20th January 2025

In Attendance: Laura Petchey*, Louisa Haine*, Matt Cannon*, Sally and Chris Jackson, Clive Griffiths*, Janet Carrod*, Theresa Bunting, Jayne Davies* and Bill Pepper.

Apologies: Gwynneth Griffiths*, Matt Luck and Matt Yorke

• Introduction(s)

Introductions were made, Bill Pepper from Wicken Parish council introduced to the URA committee.

 

• Minutes from the last meeting

Minutes were agreed and signed, with no corrections. 

 

• Status of the URA

Louisa Haine has stepped aside as Treasurer and taken on the vacant role of Secretary. Matt Cannon has taken on the role of Treasurer. Thanks were offered to both for volunteering for these roles.

Matt Luck has decided to step down from the committee. The committee would like to thank him for all his help over the years, specifically for his maintenance of the defibrator. 

 

• Treasurers report and URA fundraising

Expenditure since last meeting consisted of £268.52 public liability insurance. URA currently holds, £860.10 in total of which £500 is ringfenced for defibrillator maintenance, £278.83 remains of the grant towards the community land, and £81.27 remains for miscellaneous times.  

A quiz was suggested as a fundraising activity around March/April 2025: 

Actions: Laura Petchey to check with Lorraine about the possibility of hosting a quiz at the pub. Jayne Davies and Simon Cogan to lead on a raffle and advertising. 

Wicken Fete 50th anniversary (28/6/25). Laura Petchey suggested a URA stall with ‘Blind date with a book’. Bill Pepper says the URA are welcome to a free stall at the fair. 

Actions: Bill Pepper to connect the URA with Rachel Barnes (head of Wicken Fete committee). Donated books to be wrapped at wrapping party hosted by Jayne Davies  in April or May (date TBD).

• Defibrillator maintenance options

Matt cannon has agreed to take over the running of the defib, following the stepping down of Matt Luck. Hand over for this is to take place soon. 

Ongoing discussion was had around the funding of the defibrillator (insurance and equipment replacements), which is the main expenditure of the URA currently. 

Actions: Continue URA fundraising and explore other financial options for defibrillator funding.

Actions: Bill Pepper to establish whether the responsibility of the defibrator could be assumed under the Wicken parish council alongside their existing defibrillator insurance and maintenance schedules.

Actions: Association members to consider asking local companies if they would be willing to sponsor the maintenance and insurance of the Upware defibrillator. 

• Upware Open Space 

The open space has been rotavated, harrowed, levelled and seeded. Peter Haine reviewed  the open space Tree planting plan and trees were ordered from Simpsons delivered and planted by volunteers. Thanks were offered to all involved. Specific thanks were offered to WPC for the rotavation.

The working group has now dissolved. Thanks were offered to the group for their hard work.

£278.83 of the pride of place grant remains to spend on the community land. Provisional dates were set for the buying (15/3/25) and planting (16/3/25) of shrubs using the remaining grant money. 

 

• WPC Update

Update provided by Bill Pepper (Wicken PC, Chair)

Congratulations were offered to Andy Cogan on his appointment to the WPC.

Public consultation will be taking place regarding formulation of a local neighbourhood plan for Wicken and Upware Parish.

Wicken 20 mph speed limit is now agreed and currently awaiting implementation. No further news is available regarding a 20MPH for Upware. 

Action: Bill Pepper to discuss this matter with the County Council to see what they suggest.

The Tiger on-demand bus service is now live. 

 

• Highways and other updates

Ongoing issues with potholes to continue to be reported as usual.

Continued light pollution from the greenhouses should also be evidenced and reported wherever possible.

Action: Louisa to pin the appropriate contact to the top of the Upware Facebook page.

• AOB

A spring litter pick has been organised for 2/2/25 at 10am.

 **Update** now 16/02/25 at 10:30 am 

Action: Laura Petchey to ask Gwynneth for the equipment and to do risk assessment. 

Problems with local shoots occurring very early and late was raised. 

Action: if the local landowner can be identified, the chair will contact to ask if prior warning can be given of upcoming shoots. 

It was noted that ice skaters’ cars were blocking the road during the recent freeze.

Action: Laura Petchey to message the fen skaters to request more considerate  parking from their skaters.

 

• Date for next meeting

Wednesday April 30th at the Five Miles at 7:30pm

* = Committee members.