Rates were set as follows:-
Area 1 - 6.50p Area 2 - 15.00p.
Paul Davies was reappointed Chairman and Robin Clark co-opted on to the Board. The Clerk was asked to approach David Elmore to fill the remaining vacancy. The members noted the death of their former Chairman, Don Racey.
The Clerk reminded Board members of the need to declare interests in any relevant matters.
The Board received update reports on the Spreading/Disposal of Spoil, Defra Grant-in-Aid and the Water Framework Directive.
The Board discussed the latest developments on the IDB Review and associated legal developments in particular the Public Bodies Bill. The Clerk referred to the continued need for vigilance, even though the most contentious elements of that Bill, so far as IDBs were concerned, had been removed. He referred to a Defra statement of £225,000 savings as regard IDBs due to the changes proposed under that Bill, without any supporting evidence yet published and to the implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act. The Clerk also reported on the recent publication of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Strategy and Funding Documents.
The update from the Cambridgeshire Flood Risk Management Partnership was noted.
The Environmental Officer's report and BAP update was noted and approved.
The Board received a report from the Clerk and Mr Chris Allen on the latest development with the Great Fen Project. The Clerk drew attention to the Middle Level Commissioners' studies into water storage.
The Environment Agency precept in the sum of £1,804 was reported, as was the potential impact on highland water contribution of the reduction in the Agency's funding. The Board agreed to pay the increased subscription to ADA for 2011.
The payments and accounts were approved and approval given to the Annual Governance Statement. The Board approved the report of their internal auditor, their Internal Audit Strategy and Plan and Risk Register and resolved that they were satisfied with the internal controls in place. The use of internet banking facilities was also authorised.
The Board noted the report of their Consulting Engineers and agreed to approve the provision of telemetry at the pumping station in principle.
It was noted that Network Rail had now attended to the culvert at point 22 and had also cleaned the culvert at point 6. The Board also noted byelaw breaches at Sawtry Road, Glatton and resolved to take necessary enforcement action.
It was agreed to donate the old exhaust system at the Old Conington Pumping Station to a museum.