The following were amongst items discussed at Parish Council meetings and information received by the Clerk. The full minutes may be found here.

September Council Meeting
The Council had a very full agenda this month, with the co-option of a new Councillor, the appointment of a new Clerk and a number of significant decisions, of which the most important was a framework which we hope will speedily conclude the negotiations with Taylor-Wimpey for the hand-over of he public land at Wellbrook Way. The Council authorised South Cambs District Council to negotiate new terms as requested by the developers provided that the land can be remitted to the Council before the end of November.

The Parish Council
By the time you receive this the Council hopes to have appointed a new Clerk. We have made an offer but at the time of writing have not had a firm acceptance.

At the September meeting Richard Westley was co-opted onto the Council, and we welcome him warmly.

We regret that due to pressures of work and family Cllr Suzan Ziobro has had to leave the Council. We thank her for all the work she did for the village during her time as a Councillor, especially as Chair of the Sport and Recreation Committee. This means that there is still a vacancy on the Council which we hope will be filled in the coming months. If you feel that this is something you could do to contribute to the life of the village please have a word with the Chairman.

The Duck End Roundabout
A public meeting was held to discuss the future of the Woody Green roundabout. Thanks to the wise chairmanship of Cllr Gordon it was a very amicable affair and a straw poll at the end indicated a strong preference for a replacement with a single specimen oak, with other trees to provide interest while it establishes itself. The Council has approved this, and at the request of residents, we are launching a public appeal to raise the necessary funds. Any surplus will be held in a special account to maintain the trees in the early years. If you would like to make a contribution please contact the Clerk or Chairman. We hope to make the planting a ceremony in which all contributors can take part.

Wellbrook Way Residents Association
A small but enthusiastic group has formed the core of what we hope will be a successful Residents' Association for villagers living in Wellbrook Way. The can be a focus for reporting any problems which emerge on the estate, as well as a means of bringing people together and sharing information. The Parish Council has approved the Association, but will play no part in running it: this is entirely up to the residents.

Planters
Although most of the planters are looking very well, a few are suffering from neglect, and we would be grateful for more volunteers to water and dead-head them. If you live near one and could take it on, please let the Clerk know. And the Autumn/Winter planting will take place in October, so if you would like to become a sponsor of a planter please ask the Clerk for details.

Hedges and Footways
Despite our request last month, we have had several more complaints about overgrown hedges. If your hedge is growing into a footway, whether a roadside pavement or any other path, you have a responsibility to trim it back to your own boundary. Please may we ask all our residents to ensure that this is done speedily.

Town End Close
To maintain the traditional meadow nature of this medieval ridge-and-furrow field it is now being grazed by a small number of calves. This is a good time to remind residents that dogs and cycles are not ever permitted in the Reserve, and also to remind you that it is well worth a visit, with the added bonus of blackberries at present.

Drains and Drainage
Girton and Ely have been selected as trial areas for developing a Surface Water Management Plan; this is very good news for the Village. The first step will be a survey of water channels in the village which will be undertaken by Maltby Surveys. They may require access to your garden if you are next to a drain or stream. They will not require access to your home, and will all carry full identification. If you have any concerns please contact Sass Willis of Cambridgeshire County Council on 699976, or the Chairman or Clerk.

Graffiti
During the past month there has been a spate of graffiti around the village, of the usual ugly and puerile sort. With the help of the Probation Service some has been cleaned up, but not without significant expense. The police are investigating and if you have any information about the culprits we would be grateful to know.

Forthcoming Meetings
The next meetings of the Parish Council will be on Wednesday 19 October 2011, and Wednesday 16 November 2011, starting at 7.30pm at St Vincent's Close Community Centre. Members of the public are welcome to attend all Parish Council meetings and to speak in the open session at the start.