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Annual Report 2008

Linton Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting 22 April 2008: Chairman’s Report

Mrs Kenyon and Mr Clay stood down after the previous Annual Parish Meeting. We are grateful for their work on the Council. I would particularly like to thank Mrs Kenyon for her many years of service as a Parish and District Councillor. Mr Hickford was elected unopposed to the Council in June. Mr Willingham resigned in July, having moved to Cambridge. He was an energetic member in his short time on the Council, particularly in relation to police and traffic matters. Mr Daly was elected unopposed in October. Dr White resigned in April, having moved to Kent. We are grateful for his work on the Council, particularly in conservation matters.  There are currently two vacancies on the Council.

The Council has received with great regret the resignation of its administrative assistant, Tina Stock, who will be leaving the Council in May. She has been a great asset in the office and we will be fortunate to find as good a replacement. Colin Tofts and Ivy Whiting continue to keep the village clean and tidy in all weathers.

In June the Council adopted the new Code of Conduct promulgated by the Standards Board, including the optional provision permitting councillors with a prejudicial interest to take a limited role in the discussion of that item of business. 

Two resolutions on notice were passed during the year. One related to lack of notification of the temporary closure of public rights of way, referring to the maintenance work on the major overhead power lines in the parish. The other related to opposition to the expansion of Stansted airport where it would be detrimental to the quality of life in Linton.

Neighbourhood Police Panels have been introduced for the local area. Meetings are quarterly and held alternately in Linton & Fulbourn. Current local priorities are anti-social behaviour, especially on the recreation ground and the High St and burglaries of elderly people. PC Addison-Atkinson retired at the end of last year as our community police officer, and NPC Rebecca Parkin has been appointed as his replacement, working with our local PCSOs.

At the beginning of the year, the implementation of the one-way system was still under discussion. The system now seems to have bedded down well. There remain various traffic issues in the village, but they are dwarfed by the enormous problems associated with the A1307. It is good to know speed limits on parts of the road as it passes through the Parish are likely to be reduced, but the continuing loss of life on the road continues to create general despondency.

Several decayed trees were removed and repairs to the flint walls undertaken in the churchyard. The first tranche of repair work had been unsatisfactory and remedial works were carried out by the contractor for the next tranche. The Council supported the Parochial Church Council in progressing new paths from the south porch to the bell tower and the new church pavilion.  Work in the cemetery is still under consideration.

No further steps have been taken by the District Council to complete the transfer of its car park to the Parish Council. Attempts to find a new location for the recycling bins have not been successful. In the light of the forthcoming changes to plastics recycling arrangement, it may be prudent to revisit the issue at that stage. 

There was confusion regarding grass cutting last summer after the District Council appointed new contractors. The Parish Council’s aspiration is to acquire agency powers from the District Council in due course so that all grass cutting is carried out by the Council’s own contractor.  The existing grass contractor was re-appointed this year for a further 3 year term.

The main planning issue during the year was the redevelopment of the Flaxfields site. The Council was very disappointed that the revised application by Sanctuary Hereward was approved by the District Council Planning Committee. I and the Vice-Chair wrote a detailed letter regarding the District Council’s approach to the future of Flaxfields to Coun Spink, the housing portfolio holder. It is disappointing not to have received a reply.

The Council has recently agreed to install cameras on the recreation ground pavilion to monitor possible threats to the pavilion and activity in areas looking towards various entrances to the ground and the play area. There remain concerns about other issues on the recreation ground, particularly the use of motor vehicles.

Following requests from 25 parishioners, steps are being taken to try to obtain a suitable site for allotments.  A Working Party including representatives of those interested is taking this forward.  

As the Council’s year concludes, we await with anticipation the return of the village sign, repainted by Darryl Nantais.

I would like to close by thanking our clerk, Sue Parry, for her hard work and support throughout the year.

Andrew Gore