Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 12th October 2009 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
Mr A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice Chairman, Mr J Bailey, Mr P Harradine, Mrs A Christie, Mrs J Grove, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), the Clerk and 2 members of the public.
Mr M Barnett, Mrs Y Graves, Coun S Gymer (SCDC) & Mrs A Christie (for late arrival)
– Page 5, paragraph 3 – insert ‘Part of the problem is lack of gullies in High Street’. The Minutes of the meeting of 7th September 2009 were then approved and signed by the Chairman.
None.
it was noted that the ‘kiss and drop’ at Swavesey had been put on hold.
In response to a question raised by the Chairman, Coun Jenkins was fairly confident that, as the GB had gone £30 million over budget, there would be no money left at the end of the project for the requested ‘kiss and drop’ at Oakington either.
He was able to confirm that the maintenance track would be properly surfaced from Gatehouse Rd at a later date. (The work would be undertaken by a CCC contractor rather than Nuttalls)
GB tickets are not interchangeable between Whippet and Stagecoach services. However, the Over 60’s smartcard passes can be used on both.
nothing new to report.
MUGA: Work had been completed by DOE Sports Ltd.
The Chairman had worked out how to operate the 7-day timer so that the lights can be set to work during hire periods only and are not left on all evening. He is investigating options for having either a key switch or fobs to operate it. The first booking will be on 13th October.
Two grant payments had been received in the last few days:
Donarbon - £10,000
WREN - £22,575
Cleaning – the Pavilion Committee is investigating the possibility of having contract cleaning done on a weekly basis which would free up some of caretaker’s time to work on maintaining the MUGA. (He would still be responsible for cleaning the changing rooms). The Clerk had met with two cleaning contractors and is awaiting quotes which will be presented to the Pavilion Comm. at the next meeting.
Tap – a request had been received from the Pavilion Comm. for a tap to be installed in one of changing rooms so that the caretaker doesn’t have walk through the hall with mop and bucket. It was noted that there is a tap in the outside store and suggested this could be used instead. However, in principle, there were no objections to the Pavilion Comm. installing a tap provided it is located in the Referee’s changing room.
the Chairman had produced some draft regulations. To be circulated for comment and approved at the next meeting.
Coun Reeves kindly offered to collect the black bin from Mr Bell.
– the external auditor had now requested copies of the VAT reclaims made during the year.
no applications had been received.
the Chairman had looked at the trees and felt they would be fine to leave for this year. Will review again next autumn.
the Chairman had produced a draft contract for Tony Leadley. However, this may need to be reviewed if contract cleaners are to be hired.
Couns Reeves & Grove had attended CPALC training recently and had been advised that it would be preferable for the caretaker to be hired on a renewable contract basis rather than being an employee due to the employer’s tax implications and the possible requirement to pay a pension to an employee.
It was noted that the Clerk is an employee and she is responsible for paying her own income tax (deducted from her main employer). Evidence of this is supplied to the internal auditor each year and no concerns had been raised about this.
It was agreed that Coun Reeves would contact CPALC for further advice (particularly regarding employer’s liability re NI).
Coun Grove reported that the WI is keen to help with litter picking and indicated that their members might take on responsibility for their own streets. Coun Grove suggested a possible joint Parish Council/WI litter-picking day with publicity in the community newsletter.
It was agreed to supply the WI with litter pickers. The Clerk will check prices at Greenhams.
Coun Reeves reported that he had litter-picked in Longstanton Road again today and had only collected two bags of rubbish this time which was a vast improvement on previous occasions.
It was agreed to plant some bulbs again this year. Coun Reeves offered to get them.
The Chairman had written to Andrew Lansley, MP stating that it is grossly unfair that the Parish Council would have to pay for an archaeological dig if the play area is redeveloped. Mr Lansley had responded that he would write to CCC regarding this matter.
Coun Grove offered to speak to David Crawford-White (Oxford Archaeology) about the possibility of any funding sources for a dig.
(It was noted that is unlikely that any potential play area grant funders would pay for a dig. Although, the Chairman stated it might be worth checking with the National Lottery Fund).
The Chairman also reported that the Pavilion Committee is in favour of the new play area being located on the existing site.
It was agreed to proceed with holding a public meeting. Coun Christie will arrange a date for the week commencing 2nd November.
discussed under ‘Pavilion Caretaker’.
Histon area neighbourhood panel meeting – 13th Oct, 7.30pm, Impington VC – the Chairman and Coun Reeves will attend.
A Lansley, MP – slow Broadband speeds. The Clerk had received approx 15 responses from residents, the vast majority of whom receive speeds of less than 2MB. She will report this back to Mr Lansley.
BT – a second invitation to adopt red telephone kiosk, Longstanton Rd. Declined.
Oakington School PSA – request to hold bonfire on Rec Ground on Sat 7th Nov. Agreed in principle but response will include a request for written confirmation that a risk assessment has been undertaken and that all statutory requirements will be complied with. (It was noted that the PSA has its own insurance for the event.)
Over Day Centre report – to be circulated and discussed at November meeting.
CCC – Sept update
Coun N Bolitho – Sept report
Flood Risk Management in the Great Ouse Catchment
C6 Bus Services – timetable changes with effect from 29.11.09
Cambridge Climate Change Charter – EXPO 23.10.09
Community Action, Autumn 09
Cambs ACRE Impact Report 2008/09
COPE newsletter, Oct 09
Connections Bus – newsletter Sept 09 & summer report
LCR, Autumn 09
CCC – Guided Busway – discharge of condition 3(a) (iv) – design & external appearance of Maintenance Track – responded that a bonded surface from Gatehouse Road to Oakington would be preferred as it would best serve the interests of cyclists.
Mr & Mrs Critchley, 12 Saxon Close – extension – no objections
Mr Bolandi, 8 Mead View – extension – no objections
| DOE Sport Ltd – Multi Use Games Area | 61568.55 |
| Total Protection Services – Pavilion fire extinguisher service | 52.67 |
| BT – Pavilion phone | 54.39 |
| Cambridge Water Plc – Pavilion water 1.4.09 – 30.9.09 | 13.44 |
| D Reeves – refund re mileage training course & Round Up | 50.00 |
| Oakington Community Association – annual contribution to Community newsletter production costs | 200.00 |
| T Leadley – Pavilion caretaker salary 1.9.09- 30.9.09 | 204.00 |
| L Lawrence - clerk's salary 8.9.09-12.10.09 37.5 hours @ £10.07 = £377.63 + phone allowance = £30.00 + travel expenses = £5.87 + Pavilion admin 2 hrs @ £10.07 = £20.14 |
433.63 |
| British Gas Business – Pavilion electricity 1.8.09-31.8.09 | 194.75 |
| British Gas Business – Pavilion gas 1.8.09- 31.8.09 | 84.06 |
| British Gas Business – Pavilion electricity 1.9.09-30.9.09 | 188.23 |
| British Gas Business - Pavilion gas 1.9.09 –30.9.09 | 84.51 |
| Total | 63,128.23 |
It was proposed by Coun Grove and seconded by Coun Harradine that these bills be paid.
The following hedges badly need cutting back:
- Water Lane (Mr Warboys)
- Water Lane, next to school (Mr Freeman had already agreed to cut back this autumn)
- Longstanton Road, bordering airfield (Mr Wright)
The Clerk will ask Matt Pickering (CCC) to contact the owners/persons responsible.
Coun Reeves requested that ‘Training Issues’ is placed on the agenda for the November meeting.
Coun Edwards (SCDC) reported that the inspector’s report on Site Specific Policies had been received. A number of representations to change the village framework in Oakington had been dismissed.
The inspector had determined that the conservation area in Longstanton should become part of Northstowe and he had stated that it would not be appropriate to include St Michaels in the conservation area.
Coun Edwards also reported that SCDC is looking at its 5-year finance strategy.
There had been a significant reduction in income this year due to fewer planning applications, associated development control fees and reduced interest being received.
It is highly likely that there will be no increase in Government grant next year (may even be a reduction)
The local government pension scheme is also underfunded and SCDC will have to increase its employer’s contribution from 21.7% to 33% over 6 years.
Therefore, significant budget savings will be required next year (at least £1.6 million)
Existing bank balances will be used to ‘soften the blow’. It had not yet been determined where the savings will come from.
In response to a question from the Chairman about responses to the Gypsy & Traveller consultation, Coun Edwards stated that, surprisingly, there had been some offers of land for sites over and above those put forward at the consultation.
There had also been the expected objections to some sites suggested.
He felt it likely that there would be another round of consultations on this.
In response to a question from Coun Reeves about the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) housing requirements and the effect on Northstowe, Coun Edwards stated that it is possible that a change of government could mean going back to a Structure Plan type of arrangement with Local Plans which could have implications for Northstowe.
The Chairman reported that a ‘barrel’ of documents had been received regarding the A14 upgrade. These would be left in the Pavilion office for anyone who is interested in looking at them.
Mrs Warboys reported that there had been a favourable response to Mr Ralph Warboys plaque on the Baptist Chapel.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm