Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
Minutes of meeting of the Parish Council held on 11th January 2010 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
Mr A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice Chairman), Mr J Bailey, Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs J Grove, Mr M Barnett, Mrs J Mowatt, Coun S Gymer (CCC), the Clerk and 2 members of the public.
1.1 Mrs A Christie, Coun D Jenkins (CCC)
The Chairman welcomed Joanne Mowatt, our new parish councillor.
2.1 The Minutes of the meeting of 7th December 2009 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
3.1 None.
4.1 Potential Redevelopment of West Goods Yard premises – nothing new to report.
4.2 Guided Bus – Coun Reeves will attend the liaison group meeting on 14th January. He will raise the issues of the platform sloping towards the busway, salting of bus stops and flooding on the service track.
4.3 Northstowe – nothing new to report.
4.4 Pavilion – the roof is leaking slightly in the main hall. (Cause – possibly loss of mortar under the edge of roof tiles). Murfitts had replaced the seals on the hall doors and fitted restrainers.
4.5 Cemetery – the Chairman will amend the draft regulations ready for approval.
4.6 Litter – Coun Reeves had submitted a piece for the next community newsletter regarding a suggested Community Clean Up event in March. He will await responses before setting a date.
4.7 Play Area – nothing new to report.
4.8 Connections Bus – Coun Reeves will attend the management meeting on 28th January.
4.9 Pinch Point, Cambridge Rd – Coun Gymer reported that Coun Jenkins had made some enquiries about potential funding for a footway. She will follow up on this.
4.10 Martyrs Graves – nothing new to report.
4.11 Flooding – Coun Grove reported that the gullies in Mill Road had now been cleared out. The contractors had informed her that the drain outside No. 1 is too small to cope. Coun Gymer will enquire if it would be possible to have two new gullies installed at the top of the ‘hill’.
4.12 New planning application procedures – now in place and a list of meeting dates had been published.
4.13 Cherry Orchard footpath – Coun Gymer will contact Highways Dept about the protruding tree roots.
4.14 Interactive sign at Westwick – reported to CCC Traffic Signals & Systems Dept.
4.15 Trees in Brook – reported to Environment Agency.
4.16 Woodland off Gatehouse Rd – approx 8460 trees are to be planted in total in
4.5 hectares with glade clearings and a 5m width rise through the centre (for walking & riding). Planting will take place in late Feb/March with the idea that the whole village gets involved (plus Girton residents and contractors).
A resident had enquired if it would be possible to have part of the woodland as a ‘community orchard’. Coun Grove will ask CCC but didn’t think this would be an option on that site.
5.1 The Clerk had circulated estimated income & expenditure figures (including Pavilion) prior to the meeting.
The Chairman stated that allotments would also need to be considered as a potential cost for 2010/11 (in addition to the new children’s play area).
Noted that it had already been agreed that £10,000 per year is to be reserved for Pavilion refurbishment/maintenance costs. (£20,000 reserved to date).
Proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Coun Harradine that the precept should be set at the same level as 2009/10, namely £44,000. All agreed.
6.1 SCDC - Community Clean Up events
6.2 James Cockram - allotment request. There are now 8 people on the ‘waiting list’ for an allotment. A lengthy discussion took place on the various options for potential land. Enquiries will be made to several landowners. Coun Gymer suggested that there may be some allotments available at Rampton. It was agreed to arrange a special public meeting for residents interested in allotments.
6.3 Miller & Sands Solicitors - vehicular access to 45 Water Lane. The Chairman will respond confirming that parking is not allowed.
6.4 CCC - Street lighting maintenance & energy 2009/10 - 14 SCDC street lights @ £18.65 + £412.72 energy charge. Total £673.82. Coun Reeves will review the list of lights provided to ensure they are working correctly.
6.5 A Lansley MP - slow Broadband speeds in South Cambs. He is progressing this issue with CCC, SCDC and East of England Development Agency.
6.6 SCDC - National Probation Service graffiti removal scheme - blanket indemnity signed and returned to SCDC.
6.7 CCC - offer to provide a salt bin at cost of approx £100. In view of the increased insurance cost & potential liability if regulations are not fully complied with, agreed not to pursue.
6.8 SCDC - change of date for Northstowe Parish Forum to either 8th or 10th Feb.
Couns Reeves & Grove are available to attend on 10th Feb.
6.9 MUGA - official opening evening on Tues 26th January at 6.30pm.
Cambs NHS - Future of Musculoskeletal Services - consultation
CCC Dec 09 Report
Cambridge Past, Present & Future
M11 & A14 repairs and resurfacing Jan - March 10
CCC Busway Update Dec 09
Community Action Winter 09
Histon Neighbourhood Panel Meeting Tues 12th January at Cottenham VC - Chairman will attend.
Cambs NHS - Hearing Services in Cambridgeshire questionnaire
COPE newsletter Jan 10
7.1 Mrs Sweeney, 2 Lowbury Crescent - extensions ref S1668/09/F - no objections
7.2 Miss Harrison, 52 High Street - extension ref S/1837/09/F - no objections
7.3 Mr Brook, 5 Cambridge Rd - extension ref S/1865/09/F - no objections
8.1 Approval of outstanding accounts as follows:
Connections Bus Project - 13 sessions 7.9.09 to 14.12.09: 1082.64
BT - Pavilion phone - line rental Dec-28 Feb 10, calls Oct-Nov: 74.87
(cheque signed 17.12.09 to avoid late payment fee)
A J Milton - refund 6 litter pickers: 6.00
T Leadley - caretaker’s salary 1.12.09 to 31.12.09
21.5 hours @ £8: 172.00
L Lawrence - clerk’s salary 8.12.09 to 11.1.10
37.5 hours @ £10.50 = £393.75
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £4.21
+ Pavilion admin (2 hours @ £10.50) = £21.00: 448.96
Direct Debits
British Gas Business - Pavilion electricity 1.11.09 to 30.11.09: 310.39
British Gas Business - Pavilion gas 1.11.09 to 30.11.09: 139.50
2234.36
It was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Reeves that these bills be paid.
Agreed.
9.1 Hedges - Mr Warboys hedge in Water Lane, leylandii at Tomato Farm, hedge near school & overhanging bushes at Limes, Cambridge Road all still need to be cut back. This prompted a discussion on how to deal with these regular problem areas. It was noted that the Parish Council does not have the power to cut back hedges etc without the owner’s agreement but the CCC Highways Dept does have the authority to do so.
The Chairman asked for a volunteer to act as a liaison in the first instance with an aim to obtaining an agreement from the relevant owners to have their hedges cut back once a year by one local contractor/person with hedge cutting equipment (at an agreed price). Coun Mowatt offered to try to contact the relevant owners if she is provided with a list/details.
9.2 Pavilion alarm - in response to a question the Chairman stated that it had been agreed not to have a phone call-out system set up on the alarm.
9.3 County Councillor - Coun Gymer reported that consideration is being given to reducing the speed limit between Cottenham and Histon to 50mph and near the football stadium in Histon to 40mph.
There were no further questions/comments from members of the public.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm.
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