Councillors           Telephone

                                                                                                                O. Oakervee(Chairwoman)                01638 731261

                                                                                                                P Parkes                                 01638 731437

                                                                                                                Mrs M Almond                      01638730731

                                                                                                                Mrs K Gifkins                       01638 663268

                                                                                                                Mrs A Spurling                     01638 730228

                                                                                                                S.L. Windmill                       01638 730339

                                                                                                                D Vose                                    01638 730948

                                                                                                                C. Moffat (Clerk)                  01638 730643

Minutes of the Ashley Parish Council Meeting

held on 11^th July 2005 in the Pavilion.

Present.  Councillors Oakervee, Parkes, Almond, Spurling and Gifkins plus Clerk Clive Moffat, County Cllr. Shuter. and 9 member of the public.

 Apologies ? .Cllr. Windmill and Vose and District Cllr. Cresswel;l
                      

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th June 2005. It was proposed by Cllr. Almond and seconded by Cllr. Parkes that these be approved. All in favour.   
   
   matters arising. I5t was confirmed that a cheque had been received from Mr Ball for £50 and the Play Area incident was now closed.
   
   
2. Correspondence-  none that was not covered in the agenda. Cllr. Gifkins made the point that as we now meet monthly it was important to ensure that documents being circulated be moved as quickly as possible and if a Cllr. is on holiday if the clerk is advised they can be deleted from the list.
   
   
   
3. Planning Applications - 5 Silhalls Close- no objections by Parish Council. It was also noted that planning approval had been received for the land to the west of Church St. (P Bridge)
   
   
4. Finance- The following cheques were approved. Proposed by Cllr. Spurling and seconded by Cllr. Oakervee. All in favour. £341.64.- C Moffat, salary (A/M/J). ££69.28, C Moffat ? Advert for clerk. £50 to APT, hire of Pavilion.
   
   
5. Recreation Ground- Prices and full descriptions of the provision of a basket ball net and post were still awaited from suppliers. Agenda for next meeting
   
   
6. Parish plan- The Neighbourhood Watch meeting organised for the 10^th July was very poorly attended. Only 10 members of the public were present despite 30 or more indicating an interest and being asked in writing to attend. Information packs were given to those who indicated an interest in setting up a group. The only cost involved would be the signs at approx £13 each and it was agreed in principal that the Parish Council should encourage this activity and pay for these signs.
   Cllr. Gifkins indicated that ECDC were going to put out a newsletter featuring the Parish Plans from Ashley and Little Downham.
   
   
7. Telephone Kiosk. BT have indicated that they were rationalising the supply of telephone boxes as the use was declining and costs and vandalism continuing to rise. In regards to Ashley the proposal was to change it to credit card only. (except for emergency calls) It was agreed to write objecting to this proposal as many of the older residents in Ashley did not have or use credit cards. It was also agreed to contact Hereward Housing in this respect
                                                               Action Clerk
   
   
8. Conservation Area.- The Draft proposal had been received from ECDC. It is a lengthy document and the implications of this proposal on the village was considered serious. In this respect it was agreed that each Cllr. should each receive a copy and be in a position to comment by the next meeting. We also agreed that we do need a exhibition and or public meeting in the consultation phase to be held in Ashley.
                                                   Action Parish Clerk.
   
   
9. CCC Minor Roads Improvement Plan 2005/6. APC had expressed concern to CCC over the position of the crossing at the Newmarket end of the High St and at the lack of sign posts on both the proposed crossings. APC had requested a meeting on this with CCC but his had been declined. However a member of the public had complained to CCC and immediately a site meeting was held  without informing the Parish Council. Despite several phone calls we have not received any more proposals from CCC. It was agreed to write yet again and complain about the lack of progress and consultation being provided by the roads department of CCC
   County Cllr. Mathew Shuter also offered to discuss this issue with CCC
                                                   Action Parish Clerk
   
   
10. CCC Minor Roads Improvements 2006/7 Given all the issues with the current round of bidding it was agreed not to make a bid during this period but to  wait for the year 2007/8 when other parts of the village needs to be looked at.
    
    
11. Pavement Obstruction ? The Green. During the later part of June a number of bollards appeared on the Pavement outside  the 2 new houses in The Green (site of old garage). On discussion with CCC it transpired that CCC  had held a meeting on the 17^th February with the developer and prospective residents and agreed, subject to certain conditions, that bollards could be put on the pavement. (these conditions have not been met but the bollards have been installed) Despite previous discussions with CCC on obstructions being caused to this pavement during the site development CCC did not inform the Parish Council of this agreement and certainly if they had the Parish Council would almost certainly have objected.
    It should be remembered that this is the only footpath access from one side of the village to the other. Again the clerk was actioned to write to CCC and complain of the lack of consultation and consideration of local feelings.
                                                    Action Clerk
    In addition we will ask the following
     a. We do not believe that sufficient clearance for wheelchair access on this length of pavement is being provided. What is the standard width for wheelchair access. (we already have had one complaint on this issue) and what action do CCC intend to take over this issue.
    b. Who is responsible for the maintenance of the bollards in the longer term and indeed the maintenance of the pavement.
    c. Have we now set a precedent for other parts of the village to request bollards outside the house to prevent parking.
    d Is this a standard pavement width?
    e. It is noticed that the resident of one of the houses is unable to park his car on his drive without obstructing the pavement. What is the normal distance allowed for this?
                                                    Action Clerk
    
    
12. AOB -
     a. Cheveley School have a vacancy for a governor. If we know of an interested candidate please advise Simon Windmill.
    b. It was proposed by Cllr. Gifkins that at the commencement of future Parish Council meetings a 10 min period be set aside for members of the public to comment on relevant village matters. This time limit to be strictly controlled and it must be understood that the Parish Council may not be in a position to comment on the requests without further discussions in a formal manner. Ie an agenda item at future meetings. It was also pointed out that members of the public should be encouraged to raise issues with Councillors or the clerk for inclusion on the agenda of future meetings.
    This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Almond and agreed by all.
    c. Brian Tully has been appointed as the Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator by Cambridge Constabulary and it was agreed to invite him to the next Parish Council meeting
                                                    Action Clerk
    d. Cllr Almond again raised the issue of the sloping pavement on the High St outside number 28.CCC had confirmed they would look at this but no results had been given to APC
                                                    Action Clerk
    
    The meeting closed at 9.10 pm. Next meeting 8^th August 2005.
    
    Clive Moffat ? Parish Clerk