Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 15th March 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 A Christie, Mrs J Grove, Mr M Barnett, Mrs J Mowatt, Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun S Gymer (CCC), the Clerk and 4 members of the public.
18. Coun D Jenkins (CCC)
19. The Minutes of the meeting of 8th February 2010 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
20. None.
21.1 Item ref 13.2 Guided Bus - issues with BAM Nuttall had been widely reported in the press. Coun Gymer reported that CCC had taken legal advice and is satisfied there is a robust contract in place.
There is still no timescale as to when the busway will be open.
Nuttalls will not finish the southern section to Stapleford until Nov 10.
Coun Reeves reported that there will be no more formal liaison group meetings for the foreseeable future as most issues had been indentified.
21.2 Item ref 13.3 Northstowe - The Chairman congratulated Coun Wootherspoon on his appointment as Cabinet Member for Northstowe. Coun Reeves read out relevant extracts from the minutes of the Northstowe Parish Forum meeting held on 10th Feb.
He had requested a full breakdown of the Northstowe and Oakington Community Projects allocation of £1.4million as it is not clear where all the money had been spent. Dan Clarke at Cambridge Horizons had agreed to supply this but it had not yet been forthcoming.
Coun Wotherspoon reported that it is still not certain that HCA will become the single developer.
£1.5million government funding had been awarded to aid development of Northstowe as an eco-town.
22.2 Item ref 13.4 Pavilion - leaking roof and failed glass in hall doors had not yet been dealt with. The Chairman will speak to Neil Cook as no warranties had been supplied for the building.
The Tennis Club had offered to donate £350 to purchase up to 6 small tables for the Pavilion. Agreed that the Parish Council would place the order so that VAT could be reclaimed.
22.3 Item ref 13.6 Litter - Coun Reeves reported that the litter pick on 13th March was successful with 8 volunteers turning up to help. Noted that quite a few residents already litter pick on a regular basis. He will put a note of thanks in the newsletter.
22.4 Item ref 13.7 Play Area - it had been agreed that Duncan Sayer (lecturer at Lancashire University) + 12 of his students could undertake a test dig on the proposed site on 11 - 13th April as part of their field training.
Noted that Oxford Archaeology East would need to retain the operational control needed to fulfil the obligations of the planning process.
Agreed that Mr Sayer and students could camp out on Recreation Ground and use the toilet/kitchen facilities of the Pavilion. The Clerk will consult further with the Pavilion Committee re Pavilion access for the duration.
22.5 Item ref 13.8 Connections Bus - Bus not operational tonight due to staff sickness.
22.6 Item ref 13.11 Cherry Orchard footpath - Coun Gymer reported that Highways Dept is now aware of what needs to be done. They are currently concentrating on dealing with potholes so it may take some time.
22.7 Item ref 13.12 Interactive sign, Westwick - Coun Gymer will follow up and will update the Clerk on progress.
22.8 Item ref 13.13 New Woodland - planting day had been very successful and well attended.
22.9 Item ref 13.14 Allotments - the Chairman had tried to contact the Cambridge Road allotments administrator without success. He will follow this up.
22.10 Item ref 13.15 Vehicular access, Stocks Green - noted that a car is regularly parked on Stocks Green at weekends. The Chairman will try to establish who it belongs to.
22.11 Item ref 13.16 Street Lights - dirty street light covers had been reported to CCC at the Neighbourhood Panel meeting. Coun Gymer will follow up.
22.12 Item ref 13.17 Hedges - Coun Mowatt reported that Philip Marsh, Homes and Communities Agency had agreed to deal with the airfield hedges by the end of March.
Coun Harradine will speak to Brian Warboys about his overgrown hedge in Water Lane as it is no longer possible to walk on the footway near it.
22.13 Item ref 14.1 Pavilion Committee - a cheque had been received for £2000 towards Pavilion running costs for 2009/10.
22.14 Item ref 17.1 Guided Bus stop - noted that a wide drainage channel had been dug alongside the maintenance track to help alleviate flooding problems. The Chairman will contact Philip Marsh, HCA re clearing the Station Road ditch.
22.15 Item ref 17.2 MUGA - the Pavilion Committee will arrange installation of external lighting of paved area.
22.16 Item ref 17.6 Pavilion Hire - there had been further requests from residents regarding hiring the Pavilion for private parties. The Chairman explained the VAT position and that we had been granted exceptional permission by HMRC to reclaim VAT on the project provided it is used as a sporting facility.
After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should write to HMRC asking if it would be permissible to hire the Pavilion for non-sporting activities.
23.1 CCC - Minerals and Waste Draft Supplementary Planning Docs
23.2 Oakington Tennis Club - £350 donation to Pavilion for up to 6 small tables for functions.
23.3 Sarah Shepherd, CCC Rights of Way - possibility of creating a bridleway link between Gun’s Lane and the Westwick bridleway. Agreed to support in principle. (Coun Reeves to ask Dan Clarke, Cambridgeshire Horizons if it would be possible to have a contribution from Northstowe Community Projects allocation to help fund this.)
23.4 CCC, Transport Team - changes to Citi 6 service with effect from 4 April - evening and Sunday service will now be Citi 5.
23.5 RoSPA - play area inspection will take place in April
23.6 SCDC Cabinet/Parish Councils meeting - Weds 23rd March at 7.30pm at Cambourne.
A Lansley MP - A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton scheme.
A Lansley MP - Broadband connection speeds.
Parish Elections - postponement information
CCC - Feb update
Standards Committee Newsletter Winter 09-10
COPE newsletter March 10
Cambridgeshire ACRE - Parish Planning in South Cambs - Weds 31 March at Impington Recreation Centre.
CPALC - Future Jobs Fund
CPRE - Litter Pick
Northstowe Parish Forum - minutes 10 Feb 10.
Clerk’s and Councils Direct March 10.
Community Action Spring 10.
Local Council Review Spring 10.
24.1 Andrew Milford, 10 Orchard Way Ref S/0214/10/F - dormer window - no objections.
25.1 Approval of outstanding accounts as follows:
| C J Murfitt Ltd | wash hand basin, toilet roll holder, staircase marker tape, & cold water tap to external store (Pavilion) | 528.95 |
| Cambridgeshire County Council | street light maintenance/energy | 673.82 |
| Print-out | photocopying of annual newsletters | 49.60 |
| The Alarm Company | engineer attendance to replace door contacts | 104.30 |
| John Milton | refund re new laser printer and cartridge | 160.71 |
| BT | Pavilion phone (rental 1.3.10-31.5.10, calls 9.12.10-8.3.10) |
59.94 |
| T Leadley | Pavilion caretaker salary 1.2.10 - 28.2.10 21 hours @ £8 |
168.00 |
| L Lawrence | Clerk’s salary 9.2.10 - 15.3.10 37.5 hours @ £10.50 = £393.75 + phone allowance = £30.00 + travel expenses = £8.41 + Pavilion admin = 2 hrs @ £10.50 = £21.00 |
453.16 |
| British Gas Business | Pavilion Gas 1.1.10 - 31.1.10 | 296.68 |
| British Gas Business | Pavilion electricity 1.1.10- 31.1.10 | 316.00 |
| British Gas Business | Pavilion Gas 1.2.10-28.2.10 | 289.87 |
| British Gas Business | Pavilion electricity 1.2.10-28.2.10 | 314.77 |
Agreed to monitor Alarm Company call-outs on Pavilion alarm system.
It was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Bailey that these bills be paid. Agreed.
26.1 Mill Road sign - damaged. Report to SCDC.
26.2 Blocked drains - at Westwick near interactive sign, Station Road, Water Lane/High Street, Dry Drayton Road/Crossroads. Clerk will report these to Highways Dept. The Chairman will write to Charlotte Jordan and Graham Brasnett regarding the ditch at rear of Arcadia Gardens as the fact that is blocked/overgrown could be exacerbating flooding problems.
26.3 Public footpath, near Guided Bus track - it would be beneficial if the public footpath that passes through the wooded area could join up with the maintenance track. Presently it is blocked off by the wire fence that once formed the boundary of the old railway line. One of the wires wire has been cut to allow walkers to climb through. Noted that the maintenance track is not yet open to the public. Agreed to contact CCC about creating a proper access when ownership of the land is transferred to them.
26.4 Pavilion Committee - Coun Grove had decided to come off this committee due to other commitments. Coun Harradine agreed to replace her.
26.5 Tree Warden - Coun Grove had undertaken training. She had been tasked to establish which trees in the parish have Preservation Orders. Noted that SCDC should keep records of all TPOs.
26.6 Camel Ride - Coun Barnett reported that this piece of play equipment is now secure.
26.7 Village Pond - noted that it is full of plastic bottles etc. Coun Reeves offered to contact Pat Matthews. (SCDC)
26.8 Tomato Farm - trees still overhanging and branch has fallen down into the road. The Clerk will report to Highways Dept yet again!
26.9 Cemetery hedge - agreed to look into cost of palings on MUGA side to stop dogs etc running into the cemetery.
26.10 Wheelie bins - Coun Bolitho suggested putting speed limit roundels on bins to encourage traffic to slow down. The Chairman pointed out that we try to encourage residents not to leave bins outside front.
26.11 Citizen Advice Bureau - Coun Bolitho reported that Cottenham is trying to establish an ‘interactive link’ with CAB for people who are not able to visit CAB offices.
26.12 Coun Wotherspoon would welcome any ideas for making Northstowe a success.
A member of the public reported that there are numerous fly-posters at various locations around the village.
The meeting closed at 9.20pm.
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