| wpc_meeting_agenda_17_sept.docx |
| draft_minutes_of_wpc_meeting_19_aug.docx |
| pc_minutes_16th_july_2026.docx |
| minutes_wpc_meeting_june_2026.docx |
| minutes_agpc_meeting_may_2026.docx |
| minutes_annual_parish_meeting_may_2026.docx |
| minutes_wpc_meeting_may_2026.docx |
| draft_minutes_apr_2026.docx |
| draft_minutes_mar_2026.docx |
| minutes_of_pc_meeting_feb_2026.docx |
| minutes_of_pc_meeting_jan_2026.docx |
| minutes_of_pc_meeting_nov_2025.docx |
| wpc_minutes_16_oct_2025.docx |
| minutes_of_pc_meeting_18_sept_2025__1_.docx |
| woodditton_pc_minutes_21st_august_2025__1_.docx |
Agenda 17th September
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday 17th September 2026 in the Methodist Hall, Saxon Street at 7.30pm.
Councillors are summoned to attend the meeting to transact the following business.
Parishioners and the general public are invited to attend.
ATTENDANCES AND APOLOGIES
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial)
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (for approval and signature)
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
PUBLIC FORUM (maximum 15 minutes)
PLAY AREAS UPDATE
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - ditch by new development on Stetchworth Road
FOOTPATHS
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - 1) village sign; 2) Saxon St bus stop noticeboard
PLANNING MATTERS - Swallows Rest development
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS - Cheques to be raised: Nurture Landscaping (Aug mowing) £239.96; S Burley (Jul/Aug/Sept) £350; S Hewitt (clerk) £316.30; H Crozier £60;
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - Newmarket Town Football Club boundary fence update
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 15th October
Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes 19th August
ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), P Rybin, J Surrage, G Jefferson, T Webb, M Stellmacher, G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), A Sharp (ECDC), S Hewitt (clerk) APOLOGIES: J Lay (ECDC)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - none
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - approved
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County) JE (CCC) Has drafted letter to Govt regarding the delayed Local Govt Reorganisation, following work done earlier this year with East Cambs villages surrounding Newmarket - currently with legal team for checking - potentially 4 South Cambs villages wanting to join the group. Letter shared with council leaders showed no plans for further consultation by Govt. AS (ECDC) a) Shared JE’s concerns on LGR; b) has new contact at West Suffolk with a view to resolving anomalies of land ownership within Crockfords area.
PUBLIC FORUM - none
PLAY AREAS UPDATE - 1) Kings Drive - swings to be replaced by J Mills. 2) School Road, Memorial Field - SH logged request for new bin with ECDC on 4th Aug so that refuse will be collected by their team because black bags no longer collected - no reply yet so will chase. AS to follow up with ECDC also. Aiming for same result as by bus stop in Ditton Green which is working well. 3) Saxon Street - closed. DW has talked to Godolphin about dismantling equipment and returning the land to them. Any equipment which can safely be reassembled elsewhere will be moved to one of the other playgrounds. Sub-standard equipment to be disposed of.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - 1) Water leak on The Street in Saxon Street - still leaking - SH to check still live on AW website and re-report if not. 2) Crossroads at top of Duchess Drive with road to Cheveley and Stetchworth - serious accident 19th Aug - JE agreed it is a blackspot and will add it to list for review - possibility of stop signs approaching from Cheveley and Stetchworth. GT suggested using the road along Cheveley Park boundary to stagger the junction as done at junction with Woodditton Road and elsewhere. 3) JS reported red car parked on grass at bottom Stretton Avenue and issues with cars parking on path also. No action as not illegal. 4) Litter on bank off New Cheveley Road on left approaching rail bridge - revealed by mowing - AS to speak to ECDC.
FOOTPATHS - 1) Footpath from Little Ditton over Limes Farm towards Granary Barns now cleared by Godolphin. It was noted that the first stretch from the road to the rear of the houses is very narrow. DW to ask whether hedge could be cut back hard this autumn. 2) Footpaths from behind the pub down towards the church and the Icknield Way have been mown by Stetchworth Estates.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - 1) Village sign requires repair. 2) Noticeboard at bus stop on School Road vandalised. DW to obtain quotations from J Mills for both repairs for approval at September meeting.
PLANNING MATTERS - none
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS - 1) 2026-27 Q1 accounts reviewed - no questions. 2) Cheques raised as listed on meeting Agenda.
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - none raised
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - 1) Newmarket Town Football Club - Phillip Green has confirmed damaged boundary fence will be discussed at next NTFC committee meeting; 2a) Woodditton Community Group (WCG) - P Wylie (Chair) emailed with update that the new water butts and solar watering systems in the trough planters at village entry points are being installed on solid bases for stability. 2b) PW shared positive feedback on the photo frame at West End. SH shared having received some negative feedback and suggested publishing a schedule of where/when the mobile frame will move which could reassure those residents. PW had agreed to take that to WCG meeting in September. 2c) PW suggested sharing minutes of WCG with PC. Agreed unanimously. PW to email minutes to TW to be posted on WCG page of woodditton.org website.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 17th September - Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - none
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - approved
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County) JE (CCC) Has drafted letter to Govt regarding the delayed Local Govt Reorganisation, following work done earlier this year with East Cambs villages surrounding Newmarket - currently with legal team for checking - potentially 4 South Cambs villages wanting to join the group. Letter shared with council leaders showed no plans for further consultation by Govt. AS (ECDC) a) Shared JE’s concerns on LGR; b) has new contact at West Suffolk with a view to resolving anomalies of land ownership within Crockfords area.
PUBLIC FORUM - none
PLAY AREAS UPDATE - 1) Kings Drive - swings to be replaced by J Mills. 2) School Road, Memorial Field - SH logged request for new bin with ECDC on 4th Aug so that refuse will be collected by their team because black bags no longer collected - no reply yet so will chase. AS to follow up with ECDC also. Aiming for same result as by bus stop in Ditton Green which is working well. 3) Saxon Street - closed. DW has talked to Godolphin about dismantling equipment and returning the land to them. Any equipment which can safely be reassembled elsewhere will be moved to one of the other playgrounds. Sub-standard equipment to be disposed of.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - 1) Water leak on The Street in Saxon Street - still leaking - SH to check still live on AW website and re-report if not. 2) Crossroads at top of Duchess Drive with road to Cheveley and Stetchworth - serious accident 19th Aug - JE agreed it is a blackspot and will add it to list for review - possibility of stop signs approaching from Cheveley and Stetchworth. GT suggested using the road along Cheveley Park boundary to stagger the junction as done at junction with Woodditton Road and elsewhere. 3) JS reported red car parked on grass at bottom Stretton Avenue and issues with cars parking on path also. No action as not illegal. 4) Litter on bank off New Cheveley Road on left approaching rail bridge - revealed by mowing - AS to speak to ECDC.
FOOTPATHS - 1) Footpath from Little Ditton over Limes Farm towards Granary Barns now cleared by Godolphin. It was noted that the first stretch from the road to the rear of the houses is very narrow. DW to ask whether hedge could be cut back hard this autumn. 2) Footpaths from behind the pub down towards the church and the Icknield Way have been mown by Stetchworth Estates.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - 1) Village sign requires repair. 2) Noticeboard at bus stop on School Road vandalised. DW to obtain quotations from J Mills for both repairs for approval at September meeting.
PLANNING MATTERS - none
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS - 1) 2026-27 Q1 accounts reviewed - no questions. 2) Cheques raised as listed on meeting Agenda.
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - none raised
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - 1) Newmarket Town Football Club - Phillip Green has confirmed damaged boundary fence will be discussed at next NTFC committee meeting; 2a) Woodditton Community Group (WCG) - P Wylie (Chair) emailed with update that the new water butts and solar watering systems in the trough planters at village entry points are being installed on solid bases for stability. 2b) PW shared positive feedback on the photo frame at West End. SH shared having received some negative feedback and suggested publishing a schedule of where/when the mobile frame will move which could reassure those residents. PW had agreed to take that to WCG meeting in September. 2c) PW suggested sharing minutes of WCG with PC. Agreed unanimously. PW to email minutes to TW to be posted on WCG page of woodditton.org website.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 17th September - Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes 16th July
Woodditton Parish Council Minutes 16th July 2026, Methodist Hall, 7.30 pm
ATTENDANCES: Chairman, Dudley White, acting Clerk, Terry Webb, Councillors, Gail Jefferson, Matt Stellmacher, June Surrage and Guy Taylor.
District Councillor, Alan Sharp and County Councillor, Jonny Edge.
APOLOGIES: Councillor, Pavel Rybin and District Councillor, James Lay.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: none
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: agreed and signed.
MATTERS ARISING: Jonny Edge: Complaints from St. Johns Avenue residents about inappropriate parking of a builder’s vehicle, this had been moved from Crockfords Road after residents complaints. Alan Sharp will look into their Operators Licence.
Stetchworth Road, Woodditton planning application update, footpaths both sides of the road felt to be unnecessary but the location of a culvert was highlighted.
Forest City development does not appear to have government or local support.
Alan Sharp: New waste services are working well with a 90% uptake of the new food waste bins.
Kingsway solar park application has been withdrawn but may not have gone away permanently.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION: Unitary decision has been delayed until October. Peterborough do not like any of the options available, the government appear to prefer option D. Woodditton; we will state our case again for our preferred option. With a new Prime Minister coming in the autumn decisions could change.
PUBLIC FORUM; Damian and Jolanta Culhane present, (3 Stetchworth Road planning application).
PLAY AREAS; New swings to be installed in Kings Drive. Saxon Street Playground will be inspected to see if the equipment can be used in another site. The area will be returned to Godolphin. In today’s times it was felt unsafe as it is so enclosed.
HIGHWAYS: Ditches and drains are an ongoing problem and will be inspected again.
Traffic calming and speed will be reviewed again. Speed signs at the entrance to the parish from Newmarket as well as Ditton Lodge School. The grass bank along New Cheveley Road needs mowing and will be reported.
FOOTPATHS: The new footpath steps and handrail in Saxon Street are excellent. Footpath in Little Ditton completely overgrown by the hedge. Godolphin have agreed to clear a.s.a.p. also new signage needed.
Football ground fencing in Newmarket risks collapsing and needs to be replaced.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL: none.
PLANNING MATTERS: Application for 3 Stetchworth Road discussed, with no issues arising. Other applications discussed, also no action required.
ATTENDANCES: Chairman, Dudley White, acting Clerk, Terry Webb, Councillors, Gail Jefferson, Matt Stellmacher, June Surrage and Guy Taylor.
District Councillor, Alan Sharp and County Councillor, Jonny Edge.
APOLOGIES: Councillor, Pavel Rybin and District Councillor, James Lay.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: none
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: agreed and signed.
MATTERS ARISING: Jonny Edge: Complaints from St. Johns Avenue residents about inappropriate parking of a builder’s vehicle, this had been moved from Crockfords Road after residents complaints. Alan Sharp will look into their Operators Licence.
Stetchworth Road, Woodditton planning application update, footpaths both sides of the road felt to be unnecessary but the location of a culvert was highlighted.
Forest City development does not appear to have government or local support.
Alan Sharp: New waste services are working well with a 90% uptake of the new food waste bins.
Kingsway solar park application has been withdrawn but may not have gone away permanently.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION: Unitary decision has been delayed until October. Peterborough do not like any of the options available, the government appear to prefer option D. Woodditton; we will state our case again for our preferred option. With a new Prime Minister coming in the autumn decisions could change.
PUBLIC FORUM; Damian and Jolanta Culhane present, (3 Stetchworth Road planning application).
PLAY AREAS; New swings to be installed in Kings Drive. Saxon Street Playground will be inspected to see if the equipment can be used in another site. The area will be returned to Godolphin. In today’s times it was felt unsafe as it is so enclosed.
HIGHWAYS: Ditches and drains are an ongoing problem and will be inspected again.
Traffic calming and speed will be reviewed again. Speed signs at the entrance to the parish from Newmarket as well as Ditton Lodge School. The grass bank along New Cheveley Road needs mowing and will be reported.
FOOTPATHS: The new footpath steps and handrail in Saxon Street are excellent. Footpath in Little Ditton completely overgrown by the hedge. Godolphin have agreed to clear a.s.a.p. also new signage needed.
Football ground fencing in Newmarket risks collapsing and needs to be replaced.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL: none.
PLANNING MATTERS: Application for 3 Stetchworth Road discussed, with no issues arising. Other applications discussed, also no action required.
Minutes 18th June
ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), P Rybin, J Surrage, A Sharp (ECDC), S Hewitt (clerk)
APOLOGIES: G Jefferson, T Webb, M Stellmacher, G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), J Lay (ECDC)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - none
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - agreed and signed
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
A Sharp (ECDC) - New bin outside 6 Ditton Green has been ordered and will be emptied by ECDC once
in place. Also discussed the need for replacement of bin at QEII Memorial Field as black bags are no
longer collected under new waste system - SH to email AS confirming WPC’s request for this to be added
to new bin order and to waste collection rota. Kingsway Solar application has been withdrawn but it is
likely they will reapply. Houses on Vicarage Lane near church - replacement of shared septic tank - SH
to ask PCC for best contact(s) and pass to AS to share with ECDC and Sanctuary Housing regarding
access.
PUBLIC FORUM - none
PLAY AREA MATTERS - Saxon Street remains locked pending discussion and decision of work needed
shown in safety inspection - move to July meeting agenda due to June not being quorate (4 WPC
councillors needed to reach a quorum). New cradle swings for Kings Drive in accordance with safety
inspection findings have arrived and are with J Mills awaiting fitting.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - DW explained that he and JE would give a full update on the revised LHI bid
2026/27 at the July meeting. PR raised the issue of lack of footway along the north side of Stetchworth
Road from water tower to village limit - kerbs were put in place long ago but the job was never completed.
SH to email JE asking him to investigate and report back at the July meeting.
FOOTPATHS - SH contacted Mark Peck at CCC Footpaths who confirmed the footpath through the field
at West End will be mown imminently. JS raised issue of wooden steps down from footpath into the road
at Saxon Street having broken, making the descent hazardous, especially with oncoming traffic. SH to
email CCC Footpaths with photos requesting repair.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - none
PLANNING MATTERS - none raised
ACCOUNTS and PAYMENTS - allocation of grants for 2026-27 not discussed due to inquorate meeting -
move to July meeting agenda. Cheques raised: Nurture (May mowing) £239.96; J Webb £200; S Hewitt
£300; H Crozier £60; S Burley £455; Online Playgrounds £474.96.
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - Grass banks need mowing along New Cheveley Road - resident has
contacted DW/SH - same issue as last year. AS to take this up with ECDC (confusion as to whether ECDC
or West Suffolk are responsible due to county boundary). Residents of New Cheveley Road whose
houses back on to Newmarket Town FC’s car park are frustrated by the poor repair of the boundary fence
affecting security of their gardens. SH to take photos and email NTFC on behalf of residents.
NEXT MEETING - Thursday 16th July 2026 at 7.30pm
Items for discussion for next PC Meeting to be with the Clerk 10 days prior
Minutes 21st May three meetings
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
PRESENT - D White, T Webb, J Surrage, G Jefferson, M Stellmacher, G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), S Hewitt (clerk), M Smy (public)
Apologies for absence: P. Rybin, J Lay (ECDC), A Sharp (ECDC)
Chairman’s report 2025/26: This was delivered by Dudley White (copy on file) along with a copy of the internally audited annual accounts. DW reflected on another year of change and thanked people for their work in given areas. Noted: ongoing concerns about land drainage being ignored in planning applications regardless of PC written responses; work done on potholes but the significant catch-up required; PC commitment to maintenance of play areas; contribution of Woodditton Community Group to social life in the village.
Reports from County and District Councillors: ● ECDC Woodditton Annual Report by A Sharp - read to meeting by D White in absentia (copy on file) ● CCC Report Woodditton 15 May 2025 – delivered by Jonny Edge (copy on file)
Public Forum Saxon Street Methodist Church report: delivered by June Surrage (copy on file)
ANNUAL GENERAL PARISH MEETING
PRESENT: D White, T Webb, J Surrage, G Jefferson, M Stellmacher, G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), S Hewitt (clerk), M Smy (public)
Apologies for absence: P Rybin, J Lay (ECDC), A Sharp (ECDC)
Election of Chairman: Dudley White proposed by Terry Webb, seconded by June Surrage. DW completed the Candidate’s Qualification sheet as required declaring his qualification to serve. Unanimous vote for DW from council members. (No other candidates for Chair or Vice Chair.
Declarations: (Acceptance of Office and Code of Conduct) Dudley White completed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Matters arising: It was noted that it would be desirable to have a Vice Chair in the future. Agreed to discuss again with a view to having a candidate available for May 2026.
Calendar of meetings :2025-26 All at 7.30pm on Thursday unless otherwise stated.
19th June 2025
17 th July
21 st August
18 th September
16 th October
20 th November
No meeting in December
15 th January 2026
19 th February
19 th March
16 th April
21 st May AGM at 7pm, followed by AGPCM and May meeting
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), G Jefferson, T Webb, M Stellmacher, J Surrage, G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), S Hewitt (clerk) M Smy (public) APOLOGIES: P Rybin, A Sharp (ECDC), J Lay (ECDC) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - none
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: agreed and signed
PUBLIC FORUM: none ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County) J Edge (CCC) - shared ongoing attempt to raise public involvement on lines and signs to add weight to requests for improvement to footways as well as roads. Woodditton PC roads unlikely to be resurfaced in near future - will take about 8 years to clear backlog (Cambridgeshire has £800,000 deficit for highways). A Sharp (ECDC) - (read by S Hewitt in absentia)
Waste services: bins delivered, starts 1st June;
Local Govt Reorganisation: await Govt decision in July;
Ellesmere PO: work ongoing by Ellesmere Trustees to make it a community PO;
Forest City; AS will continue to oppose this proposal and update residents.
PLAY AREA MATTERS: Saxon Street remains locked pending discussion and decision of work needed shown in safety inspection - T Webb kindly offered to weed as becoming overgrown; Kings Drive - repair work identified in safety inspection has been approved and will be carried out by J Mills; School Road - in good repair; Peterhouse Drive - approach made to ECDC to grant a 20 year lease which would make it viable to consider capital spending to provide fitness equipment.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES: Parking issues on the green at junction of Stretton Drive with St Johns Ave. Residents having multiple vehicles using the green as permanent parking space. D White to speak to West Suffolk to establish land ownership to find which council to approach for a solution.
FOOTPATHS: no issues reported
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL: Quotations approved for annual insurance, Saxon Street phone box (library) renovation and playground repairs at Kings Drive playground.
PLANNING MATTERS: none raised
ACCOUNTS and PAYMENTS: annual accounts (approved by internal auditor on 12/5/26) approved by WPC. Annual Governance Statement and Accounting Statements 2025/26 (pages 4 and 5 of Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2025/26 Form 3) approved by WPC.
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS: none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: none
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 18th June 2026 at 7.30pm Items for discussion for May PC Meeting to be with the Clerk 10 days prior
PRESENT - D White, T Webb, J Surrage, G Jefferson, M Stellmacher, G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), S Hewitt (clerk), M Smy (public)
Apologies for absence: P. Rybin, J Lay (ECDC), A Sharp (ECDC)
Chairman’s report 2025/26: This was delivered by Dudley White (copy on file) along with a copy of the internally audited annual accounts. DW reflected on another year of change and thanked people for their work in given areas. Noted: ongoing concerns about land drainage being ignored in planning applications regardless of PC written responses; work done on potholes but the significant catch-up required; PC commitment to maintenance of play areas; contribution of Woodditton Community Group to social life in the village.
Reports from County and District Councillors: ● ECDC Woodditton Annual Report by A Sharp - read to meeting by D White in absentia (copy on file) ● CCC Report Woodditton 15 May 2025 – delivered by Jonny Edge (copy on file)
Public Forum Saxon Street Methodist Church report: delivered by June Surrage (copy on file)
ANNUAL GENERAL PARISH MEETING
PRESENT: D White, T Webb, J Surrage, G Jefferson, M Stellmacher, G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), S Hewitt (clerk), M Smy (public)
Apologies for absence: P Rybin, J Lay (ECDC), A Sharp (ECDC)
Election of Chairman: Dudley White proposed by Terry Webb, seconded by June Surrage. DW completed the Candidate’s Qualification sheet as required declaring his qualification to serve. Unanimous vote for DW from council members. (No other candidates for Chair or Vice Chair.
Declarations: (Acceptance of Office and Code of Conduct) Dudley White completed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Matters arising: It was noted that it would be desirable to have a Vice Chair in the future. Agreed to discuss again with a view to having a candidate available for May 2026.
Calendar of meetings :2025-26 All at 7.30pm on Thursday unless otherwise stated.
19th June 2025
17 th July
21 st August
18 th September
16 th October
20 th November
No meeting in December
15 th January 2026
19 th February
19 th March
16 th April
21 st May AGM at 7pm, followed by AGPCM and May meeting
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), G Jefferson, T Webb, M Stellmacher, J Surrage, G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), S Hewitt (clerk) M Smy (public) APOLOGIES: P Rybin, A Sharp (ECDC), J Lay (ECDC) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - none
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: agreed and signed
PUBLIC FORUM: none ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County) J Edge (CCC) - shared ongoing attempt to raise public involvement on lines and signs to add weight to requests for improvement to footways as well as roads. Woodditton PC roads unlikely to be resurfaced in near future - will take about 8 years to clear backlog (Cambridgeshire has £800,000 deficit for highways). A Sharp (ECDC) - (read by S Hewitt in absentia)
Waste services: bins delivered, starts 1st June;
Local Govt Reorganisation: await Govt decision in July;
Ellesmere PO: work ongoing by Ellesmere Trustees to make it a community PO;
Forest City; AS will continue to oppose this proposal and update residents.
PLAY AREA MATTERS: Saxon Street remains locked pending discussion and decision of work needed shown in safety inspection - T Webb kindly offered to weed as becoming overgrown; Kings Drive - repair work identified in safety inspection has been approved and will be carried out by J Mills; School Road - in good repair; Peterhouse Drive - approach made to ECDC to grant a 20 year lease which would make it viable to consider capital spending to provide fitness equipment.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES: Parking issues on the green at junction of Stretton Drive with St Johns Ave. Residents having multiple vehicles using the green as permanent parking space. D White to speak to West Suffolk to establish land ownership to find which council to approach for a solution.
FOOTPATHS: no issues reported
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL: Quotations approved for annual insurance, Saxon Street phone box (library) renovation and playground repairs at Kings Drive playground.
PLANNING MATTERS: none raised
ACCOUNTS and PAYMENTS: annual accounts (approved by internal auditor on 12/5/26) approved by WPC. Annual Governance Statement and Accounting Statements 2025/26 (pages 4 and 5 of Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2025/26 Form 3) approved by WPC.
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS: none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: none
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 18th June 2026 at 7.30pm Items for discussion for May PC Meeting to be with the Clerk 10 days prior
Agenda 16th April
ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), P Rybin, G Jefferson, T Webb, M Stellmacher, J Surrage, A Sharp (ECDC), S Hewitt (clerk) APOLOGIES: G Taylor, J Edge (CCC), J Lay (ECDC),
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Agreed and signed
PUBLIC FORUM - None
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County) A Sharp (ECDC) -
1) Local Govt Reorganisation decision is expected in July.
2) New waste bins will be delivered for 1st June start. Black bins to contain bagged household rubbish. Advise parishioners to look online for full information (leaflets delivered 2025). AS to provide printed flyers to go on noticeboards. https://eastcambs.gov.uk/services/waste-and-recycling/new-bin-changes-1-june-2026/new-bin-service
3) Ellesmere Centre trustees still working to retain a community Post Office.
PLAY AREA MATTERS - closure sign is fixed to the small gate at Saxon Street playground. Mowing continues. D White and S Hewitt to check quotations for repairs identified in safety checks and bring to May meeting for approval. Peterhouse playing field: D White and A Sharp to investigate a 20 year lease from ECDC to make it feasible for WPC to invest CIL monies there.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - Disappointment voiced as to the quality of repairs carried out in the Crockfords area. Clerk to alert J Edge (CCC) to ensure he is aware and to ask for future repairs to be to a higher standard.
FOOTPATHS - no issues reported QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - Quotations for playground repairs identified in safety inspections to be presented at May meeting (see above).
PLANNING MATTERS - none raised EMAIL/DOMAIN - New clerk email now in place – [email protected] – bringing WPC in line with govt expectations. Thanks expressed to T Webb for her work checking through the website - woodditton.org.uk - and making the necessary changes ahead of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). PAYMENTS - H Crozier £60; J Webb £200; S Hewitt (clerk fee) £300; SSMC £75; Nurture Landscapes Ltd £239.96
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - none ANY OTHER BUSINESS -
1) J Mills is repairing parish noticeboards from Ditton Green.
2) A Sharp to provide contact for the replacement bin at 6 Ditton Green which has not progressed since before Christmas.
3) PC to decide what to do with old bin at May meeting.
4) WPC decided to continue with cheque book instead of online banking for 2026/27.
NEXT MEETING(S) - Thursday 21st May 2026. PLEASE NOTE the three meetings starting at 7pm: ● Annual Parish Meeting ● Annual General Parish Council Meeting ● May Parish Council Meeting Items for discussion for May PC Meeting to be with the Clerk 10 days prior
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Agreed and signed
PUBLIC FORUM - None
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County) A Sharp (ECDC) -
1) Local Govt Reorganisation decision is expected in July.
2) New waste bins will be delivered for 1st June start. Black bins to contain bagged household rubbish. Advise parishioners to look online for full information (leaflets delivered 2025). AS to provide printed flyers to go on noticeboards. https://eastcambs.gov.uk/services/waste-and-recycling/new-bin-changes-1-june-2026/new-bin-service
3) Ellesmere Centre trustees still working to retain a community Post Office.
PLAY AREA MATTERS - closure sign is fixed to the small gate at Saxon Street playground. Mowing continues. D White and S Hewitt to check quotations for repairs identified in safety checks and bring to May meeting for approval. Peterhouse playing field: D White and A Sharp to investigate a 20 year lease from ECDC to make it feasible for WPC to invest CIL monies there.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - Disappointment voiced as to the quality of repairs carried out in the Crockfords area. Clerk to alert J Edge (CCC) to ensure he is aware and to ask for future repairs to be to a higher standard.
FOOTPATHS - no issues reported QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - Quotations for playground repairs identified in safety inspections to be presented at May meeting (see above).
PLANNING MATTERS - none raised EMAIL/DOMAIN - New clerk email now in place – [email protected] – bringing WPC in line with govt expectations. Thanks expressed to T Webb for her work checking through the website - woodditton.org.uk - and making the necessary changes ahead of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). PAYMENTS - H Crozier £60; J Webb £200; S Hewitt (clerk fee) £300; SSMC £75; Nurture Landscapes Ltd £239.96
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - none ANY OTHER BUSINESS -
1) J Mills is repairing parish noticeboards from Ditton Green.
2) A Sharp to provide contact for the replacement bin at 6 Ditton Green which has not progressed since before Christmas.
3) PC to decide what to do with old bin at May meeting.
4) WPC decided to continue with cheque book instead of online banking for 2026/27.
NEXT MEETING(S) - Thursday 21st May 2026. PLEASE NOTE the three meetings starting at 7pm: ● Annual Parish Meeting ● Annual General Parish Council Meeting ● May Parish Council Meeting Items for discussion for May PC Meeting to be with the Clerk 10 days prior
Minutes 19th March
ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), G Jefferson, T Webb, G Taylor, M Stellmacher, J Surrage, J Edge (CCC), A Sharp (ECDC), J Lay (ECDC), S Bonnett (ECDC), L Flintham (ECDC), S Hewitt (clerk), M & M Pinder (public) APOLOGIES: P Rybin
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - None MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Agreed and signed
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) presentation - S Bonnett and L Flintham from ECDC attended the meeting to brief councillors on CIL funding. They explained how monies are raised from new development in the District, with 15% of receipts being passed on to the parish council in which the development has taken place. They explained the requirement for parish councils to report annually on CIL monies held and to account for any spending. They clarified that monies must be spent on locally important infrastructure such as play spaces and other community facilities. Councillors thanked them for attending and answering questions.
PUBLIC FORUM: FOREST CITY - Mr and Mrs Pinder raised questions regarding the Forest City development which has been publicised recently and whose promoters have held some meetings locally. Matters raised were discussed with answers and information being offered by J Edge, A Sharp, G Taylor and D White. In summary, the scheme, while promoted widely on social media at the present time, would need Govt backing and its scale would require it to be an Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). The time frame and budgets outlined by the promoters are felt to be unrealistic at best and the infrastructure required would involve many different regulatory authorities. It was suggested that Cambridge is unlikely to accept a scheme to build a city of this size so close to itself and its current and proposed further development.
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
J Edge (CCC) spoke about Highways funding and the work being undertaken on road repairs - now 30 gangs mending our roads compared to 8 in January. G Taylor challenged that repairs will continue to be short-lived unless the issue of blocked drainage ditches is resolved to prevent water lying on roads weakening the structure. JE updated the meeting on rail improvements including an additional Mon-Fri morning and evening service on the Ipswich-Cambridge line starting in May. JE updated councillors on Local Government Reorganisation. CCC has submitted Option A (which Woodditton PC had voted for last year). Talked about the importance of residents engaging and submitting views. Public meetings being held in Stetchworth, Bottisham and Burwell. Publicised on Facebook and noticeboards in Woodditton parish.
A Sharp (ECDC) confirmed ECDC 0% increase in council tax for the 13th consecutive year. Planning: battery installation near Burwell has been refused but AS shared concern that proposed planning instructions being issued will make it harder for councils to object in future. Post Office at Ellesmere Centre update: trustees are considering it running as a community Post Office - taking legal advice. Bin at 6 Ditton Green: ECDC has agreed to install a dog waste bin like that beside the bus shelter on Vicarage Lane, to be emptied with that one. Councillors unanimously accepted.
J Lay (ECDC) said Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Newmarket experienced at 42% increase in clients in the first 11 months of 2025-26. 86 clients from Woodditton ward (not Woodditton parish).
PLAY AREA MATTERS - closure sign to be fixed to the small gate at Saxon Street playground. Mowing has started on playing fields. Inspection at Kings Drive playground raised some minor issues: D White to discuss with S Burley as part of his schedule for 2026-27. Peterhouse playing field: D White and A Sharp to investigate a longer lease from ECDC to make it feasible for WPC to invest CIL monies in an adult trim trail there.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - D White and S Hewitt had met developers of new houses on Stetchworth Road and discussed drainage issues connected with ditch along site, also with lack of pavement on opposite side of road despite ECDC having done the groundwork and put in kerbstones. Clerk to pass contact details for developer to J Edge.
FOOTPATHS - no issues reported
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - CAPALC course £35; CAPALC affiliation £635.44; Fenland
Leisure Products ltd (Kings Drive safety inspection) £108; J Mills (noticeboard repairs) £465. PLANNING MATTERS - no comments or objections to cases raised
EMAIL/DOMAIN - Clerk to request gov.uk domain and email at no charge through Parish Online following advice from clerks meeting to have a compliant email address as gmail is unacceptable.
PAYMENTS - ACRE membership £74.50; S Hewitt (clerk fee) £300; H Crozier £60; Arien Signs £136.80; CAPALC course £35; CAPALC affiliation £635.44; Fenland Leisure Products ltd (Kings Drive safety inspection) £108; J Mills £60 (noticeboard repairs in Crockfords).
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - WI Waste Management Meeting has been publicised on noticeboards
for WI meeting - open to all parishioners.
NEXT MEETING - Thursday 16 April 2026.
Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes 19th February
ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), G Jefferson, T Webb, J Surrage, P Rybin, A Sharp (ECDC), J Lay
(ECDC), S Hewitt (clerk), M Smy (public)
APOLOGIES: G Taylor, M Stellmacher, J Edge (CCC)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Agreed and signed
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
A Sharp (ECDC) Local Govt Review proposals have gone to central govt consultation. ECDC aiming for 0% increase for 13th year running. New bus route to Addenbrookes running through villages south of Newmarket - AS will update at next meeting. ECDC deferred a planning application on storage batteries linked to solar development in Buirwell. Post Office at the Ellesmere Centre closing due to retirement of postmistress. Ellesmere trustees and public fighting to make PO pass it over to a new person rather than having permanent closure. PO agreed to remove money but not machinery which is a positive sign. Clerk to write to Charlotte Cane MP supporting the need for continuation of PO at the Ellesmere.
J Lay (ECDC) Planning application 26/00009/FUL has been referred to full council due to development of small site so close to electricity substation on St Johns Ave. JL has spoken to Andy Drummond and Rachel Hood of Newmarket Town Council about the need to transfer Crockfords allotments to ECDC as having them in Suffolk is anomaly from where they were missed out in 1974 boundary changes.
PLAY AREA MATTERS Clerk to book safety inspection for Kings Drive playground. Nurture Landscaping to be retained for mowing Peterhouse Drive and Memorial play fields through 2026. Kings Drive to be mown by S Burley. DW to order sign for Saxon St playground explaining temporary closure.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES Discussion of findings of inspection by DW and JE in January. Crockfords needs relaying, not patching. Stretton Ave path needs resurfacing as does the bottom of Clare Place. Speed limits to be reassessed between Woodditton crossroads and Little Ditton. We are still waiting for ECDC waste services to adopt the bin by 6 Ditton Green so that neighbours no longer have to change bag every Monday 4 months since we asked. AS to chase ECDC.
FOOTPATHS Nothing raised.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL ACRE membership due March. £74.50 annually. Agreed. Clerk to renew.
PLANNING MATTERS 26/00009/FUL Land North East of 70 St Johns Avenue Newmarket Suffolk - clerk to respond to ECDC Planning Dept raising concerns in line with resident response and PC discussion.
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS
S Hewitt £321.39 (fee + expenses); H Crozier £60; Nurture Landscapes (mowing Mar - Oct 2025) £3065.46; Online Playgrounds (inspection) £144; D White (expenses) £86.70
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - CIL team from ECDC to attend meeting on 19th March - clerk to liaise so they have 7.30-8pm slot at start of meeting.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS gov.uk domain for emails and website compliance for accessibility in line with Assertion 10 - TW and DW looking at website. Phone boxes to be moved to April onwards in 2026-27 budget. Agreed to support Woodditton Community Group by funding cleaning materials for gates and plant troughs - DW has told P Wylie.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 19th March 2026. Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes 15th January 2026
WOODDITTON PARISH COUNCIL - MINUTES of meeting 15 January 2025 ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), G Jefferson, T Webb, J Surrage, P Rybin, J Lay (ECDC), J Edge (CCC),
S Hewitt (clerk) APOLOGIES: G Taylor, M Stellmacher, A Sharp (ECDC) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) Planning application (see below). MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Agreed and signed.
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
ECDC (J Lay) - Planning committee refused latest application for solar battery farm in Burwell. 131 planning applications were considered in November, 11 of which were refused. Citizens Advice Bureau report many families looking for support; 86 families in Woodditton ward. Need local charities to step forward. (A Sharp) - EDCD working to freeze council tax; Kingsway solar ongoing.
CCC (J Edge) - Important that residents and PCs report highways issues as they arise - particularly potholes, flooding and pavements. JE will support WPC by visiting all areas of concern with DW to advise on quickest resolution pathway.
PUBLIC FORUM (maximum 15 minutes) none
PLAY AREA MATTERS 1) Memorial Field - annual inspection report an improvement from previous year - work to continue to address minor flagged issues. 2) Saxon Street - to be closed due to PC not wanting to spend the money required following 2024 report due to lack of use - SS residents to be questioned on its relevance and use. 3) Kings Drive - annual inspection to be undertaken - Clerk to book with Allianz.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES 1) LHI bid - DW has compiled and will submit request based on input from councillors. 2) DW and JL to meet with West Suffolk about pockets of land in Crockfords which should be in East Cambs to be more easily managed by WPC and ECDC. 3) Bin at 6 Ditton Green - ongoing - DW and AS to chase ECDC to install new bin and add to collection rota.
FOOTPATHS - nothing raised
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - ACRE membership due in March. £74.50 annually. Not used by WPC
recently. Councillors to look at ACRE website before voting whether to continue at February meeting.
PLANNING MATTERS - 25/01340/FUL extension at 10 Malvern Close - G Jefferson left meeting after declaration of interest - councillors votes there are no issues requiring comment on the application.
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS
S Burley £70; S Hewitt (clerk) £300; H Crozier £60; Saxon Street Methodist Church £75
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - CIL team from ECC will attend WPC meeting on 19th March to refresh understanding of how CIL income can/should be spent by parish councils.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS 1) Phone boxes - renovation will be undertaken once noticeboard repairs are completed. 2) CALPALC - Assertion 10 - clerk advised councillors of non-compliance with requirements. Clerk and councillor(s) to find out more and report at February meeting with next steps to be ready for audit. SH, DW and TW to attend online meeting organised by CALPALC on 22 January.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 19th February 2026. Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes 20th November
WOODDITTON PARISH COUNCIL - MINUTES of meeting 20th NOVEMBER 2025 ATTENDANCE: D White (Chair), G Jefferson, T Webb, J Surrage, M Stellmacher, P Rybin, G Taylor, S
Hewitt (clerk) APOLOGIES: J Lay (ECDC), J Edge (CCC), A Sharp (ECDC) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Agreed and signed.
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County) - Deadline for CCC and ECDC to submit preferences for Local Govt Review into 2 unitary authorities. A meeting was held of 16 parishes in East Cambs around Newmarket. Letter sent with agreement to back Option A (ECDC with Cambridge South and Cambridge City) although as satellite parishes to Newmarket would make more sense to be in same unitary authority as Newmarket. Not an option currently because villages in East Cambs and Newmarket in Suffolk.
PUBLIC FORUM (maximum 15 minutes) none
PLAY AREA MATTERS 1) The recreation field off Peterhouse Drive is not classed as an Asset of Community Value due to lack of evidence of community use submitted in 2020 and will be removed from the list in June 2026; SH to contact ECDC to explore if a revised application may be made; GJ and DW to liaise with parishioners in Crockfords area to see who might use it. 2) Dog fouling on Memorial Field continues to be an issue around playground equipment. PW and MS to consider possible solutions for the January meeting. SH to chase AS regarding signs discussed at the October meeting. 3) Safety inspection of Memorial Field playground is due - SH to book.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES 1) Bin at bus stop by 6 Ditton Green - ECDC will not add it to their refuse collection as not installed by them. Agreed to replace with standard ECDC bin so it can be on the collection list and be emptied at same time as that by wooden bus stop at cross roads. SH to ask AS to progress with ECDC waste dept. 2) Parking outside the pub is an issue, especially on Sundays, with customers parking both sides of the road on pavements. AS to talk to Chestnut Group. 3) Concerns raised about the cleanliness of wooden bus shelter at cross roads: cobwebs to be swept.
FOOTPATHS - CCC footpaths team will install steps where Icknield Way crosses Devils Dyke in 2026.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - Request from Woodditton Community Group for £750 to fund road closure for Arts and Music Street Festival in June 2026. In the interest of fairness across the 3 communities within WPC, agreed not to fund street closure but instead to award 3 grants of £500 each for 2026-27 to Woodditton, Saxon Street and Crockfords to be used as communities wish for community events. Concerns raised about using Ditton Green for live music due to noise for residents into the night and because not a national event like VE Day or Coronation. Memorial Field felt to be a better location with more space and no need to close a road. DW to respond to Community Group.
PLANNING MATTERS - No issues raised. ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS
November: D White £86.70; S Hewitt (clerk) £300; H Crozier £60; J Mills £2,105.15; S Daines £125. December: S Burley £280; S Hewitt (clerk) £300; H Crozier £60; J Webb £200.
Application for 2026/27 Precept - agreed no increases - same as 2025-26.
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - None
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - DW reported on attendance of MARPA meeting. Phone box refurbishment
awaited after work is completed on noticeboards in Crockfords - DW to chase.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - No meeting in December. Next meeting: Thursday 15 January 2026. Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes 16th October
WOODDITTON PARISH COUNCIL - minutes of meeting on OCTOBER 2025 ATTENDANCE - D White (Chair), M Stellmacher, P Rybin, G Jefferson, J Edge (CCC), A Sharp
(ECDC), S Hewitt (clerk)
APOLOGIES - T Webb, J Surrage, G Taylor, J Lay (ECDC)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - none
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - approved and signed
MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
CCC Kingsway Solar - support Kingsway Community Solar Action’s campaign against this
development which will cover 1,246 hectares (3,079 acres) of farmland and necessitate a 15km line of mega pylons to take the electricity across country to join the grid at Burwell. Clerk to send letter.
Local Govt Review - CCC supporting Option A where East Cambs joins Cambridge City and South Cambs.
Gulley cleaning now underway. EDCD
LGR - ECDC councillors voting on 5 options.
Waste services changes - black bins to start w/c 23 March. Bags in black bin collected
fortnightly. Food waste caddy weekly.
PUBLIC FORUM - n/a
PLAY AREA MATTERS - Kings Drive - all strimmer guards on. Memorial Field - problem with dog mess in playground - agreed to erect signs - AS to source. WPC to monitor effectiveness.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES
WPC to draw up a wish list for Local Highways Improvement (LHI) funding for 2026-27. General agreement that creating parking bays up St John’s Avenue alongside allotment fence necessary to ease drop off/pick up at Ditton Lodge and because verge an eyesore from parents parking on it for years. Chair and clerk to meet with Headteacher to discuss.
Speeding through Saxon Street - Chair to gather data.
Waste bin by bus stop opposite 6 Ditton Green - needs to be added to ECDC list for regular
collection - AS to action.
FOOTPATHS - steps on Devils Dyke have been replaced by CCC footpaths team
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - phone box repairs in Saxon Street and Ditton Green approved. PLANNING MATTERS - telecoms mast Cricket Field Road; Hambleton House; Granary Barns. No issues.
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS - Q2 report and review - no issues. Cheques raised: S Hewitt (clerk) £300; H Crozier £60; J Mills £362; SSMC £75
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - Chair reported from attending MARPA meeting.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 20 November at 7.30pm. Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes 19th September
WOODDITTON PARISH COUNCIL - minutes of meeting held on 19th Sept 2025 PRESENT: Dudley White (Chair), June Surrage, Pavel Rybin, Matt Stellmacher, Jonny Edge (CCC), Sara
Hewitt (Clerk)
APOLOGIES: Terry Webb, Gail Jefferson, Guy Taylor, Alan Sharp (ECDC), James Lay (ECDC)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (for approval and signature ) Approved
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
CCC Highways - new structure: Les Middleton will triage and process requests. JE and LM already surveyed trouble spots within the parish. Slurry seal of pavements being done soon.
CCC - children in care - JE requested the part of his September report asking for foster parent volunteers be displayed on noticeboards in the parish. SH to action.
Railway bridge at bottom of Crockfords Road: Network Rail have been alerted to sycamore tree growing on embankment damaging retaining wall by bridge. NR confirmed job placed for tree removal.
PUBLIC FORUM (maximum 15 minutes) None
PLAY AREA MATTERS - All play areas in good condition. Slide washed in QEII memorial park and estimate approved for replacement of broken wood. Work completed at Crockfords with strimmer guards approved for installation. Saxon Street bark laying on hold.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - JE confirmed he has referred the request to cut back trees and bushes on edge of Ditton Park Wood to CCC after Forestry Commission confirmed it is their responsibility to keep the road clear. DW confirmed traffic data from New Cheveley Road showed majority of motorists not speeding. JS said nevertheless there is a requirement for some kind of safe crossing for pedestrians between The Draft and Cricket Field Road. JE suggested WPC consider what Local Highways Improvements (LHIs) are required in the coming year. Discussion identified the following: 1) Saxon Street - gather data for speeding on main road prior to consideration of traffic claiming. DW to move speed camera to Kirtling Road; 2) St John’s Ave - replace verge along allotments with parking bays to ease traffic issues with school drop off and collection - DW asked SH to arrange a meeting with Ditton Lodge school as a first step to ascertain school’s thoughts and wishes.
FOOTPATHS UPDATE - 1) Broken steps on Devil’s Dyke footpath: repair confirmed as in hand by CCC. SH to chase progress within a month. 2) Broken kissing gate on footpath by Old Mill House: DW to ask Darley if they plan to replace as landowner responsibility, not CCC. 3) Broken signpost on track beyond livery yard toward Court Barns: registered with CCC - SH to chase in a month. 4) PR raised the issue of flooding of footpath beyond the livery stables in winter. MS to contact Statchworth Estates and explore possibility of having the path raised over the ditch/stream.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - See Play Area Matters: Crockfords strimmer guards. Repairs in QEII. Also improvements to both noticeboards in Crockfords to weatherproof.
PLANNING MATTERS - None
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS - S Hewitt (clerk) £300; H Crozier £60; S Burley £275; SJD Cleaning £30; J Mills £621 ANY OTHER BUSINESS - Speeding data on New Cheveley Road - see Highways (above).
DATE FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 16th October.
Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting: [email protected].