MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 11th December 2006 at the School, Water Lane, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mrs Y Graves, Mr D Reeves, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun M Bradney (CCC), the Clerk and 4 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Mr J Bailey, Mr P Harradine, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC) and Coun D Jenkins (CCC)
The Chairman advised that there is a late agenda item – possible evacuation of Oakington.
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 13th November 2006 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
The Chairman reported that a contract had been received from Cambs Archaeological Field Unit in respect of the archaeological investigation work. The total value is £32,644 + £5,050 contingency + VAT.
Under section 5.16 it states that the ‘Client’ (Parish Council) warrants that it has public and employer’s liability insurance and will produce a copy of its current policy to the Council on demand. It was noted that this would not be a problem.
It was proposed by Coun Sidaway and seconded by Coun Graves that the Chairman and Clerk should sign the contract. All agreed.
Neil Cook reported that Jane Thompson, SCDC had agreed to approach Gallagher Estates (Northstowe developer) to ask for some assistance with additional funding.
She will also send Coun Sidaway an application form for WREN funding.
She had requested that we do not delay the start date for the work waiting for responses to potential bids for funding.
Other funding possibilities include English Partnerships.
Neil confirmed the programme for starting the archaeological work is mid February.
Coun Warboys kindly offered to help with back filling. Neil advised that they are looking into getting the extension to the car park done by a community working party of skilled people. The Chairman stated that the Parish Council should advise its insurers before this goes ahead to obtain their approval and confirm to them that any work would be undertaken under the supervision of our architect using people who have the necessary skills.
Neil is hoping to submit the building regulations application next week and will advise the clerk of the fee amount required.
He was hoping to use non carbon based heating sources but because it is impractical to store sufficient hot water solar heating is not practical. An underground pipe system would be suitable, but as this would involve additional deep trenches it would greatly increase the burden of the archaeological surveyance and this would make it financially unviable. The building will be highly insulated.
MATTERS ARISING:
Guided Bus – discussed under item 5 of the agenda.
Graffiti, Saxon Way shelter – had not yet been dealt with by Bloor Homes.
Coles Lane Development – it was noted that the Days Meadow signs are finally in place.
Northstowe- Coun Warboys offered to supply photos of flooding that had taken place on the airfield in more recent years, as he is concerned about the lack of a relief channel. The Chairman suggested the appropriate time to do this would be at the next consultation stage.
Bus Project – nothing new to report.
Interactive signs, Westwick – still not working.
Trees, Saxon Way –nothing new to report.
Airfield Road – Coun Bradney reported that the traffic modelling had not yet been completed. It is anticipated there would be a report to SCDC cabinet by next spring.
A14 lights – some are working, other are not.
Mill Road – it was noted that there is still a lot of water pooling there when heavy rain occurs despite installation of new gullies.
Trees, Westwick – nothing new to report.
Cycleway – it was noted that the experimental lighting sign had now been removed.
Saturday Markets – had been moved to Bourn airfield. However, it is still being advertised as Oakington market, stating new location for ‘winter’ months.
Cherry Orchard footpath – Matthew Pickering, SCDC Highways had agreed to write to the owners of overhanging trees/bushes.
Bus shelter, Cambridge Road – the Chairman had received another complaint that the shelter is wobbly. He had checked it and although it does move in the wind, he does not feel it is dangerous or likely to fall over.
Gravestones – nothing new to report.
Eviction – had taken place. The Chairman reported there is a notice on the window of the property advising the man of the house not to enter it.
Vandalism – no major incidents to report this month.
Overgrown vegetation, cemetery – the Chairman will contact the Probation Service.
Gypsy/traveller development plan – responses to the consultation documents had been submitted via SCDC website. The Chairman noted that whilst Cambnrige and Northstowe have been identified as targets for new sites, there is no mention of gypsy/travellers sites being required at Cambourne and this is unjust.
Countryside Access Vision for Northstowe – Peter Duthrie, CCC Rights of Way Project Manager is to attend our January meeting.
Coles Lane sign – reported to Diane Duncan, SCDC.
PC Website – Coun Reeves had checked it and it is linked to the main search engines.
Councillor vacancy – advert placed in December newsletter.
Church View sign – reported to Diane Duncan.
Rent Service – the clerk had written to Andrew Lansley, MP
Coun Reeves reported that the next liaison group meeting in January is dedicated to the Oakington stop.
He handed out copies of the draft proposal produced by Nuttalls.
The final design has not yet been agreed.
The following points were made:
CORRESPONDENCE:
Cambs Guided Busway – Discharge of Condition No. 4 – Landscaping- no objections.
SCDC – Meeting re proposals for a Northstowe trust – Weds 10 Jan, 7.30 pm @ Oakington Primary.
The Chairman handed out some draft principles.
The key point is that it should be possible to establish a Parish Meeting for Northstowe when only a few houses are inhabited and then progress to a Parish Council and finally to a Town Council. In this way there is no need to burden Oakington & Westwick PC with anything that is essentially the business of those living in Northstowe.
It was agreed that the principles represent the view of the Parish Council.
The Chairman and Coun Reeves will attend the meeting.
SCDC – Northstowe Members Briefing re S106 – Tuesday 19th December.
Coun Ward is hoping to attend.
Circulation
A Lansley, MP – re A14 upgrade
Licensing of Large Events
HGV Newsletter
Coun M Bradney, CCC – Dec report
Christmas Waste & Recycling
COPE, Christmas 2006
SCDC – Mutual exchanges and s106 restrictions
South Cambs Advisory Partnership Group – Licensing of large events
CCC – Temporary Signs for Community or Charity Events
Cambridgeshire ACRE – services offered/support available
SCDC – Hedge Planting Scheme 06/07
PLANNING:
Mr Halligan, 78 High Street – reduce crown of 2 cherry trees by 25% - no objections
Mr & Mrs Mead, 19a Coles Lane – conservatory – no objection to the conservatory but concerned that the response to question 5 Public Rights of Way is in the negative because there is a stopped off footpath that starts in Croft Lane and passes close by the site before coming to an end at the boundary of the old airfield.
A A Collins, White Horse, Longstanton Rd – domestic garage – no objection in principle but agreed to respond that if there is space for a garage then there is space for the pub to store their wheelie bins off the highway.
Cambridge Wind Farm Ltd, site at land s/w of Huntingdon Rd – 16 wind turbine generators – appeal decision by Planning Inspectorate – appeal was dismissed.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Cambridgeshire County Council – hire of school hall 12/06 – 11/12 40.00
J Sidaway – refund of 06/07 annual membership Community Association 10.00
R Bell – street lights & cleaning – 14.11.06 – 11.12.06
4 weeks @ £46 184.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 14.11.06 – 11.12.06
30 hours @ £9.02
+ telephone = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £5.44 306.04
540.04
It was proposed by Coun Warboys and seconded by Coun Sidaway that these bills be paid. All agreed.
POSSIBLE EVCUATION OF OAKINGTON:
Laurence Green, SCDC Safety Officer and various people from Cambs Police and MOD attended the meeting to explain further.
Superintendent Mick Gipp, Cambs Police went through the background/ key points:
· 8 ‘high risk’ targets had been identified on Oakington airfield (His map showing them around the Rampton end of the old main runway)
· not known if they are bombs at this stage
· community safety is paramount. Therefore, a safety zone of 1836 metres had been established. (He produced a map showing the area which covered Longstanton, Rampton, Westwick and almost all of Oakington)
· this will take place from 8 – 12 January (8th = investigation day)
· evacuation period will be 9.00 am to 15.30/16.00
· 80 police (constabulary & MOD) will patrol the villages during the evacuation period to (hopefully) prevent/detect crime
· a leaflet drop will take place this week to all residents effected
· a rest centre will be available at Impington VC for all residents of Oakington/Westwick
· there will be a dedicated website/e-mail address – oakington@scambs.gov.uk
· if no bombs are found on the investigation day (8/1/07), each house will be visited that evening by officers to inform residents that the evacuation will not go ahead
The Chairman asked if this operation is weather dependant. Supt Gipp advised that it is to a degree but the devices found are much smaller than previously, so it should not prevent disposing of them during the week allocated.
The MOD confirmed that they would be responsible for paying for any windows that are damaged as a result of detonation. When asked whether windows should be left open (as was the custom in WWII) Supt Gipp suggested that modern double-glazing should be locked in the slightly open position.
The Chairman asked the police to ensure residents of the new Days Meadow development are included in the leaflet drop.
NORTHSTOWE AREA ACTION PLAN EXAMINATION:
Coun Ward had been invited to join the SCDC team re the transport section of the EiP. SCDC is opposed to an access road via Station Road Oakington which is in line with the Parish Council’s view.
However, Coun Ward had learnt that SCDC is also opposed to using Fairfield Development’s site which would give us a greater separation. It was agreed that this issue is a conflict of interest with the Parish Council and Coun Ward should not support SCDC in this particular matter.
The Chairman stated this it needs to be made clear that the proposed southern access road should join the at the new A14 feeder road and not closer to Oakington than that.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Coun Graves reported that the gutters are becoming clogged up with leaves particularly in areas with chicanes. The clerk will contact SCDC.
The clerk will email a copy of 2007 meeting dates to Coun Warboys.
The dead tree near the village sign had not yet been dealt with by Highways.
The Chairman reported the annual precept will need to be agreed at the next meeting.
The precept for 06/07 was set at £33,000 based on 511 households. The new developments at Saxon Way & Days Meadow will add approx 70 more households which will be the equivalent of £37,520 if each household pays the same amount next year. If, we increase the amount by inflation this will be £39,000.
The clerk will circulate some expenditure figures so that a decision can be made at the next meeting.
There were no questions/comments from members of the public.
The meeting closed at 9.25 pm.