On Tuesday 14th December meetings of Cheveley Parish Council and Cheveley Pavilion & Recreation Ground Charity were held in Cheveley Parish Hall.   All Councillors were in attendance, together with District and County Councillor Alan Sharp.   In the absence of the Clerk through illness the minutes were taken by Councillors Hadlow and Day.

Also in attendance was Emma Grima, Director of Commercial & Corporate Services at East Cambridgeshire County Council who spoke about Community Infrastructure Levy contributions which can be claimed when there is any new house building within the Parish.

It was reported that the again unchanged precept request for 2022/23 in the sum of £80,000 had been submitted to East Cambridgeshire County Council.   It was the eighth consecutive year that there was no increase in the amount applied for.

The Clerk and Councillor Day had put together the latest newsletter which would be distributed to all households in the Parish.   They were thanked for their efforts.

Various work had been completed at the Parish Hall.   Blinds had been fitted to both of the main function rooms.   The fire exit door in the Garden room had become slightly difficult to open due to the damp weather but this was remedied by the builder during the week prior to the Christmas Fair.   The Fair had been held on Sunday 12th December and was considered by those who attended it to be a huge success.   Father Christmas made a surprise appearance and distributed gifts to children present.   Altogether there were around 12 stalls and the proprietors of those reported that they done good business during the two hours that it was open.   Because of the popularity of the event other functions would be planned.

A microwave/combi oven had been purchased together with light shades for the front room and a music licence applied for.

Suggestions regarding suitable builders to undertake work on the retaining wall should be sent to Councillor Hadlow for consideration.

Various groups and organisations had got together to ensure that the celebrations to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee during the long Bank Holiday weekend from 2nd to 5th June 2022 were coordinated for the whole Parish to enjoy.   It is intended that the official opening of the Parish Hall will take place during these celebrations and Councillors were delighted that the Lord Lieutenant had honoured the Parish by accepting its invitation to carry out the ceremony on Thursday 2nd June.

It was hoped to enter into discussions with the school and Cambridgeshire County Council regarding the future use of the car park at the school but no response had been received yet to the letter to them from the Parish Council suggesting this.

Councillor Fullerton had put together some plans and costs to have reclaimed road chippings placed on the full length of the public right of way between Brook Stud and Broad Green.   These were considered at length.   However the motion to advance this further was not carried.

At the meeting of the Cheveley Pavilion & Recreation Ground Charity which immediately followed the Parish Council meeting it was agreed to go ahead and have various dead trees removed from the recreation ground following a quotation from a contractor.   A quotation had also been received to purchase 10 new trees to be planted there as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and this was also approved.

Restoration work on the boundary wall had commenced some considerable time before but had never been completed.    Another contractor would be contacted for a quotation to undertake this.

The next meetings would be held on Tuesday 4th January 2022 at 7.30 p.m. in Cheveley Parish Hall.  Please note that this a week earlier than they would normally be held because of operational reasons.