Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 10 JANUARY 2011 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30pm.
Mr J Bailey, Mr P Harradine, Mr D Reeves (Chairman), Mrs A Christie, Mrs J Grove, Mr L Navarro, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun L Harford (SCDC) Coun D Jenkins (CCC), the Clerk, Richard Mortimer (Oxford Archaeology East) and 4 members of the public.
1.1 Mrs J Mowatt (Vice-chair) and Coun S Gymer (CCC).
Absent: Mr M Barnett.
2.1 The Minutes of the meeting of 6th December 2010 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
3.1 None.
4.1 No matters raised by members of public present.
5.1 Written report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Coun Jenkins reported that CCC budget figures would be made available to the public at the end of the week.
There is still no definite date for opening of guided bus but hoped it will be operational before summer.
The Chairman expressed some concerns about the suggestion of parish councils filling in gaps in services caused by funding cuts.
6.1 Written report by Coun Harford and notes on Northstowe Portfolio Holders meeting had been circulated prior to the meeting.
She confirmed that the 1800-2000 limit on new dwellings without the A14 upgrade does include both the North West fringe developments and Northstowe.
6.2 Coun Edwards reported that the first meeting of the 3 + 3 group (consisting of county and district councillors) had taken place. Strategic matters were discussed including the potential for a smaller scale development at Northstowe which was not particularly welcomed. The group will liaise with Northstowe Parish Forum.
LDF is overdue for review. There is potential for changing the policies set in 2004.
7.1 Item Ref 157.1 Ivy Removal from Rec trees – Town & Country completed work on 23rd Dec.
7.2 Item Ref 157.4 Allotments – an Oakington Allotment Study had been received from Ed Durrant, CCC which gave details of 5 possible sites on County owned land.
7.3 Item Ref 157.3 Broadband speeds – item to be carried forward to next meeting.
7.4 Item Ref 163.5 Connections Bus – volunteer advert had been placed on localjournal.co.uk. No response to date.
7.5 Item Ref 155. Winter gritting insurance cover – Coun Jenkins will forward a link to a government website with relevant information. Noted that as High Street is now being gritted, there is no need for a grit bin at that location. Aside from the main routes already been gritted no other sites were indentified as being particularly in need of being treated.
7.6 Item Ref 157.6 Airfield Road – Coun Jenkins reported that Coun Gymer is to arrange a meeting with the appropriate officer.
7.7 Item Ref 157.7 Tomato Farm trees – Coun Jenkins reported that Coun Gymer is still awaiting a response and will follow up.
7.8 Item Ref 166.4 Airfield hedge – item to be carried forward to next meeting.
Agreed to move item 12 up agenda to this point to allow Richard Mortimer to leave the meeting early.
12.1 Richard Mortimer, Oxford Archaeology East had been invited to attend the meeting to inform the Council about proposed digs on the Recreation Ground.
He gave some background information on the digs that had taken place in 2010 which produced more archaeology than they had anticipated.
The 2011 digs would again involve students from the University of Lancashire and possibly some students from America. He had also been in discussions with the producers of the TV programme ‘Digging For Britain’.
The proposal is for 2 digs (on 11 & 12 April and 4 weeks in June/July) to find out more about the people buried on the site and where they lived
They will to dig to the south of the current play area and will need a campsite area and use of the Pavilion building. Noted that the previous campsite area is now dog-walking zone so suggested area to rear of MUGA.
A digger will also be needed. The Chairman asked that Mr Mortimer give as much notice as possible as to the size required.
It was proposed by the Chairman that the Parish Council agrees to the principles of the digs outlined at the meeting. Seconded by Coun Grove. All agreed.
(Couns Jenkins and Harford left the meeting.)
8.1 The Clerk has circulated budget figures for 2011/12 including separate figures for Pavilion expenditure. Noted that the Pavilion Committee should be in a position to cover the £7700 costs incurred during 2010/11. (This figure does not include caretaker salary.)
Noted also that Pavilion expenditure was not a high as anticipated.
Following a lengthy discussion, it was proposed by the Chairman that the amount of £35,000 should be set as the precept for 2011/12. Seconded by Coun Harradine. A vote was taken and all agreed.
(Coun Wotherspoon left the meeting.)
9.1 Coun Christie reported that funding applications had been submitted to WREN and Big Lottery.
9.2 Coun Christie will bring more detailed financial information on cost to next meeting.
10.1 Munro had reported that neither the hot water nor expansion tanks were showing the correct pressures so it appears they had not been serviced. (Possibly causing the water leak which occurred last month.) Chairman will contact British Gas regarding the boiler service agreement to check that it includes the whole system including water and expansion tanks.
10.2 Coun Harradine reported that the changing rooms lighting is now working.
10.3 Coun Harradine reported that the rear door to changing rooms area can’t be opened from outside. The Clerk will look into this.
10.4 Concern was expressed that the Pavilion building was not properly locked after the first social let. Coun Harradine will convey this to the Pavilion Committee and check that there is a proper contract in place for social lets and clarify responsibility for opening/closing.
11.1 Due to Coun Barnett’s absence, item to be carried forward to next meeting.
13.1 NHS Foundation Trust – Consultation – copy given to each councillor.
13.2 SCDC Precept 2011/12
13.3 Invitation to Impington VC Full Governing Body meeting on 18 Jan at 7.00pm
13.4 Circulation
(Emails circulated prior to meeting.)
Sarah Shepherd, CCC – update on Mansell work tree works
CPALC – Localism Bill
Ed Durrant, CCC – Oakington Allotment Study
CCC – Road Closures for Events
SCDC – Parish Forum meeting Weds 19th Jan at 5.30pm
CCC – Winter gritting service
CCC – Councillors’ report Dec 10
COPE – Jan newsletter
Community Action – Winter 2010
14.1 Mr and Mrs Stewart and Pat McCreadie, 49 High Street, Ref S/2177/10 – porch.
(Coun Grove and Harradine declared interests as personal friends of the applicants).
No objections raised by other councillors.
14.2 Decisions
Mr & Mrs P Nicholas, 3 Church View- two-storey side extension Ref: S/1482/10 – approved
Mr M Milford, 11 Orchard Way – new dwelling Ref S/1784/10 - refused
15.1 Approval of outstanding invoices as follows:
Dent Security Systems Ltd – replace blown fuses, Pavilion CCTV 82.25
MJB Data Ltd – website hosting renewal Dec 10-Nov 11 35.25
D Reeves – refund new padlock for MUGA rear gate 12.99
T Leadley – Pavilion caretaker salary 1.12.10-31.12.10
as per t/sheet 140.00
L Lawrence – Clerk’s salary 7.12.10-10.1.11
50 hours @ LC2 P37 = £801.50
+ phone allowance = £30.00
+ Pavilion admin – 2 hours @ LC1 P23 = £21.00 852.50
Direct Debits
British Gas Business – Pavilion electricity 1.11.10-30.11.10 249.01
British Gas Business – Pavilion gas 1.11.10-30.11.10 205.66
British Gas Business – Heatsure boiler service agreement 33.29
BT – Pavilion phone –rental Dec – Feb £45.51, Calls £0.33 53.86
Total 1664.81
It was proposed by Coun Grove and seconded by Coun Christie that these bills be paid. Agreed.
16.1 Large potholes in Mill Road – Clerk will report.
16.2 Branch has fallen from tree at top of Queens Way – Clerk will inform SCDC.
16.3 Contractors had caused damage to footway at entrance to new house on High Street. Coun Harradine offered to speak to the owner.
16.4 Noted that signs in Dry Drayton Road are completely obscured by the Tomato Farm leylandii.
The meeting closed at 8.45pm.
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