MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 12th November 2007 at the School, Water Lane, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice Chairman), Mrs A Christie, Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), the Clerk and 6 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Mr J Bailey, Coun D Jenkins (CCC), Coun M Bradney (CCC), Coun N Bolitho (SCDC)
MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 8th October 2007 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
Pavilion – Good news received this week! The VAT office has agreed to allow refund of VAT charged on the project.
The Chairman, Coun Sidaway, the Clerk and Neil Cook had met with Jane Thompson, Adrian Burns and Jane Lampshire at SCDC to discuss further funding options. Jane Thompson suggested approaching Gallagher Estates/English Partnerships. The Chairman will draft a letter to them explaining that we had budgeted correctly for the project but could not foresee the substantial extra cost of the archaeological dig. There is also the possibility of obtaining a landfill tax grant from Donarbon. The Chairman suggested consideration should be given to providing floodlighting for the tennis courts from this bid. This would need to be discussed with nearby residents. It was agreed to approach the tennis club in the first instance. Coun Sidaway had also done a great deal of work on the WREN application and a site meeting had taken place with WREN, herself and Neil Cook which resulted in the grant application being increased from £10,000 to £30,000. The WREN project manager had also encouraged an additional bid for another £30,000 and possibly a third bid for improvements to the children’s play area.
The Chairman reported that Derek Chapman had been storing paviours from the Days Meadow development on his land but was concerned about safety. He obtained confirmation from the Chairman that they were solely for parish council use and would be removed from his land by 1st July 08 and on that basis he kindly offered to pay the £189 cost of having them tidied and safely stored on pallets. The Chairman had written to thank him.
Coun Sidaway reported that the village fundraising total had now reached £15,000.
Permission was granted for the recreation ground to be used for a village day next May which will include an official opening ceremony and a formal dress ball in a marquee in the evening.
Guided Bus – nothing new to report.
Bus Project – Coun Reeves had attended the AGM and reported that Connections are more optimistic regarding their finances this year.
Mill Road – the Clerk will remind Matt Pickering about jetting works.
Martyrs graves – Two quotes had been received re cleaning/re-pointing the stonework. Peter Duthrie (CCC- Northstowe Rights of Way) had sanctioned the quote from Ivett & Reed for £1101.92 (VAT inclusive). The work is scheduled for completion by the end of February and the Clerk will then invoice CCC as agreed by Mr Duthrie.
The stonemason had advised that the eucalyptus tree in the adjacent garden should be kept under review as this could cause future damage to the graves. Coun Reeves agreed to speak to the residents about it.
The Chairman stated that there may be some funds available from SCDC for further improvements. It was agreed to wait until the stonework is cleaned to see what condition the lettering is in before making an application.
Coun Warboys reported he is in the process of making a new notice including the wording and will have it sealed to stop water getting in.
Further consideration will be needed re direction signage to the graves.
Tomato Farm – nothing new to report.
Parking Bay, Recreation Ground – Coun Christie had produced a draft licence. It was agreed to defer agreement on annual charge, how often to review it etc until the next meeting.
Dead tree, Water Lane – still not dealt with!
Saturday Markets – continue to be held without planning permission.
Joint Parishes Group – numerous emails received and circulated by Coun Ward. He is sometimes unable to attend all the JAG meetings, so asked if anyone else would be interested in attending in his absence could they advise him.
Coun Wotherspoon had attended a drop in session hosted by Highways Agency. He took the opportunity to ask them about A14 interim measures. HA is preparing for the worst-case scenario, namely 2,450 dwellings completed at Northstowe by the time construction of the section of the A14 between Bar Hill and Girton begins around 2013.
Cambridge Road, extension to 30 mph zone – not even an acknowledgement received from CCC to the request.
Seat near village sign – Coun Graves son had agreed to repair it.
Bulbs – two bags left to be planted. Coun Ward had agreed to do them.
INTERNAL AUDIT:
The following points raised by the internal auditor were discussed:
1. Mileage payments & telephone claims – agreed these are reimbursement of out of pocket expenses to Clerk and would be included in general administration.
2. No evidence seen of a review of internal audit – agreed that a review was undertaken and minuted but was not included as an agenda item.
3. Fidelity guarantee – agreed that bank balance as at 31 March 07 was unusually high due to pavilion project. This will decrease during the course of 07/08. Therefore, it was agreed to leave the fidelity guarantee at £30,000
4. Declaration of interests – agreed to include this on each agenda in future under item 3.
5. VAT claim – was awaiting sanction from HM Customs – now resolved.
6. Cheque stubs – now initialled by 2 signatories
MINOR HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT SCHEME 08/09:
Agreed to make 2 applications:
1. Extension to footway and yellow lines in Longstanton Road.
2. Extension to 30 mph zone in Cambridge Road to Midfield Lodge
STOCKS GREEN TREES:
The Clerk read out 2 quotes received:
Eastern Landscape Services Ltd
1a. Large plane – crown reduce by approx 3-5 m £1050 +VAT
1b. Large plane – reduce to 13-14 m in height and crown lift by additional 2m £1450+VAT
2. 2 Limes opp High St – crown lift to 5.5m over highway - £180 +VAT
Global Tree Solutions
Works as above.
1a. £300 +VAT
1b. £450 +VAT
2. £100 + VAT
It was agreed to submit two applications to SCDC first as per 1a and 1b of above quotes.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Environment Agency – Beck Brook – some weed control and obstruction removal undertaken and will re-inspect after guided bus works completed.
SCDC – Cambridge East Area Action Plan – green separation with villages. Potential changes to the plan as suggested by Examination Inspector.
SCDC/City Council – consultation on North West Cambridge Area Action Plan Preferred Options (runs until 3 Dec)
SCDC – Litter & Dog Bins – Result of Consultation – SCDC will now be responsible for provision, siting, emptying and maintenance of new and existing litter and dog waste bins on public highway at no charge to Parish Council. Letter sent in response on 24th October confirming siting of waste and dog bins in village. It was noted that the dog waste bin on Stocks Green is full to overflowing.
Longstanton & District Heritage Society – requesting a letter of support for establishing a heritage centre on former airfield site providing a record of rural and social history of Longstanton & Oakington. Agreed to support in principle but offer no commitment of financial support.
CCC – Contracted Bus Service consultation – amendment suggested to consider re-instatement of the last night service bus to call at Bar Hill. Existing services to our village unaltered.
Circulation
A Lansley, MP – lorry parking in A14 villages
Local Councils Update Oct 07
Highways Agency – A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton – Stakeholder Liaison Events
COPE newsletter Nov/Dec
Clerks & Councils Direct Nov 07
Connections Bus Project newsletter Nov 07
PLANNING:
Mr R Warboys, 71 Longstanton Rd – conservatory – no objections
Mr Graves, Garden Cottage, Westwick – garage – amended plan for information only
Mr Chapman, 5 High Street – dwelling – amended plan showing correct orientation, revised roof light to bedroom, correction of position of ash tree, re-siting of solar panels & revised boundary treatment to no. 5 High St - for information only
English Partnerships – bridleway boundary at Northstowe – hazard reduction relating to trees in decline or poor structural form. Actually in Longstanton Parish, but subsequently withdrawn.
Mr Moss, 9 Mead View – conservatory – no objections
Mr Heaney, 10 Manor Farm Close – extensions and replacement flat roof with pitch over garage – no objections
Mr & Mrs Williams, 1 Phyper Cottages – extension – no objections
Mrs J Williams, 7 Westwick Terrace – extension – no objections
Dr Schursv, 18 Church View – extension – no objections but state that there should be no reason to extend beyond the existing building line on the left-hand side.
The Chairman reminded everyone to circulate plans promptly so that submissions can be made before the deadlines.
Decisions
Mr Brading, 35 Coles Lane – extensions – approved
Mr Chapman, land r/o 5 High St – dwelling – approved.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
C J Murfitt Ltd – interim invoice no. 3 pavilion building works 38856.66
(cheque signed 17.10.07)
Five Star Pest Control Ltd – control of moles, cemetery 88.13
Cambridge Water Plc – scout hut 1.4.07 – 30.9.07 17.25
LGS Services – duplicate of chq no, 396 issued 11.6.07
Re internal audit fee (original lost by customer) 111.63
R Bell – street lights & cleaning 9.10.07- 12.11.07
5 weeks @ £49 245.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 9.10.07 – 12.11.07
37.5 hours @ £9.57 = 358.88
+ backdated salary from 1.4.07 –11.11.07
202.5 hours @ £0.55= £111.38
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £16.74 517.00
39835.67
It was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Christie that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Station Road ditch is totally overgrown and full of rubbish. The Clerk will write to English Partnerships yet again.
Streetlight in Queens Way is not working. Roger Bell had reported all faulty/leaning lights to Ringway recently.
Interactive signs – agreed to submit a formal complaint to CCC re lack of action to resolve this. The Chairman did not think they had ever been connected to the mains.
Two bolts on the two-seater horse on play area are pulling out of the concrete base. Not considered to be dangerous but need to be dealt with.
Coun Reeves reported that Cottenham Village College would be submitting a bid to become a federation with the new Northstowe secondary school. He will be involved in forthcoming discussions on this.
Coun Wotherspoon reported the following:
· Next Northstowe Members Briefing 13th Nov is on Education
· White lines in Water Lane had not been replaced since resurfacing works. Matt Pickering had informed him that the anti-skid surface would be done first, then the white lines
· Northstowe Development Trust working group had agreed to recommend that an appointment of an interim director be made and a steering group formed.
· He handed over a disc to the Chairman containing the Northstowe Masterplan presentation.
Coun Edwards reported on the following:
· A hardcopy of the Northstowe Masterplan is available. The link road via Station Road is still shown on it and also a new balancing pond in the green separation near Longstanton Road
· Housing Futures Project – financial remodelling had been completed. In 2009/10 SCDC will run out of funds for capital improvements to housing stock. Revenue will also go into deficit.
· SCDC annual budget is being reviewed and an aspirational budget produced to present to government to support a request for additional funding.
· Council tax is set to rise by approx 4.9%
· New bus passes – can no longer apply via Post Office. He handed a supply of application forms to the clerk.
The Chairman reported the following:
· Arcadia Gardens was an ‘open plan’ estate when constructed. The first bungalow on the left has now erected some fencing in contravention of the original plans. It was agreed to ask the planning enforcement officer to look into to ensure this does not set a precedent.
· The December meeting will coincide with the school Christmas play. It was agreed to start at 7.45 pm to allow time to clear the hall.
A member of the public reported that there is a raised manhole cover at the corner of Water Lane and Cambridge Road.
The meeting closed at 9pm.