Agenda and minutes

Amendment to spelling mistake, Clinton should have read Glinton.

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2010 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

The meeting considered a report from the Governance Officer which outlined the priorities of the Scrutiny Commission for Rural Communities as agreed at its meeting on 8 June 2010.

Members were asked to consider the priority of creating strong and supportive communities determined by the commission and provide feedback on their relevance to the rural areas of Peterborough.

• To continue to reduce car speeds down to 50 mph along rural roads.

It was suggested that this may well may be enforced nationally anyway.

The Chairman is to enquire if this is still likely to be implemented under the new Government.

• To develop cycleways and quiet roads.

It was noted that a lot of the cycleways were missing links and without proper markings.

Henry Clark of Peakirk Parish Council to attend the next rural commission meeting in September to discuss this further.

• To monitor the implementation of the 20 mph speed limits for rural schools.

It was unlikely that this would be moved forward as it currently only affects three or four schools (Transport Office).

During the discussion it was stated that the Police were approached about the 20mph speed limit but that they were unable to enforce it. It could however be reviewed if an accident were to occur. It was noted that Neighbourhood Councils funds were available to pay for potential Police overtime if this was implemented.

• To continue to support the work of the Neighbourhood Councils.

No matters to bring up.

• A visible presence in the rural areas.

In order to raise the visibility of rural areas the following suggestions were made:

Signage to be added to village halls and greens.

‘Welcome to’ and ‘Thank you for visiting’ village signs to be erected where not already in place.

Rural areas encouraged to put up interpretive plaques for points of historical interest.

Following discussion from the last meeting on the proposed change of name to the ‘City and Soke of Peterborough’ the Chairman indicated that this would be put to the Scrutiny Commission for Rural Communities and if the Commission were in favour of the proposal then it will be put to Peterborough City Council, where it would need to gain a 2/3 majority vote to proceed.

Q. Why does Peterborough City Council not have a Lord Mayor if we are a city?

A. Peterborough City Council has never applied to have a Lord Mayor.

It is possible for a City Council to apply to have a Lord Mayor on the year of the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

The Chairman indicated that he would put this matter forward.

Q. Has there been any movement on the offer of training from the Head of Planning Services for Parish Councils on the planning application process?

A. There has been no movement

The Chairman has requested that a Needs Analysis be conducted for Parishes/Rural areas for the next 3 years.

Mark Emson to contact The Head of Planning Services to get this actioned.

Cllr Janet Goodwin, Orton Longueville Ward Councillor

Denis Batty, Glinton Parish Council

Geoff Smith, Werrington Neighbourhood Council