The Chairman welcomed Mr Chris Wilkinson who was attending his first meeting. He mentioned that Mr Bowd had resigned and Tom Bedford was co-opted to membership.
A rate of 10.5p was raised.
Members undertook an Inspection of the District which included visits to the Board's pumping stations.
The Middle Level Commissioners were re-appointed as Clerk to the Board and Mr D Cox was re-appointed as District Officer.
The Clerk reminded Members of the need to declare interests in any relevant matters. Declarations were duly made.
Members were updated on the current position on the Flood and Water Management Act and the Public Bodies Act. The Clerk drew attention to the continued need for vigilance regarding this Act, even though the most controversial aspects of the Act had been withdrawn and referred to the proposal in Wales to create a single environmental body.
The Clerk also drew attention to the latest position on the court action against Mrs Johns and the Board's agreed to undertake the necessary enforcement action.
The Clerk reported on the newsletter from the Cambridgeshire Flood Risk Management Partnership.
The Clerk also reported on developments regarding the spreading/disposal of spoil and the Water Framework Directive.
The Board considered and approved the report of their Consulting Engineers.
It was agreed that some investigative works should be undertaken at Green Dyke Pumping Station when water levels were suitably lowered and that EDF should be present to carry out permanent works on the electricity cable. The PTO shaft at the station is to be extended. Vegetation management works only would be undertaken at Common Corner.
The Environmental Officer's report and BAP update and the Biodiversity Manual was noted and approved.
Determinations of annual value were made.
Members noted the position regarding the unchanged precept figure.
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.
The Board adopted their policy under the Bribery Act 2010.
Miss S Ablett was authorised to appear in court to obtain distress warrants.
The Vice Chairman referred to the death of the present Chairman, Mr G A Halden on Tuesday 1st December 2011. He pointed out that Mr Halden had been a Member of the Board since 1969; been Vice Chairman between 1985 and 1986 and had been Chairman since 1986. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect.
Mr C W Pickard was appointed as Chairman and Mr A C Roberts was appointed as Vice-Chairman.
Mr C Wilkinson was invited to fill the vacancy on the Board.
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 District Officer.
Members noted the position regarding the likely unchanged precept figure and agreed to pay the subscription to ADA for 2012.
The update from the Cambridgeshire Flood Risk Management Partnership was noted.
Members were also provided with a comparison of current expenditure against the budget, along with a forecast of the likely year end out-turn.