On Tuesday 14th March meetings of Cheveley Parish Council and Cheveley Pavilion & Recreation Ground Charity were held in Cheveley Parish Hall. Seven Councillors were present together with District and County Councillor Alan Sharp.
It was reported that the Neighbourhood Plan produced by former Councillor Ali Day and Councillor James Hadlow was expected to be ready for a consultation process in early summer.
The Annual Parish meeting would be held in the Parish Hall at 7.00pm on Tuesday 16th May when the annual presentation of the McCalmont cup would be made to an individual who has provided excellent service to the Parish. The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, which would be the first meeting of the Council following the election on 4th May, would follow on immediately afterwards.
The clerk will report the overflowing storm drain at the junction of High Street and Park Road.
The council has applied for a food vendor licence to allow mobile food vendors to operate from the parish hall car park. The next booking will be Pimp my Fish on 18th March 5.00-7.45.
The clerk has received a temporary road closure notice for the High Street, however this coincides with local elections. She will contact the Highways Department about re-scheduling the work.
Cllr Sharp reported that CCC are working to try to resolve the backlog of potholes. He also said that there are plans to stop cars using the bridge on Mill Road. Work on the crossroads at Swaffham Heath is due to commence at the beginning of April which will hopefully make the junction safer.
The ECDC element of the precept has remained frozen for the 10th year whilst the parish element of the precept has reduced by 1.5% meaning that Cheveley Parish Council have not increased their portion for the 8th year.
Following discussion at the previous meeting regarding the status of a volunteer group who were organising community events at the Parish Hall, research had been carried out as to the best way forward for them to continue to do so taking into account factors such as insurance requirements and hire fees. Two alternative proposals had been identified as suitable and compliant and one of these, which would allow the group to operate without input from the Parish Council, was selected by them as the preferred option. This would come into effect as soon as the group had been able to make their arrangements. They had obtained a grant of £200 in the name of the Parish Council and it was agreed that they would be able to use this money, as they felt appropriate, to enhance the setting up of a warm hub.
Sadly, it had been necessary to progress a debt recovery via the Small Claims Court for long outstanding non-payment of hire fees for the Hall.
A review of letting fees for the Hall was undertaken. It was agreed to keep them at the same rates for 12 months.
Councillor Hadlow informed Councillors that constructive communication regarding the lease to the School for spaces in the car park of the Parish Hall had taken place.
The clerk updated the meeting on the progress of the LHI works which are to provide a 40mph buffer zone on the entry to the village. Cllr Sharp has agreed to raise the cost increase issue with the county council.
It was agreed to make small donations to both Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue and also MAGPAS Air Ambulance as these organisations operate in the area in which Cheveley Parish is situated.
At the meeting of Cheveley Pavilion and Recreation Ground Charity that followed it was reported that the annual play area inspection had been booked and would take place in April.
Several bookings for the Pavilion over the spring and summer had been received. Amongst these Cheveley Sports Club would again be holding regular sessions. There will also be a dog show held in July and hosted by the British Legion. Amendments to the booking form and the terms and conditions were approved.
It was noted that two of the rubbish bins situated at the Recreation Ground had badly rusted and it was decided to replace these as soon as possible.
The next scheduled meetings will be held on Tuesday 11th April 2023 at 7.30 p.m. in Cheveley Parish Hall. For information on this or any other matter please refer to the website (www.cheveley-pc.gov.uk) or contact via: clerk@cheveley-pc.gov.uk, or telephone 07483 107014.