WOODWALTON DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS
28 THORNHAM WAY EASTREA
Tel 01733 351223   Mobile 07808 58 22 50
Email russellianwright@hotmail.co.uk
www.wcidb.org.uk
1st May 2010

Lady/Gentlemen

You are cordially invited to attend the next Meeting of the Board to be held at Middle Farm, CONINGTON, on Friday 21st May 2010 at 10.30am when it is hoped you will find it convenient to attend.
 Yours truly
 Mr R Wright
 Clerk to the Commissioners
*********************************************************************************
 A G E N D A

1 Apologies for Absence
 
2 
a) Commissioners – The Clerk to report that the Wildlife Trust for BCNP have appointed Lorna parker (Reserve Manager) as their representative.
b) Appointment of Chairman
Current Chairman J R Papworth
c) Appointment of Vice Chairman
Current Vice Chairman S D Papworth
d) Appoint of District Council Representative
The Clerk to confirm that Cllr J T Bell has been appointed as Huntingdonshire representative on the board.

3 Confirmation of Minutes
Meeting held on 27th May 2009 (Pages 4-5-6)

4 Matters Arising
a) Old Pump House – Further to minute 41/09(b) – The Chairman to report.
b) Precept –Further to minute 41/09(c) The Clerk to report that the Precept remains at £1,597 and that the account from the Middle Level Commissioners for £275.00 in respect of the out-turn adjustment 2006/2007 has not been paid as the Commissioners have not responded to correspondence.

5 Great Fen Project
a) Lorna parker to give an update upon the Great Fen Project.
b) Application for Water Monitoring works, and culverting at Middle Farm Connington.

6 Maintenance of Channels
a) The Chairman to report upon the drainworks undertaken in 2009/2010.
Ag Reserves Ltd reported problems of water not draining and J Papworth inspected the area and emergency works were undertaken to clear the obstruction. Spoil was placed on east embankment at Monks Lode which resulted in correspondence from the Middle level Commissioners requesting removal of the dredged material as it would hinder their flail mowing operations. The matter has been resolved.
b) The Clerk to report that the cost to join the Conservation project administered by Middle Level Commissioners for 2009/2010 - Fenland Drainage Ditch Project Officer was £272.50 an increase from £260.
The FDDPO/ Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough Wildlife Trust have prepared the Commissioners BAP. The plan needs to be approved and signed. The final cost being £275.
c) To consider works required for 2010/2011

7) Pumping Station
a) The Electrical engineer reported heavy corrosion on ELL plate.
b) A supply of hardwood dam Boards have been purchased at a cost of £540.00.
c) The Chairman to report upon condition of pump

8 General Matters
a) Planning - The Clerk to report that the Consulting Engineer had dealt with the following applications on behalf of the Board.
H/09/00665/F   S Papworth Charterhouse Farm, replacement garage
b) (i) Risk Management - Control and Risk Management – The Clerk to report upon the risk management assessment and that a review of the Commissioner’s Insurance cover had been reviewed and the pump house value increased from £93,342to £94,929 and contents from £100,485 to £101,892.
(ii) Financial Regulations – To consider regulation approved on 20th February 2007.
(iii) Regulations as to Proceedings – To consider regulations approved on 20th February 2007
(iv) The Health & Safety arrangements continue to be updated and a new risk assessment for the station was approved.

c) DEFRA
Amalgamations – G Beel appointed by Middle Level Commissioners gave a talk about his proposals for the IDB Review within the Middle Level Area. He spoke about the J Benn report of 2006, followed by the Pitt report of 2007, and Defra’s Sub-catchment proposals of 2008.  The idea to merge the existing 32 Boards into one Board was considered wholly unworkable and not sustainable. His proposals were for three boards based on income, district council boundaries and river catchments with a further ten year time scale from April 2013. He felt that Boards should be looking into possible mergers in order to prevent Defra enforcing amalgamations.

d) ADA – The Clerk to report upon the following:
Floods & Water Bill that seeks to revise, modernise and consolidate existing legislation covering flooding, land drainage, coastal erosion and reservoir safety was made an Act in April 2010.

e) Banking – Current bank rate is 0.05%. Abbey Business Banking offered 2.81% nine month fixed rate bond, minimum deposit £50,000. Barclays offered a Treasury deposit of 1.1% AS the Commissioners were unable to deposit the minimum amount with Abbey a deposit of £25,000 was made with Barclays.
The Commissioners to consider internet banking arrangements.

f) Consents – The Clerk to confirm that consent to install 29 under drain outfalls into a district drain from E P Brand (Farms) Ltd has been granted.

g) Electricity – The Clerk to report that a new contract with SWALEC – Standing Charge - Quarterly £16.30, weekday units 9.95p/kWh, other 7.38 p/kWh.

9 Payments - To consider the income & expenditure during 2009/2010
 £37,667.67 less £25,000.00 Barclays Treasury deposit£12,667.67 (inclusive of vat)  See attached schedule Page 7

10 Annual Accounts 2009/2010
a) To approve Annual Account and Statement of governance – (pages 8-9)

b) Audit Arrangements –  External Audit – Moore Stephens have been appointed as external      auditors
    Internal audit arrangements – G Whitfield a former Audit Commission     Manager had agreed to continue as internal auditor.
There were no matters to bring to the attention of the Commissioners for 2008/2009.

11 Estimates of Income and Expenditure
 To consider and approve estimates of Income & Expenditure for 2009/2010
 See attached Page (10)
The payment of the Clerk’s fee for 2009/2010 was £1875. The Board to give consideration of the Clerk’s fee for 2010/2011
The payment for looking after the pumping station for 2009/2010 was £700. The Board to give consideration of for 2010/2011

12 Rates and Levy Requirement
Under Section 37 of the Land Drainage Act 1991, the appropriate proportions in which the net expenditure of the Commissioners must be borne for 2009/2010: -
a) Proportion to be borne by Agricultural Sector 96.22%
b) Proportion to be borne by Special Levy issued
  To Huntingdonshire District Council   3.78% 

In 2009/10 a rate of 1p together with corresponding special levy would raise £612.98
The estimated net expenditure of £14,082 in 2010/11 is equivalent to: -
a) A rate of 22.97p in the £ on agricultural land and buildings of p to raise £13,547.35  
b) A special levy on Huntingdonshire District Council of £532.21

In 2009/2010 agricultural land paid £11,796.20 (20p) and the District Council £463.40

13 Any other business   

 
14 Date of next meeting 
 May 2011