Meldreth Parish Council

www.meldreth-pc.org.uk

Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 1st June 2023

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.

Discussions and Decisions

Public Comment

In the public session a member of the public asked the Council why it had made no representations to the District Council about the likely effect of the proposed four day week. This is the responsibility of the District Council; Meldreth is represented by two District Councillors and any comments or concerns should be raised directly with them by any member of the community whom they represent as District Councillors.

District and County Councillor Reports

The Council thanks our District and County Councillors for their latest report; this can be seen in Meldreth Matters on pages 33 to 35 and questions and requests for further information on this wide range of subjects can of course be raised directly with them. It was noted that agreement has been reached with Hertfordshire County Council for the continued use of the Royston recycling depot by residents of Cambridgeshire. Such users may be asked to show proof of their residence by showing evidence such as a council tax bill.

Audit

The process is now underway and the financial statements were duly signed for onward review by the auditors.

Co-option

The closing date for applications is 2nd June 2023. The subject will be an item for consideration at the Council’s July meeting.

Recreation Ground and Village Infrastructure

The ditch at the end of the recreation ground will shortly be cleared. As previously reported, progress in other projects continues to be made. The regular report from ROSPA on our equipment at the recreation ground has recently been received and will be reviewed and acted upon as necessary. Some repairs and adjustments are required to the adult gym equipment but after inspection by the supplying company it confirmed that the equipment was not intended to be ‘resistance based’ unlike similar facilities in use in gymnasiums.

Village Traffic

The Traffic Group will be asked to investigate replacing the bollards at the Stocks which have been destroyed/removed. These were intended to prevent parking on the grass triangle and ‘corner cutting’ by visiting traffic. More substantial bollards are needed subject to these being visually acceptable at this notable village landmark.

It was noted that events at the Eternit Sports and Social Club will generate more local traffic, notably the Motorcycle Show on 21st June and the Car Show on 2nd July.

Concern was expressed at the poor state of the white lines/markings at the Fenny Lane/Whitecroft Road crossroads with the possibility that a clear lack of effective prioritisation markings could lead to a serious accident. This will be reported again to Highways but in the meantime all residents are asked to exercise additional caution at this junction.

Community Projects

The Council has received a request from the Village Hall trustees to contribute £3,643 towards the garden development project together with a contingency sum of £1,200. This was approved without the contingency which could be the subject of a further specific application if such additional funding was proved to be necessary. It was noted that the Village Hall has raised £10,000 from the National Lottery and £2,000 from the SCDC Community Chest.

Hub and Food Bank

The Hub is well supported financially and is now due to continue for at least the next six months. The Food Bank does, as previously noted, require more financial support and this process is in hand by our organisers. We continue to thank our teams of volunteers who give up their time to manage these important community facilities.

Grass Cutting

The arrangements with Buchans (see the May minutes) could not be finalised as the Council expected and the Council agreed to continue its relationship with DP and to enter a contract for a further three years, noting that the service from them had been both reliable and effective. Recent weather has accelerated the growth of grass and measures have recently been taken to deal with this by some additional cutting.

Next Parish Council Meeting

Thursday 6th July 2023 at 7.30pm at the Elin Way Community Room.

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

Cllr R Goddin (Chairman) (01763) 260061 goddin@btinternet.com

Cllr Adam Bostanci 07400 236329 adam.bostanci.pc@gmail.com

Cllr Joan Fallon (01763) 262822 c.jfallon@icloud.com

Cllr Nick Garner (01763) 268328 nickphgarner@gmail.com

Cllr Roger James (Vice Ch.) (01763) 261085 roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Cllr Alan Land (01763) 261004 conradland@btinternet.com

Cllr James Mossey 07496 324701 j.mossey1211@gmail.com

Cllr Nigel Pellatt (01763) 260909 nppellatt56@gmail.com

Vacancy