MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 14th April 2008 at the School, Water Lane, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Mrs A Christie, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), Coun M Bradney (CCC), the Clerk and 6 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Coun N Bolitho
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 10th March 2008 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None.
MATTERS ARISING FROM 4TH FEBRUARY & 10TH MARCH MEETINGS:
Pavilion – Elaine Bailey, Chair of Pavilion Committee had requested attendance.
She presented the Parish Council with two cheques totalling £10,000 (£7,500 from Oakington Scout Group and £2,500 from Oakington Community Association) towards the costs of the Oakington Sports Pavilion. They were accepted with thanks.
Elaine outlined the role of the Pavilion Committee which was formed to deal with fundraising and management of the pavilion. The committee consists of two parish councillors (Joan Sidaway and Bob Ward) plus representatives from all organisations that currently use the existing scout hut. A constitution has been drafted and will be presented to the Parish Council for formal approval when finalised.
A Village Day and grand opening is planned for Sat 21st June and Elaine had written to Andrew Lansley, MP to request his attendance to open the pavilion.
She presented the following requests to the Parish Council:
1. Support re appointment of 2/3 employees for the pavilion – a part-time bookkeeper/bookings clerk and a caretaker/cleaner. Assistance requested re advertising and interviewing process.
Response – it was suggested that the Pavilion Committee should seek volunteers to undertake these roles in the first instance. Elaine agreed to put a notice in the April newsletter to this effect. However, if volunteers are not forthcoming it was agreed that Elaine could advertise for a booking/admin clerk in the May newsletter (possibly need to advertise in Camb Evening News as well). It is anticipated that salary would be in the region of £6 - £8 per hour.
2. Start up fund for initial expenses such as building insurance, public liability insurance, entertainments licence, opening costs of office.
Response – the Parish Council would need to take on insurance for the building and the utility bills are already in the Parish Council’s name.
It has already agreed that money would be set aside each year for future maintenance but this will need to be formally agreed at the May meeting (annual meeting).
The Chairman stated that it may be possible to obtain some funding from the Northstowe Section 106 agreement as the pavilion was funded by a Growth Area Fund grant and would be available to new Northstowe residents.
3. Precept increased for next year to support pavilion costs and the increase paid annually to the Pavilion committee.
Response – precept increase for 09/10 cannot be agreed until December this year. It has already been increased significantly over the last two years to help with pavilion costs but will be reviewed again when the time comes.
Coun Sidaway confirmed that an application had been submitted to WREN for completion of the MUGA and a decision would be made on 17th June. She had met with Sarah Gosling from WREN last week and she seemed to be fairly positive about the application.
County Councillors – as Couns Bradney and Jenkins needed to leave the meeting early, it was agreed to discuss any relevant CCC issues with them at this stage.
The Chairman had written to CCC on behalf of the Parish Council to object (on the grounds of safety) to the removal of the free school bus for children who live within 3 miles of Impington Village College.
Couns Bradney & Jenkins confirmed that they had also objected on this basis.
An appeal is to be heard in June and will be made up of 3 county councillors (who will walk the route as part of their consideration). The test to determine the outcome - ‘is the route is considered safe to walk’?
Coun Jenkins reported that appellants do have the right to present their cases on the day so it is worth continuing to gather ‘evidence’ re the lack of safety.
Coun Christie reported that it took a parent and child 1.5 hours to walk to IVC from Girton and that was without school books etc.
Coun Edwards had been informed by CCC that SCDC had been consulted on this issue. However, it appears that the consultation document was only sent to the Leader and not members so had been overlooked. He confirmed that he had submitted an objection.
Coun Jenkins stated that if the appeal fails the appellants have a right to a judicial review (which could be costly) or a Community Court action.
Martyrs Graves – Ivett and Reed had completed the cleaning of the graves. The lettering is now quite distinct on two of the graves with the lowest not quite so clear. The Chairman and Coun Reeves are to attend a Rights of Way project reception on 15th April and will take the opportunity to ask if CCC would be interested in funding improving the lettering to make it completely readable.
Parking Bay, Queens Way – the Chairman had spoken to Mr Leadley, 15 Queens Way. He wants the tarmac parking bay to be retained and to be given permission to go over it to gain access to his house (also needs permission to go over the footway owned by SCDC). Coun Christie agreed to prepare a draft legal agreement.
Northstowe – all Northstowe planning application responses had been submitted and an acknowledgement received.
Litter/Dog Waste Bins – SCDC had finally confirmed that they are now collecting from the bins on the highway (delay due to a ‘breakdown in communication between supervisor and street cleaning operative’!)
The Clerk had informed Roger Bell that he is still responsible for dealing with the bin at the Recreation Ground.
The Chairman reported that Mr Sidaway had kindly offered to help with some litter picking. This was gratefully accepted. However, it was agreed that Roger Bell is paid to collect litter and should be asked to undertake more of this now that he no longer has to empty the bins. The Chairman will speak to him about this.
Culvert, Cambridge Road – the Planning Dept had agreed that it was part of the consent that the culvert must been increased in size and the builder has now accepted this and will consult with the Environment Agency as to what is required.
A14 Junctions, lighting – Coun Bradney had contact Lighting Dept re inoperative signs and had received a response on 7th April from Chris Sproston that there is an intermittent underground cable fault to the illuminated bollards and traffic signs. The contractor had been instructed to trace and repair the fault urgently and replace the damaged lantern sign.
Parking on footway, Cambridge Road – the Chairman had been introduced to our new PCSO, Stuart Ison and had reported this matter to him again.
Jointly Funded Scheme re extension to 30 mph zone in Cambridge Road – no decision had been received.
Cemetery hedge – a complaint had been received about the new footpath to the rear of the cemetery (part of the Northstowe Rights of Way upgrades). The Chairman had inspected this and felt that they had made a good job of it and it is now reasonable to walk on. He had seen a dog-walker whilst there who informed him that motorcyclists are using the footpath. He had reported this to the PCSO but had subsequently seen a burnt out motorcycle next to the field.
S106 Northstowe- it was agreed to include the following items in the S106 request:
1. Allotment land – the Chairman reported that the Parish Council does not own any allotment land and if a certain number of residents demand an allotment we have to provide it. There would be no major expenditure involved and a piece of land was ceded to the Ministry when the airfield was built so it would be a good opportunity to ask for the equivalent back. It would need to be stipulated in the agreement that this land would be used for allotments only.
2. Pavilion costs/ funds towards promotion of sporting activities – this would also benefit the first residents of Northstowe and the GAF grant for the pavilion had already established that principle.
3. Funds for Humpty Dumpty Pre-School – this is a community run organisation that could also benefit new Northstowe residents.
4. Play area – improvements/new play equipment much needed and wanted. Again could be enjoyed by early Northstowe residents.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Connections Bus Project – 4% increase in cost of weekly visit from £76.25 to £79.31. Agreed there was little option but to accept the increase.
A Lansley, MP – re letter from Mr & Mrs Probert, 38 Longstanton Road about increased usage of Longstanton Rd by heavy plant and construction vehicles.
Allianz Cornhill – annual insurance renewal - £1073.10. This invoice will be presented for approval for payment at the May meeting. The Clerk will contact Neil Cook to find out when building insurance needs to be obtained for the pavilion.
CPBRC – Village Ponds survey.
SCDC, Northstowe Planning Application – acknowledgement of receipt of responses.
Circulation
Community Action Spring 08
Cambs ACRE – Making a difference
Oakington Airfield Clearance Work Meeting minutes
CCC Monthly Reports – M Bradney & D Jenkins
COPE Newsletter
Council Housing in South Cambs
CCC – Post Office Closures in Cambs
East of England RSSS – Planning for Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation in East of England
CCC – Integrated Plan for 2008
Green Vision News
Neighbourhood Profile Update Histon April 08
PLANNING:
C Fensom, 1 Vicarage Close – tree works – no objection
C Tirrell, Oakington Tomato Farm – change of use of land for the siting of 26 mobile homes for seasonal workers (retrospective application) – object, no different to other illegal mobile home sites, flooding of private foul sewerage disposal system, non payment of parish element of Council Tax during period of use.
Oakington Garden Centre – extension to car park, laying out service yard, erection of entrance canopy & covered walkway, installation of septic tank, recladding of existing glasshouse for use as sales office & coffee shop, landscaping and variation to conditions 4 & 5 on planning permission S/0995/81/O. No objections.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
C J Murfitt Ltd – interim inv 8, pavilion building works
(cheque signed 19.3.08) 97085.84
CPALC – affiliation fee 2008/09 409.44
Ivett & Reed – cleaning stonework & repointing martyrs graves 1101.92
South Cambs District Council – cemetery rates 08/09 31.62
Global Tree Solutions Ltd – tree work at Stocks Green 646.25
Cambridge Water Plc – scout hut water 1.10.07 – 31.3.08 19.55
CHS Architects Ltd – architectural services re pavilion 6168.75
Speedy Hire Centres Ltd – security fencing pavilion, March 145.09
D Reeves – refund re website domain renewal 6.56
A J Milton – refund re 20 conference chairs 70.00
R Bell – street lights & cleaning 11.3.08 – 14.4.08
5 weeks @ £49 245.00
L Lawrence – Clerk’s salary 11.3.08 – 14.4.08
37.5 hours @ £9.57 = £358.88
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £5.58 394.46
106324.48
It was proposed by Coun Graves and seconded by Coun Reeves that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The High Street name sign is missing. The Clerk will report to SCDC.
There is a large black bin in the ditch in Cambridge Road (on village side of culvert by Mansell Farm) The Clerk will report to SCDC.
Coun Christie reported that a villager in a motorised wheelchair had not been able to get passed in Cambridge Road (Forge End) due to cars parked on the footway. The owner of one of the vehicles had ignored her request to move it. New PCSO is aware of this problem.
There is still a hump in the footway outside no. 59 Water Lane.
The hole at the end of the Station Road ditch (lined with sandbags) is becoming blocked with leaves/rubbish. The Clerk will contact English Partnerships again about this (responsibility for this ditch maintenance had also been included in the Northstowe planning application responses).
Coun Harradine reported that there is yet more mole activity at the cemetery.
The litterbin at the Rec is overflowing.
Coun Warboys thanked everyone for their concern and good wishes following his recent operation.
There are 2 fridges in the ditch in Gatehouse Road. Assuming they are on land this side of the brook, they are in our parish. The Clerk will report to SCDC.
Coun Edwards reported that ownership of Milton Country Park had now transferred to Cambridge Sport Lakes.
A new monthly SCDC update bulletin will be issued to members and also sent to parish councils.
He also apologised on behalf of SCDC for the delay in issue of some of the bus passes for over 60’s. But confirmed that, as reported, Fujitsu Siemens were genuinely at fault.
There were no comments/questions from members of the public.
The meeting closed at 9 pm.