Update on the Dry Drayton Village Plan

This link will take you to an update of the Dry Drayton Village Plan, by Nick Irish, dated November 2011.

Dry Drayton Parish Council. Report on the Meeting of 17th January, 2012

The Chairman, Peter Fane, has provided an overview of some salient points of this Parish Council meeting, which should be read in addition to this report. His overview gives some details of ‘Footpaths and rights of way’, ‘The Parish Council Budget and the Precept’ and the ‘Localism Act’.

From the Chairman, Peter Fane

David Wyatt has outlined the key decisions from this month’s parish council meeting in his usual report (below). Sylvia has asked me to give an overview.

Footpaths and rights of way:

It was good to see so many people at the open session at the start of the January parish council meeting. We had a good discussion about the proposed new ‘permissive paths’ in the open session.

Some felt that there is a case for taking legal action to try to secure ‘presumed rights of way’ status (see note 1 below)  for the route along the green track, others preferred to do this by agreement. The Parish Council preferred to work with the farmers and landowners concerned to secure well-marked permissive paths, with gates and bridge crossings.

As part of the agreement, we will be asking users to keep dogs under close control (preferably on a lead) on these paths. The farmer may need to close the path round the field for safety reasons when harvesting is underway.

Parish Council Budget and the precept:

We agreed to include in the budget our 10% contribution to the cost of speed restrictions and road safety measure at Scotland Farm. The measures were selected on the basis of a survey of those living and working in the immediate area, and will not involve road humps or chicanes, which would be far more expensive.

We have set aside a small sum for ‘participatory budgeting’ (see note 2 below) . We shall be inviting village groups, both existing and new, to put forward proposals for a parish contribution of up to £200 to help improve facilities in the village. We will only be able to support one or two such schemes each year, and any group applying will have to show at the annual meeting how the proposal would benefit the village, and then report on progress the following year.

The Localism Act and parish councils:

The Localism Act, which received Royal Assent in November, introduced new rights and powers for Parish councils, encouraging them to work with their communities to shape local development by preparing neighbourhood plans. We have therefore made provision in the budget to start work on this, based on the village plan.

The net effect of these changes is an increase in the precept by £1000 – that is, the cost of the road safety measures. The total will be £9500 per year in 2012 / 13, or £35 per household on average. We will still have one of the lowest precepts per household in South Cambridgeshire, and we are determined it should remain that way.

Note 1: Section 31, Highways Act 1980 provides for deemed or presumed right of way status to be granted where it can be shown that it has been used as of right (ie, without force, without secrecy and without permission) by the public over a continuous period of  20 years without interruption or challenge. The difficulties of the legal route should not be underestimated, and the outcome would be uncertain. If the case were accepted, the landowner would probably not be willing to make available the additional mown path around the field. The County Council has agreed the permissive paths, for which no support from the parish is necessary,  but says this would not rule out future claims by individuals in relation to the past use.

Note 2: Participatory budgeting has been taken up by a number of councils and parishes as a way of trusting people to decide how to spend public money (raised from our taxes) and giving back a sense of local influence while building up community capacity. See for example http://www.inspire-east.org.uk/FileAccess.aspx?id=2416

Continuing the report on the Meeting from David Wyatt

The formal Parish Council meeting was preceded by comment from members of the public and County and District Councillors’ reports. Reports received from County Cllr. Reynolds and the District Cllrs. were duly noted. There was an extensive discussion of local footpaths with much useful input from village residents. Among the suggestions was a request for a ‘Definitive Map’ of footpaths based on local access knowledge and reference was made to an interchange with Camilla Haggett, the Definitive Map Officer for Cambridgeshire County Council. A further discussion involving the ‘safe walking’ of dogs and ‘safety’ concluded with the Chairman outlining two options, uninterrupted access under S.41 of the Highways Act or Permissive Access by negotiation with relevant landowners. There was some support for the ‘Permissive option’ as opposed to the time consuming Highways Act S.41 legal procedures. See below ‘Public Rights of Way and Permissive Paths’.   During the Parish Council meeting the following topics were discussed.

Village Plan. As noted previously, revision of the Plan and associated working group membership continues. The next meeting of the working groups will take place prior to the Parish Council on 21/02/2012.

Affordable housing. A further consultation on potential sites for affordable housing will take place during the coming summer.

Traffic and Speed limit Policy. Speedwatch and Speeding on Scotland Road. Cllr Rosewell spoke to his report which had been circulated. Costings and a survey of businesses and residents of Scotland Road had been undertaken and these were outlined. An application had been submitted for the reduction of the speed limit to 30 mph although as yet it had not been acknowledged. The Parish Council agreed to the required 10% contribution should the application be successful. Cllr Reynolds outlined the process and offered his support for the application. Cllr Rosewell agreed to attend any site visits from the panel.

Appointment of Clerk. The interview panel spoke to their written report as circulated. It was unanimously agreed to appoint Robert Stone as Clerk, RFO and Proper Officer, with a standard contract, terms and rates as recommended by the interview panel and conditional on acceptance of contractual terms including a probationary period.

Finance and Disbursements. The finance report was considered. The Allotment rents received were noted and following payments were approved, HMRC £24.37, Cambridge Water £27.54, Clark (Bus Shelter cleaning) £10.00, Streetlighting £97.00. CPALC (Affiliation fee) £105.00, LGS Services (Admin support) £309.34 plus £277.36, LG Stoehr (Admin support) £194.96, plus HMRC, paid between meetings, £24.37 The invoices were checked by the signatories before the payment cheques were signed. Review of budgets for the financial years 2012 and 2013. The present and possible expenditures for these years were examined and the receipts and payments to date against the approved budget were reviewed, with due consideration of the following possibilities.

Grass cutting for biodiversity may increase grass cutting costs by 2.5% due to the use of different equipment. The sum of £2150.00 was allocated. S137 donations, including the Church grass cutting and clock, £800.00 was allocated. Funds for the Village Plan will be taken from reserves as the requirements of the Localism Act for neighbourhood planning are unknown. A figure of £200.00 was allocated.

First Aid training, £480.00 is to be earmarked in the reserves, as already agreed.   Member training, to include the new Clerk training, £500.00

The level of the reserves was considered and the Council considered that this was satisfactory.

The budget was approved by resolution of the Council and it was unanimously agreed to demand a precept of £9,500.00 from South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Every Village group and organisation should attend the Annual Parish Meeting and plead their case for a grant, if such is required. It was agreed to appoint H. Russell as Internal Auditor.

Environmental issues. It was agreed that Cllr Irish would write to the Environment Agency and CCC regarding problems in Callow Brook and Oakington Road. Butcher’s Lane and other footpaths require drainage work. Cycle paths, road marking and a path on Oakington Road to gain access to the guided busway cycle path, promoting safer cycling between the village and Cambridge was supported by the Parish Council and Cllr Reynolds reported on a proposed cycling improvement related to the Northstowe development.

‘Survey of the green spaces’, by V. Perrin is to be printed by Cllr Irish and circulated. This will be an agenda item for a future meeting when its implications will be discussed.

Public Rights of Way and Permissive Paths It was agreed to work with the farmers and landowners concerned to secure well marked permissive paths, with gates and bridge crossings which did not prohibit a resident or residents applying via the legal route under S41 of the Highways Act. Cllr Fane is to progress this with the landowner and Kate Day at CCC.

Tree Works, 1, High Street. The response made between meetings was noted. The Parish Council had no objections.

Planning. No new applications received.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on 21st, February, 2012. The Community is reminded that Parish Council agenda items should be sent to the Parish Clerk, in writing, at least 14 days prior to the Parish Council meeting and that village organisations are invited to forward short reports on their activities to Council meetings.

The following organisation may be of interest to some members of our community.

VILLAGE BENEFITS ADVICE SERVICE

Every year large amounts of social security benefits are unclaimed because many people do not know what they are entitled to, or how to claim, and older people and those with disabilities face particular difficulties. The Village Benefits Advice Service helps people to claim their share of these benefits, by offering advice and assistance. Telephone number 01353 666990 VILLAGE BENEFITS ADVICE SERVICE PO BOX 257 ELY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, CB7 9EA

Agenda 17 January 2012

AGENDA Dry Drayton Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall, Tuesday 17 January at 7.30pm

1. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest Comments and observations from members of the public and District & County Councillors’ reports

2. To approve the minutes of the last meeting on 15 November 2011

3. Matters arising from the last meeting not included elsewhere on this agenda

• 4.1 (5.5) Appointment of Clerk – to receive and consider the recommendation of the Clerk and Admin Support Working Group
• 4.2 (4.3) Speedwatch and Speeding on Scotland Rd update(NR)

4. Finance and procedure

• 4.1 Finance report and to approve the payment of bills
• 4.2 To review the budget for FY 2012
• 4.3 To consider and approve a budget for FY 2013 and to set the precept
• 4.4 Appointment of Internal Auditor

5. Members’ Reports and items

• 5.1 (5.1) Village Plan(NI) including Footpaths, Cycle paths, Callow Brook and Oakington Rd Housing, & meeting with SCDC Planners and Biodiversity Survey
• 5.2 Public Rights of Way and Permissive Paths(PF)
• 5.3 Policy Working Group – Standing Orders

6. To consider any planning and tree works applications

• 6.1 Planning applications received
• 6.2 SCDC Decision Notices 6.2.1 S/1048/11 – 18 Oakington Rd – SCDC approved
• 6.3 Tree Works 6.3.1 1 High Street

7. To consider correspondence received

• 7.1 SCDC Housing Strategy Consultation
• 7.2 SCDC Empty Homes Consultation
• 7.3 Funding for Local Minor Highway Improvements
• 7.4 SCDC Arts Awards

8. Closure of meeting and date of next meeting

Agenda for 18 October 2011

Clerk to the Parish Council, Mrs Gail Stoehr, 30 West Drive, Highfields Caldecote, Cambridge, CB23 7NY, Tel 01954 210241 E-mail: drydraytonpcpc@lgs-services.co.uk Fax 0870 705 2759

PARISH OF DRY DRAYTON (South Cambridgeshire District)

Notice of Meeting

I hereby give notice that the Meeting of Dry Drayton Parish Council will be held In the Village Hall on Tuesday 18 October 2011 at 8pm. The Public and Press are cordially invited to be present

All members of the Council are hereby summoned to attend for the purpose of considering and resolving upon the business to be transacted at the Meeting as set out hereunder.

Mrs Gail Stoehr Clerk 11/10/11

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest

Comments and observations from members of the public and District & County Councillors’ reports

2. To approve the minutes of the last meeting on 20 September 2011

3. Matters arising from the last meeting

4.1 (4.2 & 4.5) Working group and member responsibilities – Terms of Reference and appointment of members

4. Finance and procedure

4.1 To receive the financial report and approve the payment of bills

4.2 Members’ training (PF)

5. Members’ Reports and items

5.1 Village Plan (NI)

5.2 Affordable housing – report on meeting with Schuyler Newstead of SCDC re potential sites (PF,NI)

5.3 NW Cambridge development (PF)

5.4 Northstowe (PF)

6. To consider any planning and tree works applications

6.1 Planning applications received

6.2 SCDC Decision Notices

6.2.1 S/1503/11 – Cambridge Crematorium – Glass covered area

6.2.2 S/1584/11 29 Park Lane – extension

7. To consider correspondence received

7.1 Bar Hill Library – request for financial support

7.2 Boundary Commission – 2013 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies

7.3 SCDC – Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment – Publication of list of sites

7.4 Queens Jubilee – Lighting of Beacons

7.5 SCDC – Proposed Changes to Footway Lighting Maintenance Arrangements

7.6 Michael Williamson – CPALC District Committee

8. Closure of meeting

 

Report on the Meeting of 20th September, 2011

There was no formal meeting in August.

Prior to the formal Parish Council meeting there was a period devoted to comment from members of the public and District and County Councillors’ reports. County Cllr. Reynolds and District Cllrs. Hall and Waters were thanked for their reports, which were duly noted. Members of the Parish Council and the Green Group reported favourably on their viewing of the solar tracker arrays at Scotland Farm.

During the subsequent Parish Council meeting the following topics were discussed and, where necessary, actioned.

Parish Council. Mrs. Isabel Harrison was co-opted to the remaining Parish Council seat and signed the Declaration of Acceptance.

Village Plan. A revision of the Plan and associated working group membership is in progress. The next meeting of the sub-committee will take place on 15/11/11 prior to the Parish Council meeting. There will be a meeting regarding affordable housing at 4, Bakers Field on 29/09/11 and Shulyer Newstead, the housing development manager for SCD Council, will be attending. The Cotton’s Field proposal will be discussed.

Traffic and Speed limit Policy. Little progress has been made since the last report but relevant discussion continues. The ‘wheelie bin stickers’ are awaited from Cllr. Hall. A comprehensive note on speeding has been prepared for the Crime and Disorder questionnaire by Cllr. Rosewell.

Finance and Disbursements, Room hire £48.00, Election Fee £105.00, Clerk’s salary £194.96, HMRC £48.74, Admin.£578.86, grass-cutting £720.00, allotment water rate £65.06.

Planning. No new applications received. A time extension for comment has been allowed on 29, Park Street and the Parish Council has registered its objections.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on 18th, October, 2011. The Community is reminded that Parish Council agenda items should be sent to the Parish Clerk, in writing, at least 14 days prior to the Parish Council meeting and that village organisations are invited to forward short reports on their activities to Council meetings.

 

---

The following organisation may be of interest to some members of our community.
VILLAGE BENEFITS ADVICE SERVICE
Every year large amounts of social security benefits are unclaimed because many people do not know what they are entitled to, or how to claim, and older people and those with disabilities face particular difficulties. The Village Benefits Advice Service helps people to claim their share of these benefits, by offering advice and assistance.
Telephone number 01353 666990
VILLAGE BENEFITS ADVICE SERVICE
PO BOX 257
ELY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, CB7 9EA

Agenda 20 September 2011

Clerk to the Parish Council, Mrs Gail Stoehr, 30 West Drive, Highfields Caldecote, Cambridge, CB23 7NY

Tel 01954 210241 E-mail: drydraytonpcpc@lgs-services.co.uk Fax 0870 705 2759

PARISH OF DRY DRAYTON (South Cambridgeshire District)

Notice of Meeting

I hereby give notice that the Meeting of Dry Drayton Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 20 September 2011 at 8pm

The Public and Press are cordially invited to be present

All members of the Council are hereby summoned to attend for the purpose of considering and resolving upon the business to be transacted at the Meeting as set out hereunder

Mrs Gail Stoehr Clerk

15/09/11

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest

Comments and observations from members of the public and District & County Councillors’ reports

2. To approve the minutes of the last meeting on 19 July 2011

3. Matters arising from the last meeting

4.1 (4.1) Co-option to fill casual vacancy – Isabel Harrison, Scotland Rd

4.2 (4.2) Speeding on Scotland Road update

4. Finance and procedure

4.1 To receive the financial report and approve the payment of bills

4.2 Policy review

4.3 Bank arrangements

4.4 Clerking and Admin Support Contract

4.5 Working Group and member responsibilities

5. Reports from members

5.1 Village Plan

5.2 Village Grass cutting(

5.3 Parish Briefing

5.4 Affordable Housing

6. To consider any planning and tree works applications

6.1 Planning applications received

6.1.1 S/1585/11 – 29 Park Rd – Extension }

6.1.2 S/1585/11 – 29 Park Rd – Dwelling } to note decision between meetings

6.1.3 S/1503/11 – Cambridge Crematorium – Glass covered area

6.2 SCDC Decision Notices

6.3 University plans for farm buildings at Madingley

7. To consider correspondence received

7.1 Impington Village College – IMPACT charity

7.2 Crime and Disorder Partnership questionnaire

7.3 CCC- Preparing for the forthcoming winter season

7.4 CCC – Jubilee tree planting

7.5 Renewable Energy – invitation to view solar tracker pv arrays

7.6 Request for financial support Parochial Church Council

8. Closure of meeting

Report on the Meeting of 19th July, 2011

This meeting was the third conducted by the new Council and its first business was to elect a Parish Council Chairman and record acceptance of Office. Cllr. P Fane was proposed, seconded and elected to this post following a unanimous vote. As reported earlier, Cllr. N Irish was elected Vice Chairman.

Prior to the formal Parish Council meeting there was a period devoted to comment from members of the public and District andCountyCouncillors’ reports. Cllr. Reynolds was thanked for his report, which had been circulated and was taken as read, and Cllr. Waters reported that SCDC are running ‘business start up workshops’.  There was a reference to financial outlay on care for the elderly which is reported as costing 47% of the County Council budget. A Dry Drayton resident enquired about solar panels for Dry Drayton Village Hall which was referred to the Village Hall Committee.

During the subsequent Parish Council meeting the following topics were discussed.

Parish Council. The one remaining Parish Council seat will be advertised.

Review of standing orders, regulations and policies. It was agreed that the Parish Council fulfil its obligations on Freedom of Information and Data Protection and pay the necessary registration fee.

Village Plan. A revision of the Plan and associated working group membership is in progress.

Traffic and Speed limit Policy. The meeting with R. Preston (CCC) revealed that the County Council has no funds to assist with speed measures but that the Localism Bill may enable Parish Councils to progress these matters. A plan and budget are under discussion.

Finance and Disbursements. Clerk’s salary £97.48, HMRC £97.48, Admin.£300.98, grass-cutting £360.00. It was noted that Admin. Services will be reviewed at the next meeting.

Planning. No new applications received. The Old Chapel,Park Lane, extension approved.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on 20th, September, 2011. The Community is reminded that Parish Council agenda items should be sent to the Parish Clerk, in writing, at least 14 days prior to the Parish Council meeting and that village organisations are invited to forward short reports on their activities to Council meetings.

Final approved minutes are here: http://www.drydrayton.net/pdfs/110719DDPCmins.pdf

Minutes from 21 June 2011

The approved minutes of the June Meeting can be found here: http://www.drydrayton.net/pdfs/110621DDPCmins.pdf

Agenda for Meeting 19th July 2011

PARISH OF DRY DRAYTON (South Cambridgeshire District)

Notice of Meeting

I hereby give notice that the Meeting of Dry Drayton Parish Council will be held

In the Village Hall on Tuesday 19 July 2011 at 8pm

The Public and Press are cordially invited to be present

All members of the Council are hereby summoned to attend for the purpose of considering and resolving upon the business to be transacted at the Meeting as set out hereunder

 LGQ

Mrs Gail Stoehr Clerk

13/07/11

AGENDA

1. To elect a Chairman and to receive the declaration of acceptance of office

Comments and observations from members of the public and District & County Councillors’ reports

2. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest

3. To approve the minutes of the last meeting on 21 June 2011

4. Matters arising from the last meeting

4.1 (4.1) Co-option to fill casual vacancy

4.2 (4.3) Speeding on Scotland Road update

4.3 (4.2) Policies and risk assessment review

5. Finance and procedure

5.1 To receive the financial report and approve the payment of bills

6. To consider any planning and tree works applications

6.1 Planning applications received

6.2 SCDC Decision Notices

7. To consider correspondence received

7.1 SCDC Community

Pride and Village Hero Awards

7.2 CCC Street lighting PFI project

 7.3 SCDC Draft Parish Charter

 7.4 PCC Treasurer retirement and successor appointment notification

 8. Closure of meeting

Clerk to the Parish Council

Nfi-s Gail Stoehr, 30 West Drive, Hightields Caldecote, Cambridge, CB23 7NY

Tel 01954 210241 E-mail: drydraytonpcpclgs-services.co.uk Fax 0870 705 2759

Report on the Meeting of 21st June, 2011

In the absence of an elected Chairman, Cllr. Stamford was elected to chair this Parish Council meeting and prior to the formal Parish Council meeting there was a period devoted to comment from members of the public and District and County Councillors’ reports. Cllr. Reynolds was thanked for his report, which had been circulated and was taken as read, and Cllr. Waters reported that SCDC was the most efficient finance collector in the region.

The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Reeve was present and reported that there had been no crimes since the last meeting but that a speed survey in Scotland Road had resulted in the issue of one ticket and two verbal warnings. It was agreed that Neighbourhood Watch, the Neighbourhood Panel and e-cops worked well together to improve local policing.

During the subsequent Parish Council meeting the following topics were discussed:

Parish Council Chairman. It was agreed that the election of a Parish Council Chairman be carried forward to the next meeting and the one remaining Parish Council seat will be advertised. As reported earlier, Cllr. Irish was elected Vice Chairman.

Review of standing orders, regulations and policies. It was agreed that the Parish Council adopt the simplest mandatory Standing Orders and that the Parish Council Chairman be the Clerk’s line manager. The basic model was adopted for Financial Regulation.

Village Plan. The Implementation Sub-Committee is considering its membership and working group status. 

Traffic and Speed limit Policy. A meeting is proposed with R. Preston (CCC) and Cllrs. Irish and Rosewell are to liaise on the allied presentation.  Speed stickers. The Parish Council has ordered 40 and 20 mph stickers for wheelie bins, these notices will be distributed by the Speedwatch group.   

Finance and Disbursements. Clerk’s salary.£97.48, Admin.£320.19, grass-cutting £360.00. It was noted that Insurance cover with Aviva will save £1000.00 over the three year term.    

Planning. 18, Oakington Road, new dwelling and garage, approval recommended.
                 The Old Chapel, Park Lane, single storey extension, approval recommended.
                 27-39 High Street, extended time limit, detached dwelling, SCDC approved.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on 19th July, 2011.

The Community is reminded that Parish Council agenda items should be sent to the Parish Clerk, in writing, at least 14 days prior to the Parish Council meeting and that village organisations are invited to forward short reports on their activities to Council meetings.