A rate of 4.10p was raised.
The Clerk reminded Board members of the need to declare interests in any relevant matters. Appropriate declarations were duly made. Mr J Leach was co-opted to membership.
The Board discussed the latest developments on the IDB Review and associated legal developments in particular the Public Bodies Act. The Clerk referred to the continued need for vigilance, even though the most contentious elements of that Act, so far as IDBs were concerned, had been removed and drew attention to the position in Wales where a single environmental body had been proposed and to the implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act. He also drew attention to amendments to section 23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991.
The Board reviewed several outstanding byelaw consent issues and approved action to resolve these matters, unless they were remedied within 30 days.
The update from the Cambridgeshire Flood Risk Management Partnership was noted.
The Clerk also reported on developments regarding the spreading/disposal of spoil and the Water Framework Directive.
The Environmental Officer's report and BAP update was noted and approved. The success of the weevils in treating Azolla was noted.
The Board received the report of their Consulting Engineers and were updated on the improvement scheme upstream and south of the A47 trunk road in the Boleness Road area. They noted that the Highways Agency now had plans to increase the size of culverts under the A47 which would make an improvement scheme viable. It was also resolved to write to Fenland District Council, as the local planning authority, to express concern over the way in which drainage issues were not taken into account in planning decisions.
The District Officer reported on the drainage problems at the Stitch. Approval was given to the inspection and necessary jetting of the pipeline serving the properties there. He also reported that works had been necessary at the outfall. It was resolved to increase the charge for the flail mower to £40 per hour and where the weed cutting basket was used to £32 per hour.
The Board noted the position regarding the unchanged precept figure.
Determinations of annual value were made and arrears written off.
Consents given since the last meeting were noted.
The payments and accounts were approved and approval given to the Annual Governance Statement. The Board approved the report of their internal auditor and resolved that they were satisfied with the internal controls in place.
It was agreed to transfer some monies from the General Fund to the Replacement Asset Fund.
The Board considered and approved their policy under the Bribery Act 2010.
Samantha Ablett was authorised to appear in court to obtain distress warrants.
Mr S Flint resigned as a Member of the Board since he no longer had any land in the District.
The Clerk reminded Members of the need to declare interests in relevant matters. Appropriate declarations were duly made.
The Board received an updated report on the Flood and Coastal Defence Funding Review, the Public Bodies Bill and the Flood and Water Management Act.Reports were also given on the Water Framework Directive and Spoil Disposal.
The Board received the report of their Consulting Engineers and were updated on the improvement scheme upstream and south of the A47 trunk road in the Boleness Road area. Members were also updated on numerous planning matters contained in the Report.
Members were informed as a matter of courtesy that Ladus DDC and Needham Burial and Birdbeck DDC were currently in the process of amalgamation.
The District Officer reported on the present situation and on the position regarding contract work. He referred to the need to undertake survey work on the pipeline at the Stitch to determine the extent of any damage caused as a result of tree growth above the pipeline. He also drew attention to the need to install a new water control structure at Weasenham Lane.
The Chairman informed Members that he had granted permission to Nestle Purina Petcare UK Ltd to put a pallet conveyor system over the District drain adjacent to their premises. Members approved the actions of the Chairman.
The Board approved the Agricultural Wages Board percentage pay rise awarded to their employee.
The present position regarding the precept was noted.
The update from the Cambridgeshire Flood Risk Management Partnership was noted.
Approvals were given to determinations of annual values and the writing off of rate arrears.
Members were also provided with an Expenditure Estimate update.