Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 13th September 2010 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
Mr P Harradine, Mr D Reeves (Chairman), Mrs A Christie, Mr M Barnett, Mrs J Mowatt (Vice-chair), Mr L Navarro, Coun L Harford (SCDC) Coun S Gymer (CCC) – part meeting, the Clerk and 4 members of the public.
88. Mrs J Grove, Mr J Bailey and Coun D Jenkins (CCC)
89. The Minutes of the meeting of 19th July 2010 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
90. None.
91.1 Mr N Harrison asked the council to consider permitting Yester Year Road Run organisers to use the Recreation Ground next year. Agreed this would be discussed under item 15.
91.2 One member of the public said he had attended the meeting to hear about broadband speeds.
Report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
92.1 Coun Gymer will follow up on the following:
· Tomato Farm leylandii
· Pot-hole in Water Lane has been refilled at least 4 times – will enquire if a more permanent solution can be found
· Graffiti on Give Way sign
· Trees in Longstanton Road obscuring the traffic lights
· Trees obscuring interactive sign in Westwick
Report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
93.1 Coun Harford reported on the following:
· She will attend the next Housing portfolio meeting and report back on the potential £206 million debt for SCDC from the redistribution of the national Housing Revenue Account debt
· Environmental Services had confirmed that they will now supply and install dog waste bins provided the need can be justified. The Clerk will follow up on this
· No response yet re her enquiry about potential unspent S106 monies
94.1 Item Ref 71.1 Station Road Ditch – Vegetation had now been cleared and HCA had agreed to obtain pricing for digging out bottom of ditch.
94.2 Item Ref 71.2 Tomato Farm Leylandii – Coun Gymer will follow up with Highways.
94.3 Item Ref 71.3 Cemetery Hedge – had been cut and chestnut paling installed to fill in gaps near MUGA. An additional roll had been ordered to complete the work.
94.4 Item Ref 71.4 Fidelity Guarantee Cover –
Proposed by Coun Mowatt, seconded Coun Harradine to accept Allianz Plc quote for additional premium of £173.16 to cover £100,000. All agreed.
94.5 Item Ref 73.1 Diseased Chestnut – had been removed by Town and Country Tree Surgery at cost of £130 + VAT. Tree surgeon advised monitoring the four willows at back of Rec as pollarding had caused a small amount of decay. (No action required this year.) Also recommended removal of ivy from 17 poplar trees. Agreed to ask them to quote for this work.
94.6 Item Ref 84.3 Directional sign –St Andrews Church – CCC had declined request to install on Public Highway. After some discussion the Council agreed to decline also as no need perceived.
95.1 Coun Christie presented three draft plans to the Council.
Consensus that the younger children’s area should not be fenced off.
Also acknowledged that landscaping is important and provides an added attraction for users.
(Members of the public were invited to look at the plans).
96.1 Coun Barnett reported that the main issue is our distance from the Histon exchange. BT has no current plans to upgrade it. There is no cable option available in Oakington.
Agreed that it would not be wise for the Council to give technical advice to residents on ways to improve speeds.
Agreed Coun Barnett should write to BT to put pressure on them to upgrade system.
97.1 VAT – responses had finally been received from HMRC. The Clerk and Chairman will meet to consider the detail in relation to future VAT reclaims on running costs etc. But, HMRC had confirmed that the VAT recovered on the pavilion build would not be reclaimed and that the pavilion may be let for social as well as sporting purposes.
Noted that the Pavilion Committee needs to consider and agreed the policy on this before private function lettings are advertised.
97.2 Boiler – had been serviced by British Gas and gas safety certificate issued. (Valid for one year.)
98.1 (Standing Orders were suspended at 8.37pm point to allow members of the public to comment. Reinstated at 8.40pm.)
After a lengthy discussion, it was proposed by the Chairman that the Parish Council should ban dogs from the Recreation Ground and make it clear where dogs can be exercised by use of proper signage. Seconded by Coun Mowatt. All agreed.
Coun Barnett will obtain pricing for signs to be placed at the start of the permissive footpath, directing dog walkers to the area at the rear of cemetery.
99.1 Noted that the Chairman and Clerk regularly have to remind the current contractor to cut more frequently.
Agreed to obtain quotes for 2011 season. (Coun Barnett).
100.1 The Chairman showed the Council a map received from CCC with 5 suggested allotment areas highlighted. Two councillors had no particular preference. Three indicated preference for land near the garden centre. (Approx 1 acre.) Noted that leasing from CCC would be only option available.
101.1 The Chairman and Clerk had undertaken her annual review and agreed that 7.5 hours per week are no longer sufficient to cover the work involved. Therefore, agreed to increase to 10 hours per week with immediate effect. The Clerk will complete a spreadsheet to monitor hours worked. Review to be done in January.
A job summary sheet for the Clerk’s role had also been sent to CPALC for evaluation.
The Chairman had received written confirmation that she is not being paid at the correct rate (LC2 Point 37on NJC payscale) for the work undertaken.
Agreed to increase her hourly rate in accordance with the recommendation with immediate effect.
102.1 (Standing Orders were suspended at 8.58 pm to allow Mr Harrison to present his suggested route for the vehicles. A copy of the proposal was given to the Clerk. Standing Orders were reinstated at 9.10pm.)
Agreed that Road Run organisers should be permitted to park on Recreation Ground in 2011 entering via barrier at far side near bungalows and exiting via barrier near play area, providing the ground conditions are suitable. (No parking on football pitch.) The proposed route will be – across airfield, Longstanton Road, left into Coles Lane, left into High Street, right at Mill Road on to Water Lane and left into Queens Way. On exit, left on to Water lane and left at crossroads into Cambridge Road. Route will then continue to Histon as normal.
103.1 Coun Christie reported that the school is working hard to encourage children to walk or bike to school.
She asked the Council to request improvements to the footway in Water Lane to make the route safer for children. Coun Harland offered to speak to Coun Gymer about this.
104.1 Coun Christie reported that a local resident works for a group called Refresh which supports adults with mental health issues trying to get back into work.
She asked the Council to consider utilising the service they offer (such as small maintenance jobs). Agreed Coun Christie should obtain more details and check on insurance implications.
105.1 The Chairman drew the Council’s attention to the training offered by CPALC (detailed on website).
He reminded the Council that all business discussed needs to be clear and transparent.
Comments/questions should be addressed to the Chairman and not all speak at once so that everyone can be heard and the Clerk is able to minute accurately.
106.1 CCC – Winter Gritting Arrangements – noted request for gritting to include High St/Mill Road.
106.2 Town and Country Tree Surgery Co – inspected four willow trees. No action required at present but monitor annually. 17 poplar trees require removal of ivy. Agreed to ask them to quote.
106.3 CCC – Direction sign to St Andrews Church – request denied.
106.4 Charles Tallack – response re potential opening in wall between parish office and function room at pavilion. Agreed not to proceed as it would be too costly.
106.5 Circulation
Clerks & Councils Direct Sept 10
Connections Bus – report Apr – July 10
COPE newsletter – Aug 10
CCC – Library service
Headlines – Luminus Group
CCC – Cambs & Peterborough Minerals and Waste Plan
107.1 Mr M Hancock, 9 Cambridge Road Ref S/1102/10F – no objections
108.1 Approval of outstanding accounts as follows:
Town and Country Tree Surgery – removal of dead chestnut tree 152.75
Connections Bus Project – 11 visits 19.4.10-19.7.10 £961.84
5 visits 26.7.10 – 23.8.10 £437.20 1399.04
N and C Glass – replacement of damaged Pavilion window 82.25
Total Protection Services – annual inspection Pavilion fire equipment 59.60
Impington Plumbing and Heating – repair Pavilion tap and shower leak 52.88
Clare Chapman – refund re plastic buckets, Play Area collection 36.53
T Leadley – caretakers July and Aug 10 (34.5 hours as per timesheet) 276.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 20.7.10-13.9.10 (60 hours)
+ backdated pay 1.4.10-16.7.10 (112.5 hrs @34p)
+ telephone allowance = £60.00
+ travel expenses = £4.20
+ pavilion admin = £32.52 785.37
Direct Debits
British Gas – Pavilion gas 1.7.10-31.7.10 81.45
British Gas – Pavilion electricity 1.7.10-31.7.10 179.64
British Gas – Pavilion gas 1.8.10-31.8.10 92.36
British Gas – Pavilion electricity 1.8.10-31.8.10 175.35
British Gas – Business Care 15.8.10 33.29
3406.51
It was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Navarro that these bills be paid. Agreed.
109.1 Tarmac in Gatehouse Road has been pushed up on to cycle path. Coun Harford will report this to CCC.
109.2 Coun Navarro expressed concern about the plans to ‘open up’ the tunnel of trees in Mansell Wood as proposed by County Farms.
109.3 Coun Barnett aims to issue the community newsletter monthly on the weekend after parish council meetings so that any relevant items raised can be included.
109.4 Community Association Chair had requested a key to the upstairs store. Referred to Pavilion Committee.
109.5 MUGA requires some maintenance work. Leaves piled up on it and weeds are coming through fencing. Coun Barnett will bring this up at next Pavilion Committee meeting.
109.6 Coun Barnett will ask Pavilion Committee when the outside light for the basketball area will be installed.
The meeting closed at 9.32pm
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