Minutes and Current Agenda
| april_agenda..docx |
| draft_minutes_mar_2026.docx.pdf |
| minutes_wpc_meeting_feb_2026.docx.pdf |
| minutes_of_wpc_meeting_jan_2026.pdf |
| minutes_of_pc_meeting_nov_2025.docx.pdf |
| wpc_minutes_16_oct_2025.docx.pdf |
| minutes_of_pc_meeting_18_sept_2025.docx.pdf |
| woodditton_pc_minutes_21st_august_2025__1_.docx |
| minutes_of_pc_meeting_17_july_2025.docx__1_.pdf |
| minutes_of_pc_meeting_19_june_2025.pdf |
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| minutes_17_apr_2025.pdf |
Agenda 16th April
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday 16th April 2026 at the
Methodist Hall, Saxon Street at 7.30pm.
Councillors are summoned to attend the meeting to transact the following business.
Parishioners, press and the general public are invited to attend.
AGENDA
ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial)
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (for approval and signature)
PUBLIC FORUM-(15mins)
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
PLAY AREA MATTERS-update
HIGHWAYS ISSUES-update
FOOTPATHS
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL
PLANNING MATTERS
WEBSITE AND DOMAIN - update
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS
S Hewitt £300; H Crozier £60; J Webb £200; S Burley £140
1LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Next meeting: Thursday 21 May 2026. Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE there are three meetings in May starting at the earlier time of 7pm:
● Annual Parish Meeting
● Annual General Parish Council Meeting
● May Parish Council Meeting
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].
Minutes 21st July
Present. County and District councillors: Jonny Edge, Alan Sharp and James Lay.
Parish: Dudley White, Pavil Rybin, Gail Jefferson, Matt Stellmacher, Guy Taylor, June Surrage and Terry Webb.
Declarations of Interest: none.
Minutes of previous meeting: agreed and signed.
Film Night: all agreed this was a success and will be a recurring event.
Maters arising: Jonny Edge, overgrown hedge in New Cheveley Road was the County Councils responsibility and was being investigated. Highways department was undergoing a restructure at the moment.
Alan Sharp: Sanctuary Housing was improving their turnaround of empty properties, 42 houses were empty and available with 90 needing maintenance work before reletting.
James Lay: Air ambulance needed commending as 90 people had been trained in CPR in Woodditon. The course will be offered to residents around Crockfords Park. District Council had processed, on average, 130 planning applications per month. District Council to be closed within 3 years.
Public Forum: none.
Play areas: Memorial field, protecting the equipment from strimmers was almost completed. Saxon Street, a rethink on proposed work and expenditure will be discussed at the next meeting. The new sign will be erected. Kings Drive, fencing repair was complete.
Highways: waiting delivery of new street signs. Rubbish is being dumped again in the brick alcove along New Cheveley Road and graffiti is on the railway bridge; this is to be actioned by Alan Sharp.
Footpaths: Gate by Mill House was broken and would be reported to Darley for repair.
Quotations for approval: none
Planning: The Laurels neighbours have concerns about the distance of proposed road and the flint wall, and about being overlooked.
Accounts: approved and signed.
Correspondence: none.
AOB: A survey was presented to the council of blocked drains in the parish, clerk to report findings to Jonny Edge. Hedges and trees along Kirtling Road need cutting back, clerk to write to the Forestry Commission. Hedges and trees on the corner of New Cheveley Road and Crockfords Park reported as dangerous to pedestrians, Network Rail informed; Steve Burley asked to make safe.
Next meeting: Thursday 18th September 2025 at The Methodist Hall Saxon Street at 7.30 pm. Items for discussion should be with the clerk by 8th September.
Parishioners, Press and public are welcome to attend.
Minutes 17th July
PRESENT: Dudley White, Terry Webb, June Surrage, Pavel Rybin, Gail Jefferson, Alan Sharp (ECDC), Sara Hewitt (Clerk) Sam Stonehouse (Evolution Town Planning) APOLOGIES: Jonny Edge, Guy Taylor, James Lay
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (for approval and signature ) Approved
ELECTION OF NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR Matt Stellmacher proposed by GJ. Seconded by TW. Voted in unanimously.
ELECTION OF ELLESMERE CENTRE TRUSTEE Liz Stellmacher proposed by GJ. Seconded by PR. Voted in unanimously.
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
Local Govt Reorganisation - options outlined in JE’s July report. WPC supports Option A with ECDC joining with SCDC and Cambridge City. WPC does not believe it is in the interests of residents to follow Option B or C. WPC believes residents would be best served through links to Cambridge (given the lack of opportunity to be linked to Newmarket due to the County boundary). Concerns were raised over lack of public consultation and lack of public understanding of possible consequences of reorganisation.
UK Shared Prosperity Business Grant Fund - funding available for small businesses. Waste - New waste vehicles from 1 January 2026. Black bins to launch 1 June 2026.
PUBLIC FORUM (maximum 15 minutes) None
PLAY AREA MATTERS Saxon Street - DW asking S Burley to quote. Memorial field - in good condition. Portaloo from Cinema Night to be collected ASAP. Kings Drive - Darley mended fence.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES Grass cutting done on New Cheveley Road. Survey of road name signs to make a list of those no longer legible and submit request for replacements.
FOOTPATHS UPDATE Issues with shoddy work on footpaths in Crockfords - photos to be submitted with complaint via AS. Footpath in field at West End: hedge will be flailed and footpath cut by end of August. PC to request kissing gate not be removed, contrary to Footpath Officer request. Broken kissing gate on footpath near Mill House - request Footpaths either repair or remove.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL Request for donation towards church bell clappers
(matching £200 donated by community group). Agreed in principle pending evidence that PCs can donate to churches.
PLANNING MATTERS No objections to 25/00657/FUL or 25/00754/FUL.
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS New quarterly reporting format approved. Q1 to be emailed to all councillors. VAT refund received.
Clerk £300; SSMC (Jul/Aug/Sept) £75; H Crozier £60; V Capp £76; S Hewitt (expenses) £42.89; S Burley £105
ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mid Anglia Rail Passenger Association (MARPA) invited a
representative to sit on the committee representing rail users. DW to join. £25 annual fee.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 21st August. Items for
discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes 19th June
Present: Dudley White, Terry Webb, June Surrage, Guy Taylor, Pavel Rybin, Gail Jefferson, Alan Sharp, Jonny Edge, James Lay, Sara Hewitt (Clerk) Apologies: none
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (for approval and signature ) Approved and signed ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
JE reported CCC had first meeting of new council since elections in May. He is on Highways Committee. Also Vice Chair on Children and Young People’s committee. Has asked Highways to investigate the surface water opposite playground in Saxon Street. Outlined some of the issues arising from forthcoming local govt reorganisation. Confirmed 28th Nov deadline to submit proposals for reorganisation to Govt.
AS reported on Govt drive to speed up the Planning system and possible issues of lack of consultation at PC level to come, also the need to recruit new planning officers.
JL (ECDC) gave an update on cardiac arrest training - 72 people now trained in our area. Explained that EAAA running an app whereby local responders within 1⁄2 mile of a cardiac arrest will be contacted following 999 calls and asked to attend. Talked about pressures in local govt as officers leave or retire faced with unsettled futures. Of 129 Planning applications in April, 114 were approved.
FILM EVENT - Pete Wylie sent in a plan for the event site and full details of organisation, risk assessment etc. All supportive of the event. Event organisers to be responsible for clearing and locking memorial field after event. DW to speak to PW.
PUBLIC FORUM (maximum 15 minutes) N/A PLAY AREA MATTERS - Generally in good order.
Kings Drive - hole in fence onto Darley land. Darley mending fence to prevent trespass.
Memorial Field - strimming needed. Quote obtained. Weeds in carpark need spraying - GT kindly volunteered. New strimguards have been placed on legs of equipment to prevent weakening. Vandalism discussed in May meeting was fixed in 2 weeks.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES - grass cutting on New Cheveley Road remains an issue. AS and JE to follow up with email from resident provided.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - 9 hours @ £35 for maintenance including strimming and clearing of overgrown vegetation in 3 sites in Woodditton (Steve Burley) approved.
PLANNING MATTERS - 1) The Old Forge, 8 Ditton Green. Removal of internal walls, new openings formed in external wall and new windows installed - no comments. 2) 6 Ditton Green. Initial consultation on access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of previously approved 24/00521/OUT for up to seven new dwellings of mixed scale as well as associated landscaping works and the demolition of the existing dwelling. Response drafted to ECDC on items requiring conditions to planning prior to commencing work: 1) surface water management to prevent flooding after heavy rain; 2) parking provision is inadequate for size of houses, also visitors; 3) bus stop proximity to entrance to no.6. Submit to ECDC by 1st July.
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS
D White £104.94; S Hewitt £250; SSMethodist Church £25; H Crozier £60; J Webb £200; V Capp £76
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATIONS - no comments
REPRESENTATION - invitation for trustee(s) from Ellesmere Centre. Publicise the opportunity on village WhatsApp. And by poster if supplied.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Accountant - agreed thank you gift for accountant who did internal audit of annual accounts despite family crisis and refused any payment.
Overgrown hedge on Stetchworth Road from no.5 to village boundary obscuring road sign and visibility - GT kindly volunteered to cut.
Footpath through field off West End needs clearing. Contact Gibsons (owners) through developer to arrange access.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 17th July. Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Minutes Annual General PC Meeting 15th May
PRESENT Dudley White, Terry Webb, June Surrage, Pavel Rybin, Gail Jefferson, Alan Sharp, Jonny Edge, Sara Hewitt (Clerk)
Apologies for absence James Lay, Guy Taylor
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.
Any matters arising It was noted that it would be desirable to have a Vice Chair in the future. Agreed to discuss again this autumn with a view to having a candidate available for May 2026.
Calendar of meetings 2025-26 All at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated. Thursdays: 19th June 2025, 17th July, 21st August, 18th September, 16th October, 20th November, No meeting in December, 15th January 2026, 19th February, 19th March, 16th April, 21st May, AGM at 7pm, followed by AGPCM and May meet
Apologies for absence James Lay, Guy Taylor
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.
Any matters arising It was noted that it would be desirable to have a Vice Chair in the future. Agreed to discuss again this autumn with a view to having a candidate available for May 2026.
Calendar of meetings 2025-26 All at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated. Thursdays: 19th June 2025, 17th July, 21st August, 18th September, 16th October, 20th November, No meeting in December, 15th January 2026, 19th February, 19th March, 16th April, 21st May, AGM at 7pm, followed by AGPCM and May meet
Minutes Annual Parish May Meeting 15th May
PRESENT
Dudley White, Terry Webb, June Surrage, Pavel Rybin, Gail Jefferson, Alan Sharp, Jonny Edge, Sara Hewitt (Clerk)
Apologies for absence
James Lay, Guy Taylor
Chairman’s report 2024/25.
This was delivered by Dudley White (copy on file) along with a copy of the internally audited annual accounts (to be externally audited). Reflected on a year of change and thanked the relevant people for their work in given areas. Noted that Woodditton PC had not increased its precept for five years running. Also noted the sad loss of John Theobald, emphasising all he contributed to Woodditton in his 23 years as parish clerk.
Reports from County and District Councillors:
ECDC/Cambridgeshire CC Report, Bottisham Annual Report April 2025 – delivered by Alan Sharp (copy on file)
CCC Report Woodditton 15 May 2025 – delivered by Jonny Edge (copy on file)
Public Forum No public attendees present
Saxon Street Methodist Church report – delivered by June Surrage (copy
on file)
Minutes PC 15th May meeting
ATTENDANCES AND APOLOGIES
Present: Dudley White, Terry Webb, June Surrage, Pavel Rybin, Gail Jefferson, Alan Sharp, Jonny Edge, Sara Hewitt (Clerk)
Apologies for absence: James Lay, Guy Taylor
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (personal or prejudicial) - None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (for approval and signature) – Approved and signed
ANY MATTERS ARISING (District and County)
Alan Sharp and Jonny Edge had delivered their annual reports to the AGM a few minutes earlier – copies on file with those minutes.
WPC to await update(s) at June meeting following Council meeting on 20th May.
PUBLIC FORUM (maximum 15 minutes) - None
PLAY AREA MATTERS a) Vandalism in the School Road play area. PC had already been alerted about someone interfering with the gate padlock and Darley had agreed to increase security in the area. But a picnic bench was then vandalised with wood being split using some sort of metal tool. Had been taped up for safety by John Mills. Agreed to ask JM to assess whether safely repairable and thereafter to cost replacement if necessary. Also agreed to replace the rope handle on equipment with a chain so that can’t be cut. Continue to liaise with Darley re surveillance on patrols. b) Saxon Street – new bark laying and sign are in hand. c) Kings Drive – Vic Capp on monthly retainer. No issues.
HIGHWAYS ISSUES a) Abandoned car - removed from School Road, Saxon Street. b) Water leaks opposite Saxon Street play area – ongoing disagreement between Highways and Anglian Water over responsibility. JE to raise with ECDC. c) Grass cutting – issue raised by email about lack of grass cutting on bank below houses on New Cheveley Road between number 68 and The Drift. AS to speak to District Council. SH to replay to parishioner with update.d) Speeding issues on New Cheveley Road – recent accident of speeding car crashing into parks vehicle and overturning. DW to position speeding sign and equipment in location to gather data with a view to a possible traffic calming solution.
QUOTATIONS FOR APPROVAL - None
PLANNING MATTERS - None
ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS
Saxon Street methodist church £25.00; Hannah Crozier £60.00; John Mills £621.00; Insurance £1347.99; Clerk’s salary £250.00; Vic Capp £76.00; Pavel £118.45; Terry £22.19.
Internally audited accounts circulated for information. To go to external auditor.
LATEST CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLICATION – ongoing website updates
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - acknowledgements and thanks have been received for grants given to St Nicholas Hospice, The Ellesmere Centre and East Anglian Air Ambulance.
DATE AND BUSINESS FOR NEXT MEETING - Thursday 19th June at 7.30pm.
Items for discussion to be with the Clerk 10 days prior to the meeting.
Parishioners, press and the general public are invited to attend.