The Board set a rate of 3.0p
The Clerk reminded Board members of the need to declare interests in any relevant matters. Appropriate declarations were duly made.
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 Board considered the report of their Consulting Engineers and approved the drain maintenance programme and provisions recommended. Following detailed consideration of the engineers analysis, they approved for the replacement of the automatic weedscreen cleaning equipment at the pumping station.
The District Officer reported on last year's maintenance work and proposals for this year, and reported that the district system was in good order.
The Environmental Officer's newsletter and report were noted and approved as was the report on the Board's Biodiversity Action Plan. The Board requested further guideance and assistance from the Environmental Officer in its work to meet the requirements of the plan.
The update from the Cambridgeshire Flood Risk Management Partnership was noted.
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 precept figure of £,2895 was noted.