Parish Council Meeting and Agenda - 16th September 2025
MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON September 16th, 2025
PRESENT: Councillors Alan Wilson - Chairman, Mrs Elaine Penketh - Vice Chair, Mrs Judy Patrick - RFO, Duncan Andrews, Charles Campion, and the Parish Clerk, Mrs S. McIntyre.
Two members of the public were present. Public Comments were: Vehicles connected with the Reservoir have been using the lane off Pepper’s Lane. There was concern about such vehicles bringing mud onto the village road in wetter weather. This will be forwarded to the appropriate agency.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.35pm.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Cllr Mrs Brookin. Her apology and reason was accepted.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were none.
3. MINUTES OF MEETING, July 15th, 2025. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Campion that these be accepted as Minutes. Resolution passed. They were signed by the Chairman.
4. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S). C/Cllr East and D/Cllr Jackson were unable to attend. D/Cllr Jackson had sent a report to all Cllrs.
5. COUNCILLOR VACANCY. Vacancy due to the resignation of Cllr Parsons. The timings related to co-opting a new Cllr were discussed. This could take place in the November meeting.
6. PLAYPARK.
• Annual Inspection. Some issues had been outlined in the report. These were discussed. The warranty for some of the equipment will be checked. Some Regulations have changed, meaning some new issues needing remedial work. Steel cabling and fittings are required. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Andrews that the Chairman purchases these, up to £50. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
• Notice Board and Gate post. The notice board will be ready for collection. The new gate post has been purchased.
• Path repair. A wheelchair access path is suffering mole damage. Cllr Wilson will look at repairing this. This work, together with some other minor issues may mean organising a work party.
• Grass cutting. More volunteers or a contractor will be needed for next year. Cllr Campion will make local enquiries, the Clerk will enquire through the Clerks’ network.
• Basketball hoop. Finding a suitable place within the playpark may be a problem. The cost may be excessive for available funding.
• Grant funding. Enquiries will be made as to the amount of funds available, and what may be purchased. Various ideas were discussed.
7. MAJOR PROJECTS.
• Reservoir . The report from Anglian Water outlining comments from June 25th Community meeting had been circulated. Cllr Campion said the next meeting will be in November. A similar Community group for the Cambridge reservoir could be contacted to check how any similar problems were being addressed.
• Telemetry devices in watercourses. E mail received. This was noted and forwarded as appropriate. The village Emergency Group is arranging to receive any early alerts.
8. CLUSTER MEETINGS. Discussions are still ongoing. D/Cllr Jackson will be contacted as to any progress.
9. SPEEDING AND COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH. There were some villagers interested in establishing such a group. The costs involved with this will be investigated. C/Cllr East will be asked about the criteria for introducing a speed limit between the A52 to the present limit. Also as to whether there is an update on the flooding at The Bungalows.
10. A52 ROAD MARKINGS. Cllr Campion said the County Council will examine the area. Initially it was felt that some extra “Slow” road markings may be needed. Cllr Campion will monitor this.
11. COUNCIL WhatsApp GROUP. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Andrews that the Clerk creates a WhatsApp group. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
12. CHANGING TO A .GOV,OR OTHER APPROVED ADDRESS.
8.24pm The Chairman closed the meeting for a member of the public to speak. 8.25pm the meeting resumed. Numerous comments within the Clerks’ network had been circulated. It was proposed by Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penketh that the PC should go through Parish Online for the free .gov offer. Cllr Andrews offered his help in this matter.
13. FINANCE.
Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of BACS payments. Note and accept. It was proposed by Cllr Andrews and seconded by Cllr Campion that the report be accepted and the payments be made. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
Exempt Status. The PC’s exempt status has been logged by the External Auditor.
14. PLANNING MATTERS. 25/0298/FUL. None for this meeting.
15. CLERK’s REPORT.
• LALC bulletins and training dates circulated. Cllrs now receive these directly from LALC.
• Parish and TC forum Nov 6th at NKDC offices. No Cllr interest, the Clerk may not be able to attend.
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S). November 18th. 7.30pm. Preliminary budget discussion.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
AGENDA
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST, if any.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from the meeting of July 15th2025, – accepting as Minutes, Chairman signs.
4. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S), if any.
5. COUNCILLOR VACANCY. The resignation of Cllr Parsons means there is a vacancy for the co-option of a Cllr.
6. PLAYPARK
• Annual Inspection. Report and invoice received. Note and discuss remedial works and appropriate action.
• Notice Board and Gatepost – Update.
• Path repair – damage due to moles.
• Grass cutting – future playpark grass cutting.
• Basket ball hoop. Discuss whether needed/position/funding.
• Grant funding – Monkey bars?
7. MAJOR PROJECTS:
• Reservoir. Report from Anglian Water outlining responses to the meeting on June 25th.
• Telemetry devices in water courses. – E mail received – Noted and forwarded to relevant people.
8. CLUSTER MEETINGS. Update on enquiries regarding the re-formation of a Cluster Group.
9. SPEEDING AND COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH. Public request to consider speed monitoring.
10. A52 ROAD MARKINGS. Update on report submitted.
11. COUNCIL WHATSAPP GROUP. Consider creating a Clerk and Cllr group.
12. CHANGING TO A .GOV, OR OTHER APPROVED ADDRESS.
This will be a requirement by March 31st 2026. Various enquiries and reports have been forwarded by the Clerk.
13. FINANCE –
• Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of BACS payments. Gate post Invoice. Galvanising invoice. Note and Accept.
• The PC’s exempt status has been logged by the external auditor.
14. PLANNING MATTERS.
15. CLERK’S REPORT.
• LALC bulletins and Training bulletin - circulated.
• Parish and TC Forum Nov. 6th at NKDC offices. Details circulated.
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S): November 18th – preliminary budget discussion.