Minutes of a meeting of the Whittlesey Internal Drainage Board held on Tuesday 8th June 2010, at 2.30pm at the Town Hall, Market Street, Whittlesey.
Present G Easton (Chairman), D M Band, P M Bradshaw, R C Brown, R W Fletcher, C R Saunders, Cllr R C Speechley,
M W Sweet, R Wright (Clerk) R Hales (District Officer) Mrs M A Wright, J Winton
Apologies for Absence C Allen, D G Beaton, J E Cade, R Easton, M Fisher, G S Halden, T Martin, Cllr Mrs P Potts,
P W Tingey, J R Young.
105/10 Guest Speaker Joe Winton Development Officer Wind Prospect Ltd
Joe Winton gave a brief history of the Company started in 1992 and now employed over 200 staff in eighteen offices.
The Company undertook onshore developments that were designed to secure sustainable and diverse supply of clean, safe and reliable energy. He explained the development criteria, environmental and technical areas needed before actual building of a wind farm started. The main problem in a development was the planning issue which could take up to three years to be resolved.
He then spoke about the existing development at Glassmoor bank and the proposals to include a further six turbines and any issues that were likely to affect the drainage system. The site was in Flood Risk zone 2 and the impact upon the drainage system was considered low.
He then answered questions raised by members after which the Chairman thanked him for his presentation.
106/10 Confirmation of Minutes RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Meeting held on 2nd March 2010 and the Finance & General Purposes Committee of 1st June 2010 were correctly recorded and that they are signed as being a true record.
107/10 Matters Arising
a) Amalgamation with Drysides IDB – Further to minute 96/109 (a) The Clerk reported that no further correspondence has been received from either Defra or the Environment Agency.
b) IDB Re-view – Further to minute 96/10(b) The Clerk reported that no correspondence from neighbouring Boards regarding the review had been received. With the recent change in Government and the uncertainty that further changes may be imposed the Board felt that they had covered Defra requirements as regards to the amalgamation process.
108/10 District Officers Report The Board considered and approved the report and actions of the District Officer
RAINFALL (mm)
BEGGARS BRIDGE PONDERSBRIDGE
February 2010 68.00mm 82.00mm
March 2010 32.50mm 38.00mm
April 2010 12.50mm 18.00mm
Pumping StationElectrics Hours Weed screen Pumping station Hours Weedscreen
Manor Farm 463.6 12 Goosetree Corner 103.9
Goosetree Estate 213.1 14 Beggars Bridge 173.7 16.2
Wype Doles 186.98 20.3 Plantation 86.7
Ramsey Mereside 343.79 53.5 Glassmoor Bank 305.14 23.2
Tebbitts Bridge 475.26 12.2 Conquest Lode 73.5 5.5
Lords Farm 148.4 Underwoods 440.9 17.5
Ironside 477.6 33.25
Pumping Stations Diesel Hours Hours Pumping StationDiesel Hours
Goosetree Estate Plantation
Ramsey Mereside Underwoods
Lords Farm Ironside 0.5
ISUZU TROOPER
On the 1st April the Board replaced the Isuzu Trooper with an Isuzu Rodeo 2.5 CRD Denver Double cab in Tornado red,
Registration AF10 YTU at a cost of £15,760 less private sale of Trooper £3,500. The recorded mileage as at 30th April was 1,405 miles and the 1,000 service has been undertaken.
PUMPING STATIONS
The contractor has undertaken grass cutting at the stations.
DRAINWORKS /OTHER COMMENTS
a) The Clerk confirmed that all drain work notices have now been served upon the relevant authorities and ratepayers.
b) Conquest Lode – A replacement weed screen was budgeted last year but the work was delayed and is now in progress and has been allowed for in the estimates at a cost of £7,500
c) Lords Farm – Diesel sump – The work on the old diesel sump was not undertaken last year and a figure of £5,000 has been included in this year’s budgets.
d) The Electrical Engineer has started the annual service checks to the panels and levels. PIR tests are also being undertaken this year.
e) Water inlets and Water control structures – The inlet at Manor Farm, Goosetree Estate was completed last year and a figure of £2,500 has been included in the budget for this year. The Finance and General Purposes Committee has inspected the structure and photos of the structure were distributed to the members. It was considered that the new structure was a good design and would be safer to operate. The Officer had demonstrated to the Committee how it worked but as yet it had not been used sufficiently for its operational use to be evaluated.
f) Beggars Bridge Pump – Problems with water ingress will mean that the pump will need to be lifted and a general over-haul undertaken. Quotes from Shoebridge Engineers and Bedford Pump Company will be sought. The Chairman and Vice Chairman were authorised to accept the quote they considered appropriate.
g) Vulcan Inspection Services have inspected all air vessels on 30th April 2010 and the eyebolts at Underwoods Station on 13th April 2010.
The Chairman asked members to notify the Officer of any matters that needed attention and to inform the Officer when irrigation would be undertaken as it sometimes took 4/5 days for him to build up the water levels in some areas.
109/10 General Matters
a) Risk Management - Control and Risk Management – The Clerk reported upon Risk Management Assessment. A review of the Board’s Insurance cover had been made and the valuation of the various pumping stations was increased from £399,654 to £406,449 and contents from £1,291,688 to £1,304,728 weedscreen cleaners from £457,550 to £469,000. Plant assets were depreciated from £9,890 to £4,815. Pipes, dam boards, fir piles, toe boarding and culvert cleaning equipment were valued at £4,861. The fuel account balance was £558
(ii) Financial Regulations – The Board considered that no changes are required to the regulation reviewed last year and approved on 14th June 2005.
(iii) Regulations as to Proceedings – The Board considered that no changes are required to regulations reviewed last year and approved on 14th June 2005.
(iv)The Health & Safety – The Clerk reported that updates to Health & Safety procedures and policies were continuing and reminded all members when on Board business to adhere to safety measures.
b) Planning Matters - The Clerk reported that the Consulting Engineer had dealt with the following matters on behalf of the Board:
FYR10/0247/F E C Brown & Son Ltd 144 Cock Bank – extension to agricultural building
FYR10/0229/AG1 Cambs CC Manor Farm, Wisbech Road, Coates – agricultural building
H10/00445/F P Harlow Wykes Farm, Milk & Water Drove – replacement Cottage
FYR10/0286/F S Nicholas 135 Ramsey Road change of use of land
FYR10/0102/O Reliant Building Contractors Ltd Station Goods yard – 52 dwellings opposed
FYR10/0300/F D Lepla 402 Eastrea Road Eastrea change of use public house and 6 dwellings
The Board have received a Flood Risk Assessment from G Beel Consultancy on the proposed extension to re-cycling yard at Eldernell lane by P J Thory Ltd.
The Clerk reported of his meeting with Wind Prospect Ltd regarding the six additional turbines planned at Glassmoor Bank and the possible affects the development may have on the drainage system. The existing haul road would be used and it was envisaged that two culvert crossings would require attention.
c) Consents - The Clerk to report that the following consents have been granted
No 159 Alan West-Robinson- entrance gate and wooden fence Cross Drove, Coates Whittlesey.
No 160 E P Brand Farmers Ltd – 13 tile drain outfalls at Tebbitts Bridge
No 161 Collmart Growers Ltd – new 10m access culvert at Pondersbridge, Ramsey
N0 162 Collmart Growers ltd – new access culvert the Drove, Pondersbridge.
d) DEFRA - The Clerk reported that the Floods & Water Bill that seeks to revise, modernise and consolidate existing legislation covering flooding, land drainage, coastal erosion and reservoir safety was granted Royal Consent in April. The key features of the Act were
· To give the Environment Agency an overview of all flood and coastal erosion risk management and unitary and county councils the lead in managing the risk of all local floods.
· To introduce an improved risk based approach to reservoir safety.
· To encourage the uptake of sustainable drainage systems by removing the automatic right to connect to sewers and providing for unitary and county councils to adopt SUDS for new developments and redevelopments.
· To widen the list of uses of water that water companies can control during periods of water shortage, and enable Government to add to and remove uses from the list.
· To enable water and sewerage companies to operate concessionary schemes for community groups on surface water drainage charges.
· To reduce ‘bad debt’ in the water industry by amending the Water Industry Act 1991 to provide a named customer and clarify who is responsible for paying the water bill.
· To make it easier for water and sewerage companies to develop and implement social tariffs where companies consider there is a good cause to do so, and in light of guidance that will be issued by the SoS following a full public consultation.
IDB Biodiversity Action Plans – The Middle Level Commissioners and the Wildlife Trust have completed the plan and the Board to consider its adoption. RESOLVED – that the Board adopt the BAP and the Chairman signs the documents.
e) ADA – The Clerk reported that the Conference will be held in September 2010 at the East of England Showground and details will be circulated to any members that wished to attend.
f) Municipal Mutual Scheme of Arrangement – The Clerk to report that the Directors continue to foresee a solvent run-off.
g) Environment Agency Water Framework Directive – Great Ouse Catchment Flood management Plan – the public consultation will continue until 9th July 2010
Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management – forward planning for Grant 2011-2012 to 2015-2016 for Capital Improvement Works and Related Studies. RESOLVED – That at present no Capital works were envisaged.
h) Energy Charges – The half-hourly reading charges at Glassmoor Bank have been amended to monthly billed that will reduce availability charges. Energy charges continue to be monitored at the various stations.
i) St Germans Pumping Station – The completion of the new station is approaching and it was necessary to effect the transition to the new from the old. The Transition involved up to four days without any IDB pumping and was undertaken around 19th April 2010
j) Babcock International Group – Peterborough Central – March (PIA) 132kV Overhead Tower Line Refurbishment from May to October 2010.
110/10 Payments made by the Board
The Board considered and approved the following payments made by the Board:-
a) 2009/2010 vouchers 222 –252 £118,146.57
Voucher 253 HMR & C Paye £1,743.05
voucher 254 e.on electricity Underwoods £588.40
b) 2010/2011 vouchers 1-32 £40,057.16
111/10 Accounts 2009/2010
a) The Clerk presented the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2010 and the Statement of Annual Governance.
RESOLVED – That the Annual Accounts be approved along with the Statement of Annual Governance and the Clerk and Chairman sign the Annual return.
b) The Clerk reported that the audit has been called for 1st June 2010 and the appropriate notices have been displayed. The Internal Auditor is currently re-viewing the 2009/2010 accounts.
c) The Board to consider Internal Audit arrangements which is currently undertaken by Mr G Whitfield. a former Audit Manager with the audit commission.
RESOLVED – That G Whitfield be appointed as internal auditor for 2010/2011.
d) Banking – The Clerk reported that at present £100,000 was deposited with Santander in a reward Saver account @ 2% and £51,054.80 in a Bond @2.3%. It was agreed that the Clerk continues to monitor the investments.
e) Peterborough Deeping Fen & Whittlesey Training Group (PDFW). The group had loss the services of their secretary and were suggesting two options to members. One was to merge with the Training Group West and the other to mothball the PDFW and seek associate membership with the Training Group West. P Bradshaw the current Chairman explained in more details the options. RESOLVED – That the Board supported option one – the merger with the Training group West.
112/10 Estimates of Income and expenditure
a) The Clerk presented a schedule showing income and expenditure for 2009/2010.
b) The Board considered estimates for 2010/2011. The Gross expenditure of £216,800 was approved less income of £6,950 that left a net expenditure of £209,850.
113/10 Rates and Levy Requirement
Under Section 37 of the Land Drainage Act 1991, the appropriate proportions in which the net expenditure of the Board must be met for 2009/2010 is: -
a) Agricultural Sector 75.02%
b) Special Levy issued to Fenland District Council 17.76%
c) Special Levy issued to Huntingdonshire D C 7.22%
The estimated net expenditure of £209,850 in 2010/2011 is equivalent to a rate of 12.9p.The Finance and General Purposes Committee had recommended a rate of 12p as they felt that part of the cost of the to refurbish Beggars Bridge pump could be met from the Insurance contingency fund. Savings were also envisaged from the weed screen replacement budget and other cost headings. P Bradshaw asked whether the rate should be kept at 12p as in previous years the Board had have to increase the rate after keeping it static.
RESOLVED – That the Board levy a rate of 12p.
a) A rate of 12p in the £ on Agricultural land and buildings to raise £146,418.96
b) A special levy on Fenland District Council of £34,674.84
c) A special levy on Huntingdonshire District Council of £14,096.04
d) That the seal of the Board be affixed to the Record of Rate & Special levy
e) That the Clerk be empowered to recover any outstanding rate through the appropriate court.
114/10 Other Matters
a) The Chairman reported that he would be attending the office of Serjeant & Sons at Ramsey to do make a statutory
Declaration regarding the registering of Goosetree Corner and Goosetree Estate pumping stations.
b) Wype Culvert – The Board would be improving the culvert this year and would hold talks with interested parties. E C Brown & Sons had offered a load of brick bats.
115/10 Date of next meeting Tuesday 9h November 2010 at 2.30pm the Town Hall, Whittlesey
The meeting was closed at 3.55pm and the Chairman thanked the Clerk and Officer for the work they had undertaken last year on behalf of the Board and all members for their attendance.
Minutes of a meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee of the Whittlesey Internal Drainage Board held on Tuesday 26th January 2010, at 9.00am at Engine Farm, Wisbech Road, Coates.
Present G Easton (Chairman), R C Brown, D Band, D Beaton, R Fletcher, M Fisher, Cllr P Potts,
J Young, R Wright (Clerk), R Hales (District Officer)
Apologies for Absence None
FGP 90/10 IDB Review
R Brown reported upon the Middle Level I D B Review report presented by Geoff Beel, at a meeting on the 16th December 2009, attended by Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Clerks of Boards within the Middle Level sub-catchment. It was the general consensus of those present that amalgamations would and should occur, the proposals for three IDB’s was drawn up on a financial basis and to be implemented in five to ten years. The proposals would be discussed by all Boards at their AGM.
Although the proposals had to be considered by each Board the thoughts of Defra were still not known.
The Chairman felt that the Board should encourage more talks with neighboring Boards and it was suggested that Geoff Beel be invited to give a presentation at a Board meeting upon his proposals.
FGP 91/10 Diesel pump
The Chairman asked members for their comments regarding the future of the Diesel pumps operated by the Board –
Goosetree Estate, Ironside, Lords Farm, Old Plantation Farm, Ramsey Mereside, Tebbitts Bridge, Underwoods.
The members felt that the diesels pumps, provided a valuable save guard should a problem occur with the electric supply, and should continue at the present time to be maintained. The matter could be re-viewed in the future.
FGP 92/10 Income and Expenditure
a) The Clerk reported that the cost to replace the Water control at point 37 was £2,659.47. The District officer had yet to test the structure but was pleased with its construction. The expenditure on the slip at manor had cost £14,860 but savings had been made on drain works and by not undertaking the work at Conquest Lode and Lords Farm.
The Clerk reported that he had been approached by Santander Business banking about a Business account that was offering 2% on amounts over £20,000 and had opened the necessary accounts after talking to the chairman and Vice Chairman.
b) Income & Expenditure 2009/2010. The Clerk presented a schedule that listed income to date of £205,787.33 and expenditure of £158,280.02
c) The Clerk reported upon likely expenditure for 2010/2011
i) Ironside - possible problems with top bearing in number 2 pump
ii) Wype - possible problems with thrust bearing
iii) Lords Farm- old diesel sump estimated £5,000
iv) Conquest Lode – weed screen estimated £7,500
v) Vehicle – replacement of Trooper. Quotes from Hockmeyor Motors Ltd and Hylton Gott Ltd were discussed. The DO favored an Isuzu Rodeo Denver double cab with load cover, tow bar, load liner, seat covers and floor trays. The basic price was £14,999 plus extras £2,595 and trade in of £3,534. The Clerk and DO to make further enquiries with Hylton Gott Ltd.
FGP 93/1
a) The Clerk presented an application by PG Packaging to extend an existing culvert and create a new water course within the site. The Committee had no objections to the culvert extension and the digging of the new water course provided it did not affect the adjoining land owner.
b) The Clerk reported that he would be meeting with CG Utilities to discuss the electricity tariffs as a possible saving may be made by changing from monthly to quartley metering.
The meeting closed at 10.30am
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Minutes of a meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of Whittlesey Internal Drainage Board held on Tuesday 1st June 2010 at the farm office of G R & P Easton, Engine Farm, Wisbech Road, Coates, at 8.30am.
Present G Easton (Chairman) D Band, M Fisher, R Fletcher, Cllr P Potts, J Young,
R Wright (Clerk) R Hales (District Officer)
Apologies for Absence R C Brown, D Beaton
FGP 102/10 IDB Review
The Chairman reported that no advancement had been made in respect of the amalgamation with Drysides I D B.
The committee felt that the Board had taken the appropriate steps as regards to instigating talks with neighbouring Boards and until such time as Defra had considered the proposals of the Middle Level Commissioners Consultant it was uncertain as to how neighbouring Boards wished to proceed. Concern was also raised about how the new Government viewed the proposals and whether they would enforce amalgamations.
The Flood and Water Bill had been passed and Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council were actively looking towards supervising surface water management within their areas. Concern was expressed as to how effective the system would operate.
The Chairman mentioned that within a few years both the Clerk and District officer and indeed himself would be viewing retirement and what probable changes it would have on the future Administration and Engineering operational running of the Board. The Committee discussed the matter and decided that at present no recommendations could be made and that the Administration and Engineering services should be raised at a later date.
FGP 103/10 Income and Expenditure
a) Income & Expenditure 2009/2010 - The Clerk presented a schedule to the Committee showing income and expenditure for 2009/2010 which had resulted in a net surplus of £853.82 income over expenditure.
b) Income Expenditure 2010/2011 – The Clerk presented a schedule showing gross expenditure of £216,800 and income of £6,950 leaving net expenditure of £209,850 which would equate to a rate of 12.89p in the £.
The overhaul at Beggars Bridge could partly be funded by revenue and a contribution from the Insurance contingency Account. The works at Conquest Lode were estimated at £7,500, the actual weedscreen had cost £4,845 with probably labour costs of £1,000 leaving a balance of £1,655. Savings were also envisaged over the running costs of the new vehicle and other headings the Committee felt that a rate of 12p could be recommended to the Board on 8th June 2010.
c) Several Committee members were members of Anglian Farmers and had made substantial savings by purchasing items through the group. The Committee recommended that the Board should investigate whether joining would be beneficial.
FGP 104/10 Other Business
a) The Chairman had spoken to the Vice-Chairman about replacement/extension of Wype Dole culvert which would be undertaken this autumn. The DO was concerned that removal of the existing culvert may have an effect upon the highway. It was agreed that costings to extend the culvert be made and whether a contribution should be sought from the owner.
b) New Water Control – It was agreed that the Committee would inspect the new water control at the conclusion of the meeting.
c) Lords Farm – J Young reported that seepage was occurring in the Middle Level commissioners embankment at Lords Farm and that they were looking at putting back an original soak-dyke.
d) Shaw’s at Farcet – Member were informed that the Environment Agency along with Police officers were in attendance at Shaw’s yard in Main Road, Farcet.
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Minutes of a meeting of the Whittlesey Internal Drainage board held on Tuesday 2nd March 2010 at the Town Hall, Market Street, Whittlesey at 2.30pm.
Present G Easton (Chairman), D M Band, D G Beaton, R C Brown, J E Cade, R Easton, M Fisher, R W Fletcher, G S Halden, Cllr P Potts, C R Saunders, R C Speechley, M W Sweet, P W Tingey, R Wright (Clerk), R Hales (District Officer),
Mrs M A Wright
Apologies for Absence C Allen, P M Bradshaw, J R Young, T Martin
94/10 Guest Speaker
G Beel talked about his proposals for 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 Flood and Water Management Bill had been through the House of Commons and was on its second reading in the House of Lords. 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.
The Chairman thanked Geoff for his presentation.
95/10 Confirmation of Minutes
RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10th November 2009 and those of the Finance & General Purposes Committee of the 26th January 2010 were correctly recorded and that they are signed as being a true record.
96/10 Matters Arising
a) Amalgamation with Drysides IDB – Further to minute 83/09 the Clerk reported that the Environment Agency had advertised the draft scheme in the Evening Telegraph on 23 February. After 28 days the EA will inform Defra to process the matter by advertising draft scheme, arranging for order to be sealed, advertising sealed order and then confirming order. The EA were unable to give a timescale as it would be in the hands of Defra.
b) IDB Review – Further to minute FGP90/10 - the Board considered the options of waiting for other Board s to make a move or for them to be the instigator. RESOLVED – That the Board should start the process of talking with neighbouring Boards,
and if possible arrange a meeting with them and invite Geoff Beel to be present.
97/10 District Officers Report - The Board considered and approved the report and actions of the District Officer
RAINFALL (mm)
BEGGARS BRIDGE PONDERSBRIDGE
October 2009 31.50mm 31.00mm
November 2009 83.50mm 92.00mm
December 2009 68.50mm 82.50mm
January 2010 61.00mm 59.50mm
PUMPING STATIONS - DIESEL (Hours) The diesels were not run during the period
GOOSTREE ESTATE PLANTATION RAMSEY MERESIDE
UNDERWOODS TEBBITTS BRIDGE LORDS IRONSIDES
PUMPING STATIONS - ELECTRIC (Hours)
MANOR 489.6 GOOSETREE CORNER 131.6 GOOSTREE ESTATE 240.1
Weed Screen 45 Weed Screen 13.75
BEGGARS BRIDGE 201.6 WYPE DOLES 203.5 PLANTATION 77.2
Weedscreen 39 Weedscreen 16.7
RAMSEY MERESIDE 320.74 GLASSMOOR BANK 211.72 TEBBITTS BRIDGE 309.74
Weedscreen 45 Weedscreen 15 Weedscreen 8
CONQUEST LODE 29.6 LORDS 73 UNDERWOODS 378.98
Weedscreen 2.5 Weedscreen 24.25
IRONSIDE 438.9 DRYSIDES 260.91
Weedscreen 37.25 Weedscreen 20.11
ISUZU TROOPER
Speedo Reading from October 87675 to January 92751
On 17th December Chandler’s undertook 90,000 mile service; a new 4 wheel drive switch, anti roll bar bushes and a new set of glow plugs were fitted. On 19th January Chandler’s undertook underbody service, mot and fitted a new spring.
PUMPING STATIONS
All trailers were emptied in December and pumps were all put on maximum hours to deal with extra water caused by the snow melt. On 21st January P Camplin dealt with problems to weed screen cleaners at Manor Farm, Glassmoor Bank, and Tebbitts Bridge. Water levels were raised in January to assist with the filling of reservoirs. P Nightingale undertook repairs to auto greasers at Manor Farm and Glassmoor Bank He also repaired trailer at Conquest Lode.
At Beggars Bridge Speechley’s were called out to investigate a warning light. Water in the seal was discovered and if left could cause problems with the motor. The DO reported that water had seeped into the motor and it would be necessary to lift the pump in the summer to undertake an over haul. Problems arose over the weekend and the pump had to be reset in order to keep on top of the rising water levels. The Chairman thanked the DO for the keeping the pump operational over the weekend.
The DO reported that Wype Doles pump would need to be lifted as the thrust bearing needed replacing.
DRAINWORKS /OTHER COMMENTS
Drainworks went well this year and all works were completed on 24th November 2009. The pump drain at Wype was wedded as an extra. On 3rd December with the experimental water control at the rear of Manor Farm, Coates was completed.
The Clerk reported that the DO had planned the Autumn drain works for 2010 and the appropriate notices had been served to those affected on 23rd February.
The DO had planned the Autumn 2010 drain works and the Clerk confirmed that the relevant notices had been issued on the 23rd February 2010.
The Board were concerned over the amount of seepage through the MLC river banks from Benwick road through to Pondersbridge. Cllr Potts agreed to take the matter up with the MLC.
The Board were also concerned that water levels were high in the MLC watercourses mainly due to the fact that wtare was being pumped from Tebbitts Bridge and only one pump was being run at St Germans. The Board were also concerned about where the sixteen Foot passed under Well Creek at Outwell. Money was being spent at St Germans but nothing appeared to be happening at the bottle neck area. Cllr Potts to take the matter up with the MLC.
Matters Arising
a) Risk Management - Control and Risk Management – The Clerk reported upon Risk Management Assessment and that a meeting with James Skelton of the NFU Mutual had taken place and the insurance cover increased where appropriate.
b) Health & Safety – The Clerk presented a revised Health & Safety & Environmental Policy and the stressed the need to manage road safety at work as road accidents are the biggest cause of work related accidental deaths. A driver safety Handbook had been circulated to all members. RESOLVED – that the Health & Safety & Environmental Policy and Driver Safety Handbook be approved and adopted by the Board. The Chairman duly signed copies that were handed to the DO and Clerk.
c) Code of Conduct – The Clerk reported that all forms had been returned.
d) Planning Matters - The Clerk reported that the Consulting Engineer had dealt with the following matters on behalf of the Board:
H09/01390/F A Keene 214 Oil Mills Road extension and conservatory
FYR09/0727/F D Burton 26 Nobles Close, Coates - extension
FYR09/0814/F Cambs CC 121 Aliwal Road - extension
FYR10/0023/F R Mutimer 1 Ashline Grove - extension.
H10/00104/F K McPartlin Milk & Water Drove – Change of use from Agricultural to office
H09/01615/ G Clarke Slackerground Farm, Straight Drove – Agricultural storage building.
FYR10/0050/F NTSS Ltd Goosetree Farm, Goosetree Estate- Health & safety training centre
The application FYR090582/O Harrier Homes Food store, petrol filling station, car parking etc Benwick Road has been passed by Fenland D C but was subject to an appeal due to be heard by the Secretary of State. The drainage details for the site have yet to be presented and approved.
Discussions with Terry Stafford and G Moore as to the drainage of the site at APH Ltd - erection of building at Poplar farm Wisbech Road Coates have taken place and proposals are being undertaken to either attenuate the flow to existing run-off level or have a direct discharge. It was suggested that the roof area would be drained by a direct discharge from two outfalls and proposals were under consideration. A contribution of £14,000 would be applicable if the discharge was approved.
Peterborough Flood Risk Partnership has been created to ensure the management of surface water around Peterborough to reduce the risk of surface water flooding and the Clerk attended a meeting on the 11th February 2010.
The drainage of Anker’s new site still remains to be resolved and proposals submitted to the MLC are unacceptable at present.
Request for Scoping Opinion – proposed erection of two wind turbines, Collmart Growers, The Drove, Pondersbridge.
e) Consents - The Clerk reported that the following consent have been granted
No 158 Anker of Coates construct 450mm culvert Eldernell lane Coates.
A letter has been sent to A & M Catering regarding the damage to the bank at Benwick Road, Whittlesey and the drain batters will be re-profiled in the autumn as part of the 2010 programme.
Consent to discharge surface water from 50% of the new agricultural building at Blackbush Farm, Blackbush Drove , by
M Crowson has been granted. The contribution made being £818.74.
f) DEFRA - IDB Review
IDB Biodiversity Action Plans – The Middle Level Commissioners have appointed the Wildlife Trust to assist with the preparation of the plans and a draft plan has been circulated.
Flood Risk Regulations 2009 - transpose the Floods Directive in England & Wales, come into force on 10 December 2009.
Key provisions: - give responsibility to the EA to prepare Directive deliverables – give responsibility to lead local flood authorities (unitary and county councils) – identify areas of significant flood risk – require flood hazard maps and flood risk maps to be prepared before 22/12/2013 – require flood risk management plans to be prepared before 22/12/2013 – require engagement with the public and relevant authorities in the production of Directive deliverables
g) Water Resources Act 1991/ Water Act 2003
F Smith & Sons application to vary licence 6/33/53/S/066 at Ramsey Mereside
Chapelbridge Farms application to renew licence 6/33/53/S/673 linked with Star Pit.
C J Fountain & Son Ltd application to renew licence linked with Star \pit.
h) ADA – Concerns were being raised about the subscriptions and the lack of support ADA were giving to IDB’s over the Derfra Review. Some Boards were leaving the Association but the Board felt that membership should continue.
i) Municipal Mutual Scheme of Arrangement – The Clerk reported that no changes were evident and a solvent run off would be achieved.
j) Environment Agency – the Clerk reported that the next IDB liaison meeting is on Wednesday 3rd November 2010
k) Electricity – The Clerk reported that the supply of electricity at Glassmoor Bank is being altered from half hourly read to monthly – Monthly standing charge £73.12 – day units 8.29p/kWh – night 5.66 p/kWh. The remaining sites were being transferred to SWALEC.
99/10 Payments made by the Board The Board considered and approved the following payments :-
Vouchers 130 –159 £42,338.17
Vouchers 160- 192 £57,976.27
Vouchers – 163-221 25,088.46
100/10 Estimates of Income and expenditure
i)The Clerk presented a schedule of income and expenditure to date for 2009/2010
ii)The Clerk reported that the quote from Chandlers for a new vehicle was £16,000 and Hylton Gott £16,894. The DO had managed to obtain a buyer for the Trooper at £,500. An order had been placed with Chandlers for delivery of a new vehicle at the end of March.
101/10 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 8th June 2010 and Tuesday 9th November 2010 all at 2.30pm at the Town Hall, Whittlesey
