Minutes of the Maintenance Meeting held on Monday 27th September 1999 at 7:00pm in the Community Centre Present: HM Smith (chair) PK Oldham LC Twinn and the clerk 1 Apologies for Absence JM Palmer CF Taylor 414/99 2 Election of Chairman HMS was elected chairman. 415/99 3 Grass Cutting Contract The following areas of concern were expressed:- War Memorial Site Strimming up to the edges of fences Bushes encroaching on to cycle path at Ely Road Nettles making pathway unpassable adjacent bund north of Butt Lane State of new bund adjacent to field by A14 opposite Tesco Grass in Rowans Play Area not being cut regularly Weeds on western side of Hawthorn Hedge The clerk: to ask the contractor to slow down and take more care when cutting especially at the War Memorial Site and to use a smaller mower for this Site. Noted that the contractor had not sprayed the unlet allotments when asked. He would be reminded to carry out instructions. In addition it was agreed that the Russian Vine at the Rowans open space should be cut back and the Willow tree behind 132 The Rowans also be cut back. The clerk would agree minor amendments to the contract with Mr Newitt including any increase for inflation. 416/99 4 Village Cleaning AGREED to amend the village cleaner's duties and also to draw up a contract. The clerk: to action. 417/99 5 Street Cleansing Contract The new contract was now operating. The clerk had invited Mr P Duncan of SCDC to discuss this with the committee. 418/99 6 Tree Warden's Report AGREED to ask Herald to prune horse chestnut opposite War Memorial as part of his contract and to quote for removing the poplar and lowering the crown of two sycamores on the grassed area between 83 Coles Road and the Doctors' Surgery. AGREED to ask A Hall, Truelink to quote for supply, planting and maintenance of approximately 150 whips on the bund behind the Sycamores. 419/99 7 Outstanding Maintenance As Mr Whiterod was no longer available to do maintenance work the clerk had contacted Mr T Nicholls who was willing to take on the work. AGREED. MPC to supply materials. The Clerk: to confirm Mr Nicholls' hourly rate. 420/99 8 Any Other Business PKO was concerned about the inappropriate pruning of a cherry tree recently done by a resident. The clerk: to explain to the residents that MPC would arrange to have these trees pruned professionally if necessary. Noted that PKO and the clerk intended to draw up a definitive map showing all the highway verges throughout the village. The meeting ended at 8.30pm.