Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 8th December 2008 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
Mr A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs J Sidaway, Mr R Ward, Mrs J Grove, Coun D Jenkins (CCC), Coun M Bradney (CCC), the Clerk and 3 members of the public.
Mrs A Christie, Coun Simon Edwards (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC) - for late arrival. The Chairman welcomed Mrs Julie Grove – our new Parish Councillor.
The Minutes of the meeting of 3rd November 2008 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
None
A14 Improvement Scheme - it was noted that public exhibitions are currently taking place at Girton College (finishing Tues 9th Dec)
Northstowe - the Chairman had written to Bob Menzies, CCC Guided Bus Team about the state of the Station Road ditch but had not even received an acknowledgement.
Interactive Signs - Coun Bradney (CCC) had not yet received a report on the second speed survey. He will follow up. He committed to try to find a way to get the signs operative.
Saturday Markets - planning officer is recommending approval of the application.
Play Area - as Coun Christie did not attend the meeting there was no update.
Sports Pavilion - Coun Sidaway reported that Neil Cook had updated her on progress of the Football Foundation grant application. Jane Lampshire, Sports Development Officer, SCDC has requested a meeting with the Pavilion Committee & Jim Hill, FA to review the application before submission.
The Pavilion Committee have enquired as to the repayment period for the Parish Council loan of £20,000.
It is estimated that the MUGA will bring in £10,000+ per year.
Sarah Gosling from WREN had recommended checking with Football Foundation that starting work on the MUGA would not prejudice a grant application.
It was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Bailey that there should not be a strict time limit put on the loan repayment. All agreed.
There is a Pavilion Committee meeting tomorrow evening and Coun Sidaway will ask Neil Cook for an update on the keys for the alarm system.
The Chairman reported that new locks would be needed for the Rec barriers as most of them have disappeared.
Cemetery hedges - Coun Sidaway reported that Mr Sadler, Oakington Garden Centre is prepared to repair the hedge and fill in the gaps in return for the two spare lampposts. Agreed to accept his offer.
Website - Coun Reeves had tried to contact Mat Barnett a couple of times without success. He will follow up.
Post Box, Pavilion - the Chairman had purchased a new stainless steel post box. It will be installed on the wall near the office in vision of the CCTV.
Minor Highways Improvement Scheme 09/10 - still no decision forthcoming.
Freedom of Information Act - details of the information available under the Model Publication Scheme had been produced. A copy will be circulated. Copy will also be placed on the notice boards and on website as soon as it is fully operational.
Village Litter Picking - the Clerk requested that if anyone notices any particular areas that need attention to inform her so that she can ask Mr Bell to deal with them.
Bollards, A14 Junction - reported to Chris Sproson, CCC.
Flooding at Crossroads - Coun Bradney had agreed to look into.
New Litterbins - still no response from Stuart Harwood-Clark, SCDC. The Clerk will follow up again.
An email to Coun. Reeves from Stephen Moore concerning the potential closure of the road and containing defamatory remarks about the PC had been circulated prior to the meeting.
The Chairman read out extracts from Local Council Administration concerning 'Defamation', 'Privilege' and 'Fair Comment'. It was noted that what can be construed as fair comment on a matter of public interest is not actionable.
Coun Reeves explained that he felt it would be in the public and Parish Council interest to share this email even though it was addressed to him personally and he had made it clear in his original email that the comments made were his personal views.
The Chairman handed out a list of statements he had drawn up about Longstanton Road and then read them out. This included a report on the site meeting he attended with CCC and Longstanton PC. The CCC officer had made it clear that the full costs of the consultation, installation of the gate and lifetime maintenance would fall to one or both of the parish councils. The site meeting concluded with agreement that both parish councils would consult with their parishes. However, before he had chance to report back to the PC the Oakington Community Newsletter had published a piece on the road, seeking resident's opinions. The Chairman felt this negated a meaningful Parish Council consultation at this stage.
He then invited comment on his report.
Coun Jenkins (CCC) took issue with the statement regarding 'party political motivation' and asked him to withdraw that suggestion. The Chairman agreed.
He also agreed to remove the detail in paragraph one relating to an unnamed individual.
It was agreed that the remainder of the document should be accepted and attached to the minutes of this meeting.
The Chairman advised that the Parish Council does not have the power to provide the gate. Therefore, it would have come from Section 137 which is limited to £5.86 per elector (08/09). This equates to approx £7,000 which would could possibly cover the initial costs but not the cost of any subsequent damage/maintenance in forthcoming years.
After some discussion, it was agreed to consult with the parish via the annual newsletter (due out in March) and then discuss at the Annual Parish Meeting in April.
The Chairman handed out a breakdown of the 5 quotes received and additional notes. It was agreed to exclude S P Landscapes quote straight away as it did not match the specification.
Tenders were considered from the following: Buchans, Herald Contract Services, JDF Landscapes & R Bartingale.
The Chairman reminded everyone out that it had been agreed that the Recreation Ground would be cut to general purpose standard. He felt it would cost significantly more than these quotes to have grass cuttings collected each time it is cut.
After some discussion, it was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Harradine that the contract for 2009 should be awarded to Mr R Bartingale. There were no amendments proposed.
The Chairman reported that Mr Bartingale had not charged for the recent cut of the cemetery hedge and requested that the £90 fee be donated to the Sports Pavilion project.
The Clerk will send a letter of thanks.
Yesteryear Road Run - the Chairman had received a verbal request for the vintage vehicles to be allowed to park on the Recreation Ground next year. It was generally felt this could cause access problems and agreed he should suggest it would be preferable for the organisers to publicise that they stop along the airfield road to give residents the opportunity to view the vehicles close up.
A resident had complained again about moles in the cemetery. The Chairman informed her that a pest control firm had dealt with them several times over the past year but they keep returning. It was generally felt that it was not cost effective to continue to call out the pest control firm so regularly. However, it was agreed to keep this under review.
Perretts Amusements - request to hold a traditional fair on Recreation Ground on 17th, 18th & 19th July. After a lengthy discussion it was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Reeves that the request should be denied on the basis of potential noise nuisance from generators to nearby residents. The Clerk will, however, inform Mrs Perrett of the planned Village Day next June and suggest she contacts the Pavilion Committee.
CCC - Street Lighting Maintenance & Energy 2008/09. Total cost for maintenance will be £249.90
Mr S Moore - requesting confirmation of arrangements for site meeting re Longstanton Road.
CCC - changes to C 6 bus services with effect from 5 Jan 09. The Chairman thanked John Barnett for his time and effort in persuading Stagecoach to make these improvements.
Circulation
JAG & Northstowe Update Meeting - 20th November - agenda
HCV "Joint Committee" meeting, Sutton - notes
Walkit.com
A Lansley MP - A14 upgrade
COPE newsletter Nov & Dec
Pavilion Management Committee minutes - 7th Oct
Clerks & Councils Direct, Nov 08
CCC Parish Paths Partnership 2009/10
SCDC - Council Housing in South Cambs
Freedom of Information - Fulfilling your obligation to disclose information
M Bradney, CCC - Nov report
D Jenkins, CCC - Nov report
CCC - Annual Report 07/08
A Lansley, MP - Interactive signs
Histon Neighbourhood Panel meeting notes 14 Oct 08
E-Cops - 5 people arrested on 1st Dec for burglary & vehicle related offences in Oakington
Bedford Markets, Phypers Farm, Dry Drayton Rd - change of use from pasture land to be used for public car boot sales & associated parking on Saturdays and Bank Holidays between 7 am and 9pm (retrospective application) - Objections on road safety basis.
(Chairman's Delegation Meeting - 10 Dec - officer recommendation for approval)
Coun Bradney agreed to contact David Lines regarding the road safety issues already raised on several occasions.
Mr G Brasnett, Plot 2 64 Water Lane - 3 bedroom detached house - no objections.
Mr/Ms V & P Brasnett, land to s/w of 64 Water Lane - dwelling - no objections
Decisions
H Beaumont, 1 Cambridge Road - extension - approved
Mrs Kuok, 32 Saxon Close - extension - approved
Ms P Hall - 7 Croft Lane - extension - approved.
| Mick George | demolition & removal of scout hut | 5875.00 |
| R Bartingale | grass cutting from 9.2.08 - 9.10.08 | 3072.00 |
| Stearn Construction Ltd | erection of lamp columns, bollards & posts at Sports Pavilion | 1196.00 |
| AFP Health & Safety Consultants | final invoice re planning supervision fees, Pavilion | 611.00 |
| Cambridgeshire ACRE | annual membership 2009 | 25.00 |
| A J Milton | refund re bulbs & post box for Pavilion | 95.28 |
| Cancer Research UK | donation in memory of Ralph Warboys | 20.00 |
| D Reeves | refund re bulbs | 11.92 |
| R Bell | street lights & cleaning 4.11.08 - 8.12.08 5 weeks @ £51.50 | 257.50 |
| L Lawrence | clerk's salary 4.11.08- 8.12.08 37.5 hrs @ £10.07 : £377.63 + telephone allowance = £30.00 + travel expenses = £5.87 + Pavilion bookings admin 2.5 hrs @ £10.07 = £25.18 |
438.68 |
British Gas Business - Pavilion electricity 1.10.08 - 31.10.08 : 92.13
British Gas Business - Pavilion gas 1.10.08 - 31.10.08 : 91.42
It was proposed by Coun Ward and seconded by Coun Harradine that these bills be paid. All agreed.
A new trustee is needed for the Oakington Charities. Coun Bailey kindly offered.
Hedge at No. 4/6 High Street is overhanging footway.
Coun Ward suggested minuting the date the interactive signs were installed so that everyone is aware of how long they have never worked! (thought to be 2005)
Coun Grove reported there is often a lot of surface water outside the kitchen at rear of pub, making it treacherous when it freezes.
Coun Bailey suggested consideration should be given to a 'permanent' memorial to Ralph Warboys. Coun Grove agreed to seek ideas from the History Society. Noted that his family should also be consulted.
A kerbstone at the Cambridge Road narrowing needs to be reinstalled.
Coun Bradney reported that David Lines had already responded to his email about the Saturday Markets and confirmed he would be contacting the relevant planning officer.
The Chairman and Coun Reeves had attended a joint CCC, SCDC, PCs meeting on 'working together'. The Chairman had not found it very useful, and one speaker let slip that, unlike District and County Councils, Parish Councils are not capped, thereby revealing a possible hidden agenda, like the passing on of the costs of certain street lights a few years ago. Much was made by various speakers about Parish Plans, but representatives of Linton and others were quick to point out that theirs took a lot of time and effort to produce, but they felt that they disappeared into a black hole when they were handed in to the higher authorities.
Coun Bradney had also attended and reported that the new Local Area Agreement stipulates that there has got to be partnership working and CCC will be judged on how it works with parish councils.
A member of the public reported that the roots of the tree on Stocks Green are lifting the tarmac on the footpath. Coun Bradney agreed to contact Matt Pickering about this.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.
powered by Typomania