Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 7th December 2009 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
Mr A Milton (Chairman), Mr D Reeves (Vice chairman), Mrs Y Graves, Mr P Harradine, Mrs A Christie, Mrs J Grove, Mr M Barnett, Coun S Edwards (SCDC), Coun D Jenkins (CCC), the Clerk and 3 members of the public.
Mr J Bailey, Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun S Gymer (CCC) and Coun D Jenkins (CCC) - for late arrival.
The Minutes of the meeting of 9th November 2009 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
All members - due to letter of support written to SCDC regarding Oakington Garden Centre planning application ref s/1503/09/F
One application had been received from Mrs Joanna Mowatt.
Proposed by Coun Groves and seconded by Coun Reeves that Mrs Mowatt should be co-opted. As Mrs Mowatt was unable to attend this meeting, the Clerk will confirm this appointment in writing.
Mr Ken Carstairs, Seals Swimming Ltd had been invited to attend the meeting to elaborate on his proposal to convert the building at West Goods Yard into a leisure facility for young people and to build a new swimming pool on the site.
First, the Chairman read out extracts of previous planning consultation responses submitted by the Parish Council in 2002, 2006 and 2009. The main concern raised in all three related to potential increased vehicle movements to and from the site.Mr Carstairs then outlined his plans to redevelop the existing building (currently B2 classified) into a 'youth club/attraction' for young people which would include high tech equipment such as a cycle machine, rowing machine and dance mats to encourage physical activity. Proposed sessions are 4.00pm - 6.30pm for ages 9 to 12 and 7.00pm - 9.30pm for ages 13-17. During the day he envisaged it would be used as a meeting place for parents & young children with perhaps small café area/kitchen.
He would be targeting young people from the Impington VC, Cottenham VC and Swavesey VC catchment areas.
The hall measures approx 14m x 8m. Attendee numbers would be restricted (to approx 30) via a web-based/phone booking system. The front of the building would be used as an office.
His action plan is to make the building sustainable. Then he hopes to build a swimming pool (approx 12 m x 6m) on land to the rear of the building. This will accommodate small groups of approx 12. He confirmed there is a legal restriction on numbers according to the size of the pool but as it will be mainly used for swimming classes, actual numbers will be much lower than the permitted maximum.
There followed a lengthy discussion about traffic levels during peak times. It was agreed that in principle the Parish Council would support this application as it will be an asset for the village but would stipulate that sessions should not be permitted to start until 9.30am.
It was also suggested that a 'keep clear' area could be painted at the entrance to help alleviate any traffic problems.
In response to a question, Coun Edwards (SCDC) confirmed that any new application outside the village framework has to be judged on current planning policies. The Chairman will write to Mr Carstairs outlining the points raised and confirming Parish Council support in principle.
noted this is now likely to be subject to a court case as the contractor (BAM Nuttall) is in dispute with Cambs County Council over the final cost. Coun Graves reported that the maintenance track is flooded near the Oakington stop.
noted this is now set to become an 'ecotown'.
Building - the final certificate and certificate of making good had been received from CHS Architects. However, there is still an issue with the hall double doors letting in water. This leakage had been reported early on and the contractors had attended a site visit with Tony Leadley. It was agreed to pay the final invoice presented this evening but to ask Murfitts and CHS Architects to attend another site meeting with the Parish Council to try to resolve.
Cleaning - T R Cleaning had been appointed by the Pavilion Committee on a 3-month trial for 2 hours per week. They will also clean the windows inside and out every 8 weeks. The Chairman will amend the caretaker's job description accordingly.
draft regulations had been circulated but not yet seen by everyone. Therefore, agreed to defer this until the next meeting.
Coun Reeves had collected the black bin from Mr Bell and it is now located at the Pavilion. The Chairman had purchased 6 litter pickers at a total cost of £6.
external audit had been completed and Notice of Completion displayed for the required period. There were no issues or concerns raised.
Coun Christie reported that there is no European funding available for archaeological digs. The Play Committee is in the process of instructing the archaeologists to advise on test digs. Noted that these should not take place during wet conditions as they do not 'make good' after the digs.
Coun Barnett reported that Gavin Stearn had agreed to angle grind the bolts on the camel ride and refix it with Coun Barnett's help.
Coun Reeves had attended a recent management meeting. He reported that the charge made to the parish councils only covers approx 30% of the running costs. This charge would be increasing by 5% next year as other funding sources had reduced.
Pinch Point, Cambridge Rd - Coun Jenkins will follow up on the enquiry re potential Northstowe Rights of Way funding for a new footway to the side of the bridge to allow the pinch point to be removed.
Coun Reeves reported that Barbara Clark, SCDC Conservation team had agreed to consider the proposition for some sort of weather protection for the graves. The Chairman pointed out that CCC Northstowe Rights of Way should be informed if this goes ahead as they had paid for the cleaning work on the graves.
both the Clerk and Coun Reeves had contacted SCDC regarding the leaf clearance programme but neither had received the promised call back!
Coun Grove had given Coun Gymer (CCC) copies of photos of the flooding in Mill Road but had not had a response, The Chairman had informed Matt Pickering that new gullies are needed up the hill, because silt carried by the run off water is the source of the problem.
Coun Grove and her husband had agreed to become joint village tree warden.
Coun Reeves had been advised by Ian Dewar, CPALC that fortnightly planning meetings should be scheduled. Notice of a planning meeting is only required if an application comes in within 7 days of that meeting. If we receive an application which will miss the SCDC deadline then we should apply for an extension.
Coun Edwards reported that applications are advertised on SCDC website as soon as received. He will check if the weekly planning list is still circulated.
After some discussion, it was agreed that the full council would form the planning committee with a quorum of three. (to include either the Chair or Vice-chair).
Shaun White will be PCSO for Cottenham, Oakington & Rampton until the end of December 09.
proposal to redevelop premises at West Goods Yard, Station Road into a community centre/youth facility and swimming pool.
proposed new small area of woodland off Gatehouse Road. The Chairman read out the e-mail received. As well as having open access to the community it is proposed that the planting will be done by the local community with contractor backup. Noted that CCC owns the farmland but the track is possibly privately owned.
Nicola Bailey, Hyder Consulting UK Ltd - requesting flooding information in the general area of the Cross Roads (looking into a potential development site). The Clerk was instructed to refer her back to the Environment Agency as we can only provide anecdotal evidence, and we would not want anybody to rely on such information to influence any decision that they take in respect of any potential Planning Application.
Clerks & Councils Direct November 09
CCC - Parish Paths Partnership 2010/11
A Lansley MP - provision of youth facilities in South Cambs
Carillion WSP - A14 Huntingdon: Railway viaduct joint replacement & resurfacing scheme
NHS - Keeping In Touch Winter 2009
D Jenkins & S Gymer - CCC Nov report
Oakington Garden Centre - replacement of glasshouse with coffee shop and toilet facilities, extension to open sided canopies and new balancing pond. Ref S/1503/09/F. A letter of Parish Council support had been sent to the applicant. However, this application was looked at afresh at this evening's meeting. No objections were raised.
Decisions
Mr Bolandi, 8 Mead View - extension - approved
C J Murfitt Ltd - final invoice, Pavilion building works: 16164.03
Moore Stephens - annual audit fee 2008/09: 1006.25
The Alarm Company - engineer attendance, Pavilion security system: 74.75
T Leadley - caretaker salary 1.11.09 - 30.11.09
L Lawrence - Clerk's salary 9.11.09 - 7.12.09
... 30 hours @ £10.50 = £315.00
... + phone allowance = £30.00
... + travel expenses - £6.10
... + 3.5 hours Pavilion admin = £36.75
... 387.85
Direct Debits
British Gas - Pavilion Gas 1.10.09 - 31.10.09: 95.57
British Gas - Pavilion Electricity 1.10.09-31.10.09: 215.05
17934.50
It was proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Graves that these bills be paid. However, it was agreed that a letter be sent to C J Murfitt Ltd. Making it clear that we require the problem of the leaking doors causing failures of the alarm sensors plus the potential for damage to the wooden flooring to be satisfactorily corrected.
A resident had complained about the tree roots protruding through the footpath between Coles Lane and Water Lane. Noted that the Parish Council is not responsible for this land or the footpath.
Drain Problems - Clerk to report to Matt Pickering
Water Lane (opposite Mr Wilson's old house)
On road both sides of Guided Busway
At Crossroads (car sales side)
Outside Mansell Farm
One interactive sign is not working. (first one over the track towards Cottenham).
Several branches in the brook near Busway. The water is flowing but debris starting to collect. The Clerk will report to Environment Agency.
Station Road ditch needs to be cleaned out (vegetation and litter).
More complaints had been received about dogs fouling the Recreation Ground. A 'No Dogs' sign was suggested but after some discussion it was decided to take this to the annual parish meeting next April to obtain residents views banning dogs on the Rec, because several responsible residents who conscientiously clear up after their dogs regularly exercise their dogs there.
Coun Barnett enquired if issues raised at Parish Council meetings could be published in the community newsletter. He was advised that matters discussed are generally in the public domain and he should use his own judgement on what to publish but if in doubt to refer to the Chairman.
It was noted that there is often information about Rampton village in the newsletter. Coun Barnett responded that only not for profit events are included and it is an editorial decision on how to fill the space. The Chairman stated that it would be nice to see a reciprocal arrangements and to perhaps extend this to other local villages.
The Chairman had attended the SCDC Parish Liaison meeting on 25th November.
One of the agenda items was the new S106 arrangements regarding small housing developments. The contribution is made by the developer to the parish and the amount based on the number of bedrooms the property has. The funds have to be allocated to a capital project for leisure or play facilities for the village and must be spent within 5 years. It can't be used to pay off debts or for running costs. (Allotments would qualify). He also reported that SCDC are looking to recover and sell on the green boxes when the new blue wheelie bins come into use next year.
Coun Edwards reported that SCDC had agreed a £1.6million package of savings for 2010/11.
There were no questions/comments from members of the public.
The meeting closed at 9.30pm.
powered by Typomania