MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 4^th February 2008 at the School, Water Lane, Oakington at 7.30 pm.

PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves, (Vice Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Warboys, Mr R Ward, Mrs A Christie, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), the Clerk and 5 members of the public.

 APOLOGIES:  Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun N Bolitho (SCDC)

 MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 7^th January 2008 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.

 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None

 CCC, HIGHWAYS DEPT:

The Chairman welcomed Matt Pickering, CCC Highways Supervisor who had been invited to the meeting to discuss on-going Highways issues.

The Chairman outlined the main current areas of concern:

• Drainage.  Jetting works had been done but whilst there is an improvement there is still a problem at the crossroads.
• Gullies in High Street are still full of debris from the road resurfacing works.
• A14 junction.   Bollards are frequently knocked over and replaced.  But the junctions on both sides have not been lit correctly for years.
• New kerb by Mansell Farm – tarmac has not been done.
• Drain needs to be installed on the other side of the bridge at Girton.

Matt explained that Street Lighting Dept is responsible for the A14 lighting.  He has passed on our complaints several times but has to email the team rather than an individual (streetlighting@cambridgeshire.gov.uk) and requests appear to fall on deaf ears.  It was agreed that the Clerk should write a letter of complaint.

Matt also advised that there had been communication issues between CCC and the ‘new’ contractor Atkins with all requests having to be processed manually, resulting in orders getting lost.  He believed this had now been resolved.

CCC budget pressures have been an issue which have resulted in only essential works being carried out since Sept.

He is still able to look into doing works such as the drainage at Girton bridge under the budget for this year.

Orders for some remedial works in Water Lane and opposite hall at Westwick had already gone in to Atkins.  The bulge in the footway outside 59 Water Lane had been tarmaced over but left as a hump.  Matt will investigate further.

Coun Graves reported that the whole area outside the field gate in Westwick is basically a patch of mud and the footway near the airfield on Station Road is very narrow.  Matt agreed to look into these issues.

He will also check if Days Meadow and Saxon Close have now been adopted.

Coun Edwards (SCDC) asked Matt to carefully consider the surface water drainage issues for Oakington under this year’s budget as this needs to be sorted out before the construction of Northstowe to ensure it is in the best possible position before works commence.

Matt agreed to feedback on any issues that are brought to his attention and advise if there are any constraints in resolving them.

MATTERS ARISING:

 Pavilion – The Chairman, Couns Harradine, Warboys, Sidaway, Reeves, Elaine Bailey and the Clerk were given a tour of the pavilion by Neil Cook.  All were very impressed.

Neil has now agreed to get hearing loop cables installed in the main hall as well as the function room.

It was agreed to arrange a meeting with Jane Thompson (SCDC) to discuss further funding.

 Guided Bus – it was noted that Gatehouse Road would re-open on 22^nd February.

 Bus Project – planning application just received for Oakington Stop and this shows lighting columns on both side of the track on the Histon side..

 Martyrs Graves – an email had been received from Sarah Shepherd, CCC Countryside Access Team requesting Parish Council approval to site an interpretation board displaying the history of the graves.  However, there was conflicting information regarding the site location (either at end of footpath 1 in churchyard or at the graves). The Clerk had sought clarification and will follow up.

 Tomato Farm – the Chairman had received a response from SCDC regarding council tax issue re the 27 caravans.  They had indicated that the site is likely to be classified as a business.  Coun Edwards will look into this and report back.

 Parking Bay – SCDC had received a request from the tenants of 15 Queens Way to extend the existing parking bay fronting the property so they can park off-road on a proposed hardstanding in the side garden.  This would mean extending the tarmac over the grassed area owned by the Parish Council.  SCDC requested grant of vehicular access right of way over this land.

After a lengthy discussion it was proposed by Coun Warboys and seconded by Coun Reeves that the Parish Council should offer SCDC the opportunity to buy this land back from us, on the understanding that they paid all of our legal expenses and take full responsibility for the whole project.  All agreed.

 Northstowe – the planning application analysis continues to be a very time-consuming task.  The Chairman had circulated several draft responses on some of the main issues directly affecting the parish.

It was agreed that a special meeting should be arranged to discuss these fully as soon as possible.  Also agreed that when finalised the responses would be submitted to SCDC with the caveat that additional responses could be submitted later on if any new issues are raised by JAG.

The Chairman read out a letter received from Stephen Moore requesting a public meeting to discuss the planning application.  It was agreed to proceed with this once a compilation of the issues had been finalised.  Coun Edwards will arrange for SCDC planners to attend this meeting.

Coun Ward had attended the JAG meeting on 23^rd Jan.  Main items raised:

• trying to get restrictions on construction vehicles moving aggregate etc
• Tim Wotherspoon unable to obtain minutes of ‘secret’ meetings between developers and SCDC planners
• Traffic census figures are misleading as undertaken during time of road closures
• Fighting fund - £10,000 pledged by parish council members of JAG in principle. Asked if Oakington prepared to contribute.  (already agreed at January meeting that the Parish Council would not make a financial contribution)
• Asked if Oakington had submitted a request for S106 monies. The Chairman said that any monies will not be forthcoming until later stages of the development and suggested we could consider asking for a piece of land for use as allotments. Maybe there is some room for manoeuvre in this direction by offering to support a small extension of the Northstowe Core Area footprint to the west, with the proviso that it be drawn back near our village to release space for allotments exclusively for Oakington residents.
• JAG would submit a joint response to the planning application and asked that other parishes make JAG aware of any issues that could effect us all.

 Stocks Green – tree works had been undertaken by Global Tree Solutions but they had only reduced back to previous cut in accordance with the consent given by SCDC.  The tree surgeon had suggested looking into getting the 2 limbs braced.  Agreed to obtain a quote from Global for this work.

Litter/Dog Waste Bins – SCDC is still not collecting from bins.  The Clerk had emailed Stuart Harwood-Clark again on 1^st Feb but still not received a response.

She will ensure that Roger Bell continues to empty the bins until informed otherwise.

Moles, Cemetery – Five Star Pest Control had been instructed to deal with the moles again.

 MUNITIONS STRATEGY ON OLD AIRFIELD:

Coun Reeves had attended at briefing at SCDC on 21^st Jan.

He handed out copies of his report.

A survey has detected various ‘anomalies’ in the ground around the Rampton Drift area and these will be investigated further.

If explosives are found and it is safe to leave them they will not be dealt with until late in 2009 when there would need to be a 1.8 km cordon. (should not effect Oakington)

All of the route of the CGB has been surveyed and confirmed to be safe.

The CCC coordinator accepted that communication had not been good last time and asked Parish Councils to help them by giving ideas on how best to inform residents.

CORRESPONDENCE:

 King & Co – conveyance of bus shelter, Water Lane.  Await details of covenants on land.

 SCDC – Martyrs Graves – may been able to offer some financial assistance with renovating graves.  Agreed to wait until they had been cleaned before proceeding further.

 SCDC – Northstowe Community Development Trust Stakeholder event – 9 Feb 12 – 1.45 pm.  Coun Reeves agreed to attend.

 CCC – Northstowe Rights of Way – offer for Peter Duthrie to attend PC meeting to brief on countryside access improvements.  Agreed.

 Northstowe Rights of Way project – interpretation boards re martyrs’ graves.  Clarification sought as to location of siting.

 R Bartingale – grass cutting tender 2008.  New fees read out.  It was noted that prices had not been increased since 2004.

Concern was expressed that the grass is not cut sufficiently short enough.

The specification states the grass should be cut ‘according to need’ from March/April to October. 

It was agreed to ask Mr Bartingale to quote for collecting grass cuttings.

After a lengthy discussion, it was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Christie that the quote for 2008 should be accepted on the understanding that the work done meets the specification and to go out to tender for 2009.

 Audit Commission – appointment of external auditor Moore Stephens & scale of fees 07/08  (due to pavilion external audit fee will be at least £1450)

 Circulation

A Lansley, MP – A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Improvement Scheme

Cambridgeshire Trading Standards magazine

Council Housing in South Cambs

CPRE – planning applications workshop- 1 March

National Probation Service – annual report 06/07

Longstanton & District Heritage Society – response to Northstowe planning application

Connections termly report Sep-Dec 07

Coun Reeves – report on possible remaining ordnance on Oakington Airfield

COPE – Feb newsletter

Couns Jenkins and Bradney, CCC – reports Jan 08

 PLANNING:

 Mr & Mrs Sutherland, 4 The Vines – extensions – objection to lack of car parking space.

Mrs K Ellis, 72 High Street – hawthorn maintenance/reduction – no objection.

Westwick Holdings Ltd, The Coach House Westwick Hall – internal & external alterations – no objections.

Cambs Guided Busway – design & external appearance of Oakington, Histon & Impington and Cambridge Regional College bus stops – concern about the slope going towards the busway rather than away from it.

 BILLS FOR PAYMENT:

 C J Murfitt Ltd – interim invoice no. 6 construction, pavilion

                             (chq signed 23.1.08)                                                        46798.78

R Bartingale – grass cutting, Recreation Ground & cemetery 2007              2569.00

Cambs County Council – street lighting maintenance 07/08                            446.74

Connections Bus Project – 14 visits 3.9.07 – 17.12.07                                  1067.50

R Bell – street lights & cleaning 8.1.08 – 4.2.08                                              196.00

L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 8.1.08 – 4.2.08

                        30 hours @ £9.57 = £287.10

                        + telephone allowance = £30.00

                        + travel expenses = £11.16                                                       328.26

                                                                                                                      51406.28

 It was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Sidaway that these bills be paid.  All agreed.

 ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

 Coun Edwards reported that SCDC had agreed to work on proposal to transfer remaining council housing stock to a housing association.  If anyone has any concerns on this issue they can contact him.

A complaint had been received about footpath flooding alongside the CGB track where new membrane had been placed.  The Clerk will report to CGB team.

 Coun Ward suggested a re-think on the contribution towards the JAG ‘fighting fund’

He felt the cost of £447 was a relatively small sum considering the significant importance of Northstowe.

After a lengthy discussion, it was suggested that Coun Ward should go back to JAG and inform them that the Parish Council had already agreed not to contribute but would be prepared to consider again in the future if a specific need were identified.

 Several complaints had been received about rubbish in the village.  The Chairman confirmed that SCDC is responsible for litter collection.

 The conifer at the junction of Water Lane & High Street is overhanging the footway.

 There is a lot of litter in the ditch at Station Road.  The vegetation had been cleared by English Partnerships.  It was assumed this is in preparation for cleaning it out.  The Clerk will seek confirmation.

Fly-tipping at Westwick (high chair & TV).  Clerk will report to SCDC.

 Issue of dog bin emptying was raised again.  The Clerk will ensure that Roger Bell is aware that he must empty bins until informed otherwise.

 There were no questions/comments from members of the public.

 The meeting closed at 9.30pm.