MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 3rd April 2006 at the Methodist Church, Coles Lane Oakington at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), the Clerk and 3 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Mr J Bailey, Mr P Harradine, Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun M Bradney (CCC)
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 6th March 2006 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
Guided Bus – nothing new to report.
PC Rogerson – the Chairman had been informed by PC Rogerson that three twelve year old girls were responsible for the paint vandalism at the Saxon Way bus shelter and were about to be arrested.
Compensation to the Parish Council was discussed and PC Rogerson had suggested that the girls should be made to clean the shelter. Two of the girls did some work on cleaning the shelter on Saturday. However, there is more to be done which will require specialist treatment. Therefore, it was agreed to obtain a quote from City Services. The Chairman will then approach the parents with a view to obtaining a contribution.
Pavilion – the Chairman reported that the hedge had been removed and no birds were found to have been nesting there. It was not possible to burn the wood. So, it was left at the rear of the cemetery – possibly to be used for the community bonfire in November.
Unfortunately, at least two graves had been discovered during the dig on the edge of the site. The archaeologist had also found pottery and an Iron Age ditch. All this is likely to mean considerable additional cost to the Parish Council. The Chairman asked Coun Jenkins (CCC) if he would speak to the portfolio holder for Archaeology to enquire if CCC would be prepared to make a contribution towards the costs on the basis that the finds are likely to be of interest to the wider community.
The Chairman reported that 5 sections of fencing used during the dig were stolen from the site.
Neil Cook is to contact SCDC to try to speed up the transfer of funds.
Coles Lane Development – nothing new to report.
Traffic Calming – nothing new to report.
Northstowe – the Chairman had circulated the details of objection sites and it was agreed that his suggested responses would be submitted.
Three additional objection sites not directly related to Northstowe had come to light and we should be consulted about these at a later date:
It was agreed that the Parish Council would object to any development that would further erode the promised Green Belt surrounding the parish as part of the development of Northstowe.
The Clerk reported that Rob O’Halloran, Fairfield Partnership had offered to attend a meeting to discuss their proposals for Northstowe further. It was agreed that is would not be necessary at this stage but to confirm broad support and enquire about the lack of a road to Northstowe from Cottenham direction on their plans.
The Clerk had also received a phone call from a Ross Clarkson on behalf of Readers Digest requesting a discussion with the Parish Council re Northstowe. It was agreed to decline.
Bus Project – nothing new to report.
Bus Shelters – the Chairman had contacted Mrs Few regarding the vandalised bench and she had agreed that it would not be wise to replace it, given the current high levels of vandalism in the village.
The Chairman read out a letter from Charlotte Jordan regarding the bus shelter opposite High Street stating that it is not regularly cleaned, smelt of Jeyes Fluid and is in a poor condition. She suggested that it should be replaced with a metal-framed shelter. The Chairman had received comments from other residents that they would like it to be retained. Some options regarding ventilation were discussed. However, for the time being it was agreed to monitor the situation.
Coun Edwards reported that SCDC does not offer a graffiti cleaning service at present. However, there is a proposal that the police should launch a scheme with the Probation Scheme which would be free of charge if it goes ahead. A decision is due to be made shortly on this. Coun Edwards also reported that, with effect from 1st April, SCDC has the power to force owners to remove graffiti from private property.
Website – Coun Reeves gave a brief demonstration of the website.
The domain has been registered and the site is almost ready for launch when some additional information is added. (www.oakingtonandwestwickparishcouncil.org.uk)
The Clerk will set up a new e-mail address.
It was agreed to add old parish records, village histories etc gradually.
It was also agreed to add a counter to monitor how many people are accessing the site.
Coun Jenkins suggested registering the domain O&WPC.org.uk.
Coun Reeves will draft the ‘What We Do’ section and circulate for comment.
S106 Wish List, Northstowe – no further additions to date.
Rubbish, Water Lane – the Clerk reported that SCDC would not deal with its removal as it is on private land.
A14 Junction, power – the lack of power had been reported to David Gilkes.
Street light, Cambridge Road – had again been reported to CCC. However, they had now informed the Clerk that W S Atkins had installed the light and would be instructed to ensure it is working.
Bridleway Sign, Lambs Cross – had been reported to CCC Rights of Way.
Westwick Footways – Gareth Guest, CCC had confirmed that the contractor would surface all damaged/rebuilt areas attributed to the bridge work on completion together with replacement fences and topsoil for the verges.
Interactive Signs – Coun Bradney had contacted Richard Preston, CCC re non-working signs. He had responded that he is ‘preparing a briefing note’ on what is being done to get the signs operational! Coun Jenkins (CCC) suspected that this meant there is a problem with them!
Footpath, Whitehall Farm – David Gilkes advised he would discuss the provision of yellow lines there with David Lines. However, he was not optimistic due to the cost involved and the difficulty obtaining approval.
Burial Guide – had been ordered.
Drains, new footway Dry Drayton Rd – David Gilkes advised that the footway was constructed without Highways knowledge and he would be contacting the developer about drainage and kerbing the edge of the road.
Trees, r/o Saxon Way – the Chairman had written to Hereward Housing – no response to date.
Fairfield Partnership – Coun Edwards confirmed that no planning application had been received by SCDC to date.
SCDC Elections – Coun Edwards advised that Coun Jacky Dixon’s term of office ends in May and she would not be standing for re-election.
CORRESPONDENCE:
SCDC – LDF “Objection Sites” Public Consultation – comments to be submitted.
CCC – Mill Road –One-Way traffic order due to come into operation 3 April
Circulation
Clerk’s & Councils Direct
Networking East
Community Action Spring 2006
CCC – Consultations on Public Path Order Applications under Highways Act 1980
Naturally Active
SCDC/CCC – Disability Sports & Social Club directory 2006
CALC –various
A Lansley,MP – A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton scheme – work expected to commence in 2009
Longstanton Parish Plan
Oakington Housing Needs Survey results
CCC – Submission Statement of Community Involvement
Defra – Getting to grips with the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
PLANNING:
C Hayton, 13 Station Road – extension to form annexe – no objections
Mr & Mrs Goodyer, 13 High St – erection of garden room/cart shed – amended application re inclusion of doors, rooflight and 2 windows – no objections.
Planning Inspectorate – Appeal by Cambridge Wind Farm re site at land south west of Huntingdon Rd – pre-inquiry meeting – 5 June 2006 – 2pm at SCDC.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
| South Cambs DC | Rates cemetery 06/07 | 23.27 |
| Oakington Methodist Church | Donation re hire of hall 3.4.06 | 10.00 |
| J Sidaway | Refund annual subscription to Community Assoc 06 | 8.00 |
| R Bell | Street lights & cleaning - 7.3.06 – 3.4.06 | 176.00 |
| L Lawrence | Clerks salary 7.3.06 – 3.4.06 |
290.57 |
Total: |
507.84 |
It was proposed by Coun Warboys and seconded by Coun Reeves that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Coun Reeves enquired as to who is responsible for paying for the archaeological work at the Rec. The Chairman advised that the Parish Council is.
Coun Warboys asked Coun Edwards if he knew what percentage of local government employees went out on strike last Tuesday. Coun Edwards agreed to find out. It was noted that there appeared to be little disruption to services in South Cambs.
The Chairman commented that a planning application had not yet been received for the large metal frame structure at the house near the village green. Coun Edwards agreed to speak to the enforcement officer about it.
A letter had been received from Land Registry about registering parish council owned land. The Chairman had now established that the Rec and the new bus stop in Cambridge Road are registered but Stocks Green, the village pond and the bridleway in Mill Road are not. Some evidence can be produced to show Parish
Council ownership of Stocks Green and the village pond. Therefore, it was agreed to formally register these. However, the Chairman had not been able to establish who owns the land on which the bridleway is located.
A resident had spoken to the Chairman about the so-called ‘free’ bus service for over 60s. For residents of Oakington this has actually meant an increased cost of travelling to Cambridge! It was agreed that the whole situation is ludicrous as residents are able to travel free but only within the South Cambs area! The Chairman reminded everyone that the Parish Council did give contributions towards residents bus passes when they had to purchase the pass. However, there is not the mechanism in place to do this now as it would have to be done on a journey-by-journey basis which is not practical. This matter is likely to be brought up at the AGM.
There were no questions/comments from members of the public.
The meeting closed at 8.35 pm.