Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 3rd April 2025
PRESENT: Cllr. Neil Boyce (Chairman), Cllr. Richard Anker, Cllr. William Baxter, Cllr. Steve Davies, Cllr. Gary Elliott, Cllr. Fiona Rowlands, Cllr. David Shaw, Cllr. Terry Young and the Clerk John Haste. Twenty-two members of the public were also in attendance.
Minutes of Castor Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday 6th March 2025 at 7.15pm in the Cedar Centre
1060 APOLOGIES – None, all present
1061 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None.
1062 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – We unanimously RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Thursday 6th March 2025 -. These were duly signed by the chairman.
Proposed Cllr. Fiona Rowlands and seconded Cllr. Terry Young
1063 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES. – none.
1064 PUBLIC FORUM – The majority of people present were in attendance with divided opinions on the parish council decision to lease Thorolds Paddock to Mr Thomas Parker for accommodating egg laying chickens. Divided opinions caused by an organised petition based on misinformation and also the perceived lack of consultation with residents. Mr Parker gave a presentation and answered questions which addressed the misinformation and remaining resident concerns to the satisfaction of the majority of those present. Mr Parker was thanked for his presentation and listening to the concerns raised. At the conclusion of the public forum the majority of the members of the public left the meeting
1065 PLANNING AND ASSOCIATED MATTERS
a) Peterborough Local Plan (LP) – Cllr. David Shaw, thanked those who attended the public meeting. It is clear that despite various recommendations to amend the draft LP it will now go out to public consultation as drafted. The expected 6-week consultation period is anticipated to commence on 11th April and conclude at the end of May 2025. The chairman reported that there will be a briefing of parish councils organised by the parish Liaison group to be held at Sand Martin House on 30th April. We noted the all-out opposition by “Protect Rural Peterborough” (PRP), to the planned allocation of the site north of the bypass for accommodating up to 3000 homes over two phases.
That sentiment was echoed in our public meeting. We are however, conscious of both the opportunity and the threat to the land south of the bypass, owned by Homes England and currently open space.
We RESOLVED to hold a further public meeting during the consultation period to:
a). inform residents of the possibilities and potential alternative use of the land south of the bypass, and
b). to seek a mandate from residents on how to respond to the consultation period in the best interests of Castor & Ailsworth residents.
The public meeting to be held on 15th May, followed by a re-scheduled parish council meeting on 22nd May, both meetings to be held in Castor Primary School
Proposed Cllr. Neil Boyce Seconded Cllr. David Shaw
b) Joint Community Action Plan (JCAP) – We had approved the revised draft plan at our February meeting and John Hodder again reminded us that we should be re-registering Common Land in the parish. We asked the Clerk to confirm the position with Peterborough City Council
c) Castor Neighbourhood Planning (CNP) – Cllr. Shaw informed the meeting that he is collating a pack of information incorporating the resolution of the previous meeting. The final version to be submitted via the Clerk for commencing the path to adoption by the City Council. John Hodder informed us that there was a spelling mistake which should also be addressed in the final pack for submission to PCC.
d) Status report – The clerk had reported only one change to the previous report, that being the permission granted for the replacement school classroom. Cllr. Shaw reported that Country Court Care sought to terminate the use of the temporary building on the Woodland site.
e) Planning applications –
i 25/00203/HHFUL – Thornfields Peterborough Road – extension and alterations – We had sight of the plans and concluded we have no material observations to make on the application.
ii 25/00280/HHFUL – 5 The Green – Replacement Conservatory and single storey extension – on examination of the plans we considered the planned works to be an improvement on the current street scene and agreed to SUPPORT the application.
iii 25/00308/CTR – 41 Peterborough Road – removal of tree considered to be in serious decline and with rot in the base. We have no objections to make to the proposed felling of the tree but ask that the applicant be requested to replace the tree of native specie.
f) Woodlands – Standing Item
i. Development of a sports pavilion, storage facilities and associated infrastructure – Further to the resolution passed at our previous meeting we noted that the date had still to be set for this application to go to the Planning & Environmental Protection Committee
ii. Care Home Application – No further progress to report, beyond that reported at 1065 d. above
iii. Tennis Club – Cllr. Shaw reported that the Club were only interested in using the site of the existing Tennis courts on the Woodland site
1066 LAND & ALLOTMENTS:
i. Thorolds Paddock – We expressed our gratitude to Mr Parker for his presentation during the public forum and re-affirmed our previous resolutions regarding the lease to, and support of, Mr Parker in his endeavour.
ii. Ferryfields access road (R21) – The Chairman reported that discussions with Peterborough city council are still in progress.
iii. Councillor observations on parish council owned land – None brought to our attention at this point in the meeting .
1067 HIGHWAYS & PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Councillors Observations – Cllr. Baxter referred to the collapsed drainage dyke in Splash Lane and the safety barriers in the dyke. The chairman undertook to speak to the head of highways to establish responsibility.
1068 COMMUNITY MATTERS:
a) Antisocial Behaviour
i. Graffiti – We noted that the incidents had quietened down, but were disappointed that the cameras in the bus shelter had been damaged. We asked the Clerk to put the matter on the next agenda to consider options including the possibility of more robust and protected live feed cameras
b) Joint Parish Liaison Group (JPLG) Joint Parish Liaison Group (JPLG) – We Noted the conflict of dates with other commitments. The prosed date to be circulated to all councillors
c) The Big Clean 2025 – The Chairman reported the success of the event held on 22nd March and the cost of refreshment of £382 including VAT. We noted that Ailsworth had already approved a contribution of £100 but would consider the request to share the cost in equal proportion. We also consider that as the litter picks covered both parishes each parish should alternate taking the lead in organising the events.
d) Langdyke Trust Nature Recovery Project (NRP) – The Chairman reported that he and the Vice Chairman are to meet with Mike Horne to determine what remains to be done, arrangements for purchase and secure storage of the grant funded maintenance equipment.
e) Thorolds Paddock – Rest area Fencing & Benches –
i. We expressed our grateful thanks to George Bedford for carrying out the fencing work of the approved rest area.
ii. The Chairman agreed to cut the grass over the coming weekend
iii. We agreed to dedicate the area to past and serving members of the armed forces and to co-ordinate the opening of the area with the VE day commemoration on 8th May.
iv. We RESOLVED to approve a budget of £300
(i) For signage – standard CPC design plaque; wording to reflect the above dedication
(ii) Purchase of suitable trees (crab apple and cherry suggested)
(iii) To delegate to Cllrs Baxter and Elliott the final arrangements for the opening of the rest area on the afternoon of 8th May, opening to preferably be made by a local veteran
Proposed Cllr Neil Boyce Seconded Cllr David Shaw
f) VE80 Events Committee grant application – We noted that the grant approved at our previous meeting had yet to be paid and Cllr. Elliott agreed to confirm bank details to the Clerk to enable payment of the grant out of the current year’s budget
g) Village Hall – future management arrangements – John Norris had previously provided a briefing paper which had been circulated by the Clerk as a link on the published agenda papers, John was also present at our meeting and outlined his concerns and those of burden on the few trustees and helpers in managing the hall principally for the benefit of the preschool. The chairman reported on an initiative being explored within the city council to provide a universal booking system which could be of benefit to parish councils.
1069 GOVERNANCE MATTERS: –
a) Parish Council Vacancy – We noted that the Parish council are able to co-opt a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy but also noted that to date no-one had, as yet, been identified.
b) Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) – we considered in turn each of the statements in the annual governance statement and instructed the Clerk to complete “yes” to all the statement except that related to Trust Funds which does not apply to Castor Parish Council.
c) Budgetary Control report – The Clerk circulated a control report including a comparison of the year end position against the prior years outturn, the budget for that year and against the approved budget for the year commenced on 1st April
1070 TO RECEIVE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS, CORRESPONDENCE OR REPORTS
I. Fallen Tree – Cricket Ground – David Arthur from the cricket club had emailed the Clerk and Chairman about the fallen tree on the Cricket Ground. Cllr. Baxter undertook to examine the tree to see if it could be dealt with in house by his team. In the event that it would be too big a job we RESOLVED to delegate to Cllr. Baxter the task of obtaining quotes for dismantling the tree to be authorised by the Clerk on grounds of safety to the public.
Proposed Cllr. Neil Boyce Seconded Cllr. David Shaw.
ii. Osier Bed – Ferryfields – Andrew Nash had written on behalf of Nene Coppicing and Crafts to thank the parish Council and Cllr Baxter in particular for assistance and permitting the use of Ferryfields for an Osier Bed.
iii. Village Green – Peterborough City Council confirmed that the village Green had been listed as a local heritage asset.
1071 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – Internal audit report, 2024/25 Accounting Statement, Bus shelter camera
1072 Date of Next meeting– Re-scheduled for Thursday 22nd May 2025 at 7.15pm in the Castor Primary School
Clerk & RFO 4thApril, 2025
APPROVED BY CASTOR PARISH COUNCIL
Signature of Chairman
of approving meeting: 22ND MAY 2025