PRESENT: Cllr. Neil Boyce (Chairman), Cllr. Richard Anker, Cllr. William Baxter, Cllr. Steve Davies, Cllr. Gary Elliott, Cllr. David Shaw, Cllr. Terry Young and the Clerk John Haste. Three members of the public were also in attendance.
Minutes of Castor Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday 6th February 2025 at 7.15pm in the Cedar Centre
1034 APOLOGIES – Cllr. Fiona Rowlands – absent from Peterborough
1035 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None.
1036 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – We unanimously RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Thursday 9th January 2025 -. These were duly signed by the chairman.
Proposed Cllr. David Shaw and seconded Cllr. Terry Young
1037 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES. – none.
1038 PUBLIC FORUM – None raised at this point although Martin Chilcott was present for two items on the agenda.
1039 PLANNING AND ASSOCIATED MATTERS
a) Peterborough Local Plan (LP) – Cllr David Shaw reported that there was no change from that reported in January and that the draft LP is unlikely to emerge before Mid-March.
b) Joint Community Action Plan (JCAP) – We approved the revised draft plan as submitted to the meeting
c) Castor Neighbourhood Planning (CNP) – Cllr. Shaw had circulated four documents prior to the meeting. These documents were the final versions and were as considered previously by the parish council apart from formatting and Minor phrase changes and followed advice from the responsible city council planning officer in discussion with Cllr. Shaw and John Hodder. We unanimously RESOLVED to approve the documents for submission to the city council for approval and subsequent submission to an inspector.
Proposed Cllr. Neil Boyce Seconded Cllr. William Baxter
d) Status report – The clerk had circulated with the agenda an up-to-date record of Planning applications. The report recorded that since the previous parish council meeting, the following had been permitted – Stamford Lodge Gates and Millane house
e) Planning applications –
i 25/00107/WCPP – Woodlands Splash Lane – Variation of Condition C13 regarding temporary changing facilities. We considered the information available to us on the planning portal and the arguments for and against the application. On balance we have no comment to make to the Local Planning Authority.
f) Woodlands – Standing Item – We noted that the application has still not been determined and consider that given the objections by sports England and the highway authority it should be refused without further delay. We asked the Clerk to reaffirm the Parish council’s objection and to ask why it is still undetermined. Cllr. Shaw also reported that Country Court Care had decided to go through the formal pre-application process.
1040 LAND & ALLOTMENTS:
i. Thorolds Paddock – The Clerk reported no change since the January meeting and that he awaited further communication from Mr Parker.
ii. Ferryfields access road (R21) – No progress since the January meeting.
iii. Tweentowns – The chairman reported on a very productive meeting, on site, with representatives of Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) and explained what had been agreed; In essence a new Hedge and a re-routed footpath. We also noted the contents of a grant offer and RESOLVED to authorise the Chairman to sign the necessary documentation to secure the grant.
Proposed Cllr. William Baxter seconded Cllr. Steve Davies
iv. Councillor observations on parish council owned land – Cllr Baxter reported on discussions for use of part of Ferryfields as a relocated Willow bed nearer the river. We RESOLVED to authorise a 12 month rolling lease
Proposed Cllr. Neil Boyce Seconded Cllr. David Shaw
1041 HIGHWAYS & PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Councillors Observations –
a. Allotment lane – Orphaned Wall – No change from the previous report.
b. White Lining – Councillors had raised concerns that the work is incomplete. City council officers acknowledged that it is work in progress and will be completed
c. Councillor Observations – Residents had raised safety concerns over chickens lose on the highway. We instructed the Clerk to write to the person responsible for keeping the poultry reminding him of his obligation for security and requirements of DEFRA regulations and guidance.
1042 COMMUNITY MATTERS:
a) Antisocial Behaviour
i. Graffiti – Additional cases of graffiti are still being recorded. The chairman reported the installation of additional cameras. City council officers have submitted an application for funding of additional cameras and with the availability of City Fibre broadband these might be monitored by the central CCTV unit.
b) Joint Parish Liaison Group (JPLG) Joint Parish Liaison Group (JPLG) – We approved the draft summary of the meeting held on 16th January 2025 previously circulated by John Hodder.
c) Langdyke Trust Nature Recovery Project (NRP) –
We were informed of the receipt of £4828 in the parish council bank account in respect of a grant towards the full cost of equipment for the maintenance of the nature recovery work on the Splash Lane Paddock. We asked that Mike Horne be consulted on the equipment required and to be recorded on the Asset register. In addition, and in conjunction with Mike, arrangements be made for the safe custody of that equipment and reported to the March meeting of parish council.
d) Memorial Tree Bench – Roadside portion of Thorolds Paddock– we noted receipt of a competitive quote for the supply and installation of two benches along with the fencing off of the proposed rest area. We RESOLVED to approve an inclusive budget of up to £3000 for the purpose.
Proposed Cllr. Neil Boyce Seconded Cllr. Richard Anker
e) War Memorial Plaque – Cllr Baxter reported the worn state of the memorial plaque and the discrepancies in the spelling of names when comparing family records with those by the war graves commission. We RESOLVED to approve a new and corrected Plaque at a cost of £280.
Proposed Cllr. Neil Boyce Seconded Cllr. Gary Elliott
1043 GOVERNANCE MATTERS: –
a) Parish Council Vacancy – We noted the expiry of the statutory notice of a vacancy had expired without any nominations or call for election. Parish council are therefore able to co-opt a suitable candidate to fill that vacancy.
b) VAT Reclaim – The Clerk reported the submission of a claim for £8354.92 for VAT paid up to 31st March 2024.
c) Registered Charity 302631 Allotments for Exercise – The remaining trustees of the Charity are Martin Chilcott (present at our meeting) along with Wiiliam Baxter. In conjunction with the trustees we considered, as a parish council, that there was no purpose to be served by the continued existence of the Charity. The charity has no assets and no bank account to transfer to any other body. The Clerk undertook to research the process for winding up the charity and to notify the trustees
1044 TO RECEIVE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS, CORRESPONDENCE OR REPORTS –
a) The Clerk reported receipt of an email from Ailsworth parish council in respect of the village sign. The cost to repaint the Ailsworth side alone was in excess of £300 whereas the supplier could repaint both sides on a single callout at a cost of £460. We RESOLVED to share the cost of £460 with Ailsworth to enable both sides to be repainted
Proposed Cllr. Neil Boyce Seconded Cllr. Terry Young
1045 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a) Village Hall Management committee.
1046. Date of Next meeting– scheduled for Thursday 6th March 2025 at 7.15pm in the Cedar Centre. Meeting Closed at 9.12pm
Clerk & RFO 9th February, 2025
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