MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 5th March 2007 at the School, Water Lane, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: Mr A Milton (Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mr P Harradine, Mr D Reeves, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), the Clerk and 7 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Mrs Y Graves, Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC) and Coun M Bradney (CCC).
MINUTES –Page 4 paragraph 11 – delete ‘John’, insert ‘Geoffrey’ Prior.
The minutes of the meeting held 5th February 2007 were then approved and signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
Countryside Access for Northstowe – nothing new to report.
Pavilion – the Chairman and Coun Sidaway had attended a meeting with Cambridge Horizons to discuss funding. They were informed that we had not spent the money we should have spent in the financial period agreed at the outset. However, Cambridge Horizons appeared to be fairly impressed with the evidence of viability of the project provided and indicated that they should be able to ‘juggle’ finances at a later stage to enable the full funding to be given.
Coun Warboys had been informed by the archaeologists that they had found approx 10 skeletons to date – all of which add to the costs of the project.
The Chairman reported that the archaeologists had given clearance for work to start on the car park.
The Chairman had also chased up the S106 monies (re Days Meadow). It transpired that SCDC Legal Dept had not finalised the necessary paperwork as previously indicated.
A draft application for WREN funding had been completed. There are one or two amendments required. This will then be submitted.
The Community Association had enquired about appointment of a treasurer for the project – would the Parish Council appoint or agree that a pavilion sub-committee could appoint? Coun Sidaway confirmed that current pavilion fundraising is paid into the Community Association bank account.
After some discussion, it was agreed that the Community Association should continue to hold the fundraising monies and that a sub committee should be set up at a later date.
Guided Bus – the Chairman had attended the ‘opening’ ceremony this morning and reported that it was a complete waste of time!
Coun Reeves reported the following from the last liaison group meeting:
Graffiti, Saxon Way shelter – the owners of the property adjoining the shelter had contacted the Chairman yet again about the graffiti. He had tried to explain that the bus shelter does not belong to the Parish Council and therefore we are not responsible for it but they did not want to listen.
Subsequently, a letter had been received from Bloor Homes confirming that the shelter does stand on Bloor land, but stating that this land has been reserved for ultimate transfer to the Parish. They proposed either the transfer of ownership should go ahead (for which they would meet the necessary legal costs) or the shelter is removed and the land transferred to the nearest resident.
After some discussion, it was agreed to put the options to the Parish at the annual meeting on 23rd April.
The Chairman reported that the shelter may get cleaned in the meantime as the Probation Service (in partnership with SCDC) is now offering a free graffiti removal service. A list of Parish Council property had been submitted to SCDC to enable graffiti removal work to be undertaken when the Probation Service visit our village.
Bus Project – nothing new to report.
Northstowe Trust – a note had been circulated to each house in the village inviting residents to attend a workshop on 17th March at Over Community Centre re establishing a Community Development Trust.
The Chairman had been informed by Alan Joyner (Gallagher Estates) that there are already some Northstowe residents in place as the former Oakington barracks houses are on land that will be part of Northstowe.
The Chairman had not yet received a response to his letter to Chief Exec, SCDC re ensuring the necessary parish boundaries are formally secured in a timely manner to facilitate the creation of the new Northstowe PC. Coun Edwards agreed to follow up on this.
Trees, Saxon Way – nothing new to report.
Airfield Road closure – nothing new to report.
Mill Road – Coun Ward reported that some work had been done recently on the gullies.
Vandalism – the seat by the village sign is in a poor state but it was agreed that it is still fit for purpose at present.
Vegetation, cemetery – due to the pavilion work, it was agreed to leave this until next season. The Chairman had asked Edgar Stearn to quote for doing work on the cemetery paths while he is working on the pavilion car park.
Fair Rents – still no response from Andrew Lansley.
Blocked drains – no update from Coun Bolitho on his ‘drains hotline’.
Verge, Welney Farms – not yet dealt with and problem is getting worse.
Westwick bridge work – to be discussed on village walkabout.
Walkabout – Matt Pickering, CCC Highways Dept had failed to attend the meeting arranged for 1st March. Therefore, walkabout had been rearranged for Thurs 8th March at 9.00 am.
Martyrs graves – English Heritage had responded that they are unable to take on ownership/responsibility for the graves. They suggested approaching the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Chairman will pursue this. Coun Warboys requested a copy of the letter from English Heritage for his file on the graves.
SCDC Conservation Area adverts in Cambridge Evening News - no response to date from Coun Wotherspoon re the very small print used.
Former railway – Edmund Nuttall, guided bus contractors had confirmed that they had allocated a small piece of the old track and sleepers to Oakington.
After some discussion it was agreed that it should be placed on the left hand side of the approach road to the cemetery to prevent cars using the new pavilion from parking on the grass there. It was also suggested that shingle is placed around it to make it more visible.
Joint villages group – an e-mail invitation had been received from Cottenham PC on 8th February to join a local villages group to discuss various issues including drainage and flooding.
The Chairman stated that Coun Mike Mason, Histon PC and district councillor had done a lot of research and is very knowledgeable on the drainage/ flooding issues and the Chairman is satisfied that Coun Mason does ‘speak up’ for us on this when required.
The e-mail from Cottenham PC had also indicated that some funding may be required to obtain an independent expert report on drainage and flooding.
The Chairman stated he would prefer the Parish Council to continue to make lone representations etc rather than compromise its position by joining a group that may not share the same views/aspirations as Oakington. He also pointed out that Longstanton, Dry Drayton, Bar Hill and Girton are also neighbouring villages and so where does one draw the line?
Coun Bailey agreed with this but felt it would be useful to know what issues concern other parishes.
After some discussion, it was agreed to defer the decision about joining until a later date.
CORRESPONDENCE:
SCDC – Protocol for Consultation on Housing Issues – agreed that the draft protocol appears to be reasonable.
Bloor Homes – Bus shelter, Water Lane – agreed to respond that the options would be put to the parish at the annual meeting on 23rd April.
Oakington Community Association – proposed by Coun Ward and seconded by Coun Reeves that permission be given to allow use of Recreation Ground on Saturday 16th June for a Village Day and support by covering the costs of the public liability insurance. All agreed.
Northstowe Area Action Plan – Statement by the Inspectors – the Chairman read out the interim statement.
The main issues included:
Coun Edwards reported that this represents the initial view of the inspectors and a full report will be forthcoming at the end of this month. The local authority is not permitted to question the findings of that report.
It was agreed to send a letter to Andrew Lansley informing him that we are extremely disappointed with the inspectors’ decisions.
Circulation
Communities & Local Government – Revised Model Code of Conduct
Celebrate St George’s Day
Audit Commission – proposing appointment of Moore Stephens as our external auditor for the year 06/07 and notification of a fee increase from £350 to £400 for parish councils in the annual income/expenditure band of £50,001 to £100,000.
EEAPTC News
CCC – Countryside Access Issues
Arbury Park – First new homes take shape
Guided Busway update – Feb 07 & liaison group mins
Cambs ACRE – Cambs & Peterborough Community Life awards 2007
Society of Local Council Clerks – membership info
COPE newsletter, March 07
SCDC – Milton Country Park
Yesteryear Road Run – 22nd April
PLANNING:
Decisions
J Rowe, 38 Water Lane – extension - approved
Mr & Mrs Mead, 19A Coles Lane – conservatory – approved
Home Office, Immigration Reception Centre – erection of 5.2 metre high security fence – refused.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
R Bartingale – recreation ground, cemetery, dog walk grass cutting
& cemetery hedge cutting – 2006 2569.00
CALC – affiliation fee 2007-08 371.25
L Lawrence – refund new toner cartridge, printer
(purchased from Caboodle) 49.24
Oakington Baptist Chapel – donation re use of chapel on 5.2.07 10.00
R Bell – street lights & cleaning 6.2.07 – 5.3.07
4 weeks @ £46 184.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 6.2.07 – 5.3.07
30 hours @ £9.02
+ telephone allowance @ £30.00
+ travel expenses @ £9.79 310.39
3493.88
It was proposed by Coun Ward and seconded by Coun Sidaway that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Coun Sidaway had received complaints about the ‘slippery’ footway along Cambridge Road on both sides near the bridge – to be discussed on walkabout.
Coun Bailey reported that he understood that planning permission is now required for poly tunnels erected since 1st Jan 2007. The Chairman reported that Oakington Tomato Farm was featured on a BBC Look East item re their installation of solar panels and heat storage tanks covering a huge area.
The Oakington sign in Cambridge Road is completely obscured by graffiti.
The ditch on the south side of Longstanton Road is full of builder’s debris, rubble. The Clerk will report to SCDC.
Coun Harradine enquired if any progress had been made re the School Safety Zone 20mph area. Coun Reeves will check with the headteacher.
Coun Warboys reported that the county archaeologist working on the pavilion site is prepared to give a talk to the village when he finishes his work there.
The Chairman reported that a resident of Holme Close had her car and a colleague’s car stolen from there recently. She had requested an additional streetlight. The Chairman had visited the close but felt that 3 lights are adequate.
The report in the Cambridge Evening News re the cyclepath is somewhat ambiguous and appears to indicate that the cyclepath will go all the way round the corner to the top of Park Lane.
The Chairman had received a request for a talk to be organised on safety advice. Agreed to see if someone from the police could talk on this at the parish meeting.
The interactive signs at Westwick from Cottenham direction are still not working.
The Oakington sign from Westwick direction is partially obscured by an overgrown hedge.
A member of the public reported that one of the signs from the airfield towards Oakington had been turned towards the hedge and another on the other side of the road had been pushed over – to be discussed on walkabout.
Another member of the public enquired if it is permissible to cycle on footways now. The Chairman responded that the only path that can by cycled on legally is the dual use path in Cambridge Road from the bridge onwards towards Girton.
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm.