MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 14th May 2007 at the School, Water Lane, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mr D Reeves, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), the Clerk and 9 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Coun M Bradney (CCC), Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC) –Coun S Edwards (SCDC) – for late arrival.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN:
It was proposed by Coun Warboys and seconded by Coun Ward that Mr A Milton be elected Chairman for the ensuing year. There were no other nominations and all agreed.
CHAIRMAN SIGNING DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE:
The Chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 2nd April and 23rd April 2007 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
SCDC – PARISH COUNCIL REVIEW:
The Chairman welcomed Catriona Dunnett – Principal Solicitor SCDC.
Julie Ayre (Northstowe Project Manager and Jane Thompson (Cultural Services Manager) had been unable to attend the meeting.
Catriona explained that SCDC is using its powers to initiate a parish review and to consult with ‘interested parties’ including local residents to agree a boundary for a new town council for Northstowe. They are planning to start the consultation period in the autumn and will ensure it is widely advertised.
Some boundary suggestions are in the process of being drawn up ready for the consultation. The final proposal will need to go to the Secretary of State for approval.
Catriona stated that SCDC is committed to ensure the existing local parishes won’t be burdened with the governance of Northstowe. There are already some existing residents of what will become Northstowe (e.g. Rampton Drift) and it is hoped that there will be the start of a town council in place before the first Northstowe residents arrive.
In answer to a question raised, Catriona confirmed that there would be no finance cost to the existing parish councils. SCDC is seeking a contribution from the Northstowe developers.
There were no questions/comments from members of the public.
CO-OPTION OF NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR:
Mrs Anne Christie was in attendance.
Her letter of application had been circulated after the April meeting.
It was proposed by Coun Ward and seconded by Coun Sidaway that Mrs Christie be co-opted on to the Parish Council. All agreed.
The Chairman welcomed her and invited her to sit with the council members.
Mrs Christie signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and completed a Register of Members’ Interests form.
ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN:
It was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Graves that Coun Reeves should be appointed as Vice-Chairman. All agreed.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
It was agreed to re-appoint officers en bloc as follows:
Oakington Charities – Couns Graves & Warboys
Recreation Ground/play area – Coun Harradine
Responsible Financial Officer – Coun Ward
Trees & bulbs – Coun Sidaway
Community Association – Coun Sidaway
Bus Project – Coun Reeves
School Governor – Coun Reeves.
MATTERS ARISING:
Pavilion – the Chairman reported that the foul sewer had been connected and is located by the edge of the new building.
Bloor Homes had been unable to give consent for the surface water drain to be connected to the drain by the cemetery as their drain had not yet been adopted.
The construction tenders are due in by Weds 16th May. It was agreed that the Chairman and Coun Sidaway would be present when they are opened.
Confirmation had been received that the third grant claim payment is en route to our bank deposit account.
The Chairman had chased the solicitors re the S106 monies and was again informed that it would be in the post today.
Coun Sidaway reported that the pavilion committee are working hard on preparations for the Village Day on 16th June.
Guided Bus – Coun Jenkins reported that he is trying to arrange a meeting with Roy Pegram (John Reynolds successor) to discuss the turning circle issue.
Graffiti – the Chairman reported that the Probation Service had done a good job on removing the latest graffiti. It was noted that there is still some offensive graffiti on the highway in High Street. Coun Wotherspoon had been liaising with Julia Howlett (SCDC Anti Social Behaviour officer) on this and will chase it up as graffiti of an offensive nature should be treated as high priority.
Bus Project – termly report to be circulated.
Mill Road – gullies are still a problem and flooding occurred there again at the weekend.
Vandalism – no new incidents to report.
Martyrs graves – the Chairman had not even received an acknowledgement to his letter from Ancient Monument Society. He will follow up.
Old railway – the Chairman thanked Edgar Stearn and Nick Harrison for their work in securing a piece of track and sleeper from the old railway line and this is now in place on the Rec.
Tomato Farm, poly tunnels – it was noted that according to an article in CALC bulletin, planning permission is now required for poly tunnels. Coun Edwards had passed the details on to the enforcement officer to look into.
20 mph school safety zone – Coun. Reeves will take this matter up again with the headteacher once all the school’s inspections have been completed.
Interactive signs – it was noted that these signs have never worked. The Chairman did not accept that there is insufficient budget, because it has never worked and therefore the small costs involved should have been met from the installation budget. Coun Jenkins offered to look into this issue.
Tree debris, ditch at Recreation Ground – the Clerk had been informed that this is not a SCDC awarded watercourse and is therefore not dealt with by Pat Matthews (SCDC Ditches/Drainage officer). He had suggested contacting the Housing Dept but this had so far been unsuccessful. The Clerk will try to follow up again.
Cambridge Road, bus shelter – the Chairman reported that the old shelter was either of non-standard height or was not placed deep enough in the ground. The Clerk had researched replacements but had not been able to find any suppliers of shelters of non-standard height. The shelter was insured for £2500 and the lowest price replacement shelter would be at least £3000. The Chairman suggested leaving the stop without a shelter for the time being to see if it causes a problem.
In the meantime, the clerk will find out if it is possible to obtain a shelter without roof.
New parking bay, Recreation Ground – a temporary parking bay had been provided for one of the residents of Queens Way while work on the pavilion is being carried out.
The Chairman had drawn up a draft agreement with strict terms and conditions which would need to be put in place if the Parish Council decides that the parking bay should be made a permanent feature.
He will circulate this for comment.
Day’s Meadow paving – Edgar Stearn had acquired some of the paving blocks and installed them on the Recreation Ground. Mr Chapman had kindly agreed to store the rest in his yard for the time being. A working party is to be set up to clean them and stack them on pallets.
MATTERS ARISING FROM AGM:
Saxon Way bus shelter – It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Coun Bailey that the Parish Council should formally adopt the bus shelter.
The Clerk will write to Bloor Homes to confirm this decision.
ACCOUNTS 2006/07:
Copies of the draft accounts had been circulated prior to the meeting together with a copy of the Annual Return. There were no questions/queries raised.
It was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Bailey that the accounts be accepted and signed by the Chairman and RFO. The Chairman read out the annual governance statement – all areas were agreed and the Chairman and Clerk then signed the statement.
CORRESPONDENCE:
D Wood – e-mail response to Chairman’s letter re airfield road – read out.
Mr & Mrs Warboys – copy of letter of objection re planning application for new dwelling at the rear of 8 The Drift.
Coun J Reynolds – re lack of turning circle at Oakington guided bus stop (including apology!) – Chairman read out.
C H S Architects – pre-tender estimate and tender list re pavilion.
A Lansley, MP – copy of letter from Minister of State for Transport re A14 upgrade and potential use of Local Access Road during construction.
RosPA – play area inspection report.
Standards Board for England – new Code of Conduct. This must be adopted by 1st October 2007. Agreed to add to agenda for July meeting.
Circulation
Cambs & Peterboro Minerals & Waste Plan – changes to the timetable for plan preparation
Mrs C McKie – copy of letter to Ancient Monument Society re martyr’s graves
Communities & Local Government – copy of new Model Code of Conduct which comes into effect on 3 May 07.
CCC – Minor Traffic Management Measures
Communities & Local Government – Model Code of Conduct
Oakington Youth Crime & Disorder - notes of meeting held 19th April at Histon Police Station
Local Council Review – May 07
Northstowe Community Trust – notes from consultation event 17th March
Traveller Liaison Forum meeting 27 March - notes
COPE newsletter – May 07
Clerks & Councils Direct – May 07
Guided Busway – notes of Longstanton to Histon Liaison Forum meeting 27th Feb
PLANNING:
Cambridgeshire Guided Busway – Discharge of Condition 3 – design & external appearance, Oakington Junction
Mr Graves, Garden Cottage, Westwick – erection of garage – no objections
Mrs Catley, Keeble Cottage, 101 Longstanton Rd – manege – no objections
R Hales, land at Arcade Farm, Kettles Close – erection of 3 dwellings and 1 flat – objections on the basis that the development will contrast too greatly with the existing Kettles Close & Arcadia Gardens in terms of housing density, scale and appearance.
Dr G Butlin, 9 Longstanton Road- extension – no objections.
Mrs & Mrs Upton, 15 Church View – extension - approved
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Durman Stearn (Civil Engineering) Ltd – direct works pavilion car park
& MUGA 23730.30
F & T Goodwin Ltd – tarmac to MUGA 18917.50
Soil Property Testing Ltd – site testing of ground = £975.54
+ soil testing = £38.78 1014.32
Ian Kendall Associates Ltd – pre-contract quantity surveying services
& prep of bill of quantities re pavilion 12713.50
Charles Tallack Engineering Consultancy – structural design re pavilion 3036.20
CHS Architects – architectural services –tender documents 6838.50
Playsafety Ltd – inspection of children’s play area 77.55
Allianz Cornhill – annual insurance renewal 1025.57
Connections Bus Project – 8 bus visits 8.1.07 – 26.3.07 480.32
CALC – Local Council Review subscription 07 13.50
D Reeves – refund Roundup re weeds on graves/play area 29.99
R Bell – street lights & cleaning – 3.4.07 – 14.5.07 276.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary – 3.4.07 – 14.5.07
45 hours @ £9.02 = £405.90
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £9.25 445.15
(Cambridge Water Plc – scout hut water 1.10.06 – 31.3.07 – 69068.40
replacement cheque for £15.13 as chq sent 3.4.07 was lost in post)
It was proposed by Coun Warboys and seconded by Coun Bailey that these bills be paid.
All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Coun Bailey requested an update on the potential closure of the airfield road. Coun Edwards confirmed that CCC/SCDC had agreed to the proposal to close the road approx 6 month ago but it is way down on the list of schemes to be dealt with. (due to budget constraints). He had been informed that the relevant parish councils could pay for the works to be done but the consultation alone would be approx £4000.
Dead tree, Water Lane – the Clerk will follow up with Matt Pickering as he had agreed to remove it.
There was a lengthy discussion about the volume of litter in the village. Coun Reeves kindly offered to speak to Roger Bell about his procedure for litter picking. The Clerk will also contact SCDC to ascertain its litter collection policy.
Coun Christie agreed with the decision that the bus shelter near Saxon Way should remain as it is used but expressed some concern that the problem of young people using it as a hang out would continue.
Coun Sidaway reported that some residents had expressed concern that they will not be able to use the new pavilion if it’s purely for sporting activities. The Chairman stated that the grant was approved specifically for a sports pavilion and it would not be wise to stipulate at this stage what else it can be used for.
It was agreed at the outset that the building will not be licensed for public functions and there are strict regulations about reclaiming VAT on licensed premises and we need to recover all the VAT on this project to make it viable. Coun Christie offered to investigate licensing law.
There had been some complaints from residents about cars being parked alongside the new area of footway in Longstanton Road. It was noted that there are no parking restrictions in force in that area.
The Clerk will contact Matt Pickering (CCC Highways) re installation of bollards along the ‘grass’ area near Westwick Hall and re the footway that needs to be repaired near Mr Bull’s gate at Westwick.
The Chairman reported that PC Paul Rogerson had been promoted and sadly we would be losing him as our officer. The Bus Project people had informed him that some young people in the village had applied for youth bank funding and would be contacting the Parish Council to arrange a meeting to discuss the possibility of a youth shelter.
The Chairman asked that everyone gave consideration as to where a shelter could be located. Coun Reeves suggested consulting with the relevant young people on this so that they felt ‘ownership’ of the project.
The Clerk will contact Histon Parish Council to ascertain if their shelter had been successful/caused any problems.
Northstowe Area Action Plan – a copy of the inspector’s recommendations had been received. The Chairman asked Coun Edwards to clarify the point about the Green Belt Extension as it was a bit ambiguous in the report. Coun Edwards advised that the inspector had quite simply rejected any extension of the Green Belt at all. Great concern was expressed at this news.
Coun Edwards reported that the inspector had also removed the requirement that there should be no access road via Station Road, Oakington and the requirement that Oakington flood mitigation works should be undertaken.
Coun Edwards then went to explain his reasons for resigning from the Independent group at SCDC in order to become a member of the Conservative group (the group now in overall control of SCDC).
There were no comments/questions from members of the public.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.