MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 11th June 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, Mrs A Christie, the Clerk and 6 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), Coun M Bradney, Coun S Edwards (SCDC) and Mr R Warboys – for late arrival.
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 14th May 2007 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
Pavilion – each councillor confirmed that they were not aware of which contractors were tendering for the project prior to the tender deadline of 16th May.
The Chairman and Coun Sidaway were present at the premises of CHS Architects when the tenders were opened.
The Chairman reported that one tender had been substantially lower than the four others received. Neil Cook (architect) and the quantity surveyor had rigorously quizzed the contractor and they were satisfied that their quote covered each and every contract item, and also with the responses received to all questions. Accordingly, the contract was awarded to C J Murfitt.
The Chairman advised that the tender amount would be revealed once the contract had been accepted.
It is hoped that work will commence on Mon 18th June. However, there is currently a shortage of building blocks which may delay the start date to 25th June.
Guided Bus – the Chairman reported that Couns Jenkins and Bradney (CCC) are trying to arrange a meeting with John Reynolds’ successor to discuss the Oakington turning circle. Coun Reeves reported that the last two local liaison meetings had been postponed.
Bus Project – it was agreed to allow the bus visits to continue for the first 5 weeks of the summer holidays (as requested in an email from Alan Webb, Project Manager).
Mill Road – it was noted that there appeared to be no flooding there during the heavy rains of May bank holiday weekend.
Martyrs Graves – still no response from Ancient Monument Society. The Chairman will chase up.
Tomato Farm, poly tunnels – nothing new to report.
20 mph school safety zone – Coun Reeves will follow up before next meeting.
Interactive signs – still not working!
Tree debris, ditch at Recreation Ground – SCDC Housing Dept had informed the Clerk that they are not responsible for dealing with this. The Chairman reported that historically SCDC had dealt with this ditch. However, the parish council could be the riparian owner. The Clerk will try to find a copy of the deeds to check.
Cambridge Rd, bus shelter – Garrick Outdoor had advised it may be possible to construct a shelter that is higher than standard. However, as the cost would be approximately £3100 + VAT, it was agreed to wait until completion of the pavilion when the financial position would be better known.
New parking bay, Recreation Ground – the Chairman had circulated draft terms and conditions. As these had not yet been returned, it was agreed to defer the decision to the next meeting.
Accounts 06/07 – the internal audit was completed on 31st May. The Clerk read out the letter received from the internal auditor LGS Services that included the following points:
LGS Services had also verbally informed the Clerk that it is good practice to ensure cheque book stubs are initialled when cheques are signed – agreed that this would be done in future.
Airfield Road closure – agreed to defer the decision about paying for the relevant consultation (approx £4000) until after the pavilion work is completed.
Dead tree, Water Lane – Matt Pickering (CCC) had informed the Clerk that he is waiting for Acacia Tree Surgery to programme in the work to remove it.
Litter picking – Coun Reeves had spoken to Mrs Bell (during Mr Bell’s absence on holiday). She advised that Mr Bell responds to requests as soon as a problem area is highlighted and he does not have any issues relating to the work undertaken.
Mrs Bell had encountered a problem with some young people whilst cleaning the Saxon Way shelter. One young man had taken her broom from her and ‘accidentally’ broken it whilst trying to sweep the shelter himself. She had informed the Clerk but did not want to report the incident to the police. She was instructed not to clean out the bus shelters on her own.
Pavilion Licence – Coun Christie will consult with her colleague re licensing law.
The Chairman reported that the pub landlady had now obtained licence to run the bar on Village Day evening.
Posts, grass verge near Westwick Hall – Matt Pickering had informed the Clerk that he would look into having posts installed to prevent people from parking on the grass.
Youth Shelter – the group of young people wishing to discuss the possibility of a shelter had not yet made contact. Coun Christie offered to act as the liaison between the young people and the Council should they make contact re a youth shelter.
Northstowe Area Action Plan – the Chairman had received a phone call from someone wanting to get involved in protesting about Northstowe! He had suggested a march to parliament and even going to court to contest the decision. The Chairman suspected that the motive for this approach was more to do with making money than helping us!
REVIEW OF CHARGES AND PAYMENTS:
Cemetery – proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Coun Bailey that each charge should be increased by 10% (rounded up to nearest £). All agreed.
Clerks’ salary – agreed this should be increased in accordance with NALC/Society of Local Council Clerk’s recommendations and she should move one point up the LC1 spinal point column to point 21 with effect from 1 April 2007 (pay award is pending)
Litter picking – agreed to increase by the amount of minimum wage increase this year.
Tennis Club – agreed the annual rental should remain at £165.
Chairman’s Allowance – agreed this should remain at £110 per annum.
Recreation Ground – agreed this should remain at £20 per session for organisations outside the parish (noted that this would need to be reviewed when the pavilion is finished)
Fairground letting – agreed this should remain at £150 deposit plus £150 rent.
Reward for information that leads to a conviction of a person who damages PC property – agreed this should remain at £150.
PC Website – agreed to pay £34.16 for a new web space provider (123) for service until July 08.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Connections Bus Project – notification of fee increase from £63.55 per session to £76.25 with effect from 1st June 2007 – due to fall of core grant income.
SCDC, Gypsy & Traveller Consultation – Thurs 19th July 3 pm – 7 pm.
The Chairman read out letter. He will be attending this consultation and urged other members to do so reminding everyone that the Northstowe Inspector had rejected the extension of the Green Belt around the village which could leave us very much more vulnerable to traveller sites.
Model Code of Conduct – a copy of the Standards Board – Code of Conduct guide was handed out to all councillors.
The Clerk read out the recommendation obtained from CALC website
- the council should adopt the Parish & Town Councils Model Code of Conduct (as opposed to the general Model Code which includes a different paragraph 7)
- adopt the Model Code including paragraph 12(2) and put in place light touch rules of operation (suggested wording read out)
- adopt the New Code to take effect from 1 September 2007
CALC are prepared to place the necessary advertisement in a local newspaper and inform the monitoring officer at a cost of £24.
It was agreed to place this item on the agenda for the next meeting.
Circulation
CCC – New Road, Histon and Oakington & Westwick and Park Lane, Histon – conversion of footways to cycle tracks with joint pedestrian use.
A Lansley MP – Local Reference Rent Localities – copy of a letter dated 21 Dec 06 stating a review was to be undertaken re the allocation of Oakington & Westwick in the mid-Cambridgeshire locality.
South Cambs Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership newsletter Jan – Mar 07
COPE newsletter June 07
Community Action Summer 07
CDRP – Anti Social Behaviour & Envirocrime event 25 Sept 07
PLANNING:
Cambridgeshire Guided Busway – plan re discharge of the design and external appearance of Oakington Junction. Re-iterate need for turning crcle
Mrs Parker, Stables, Oakington Road Westwick – change of use from agricultural land to ménage – no objection provided that the term ‘private use’ means for the sole use of the applicant and family members. Had numerous complaints about he cycleway/footway being obstructed by cars and horseboxes apparently waiting to get in/out of the site. Therefore, urge that the gate be set back far enough to allow a horsebox to stand clear of the footway whilst opening and closing the gates.
Mr & Mrs Chapman, 5 High Street – extension – no objection to the proposed extension but whilst Design & Access Statement states “There is on site parking to the premises…” there is no supporting evidence of this on any drawing and the existing driveway cannot serve this purpose, because of the acknowledged right of way in respect of 3A High St. The sketch of the layout of the adjoining land (9 High St) outline in blue signifying ownership by the applicants is substantially incorrect because a strip several metres wide along the Southern boundary actually belongs to 13 High St.
Mr & Mrs Mardle, Foxelwood, Cottenham Rd Westwick – erection of garage.- no objection to proposed garage but concerns raised about the safety of electrically operated gates on this site being too close to carriageway.
Mr & Mrs Bradley, Scallywags Day Nursery – single stored rear extension – no objections.
G Stearn, 11 Station Rd – extension – no objections
Decisions
Mr & Mrs Gallagher, 1 Manor Farm Close – extension – approved
Mr & Mrs Houzego, land r/o 8 The Drift – dwelling – refused
Mr Hales, land at Arcade Farm, Kettles Close – erection of 3 dwellings and 1 flat – approved
White Horse, Longstanton Rd – storage shed – approved
Mrs C Catley, 101 Longstanton Rd – manege – approved
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Oakington C of E Primary School – hire of hall 8.1.07 – 14.5.07 32.00
LGS Services – internal audit fee 06/07 111.63
A Milton – annual chairman’s allowance 06/07 110.00
R Bell – street lights & cleaning 15.5.07 – 11.6.07
4 weeks @ £46 = 184.00
+ refund new broom purchase from Histon Hardware @£10.32 194.32
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 15.5.07 – 11.6.07
30 hours @ £9.02 = £270.60
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £18.50 319.10
3260.99
It was proposed by Coun Sidaway and seconded by Coun Reeves that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The grass verge in Longstanton Road (opposite car sales) has not been cut for some time.
Vegetation in Water Lane near traffic lights is encroaching the footway making it difficult to walk past. The trees are also obscuring the traffic lights.
The footway along Water Lane (adjoining Mr Warboy’s field) is another problem area.
The Clerk will report these issues to Matt Pickering.
A resident had asked Coun Christie if the ‘gate’ in the fence to the rear of Saxon Way could be re-opened. The Chairman responded that there was never actually a gate there. Residents had established an opening to gain access to the Rec. The Parish Council had fought long and hard not to have access there as there was concern that inadequate parking in Saxon Way would cause residents to use the cemetery car park. Therefore, the ‘gate’ had been welded up at the request of the Parish Council.
There is a lot of litter near the school. The Clerk will report to Roger Bell.
Coun Reeves reported that he had experienced problems with the website since he changed ISP. He had obtained a quote from a web space provider (123) for £34.16 to host the website until July 08. This is substantially cheaper than other providers. His son had offered to input on to the site free of charge. It was agreed to accept this quote.
Coun Bailey expressed concern that the new house on Water Lane has a window that overlooks the school playground. The Chairman understood this was of frosted glass. However, the Clerk will check the plans.
There had been a flooding problem in Water Lane/High Street during the recent heavy rains. Water was seen coming out of the drain opposite Mr Barnett’s house and running round to the drain by the village sign. The Clerk reported that Coun Wotherspoon had received complaints from residents about this and he had asked Matt Pickering to look into it.
The bank signatory mandate needs to be updated as Couns Sidaway, Reeves and Christie are not on the mandate and 3 former councillors are still listed as signatories. The Clerk will look into the necessary procedure. However, it was noted that original evidence of ID would be required for the new signatories. Coun Christie offered to obtain certified copies if that will be acceptable to the bank.
There is an overhanging tree obscuring the priority sign at the road narrowing in Cambridge Road. Coun Bailey will ask the resident to cut it back.
A member of the public reported that there is still glass from an accident near the crossing at the traffic lights. Coun Bailey kindly offered to clear it.
The meeting closed at 8.35 pm.