MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 2nd April 2007 at the Methodist Hall, Coles Lane Oakington at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), Coun M Bradney (CCC), the Clerk and 7 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Mr D Reeves
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 5th March 2007 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
Pavilion – the Chairman reported that the kerbs for the extended car park and MUGA had been done. The cost of the MUGA had been reduced by doing the base work ourselves. An application had been made to connect to the sewer halfway down the track to scout hut (owned by SCDC). Coun Wotherspoon (SCDC) confirmed this had gone out to consultation. A list of work done as at 31st March had been submitted to Cambridge Horizons. (not all the invoices had been received for the relevant work yet.)
The application for WREN funding had been redrafted to request funding for fixtures and fittings only (not for the actual build).
Neil Cook is having problems obtaining agreement from SCDC Building Control officers to waiver the requirement for disabled access to the first floor. The Chairman had sent a letter in respect of this, as the space will only be used for storage and a Parish Council office.
Coun Sidaway had attended a Community Association pavilion meeting and was asked to seek permission for a sign to be put up near the crossroads advertising the village day. Coun Wotherspoon read out the draft regulation re temporary signs.
It was agreed to seek permission from Matt Pickering, Highways Dept to erect a sign 2 weeks before the date.
The Chairman had spoken to the solicitors dealing with the affordable housing properties on Days Meadow and they agreed to chase up the S106 monies.
Guided Bus – the Chairman had found copies of correspondence proving that we had requested a turning point at the Oakington stop on several occasions, contrary to the report in the Cambridge Evening News stating that it had never been asked for. He had copied these to Coun Jenkins (CCC). The Chairman felt that Coun Reynolds should apologise for his comment. Coun Bradney (CCC) agreed to take this matter up with him.
Coun Jenkins arrived late at the meeting and was questioned about the current position as his March report acknowledges that a turning circle was requested but officers had stated that there is ‘sympathy but no money’.
The Chairman stated that he does not accept there is a lack of money for this as it would represent a very small proportion of the whole project. The Parish Council confirmed that it is still very strongly in favour of a turning circle. Coun Jenkins will investigate the options available.
Graffiti - The Probation Service had removed all graffiti early in March. Sadly, on the 23rd March it was back in abundance. The sector police inspector is leading a special team to try to track down the culprits. The Chairman understood the Probation Service would be working on cleaning the graffiti off again this Thursday.
Bus Project – a letter had been received from Alan Webb, Project manager outlining the reasons for the need to increase the session fees from £60.04 to £63.55.
It was noted that the fees do seem to increase substantially each year but there was little choice but to continue to support the work done.
Northstowe Trust – the Chairman had not been able to attend the meeting held in Over. Coun Wotherspoon (SCDC) had attended. Only 20 people had turned up (including the facilitators, SCDC councillors etc) and very few members of the public. Two main concerns were raised: people are too busy to take part and will Northstowe be overloaded with ‘problem’ people?
The Chairman reported that he had still not received a response from the Chief Exec of SCDC re parish boundaries and the formation of a Northstowe Town Council. Coun Wotherspoon had ascertained that his letter had been passed from dept to dept to deal with and due to the legal implications is likely to end up back with the Chief Exec to respond.
Mill Road – the gullies had been looked at with Matt Pickering on the village walkabout. He had agreed to get them cleared. It was noted that the problem would not go away until the ditch on Station Road is cleared.
Vandalism – it was noted that the condition of the seat by the village sign had not worsened.
Fair Rents – still no response from Andrew Lansley.
Blocked drains - Coun Bolitho (SCDC) had drawn up a map of the village and will now mark on ‘problem’ drains.
Martyrs Graves – the Chairman will follow up a suggestion of contacting the Ancient Monuments Society.
SCDC Conservation Area ads – it was noted that there is no person named on the ads now. Coun Edwards (SCDC) reported that the ads are intentionally smaller due to SCDC capping savings.
Former railway – the Chairman reported that the area had been marked out for the track and sleeper to be installed.
Slippery footway, Cambridge Road – reported on walkabout.
Tomato Farm, poly tunnels – Coun Edwards reported that the enforcement officer is looking into this.
Ditch, Longstanton Rd – the dumped rubble was reported on walkabout.
20 mph School Safety Zone – Coun Reeves had spoken to the head teacher about this matter but she could not recall investigating it. It was noted that an application has to be made by the school.
Archaeology talk – it was suggested that this should be held to coincide with the opening of the pavilion.
Safety advice – the Clerk will contact the Bobby Scheme to ask if they are able to give a talk at the AGM.
Interactive signs – it was noted that they are still not working.
CORRESPONDENCE:
LGS Services – quotation for provision of internal audit 06/07 (£95 +VAT for gross receipts/income of £50,000 - £100,000). Agreed.
Connections Bus Project – Provision of Youth Services - notification of fee increase with effect from 1st April 07 from £60.04 per session to £63.55.
RAF Pathfinder March, 16th June.
CCC, Emergency Planning for Pandemic Flu; burials – the Chairman read out the letter requesting further information on the number of available burial spaces in the cemetery and asking if the Parish Council would consider reducing the pricing of burials to that of cremations if an emergency situation occurred.
The Chairman then read out his response stating that the details of burial spaces is already well known as the government had undertaken a survey to establish this. Also, there is already outside pressure on our burial ground and the Parish Council would be opposed to any moves that could put greater pressure on us and would not under any circumstances relinquish any rights in respect of allocation or pricing.
A Christie – e-mail interest in Parish Councillor vacancy received 12th March. The Clerk had e-mailed her details of the role of a councillor and requested more information to support her application but no further response had been received.
Circulation
Dca – Memorial safety
Connections Bus – A Year on
A Lansley, MP – copy of response to public consultation re proposed changes to East of England Plan
Community Action – Spring 07
CCC- Cambridge Area Housing Market Survey 2007
Cambs Local Access Forum
South Cambs Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership newsletter – Oct – Dec 06
CCC – changes to bus timetables April 07
COPE newsletter April 07
A Lansley,MP – affordable housing in South Cambs.
SCDC – Grounds Maintenance Contract
SCDC Standards Committee – report by elected Parish Council representative, Dave Kelleway
D Jenkins – CCC report March 07
M Bradney – CCC report March 07
PLANNING:
Mr & Mrs Upton, 15 Church View – extension no objection
Decisions
Martindales, 1A Oakington Business Park – insertion of 8 new windows – approved
A Turner, land adj 64 Water Lane – house & extension & alteration of existing vehicular access – approved.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
@ Recreation Ground Feb/Mar07 56510.46
Dawson Plant Hire – track machine/dumper with driver re excavation
Work at Recreation Ground 3266.50
Cambridge Water Plc – scout hut water 1.10.06 – 31.3.07 15.13
CALC – fee re VAT Workshop 27.6.07 (Clerk & Coun Sidaway) 30.00
South Cambs District Council – cemetery rates 1.4.07 to 31.3.08 26.49
Print-Out – photocopying re newsletters and AGM 82.80
Oakington Methodist Church – hire of hall 2.4.07 10.00
R Bell – street lights and cleaning – 6.3.07 – 2.4.07
4 weeks @ £ 46 184.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 6.3.07 – 2.4.07
30 hours @ £9.02 = £270.60
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £5.44 306.04
60431.42
It was proposed by Coun Bailey and seconded by Coun Graves that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Grass cutters had done the verge in Westwick recently but had left all the grass cuttings all over the footway.
There is blue graffiti on the scout hut. The Clerk will ensure it is included in the PCSO’s list (police had noted 26 incidents).
Trees had been cut near the scout hut and the branches thrown in the ditch and also part of the scout hut flooring. The Clerk will contact Pat Matthews, SCDC.
The footpath between Water Lane and Coles Lane is full of rubbish and half –eaten sandwiches that could attract rodents. The Clerk will ask Roger Bell to clear it.
The former Plummer’s council house in Dry Drayton Road is in a very poor state and rats have been seen around it. Coun Wotherspoon agreed to look into this.
The Cambridge Road bus shelter opposite the allotments was blown over by the wind recently. The Chairman reported that the wind sheared off the posts and this was nothing to do with it being loose in the ground. Coun Warboys kindly removed it from the site. The Clerk reported it to our insurers Allianz Cornhill. They do not need to inspect the shelter or the site and have asked for two quotes for replacement.
It was noted that the new shelter would need to be tall enough (at least 93 inches) for cyclists to pass on the cycle path.
It was agreed to replace the shelter and request quotes for supply and fit.
Neil Cook & Edgar Stearn (pavilion project) had agreed to provide the householder nearest the tennis courts with a lay-by to park her car in while the pavilion work is being undertaken. This is a temporary measure. It was noted that a decision will need to be made about either reinstating the grass or entering into a legal agreement to make this permanent (the owner would need to agree to pay the legal costs). Agreed to include this on next agenda.
The Chairman and Coun Wotherspoon had attended the Travellers Liaison meeting last week. There is tacit agreement that same Planning rules have to be applied to the settled and the travelling communities. It was stated that traveller encampments would not be build by dual carriageways. The Chairman commented that if this rule were applied Arbury Park would not have been allowed nor the encampment next to the A14. If the rule is applied to Northstowe, it could put pressure on sites closer to the village, as Gallagher Estates would not want it near their houses.
The Chairman suggested writing to SCDC regarding this issue.
Coun Edwards advised that SCDC policy states that it will be discouraged from allocating sites on green belt land, and all of the land between the village and Northstowe will be treated as being in this category for these purposes.
The Chairman reported that all the blocked paving on Days Meadow has got to be replaced as some of it is damaged, and that it is hoped that it can be re-used for the paved area of our new pavilion.
The Chairman reported that it appears to him that the new bridge on Gatehouse Road is not as wide as the cycle track, and that whilst the work is not yet complete, it looks like they are installing dropped curbs on each side. Coun Jenkins had inspected the bridge and is sure there is sufficient width for a buggies etc.
He confirmed that the cycle path will go all the way round to join up with the footway in Park Lane. However, there will be a give way feature for cyclists further along to give priority to cars etc.
A resident had complained about an overhanging hedge in Longstanton Road, opposite the pub.
Coun Wotherspoon reported that the Northstowe Area Action Plan Inspector’s report is now due after Easter and therefore the relevant members briefing had been postponed until 24th April.
Coun Wotherspoon had looked at the preferred route for the A14 and the Limited Junction Option which does not include any main line connections from Fen Drayton to Girton. The Enhanced Junction option is apparently £10 million cheaper. Copies of the relevant e-mails are included in circulation.
Coun Wotherspoon also outlined the main issues re the Great Ouse Catchment Flood Management Plan.
The Environment Agency is planning to undertake a catchment wide hydrological study.
With some difficulty Coun Wotherspoon had managed to obtain copies of the Cottenham Lode Flood Alleviation Scheme & WSP Development flood risk report undertaken on flooding in Oakington & Longstanton and he expressed concern that these reports were not available at SCDC and neither of the schemes had been included in Gallagher’s planning application.
Coun Edwards reported that the recent graffiti in Oakington will be a priority for the new SCDC anti-social behaviour officer. He also confirmed that the Probation Service will be working on removing the graffiti this Thursday.
Coun Edwards reported that SCDC cabinet will be meeting this week to discuss undertaking another housing stock options appraisal to review council housing.
The owner of the thatched property opposite the church has reportedly experienced trouble with vehicles colliding with his property and has sunk an RSJ in the ground at the carriageway edge to help stop this. This is causing a potential hazard to cyclists and pedestrians as it is jutting out at about shin height. The Clerk will report to Highways Dept.
There were no questions/comments from members of the public.
The meeting closed at 9.05 pm.