February 2009

MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 9th February 2009 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.

PRESENT: Mr A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs J Sidaway, Mrs A Christie, Mrs J Grove, Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), the Clerk and 2 members of the public.

APOLOGIES: Mr R Ward, Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun M Bradney (CCC)

MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 12th January 2009 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: Chairman declared an interest in respect of planning application for a new dwelling on land to west of 5 High St as it adjoins his property.
PCSO Stuart Ison – the Chairman welcomed PCSO Ison who gave an update on policing issues in the parish.
The last few months had been a quiet period as far as anti-social behaviour is concerned. There had been a couple of house burglaries and a few incidents of car crime in the Dry Drayton Road area.
They will continue to monitor ASB as it appears working consistently on this issue keeps the levels down.
PCSO Ison & a colleague had undertaken a speed check in Cambridge Road last Saturday and were shocked at the levels of speeding motorists from the direction of Girton towards Oakington (caught 8 exceeding the limit in the 30mph zone over a 30 minute period). They will pay particular attention to that area and do weekly checks, including monitoring from the other direction as well.
They are also planning to target Water Lane from the school towards the crossroads as they had received some complaints about speeding traffic in that area. (also about cars being parked illegally on the lines near the school)
They had also undertaken some speed checks in Longstanton Road but had not caught as many as expected. PCSO Ison thought that perhaps the message had got through that the airfield road should not be used as a rat run.
MATTERS ARISING:
Guided Bus – the Chairman & Vice Chairman had met with officers from CCC, Atkins and Nuttalls re obstructions in the ditch. Nuttalls agreed to remove the concrete blocks but were not willing to remove the sandbags until the ditch has been cleaned out as it would let silt into the new outlet pipe. Prior to the meeting, Nuttalls had cleared away the debris and carefully covered their blocks with soil to make them less conspicuous!
The Chairman commented that the wide entrance that has been created to form an access to the business premises is effectively the turning circle that we have repeatedly requested, however, as it is presumably not part of the public highway it will not be possible to impose parking restrictions and so the wide grassed areas on each side will be used as a car park.
A section of footway that has been constructed is very narrow, and the Nuttall’s rep. foolishly tried to explain this away as being intentional to steer pedestrians towards the narrow existing footway, despite this being beyond the two lane roadway that serves the business premises.
A14 Improvement Scheme – the Chairman reported that a revised minerals & waste consultation had been received. Noted that they are considering creating ‘borrow’ pits alongside the existing A14 from Bar Hill to Girton on Oakington side. Some concern that this may increase noise levels, but as this will not affect the level of the new road relative to the land between it and the village, it was felt that this would not be the case. The fact that this would obviate the need for construction traffic to use local roads, this has to be a good thing. It was agreed to formally respond that the PC has no objections.
Northstowe – nothing new to report.
Interactive Signs – noted that they have now all disappeared!
Saturday Markets – nothing new to report.
Play Area – Coun Christie expressed some concern that the proposed play area extension may be in the wrong direction and would block the route to the pavilion entrance. However, it was felt that the appropriate place would be towards the tennis courts.
Sports Pavilion – Coun Sidaway reported that Awards For All would not reconsider the MUGA funding application. They had said we are asking for too much money!
Jim Hill, FA is in the process of checking the Football Foundation bid and it is hoped it will be sent to their head office shortly.
Derek Sidaway had not yet heard back from Donarban about a funding application for the MUGA lighting.
Adrian Cook is looking into the alarm system.
Coun Grove had kindly offered to replace Coun Ward on the Pavilion Management Committee.
The Clerk reported that she had met with the HMRC Valuation officer and subsequently a rateable value had been set of £7,600. The actual annual rate will be 44% of this amount. However, the Clerk will contact SCDC to ask if we would be eligible for a rating reduction on the basis that the pavilion is managed by volunteers, is non-profit making and provides a facility for local sporting groups.
Coun Sidaway reported that the Pavilion Management Committee had agreed to give the PC £2000 towards the running costs of the pavilion. After some discussion on the annual costs and the income generated from the hire of the building, it was proposed by the Chairman that the £2000 should be kept by the Pavilion Committee and put towards the cost of the MUGA. Seconded by Vice Chairman. All agreed.
Cemetery Hedge – CCC Rights of Way contractors had kindly cleared the rubbish. Coun Harradine reported that people are still using the cemetery as a cut-through to walk dogs and pushing through the hedge at the rear. It was agreed to install a ‘No Dogs’ sign on the cemetery gate.
Website – Vice Chairman reported it is running well and up to date.
Minor Highways Improvement Scheme 09/10 – Coun Jenkins thought that the decision would be made by Council this week.
Litterbins – no sign of the new bins promised by South Cambs DC.
Airfield Road – nothing new to report.
Ralph Warboys Memorial – the Chairman had circulated some suggested wording. He will ask the family if they feel it is appropriate.
Septic Tanks, Westwick – Coun Graves understood that the residents from Westwick Terrace had obtained a cheaper quote to empty the tanks. She did not know if they are planning to pursue it.
Mill Road Sign – not yet replaced.
Dry Drayton Road – pothole near Tomato Farm has not yet been filled. There is now an additional pothole between the A14 and the turning to the farm. The Clerk will report both to Matt Pickering.
Coun Jenkins (CCC) – January report had been circulated to those on email prior to the meeting. No questions or comments raised.
It was noted that the High Street & Mill Road are not gritted even though they are bus routes.
Coun Jenkins confirmed that the cycle track next to the guided busway from Oakington to Histon will not been completed until after the buses are up and running (i.e. not in time for the start of the next school year). The track will have a tarmac surface, and the reason for the delay is that a different contractor will be used, and they cannot take over until Nuttall have cleared the site.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Countryside Access Team – suggested signs for permissive footpath
CCC – New sites proposed for mineral and waste development – agreed to formally respond with no objections.
SCDC – Northstowe Community Governance Review – Tracy Mann request for a meeting in March to review. Agreed that a separate meeting would be appropriate. The Clerk will arrange a date with Tracy.
HMRC, Valuation Office – appointment to inspect Sports Pavilion to assess for Non Domestic Rates took place on 27th Jan. Officer confirmed that application for a reduction would need to be made to SCDC. Subsequently, a rateable value notification of £7,600 had been received.
Mr T Leadley, 15 Queens Way – copy of application for planning permission to construct a hardstanding in his front garden.
Circulation
Connection Bus Project – report Sept to Dec 08
SCDC – Community Chest
JAG Minutes – 22 Jan
Rural Services Network
Guided Busway Update Jan 09
Guided Busway Local Liaison Forum minutes 8 Jan
CPALC AGM Minutes
South Cambs Local Development Framework – Adoption of supplementary planning documents
D Jenkins, CCC – Jan report
M Bradney, CCC – Jan report
Connections Bus – Feb newsletter
PLANNING:
Mr J Bryant, land to west of 5 High Street – dwelling & carport. (The Chairman declared an interest). It was noted that according to the accompanying letter all new houses now have to make a financial contribution (in this case £4000) towards an ‘open space’ area, The Chairman had ascertained that this funding goes directly to SCDC for open spaces throughout South Cambs and does not directly benefit our parish. The planning officer had informed him that Oakington had not been put forward for any of this funding. Jane Thompson at SCDC apparently maintains the relevant list. The Clerk will contact her to ask if we can benefit in respect of the MUGA or children’s play area.
Coun Bolitho also offered to make some enquiries, as he was not aware of this policy.
Cambs County Council, St Andrews Church – erection of fence & gate. No objections.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Cambridgeshire County Council – street lighting maintenance & energy 08/09 633.64
B J Waller Ltd – key cylinder for pavilion 26.57
Oakington & Westwick Community Association – membership 08/09 10.00
R Bell – street lights & cleaning 13.1.09 – 9.2.09
4 weeks @ 51.50 206.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 13.1.09- 9.2.09
30 hours @ £10.07 = 302.10
telephone allowance = £30.00
travel expenses = £5.87
pavilion admin 3 hours @ £10.07 = £30.21 368.18
Direct Debits
British Gas – Pavilion gas 1.12.08 – 31.12.08 220.27
British Gas – Pavilion electricity 1.12.08- 31.12.08 98.68
1563.34
It was proposed by Vice Chairman and seconded by Coun Sidaway that these bills be paid. All agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The leaning lamppost at Westwick had been replaced but there is still a yellow warning cone at the base of the new column. The Clerk will try to establish if it is operational.
Several residents of Arcadia Gardens had reported that streetlight SCDC No.4 is permanently on. The Chairman commented that we only pursue non working ones, and as the charges for electricity are based on the number of columns, neither CCC or this PC is being charged extra in such cases.
Coun Bailey reported that there had been a discussion on local radio about the potential effects of snow on the guided bus service. The Vice Chairman will ask the GB team if it will be able to run in snowy conditions.
Coun Grove reported that the corner of High Street/Church View has been treacherous in the recent icy weather. She offered to ‘man’ a saltbox if the PC would consider arranging for one to be installed there. The Clerk will contact Allianz Plc to check if parish councillors (and residents) are covered for snow/ice clearing and if not, how much it would extra it would cost for cover.
Coun Grove enquired about the status of the pillbox behind Church View. The Chairman stated that the PC had applied for a preservation order but this had been refused. (some other pillboxes had been nominated on the airfield)
Coun Grove reported that the police had been issuing speeding motorists spot fines along Longstanton Road over last weekend.
The bin on the play area had not yet been removed or emptied (the Clerk had asked Mr Bell to do this last month). There is a lot of litter in some of the bus shelters and the one opposite High Street smells of urine. The footpath between Water Lane & Coles Lane is also full of rubbish. (It was noted that rubbish collection is primarily the responsibility of South Cambs DC. The Clerk will ascertain what they actually do and report back).
The Chairman and Vice Chairman had attended a meeting about Speedwatch. This is a portable device which displays the speed when a motorist does over the speed limit but does not register if below. The operators have to record the speed, description of the vehicle, registration, time and place of the offence. These details are given to the police who send a warning letter to the owner. There is no automatic fine or other penalty imposed.
Currently, there is only one machine for the whole of South Cambs. However, CCC is prepared to buy more if there is sufficient interest from parishes. We could also purchase one for the village (cost £3000) or split the cost between a few local parishes and share it.
It was agreed to include an item on this in the annual newsletter to see if enough volunteers come forward before making a decision.
The draft newsletter will be circulated for comment.
Coun Bolitho reported that there were no complaints received by SCDC about rubbish collections over the Christmas period.
There were no issues/concerns raised by members of the public.
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm.