653/04 MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA Village Maintenance Seat at Richmond Green repaired. New bricks ordered for Village Sign base Streetlights Have been erected but unfortunately Ringways did not contact the clerk before erection as promised and now they have been put in the wrong places. Chairman e-mailed them today to sort the problem out. Village Christmas Tree Has now been put in the Church Yard. Tree is not a rooted one, so it will be taken away again after Christmas. John Turner is finding a rooted one ready for next year. Geof Howlett provided an electric socket and cabling free of charge. 654/04 MATTERS ARISING ON THE AGENDA (1) Highway Matters E-mail received from Fred Hardwick re hedge at Chiltern House – there is nothing he can do to alleviate the situation. (2) VE and VJ Days 2005 Councillor Mrs Hall has contacted some of the village people who were involved in the war and they have shown a lot of interest in marking the occasion some way. Has arranged to record some war time memories. Will have more discussions to find out what kind of celebration they would like. (3) Filling of the drain at the Playing Field Costing as per attached. Proposed Councillor Mrs Atkins and seconded by Councillor Mrs Hall that the Parish Council pledge £3,750 for this project. (4) Repairs to Roundabout New sections have now been ordered and should be delivered early in the New Year. (5) Town & Parish Council Liaison Thursday 6th January 2005 at Oliver Cromwell Hotel March. Chairman, Councillors Holt and Mrs Hall to attend (6) Low Water Pressure Gote Lane Letter received from Anglian Water. They can find no problem with the pressure in the water main. Any problem must be due to internal plumbing. Copy of letter given to property owner. Close the section above

640/04MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA Water Pressure in Gote Lane Letter received from Anglian Water Services Ltd Customer Services. They point out that the new sewage pumping station works has no detrimental effect on the water pressure. Tests have been carried out in the area and there appears to be no problem with the water pressure. Asked to be informed which property has reported a problem. Having gained the permission of the resident clerk has written back with the information. 641/04 MATTERS ARISING ON THE AGENDA (1) Streetlights Quotation received from EDF Energy for three streetlights: Outside St Paul's Church £424.00, (query this one as want the light opposite side of the road to the church) Outside No 23 Churchill Road £424.00 and outside Diamond Villas High Road £400.00 + £774.00 for trenching. Agreed to erect the first two lights once confirmation received for the one opposite the church. (2) Christmas Tree Project In response to a letter sent to the PCC Mr W Peggs has discussed the matter with the Chairman, it has been agreed that the Christmas tree will not go in the church yard. Other suggestions are Pocket Park, Playing Field and School grounds. Possibly one can be obtained in a large container then moved again at a later date. (3) Cattle Dyke Allotment Colin Pooley has offered to take on the allotment for this year rent free. This was agreed due to the poor condition that it is in and also it is not know whether it has been registered for IACS payments. Chairman to speak to Mr Pooley. (4) Highway Matters The owners of Chiltern House, High Road have been written to asking them to cut back the hedge row. Blocked gullies outside The Woodmans have been cleaned and the lateral jetted out. Off lets within Churchill Oad will be jetted. The owners of 12 St Pauls Close have been asked to cut back their conifers. Costs for the reinstating of the High Road are to be put before the engineer. High Road/Allens Drove junction name plate has been ordered. (5) Litter Bins All the village litter bins are emptied by the Rapid Response team and they advise if any are damaged and if necessary they will be replaced. (6) Parish Plan Karen Wicklen from Acre will attend the next meeting to give a further insight in to the procedure for compiling a plan. (7) VE and VJ Days 2005 Councillor Mrs Hall would very much like to honour those people in the village who were involved in the war in any way. Possibly organise a lunch. The village school children will be doing a project on the 2nd World War next year and Councillor Mrs Hall will be happy to try to do some taped interviews with them. Parish Council will be happy to give a donation towards any celebrations organised. (8) Filing of drain at the Playing Field The Chairman has been negotiating with the North Level IDB with a view to filling in the drain. This could be a financed through a 50% grant from the Rural Renaissance Fund, plus donations from the Playing Field, The Amenity Centre Committee and the Parish Council. Have not as yet got a final costing. Close the section above

624/04MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA Hedge at Chiltern House Fred Hardwick to be asked to once again write to the owners and ask them to cut back the hedge which is making it very dangerous for vehicles coming out of Cattle Dyke Footpath at West End Letter from resident of West End asking for a foot path. This will be discussed further in a latter item. 625/04 MATTERS ARISING ON THE AGENDA (1) Village of the Year Congratulations to all those who helped the village to win the Fenland Village of the Year competition. The village has received a certificate to be put in the village hall, a plaque to be put on the school fence a cheque for £250. (2) Streetlights Have got some information on solar powered lights. Cost approximated £2,500 and can only be lit for 8 hours out of 24. Cambs CC will not accept responsibility for their maintenance. Agreed to go for an electric powered light. Clerk to get quotes for the power connection for three lights - High Road opposite the church and opposite Hazledene and Churchill Road near the bungalows. (3) Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Scheme As a 30mph is now possible along the High Road it was agreed to put in a bid to change all the signs and the interactive sign to 30 mph. Also to apply for a footpath scheme along the High Road from Fendyke Lane towards the village (4) Emergency Plan for the Village First points of call for all emergencies is the 999 service. Assistance is provided by the County Council (Civil Protection Unit) and the Fenland DC Emergency Team. There is no formal role for Parish Councils but they may wish to carry out a good neighbour role. (5) Allotment Cattle Dyke To be let at an annual rent of £70. Advert to be put in notice board and in the News Letter Close the section above

607/04 MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA No response to the letter sent to Mr & Mrs Rogers with reference their intentions for their allotment. It was agreed that they were to be sent a notice to quit in October 2004 and the allotment should be re-let. 608/04 MATTERS ARISING ON THE AGENDA (1) Highway Matters E-mail received from Fred Hardwick: He has contacted owners of the properties needing attention requesting them to cut back their hedges and trees. (2) Village of the Year Chairman and Mrs Humphrey, Councillors Holt and Mrs Atkins attended the presentation evening at Haddenham. Were the only Fenland village in attendance. Judges also visited the village and looked at the church, the village hall and the playing field with the Chairman and Councillor Mrs Atkins. Met up at The Woodmans with Mrs Ward, Mrs Peggs, Mrs Grim and Gorefield School head teacher. Thanks go to Councillor Mrs Atkins for her work in preparing the submission and gathering together information for the presentation. Thanks to Mrs Hall for use of presentation board. (3) Risk Assessment for Health & Safety Chairman and Councillor Holt inspected the seat at the Pocket Park, agreed that it should be repaired. Chairman will arrange for someone to do it. The PCC have accepted responsibility for the seat in front of the Church. The seat at Richmond Green has recently been varnished so someone else other than the Parish Council must be responsible for its upkeep. Other things to be checked quarterly by Councillor Mrs Hall are village sign, Village of The Year sign on the Pocket Park and Parish Council notice board. Mr Garford should be asked who is responsible for the litter bins. (4) Streetlights Have had no response from Bruce Pittingale with reference to solar lights. To be discussed further at next meeting. (5) Churchill Road Dave Willis Area Housing Officer has visited and has found no evidence of stock cars. More problems were reported to the Chairman last week end and he has spoken to another housing officer who has promised to look further into the problem. (6) Jointly Funded Minor Highway Improvement Scheme This budget to help: Improve highway safety Encourage cycling Encourage walking Encourage increased use of public transport Contribution from Parish Council could be increased to £1.00 per electorate payable on acceptance of scheme. Agreed to accept this proposal. Agreed to apply for two areas of footway as last year. From Fendyke Lane towards village and from West End onwards. Close the section above

589/04 POLICE LIAISON PC Coales had no crimes to report which is very good for the village. Wisbech continues to have very high incidents of vehicles crimes. A problem with stock cars being used at Churchill Road has been reported, to one of the Councillors. The cars are being parked in the rear garden of one of the properties. Has been reported to the housing officer. PC Coales will keep an eye on the situation and clerk will also write to housing officer. Speeding along High Road is still causing concern. PC Coales will ask the traffic car to visit the village. Motorised skate board has been seen in the village, these should be registered the same as a motor bike. 590/04 GARY GARFORD FENLAND DC LIAISON Has looked into the following matters on behalf of the Parish Council: 1) Surveyor has contacted resident at Richmond Green and explained what he was doing on the site. 2) Street numbering for Back Road - it is hoped to appoint a member of staff responsible for this by August. Gorefield will then be given priority, but it takes up to 6 months to complete. Clerk has received an e-mail from Building Control explaining the position. 3) Re-cycling bins - Gorefield is not yet programmed in to receive the brown bins. More funding has been received and gradually everybody will receive one. Will be advised of the programme in the future. 4) Contacted County Highways and clerk has now received a reply. 5) Risk assessment and Health and Safety - play equipment should be inspected weekly, but this does not apply to the Council as owned by Playing Field Association. Street lights are covered by County Council inspections. Seats, bins etc should be inspected monthly and evidence needed to show it has been done. 592/04 MATTERS ARISING ON THE AGENDA (1) Highway Matters E-mail received from Fred Hardwick: Proposes an R & R bid for a new surface water system to be installed within Back Road. This will be for 2005/6 financial year but does not know whether it will be successful. Footway from Fendyke Lane on the approach to the village. Will make an R & R bin for this as well in 2005/6 financial year. A new gully was installed in West End in the verge because it was impossible to install in the carriageway because of the new sewer. The gully has been checked regularly and it has always been at the appropriate level with its outlet pipe. It is working properly so no action will be taken with it. A new carriageway gully is to be installed outside Oakleigh House, High Road. The owners of the hedge on Bona Lane will be contacted and also the person who has planted the willows on Leverington Common The hawthorn hedge along High Road from Chapel Lane to Cattle Dyke is considered to be owned by the people whose property it abuts. Has arranged for two new gully grates to be installed at the junction of Green Lane/High Road, this will make them more accessible for maintenance. Cattle Dyke footway — has arrange for the incomplete new section to be completed. Vehicle crossings will be constructed and drain gullies installed as required. High Road (East from Gote Lane) — has measured the carriageway for full resurfacing, which hopefully is being funded by Anglian Water. High Road (West from Gote Lane) — has measured for pre-patching and full surface dressing which again should be funded by Anglian Water. High Road (up to West End) — footway patching and kerb repairs will very soon be underway in readiness for footway slurry sealing Gote Lane — carriageway pre-patching has been completed. Footway patching and relaying of the kerbs will soon be underway ready for footway slurry sealing Honeyhill Road — carriageway pre-patching and cats eyes removed ready for surface dressing. (2) Village of the Year Material has been gathered together and it is now nearly all on the display board Chairman and Mrs Humphrey, Councillors Holt and Mrs Atkins will attend the presentation on Thursday 8th July. Councillor Mrs Atkins thinks she may be able to get a small group together to help with next years submission. (3) Allens Drove Bridge Have erected a semi permanent fencing on the damaged headwall until it is decided what the best solution will be. Date of next meetings: 17th August 2004 Planning Meeting to be arranged if required. Close the section above

575/04 POLICE LIAISON Crimes since last meeting: common assault domestic violence shed burglary theft of motor vehicle theft from motor vehicle trailer taken but recovered theft of lawn mower Wisbech is at present going through a spate of vehicle crimes, theft of, from and damage to. 576/04 MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA Litter bins Gave two positions, corner of West End and along front of School playing field, both post mounted. Drain gulliesHave been emptied this week. 577/04 MATTERS ARISING ON THE AGENDA (1) Highway Matters Fred Hardwick has been on leave and has not been able to answer queries. (2) Village of the Year Submission completed by Councillor Mrs Atkins and sent in. Thank go to Councillor Mrs Atkins for her efforts. (3) Footway on Cattle Dyke Mike Davies Divisional Traffic Engineer has agreed to Tarmac the access left gravelled. (4) Back Road Numbering E-mail received from Fenland DC Building Control stating that street numbering being taken over by ICT Department so not able to give a date for numbering. Gary Garford Liaison Officer agreed to look into this matter. (5) Nominated Officer Chairman introduced Gary Garford Head of Technical and Marine Services for Fenland DC who has been nominated to act as a liaison between Fenland DC and the Parish Council. Mr Garford explained some of the new initiatives the council are implementing: One Stop Shop – each town to have premises in the centre for people to pay rates, rents or find out information. Street Ahead – involved with street cleansing, fly tipping etc Open for Business – encouraging new business and developments to the area. It was agreed that Mr Garford should attend the next two meetings and be given an early Agenda position. Councillors brought up the following matters for consideration: Brown bins, when will Gorefield residents get them. Fenland has just received more funding so more can be distributed, will try to find out an exact date. Every household should eventually have three bins, recyclables, green and normal waste, being emptied alternate weeks. Footpath High Road – this comes under Cambs CC but will see there is anything that can be done. This also applies to road surface along High Road and flooding problems in West End. Risk assessment for Heath and Safety – If Mr Garford is given a list of all assets owned by the Parish Council then he will find out how they should be managed. This item to be added to next Agenda. (6) Allens Drove Bridge The headwalls have failed a strength assessment, so it is proposed to extend the culvert thus extending the width so new railing should not get hit by vehicles. Close the section above

MATTERS ARISING ON THE AGENDA (2) Highway Matters Pot holes in Chapel Lane, Popple Drove and Honey Hill Road have now been repaired. Highways officer has met with the owners of The Cottage Wolf Lane on two occasions to discuss the removal of the offending conifer. Tree has now been removed. Litter bin High Road/Barracks junction has been referred to Fenland DC who install and maintain them. Surface water gullies in the village have yet to be cleaned out, should be done in the next 4 weeks. This should solve the drainage problem at The Barracks. The three surface water gullies in Back Road have been connected to the surface water system. Back Road is not a kerbed carriageway therefore there will always be problems with highway surface water. A remedy would be to install a kerb line, reinstate the carriageway and install a surface water system. Fred Hardwick would be happy to meet a councillor on site and then price up a R/R scheme for the 2005/06 financial year. Agreed to go ahead with this. A new carriageway gully has been installed out side the Old Gote. (3)Village of the Year Councillor Mrs Atkins has compiled some further information, this can now be put together with the previous submission, ready for sending in by 24th May 2004. (6) Litter Bins Fenland DC is planning to install some new litter bins and invite Parish Councils to provide suggestions on new locations. Agreed on one on grass verge outside School Playing field. Councillors Carroll and Davall to find positions somewhere near their homes and let the clerk now as soon as possible. (7) Fenland DC Working in Partnership A member of the Corporate Management Team has been appointed as the nominated officer for our council. Gary Garford Head of Technical and Marine Services to be invited to attend next meeting. (8) Footway in Cattle Dyke The aim of the new footway was to extend the existing footway to cover as many properties as possible. With the available budget of £9,000 not able to complete to same specification as existing footway so accesses that were gravelled were left. Budget should have been £10,000, to be asked to complete the footway properly. Close the section above