocated to footpath maintenance and £2.7m for flooding attenuation. It was also noted that on the County Council being informed by the Chair that the flood water had not receded, the matter was attended to within 24 hours to pump away the water and clear the drains.

20/100 Repairs to the multi-use games area

Earlier discussions concerning repairs to the wire fencing included the fact that after spending funds on similar repairs, the damage is repeated. Thus, the Council is unwilling to commit funds for further repairs until and unless the damage is considered unsafe. It was agreed to ensure that this round of damage is in the same vein and is not a danger to users before committing funds.

20/101 Any other business

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.40pm. The date of the next meeting is scheduled for 13th April 2021

MARGARET LIFE

Parish Clerk

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