JPLG – Draft minutes of meeting held on 19th September 2024

1. Apologies for absence

Martin Stalley (APC), Richard Moon (APC), Jenny Rice (APC), Anne Raven (APC) and Neil Boyce (CPC).

2. Climate Change

2.1 Andrew Nash reflected that the Climate Action Group (CAG) had held a successful stall at the Saxon Sports event in July.  It had focussed on active travel and it was helpful that the event coincided with the re-introduction of a village bus service.

2.2 In the coming months CAG would be focussing on energy costs, such as home generation and storage e.g. battery, solar and insulation.  They would be working with the PCC Energy Advice Partnership, seeking to find out more about what’s available; what works best; costs & grants available plus preparation of related publicity.  There were some limitations on what might be achievable, especially in a conservation area.  There were, for example, more restrictions in Ailsworth than in Castor regarding the installation of solar panels.

2.3 Sue Nash mentioned the carbon literacy training which was available via PCC.  An eight hour course was available, either face to face or on line, which could be booked online.  It could be difficult to enrol on a suitable face to face course as they were often undersubscribed.  It was unclear what cost might be involved for the course; this would be checked and the PCs updated.  CAG would also liaise with the local energy advice partnership.

Action: CAG.

3. Declarations of interest

None declared.

4. Action Points from previous meeting 29 February 2024

Action points had been attended to or are covered in agenda items below.

5. Ongoing review of JCAP actions (see also item 10 re-JCAP 4.5)

JCAP 1.3/4.3 – Woodlands – The second sentence needed updating to reflect the current position with the CNP Review.

JCAP 1.5 – Climate Change – Both PCs had reviewed and confirmed their Climate Change policies which appear on their websites.

JCAP 2.3 – Nature Recovery – The entry would be updated to reflect the fact that both PCs had water harvesting in place.

JCAP 3.4 – Village Shop – See item 7 below.

JCAP 4.4 – Footpaths – The JCAP entry refers to the potential involvement of residents on PC parish land walks; no change of wording was considered necessary although it wasn’t clear whether this had yet been the case.

JCAP 4.6 – Litter Picks – It was not felt that a village litter pick was urgently needed though one should be arranged as and when required.  No change of wording was considered necessary at the present time.

Action: John Hodder will update relevant JCAP items and circulate a draft for PC approval.

6. Neighbourhood Plans

6.1 Woodlands

Discussions continued with NPT; a revised planning application was anticipated but there seemed little change in NPT’s aspirations.  There were no developments so far as their proposed climbing wall was concerned.  Similarly there was no news regarding the Tennis Club plans. It would be helpful to know how many of the members were village residents as there seemed to be few now involved with the club.

6.2 Peterborough Local Plan

The timetable for preparing a new Local Plan had been delayed due to proposed national changes.  A Parish Liaison meeting was being arranged at which David Shaw and Martin Chillcott would speak.  It seemed sensible to liaise with the Mayor where there was a combined authority.

It had been suggested that the PCs should consider using the Village Facebook Page to provide a joint overview of what is happening and David Shaw agreed to put some thought to this, in liaison with Martin Chillcott and Jenny Rice.

Action: David Shaw.

6.3 The two NP Reviews

As suggested at the joint meeting in June both PCs had agreed the review of their Neighbourhood Plan at their July meetings.  However, neither review had yet been submitted to PCC as there appeared to be some confusion.  David Shaw will clarify the action required for the CNP with the Clerk and copy in the APC Clerk and John Hodder.  Both NP reviews should then be submitted to PCC by the Clerks as previously suggested.

Action: David Shaw and both PC Clerks.

7. Village Shop

The PCs had continued to liaise jointly with the shop owner, seeking to ensure the continued presence of a shop in the community.  It was recognised that the temporary change of use of the house next door to the shop was time limited.   The PCs will continue to explore options and the JCAP would be updated.

Action: APC & CPC.

8. Nature Recovery

8.1 Martin Stalley had provided a written overview on behalf of APC; this was read through and is attached to this summary.

8.2 CPC reported that the paddock down Splash Lane had been cut by PECT.  Hedges had also been trimmed and the water harvester was working well.  Ponds were planned for both Splash Lane and Tweentowns.  The latter had featured on a BBC news item, which showed a working party in action and there had been more trees planted.

9. Terms of Reference for JPLG

As the Terms of Reference were due for annual review APC and CPC had been asked to consider them at their formal September meetings and both PCs were content with them as written.

10. Any other business?

10.1 Road Safety in the villages – A resident had raised concerns with APC that the white centre lines on the village roads seemed to be ignored by many drivers as they were very faded and needed to be repainted.  He had reported it to PCC via the “fix my street page” (case reference number is 6479263) and asked that CPC and our Ward Councillor be made aware of it.  Jenny Rice had also reported with lack of give way lines at build outs too.

Action: CPC, Neil Boyce and APC to action as needed.

10.2 It was agreed that the village sign should be checked to ensure it was in good order and any maintenance work required should be put in hand.  Jenny Rice would be asked to get a quote for the work and it was felt that the PCs should share the cost.

Action: Jenny Rice; both APC & CPC.

10.3 Concern had been expressed in both villages about the noise of Sibson parachute planes flying over the villages despite previous agreement that they shouldn’t do so.  This should be taken up again with Sibson.

Action: Both PCs.

10.4 There was concern about the current lack of a permanent base for the Scouts who were currently making temporary arrangements with the Cricket Club.  APC had been approached about longer term facilities at the Ailworth Rec.  However, as this was a QE2 Playing Field there were a number of restrictions that needed to be investigated.  There was also concern about previous levels of vandalism when there had been huts in place there in the past.  It was felt that it might be sensible to consider a longer term arrangement at the Cricket Club and CPC would be asked to consider this further.

Action: CPC.

11. Date of next meeting

Rather than December it was agreed that a January meeting would be sensible.  It was also agreed that the Chapter Room had proved very adequate for the meeting.  So Thursday 16 January 2025 was proposed subject to availability of the Chapter Room.