Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 13th June 2011 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30pm
Mr D Reeves (Chairman), Mrs J Grove, Mrs A Christie, Mr L Navarro, Mr J Bailey, Coun L Harford (SCDC), Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun S Gymer (CCC), the Clerk and 20 members of the public.
91.1 Mrs J Mowatt, Coun D Jenkins (CCC)
92.1 The Minutes of the meeting of 9th May 2011 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
93.1 None.
Connections – Dan Goddard, Joe and Sam (Bus attendees) supported by Bus youth worker Diane Johnston spoke about the young people’s written request for permission to use the MUGA on a Mon evening and to seek financial support towards the cost. (The Pavilion Committee had already agreed the MUGA could be hired to Connections during term-time.). Matter discussed under agenda item Ref 11/105.
Mrs Graves reported streetlight CCC No. 008 opposite her property is obscured by overhanging vegetation. The hedge also needs to be cut back after nesting season.
Mrs Daggianti, Oakington Primary School head teacher spoke about planning application ref S/0849/11 for a new classroom building. She outlined the reason it is required, due to an expected increase in the school role and addressed the concerns raised by the Council at its Planning meeting held on 23rd May. (She had also written to each councillor to outline answers to the objections raised at the Planning meeting including a photo of the proposed building design.)
Matter discussed under agenda item ref 11/107.
James Wilson spoke about the proposed new Vikings junior football team starting in Sept 2011. (The Council had already agreed that a suitable pitch could be marked out. Minute ref 11/83.2) The club is seeking a storage facility for goal posts and other equipment plus support towards the cost of maintaining the pitches to the required standard. (Quote had been received for approx £550 for the first year and £250 each subsequent year.)
Lawrence Green, SCDC spoke about Emergency Plans. He encouraged the Council consider putting in place and to complete the template with details of parish community emergency preparations. Agreed to include this on the July agenda for further discussion.
Claire introduced herself as the new PCSO for Cottenham, Rampton and Oakington.
She encouraged residents to contact with any concerns. or use the non-emergency number 0345 456 456 4 and to join E-Cops (www.cambs.police.uk/signup/ecops/)
She had spoken to residents in Forge End causing obstructions by parking on Cambridge Road and had undertaken a door-to-door surgery in Saxon Close.
Andy Lawson, Gallagher Estates and Paul Kitson, HCA (Joint Northstowe promoters.) updated the meeting on the latest developments. They had been discussing with the local authorities on how the A14 can be improved and Northstowe delivered. Currently working towards a planning application and revising the master plan. The key matters under re-consideration by the promoters are:
1. Is the town centre in the right place?
2. Is the local secondary school in the right place?
3. Are the centre facilities (primary schools, surgeries etc.) in the right place?
4. If the reserved land is included in the master plan – what would be the knock-on effects?
5. Reviewing the land adjoining the Guided Busway route.
A further round of public consultations will start in September.
In response to a question asked by Coun Edwards, Mr Kitson confirmed that the planning application would be a new one, not a revision of the original application submitted.
In response to a question asked by Coun Navarro regarding density, Mr Kitson stated that the estimate is between 30 and 50 dwellings per hectare with a range of housing to try to cater for the whole Northstowe population.
Written report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Coun Gymer reported that resurfacing of crossroads area will go to Cabinet for approval tomorrow. Cost approx £60k from government funding for winter damage.
Coun Navarro suggested looking at the whole crossroads area when funds are available. Coun Gymer agreed to find out if a traffic survey had been undertaken.
She understood an internal enquiry on the Guided Bus would take place when all work completed.
Written report by Coun Harford had been circulated prior to the meeting.
In response to a question, Coun Harford spoke about the new cabinet structure at SCDC
Written confirmation had been received from SCDC that no 10 electors had requested an election, therefore the three vacancies could be filled by co-option.
One application had been received and one other resident is considering making an application.
Proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Coun Christie that Mr Simon Edwards should be co-opted as a councillor. All agreed.
Mr Edwards signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, countersigned by the Clerk.
100.1 Item Ref 78.1 Allotments – Coun Gymer confirmed that the Dry Drayton Road site is subject to a tenancy agreement. Hence CCC reluctance to release the land for allotments. She will ascertain how long the agreement has to run.
100.2 Item Ref 78.2 Broadband – Coun Navarro had spoken to Javelin Broadband, provider of high-speed Internet services to military sites. Javelin estimates that 20mb connections speeds could be achieved initially, increasing to 50mb (via wireless connection.) The cost would be approx £3000. It was agreed that Javelin should be invited to the July meeting to provide more details. Noted that three quotes would be needed as expenditure would be in excess of £1000.
100.3 Item Ref 78.3 Airfield Road – the Chairman is trying to arrange a meeting with the chairs of Longstanton and Girton Parish Councils to discuss options.
Agreed preference for the road to be kept open but with some form of speed reducing measures installed.
100.4 Item Ref 76.1 Tomato Farm – Coun Gymer will check that the second letter had been sent to the owner (demanding that trees are cut back otherwise CCC will do it and charge.)
100.5 Item Ref 80.1 Parking issues:
Forge End/ Cambridge Road – the Chairman had written to residents of Forge End asking them not to park on Cambridge Road in peak times.
He had also met with Ian Greasley, CCC Area Traffic engineer on site. Mr Greasley is not minded to make any changes to the pinch point but agreed to consider the suggestion of yellow lines.
Longstanton Road – Mr Greasley will ensure the yellow lines at the junction are re-instated. He also agreed that cars parked on the blind bend cause a potential danger and would support an application for yellow lines there. (This would require Police support.) The cost to the Parish Council would be approx £500 if CCC does it when it can be scheduled in or £1300 if done straight away.
After some discussion, it was proposed by Coun Navarro and seconded by Coun Christie that yellow lines should be requested for Forge End and Longstanton Road at cost of £500, provided the work is undertaken within 6 months. Otherwise, the £1300 would be paid. All agreed.
100.6 Item Ref 83.1 Dog signs – now installed. Invoice presented for £216.
Coun Navarro requested that the dog walk area be cut to the same standard as the rest of the Rec as it is currently impenetrable.
Agreed to ask Brookfield to ‘swipe’ it a couple of times per season.
100.7 Item Ref 84.1 Accounts 2010/11 & Annual Return – internal audit had been completed and report circulated by email. No concerns. (Transposed figures in Boxes 7 & 8 had been corrected following confirmation from Moore Stephens.)
Noted that Clerk’s salary details are confidential and should not be included in the minutes.
Annual return had been sent to external auditor, Moore Stephens.
101.1 The new football initiative for a junior team was discussed.
Coun Grove agreed to ask the archaeologists if the excavator on site could be used to remove the old goalpost.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding possible sites for storage of the collapsible goal posts, stretchers etc. Noted it needs to be watertight and vandal proof.
Coun Edwards stated that planning consent would be needed for a container/storage shed on the Rec as it is in Greenbelt. He agreed to make some informal enquiries.
Proposed by Coun Edwards and seconded by Coun Bailey, that the Parish Council should pay half the annual cost of the maintenance work required to bring the pitches up to the required standard. All agreed.
The Clerk will contact Brookfield for a quote.
102.1 Outcome of grant application to WREN is awaited.
Coun Christie asked that Parish Council funding towards costs be placed on the July agenda. She will bring 3 quotes and financial information to the meeting.
The Play Area Committee will have an information stall on village day.
Agreed to include the old play area and consideration of RoSPA report on July agenda.
103.1 Broken window in hall door had been replaced.
103.2 Washing machine had been plumbed in and hot and cold taps installed in Official’s room.
103.3 Agreed to add scale prevention measures and boiler service contract to July agenda.
104.1 Couns Grove and Mowatt had met with Matt Cumberland, HCA on site to discuss overgrown hedgerow. He is hoping to get the correct boundary pegged out.
Coun Christie offered to do a Land Registry search to try to establish ownership of the Spinney land.
Noted that Tree Council grant funding can be applied for by Tree Wardens.
105.1 Connections – hire of MUGA on Monday evenings – term-time.
Proposed by Chairman and seconded by Coun Grove that the Parish Council should pay 80% of the weekly hire cost of £10. The young people would then need to contribute 20% - £2 per week. All agreed.
105.2 Cemetery – agreed to defer decision to allow a review to be undertaken of charges made by other providers.
105.3 The Chairman elected to have his annual allowance reduced by 10% to £100 for 2011/12.
105.4 Caretaker salary would be reviewed in July 2011 at appraisal meeting.
105.5 All other charges to remain the same.
5 agreed. 1 abstained.
(Emails circulated prior to meeting.)
CPALC – E-Bulletin
Guided Busway – updates
SCDC – tree grants
LDF – Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment
LGS Services – internal audit report
SCDC – Speed stickers – agreed to accept offer of 120 free bin stickers.
SCDC – Review of planning services
SCDC – Planning Policy in South Cambs – Parish Council briefing session, 17 June – Coun Navarro to attend.
Coun Harford – SCDC May report
Couns Jenkins and Gymer – CCC May report
SCDC – South Cambs Community Pride & Village Hero awards
SCDC – confirmation that 3 councillor vacancies can be filled by co-option.
CCC – Library service opening hours consultation – questionnaires for Histon, Cottenham & Bar Hill libraries.
SCDC – Standards Committee seeks new Parish Council member
IVC – Academy consultation
RAF – Annual Pathfinder march – Sat 25 June
Community Action – Summer 2011
Local Council Review
Jenny Prince – permission for school parents/staff to use Pavilion car park. Agreed to defer decision until July meeting to allow Council more time to consider.
107.1 To review application S/0849/11. Oakington CofE Primary School – detached classroom building.
The Chairman explained the background of the application that was reviewed at the Planning meeting held on 23rd May. The drawings of the building design were very different from the photograph supplied by Mrs Daggianti with her letter received after the Planning meeting. There was also no evidence that the archaeological and drainage issues had been addressed in the application. The Chairman stated that based on evidence provided at the meeting this evening he would like the Council to consider withdrawing the comments made on the application response submitted to SCDC on 24th May. Coun Edwards expressed concern about re-consideration of a decision made at a previous meeting.
Standing Orders were not available at the meeting to check.
Couns Edwards and Harford (SCDC) left the room at this point.
Proposed by the Chairman that subject to Standing Orders the Council should rescind the decision made at the Planning meeting held on 23rd May and recommend approval of the application. Seconded by Coun Christie. All agreed.
Decisions:
107.2 Mr and Mrs Edwards, 8 Manor Farm Close Ref S/0707/11 – extensions – approved.
108.1 Approval of outstanding accounts as follows:
Brookfield Groundcare – Rec & cemetery grass cutting May 11 882.00
L Navarro – dogs signs, Rec (Algar Signcraft) 216.00
A J Miller Electrical – electrical installation of Pavilion washing machine 264.35
Andrew Scott – plumbing washing machine, install hot and cold taps 285.00
LGS Services – internal audit fee 2010/11 114.00
Alarm Company – sealed standby battery, Pavilion 46.70
NALC – Local Coun Review annual subscription 15.50
N & C Glass – replacement glass Pavilion door window 145.51
D Reeves – annual Chairman’s allowance 2010/11 110.00
T Leadley – caretaker salary – May 11 148.00
L Lawrence – Clerk’s salary 10.5.11 – 13.6.11 - £801.50 (gross)
Pavilion admin May 11 - £31.50 (gross)
+ telephone allowance - £30.00
+ travel expenses - £18.03 686.71
HMRC – Clerk’s PAYE, employee +employer NI contributions 227.99
Direct Debits
British Gas Business – Pavilion gas 1.4.11 – 30.4.11 123.30
British Gas Business – Pavilion electricity 1.4.11 – 30.4.11 109.90
British Gas Business – Heatsure service agreement 34.00
BT – Pavilion phone rental June – Aug 11 53.96
3464.92
Proposed by Coun Grove that these bills be paid. Seconded Coun Bailey.
All agreed.
109.1 Coun Christie requested that ‘how we inform residents’ be placed on the agenda for a future meeting.
109.2 Coun Christie encouraged councillors to submit responses to the library review consultations.
109.3 Coun Grove sought permission to tidy the Cemetery.
The meeting closed at 10pm.
powered by Typomania