MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 12th January 2009 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, 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 Ward, Mrs A Christie, Mrs J Grove, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), the Clerk and 3 members of the public.

APOLOGIES: Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun M Bradney (CCC), Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC)

MINUTES – The Minutes of the meeting of 8th December 2008 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None.

MATTERS ARISING:

Guided Bus – Coun Jenkins reported that the opening had been delayed until late summer due to recent bad weather, flooding issues and complications with works at Hills Road Bridge. The cycle path and P&R buildings will be completed after opening. He was not able to give any indication when the southern part would be operational.
Coun Reeves had brought up the issue of debris etc in the Station Road ditch at the recent liaison group meeting. There are now 2 concrete blocks partially blocking the ditch. The Chairman had written to Bob Menzies yet again on this matter.
Coun Jenkins agreed to follow this up.

A14 Improvement Scheme – several councillors had attended the recent exhibitions at Girton College. Concern was expressed about the likely problems with the planned ‘tight turning loop’ at Spittals interchange, in view of the known problems with a similar arrangement at the Girton interchange.

Northstowe – next JAG meeting arranged for Thurs 22nd January at Cottenham PC office. Coun Ward hopes to attend.

Interactive Signs – no progress had been made on getting signs operational. (Subsequent to the meeting, an email had been received from CCC Neighbourhood Panel Liaison Officer reporting that two replacement signs had been ordered and they are investigating a trial of a new solar powered sign at the third site).

Saturday Markets – advertised that the markets would return in March 09. CCC had objected to the planning application on a road safety basis and indications are that SCDC planning officers will not recommend approval until these issues are resolved.

Play Area – Coun Christie reported that the first full play area committee meeting was held last week.
She enquired as to who is responsible for emptying the bin on the play area. The Chairman responded that it is Mr Bell. However, the bin is badly damaged and rubbish is continually strewn around the play area. It was agreed to ask Mr Bell to empty it and then remove it.
It was confirmed that any income & expenditure relating to the play area would go through the Parish Council bank account.

Sports Pavilion – Coun Sidaway reported that the Awards for All bid for £10,000 had not been successful. However, Derek Sidaway has challenged some of the points raised by them because they are factually incorrect. e.g. the claim that there is no planning permission for the lighting, whereas it is specifically covered in the overall approved scheme.
A meeting with Jim Hill, Football Foundation is to take place on 13th January to discuss options for the MUGA surface and the funding application. There is not a common standard for all-weather surfaces. It was agreed that the specification would need to satisfy footballers if Football Foundation is to be obtained and it is likely that football hire will generate a large proportion of MUGA income.
Coun Sidaway confirmed that Neil Cook is looking into the alarm system as there is currently a fault on it and he also needs to arrange training/instructions for all key holders before fobs can be issued.

Cemetery Hedge – Mr Sadler had planted some new saplings in the hedge but none in the gaps at the rear of the cemetery. Coun Sidaway will raise this at the Pavilion meeting tomorrow.

Website – Mat Barnett attended the meeting and reported that the new website is now live. New format but same address:
www.oakingtonandwestwickparishcouncil.org.uk
The Chairman thanked him for his work on this.

Minor Highways Improvement Schemes 09/10- still no decision received.

Freedom of Information Act – copy of information available is on notice boards. Will also be placed on website.

New Litterbins – letter received from Stuart Harwood-Clark confirming litter and dog waste bins would be installed in Queens Way near recreation ground and a litter bin near the bus shelter in Water Lane/Saxon Close. He has stated that if the dog waste bin is not used it may be remove as SCDC does not approve of placing dog bins on recreation grounds due to the risk of toxocariasis.
It was noted that SCDC would be responsible for removal of litter/waste from these bins.

Airfield Road – Coun Reeves reported that he had discussed with Coun Jenkins (CCC) the possibility of having chicanes if it is agreed that a gate is not viable. Coun Jenkins had investigated costs and reported back it would be a minimum of £5000 and anything up to £50,000. Coun Reeves suggested that if the cost was nearer £5000 this would be a ‘one-off’ charge and it would slow the traffic down if installed Oakington end of the road. He had regularly encountered problems as a pedestrian of speeding vehicles and very dangerous driving and felt this could be a compromise to help alleviate the problem.
The Chairman stated that the PC did look into the cost of providing traffic calming before and it was prohibitive.
He also reiterated his concern that this would necessitate a review of the Road Traffic Order and could result in the road being opened up to all classes of traffic.

Hedge, 6 High Street – Matt Pickering (CCC) is to write to the owner.

Ralph Warboys memorial – Coun Grove reported that the History Society is considering ideas. She personally suggested some sort of award/bursary for young people in Ralph’s name. It was noted that this would need to come from section 137.
The Chairman had discussed with the family installing a plaque on the chapel wall. They had agreed that this would be welcomed. He will draft some wording and circulate for comment.
It was also agreed to put a note in the annual newsletter about a possible bursary.

Broken kerbstone, Cambridge Road – Matt Pickering had looked at it but does not think it is causing a problem at the moment. As it would require a road closure to fix it, he had decided to monitor but would arrange for it to be dealt with if necessary.

Tree roots, Stocks Green – Matt Pickering is arranging for contractors to ‘patch’ as much as they can.

PRECEPT 2009/10:
Copies of the estimated income & expenditure for 2009/10 had been circulated prior to the meeting (including Pavilion building which is likely to be over budget, although it is not yet possible to quantify by how much).
After some discussion, it was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Reeves that the precept should be set at the same level as 2008/09, namely £44,000.
All agreed.

CORRESPONDENCE:
SCDC – Litter & Dog Bins – confirmation bins will be supplied at Queens Way (litter & dog) and Water Lane.
Awards for All – application for £10,000 towards MUGA was unsuccessful.
SCDC – Parish Forum Meeting – Monday 19 Jan 6 – 8pm. Coun Reeves offered to attend.
Cambs Police – Speedwatch Meeting – Tues 13 Jan, 6.15pm (prior to Histon Neighbourhood Police Panel meeting at 7.30pm). The Chairman and Coun Reeves will attend and report back at the next meeting. Only 4 parishes had so far indicated interest in Speedwatch.
SCDC - Parish Council & JAG Update Meeting – Thurs 26th Feb, 7 –8.30pm. Longstanton Primary School.
The Tree Guardian - request from SCDC for a new Tree Warden to be appointed. It was agreed to put a note in the annual newsletter seeking a volunteer.

Circulation
Housing Futures – Dec 08
CCC – Winter Gritting & Snow Clearing
Guided Bus – Local Liaison Forum minutes 13th Nov
A Lansley, MP – A14 Improvement Scheme
Communities & Local Government – Code of recommended practice on local authority publicity
National Probation Service – Annual Report 07/08
D Jenkins (CCC) – December 08 report
Local Council Review Jan 09
NHS – In Touch
Community Action, Winter 08
Housing Futures, Dec 08
Clerks & Councils Direct Jan 09
Presentation by SCDC held on 15th Dec on initial proposals for revisions to Northstowe planning applications – 3 copies
COPE newsletter Jan 09

PLANNING:
None.

BILLS FOR PAYMENT:

Connections Bus Project – 14 visits 1.9.08 – 15.12.08 1110.34
R Bell – street lights & cleaning 9.12.08 – 12.1.09
5 weeks @ £ 51.50 257.50
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 9.12.08 – 12.1.09
37.5 hours @ £10.07
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £5.87 413.50

Direct Debits
British Gas Business – Pavilion electricity 1.11.08 – 30.11.08 94.54
British Gas Business – Pavilion gas 1.11.08-30.11.08 179.76

Chqs signed between meetings:
C J Murfitt Ltd -kitchen servery, tiling & changing rooms, Pavilion 9696.17
Munro Building Services Ltd – electrics & plumbing, Pavilion kitchen 2634.35
B T Payment Services – phone, Pavilion 1.12.08 – 28.2.09 53.69
14439.85

It was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Harradine that these bills be paid. Agreed.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The 30 mph sign on the left from Cottenham direction is partially obscured by bushes. The Clerk will inform Matt Pickering.

Coun Graves reported that a resident of Westwick Terrace had received notification from SCDC that they would no longer be offering a septic tank emptying service. There are 4 properties per tank and the emptying cost was £117 a time. However, the cheapest commercial quote found so far will be £230.
The residents had asked her to enquire if it would be possible to be put on to mains drainage.
Coun Groves offered to enquire how much her employer in Longstanton Road pays for septic tank emptying and advise Coun Graves.
It was noted that the Westwick householders only pay a token amount for sewerage as part of their water bill, whereas those on mains sewerage pay something like double the charge for water supplied for disposal of their sewerage, and it may work out more expensive than having the tanks emptied by a private contractor.

The broken road name sign in Mill Road had been reported to SCDC.

Coun Bailey reported that there had been an accident in Dry Drayton Road and there are large pieces of timber near the road by the avicentre (possibly part of a chicane gate?) The Clerk will inform Matt Pickering.

The Tomato Farm’s bushes/trees are obscuring the streetlights and there is a pothole in the road there.

Coun Bailey asked Coun Edwards if the plastic being put out for recycling is being stockpiled. (as per recent press reports) Coun Edwards was not aware of any such problems. It is written in to the contract that SCDC will get a fixed price of £75 per tonne for the whole term of the contract, whereas the value peaked at around £120, and so no costs would be passed on to taxpayers if this were the case.
He reported that the amount of overall recycling collections had increased since the introduction of the plastics collections.

Coun Edwards reported that ‘Housing Futures’ had moved on to the next stage and council house tenants would be receiving an offer document in February. SCDC has set up a locally based non-profit making housing association which will be managed by a Board. The planned tenancy agreements will mimic the current SCDC agreements.
Coun Edwards stated that there seems to be an evenly balanced view for/against/don’t know amongst tenants. The final decision will be based on the majority vote.

Coun Sidaway will ask the Pavilion Management Committee to produce a figure in time for the February meeting of what monies will be transferred to the Parish Council at the end of March 09.

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

The meeting closed at 8.40 pm.