MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 9th October 2006 at the School, Water Lane, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mrs Y Graves, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), the Clerk and 4 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Mr D Reeves, Mr P Harradine, Coun D Jenkins (CCC), Coun M Bradney (CCC), Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC)
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 11th September 2006 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
Guided Bus – Coun Reeves had attended the local forum group meetings and had reported back that assurances had been given that chicanes will stop unauthorised use of the maintenance track. There will not be a culvert over Beck Brook near the stop. The Brook will be open at this point. The discussion about the Oakington stop is due to take place in February.
Graffiti, Saxon Way bus shelter – the Chairman had submitted a note for October village newsletter. A member of the public had today reported new offensive graffiti on the shelter now. Coun Edwards advised that SCDC is still in the process of investigating a joint initiative with Probation Service re graffiti removal but is not in a position to undertake this work at present. Ownership of the bus shelter has not been established. Coun Edwards agreed to enquire with SCDC legal team/planning dept. It was agreed that it must be made clear that any work the Parish Council undertakes on the shelter should be ‘without prejudice’. The Clerk will try to obtain quotes from private firms for graffiti removal.
Pavilion – Coun Sidaway reported that the Community Association is prepared to contact WREN again re additional funding.
Elaine Bailey, Chair Community Association attended the meeting to discuss management of the pavilion. The CA had decided it could not be in their remit to take this on as most of their members are from groups that would not being using the pavilion. Instead, they felt that a management committee should be formed consisting of members of groups that would use the pavilion and parish councillors.
After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council should form a pavilion management sub committee and then co-opt others on to it so that VAT can be reclaimed on purchases.
Elaine Bailey & Joan Sidaway agreed to undertake a review of membership of the various sporting groups. The Parish Council will then need to decide on the members of the sub committee.
Coles Lane Development – nothing new to report re S106. Coun Edwards will follow up.
Northstowe – there had been some confusion about the EiP. From the programme it appeared that Oakington is not being represented. However, confirmation had been obtained that our representations had been received and will be considered by the Inspector as written submissions. The representations detailed on the NAAP DPD Examination programme are those where an appearance to present submissions was requested.
Coun Edwards reported that everyone who objected is entitled to go along to the hearing. SCDC planners are happy to bring in Oakington & Longstanton PC members as part of their team as long as they are in agreement with SCDC proposals. Coun Ward kindly agreed to take part.
Coun Edwards also reported that the Inspector had issued one legally binding recommendation that the size of Northstowe should be shown as ‘up to 10,000’ with an expectation that 4,800 of these will be provided by 2016.
Bus Project – invitation to AGM on Tuesday 31 Oct 7.30 pm at Holiday Inn. The Clerk is hoping to attend. (Coun Reeves later confirmed he would also attend)
Interactive signs – Coun Graves reported that the Westwick sign by the nursery seems to work back to front and is set off by cars travelling from Oakington rather than from Cottenham direction! The Clerk will report to David Brace.
Trees, Saxon Way – nothing new to report.
Airfield Road – it was noted that there had still been no consulation advertised.
A14 Junction – the lights are still not working on east side.
A14 traffic calming – white lines still not been done at pinch point and High Street junction.
Days Meadow – road name sign still not in place.
Mill Road – new gullies still not installed.
Trees, Westwick – Coun Graves had not seen Mr Bull to enquire about replanting.
Parish Charity – the Chairman had submitted a note for the October newsletter.
Cycleway – nothing new to report.
Westwick Bridge work – still not complete.
Hedge, Stocks Green – the Chairman reported that the part of the hedge that needs cutting back is by a wall, so no problem with dealing with it as it is all on our land.
Saturday Markets – no planning application had been received to date. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to SCDC Planning Dept and express concern that there had been no application and about the traffic problems there.
Cherry Orchard footpath – members of the Parish Council had visited the site. It was agreed that there is no case for installing another light there. Visibility would be improved if the hedge at no. 16 and the overhanging leylandii further up near Coles Lane were cut back.
Mill Road, light covers – had been reported to David Brace. However, another light is now not working and one of the bollards has been knocked over.
Bus Shelter, Cambridge Road – CCC had refused to acknowledge ownership of the shelter and informed the Clerk that they would not repair it. However, the Chairman had found evidence in previous Parish Council minutes that CCC had previously accepted responsibility on several occasions and had repaired the shelter in the past. The Clerk will provide this information to CCC Passenger Transport team in the hope that this will resolve the matter.
Bushes, Midfield bus shelter – Mr Freeman had agreed that they may be cut back.
Gravestones – the Chairman read out a draft letter to be sent to known surviving family members regarding unsafe memorials in Oakington cemetery giving them notice that they must be made safe, laid down or removed within one month. There are two at present. If it is not possible to identify ownership in the future it was agreed that the Parish Council will have to take all reasonable steps to make them safe until such time as someone comes forward and claims responsibility.
Eviction notice – the court case had now been deferred until 3rd November.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Coun Wotherspoon re Northstowe trust. The Clerk read out the email received seeking confirmation that the Parish Council still supports his involvement on our behalf.
Coun Edwards confirmed that Coun Wotherspoon had referred all Northstowe issues to him and thinks he will do a good job representing the parish.
This group will review the structure of the actual town of Northstowe e.g. where schools will be placed etc.
It was agreed to accept Coun Wotherspoon’s offer of representation.
Michael Oakman, South Highway Divisional Maintenance Engineer – invitation to meeting to inform on highway maintenance policies and budget issues (Thurs 19th Oct, 8 pm at Histon Rec Committee room) – the Chairman and possibly Coun Bailey hope to attend.
Circulation
COPE – Cambridge Older People’s Enterprise
CALC – New Constitution
Guided Busway –mins of meeting held 13th Sept
CCC – Waste Private Finance Initiative Project
PLANNING:
Dr & Mrs G Butlin, land adj 9 Longstanton Road – enlargement of existing pond and associated mounding – revised plan due to Environment Agency height and shape requirements – no objections
Cambridge Wind Farm Ltd, land s/w of Huntingdon Road – Appeal against planning refusal for 16 wind turbines – to commence on 17 October 2006
Mrs & Mrs Brook, 98 Water Lane – porch – approved
South Cambs Primary Care Trust, site at level crossing – variation of condition 5 of planning permission S/1745/02/F – approved
Mr & Mrs Lawrence, 4 Meadow Farm Close – extension – approved
D Moore, 33 Water Lane – replacement garage – approved, subject to use only for domestic purposes associated with the house.
P Bradley, 4 Mead View – extension - approved
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Connections Bus Project – 4 visits in summer holidays 240.16
Oakington Community Association – annual contribution towards
Costs of producing community newsletter 200.00
Cambridge Water Company – scout hut toilets 1.4.06-30.9.06 15.84
A J Milton – refund re purchase of cemetery gate posts 30.00
L Lawrence – refund re new toner cartridge for printer 46.84
(purchased from Prime Source Ltd)
R Bell – street lights & cleaning 12.9.06- 9.10.06
4 weeks @ £46 184.00
L Lawrence – Clerk’s salary 12.9.06 – 9.10.06
30 hours @ £9.02
+ telephone allowance @ £30.00
+ travel expenses @ £5.44 306.04
1022.88
It was proposed by Coun Bailey and seconded by Coun Sidaway that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The light fitting at pinch point in Dry Drayton Road has been smashed and bulb has gone. Both signs from A14 approach to pinch point are not lit and neither is the nearby streetlight.
There is a water leak at the corner of Cambridge Road/Dry Drayton Road.
The telephone box in Longstanton Road has been vandalised and 50% of the glass removed.
The cover has been smashed on the streetlight in High Street near the stables.
Coun Bailey reported that there had been a lot of incidents of vandalism near the school recently.
Coun Graves reported that cars are being parked where the white line stops in front of the two cottages next her property causing a potential traffic hazard. The Clerk will report to PCSO.
Coun Graves passed on details of the Bobby Scheme – a charitable scheme providing a free service to older people to reduce burglary by improving home security. The Clerk will check that this service can be advertised.
The Chairman reported that there had been numerous problems with vandalism and unsocial behaviour by the village sign lately. John Barnett and his family take a lot of trouble to look after that area by cutting the grass and clearing away the large amount of litter that is regularly deposited there. A perfectly good slat had been ripped from the bench. It was agreed not to replace it and to remove the seat entirely if it becomes unusable, because its absence could discourage troublemakers from congregating there.
PC Rogerson had informed the Chairman that he is looking into the Oakington Knights website with a view to having it shutdown. He has already had a similar one shut down. It is believed that this website is being used to co-ordinate anti social behaviour locally.
A horizontal fence rail on the left of Queens Way has been forced out and thrown away and vandals have also tried to do the same to the one the other side.
There is a dead tree on the Rec near the new development. Coun Warboys agreed to try to deal with it.
A member of the public confirmed that the PSA bonfire is planned for Saturday 4th Nov. The Chairman asked that they relocate it for this year only and burn the wood to the rear of the cemetery (from the hedge cut back for the pavilion). Mr Bate advised there will be a meeting re the bonfire on 17th October and they would investigate if this will be feasible.
It was agreed that permission be given to hold the bonfire on the Rec.
The Chairman read a letter sent to the Environment Agency asking what has been done to alleviate flooding problems, especially as they had cleaned out the brook upstream of Oakington.
Three ‘new’ streetlights have been installed but the old ones are still in place; two in Coles Lane and one in Water Lane near no. 33.
It was agreed to ask the Probation Service to deal with cemetery vegetation.
The Chairman reported that until such time as a new Northstowe Town/Parish Council is formed the residents of Northstowe within the existing Oakington parish boundary (the bulk of the greenfield land that formed the old Oakington Airfield) will be lumped together with the existing residents of Oakington and Westwick for the purposes of calculating and collecting Council Tax. This means that whatever we Precept for will result in a levy being applied equally across the existing village and the Northstowe residents in our patch. The same will apply to those living on what is now land in the existing parish of Longstanton. It also means that Northstowe residents will be eligible for election to our Parish Council. We will need to guard against the possibility of one or other of the communities being subsidised to a greater or lesser extent by virtue of the balance of power of the respective membership of the Parish Council of the day. The Parish Council needs to decide how to deal with this and the manner and means for ensuring equitable levying of local taxation and fair and proportionate allocation of the resultant funds. Coun Edwards agreed to investigate if it will be possible for SCDC to provide the Parish Council with figures of occupied houses at Northstowe at the appropriate time so that a sensible judgement can be made when setting the precept each January. This will enable the Parish Council of the day to calculate the contribution from the two separate communities by means of the Parish Council element of Council Tax. It is likely that the new community will have above average aspirations for a number of expensive items, and we need to be sure that the existing community does not have to contribute to these! Equally, the existing community should not expect to gain an unfair advantage by having a reduced level of the Parish Council element of Council Tax. Certainly in the early days the new residents will take advantage of existing facilities in our village, and so it would be reasonable to expect to receive a fair contribution for this.
It was reported that residents had been informed of their new postcodes. It was expected that the first part only would be changed, but they have changed both.
Coun Bailey enquired if a proportion of Northstowe will be using sustainable energy for heating. Coun Edwards responded that the policy is that 10% will be.
A member of the public asked for more detail about the pavilion plans as several residents had asked him about it.
The Chairman confirmed it will primarily be a sports pavilion. It is not to be a Village Hall or a Social Club and there will be no licensed bar. The detail about the facilities had not been finalised but it would contain changing rooms, a meeting room and a hall that will hold approx 80 people. The funding and the fact that it is on the Recreation Ground have largely dictated its purpose. Residents had been shown the plans at the last two AGMs and members of the Community Association rather than the Parish Council had formulated the design, but the final decisions rest with the Parish Council.
The meeting closed at 9.15 pm