PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mr D Reeves, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), the Clerk and 3 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Mr J Bailey, Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC)
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 12th June 2006 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
Guided Bus – it had been announced that the Government had approved £92 million funding. Coun Jenkins commented that he had not come across anyone locally who supported the proposal. The Parish Council confirmed that they had objected also. Coun Jenkins is to suggest that CCC includes a feeder bus from Oakington to Histon to join up with the guided bus in Histon.
Graffiti, Saxon Way bus shelter – a nearby resident had complained to the Chairman about the continual litter in the shelter and on her garden and the graffiti. The Chairman advised our litter picker would be asked to deal with it. However, subsequently the resident had complained to Jackie King, PCSO that the Parish Council had done nothing about it.
It was agreed to put a note in the village newsletter asking residents to consider picking up litter near their properties.
Pavilion – formal planning approval had now been granted. The Chairman read out the conditions which included switching off the MUGA lights by 9.30 each evening, automatically controlled. The Chairman felt that the lights would need to have a manual override so they could be switched off if the MUGA is not in use. Coun Edwards advised that it is possible to appeal against conditions. He will check on timescales and report back.
Neil Cook had met with the county archaeological officer who advised she would prefer the remains to stay in place on site which would necessitate pile driving. Neil is looking into the least expensive way of proceeding. It was agreed the Chairman could make a decision on this if required before the next meeting.
Coun Sidaway reported that she had asked the Community Association to produce an up to date business plan and for suggestions re possible volunteer workers to carry out cleaning and letting duties. No information had been forthcoming to date.
A meeting is to take place on 24th July with Jane Thompson (SCDC), Neil Cook, the Clerk and pavilion sub-committee to discuss the grant funding claims and managing the finances.
Coles Lane Development – the Chairman had been informed by both SCDC and Taylor Woodrow that the S106 agreement had been handed over to Mills Reeve, solicitors.
Northstowe – nothing new to report.
Bus Project – nothing new to report.
Interactive signs – Coun Graves reported that the sign Oakington side is working too well, even flashes at cycles!! But, Westwick side is not working at all (possibly due to the overhanging trees)
Trees, Saxon Way – nothing new to report.
ROSPA report – Coun Reeves will treat the weeds with Round Up shortly.
Airfield Road – CCC had confirmed that it is going out to consultation with a view to having the road closed and gated.
Charges & Payments – there had been some misunderstanding regarding the payment made to the Community Association last year. It was agreed that this should be an annual payment. However, a breakdown of advertising costs is still required before a decision would be made about this year’s payment. It was noted that more than two thirds of the July newsletter is advertising. Coun Sidaway reported that the information should be forthcoming.
Land Adj 48 Water Lane – The Chairman, Coun Edwards and Charlie Swain (SCDC) had done a lot of work on the issue of the fenced off land. As a result the owner appears to have accepted the enforcement notice and the fence has been removed and the grass cut.
Unfenced ditch, Water Lane – Coun Edwards is to seek advice from Pat Matthews, SCDC.
A14 junction – the bollards, lights etc are still not lit at night. The Clerk will contact David Gilkes again.
Hedges/trees Mead View/Longstanton Rd – David Gilkes had advised that he would have them cut back. The Clerk will contact him again.
Gravel, Manor House – David Gilkes reported that he had written to the owner.
A14 traffic calming measures – a site meeting had been arranged with David Brace, CCC for Monday 17th July at 8.30 am at the pinch point opposite no. 50 Water Lane.
Days Meadow sign – Diane Duncan, SCDC had advised that it is the developer’s responsibility to erect the name sign. She would chase them to do so.
Mill Road – The Chairman and Clerk had met with David Gilkes re flooding issues. He agreed to get the gullies cleaned out and to look into the possibility of having extra drains installed.
In response to a question by Coun Ward re large number of lit signs, the Chairman reiterated that David Brace confirmed that they have to be there by law.
Trees, Westwick – the planning consent had been checked and there was no mention of trees being replanted on the site. Coun Bolitho offered to speak to the landowner Mr Bull. However, the Chairman felt it would better if he did so as Mr Bull had verbally agreed to replant trees when the application was submitted.
SCDC monthly surgery – Coun Bolitho reported that he is still looking into the possibility of holding a monthly surgery for residents. He needs to establish if there is demand.
Parish charity – Coun Sidaway had obtained confirmation that the Community Association is not a registered charity. The Chairman suggested putting a note in the September newsletter asking if anyone is interest in supporting a new village charity that could accept donations (e.g. in the form of wills) which could be spent on items that would benefit the village community.
Unfinished cycleway – Coun Jenkins confirmed the next stage up to the railway line is to go ahead. The Chairman had seen and received reports of cyclists coming off the existing part directly in front of cars and so the end of the new stretch needs to have a pinch point to avoid this.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Police Neighbourhood Consultation – next meeting Tuesday 18th July at 7.30 pm – the Chairman advised that members of the general public are invited to attend and he urged them to do so.
Coun Bolitho read out the crime figures for the past 12 months.
SCDC – South Cambs LDF – Public consultation on “Objection Sites” and “Site Allocation Policies Representations” – had been circulated for comments. Objections are to be input via the website and copied to Couns Edwards, Wotherspoon, Bolitho, Bradney and Jenkins.
Cambridgeshire Archaeology – market research questionnaires – copy given to each councillor.
Residents meeting – PC Rogerson and PCSO Jackie King had held a meeting with residents in the Queensway/Water Lane area regarding crime in their area. As a result Jackie King has reported that she is receiving more information from members of the public about incidents of crime, etc.
Circulation
CDRP – Community Safety event – Weds 20th Sept 5.30- 8.25pm
CCC – Street lighting maintenance – charge for 2006/07 is £17.26 per lamp
SCDC – The Transformation Project
CCC Reports – M Bradney & D Jenkins
Cambs ACRE – AGM – 5th September
Royal Mail – Proposed changes to CB1-5 postcodes
SCDC Report – T Wotherspoon
SCDC – Village services & amenities booklet
PLANNING:
Dr G Butlin, 9 Longstanton Road – extension – amended plan – rear extension moved away from SE boundary by 2 metres – no objections
Mr Harrison, 80 High Street – ash tree - remove lateral branches & upper crown by 20% - no objections
D Doggett, Adj 28 Cambridge Rd – 2 houses/garages – amended plan – additional roof light – no objections.
Mrs McKie, 68 High Street – installation of 4 solar panels – approved
D Moore, 33 Water Lane – garage – refused
C Hayton, 13 Station Road – extension to form annexe – approved
R Jackson, 5 High Street – extensions – application withdrawn
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
South Cambridgeshire District Council
- costs incurred in admin of uncontested PC election 47.27
R Bell – street lights & cleaning13.6.06 – 10.7.06 184.00
4 weeks @ £46
L Lawrence – Clerk’s salary 13.6.06 – 10.7.06
30 hours @ £9.02 + telephone allowance @ £30.00
+ travel expenses @ £5.05
+ backdated salary from 1.4.06-12.6.06
(75 hours @ .57p = £42.75) 348.40
579.67
It was proposed by Coun Ward and seconded by Coun Warboys that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Coun Sidaway reported that someone is gradually removing bricks from the base of the property at the corner of Cambridge Road/Water Lane making it potentially unstable. It is understood that the owner is a Mr Nicolas. Coun Edwards agreed to speak to the enforcement officer regarding the health and safety aspect.
Coun Graves enquired when Westwick would be tidied up following the bridge work. Coun Jenkins agreed to take up this matter.
Coun Harradine reported that Mr Peters, Arcadia Gardens had formally complained on behalf of all wheelchair users in the village about the amount of overhanging hedges etc. The Clerk will pass on the list provided to David Gilkes.
Coun Reeves kindly agreed to take on the role of school governor representative from the autumn term. He will liase with the headteacher and chair of governor, Charles Warboys.
A member of the public reported that the hedge on Stocks Green is overhanging on to Parish Council land. Coun Warboys kindly agreed to cut it back. The Chairman will speak to the residents first.
The Chairman reported that he is in the process of making new posts and stripping down the cemetery gates so they can be repainted. He hopes to install them shortly.
Coun Bolitho reported that he had attended a presentation by Greg Harlock at SCDC today which included information that small businesses are entitled to a council tax reduction and residents with at least one disabled person in the house can go down one council tax band. He will obtain more details, so that a notice can be put in the newsletter.
Coun Edwards reported on the following issues:
A member of the public reported that the hedge on the corner of High Street/Water Lane is obscuring the view for drivers. The Chairman thought that the hedge had been cut back to the owner’s boundary and it is difficult to know what can be done about this junction to improve the situation. However, he would discuss it with David Brace at the site meeting on 17th July.
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm.