Parish Council Minutes and Agendas
Survey: tell the CPCA what you think of bus services
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Authority (CPCA) have commissioned a survey to better understand people’s perceptions of bus services in the region.
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FutureBus/
- The survey will be open for entries for 6 weeks, until Sunday 15th December.
- We are looking for responses from people who use the bus and those that do not.
- Surveys can also be completed over the phone by calling 07377 001512 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday).
- Everyone who completes the survey will have the choice to enter a prize draw to win £100 of high street shopping vouchers.
- Respondents can indicate a willingness to be considered to attend a follow-up group discussion session.
- Any personal information we collect to facilitate the selection of discussion group participants (name, email / telephone number) will be securely stored in accordance with GDPR and will not be shared with any third parties outside of our project delivery team, which consists of ITP and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
For more info click here.
Notice of Vacancy
VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR
- 1. There is a vacancy on the above Council as a result of the resignation of Chris Cracknell
- A bye-election to fill the vacancy will be held if within 14 days (not counting Saturdays and Sundays) from the date below ten electors from the parish give notice in writing claiming such an election to the Returning Officer:
South Cambridgeshire District Council
South Cambridgeshire Hall
6010 Cambourne Business Park
Cambourne
Cambridgeshire
CB23 6EA
- If no such notice is given the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-option.
Hardwick Annual Parish Meeting Report for the 2016/17 Year
I start my report by thanking those councillors, individuals and organisations who have contributed to the village of Hardwick in the past year. There are too many to thank individually but I note with pleasure an increase in involvement in the village. The village relies on volunteers for so much of what goes on locally. The Parish Council values their input and if it can help with new projects it would like to do so.
A428 Developments
The Local Plan for South Cambridgeshire was referred back to our District Council [SCDC] by the Inspector so our District Council is currently without an approved Local Plan. SCDC has made small modifications to their Local Plan and resubmitted it but it still includes proposals for major developments along the A428 e.g. at Bourn Airfield and by extending Cambourne. This modified Plan is now under review by Inspectors who have been hearing evidence over the last few months.
Hardwick Parish Council is a member of the Coalition of Parish Councils which comprises over 20 local Parish Councils adjoining or near to the A428. The Coalition was formed to make known the views of local parish councils on strategic infrastructure planning and it has responded on consultations for the modified Local Plan.
In summary the Coalition position, which Hardwick Parish Council voted to support, is that the proposed major housing developments in the A428 corridor are unsustainable. Major housing developments should be built closer to the areas of employment on the urban fringe of Cambridge, possibly on the Cambridge green belt, rather than in the A428 corridor as a ribbon development with insufficient infrastructure. The Coalition believes that the City Deal on transport between Cambridge and Cambourne does not alter the unsustainable nature of the proposals. The Coalition is pressing for an all ways interchange to be built at Girton with the A428/A14 and M11 so that traffic heading down the A428 can link to the A14 going North West and with the M11 going South.
City Deal – Cambourne to Cambridge improved bus services
Even without further development along the A428 it is evident that improved public transport services will be needed to ease congestion on the routes into Cambridge. The Government has pledged funding to finance improved public transport on the route from Cambourne to Cambridge. Hardwick looks set to benefit from any such improvements lying midway along this route. The proposals are currently for a segregated busway. One such option for the busway route would go along the southern edge of Hardwick but it appears more likely that any such bus route would go to the north of the village. If a segregated busway is built, Hardwick Parish Council believes that a route alongside the St Neots Road will bring greater benefits to the village than the other options put forward. The Parish Council preferred route for a segregated busway is not favoured by some residents of St Neots Road and the Parish Council has recognised that their reasonable concerns must be addressed should this be the route decided upon. Residents of St Neots Road called a public meeting last March at which an alternative plan for a busway to the North of the A428 was supported. The Parish Council welcomes the debate and hopes that the City Deal will examine all options for improved public transport in the A428 corridor.
Housing developments in Hardwick
Outline planning permission was granted in March for 98 houses to be built off Grace Crescent. A planning application is due to be heard tomorrow for outline planning permission to be granted for 155 houses off St Neots Road between Meridian Close and Hall Drive. It appears likely that planning permission will be granted for this application as the SCDC has reported no reason for refusal. In particular additional housing is needed in South Cambridgeshire and there is insufficient supply.
The Parish Council has been very involved in the planning process over the past year and initially objected to both the above developments on grounds of sustainability. However as it became evident that these developments were likely to be approved the Parish Council has worked with the developers and SCDC and the Trustees of the community rooms on ways to mitigate the impact of the additional housing and population.
Taking both developments together (assuming permission is granted for St Neots Road development) the Parish Council has negotiated the following benefits for the village, subject to confirmation in some instances.
- A new Community Centre on the Recreation field, with the community rooms at the school being released for pre-school provision
- A community minibus
- Contributions towards a new play area (potentially Egremont Road)
- New changing rooms at the Pavilion for match officials
- Improved footpath and lighting between Cahills Corner and the Blue Lion and along St Neots Road
- Bus shelters with electronic displays and cycle racks along St Neots Road
The Parish Council has been unable to achieve all its aims. For example it wanted to see a doctors surgery in Hardwick and this remains a long term aim. Some money is being made available to mitigate the healthcare impact and the Parish Council is trying to make sure this is spent in Hardwick rather than in Comberton or Little Eversden. Discussions are continuing with Bourn and Comberton surgeries about having some outreach clinics based in Hardwick.
These housing developments and the associated obligations have to be built within the next five years and I understand that building may commence in 2018 or 2019.
There is the longer term possibility of a further development on land to the east of Cambridge Road. This would bring with it extra land for village facilities such as shops, new sports and recreation facilities and a few small office buildings. Such a development would incorporate a new exit road from the village to St Neots Road bypassing the shop and the associated traffic bottleneck. This development would create a small village centre. Such a development is currently speculative as it would involve building on the Cambridge Green Belt.
Hardwick Play Park
The Play Park Group have made progress with plans for a new play park on Egremont Road which will cater for more age groups than at present. The Parish Council have agreed to purchase anew and more robust fence for the play area.
Village Plan
The Parish Council endorsed the concept of developing a Village Plan in August 2015. This project has progressed well during 2016 with the development and launch of a Village Survey towards the end of last year. Martin Cassey heads the Village Plan Steering Committee and will address the meeting tonight with an update. Although the Village Plan Group has yet to present a final report it has already helped the Parish Council and other village groups to inform them about issues in the village.
Website www.hardwick-cambs.org.uk/
Hundreds of users access the village website each month so we can measure what a successful project this is. It has been helped in no small part by the existence of the Hardwick Village Group on Facebook.
Hardwick Happenings
Until recently the Hardwick Happenings was technically the Hardwick Parish Council magazine. The Parish Council intends to continue providing financial help if this is needed but otherwise the Hardwick Happenings team believe that they could operate more effectively by being independent and worked towards this aim during the year. The magazine became independent in September 2016 with the support and approval of the Parish Council and it is pleasing to note the improvements to the magazine and self sufficiency achieved since then. The magazine produced its first colour issue in March 2017.
Burnt out building St Neots Road/ Cambridge Road junction
Grenville Chamberlain, our District Councillor, will give an update tonight.
Beautifying Hardwick
Notwithstanding the burnt out building much continued to be done during the year to make Hardwick a more attractive village. A new litter picker has been appointed to keep the recreation areas tidy and there is an active litter picking group doing excellent work in removing litter from the rest of the village. In addition to supporting the litter picking group the Parish Council has provided four new litter bins at bus stops along St Neots Road.
Overgrown hedgerows have been cut back on the recreation field and there has been a full survey of Parish Council owned trees with attention given to the trees, and dead ones removed, where appropriate and where recommended by the survey
A new contractor has been appointed for grass cutting and is undertaking this work with great diligence and effect.
Wild flower areas are planned for parts of the village in the near future.
Noticeboards have been replaced. Benches have been cleaned and repaired.
Some other achievements in 2016/17
The Parish Council considered over 50 planning applications during the year.
Volunteers have been trained tom operate Speedwatch in the village
Play areas are inspected every month
Parish Precept for 2017/18
As residents may have noticed the amount of money requested by Hardwick Parish Council through Council Tax has reduced by more than 10% for the second year running. Savings have been made on special projects and reserves have been reduced slightly as the Parish Council believe that the level of reserves held is more than adequate.
The amount requested for 2016/17 is £42,453 of which about half is spent on maintenance of recreation fields and play areas and other repairs of public assets.
Sporting Success
Congratulations to Hardwick Football Club which had its most successful year ever winning the Kershaw Premier League with a huge goal difference of 97 goals.
Hardwick Sports and Social Club won the Cambridge Cribbage league, again its best ever result.
Apologies if there are other sporting successes I have failed to mention.
Steve Rose
Chairman, Hardwick Parish Council
9th May 2017
Hardwick Annual Parish Meeting 2017
Everyone is encouraged to attend the Hardwick Annual Parish Meeting taking place at the Community Primary School on Tuesday 9th May at 7pm. Talks will be given by members of the community, councillors, and other groups. The agenda for the 2017 annual parish meeting can be downloaded here.
October Parish Meeting Report
There were 8 councillors and 5 members of the village present.
Grenville Chamberlain, our District Councillor, reported that the Cambourne to Cambridge bus route looks likely to take the A428/Scotland Farm direction at the moment.
He also noted that it was hoped the survey about to be circulated by the Village Plan committee could be shared with the Neighbourhood Plan committee in their combined efforts to establish future wishes for Hardwick residents. There has been substantial progress in launching a village consultation for the Village Plan and a survey will be available online from mid-November and should anyone require a paper copy or help filling one in this will all be possible by contacting Betty Grimes on 07732 923839.
Chris Fuller reported that the vegetation cut back had taken place and all agreed what a huge positive difference this had already made to the recreation ground. The hedgerows at the HSSC car park would be cut back soon to give easier access to the parking spaces. This would take place both sides of the hedgerow. The first year of the new maintenance contract for the sports pitches was now complete which had included the shockwave treatment, sanding and reseeding.
Pat Portlock reported that 17 people collected and 36 bags of rubbish at the first village volunteer litter pick. This would take place again in the Spring if the need arises. Ian Giddings is the new village litter picker, thanks to all the applications that the clerk received.
Since the Hardwick Happenings magazine has become independent of the PC there has been great difficulty in attracting and collecting advertising revenue and there is already a £2000 shortfall in income. The Happenings group is working hard to chase the late payers but in the meantime the PC will continue to help finance the magazine.
The PC have successfully adopted the red phone box on Main Street from BT, preventing it from being removed and not replaced. This means that we will be responsible for the painting but BT will leave the electricity supply and it will continue to be lit. There are a number of possibilities for it including a book swap/library or an art gallery. If anyone or village group would like to be involved in this venture please contact jane@humphriesfamily.org.uk.
At the next meeting on November 22nd there will be a short presentation on the new bus route proposals at 7.15pm before the PC meeting, all welcome.
Written by Jane Jumphries
September Parish Meeting Report
The meeting was attended by 7 councillors and 8 members of the public.
During the open part of the meeting the issue of litter was raised by a concerned villager who said that the problem had been especially noticed by the dog walkers of Hardwick. Later in the meeting it was an agenda item and the PC discussed how it too is concerned and would continue to be pro active in keeping the village clear of rubbish but that signage is not the way to tackle the problem. The PC is very grateful to the volunteering group which will have its first ‘pick’ on 7th October and as many PC members as possible will join them. The position of a paid litter picker is still open and interested applicants should contact the clerk.
A large part of the evening was spent discussing the possibility of Section 106 money resulting from any housing development that may arise in the village over the next few years. Increased numbers of children in the village would mean the school would need the room; but section 106 money could be spent on a new Community building if it is decided upon before the planning permission is ever granted. Given that the school will need to expand if the development goes ahead there has been a suggestion that the community rooms in the school be surrendered in exchange for a new community centre elsewhere in the village. This option is being considered by the Trustees of the community facilities at the school. It is a complicated set of events that need to be thought through but a decision to relinquish the Community Room to the school seemed to be the popular one, in the interest of the whole village. This is a hypothetical situation at the moment as planning permission has not yet gone to the County Council.
The Village Plan group met on the 1st Sept and at present are not keen to merge into a Neighbourhood Plan group yet. More support from the village is needed in terms of volunteers offering to be a part of the scheme.
A hard cut back of vegetation on the recreation ground will go ahead with work on the surrounding trees too. The bench outside the church is to be cleaned and treated as soon as possible.
The meeting closed just before 11pm.
Written by Jane Humphries
August Parish Meeting Report
The meeting took place in the Social Club as the school was closed for the summer break. All 9 councillors attended and about 12 members of the community.
In the open part of the meeting at 7.45pm Carter Jonas made a short response to the decision made at the July meeting to oppose the planning application for houses near Grace Crescent. They have offered a greater contribution of section 106 money which is to benefit the village and would be put towards village facilities like a community building to replace the community room which would be required for the extra children attending the school and pre-school.
Martin Cassey reported on behalf of the Village Plan Steering Committee and emphasized that they would not be rushing towards a neighbourhood plan at the moment as it may cause confusion and greater bonding is still required with the Parish Council. Grenville reported that the devolution Deal was still unclear and a final decision would be made in October.
Chris Fuller gave a detailed report on the works required on trees around the recreation ground which will be cut back to reveal the dog walk area west of the pitches and cleared well back from the car park near the Social Club. These bramble bushes will also be pruned hard from the eastern side too. The Council thanked him for his time given to the report.
Wild flower mixes will be sown in several locations around the village including outside the school, church, Cahills Corner and on the Laxton Ave green. The planting will be in small blocks so mowing can still keep these areas tidy.
A new litter picker is required for the village, it is a paid position needing about 4 hours per week with a remuneration of £140/month. Not all the village is cleaned just the recreation grounds and parks. Please contact the clerk if interested.
Written by Jane Humphries
July Parish Meeting Report
There was a well-attended Parish Council meeting on 26th July and a lively open session before the formal meeting began. Alison Talkington from South Cambs District Council gave a brief presentation about Neighbourhood Plans. Hardwick already has an active Village Plan Group, supported by the Parish Council, but there are advantages to the more formal Neighbourhood Plan when it comes to local decisions on planning issues – but also a lot of extra work. The Parish Council decided that it wanted to adopt a Neighbourhood Plan for the whole of Hardwick and Tony Gill, Pauline Joslin and Jim Stewart were appointed to a newly formed group. The new Group was asked to meet with the Village Plan Group with a view to combining resources.
A planning application for 98 houses on land adjacent to Grace Crescent was on the agenda for discussion and a number of village residents attended the meeting to make their views known to the Parish Council. There were some thoughtful and constructive comments which the Parish Council were pleased to receive. There followed a detailed and wide ranging discussion of the application by the Parish Council. The proposal would provide much needed affordable housing in the village which the Council is keen to support but the Council had significant misgivings over the sustainability of a development on this site and, on a show of hands, unanimously decided to object to the application.
Clare McGowan of Hardwick Play Park Group gave an interim report to the Parish Council on the activities of the Group.
Other items on the agenda included
Recycling collection for electrical goods in Hardwick which was approved
Tree Survey of all Parish Council trees in the village – the Clerk will invite tenders for remedial work needed
Grounds maintenance – the Clerk will seek tenders for grounds maintenance in the village. The Council considered the suggestion that some verges be sown with a wild flower mix with interest but further consideration was needed regarding locations to be seeded.
Written by Steve Rose
June Parish Meeting Report
There were 4 Parish Councillors and 3 members of the community present. The open session at 7.45pm had Pat Portlock report that there is a team of 12 volunteers ready to start the litter picking, the removal of rubbish has been organised and the equipment can now be ordered.
Martin Cassey reported on the June meeting of the Village Plan Committee and said that it will be interesting to watch how Cambourne progress as they are about a year ahead of Hardwick.
New way marker signs will go up on the Millennium Footpath to replace rotten posts and fallen markers.
Our ROSPA reports for the 4 playgrounds and skate park have been done and all the required action of repairs to keep in line with the findings will take place as soon as possible.
New updated Council policies were discussed and accepted concerning standing orders, financial regulations and risk assessments.
Reports of overgrown, dead or overhanging trees will be checked against the recent tree survey which has just been completed.
Parish boundaries are to change which will reduce the number of District Councillors and our ward now includes Toft.
The state of repair of some of our lay-bys is particularly poor and any member of the public can report potholes and bad surfaces at: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/roads/ please help us get these up to the standard of our new main roads through the village.
Meeting closed at 10.50pm.
Written by Jane Humphries