Following the new regulations published as part of the Coronavirus Act 2020 allowing parish councils to meet virtually, Histon & Impington Parish Council held its first Virtual Full Council meeting on Monday 18^th May 2020, click here to view the minutes.  Normally at this time of year we would be looking at the committee memberships, Chair and Vice Chair positions for the coming year, but the new Act allows for this to be postponed until May 2021, and so all the current Committee memberships will remain the same for the coming year, and the Chairman (Denis Payne) and Vice Chair (Yvonne Murray) will also retain their positions . The meeting discussed various council matters; two items of note are mentioned below.

Following the government’s update on May 11th regarding the re-opening of outdoor sports facilities, a discussion took part about how the facilities at the Recreation Ground could be safely used in the current environment. From the options available, it was decided to allow a phased re-opening of the Hard Tennis Court, MUGA, Cricket Practice Net, Bowling Green and Croquet area to club members only. This has been subject to each club producing guidelines on how they will manage bookings and ensure a safe playing environment in line with Government procedures, and each club has reviewed and adapted their sporting governing body guidelines to suit the facilities provided at the Recreation Ground.  These were submitted to the council, reviewed and agreed, to ensure safety measures were adequate, and if at any time, any club or government guidance is not adhered to or staff do not feel safe, staff will close the courts at no notice. Please contact the relevant clubs if you are interested in using the facilities at the moment.

Cllr David Jenkins also provided an update on the Neighbourhood Plan. This is now awaiting a referendum when the document will be finalised and signed off, once this has been completed the plan will be held by SCDC and will then have material weight in regards to planning considerations. The Parish Council was unanimous in endorsing the plan, and recorded a vote of thanks to Cllr Jenkins and the team that had worked on the plan for the leadership and work undertaken to get it to this stage. Cllr Jenkins also thanked the Parish Council for the support and advice that had been received from members.