In the May 2000 Issue
The Parish Council meets at 7.30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Sir John Jacob's Almshouse Chapel in Church Street. Everyone on the Electoral Roll is welcome to join us and to ask any questions relating to the work of the Parish Council or to raise other matters of concern in the Village. Two Planning Committee meetings are held each month, the first is immediately before the Parish Council meeting at 7.00 p.m. and the second is held on the fourth Tuesday in the month at 7.30 p.m. Although the Parish Council Office is formally only open between 11.00 a.m. and mid-day on Mondays and Fridays, the Clerk is usually there between 9.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and between 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. on Wednesdays and is happy to answer any questions. Planning Applications are also at the office if any members of the public would like to see them.
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Ms.Sonja Dutton, Project Development Team Manager of the Cambridgeshire Association of Youth Clubs joined the meeting to talk about the possibility of an ‘Empowerment Project’ being undertaken in Gamlingay involving young people in the 13 to 18 age group. Money had been allocated through the Anti Social Behaviour Task Group to address problems in the village and it was possible that it could be used in this way. The Section 106 Agreement and Ground Lease for the Recreation Land between the Village College and the Industrial Area were now with the Agent’s Solicitor. Although Wimpey Homes had advised that stone picking was complete, trees and shrubs had been replaced where necessary and there was no contamination in the Public Open Space at the rear of the Chapel Fields estate, Councillors agreed that a further inspection would be made before the land was accepted. Meetings are still taking place with young people in the village who are raising money for skate boarding ramps. A meeting is to be held with Officers of the District Council about a site for a new Scout Hut. The Parish Council believes that the village has sufficient Social Housing for rent and, if the Local Plan requirement relating to the provision of such housing cannot be waived, has asked that any future Social Housing should be specifically for sale to young people from Gamlingay. Arrangements are still in hand for a Millennium Celebration on the evening of 24th June. It is anticipated that live music and fireworks will be arranged by the Parish Council and everyone invited to bring a picnic. It is probable that a bar and barbecue will also be provided. Possible designs for a village sign are still being investigated. The meeting was advised that road side recycling is being introduced in some villages for a trial period and, if successful, the scheme may be extended. There were no plans to include the collection of glass in this scheme. The problem with the closure of Barclays Bank was discussed at length and it was noted that every business in the village had been given contact names to enable letters of objection to be sent. It was agreed that the bank had a responsibility to smaller communities where large product sales may not take place but the branch was used extensively for financial transactions. The decision to close would be very difficult for small businesses and the less mobile in the village. It was noted that the Chairman and Clerk would meet Executives from Barclays and Andrew Lansley MP on Friday, 24th March at Histon, Cambridge and that the Parish Council was fighting for the decision to be deferred for the immediate future. The Wildlife Trust had now confirmed that they would accept an additional entrance into Gamlingay Wood if a fence and kissing gate was installed by the Parish Council. Concern had been expressed about the removal of the trees adjacent to the tennis courts. It was agreed that this work would be included in the total scheme for new recreation facilities. The next meeting of the Parish Council was held on Tuesday, 11th April at 7.30 p.m at the Sir John Jacob’s Almshouse Chapel. Details will follow in the June edition of the Gazette.
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