Police Report

Malicious damage to a telephone pole in New Road on 30th January around midnight had caused it to move and disconnect the telephone wire. There was a burglary in Lode Way between 29th January and 1st February when the offenders entered the property at the rear.  A dwelling burglary occurred in Haddenham overnight on the 25th January, whilst the occupants were asleep. The burglars gained entry via an unlocked sliding door.  This highlights the importance of not having items of value on display and of closing curtains/blinds and locking all doors and windows once it starts to get dark. All items stolen were recorded with immobilise, which will enable them to be identified if they are found and demonstrates how important it is to record your property with www.immobilise.com.  A red Citroen with index plates R217 TDT has been reported to police as being seen in suspicious circumstances in Haddenham and a set of index plates, AM03 ENE have also been stolen from a silver Citroen Picasso. Information relating to any of the above incidents would be gratefully received by the police.

Highways Matters

The potholes in Aldreth Road and the dropped drains in Station Road have been repaired.  A blocked gully in the High Street will be attended to as soon as possible.

Information from District Councillors

Cllrs Pauline and Gareth Wilson both reported on meetings that have been held to discuss the current problems with the budget and proposed cuts to services including ADEC and the Ely Markets plus some redundancies. The plastic bottle collection is also being axed in April.  The Building Control Service may be moved to another authority such as Huntingdon District Council.  It was also noted that unfortunately all these cuts are being made but huge amounts of money have been spent on consultants for projects such as the Ely Masterplan.

Allotments

The Clerk was asked to write to Haddenham Social Club again regarding drainage pipes coming off the Club building and running water onto the adjacent allotments.   There are plans to measure the allotments at the Cemetery and adjust the annual rent according to the size due to boundaries having moved over the years and some plots being larger than others.

Cemetery

It was noted with regret that the headstone on a baby’s grave had been maliciously vandalised over the previous weekend.  


Fairchild’s Meadows

The Group had met on 8th February and a site visit is planned at the end of March.  A willow tree has been planted in memory of Sheila Mackie Bailey.  A work party day will be held in the spring.

Litter

Cllr Prescott had reported to the District Council that Ely Way was very badly littered and he had been assured that it would be cleaned up within 7 days.,  Cllr P Wilson had also raised the issue of litter on the roadsides at a recent Neighbourhood Panel meeting.  A litter pick for Haddenham will be organised later in the year.

Recreation

Emergency action had been taken to remove the broken roundabout and swing at Haddenham Play Area.  Both items had been highlighted as needing immediate attention in the annual inspection.  An order will be placed as soon as possible for replacement safety surfacing under the swings to be installed to enable the swing to be mended and put back in use. A refurbishment programme will be formulated as soon as possible for both Haddenham and Aldreth play areas.  The Recreation Committee AGM will be held on Tuesday 9th March at 7.30pm at the Pavilion.  Anyone interested in joining the committee would be very welcome.

Wayman’s Pits

A planting day would be held on Sunday 14th February at 10.00am.  The planning application for change of use for the area has been received and it is hoped this will be approved by early March to allow the fencing, etc., to proceed.  Nothing further had been heard regarding the permissive footpath.

Arkenstall Centre

Quotations are being sought for flooring in the small hall and also an integrated wireless fire alarm between the Centre, the Library and the caretaker’s flat.

Haddenham Youth Club

An additional youth leader is coming in to help and it is hoped that the attendance numbers can be increased.

Haddenham Library

A meeting had been held on 28th January.  Quotations are still being sought for the bookcases.  The borrowing figures for January were good.

Annual Parish Meeting

The meeting will be held on Wednesday 21st April 2010 at 7.30pm at the Arkenstall Centre and a presentation will be given about the Community First Responder Scheme.  Other guest speakers are yet to be finalised.

Care & Repair

The Parish Council agreed to give a grant of £250 to Care & Repair East Cambridgeshire Ltd which is a charitable organisation helping vulnerable people in East Cambs to carry out building works of a whole range.  Over the past year they have completed 20 jobs in Haddenham including a major adaptation for a child.


Aldreth to Haddenham Footpath

Funding will be sought as soon as possible to carry out work to finish the footpath installed by Carillion now that the County Council funding has been axed.

Ely Markets

Following the receipt of a letter from Mrs Jane Howell of Hillrow regarding the proposed Ely market cuts it was agreed that a letter of complaint should be sent to Cllr Fred Brown at the District Council advising that the Parish Council does not agree with the cuts.  The letter will also ask what other options had been considered to avoid the necessity to cut the market stall service.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 10th March 2010 at 7.30pm at the Arkenstall Village Centre, Station Road, Haddenham, Cambs.

Information:

Haddenham Parish Council Members and contact details:

Cllr Ken Bowcock     01353 740443
Cllr David Fairchild    01353 740680
Cllr Peter Goddard    01353 740134
Cllr Geoff Haigh    01353 749760
Cllr Trevor Holden    01353 740925
Cllr Mark Hugo    01353 740586
Cllr Robert Norman    01353 740473
Cllr Julie Parr  (Chairman)    01353 741380
Cllr Chris Prescott    01353 749038
Cllr Stuart Smith    01353 740906
Cllr Nick Tindall (Vice Chairman)    01353 741471
Cllr Gareth Wilson    01353 740617
Cllr Pauline Wilson    01353 740617

Parish Clerk:

Mrs. Jenny Manning    Tel:     01353 749919
8 Aldreth Road    Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Haddenham    
Cambs CB6 3UB    


Copies of signed meeting minutes are available on the notice board in the Library within two weeks of being signed.