Council News

MVC, The Moor, Melbourn, Cambs. SG8 6EF Telephone: 01763 262494 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk

Minutes of Parish Council Meetings and Planning Committee meetings are available on the village website

Chairman Donald Mowatt 23, High Street SG8 6AL 268388 Vice-Chairman Maureen Townsend 32 New Road SG8 6ER 260959

Clerk & Office Avril Mellor, MVC, The Moor, Melbourn. SG8 6EF 262494 Peter Horley, Deputy Clerk E-mail parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk Website www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/council/

Councillors Val Barrett 2 Station Road, SG8 6DX 261227 Irene Bloomfield 78 Russet Way, SG8 6HF 222558 Rosemary Gatward 94 High Street, SG8 6AL 261225 Jose Hales 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH 221058 Michael Linnette 11 Chapel Lane, SG8 6BN 262534 Donald Mowatt White Walls, 23 High Street 268388 Andrew Mulcock 1 Lawns Close, SG8 6DR 222940 Mike Sherwen 3 Hale Close, SG8 6ET 260070 Peter Simmonett 42 Greengage Rise SG8 6DS 220363 Christopher Stead 70 Russet Way pm only 260743 Maureen Townsend 32 New Road, SG8 6BY 260959 Richard Wakerley 32 Chalkhill Barrow, SG8 6EQ 262247

Employees Handyman and Caretaker Peter Andrews 243312 Emergency mobile. 07778 682245 Village Ranger Keith Rudge, 4 Dolphin Lane, SG8 6AF 221212 Internal Auditor Bruce Huett, 20 Rose Lane SG8 6AD 232855

County Councillor Susan van de Ven 95 North End, Meldreth 261833 susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

District Councillors Val Barrett, 2 Station Road Jose Hales, 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH 261227 221058

South Cambs M.P. Andrew Lansley 01954 212707

South Cambs M.E.P. Robert Sturdy 01954 211790

The Parish Office is open on Mondays from 9 am to 1 pm, on Tuesdays from 2 pm from 4 pm, and on Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm. The office is not normally open on Wednesdays or Fridays. As the Clerk is sometimes out on Parish business it is advisable to ring 262494 to ensure that the Clerk is available.

Meetings of the Planning Committee are normally held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month commencing at 7.15 pm. Council Meetings are normally held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7.15 pm at All Saints’ Community Hall.

The Press Royston & Buntingford Mercury Tom Ship, Media Centre 40 Ware Road, Hertford, SG13 7HU 01992 526639 Royston Crow Heath House, Princes Mews, Royston, SG8 6RT 245241 Fax 242231 Cambridge News David Williams, 3 Melbourn Street, Royston, SG8 7BP 249144 Fax 244502 BBC Radio Cambridge Reception 01223 259696 Newsroom 01223 358510

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/council/

From the Parish Clerk – Avril Mellor

As I write this, preparations for the Royal Wedding day are well under way. I know that there are going to be street parties in the village as well as privates parties. At the moment there seems to be so much upheaval in the world, so how nice to have a reason to celebrate for a change. A day’s holiday with something special happening brings a little light into people’s lives. Let us hope that the weather on the day is kind.

Two long awaited tasks, which have resulted from situations brought to the Two long awaited tasks, which have resulted from situations brought to the council’s attention by residents, have now been completed. First, the path on land between Elm Way and the Doctor’s Surgery has been resurfaced, so no more muddy pram wheels and shoes. Secondly, the overgrown vegetation and the verge on Orchard Road have been cut back, resulting in a widening of the road surface at that point. Also, a dangerous overhanging branch of an ash tree has been removed.

It is that time of year when all vegetation is beginning to grow. When hedges start to overhang pavements, this can cause problems for pedestrians, prams and electric buggies, especially when the foliage is wet as passers-by can get a soaking by having to squeeze past. It can also be dangerous as people sometimes have to walk in the road if there is insufficient room to pass by on the pavement. Please check to see if your hedge needs cutting back.

An application for co-option to the Council has been received and is on the agenda of the April Parish Council meeting for consideration. By the time you read this the outcome will be known and if successful, the applicant will fill one of the three vacancies on the Council, leaving two more still to be filled. If you feel that you would like to know more about what is involved in serving on the Council, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be only too pleased to discuss the matter with you.

In May the Parish Council holds its Annual Meeting. It is at this meeting that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elected. Nominations are taken from Councillors with regards to serving on Committees and Sub-Committees of the Parish Council. Also Council representatives to Melbourn Schools, Charities and Organisations are elected.

On 2nd June, Mr Peter Horley takes up the post of Deputy Clerk. Peter lives in Cambridge, is married with two sons and retires on 31st May after 38 years as a teacher. As Peter is the Musical Director of a Cambridge based choir, my husband has warned me not to sing at work if I want Peter to stay. There will be a hand-over period and when that is complete I will retire and Peter will take over as clerk. He is very able and will without doubt be an asset to both the Parish Council and the village.

Melbourn Parish Council is the Lighting Authority for the 35 street lights in the village. The cost of running and maintaining these is the Council’s responsibility. All other lamps are the responsibility of Cambridgeshire Highways Authority.

The lamps are connected to what is known as an un-metered supply. This doesn’t mean the electricity is free. The supplier calculates the typical cost of each lamp from dusk to dawn throughout the year (allowing for seasonal variations) and charges the Council on what the lamps should use. It is very important that any broken street lamp is reported as quickly as possible, as the power is paid for by you the rate payer, whether it is working or not. Reporting a broken Lamp

All street lights are numbered. If you see a broken lamp, telephone 0800 253 529 (freephone) and leave a message. Give details of the street name and the lamp post number.

You can also report a problem online at: www.cambridgeshire. gov.uk. The online form can be used to report street lights which are not likely to cause personal injury or damage to property. If you think the fault might be dangerous, call 0800 253529 as soon as possible. All faulty lights should also be reported to Parish Clerk on 01763 262494. Please advise the clerk if the repair is not carried out within a month.

Recycling

Blue Bin and Paper Only Caddy

Since the introduction of the blue bin and paper only caddy we have seen the amount of recycling increase. The level of battery recycling has been very impressive with the equivalent of 400,000 AA batteries being recycled in the first three months. We hope that this fantastic start can be maintained and that you find the following information useful. Paper only caddy

Paper is a very valuable material when collected separately from other materials through the paper only caddy and it generates an income for the council. However, if paper is mixed in the blue bin with other materials, it needs to be sorted and is classed as lower quality which means we can’t get the same income from it and it costs the council money. Yes please…

No thanks… • Cardboard – e.g. cereal boxes (place in blue bin) • Tissues and kitchen paper (place in green bin) • Jiffy bags (re-use or place in black bin) • Wrapping paper (place in blue bin – only if made of paper) • Greetings cards (place in blue bin)

Blue bin

Yes please… • Plastic bottles

•Plastic packaging (pots, trays & tubs) • Plastic bags • Plastic film & clean food wrapping • Glass jars & bottles • Food & drinks cans • Aerosols • Tin foil & foil trays • Cartons (e.g. Tetrapak) • Cardboard • Greetings cards • Wrapping paper (only if made of paper) No thanks… Paper (place in paper only caddy) Expanded polystyrene (place in black bin) Pyrex and flat glass (place in black bin) Metallic wrapping paper (place in black bin) Top tips for recycling

To help you recycle more in your blue bin please squash plastic bottles and flatten cardboard boxes.

If you are having difficulty in fitting all of your recycling into the blue bin please place excess recycling in a returnable container or cardboard box (which will be recycled along with its contents).

If your caddy has gone missing you can contact us on the details below for a replacement.

To avoid any potential shredded paper being spilt during collection, please place shredded paper in an old envelope to prevent littering and remember that you only need to shred documents displaying personal or confidential information.

If your battery bag is not replaced after collection please contact us for a replacement or alternatively use a plastic bag.

Attach your battery bag to the outside of the blue bin; please do not place it inside the caddy or blue bin.

The green bin is for cooked and uncooked food waste, as well as garden waste. Cardboard should be placed in the blue bin and not the green bin. Contact us For more information please visit www. scambs.gov.uk/bluebin. Alternatively you can telephone 03450 450 063 or at bluebin@scambs.gov.uk