Parish Council

Meldreth Parish Council

www.meldreth-pc.org.uk

Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 7th July 2022.

This meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points of the meeting are set out below in the usual summary format. The full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on the website noted above and on the Parish Council notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting.

Discussion and Decisions

Planning

The main item at the previous planning meeting was a presentation on outline ideas for a self-build scheme for nine houses off Fenny

Lane. The detailed development plans will follow the usual process and come to council later.

District and County Councillors’ Reports

East West Rail: at the next meeting the Council will receive a report on the discussions due to take place in July at both public meetings and stakeholder meetings.

Melbourn Greenway: the current activities are making the case for funding of the bridge section over the A10 roundabout to complete the Melbourn/Meldreth leg to Royston. There is an awareness ride planned for 25th September at 10.00am [see page 34]. A request was made to the District Councillors for some recent data on cycle path usage.

Financial Help: there is a system in place operated through Age (UK) through which requests can be made; details available at Melbourn

Hub.

Census: the recent ONS data highlighted the growth in population (up 17% in Cambridge, 8% in South Cambridge) and a shift towards a more elderly population. The consequences of these increases are yet to be reflected fully by SCDC policy.

The District and County Councillors’ full report may be read on pages 43-47.

Community Rail Partnership

A requests for funding the room hire for the next meeting of the CRP

was agreed to. It led to a useful reminder of the CRP which includes representatives from local Parish Councils (Meldreth, Melbourn, Shepreth and Foxton) and has already delivered many improvements in and around the railway – including parking changes, lobbying for extra trains, gardening, cycling improvement and passenger benefit.

Covid 19 Update General Update

Three members of the Parish Council gave apologies for absence at this meeting due to positive COVID tests. This demonstrated the high levels of COVID infection and an opportunity for individuals to help supress infection.

Flambards Lease Update

The Parish Council has completed their activities but there has been no progress reported from the Residents’ Association.

Recreation Ground and Pavilion

Sadly, continuing vandalism of the dog fouling signs at the recreation ground was reported, leading to the decision that ever more expensive signs would be procured.

Village Infrastructure

The positioning of speed warning signs in Meldreth will be discussed with the Highways Department with the intention of introducing more signs on Whitecroft Road.

Churchyard Safety Issues

Further to recent reports, a temporary measure is in place and we are awaiting expert opinion from the Diocese at Ely and CALPAC (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Association of Local Councils) on whether the long term remediation is both proportionate and reasonable.

Community Benefit Application

An application was received for part funding (50%), to the value of £11000, towards the refurbishment of the Village Hall. Representatives of the Village Hall presented their plans and the case for funding. The Village Hall Trust has already completed and funded Phase 1 (a new kitchen). The request was for Phase 2 (redecoration and refurbishment of the main areas and doors, new drapes, cleaning of the floor and replacement of the toilets). Later phases would be looking at external redecoration, the garden and replacing the windows, which were not part of the current funding discussions.

The request for funding was passed on the basis that the works would make the Hall more attractive for groups in the village and for commercial hire, such as weddings. Funding is contingent on paid access to the Hall being open to all groups and individuals in Meldreth.

Summer Bootcamps

One of the suggestions made at the Annual Village Meeting was an exercise ‘bootcamp’ for children during the summer holidays. The Clerk had made enquiries for a programme of exercise sessions, but no qualified leader could be identified who would be free at convenient times. Melbourn Area Youth Development had already made plans for a similar scheme and anyone in the right age range, can take part. Details are available from the Melbourn Youth Club. Contact them via their Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/melbournyc. The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday 1st September 2022.

Meldreth Parish Council

Meldreth Parish Council - Contact Details

http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Office, Meldreth Sheltered Scheme, Elin Way, Royston SG8 6LT Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12.30-2.30pm ; by appointment at other times

Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Assistant Clerk: Mrs Sally Walmesley (01763) 269928

Cllr R Goddin (Chairman) (01763) 260061 goddin@btinternet.com Cllr Dr Adam Bostanci 07400 236329 adam.bostanci.pc@gmail.com Cllr Joan Fallon (01763) 262822 joan.fallon@btinternet.com Cllr Nick Garner (01763) 268328 nickphgarner@gmail.com Cllr Roger James (Vice

Chair.)

(01763) 261085 roger+pc@rogerjames.net Cllr Alan Land (01763) 261004 conradland@btinternet.com Cllr Martin McGarry 07736 434915 martinmcgarry.pc@btinternet.com

Cllr Helen Meridew 07787 734973 helenmeridew@gmail.com