Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 19th April 2010 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
Mr A Milton (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 S Gymer (CCC), the Clerk and 4 members of the public.
27. Mr D Reeves and Coun S Edwards (SCDC).
This would be the Chairman’s last meeting as a parish councillor having stood for 24 years.
28. The Minutes of the meeting of 15th March 2010 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
29. Coun M Barnett re item 8 on agenda (director of MJB Data Ltd)
30.1 Item ref 21.1 Guided Bus – CCC GB team had confirmed that the wire fence had been installed to protect the ‘building site’. It would no longer be maintained. Therefore, the wires can be cut back to allow access to the public footpath.
30.2 Item ref 21.2 Northstowe – nothing new to report.
30.3 Item ref 22.2 Pavilion – C J Murfitt Ltd had contacted the glaziers about the failed panes of glass in hall door.
The Clerk is awaiting a response from AFP Planning Consultants regarding the building manual that should have been handed to the Parish Council upon completion.
30.4 Item ref 22.4 Play Area – test digs had been undertaken by Duncan Jenner and a team of student archaeologists on 11th – 13th April. Some items had been found between existing play area and the tennis courts (including indication of 2 additional graves). It was noted that the P.C. had no prior knowledge that excavations were to be made in this area, especially as CCC had been so adamant that the area should remain intact.
They will return from 14 June to 4 July to complete excavation work. Duncan Jenner had suggested some involvement in Village Day on 26th June, possibly with an exhibition and some historical re-enactment at a budgetary cost of £1,000, of which the P.C. would be expected to contribute some half. Noted that Community Association agreement would be needed for this and it is unlikely that any financial support would be available,
Some concern was expressed about potential holes on the Recreation Ground on Village Day. Insurers would need to be notified. Agreed that an exact plan of the excavation sites would be needed.
Couns Christie and Grove will liaise and contact Keith Bate, Chair of Community Association.
30.5 Item ref 22.5 Connections Bus – agreed to pay for 5 visits during school summer holidays.
30.6 Item ref 22.7 Interactive sign, Westwick – Coun Gymer had chased this several times but it is still not working.
30.7 Item ref 22.9 Allotments – the Chairman had written to King and Co solicitors requesting they contact the Cambridge Road allotment landowners regarding the possibility of purchasing the land. It is possible that some land to the rear of the existing site could be secured for additional allotments. An acknowledgement had been received.
CCC Farm Estates had confirmed that they had no suitable land available at this time, but said that they had released some land on Station Road for a habitat mitigation area for the Guided Bus, and it is possible that this could be made available. The Chairman had contacted GB team but they have declined to offer it for sale for allotments/community orchard. The land is controlled by the GB order and if it becomes available it has to be offered back to whoever it was compulsory purchased from initially. (i.e. CCC Farm Estates, which is an integral part of the same authority).
The Chairman has written to Peter Studdert, Director of Joint Planning SCDC as he had committed to assist the Parish Council in obtaining allotment land, and he should have the necessary powers to deal with the Planning matters that are involved.
30.8 Item ref 22.10 Stocks Green – the Chairman had spoken to the resident about not parking there, and no further sightings have been made.
30.9 Item ref 22.11 Street Lights – Coun Gymer had reported dirty street light covers. CCC had agreed to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned when maintenance work is done on them but could not agree to send a team out solely to clean them.
30.10 Item ref 22.12 Hedges – Coun Mowatt reported that the airfield hedges had been cut back. Mr Warboys had trimmed back some of the overhanging branches on his hedge in Water Lane.
30.11 Item ref 22.14 Station Road Ditch – the Chairman had contacted HCA regarding ditch clearance and the person concerned will meet with him after he returns from leave. In the meantime, Edgar Stearn had taken levels of the ditch and will draw up a profile. He is willing to quote for it to be cleared.
30.12 Item ref 22.16 Pavilion Hire – the Clerk had drafted a letter to HMRC re hiring the Pavilion for non-sporting activities.
The Chairman read out an extract from VAT Notice 749 regarding letting facilities for sport which states that ‘if a public authority charges members of the public for sporting or recreational facilities, it is not acting in its capacity as a public authority. Therefore, the activity is classed as ‘business’.
He also read out and extract from the Parish Council letter to HMRC dated 31 July 2007 which stated that the Pavilion would only be let to local clubs in the voluntary sector and would not be available for public hire.
SCDC Planning Dept had confirmed that private lettings would not require a change of use.
After some discussion, it was agreed that the letter should be sent to HMRC.
30.13 Item ref 26.2 Blocked drains – the Chairman had established that the ditch at the back of Arcadia Gardens belongs to Charlotte Jordan. He had written to her about this and she had acknowledged ownership and confirmed she would deal with it.
30.14 Item ref 26.5 Tree Warden – Coun Grove is to arrange to meet with Andrew Grimmer to undertake tree survey.
30.15 Item ref 26.7 Village Pond – Coun Reeve had contacted Pat Matthews, SCDC.
The Chairman suggested that if he is unable to deal with clearance the Parish Council should consider offering to pay for SCDC to do the work.
30.16 Item ref 26.8 Tomato Farm – the Clerk had reported the overhanging trees to Keith Faunch, CCC Highways and awaits a response.
30.17 Item ref 26.9 Cemetery Hedge – the Chairman suggested installing some form of barrier (such as netting) to stop balls going over in to the cemetery rather than palings which are likely to be knocked over.
30.18 Item ref 26.10 Wheelie bins – Coun Bolitho is to obtain a supply of 30mph speed limit roundels from SCDC.
31.1 Copies of the accounts and Annual Return had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Bailey that the accounts are approved and the Statement of Accounts on the Annual Return signed.
Each item of Section 2 (Governance Statement) of the Annual Return was read out by the Chairman, considered and then agreed. This section was signed by the Chairman and Clerk (RFO).
It was noted that Standing Orders and Financial Regulations need to be reviewed when the new Parish Council is in place in May.
LGS Services were appointed as internal auditors. The Clerk had arranged to take the accounts for inspection on 27th April.
The notice of audit will be displayed from 22nd April.
The Clerk had reviewed the insurance policy against the assets list and an amendment to the renewal quote had been submitted to AON to include the Multi Use Games Area. A revised quote is awaited.
32.1 Yesteryear Road Run, 25th April. Agreed that preferred route would be along Longstanton Road and straight over crossroads to Cambridge Road.
32.2 Connections Bus – agreed to pay for bus to visit 5 times during summer holidays.
32.3 Alliance and Leicester – proposal to transfer banking to Santander.
32.4 1st Oakington Cubs – agreed to give permission to use the part of the Rec that is used for the annual bonfire for two small campfires to teach the cubs how to make a campfire properly and safely.
32.5 Community Association – agreed to permit use of Recreation Ground for Village Day on 26th June and to pay for associated public liability insurance. Noted that smoking must not be permitted in the bar.
32.6 Circulation
CCC – Introduction of electronic consultation for planning applications
CCC – South Cambs Traffic Management Area Joint Comm. agenda 19th April
CCC – March update
The Ring bulletin winter/spring 2010
COPE newsletter April 2010
A Lansley, MP – results of youth facilities survey
A Lansley MP – potholes in Cambridgeshire
Connections Bus – March newsletter
NHS – Keeping in Touch Spring 2010
South Cambridgeshire Community Chest – grant scheme 2010/11
SCDC – Adoption of Statement of Community Involvement
CCC – Cambridgeshire Older People’s Newsletter Apr-Jun 2010
Parish Councils Liaison Meeting notes 23 March 2010
Couns D Jenkins and S Gymer (CCC) – annual report 2009/10.
33.1 UK Border Agency - former Oakington Barracks - continued use of land as immigration reception centre until June 2013 S/0438/10/F - no objections.
33.2 James Lucas, 27 High St - studio S/0420/10/F - no objections.
33.3 Stephen Green, 19 Mead View - front roof elevation S/0496/10/F- no objections.
34.1 Approval of outstanding accounts as follows:
| South Cambs DC | Cemetery rates 1.4.10-31.3.11 | 77.33 |
| MJB Data Ltd | hosting website Dec 2008 - Nov 2010 £70.50 + domain name renewal Apr 10-Mar 12 £17.63 | 88.13 |
| Gopak Ltd | 6 x tables (915x685) for sports pavilion (donation from Oakington Tennis Club) | 375.46 |
| Cambridge Water Plc | pavilion water 1.10.09-31.3.10 | 48.54 |
| Connections Bus Project | 10 visits 11.1.10-29.3.10 | 832.80 |
| CPALC | membership 2010-11 | 425.08 |
| T Leadley | pavilion caretaker salary 1.3.10-31.3.10 16 hours @£8 |
128.00 |
| L Lawrence | Clerk’s salary 16.3.10-19.4.10 37.5 hours @ £10.50 = £393.75 + phone allowance = £30.00 + travel expenses = £6.01 + pavilion admin = £31.50 + refund stamps purchased 16.3.10 = £23.76 |
485.02 |
| British Gas Business | pavilion electricity 1.3.10-31.3.10 | 319.44 |
| British Gas Business | pavilion gas 1.3.10-31.3.10 | 173.08 |
It was proposed by Coun Mowatt and seconded by Coun Graves that these bills be paid. Agreed.
35.1 Yellow plastic bollard in Westwick had left behind by CCC months ago.
35.2 Flooding signs (behind Water Lane bus shelter) and Road Closed sign (at crossroads) need to be collected by CCC.
35.3 Glass has still not been cleared from near school.
35.4 Numerous potholes in Queens Way. Also large pothole at crossroads.
35.5 A14 flyover signs are missing (Dry Drayton side).
(Coun Gymer will take up the above issues).
35.6 Westwick sign needs to be repaired (name plate is only attached on one side). Clerk will report to SCDC.
35.6 Coun Gymer reported that a new PCSO had been appointed for Oakington.
35.7 Coun Gymer had asked the Police Neighbourhood Panel to look at the airfield road again and try to come up with a solution to the continued illegal use.
35.8 Agreed that an external hard drive should be purchased to back-up computer files. This will be stored at the Pavilion.
The meeting closed at 8.40 pm.
powered by Typomania