Members stood in respect to Roger Hartley, Chairman of the Commissioners between 1986 and 1993 and a Board member for 40 years and also to three long serving former employees of the Commissioners all of whom had died recently.
A rate of 25p was raised due to the costs associated with the St Germans pumping station and the new office/depot.
The Chairman welcomed a new Board member, Greg Bliss, who was attending his first meeting
Payments amounting to £6,625,123.40 and miscellaneous receipts of £169,956.17 were approved.
Various rate determinations were approved and arrears written off.
The Commissioners noted and approved reports from their Executive, Employment, Water Resources and Conservation Committees, and from the Environmental Officer.
They noted the completion of the Operations Manual, both for the Commissioners and for the associated IDBs, and the current position on the BAPs for the Commissioners and associated IDBs. They also noted that the Employment Committee had approved a pay award for all employees of 3.81%.
The Board reviewed their membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme. They noted that the Government's response to the Hutton enquiry and any amendments to the Pension Scheme were still awaited.
The Commissioners considered and approved the report of their Chief Executive. They noted the latest position regarding the legal proceedings against Atkins and the legal advice received concerning Anglian Water. They also noted that the contractors' claims had been settled.
The Commissioners received a presentation from the Environment Agency regarding their proposed works on the Nene Washes.
As regards the Defra Review of IDBs and the legal developments, particularly with the Public Bodies and Localism Acts, the Commissioners noted the latest position. Reports were also received on planning, the likely introduction of SUDS, the National Planning Policy Framework and the Commissioners response to the Fenland District Council Core Strategy.
As regards the former offices/ depot, it was reported that the offices had recently been sold to Wetherspoons but that the depot remained unsold.
The position over the changes to abstraction licensing and the delays in implementation were noted. The report of the District Auditor on the 2007/08 Accounts was noted and the Chief Executive was asked to arrange a meeting with the Auditor.
The latest position on the Water Framework Directive was reported and noted.
The Commissioners received update reports on the Spreading/Disposal of Spoil.
The Commissioners adopted their policy under the Bribery Act.
The Commissioners considered and approved the report of their Chief Engineer on capital and maintenance works, with in particular reference to the St Germans pumping station replacement scheme, potential works at Bevills Leam Pumping Station, Benwick and Salters Lode, water resources and Mechanical and Electrical considerations. It was noted that the new station building had operated successfully on automatic since commissioning and that, as part of this process all six pumps had been successfully run at the same time on the previous day. Bank Raising previously under-taken as part of the maintenance budget would for this year concentrate on the Benwick riverside improvements for which grant aid had been applied and a detailed scheme worked up. The reduction in the number of grant aided schemes was noted.
The Chief Engineer noted that the year 2011/12 had been remarkably dry but commented on the rainfall during April.
Byelaw consents granted were approved.
The reports of the Internal Auditor and the review of internal controls were approved.
Samantha Ablett was authorised to appear in court to obtain distress warrants.
Stephen Whittome and Marc Heading were elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Commissioners.
Mr George West indicated that, after 43 years' service on the Board, including service as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the former Works Committee, he had decided not to offer himself for re-election. The Commissioners accepted his decision with regret and paid tribute to Mr Wests' service. In the subsequent election to the Middle Level Board, Messrs Patrick Allpress and Greg Bliss were elected to fill vacancies.
The re-appointment of members by Fenland District Council was noted, as was the appointment of Mr P Mitchell by Huntingdonshire District Council to replace Mrs Day, who had retired.The Chairman welcomed Mr Mitchell to his first meeting.
The Commissioners noted the many letters of appreciation received following the formal opening of St Germans Pumping Station. The Chairman also referred to the lack of rain during the spring and early autumn.
The Accounts, Payments, Receipts and Annual Report were approved.
The Executive, Employment, Conservation and Water Resources Committees were elected and Mr John Bliss, who was standing down from the Employment Committee, was thanked for his services.
Determinations of Annual Values and to write off rate arrears were approved.
The position regarding the agreement with employees following a recent meeting of the Employment Committee was noted.
The Chief Executive reported on the latest position with the contractors' claims following the construction of the new St Germans Pumping Station and the Board approved settlement figures involving Costains and Birse. The Commissioners considered and approved arrangements for the disposal or letting of surplus properties. They also approved the taking of further legal advice regarding the rights of Anglian Water Services to discharge to the Commissioners' system.
The Commissioners noted the difficulties likely to face the Environment Agency over highland water payments and that capital highland water payments were likely to be covered only in the new grant-in-aid proposals. The Commissioners also received a report on the ADA Conference, held the previous day.
The Commissioners noted the latest position on the IDB Review and that Defra were likely to issue a further consultation shortly. The Chief Executive reported on the Flood and Water Management Act and the Public Bodies Bill.
The Commissioners received and approved the reports of their Executive Committee, Conservation Committee and Water Resources Committee. They noted the high degree of co-operation between the Commissioners and the Environment Agency regarding water resources.
The Commissioners considered the issues that related to their navigation functions.
The Chief Engineer reported on works and on the works at St Germans, the grant-in-aid position regarding the proposals for the Benwick Flood Relief Scheme and Bevills Leam generators and that he had now completed his review of future staffing arrangements at St Germans. It was agreed to transfer details of MLC assets from the ADA database to CAMC. Approvals were also given to further investigate renewable power options and water storage within the Great Fen.
Byelaw consents granted since the last meeting were noted and approved.
The Environmental Officer's report was approved.
Approvals were also given in relation to the letting of the Commissioners' grass banks and fisheries. The recommendation of Cruso and Wilkin, who had undertaken rent reviews on the Commissioners' arable banks were noted and accepted.
The Commissioners received a presentation from the Environment Agency regarding their proposed works to construct a spillway into the Middle Level area from the Nene (Whittlesey) Washes, to safeguard the area of the Washes as a reservoir.
The Cambridgeshire Flood Risk Management Partnership Update newsletter was noted.