Parish Council Meeting

a) Highway Matters. A letter has been received from Debbie Strong, Area Highways Manager in response to the Highways Survey compiled by the Parish Council. She would not be able to attend a meeting herself, but suggests that the Area Traffic Engineer attends during the daytime. The Clerk to write to express disappointment with this situation

Ms Strong has passed the Survey to Mr Gilder who has commented on the maintenance issues as follows: Church Street – re parking Mr Gilder suggests that it is the duty of the police to deal with obstructions. It was felt that he had missed the point here with the Parish Council requesting solutions to the causes of the parking problems. Mr Gilder stated that the footpath would be inspected. Other matters here to be dealt with by Ms Strong. Orchard Close – the vehicular access here has been checked and meets with the requirements of the specification details. Footways : Those in Broadgate Way, Little Green, Big Green and Buntings Lane will be inspected. The footway from Nene Pastures to Chapel Street has not yet been adopted and the matter has been referred to Mr Dhonsi, NCC Adoption Manager. PD1 – concerns have been passed to ROW. Chapel Street – The grass verges and kerbing will be inspected. The problem with the utility trenches has been passed to the relevant authorities. Elton Estates should be contacted re the plinth at the Manor Hose as it is in private ownership. Carriageways – Carriageways will be inspected in Acremead, Church Lane and Broadgate Way. Junctions – These will be dealt with by Ms Strong.

Mr Constant expressed his view that the Parish Council need to keep the initiative and encourage NCC to come to address the issues. He and Mrs Huett were both concerned that the issues were being diversified to numerous different departments when it would be better to deal with one person so that there is no misunderstanding.

Mr Short asked whether a 20mph speed limit could be introduced. It was agreed that this could be considered. Mr Rowell reported that the flashing signboard referred to by Mr Cooper at the last meeting costs somewhere in the region of £7,000.

Mr Bosworth asked if the hole in the road in Big Green had been repaired and Mr Short informed him that it had.

Mr Rowell reported that a letter had been received from CPRE asking for support in securing changes to the planning system and planning controls. The Clerk to write to support CPRE.

b) Street Lights. Three Parish Councillors recently assessed some streetlights and costs were obtained from ABB. The whole village will now be looked at in terms of these costs and decisions on how to proceed made.

There are currently problems with 3 lights all of which have been reported to ABB. The light in Chapel Alley is to be changed to the correct colour. Mr Reid expressed the opinion that the lights should reflect the area that they are in. This is not the case with the light at the Manor House. Mr Rowell stated that this was a mistake and that the environment does need to be taken into consideration, but it would cost a lot to change this particular light. Mr Rowell reported that the light on the bracket at No 43 Church Street is in need of attention, but the problem is that such brackets are no longer available and it is not ideal that it is on private property. To move it to the other side of the road would be costly as to bring the supply to this point would cost in the region of £3,500. The lighting outside Glebe Stores also needs looking at. Break ins have occurred.

c) Allotments. The shed is now established locked and secured. The additional gate needs to be built and the hedge on the roadside trimmed and layed. The Clerk to look into grants for the work on the hedge

d) Open Spaces and Greens. Mr Constant and Mr Dixon are acquiring a larger map from Mr Harland to mark these areas on.

e) School play area. NCC have now passed their comments re the rules and regulations to the School who have passed them to the Parish Council. They will now be sent to the Parish Council insurers for their views.

f) Cemetery. 24 new plots have now been consecrated. A quote has been received for cold tarring the access area but this is still expensive. Further quotes will be obtained in the spring.

a) Mrs Hodges reported that the car parked on Church Street opposite the junction with Stamford Lane is causing problems. Mr Short stated that the police have been informed about this and the situation did improve for a while. The situation to be monitored.

Mrs Hodges reported that there are still problems with people parking past the zigzag lines at the School close up to the junction. This is obstructing the view to traffic using the junction. Mrs Hodges has put parking notices on the cars and the School have suggested parking in School Lane but to no avail. Mr Rowell to have a word with PC Wearing.

b) Mr Constant had received a request from a resident to discuss the timing of Parishioners’ Question time on the Agenda. The item has been placed at both the beginning and end of the meeting and there are advantages and disadvantages to both. The disadvantage of having it at the end is that people may have to wait a long time to raise their point and then items may be rushed due to the late hour. It does mean however that they will have heard Parish Council discussion beforehand and this may have raised items that they may wish to comment on. If an item is particularly urgent it is recommended that it is put in writing to the Clerk who will, within reason, put it on the Agenda.

c) Mr Rowell suggested that the Parish Council be responsible for updating and issuing a welcome booklet to new residents. This task was previously undertaken by the Church and acts as a directory of the village. AIF.