Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 19th July 2010 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
Mr J Bailey, Mr P Harradine, Mr D Reeves (Chairman), Mrs J Grove, Mrs J Mowatt (Vice-chair), Mr L Navarro, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun L Harford (SCDC) Coun S Gymer (CCC), the Clerk and 6 members of the public.
65. Mr M Barnett, Mrs A Christie and Coun D Jenkins (CCC)
66. The Minutes of the meeting of 14th June 2010 – item ref 54.6 delete ‘Harland’, insert ‘Harford’. The minutes were then approved and signed by the Chairman.
67. None
68. Ref Item 12. Mrs Graves reported there was a dog running around loose on the Rec this evening.
69. Coun Jenkins June report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Coun Gymer reported that there is a Local Transport Plan consultation in progress.
She will enquire if it would be possible for the guided bus lights to be turned off until the system is operational. (BAM Nuttall responsibility)
There is still money in CCC budget for the maintenance track to be paved between Histon and Oakington. This will be dealt with when handed over to CCC.
In response to a question about transparency of the whole guided bus project, she confirmed that many questions had been asked but there can’t be an official enquiry until the track is handed over to CCC.
In response to a question about the future of Northstowe without the A14 improvements, Coun Gymer confirmed that the NIAB development had been limited to 350 houses as a result and Northstowe would be reduced by a similar percentage if the improvements don’t go ahead.
Council accepted her offer to enquire if yellow lines outside school could be considered and funded.
70. Coun Harford’s June report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
The glass had now been cleared in Water Lane.
Graffiti on Give Way sign had been reported and she had now emailed a photo of it to the relevant dept.
Obscured road signs near Orchard Way don’t conform to current standards, so she will ask for them to be replaced.
Coun Edwards reported the following:
1. Full Council meeting this week will include approval of appointment of new chief executive.
2. Housing service – under government capital pooling rules, 75% of capital receipts have to go to the government for redistribution to poorer areas.
Many of the sheltered houses in South Cambs are shared equity. The occupant leases the percentage they don’t own. SCDC is obliged to buy back the occupants % of the property which they sell. However, when SCDC sold the % of the property the money was subject to the 75% pooling rule. Therefore, when SCDC buys it back it has to fund the shortfall from reserves which have now run out.
Two options are being considered:
Either transferring the empty property to a housing association on piecemeal basis when they become vacant or borrowing to fund the shortfall, total approx £6.5million. (This is the recommendation to council).
The other issue is Housing Revenue Account review. Current proposal is to re-distribute national HRA debt among all authorities and SCDC is likely to be given around £200 million of this debt. In return, it would no longer be subject to pooling or negative subsidy so would keep the £11.5 million lost in negative subsidy and keep all capital receipts. The £11.5 million would go to service the debt which would take around 30 years to pay off.
The £200 million debt would have to be paid back from tenants rents.
71.1 Item Ref 54.1 Station Road Ditch – the Chairman will follow up with Mr Milton.
71.2 Item Ref 54.3 Tomato Farm Leylandii – Coun Gymer reported that Highways had spoken to the owner who had agreed to cut back. A letter will also be sent to as a follow up.
71.3 Item Ref 54.4 Cemetery Hedge – pro-forma invoice had been received for 2 x 10 yard lengths of chestnut fencing to fill in gaps in hedge – cost £77.25 +VAT.
Cheque prepared for signing.
71.4 Item Ref 54.5 Accounts 2009/10 – external audit had been completed and Notice of Conclusion together with copies of accounts placed on notice boards.
Proposal form had been sent to AON for additional Fidelity Guarantee cover. The Clerk will chase up.
71.5 Item Ref 54.6 Highways Issues –the following were reported:
· Obscured street light near tomato farm
· Road signs missing on A14 junction
· Overhanging trees and bushes in Longstanton Road (The Limes)
· Overhanging bushes in Cambridge Road opposite Forge End
71.6 Item Ref 61.3 Telephone Kiosk – kiosk is not yet under threat of removal by BT. Therefore, on advice received from David Bevan, SCDC agreed to defer consideration re adoption of the kiosk.
72.1 Wildflower area – agreed in principle to have a wildflower area on the dig site next to existing play area. Also agreed to accept Mr Leadley’s offer to obtain further advice.
Coun Grove reported that a river had been found under the site of the proposed new play area.
73.1 Coun Grove had met with Roz Richardson, Tree Officer SCDC. The chestnut at the far end of Rec is diseased and needs to come down. Agreed it should be cut to ground level and wood taken away. Couns Mowatt and Harradine will obtain quotes. (Noted 3 quotes would be required if cost will be more than £1,000).
SCDC had offered to supply a replacement tree. Type to be agreed at next meeting.
74.1 Item deferred to Sept meeting due to absence of Coun Barnett.
75.1 VAT – the Chairman had written to local VAT inspector on 29th June but had not yet received a response. Agreed he should wait 2 more weeks and then write to the VAT office at Ipswich for further guidance.
75.2 Boiler – this must be serviced annually.
Two quotes had been received.
Proposed to Coun Grove and seconded by Coun Mowatt to accept the British Gas quote of £28.33 per month which covers annual servicing, unlimited call outs, parts and labour.
75.3 Keys – the Clerk confirmed that Mr Milton had returned his set of pavilion keys and the key register updated accordingly.
75.4 MUGA lighting – Mr Leadley confirmed that he knows how to operate the timer system.
76.1 Signs – item deferred to Sept meeting. (Coun Barnett tasked to look into cost of signage directing dog owners to the dog walking area behind the cemetery)
76.2 Dog bins – Coun Harford agreed to make enquiries about installation of a dog waste bin near the Mill Road bus stop.
77.1 Item deferred to Sept meeting. (Coun Barnett tasked to investigate options for enhanced cutting of Rec grass).
78.1 The Chairman had met with Couns Jenkins, Gymer and 2 CCC officers to look at various site options:
1. Adjacent to guided busway – officers felt this should remain as a grassed area as would cover and preserve a large area of archaeology.
2. Rear of proposed Mansel Farm development – quality of land in question.
3. Part of 30 acre field alongside garden centre – no discussion with landowner had taken place.
Couns Mowatt and Christie are to arrange a meeting with Mr Koehler, secretary of Cambridge Road allotments.
Coun Grove reported that if a site is identified for a community orchard, SCDC would be willing to help supply trees for planting.
79.1 The Chairman and Clerk had reviewed the new model Standing Orders and these had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Proposed by Coun Grove and seconded by Coun Harradine that the revised Standing Orders should be adopted. All agreed.
80.1 The Chairman and Clerk had reviewed the model Financial Regulation and these had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Proposed by Coun Mowatt and seconded by Coun Grove that the Financial Regulations should be adopted. All agreed.
81.1 Cemetery Fees:
Proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Bailey that these should not be increased for 2010-11.
81.2 Charges and Payments:
Proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Bailey as follows:
Clerk’s salary – moves one point up LC1 scale to spinal point 24 with effect from 1st April 2010.
(as in accordance with NALC recommendations.)
Pavilion caretaker salary – to be agreed at annual appraisal meeting in July.
Tennis Club – annual fee for rental of tennis courts - £165
Chairman’s allowance - £110 per annum
Recreation Ground - £20 for use by organisations outside parish
Fairground Letting - £150 deposit (returnable if the ground is cleared satisfactorily.) + £150 fee.
Reward for information that leads to a conviction of a person who damages PC property - £150.
Parking Bay Licence Fee (15 Queens Way) - £10
82.1 Item deferred to Sept meeting as Coun Christie was not present.
83.1 Item deferred to Sept meeting as Coun Christie was not present.
84.1 Citi 5 bus – Sunday service reverting to Citi 6 from 1 August 10.
84.2 Moore Stephens – notification of conclusion of external audit for 2009/10.
84.3 Oakington PCC – request for signs directing visitors to St Andrews Church to be installed at the crossroads and junction Water Lane/High Street. Letter forwarded to CCC Highways Dept as Parish Council does not have the power to provide street signs.
84.4 CCC – Mobile Library Service – proposed change to service – 4th Thurs of month, 2.30-2.45pm.
84.5 The Chairman had accepted an invitation to attend a visit to Immigration Reception on 23rd July with Julian Huppert, MP and Coun Jenkins.
84.6 Circulation:
SCDC – meeting notes from Parish Planning Forum, 14 June
Community Action, Summer 2010
A Lansley, MP – abolition of Regional Planning and new measures to tackle unauthorised development.
Clerks and Councils Direct – July 10
NHS – Keeping in Touch, Summer 10
CCC – proposed changes to mobile library routes from Oct 10.
COPE newsletter, July 10
Luminus News, Summer 10
CCC – D Jenkins June report
SCDC – L Harford June report
85.1 Potential redevelopment of Mansel Farm – the Chairman had spoken to CCC officers about this. Plan is for approx 30 affordable housing units plus 6/10 larger private dwellings. The existing farm building would be demolished. The site falls within the village envelope and the affordable housing would be an exception site. S106 was discussed and the potential for the green area to be a community orchard.
85.2 Decisions
Dr Hodgkiss, 38 Days Meadow Ref S/0581/10/F – raising of roof and insertion of dormer window – refused.
R Hales, Arcade Farm, 22 Water Lane Ref S/0683/10/F – erection of 3 dwellings and 1 flat (to extend the limit time for implementation) – approved
R Denton-Cowell, 1 Longstanton Rd Ref S/0662/10/F – change of use from retail to beauty salon – approved
86.1Approval of outstanding accounts as follows:
Moore Stephens – annual return 2009/10 660.35
Clarkes of Walsham – 2 x 10 yrd rolls of chestnut fencing 90.77
Stearn Construction Ltd – digger hire, excavation and backfill
Ref dig. (3 x invoices) 134.70
CPALC – J Mowatt – Prof Dev training - £105.00
D Reeves – Chairmanship training - £70.00 175.00
South Cambs DC – cost of uncontested parish election 135.00
Oakington C of E Primary – hire of hall for AGM on 28.4.10 10.00
T Leadley – caretaker’s salary June 2010 (timesheet submitted) 176.00
L Lawrence – clerk’s salary 15.6.10 –19.7.10 (37.5 hrs)
+ telephone allowance = £30.00
+ travel expenses = £6.01
+ pavilion admin = £21.00
+ refund Local Council Admin books = £76.82 527.58
Direct Debits
British Gas Business – pavilion electricity 1.6.10-30.6.10 217.57
British Gas Business – pavilion gas 1.6.10-30.6.10 95.20
4222.16
It was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Mowatt that these bills be paid. All agreed.
87.1 The dig site huts are to be removed shortly.
87.2 A Queens Way resident had objected to the proposed siting of the new play area opposite her property.
87.3 Request for Yesteryear Road Run to be placed on Sept agenda,
87.4 Comment that the archaeologists did get a bit rowdy around 1-2am one night.
87.5 The Chairman is undertaking producing a complete map of the parish drainage system.
The meeting closed at 8.59pm.
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