MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 20th April 2009 at
the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.

PRESENT: A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice Chairman), Mrs Y
Graves, Mrs J Sidaway, Mrs A Christie, Mrs J Grove, Coun S Edwards
(SCDC), Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), Coun M Bradney
(CCC), the Clerk and 3 members of the public.

APOLOGIES: Mr R Ward, Mr P Harradine and Mr J Bailey.

MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting of 16th March 2009 were approved
and then signed by the Chairman.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None

MATTERS ARISING:

Guided Bus the Chairman and Coun Reeves had attended one of the
pre-launch trips last week. General consensus that the ride on the
tracks was smooth but it did jolt on the road, particularly along Kings
Hedges Road. The Chairman expressed concern about the dangers of young
people loose on the track. Coun Bradney commented that driver
visibility is better than a normal road. However, CCC would monitor this.

He reported that the trials went well, despite the slight technical
problem with one bus and approx 300 people had attended the public day
on Friday 17th .

Coun Reeves had attended the Liaison Group meeting on 1st April. A
great deal of discussion took place about the sound barrier with a
variety of views expressed. European directives state that the barrier
needs to be 6 metres high. Coun Reeves had suggested that they consider
installing an adjustable barrier so that a workable height can be
ascertained once the bus is up and running.

It was also reported at this meeting that an oak tree under threat of
removal had been saved.

Northstowe Parish Council had met with SCDC on 23rd March to
discuss the latest boundary proposals. We had previously requested that
the new parish of Northstowe would include all of the green separation,
because this would ensure that the burden for its upkeep would not fall
upon future Oakington & Westwick Parish Councils. Longstanton hold the
opposite view, apparently on the basis that it would give them a greater
say on any future proposals for development. SCDC officers felt that
there will be sufficiently robust rules laid down to ensure the future
integrity of the green separation, and so our approach is the right one.
Accordingly, we asked that regardless of what Longstanton want, we are
still keen to see all of the green separation being part of Northstowe.
To the west of the existing Longstanton Road we asked that the new
boundary follow the new road up to the point where it crosses the
existing boundary, beyond which it follows its existing path.

The Chairman & Coun Reeves had attended the Northstowe trees meeting
at SCDC this morning. (attendance quite low and no JAG members) The
Chairman was surprised to find out that whereas we had been told
previously that the outstanding problem area regarding unexploded
munitions was to the north of the site, the map shown at the meeting
shows it located on Oakington side. Apparently the risks now being
highlighted are associated with infantry training exercises and are
small items of blank rifle ammunition and smoke flares etc, not large bombs.

There is talk of rotavating to a depth of approx 1 metre to clear it
away but this will inevitably result in the loss of some trees. He had
made the point that the trees were specially planted before any training
was undertaken, and so it is highly likely that no unexploded devices
will be buried beneath any of the trees.

As Couns Jenkins & Bradney needed to leave early for another meeting, it
was agreed to change the agenda order slightly at this stage.

Saturday Markets Mike Jones, SCDC Planning Officer had responded to
the Chairman's letter stating that he is consulting with the Environment
Agency and the Highway Authority for their views on the current use of
the site for car boot sales.

Coun Edwards reported he had spoken to Melissa Reynolds about this again
and asked her to do all she can to stop them from taking place without
planning permission. It was noted that they would shortly exceed the
number of events permitted per calendar year.

Minor Highways Improvement Schemes CCC had decided not to proceed
with any of the schemes put forward. None had scored highly on the
scoring criteria used.

Instead, the budget would be used to provide dropped kerbs to assist
those with mobility problems in the larger communities in South Cambs
such as Histon & Cottenham.

David Lines, CCC had advised that the two schemes for Oakington had not
been scored at all as:

1. Reduction of speed limit in Cambridge Road all requests for speed
limits have been deferred until after completion of the A & B Road speed
limit review.

2. Parking Restriction on Longstanton Road all requests for parking
restrictions are covered by the Minor Traffic Management Newsletter and
shall be subject to third party funding.

Coun Bradney reported that CCC is in the process of reviewing the
scoring criteria for next year. But, there is little that can be done
about getting the yellow lines this year as there is no discretionary
budget for such works.

It was agreed to continue to complain about the volume of speeding
traffic in Cambridge Road.


County Councillor reports Both Coun Jenkins and Bradney's March
reports had been circulated prior to the meeting. Coun Reeves thanked
them for providing these informative reports on a monthly basis.

Coun Reeves had attended the Area Joint Committee meeting and reported
that for the first time there appears to be real positive interest in
engaging people who want lower speed limits in place.

Couns Jenkins & Bradney left the meeting at this point.

Play Area the play area committee had met with Oxford Archaeology
East. Coun Christie had stressed that the Parish Council does not want
to have to go ahead with a dig unless absolutely necessary. One of the
archaeologists appeared to be fairly responsive to this and indicated
that there might be ways of avoiding a dig (He suggested relocating the
play area to the former scout hut site.)

The next steps for the committee are more fundraising and producing a
proper plan of what is wanted.


Pavilion Rates the full amount of rates for 2008/09 had been paid. A small
business rate relief application form had now been received from SCDC.
The Clerk will complete and send off this week (if approved 24% of the