March 2022 Parish Council Minutes

Barrington Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on March 10^th, 2022.

Present Cllrs Bedford, Bird, Day, McBride, the Clerk and two members of the public.

As the chairman and vice chairman were absent it was agreed unanimously that Cllr Day would chair the meeting.

1. Apologies welcomes and introductions. Apologies were received and accepted all for personal reasons from Cllrs Hopewell, Kemp, Rhodes- Kemp, Walker CCCllr Kindersley and SCDCllr Van der Weyer.

Everyone was welcomed to the meeting.

2. Declarations of Interest and dispensations. There were no declarations of interest.
3. Public Forum.
   One member of the public was present to observe a Parish Council meeting the other to update Council on the bridge.
   
   To receive an update on the ‘Jubilee’ Bridge over West Green Pond.  Council received an update on the Da Vinci bridge design and agreed to accept the recommended materials that were recommended.  It will be suggested that £1000 be donated by the Green Charity at the meeting later this week.
4. 4. To approve the Minutes of the last Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 13^th January and to ratify the decisions of the meeting held on the 10^{th of}  The draft Minutes of both these these meeting are attached. It was proposed by Cllr Bedford that the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 13^th January are a true and accurate record.  This was seconded by Cllr Bird and agreed by all. It was proposed by Cllr Day that the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 10^th February be accepted as a true and accurate record and all decisions be ratified. This was seconded by Cllr McBride and agreed by all.
5. To take CCC (Cambridge County Council), SCDC (south Cambs District Council) and Clerk reports.

A written report was received from CCCllr Kindersley the main points of which were:

CCC Budget. The council has now agreed its budget for 2022-23, which closes a projected £22.2 million gap using efficiencies, savings, and the government’s one-year financial settlement. It also starts to address a projected gap of more than £80 million over the next five years.

The County Council share of council tax will increase by 4.99 percent. The increase in Band D is £1.34 per week, which will still leave the County Council’s council tax share below the average for shire counties.

A Strategy to move faster to tackle climate change approved by Full Council.
20mph speed limits. There are two types of 20mph schemes which can be introduced by the council – 20mph limits and 20mph zones. A 20mph limit typically covers individual or small numbers of streets and requires signs only, while 20mph zones typically cover larger areas and require both signs and markings.
Ethics & Behaviour at the County Council. Council is taking a wide range of steps to ensure bullying behaviour doesn’t need to tolerated by officers or Councillors.
Luton Flight Paths. The new flightpaths for Luton Airport came into operation last month.
Paper Food Bags Residents wanting the brown paper food bags issued by South Cambs DC can pick them up from the Parish Council office. They cost 60p a bundle.
Community Chest Grants for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. SCDC would like to support communities in marking ‘The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee’. The criteria for the Community Chest Grant scheme have been altered until 12 April to allow Parish Councils and community groups to make Jubilee-related applications of up to £700.
Business Grants. The last round of Covid Grants is now being allocated and is focused on businesses which have specifically been affected by Omicron.  visit www.scambs.gov.uk/business
Civil Parking Enforcement SCDC and CCC are working together to introducing civil parking enforcement. This will see responsibilities for dealing with illegal parking shift from Cambridgeshire Police to CCC. This will mean drivers parking illegally, such as on double yellow lines, could be issued a ticket by Civil Enforcement Officers and ordered to pay a penalty charge.
Focus on Nature SCDC has just published a Bio Diversity Supplementary Planning  Document which you can see at https://www.greatercambridgeplanning.org/media/2476/gcsp-biodiversity-spd-feb-2022.pdf and which supports the Doubling Nature Strategy published last year.
Budgeting for Climate Change SCDC is allocating £6.83m of its £70m total spend to its Zero Carbon Strategy and Action Plan.
Wild Minds Young people who would like to attend, or parents or carers who think the course may be suitable for a young person in their care, can register now online:  www.scambs.gov.uk/wildminds
Fixed Term Tenancies. The fixed term tenancies that SC previously had to issue are now up for renewal and will be replaced with secure tenancies.
Climate and Environment Fortnight Recordings of all webinars will be available on the SCDC website.  Find out more about what the Council is doing to tackle climate change in South Cambridgeshire at www.scambs.gov.uk/climate-emergency-and-nature/what-are-we-doing-to-tackle-climate-change-in-south-cambridgeshire
SCDC has approved its budget for next year and set its Council Tax charge from April. Continuing to have one of the lowest Council Tax charges in the country, councillors agreed to raise it by 10 pence a week or £5 a year for a Band D property to enable the Council to continue to transform council services and deliver £230,000 of savings every year.
Household Support Fund. All applicants to the fund will continue to be directed to other sources of support as listed in the Household Support Fund Information pack:https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/Household-Support-Fund-Information-Pack-CCC.pdf
Camsight Support Groups If you are not already part of one of Cam Sight’s monthly groups and would like to be, please contact them. They are a great opportunity to access information and support, as well as meet others and form friendships.

The clerk circulated a written report that included a reminder of  the process if Cllrs wish to re-stand for election.

Foxton Travel Hub – proposal for a bus service whether the Travel Hub goes ahead. Another briefing is proposed for the 24^th March.

Matters Arising.

Emergency tree work. Trees were damaged in the recent storm and The Herts and Cambs Maintenance Team did a really great job and were very helpful. Bark chippings are going to be put down Back Lane and around the kissing gate. Council would like to record its thanks to Herts and Cambs Ground Maintenance.

The U5’s playground.  The Clerk is working with Herts & Cambs to arrange delivery and distribution of sand.

Other tree work is booked, some later in March and the TPO trees in April.

Swings. The Clerk is in the process of obtaining quotes for the rubbing down and repainting of the swing sets on Challis Green and has approached 4 companies/people.

Items for consideration

6. Finance
7. a) To approve the payments.

It was proposed to approve the payments listed except for V/N 220 by Cllr Day, seconded by Cllr McBride, and agreed with all in favour.

It was also agreed to fund the West Green ‘Jubilee’ bridge project. The cost after a donation from the Green Charity will be £1010 (total £2010).

The following questions were raised:
Why are the PC being asked to pay for 2018/19 street lighting bill so long after that date?
Is there a statutory limitation on the time we can be billed?
It is a big amount to find that was not budgeted and would therefore payment in instalments be possible, if it needs to be paid?

The Clerk will pass on the above questions to the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO).
Action the Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer