PRESENT: A Milton
(Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice Chairman), Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs J
Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun D
Jenkins (CCC), Coun M Bradney (CCC), the Clerk and 4 members of the
public.
APOLOGIES: Mr J Bailey, Mrs A
Christie, Coun S Edwards (SCDC) and Coun M Bradney (for late arrival)
MINUTES – The Minutes of the
meeting of 10th September 2007 were approved and then signed
by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
Pavilion – the Chairman read out an update on project costs provided by Neil Cook.
Total of construction costs and consultants fees (excluding VAT) is £764,249.
Total funding: £609,000 Growth Area Fund, Oakington PC £50,000 and South Cambs District Council £75,000. This leaves a shortfall of approx £30,000.
Additionally there is the cost of the archaeological dig. SCDC have indicated that they may be able to help with this together with the developers of Northstowe. It was agreed to submit a formal request to Jane Thompson, SCDC for assistance with this cost.
The Community Association is aiming to raise £20,000 with various fund raising events organised over the coming months (including Auction of Promises on Friday 12th Oct).
A WREN grant application has been submitted for £10,000 for the kitchen, changing room and part towards the CCTV security cameras.
There have also been requests from residents to include display cabinets for artefacts uncovered from the dig. It was agreed that two cabinets should be sufficient – one in wall of function room and one in corridor wall.
The Chairman also pointed out that the estimate of costs does not include demolition of the old scout hut which was a requirement of the planning consent.
Mr Cook stated that numerous residents have suggested increasing the precept to raise any additional monies needed. This was considered at the meeting but it was felt that even if the precept was doubled next year it would not cover the additional costs.
Instead, it was proposed by Coun Ward and seconded by Coun Sidaway that an application for a Public Works Board Loan should be submitted for £100,000. It should not be necessary to draw this full amount, however it was felt prudent to have the loan available if it should be needed.
The Clerk will chase the VAT office for a response to the letter sent in July concerning reclaiming VAT.
The project is on schedule for
completion by the end of March 2008.
Guided Bus – Coun Jenkins (CCC) reported that Histon traders had presented a petition to Cabinet against the temporary closure of Gatehouse Road. However, this had not been successful as Nuttalls had advised that works could not be undertaken without closing the road.
The old station building at Histon had
been saved though.
Bus Project – two events this month – a charity dinner on Friday 26th October. (the Bus Project chairman had advised that there are still tickets available and he urged councillors & residents to considering attending). The AGM is being held on Tues 30th October – Coun Reeves will try to attend if possible.
Summer holiday report will be
circulated.
Mill Road – jetting still not
done.
Martyrs Graves – the Chairman, Clerk and Coun Warboys had met with Ivett & Reed Stonemasons at the site. Mr Reed advised that the graves should be cleaned very gently (no pressure washers!) and they cannot be sealed as the stonework needs to breathe. He will supply a quote.
One quote for £420 had been received from James Thomkins for paintwork on the railings. The Clerk had approached 5 other painters but they had failed to quote. Peter Duthrie, Northstowe Rights of Way officer had confirmed he is happy with the quote (he had offered to fund paintworks up to a maximum of £1000) Coun Warboys declared an interest at this point as James is his grandson.
It was proposed by Coun Graves and seconded by Coun Reeves that the quote should be accepted. All agreed.
It was agreed to leave a decision
regarding new signs until after stonework cleaning has been completed to
ensure that the correct wording is used. Coun Wotherspoon will
investigate whether SCDC are responsible for dealing with installing a
signpost directing visitors to the site.
Tomato Farm – the Chairman had written to Gareth Jones, Planning Dept who had responded that they are finding it difficult to get the owner to deal with issues and he does not turn up to pre-arranged meetings.
It was noted that the polytunnels are
now starting to encroach on the village. (The Chairman recalls that when
permission for the original greenhouse was granted SCDC heeded our
request that these should not be extended any closer to the village.)
Tree debris, ditch – Couns Ward
and Bailey had kindly cleared it.
Parking bay – nothing new to
report as Coun Christie did not attend.
Dead tree, Water Lane – still
there!
Saturday Markets – still being
held without planning permission.
Joint Parishes Group – Coun Ward had attended the last meeting held on 20th Sept. He reported that the group is keen that everyone should have a voice and the issues they are concerned about are common to all local parishes; flooding, transport, coalescence etc. The group had made a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act to receive a copy of a report which had not been made available on the volumes/effect of construction traffic on surrounding villages.
Coun Ward reported that the group emails round the discussions on all issues raised so that everyone is informed and has an opportunity to comment. He proposed that the Parish Council should join the group but continue to raise/debate issues independently as before. Seconded by Coun Sidaway.
The Clerk will confirm this decision to the Joint Parishes Group.
Coun Wotherspoon stated that there are
now 10 parish councils represented.
Cambridge Road, extension to 30 mph
zone – the Clerk had submitted the request in writing to David
Lines, Traffic Division. No response to date.
Lights A14 junction – reported
again to Matt Pickering.
Seat near village sign – Coun
Graves will ask her son if he is prepared to repair it.
Fireworks – permission had been
given to hold the firework display on the Recreation Ground on 3rd
November.
Bulbs – the Chairman had
purchased bulbs. Agreed they should be planted near the barriers at
Recreation Ground.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Annual Return 2007 – audit now complete and notice to that effect had been displayed. The Clerk read out the comment included in the external auditor’s report– ‘The Council should formally conduct a review of its system of internal control and of the effectiveness of the internal audit process. As part of that review, the points raised by the Internal Auditor should be discussed and the conclusions minuted’. Agreed this should be included on the agenda for next meeting.
Connections Bus Project AGM – Tues 30th Oct
CCC – Minor Highway Improvement Schemes – 2008/09 Bids – suggested that footway could be extended in Longstanton Road round to Mead View and at the same time yellow lines placed from the pond round. However, further consideration to be given so that a decision can be made at next meeting (deadline 26th November)
Neighbourhood Police Consultation meeting – Tues 16th Oct 7.30 pm at Histon Junior School.
Cambridge Society for Blind & Partially Blind – request for donation – denied.
Northstowe Member’s Briefing on housing – Tues 9th Oct, 2 – 4 pm.
WSP Consultation – had not yet returned from circulation (the Clerk will chase)
The Chairman noted that the proposed burial ground is not in the boundary of Northstowe but what will be Oakington! It was agreed to object.
Coun Warboys also highlighted that the
link road via Dry Drayton Road is bow being shown as a dual carriage way
on the plan whereas originally this was to be single carriageway with a
dual one for the Hatton’s Road, Longstanton junction.
Circulation
A Lansley, MP – replies from Dept of Communities & Local Gov re planning and housing in South Cambs
SCDC – Housing Futures
Defra – Ways to tackle climate change
PLANNING:
The Chairman read out his letter to Gareth Jones, SCDC Planning Dept expressing the Parish Council’s concerns that the due process of public consultation re the proposals to build a new house on land to the rear of 5 High Street is flawed, because none of the public notices issued by SCDC even mention that the proposals, include the demolition of the garage at no 9 High Street. This garage replaces and replicates one that was used a the village Fire Station from 1895 and during World War II, and is therefore of historical significance. We expected that as it is in a formally designated Conservation Area its retention would have been secured.
He also read out the response received,
which was to the effect that as the garage was below the limit of
115cubic metres (it is only 75cubic metres) there was no requirement to
even apply for consent to demolish it, and therefore they have no powers
to do anything about it, despite its significance in terms of local
history and the fact that it is in a Conservation Area is of no
consequence in planning legislation.
Mr Brading, 35 Coles Lane – single storey front and rear extension – no objections.
D Cleaver, 47A Cambridge Rd – extension
& garage - approved
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Moore Stephens – external audit fee 06/07 470.00
A J Milton – refund re bulbs purchased 13.96
R Bell – street lights & cleaning 11.9.07 – 8.10.07
4 weeks @ £49 196.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 11.9.07-8.10.07
30 hours @ £9.02 = 270.60
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £7.07
+ postage costs = £19.90 327.57
Petty Cash 50.00
It was proposed by Coun Reeves and
seconded by Coun Warboys that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The Clerk will report the following to Matt Pickering:
Bulge in the footway near no. 59 Water Lane.
Posts outside Westwick Hall have not been moved to the correct location.
Hedge in Water Lane needs cutting back
(between the school and traffic calming area).
Lamppost leaning over at Westwick (near
interactive sign). Clerk will report to Roger Bell.
Coun Warboys handed out membership forms
to Longstanton & District Heritage Society (in case anyone is interested
in joining)
Coun Reeves did not feel there was
sufficient time at a meeting to consider all the issues on more
complicated/contentious planning applications. The Chairman stated that
the nature of the process is naturally erratic and unpredictable, and
the norm should be that all planning applications are dealt with at a
formally convened meeting. However, we normally deal with them by means
of circulation to all Parish councillors and by making a response on the
basis of the general consensus, and only resorting to a meeting in the
case of significant disagreement. Typically it takes about two weeks to
circulate an application, and so when one arrives less than a week
before a meeting it is held back and dealt with at the meeting.
Coun Wotherspoon (SCDC) reported the following:
The recent report in the Cambridge
Evening News regarding Oakington Immigration Centre wrongly stated that
Coun Alex Riley represented Oakington. Coun Riley asked that his
apologies be passed on for this oversight made by a new reporter.
The public enquiry into the appeal for
Mereham (proposed new town near Wilburton) opens tomorrow at the
Arkenstall Centre, Haddenham.
The Northstowe Joint Development Committee had received a presentation by the joint promoters on the changes to the Northstowe master plan. They claim to have gone much further than the 20% target on energy reduction.
There is also consideration being given
as to whether one or two secondary schools will be required.
Coun Bradney reported that CCC Comprehensive Performance Assessment begins next week and that he plays a leading role in this. One area highlighted for improvement is performance management.
They are also looking at budgets, which
for the first time, will be based on priorities.
There were no questions/comments from
members of the public.
The meeting closed at 9.05 pm.