Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 7 MARCH 2011 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30pm
Mr J Bailey, Mr P Harradine, Mr D Reeves (Chairman), Mrs J Grove, Mr L Navarro, Mrs J Mowatt (Vice-chair), Coun S Gymer, CCC (part meeting), the Clerk, Jennie Baker (Cambridge Newspapers) and 5 members of the public.
32.1 Mrs A Christie, Mr M Barnett, Coun D Jenkins (CCC) and Coun L Harford (SCDC)
33.1 The Minutes of the meeting of 7th February 2011were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
34.1 None.
35.1 Mrs Graves reported that there is a lot of rubbish in Station Road ditch.
36.1 Written report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
The following outstanding Highways issues were reported to Coun Gymer:
Water Lane (from Saxon Close) – tarmac lifting
Crossroads potholes (noted in Highways budget for April.)
Mill Road potholes
Cottenham Road potholes
(Councils are encouraged to report highways issues on-line to CCC.)
37.1 Written report had been circulated prior to the meeting. No comments.
38.1 Item Ref 23.1 Allotments – no progress to report. The Chairman had not been able to contact Stephen Conrad, CCC. Coun Gymer offered to follow up with County Farms.
38.2 Item Ref 23.1 Broadband speeds – item deferred to April meeting.
38.3 Item Ref 23.4 Airfield Road – meeting scheduled for 1st March had been cancelled as CCC had objected to the representative put forward by Longstanton PC.
Not yet rearranged.
38.4 Item Ref 23.5 Tomato Farm – Coun Gymer confirmed second letter would be sent to owner advising CCC would do the work on the leylandii and owner would have to pay for it.
38.5 Item Ref 27.1 Risk Assessment – Clerk had amended the RA to include section on ‘Outside Events’.
38.6 Item Ref 28.1 Bank Arrangements – new mandate was completed and signed at meeting.
The Clerk reported that local authorities are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Agreed to refer to CPALC for further advice on holding multiple bank accounts to spread risk.
38.7 Item Ref 29.1 Mansell Wood – official opening of new bridge to take place on 10th March at 2.30pm. Couns Grove and Navarro are to attend.
39.1 The Clerk reported that Coun Christie had met with Sarah Gosling, WREN to look at proposed site location.
39.2 Coun Mowatt reported that two fundraisers are to be held: children’s disco on Sun 27th March and music quiz on Sat 26th March.
40.1 The Chairman reported that the Heatsure service agreement with British Gas only covers the boiler and not the hot water system.
Munro had quoted for an annual service for both systems at £590.
It was agreed to review this when the Heatsure contract ends in July.
Proposed by Chairman to ask Munro to undertake a one-off service of the hot water system as soon as possible. Seconded by Coun Harradine. All agreed.
41.1 Coun Barnett had not been able to produce the draft signs.
Coun Mowatt offered to progress this so that signs can be produced and displayed as soon as possible.
42.1 The Chairman introduced Jennie Baker from Cambridge Newspapers who had contacted him for further information on the planned archaeological digs. The Chairman had not been able to respond due to Standing Order 28 which states ‘councillors shall not, in their official capacity, provide oral or written statements or written articles to the press or other media’.
After some discussion, it was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Mowatt that the following policy should be adopted:
‘All councillors may express opinions in a personal capacity but only the Chairman, or in his/her absence the Vice-chair, may speak on behalf of the Parish Council.
The Clerk may answer enquiries of a general nature but should refer all policy issues to the Chairman, or in his/her absence, to the Vice-chair.’
43.1 The Chairman had done some research on parish plans. (Noted no information on CPALC website.)
The plan needs to be community led and would cost between £1,000- £5,000 (grants may be available.)
The process can take at least 18 months.
It will require a Council member to start the process.
Coun Gymer offered to find out who talked to Rampton PC about their plan.
Agreed to include on agenda for Annual Parish meeting.
44.1 The Chairman read out the criteria for obtaining Quality Status.
He will forward the website link to Clerk for circulation.
The perceived benefits were discussed, including a desire for greater community involvement.
Proposed by Coun Navarro that the Council should draft a plan on how to work towards QS. Seconded by Coun Mowatt. All agreed.
45.1 Agreed to defer ratification until April meeting as it appears that the draft amendments had not been received by all councillors.
46.1 Contract and JD had been amended to include changes to weekly hours (10 per week) and salary point scale. The Clerk and Chairman signed amended contract at end of meeting
47.1 Copies for distribution were handed out at the meeting. The Chairman suggested they should be delivered on approx 21st March to give residents sufficient notice of the Annual Parish Meeting on 27th April.
48.1 CCC – Highway Wardens. No members interested in undertaking the role.
48.2 Munro Building Services – quote for annual pavilion boiler service (£590)
48.3 R Bartingale – grass cutting tender 2011. Copy letter and response circulated to all councillors prior to meeting. Agreed to send response without amendment.
48.4 RoSPA – play area inspection April 11.
48.5 Circulation
(Emails circulated prior to meeting.)
IVC Sports Centre official opening invite
SCDC Youth Participation Strategy (Children & Young People’s Plan)
CCC – Highways reporting system.
B Gawthrop –Yesteryear Road Run – 17 April
CCC –official opening of Mansell Wood bridge on 10th March at 2.30pm
SCDC (S Harwood-Clark) re request for new litter bin at Midfield bus shelter
CCC – Bus Tenders consultation
Clerks & Councils Direct – March
CPALC – Your Community You Decide – ordered copy of pack @ £15
SCDC – monthly report by Lynda Harford – Feb 11
CCC – monthly report by David Jenkins and Sue Gymer – Feb 11
49.1 To consider new application Ref C/11/40/074 – Mrs P Friend, 95 Water Lane – tree works in conservation area. Reduce height of Leyland Cypress and crown lift walnut. No objections.
49.2 Decisions:
Mr & Mrs Andrews, Station Cottage, Westwick Ref S/0794/10/F – Appeal Decision – dismissed.
Coun T Bygott, Ref S/0116/11 - 9 Station Road – two-storey side and rear extensions – refused on basis that would result in an unduly overbearing impact and poor outlook upon No. 7 Station Rd.
50.1 Approval of outstanding invoices as follows:
R Bartingale – grass and hedge cutting 2010 3532.00
Print-Out – photocopies of annual newsletter 57.60
T Leadley – pavilion caretaker salary 1.2.11- 28.2.11 as per
timesheet submitted 136.00
L Lawrence –Clerk’s salary 8.2.11 – 7.3.11
40 hours @ LC2 P37 = £641.20
+ phone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £1.80
+ Pavilion admin
hours @ LC1 P23
+ refund new toner cartridge for printer =£51.30 755.80
Direct Debits:
British Gas Business – Pavilion gas 1.1.11 – 31.1.11 326.27
British Gas Business – Pavilion electricity 1.1.11 – 31.1.11 218.03
British Gas Business – Heatsure boiler service contract 33.29
5058.99
It was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Mowatt that these bills be paid. Agreed.
51.1 Protruding manhole cover on footway outside No. 40 Coles Lane. Coun Gymer will report to Highways in the first instance (may be water company.)
51.2 Coun Grove reported that the Yesteryear Road Run will not stop on Recreation Ground. (Noted this may be the last year of the road runs as the organiser is retiring.)
51.3 Coun Grove reported that test pit digs would take place on 11th and 12th April.
51.4 Coun Mowatt will follow up with HCA re Mill Road hedge as it had only partially been cut back at the front and is very overgrown and full of rubbish.
51.5 Coun Mowatt reported she had not been able to attend Connections Bus meetings due to work commitments. Coun Navarro kindly agreed to take over the role of Bus liaison officer.
51.6 Coun Gymer reported that CCC is again looking at school bus services.
The meeting closed at 8.45pm.
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