Oakington and Westwick Parish Council
MINUTES of meeting of the Parish Council held on 7th September 2009 at the Sports Pavilion, Queens Way, Oakington at 7.30 pm.
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 7 members of the public.
Mrs Y Graves, Coun T Wotherspoon (SCDC), Coun N Bolitho (SCDC), Coun S Gymer (CCC) & Mrs A Christie (late arrival)
The Minutes of the meeting of 13th July 2009 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.
None
One application had been received for the vacancy from Mr Matthew Barnett.
Proposed by Coun Reeves and seconded by Coun Bailey that Mr Barnett be co-opted on to the Parish Council. All agreed.
nothing new to report.
nothing new to report
MUGA – work is almost complete. Astroturf had just been delivered and is awaiting fitting.
The Chairman reported that some of the lighting had not been installed as per the contract – 7 day timer not been fitted and access to the switches to turn off lights is via a metal cabinet that requires a key to unlock. Three phase socket fitted inside metal box, instead of outside. DOE Sport has asked the electrical company to rectify.
It was noted that the MUGA lights had also been coming on at night – now switched off in the main building.
Planning consent stipulates that MUGA lights will need to be off by 9.30pm. (The MUGA can be let until 9.30 as the secondary lights will stay on for 10 minutes)
The Chairman had purchased 10 locks for the gates, using same the key.
Intruder Alarm – the Clerk reported that it would cost £199 + VAT for BT to install an extension to existing phone in bowls cupboard and Dents could supply a dialler for £165 +VAT. Agreed to defer decision on this for time being.
Broken window – window is shattered but appears to be intact. Agreed to leave it for the time being.
Chairman is still looking into the new regulations.
The clerk will ask Mr Bartingale to cut back the hedge and under the two trees.
letter of thanks had been received from the Warboys family.
the Clerk will arrange to collect the additional black bin supplied to Mr Bell.
the Clerk had received a letter from Moore Stephens on 4th Sept (3 months after the audit was submitted) requesting more than 20 additional pieces of information. She will supply this as soon as possible.
now finalised, signed by Chairman and returned. One copy will be kept in Parish Council files.
letter had been received from SCDC confirming that Joan Sidaway’s vacancy should now be filled by co-option. Advert will be placed in September community newsletter.
problem of cars parked on footway seems to have abated lately.
quotes for pollarding to be obtained in the next couple of months.
The Chairman had checked the minutes of July 08 and it had been agreed that the Parish Council would pay the caretaker’s salary with the Pavilion Committee being responsible for hiring.
Tony Leadley had not yet received a contract. The Pavilion Committee had looked into obtaining employer’s liability insurance but insurers were either not interested in such small business or the cost would be prohibitive. Mr Leadley would automatically be covered under the Parish Council insurance policy if he were to become an employee.
Proposed by Coun Grove and seconded by Coun Harradine that Tony Leadley should be employed by the Parish Council with immediate effect. All agreed.
It was also agreed that the Chairman should be his line manager.
A draft job description & contract will be prepared in consultation with Mr Leadley and circulated for approval.
Some concerns were expressed about some apparent shortcomings of the Pavilion Committee in relation to some business related matters. The Chairman reminded everyone that the Parish Council has reserved the right to take back control of the management of the pavilion if required. However, it was agreed that the Parish Council should support the Committee as much as possible to make the existing arrangements work.
Coun Reeves invited views on the current levels of litter in the village. Currently, one or two members pick litter regularly on a voluntary basis.
He queried if this is sufficient or should other options be considered such as a rota?
Coun Jenkins commented that Histon & Impington have ‘enviro volunteers’ (Parish Council sub-committee) who clear up the green spaces.
The Clerk will check if the Parish Council insurance would cover members of the public to do voluntary litter picking.
Two members of the public said that they would do their bit as they walked the streets.
Coun Edwards agreed to find out if South Cambs DC insurance would cover voluntary groups.
Coun Reeves will put a note in the newsletter advising residents that the Parish Council no longer employs a litter picker and suggest that people might consider ‘doing their bit’.
Coun Grove will ask the WI if they are prepared to get involved.
Coun Christie handed out a report prepared by Angela Mortier. (Play Area Committee)
It concluded that the proposed new play area should not be located on the existing site due to the likely significant cost of an archaeological dig (estimated at approx £75,000) and recommended that it should be located on the former scout hut site.
Coun Christie reported that the archaeologists would probably want to do a test dig in that area but don’t anticipate finding remains/artefacts due to its proximity to the ditch.
Draft plans of various suggested play area designs were shown to the Parish Council. These showed that the thinking is that the whole of the end of the Rec where the Scout Hut used to be, up to and including the site of the village bonfire, would all be utilised, including equipment for much older persons.
A very lengthy discussion between everybody present then took place on the pros and cons of several potential sites within the Recreation Ground.
The Chairman stressed that it is prudent to keep as much as possible of the existing grassed area free in order to optimise the opportunities for future sporting use, and that first hand experience tells us that the existing location is the best, because when it was previously hidden from view vandals took over and those who it was intended for were excluded.
Coun. Harradine stressed that he would not support major funding from the Parish Council.
It was acknowledged that Coun Christie and the play committee had done a great deal of work on this and had put forward some good arguments.
However, it was agreed that a proper consultation with residents as to where the play area should be located would be required before the Parish Council would make a decision.
Coun Christie will draft an item for the village newsletter inviting comments/views from residents. This will be followed by a public meeting to be facilitated by the Parish Council – date to be arranged.
The ROSPA report dated April 09 had been reviewed. The report is essentially the same as for previous years and so the points were noted but agreed that no action was required at this stage.
Comberton PC – re Chairman’s Delegation Procedure (Planning) – Chairman read out letter. Coun Edwards reported that SCDC is reviewing this at present and it is likely that Chairman’s Delegation will be scrapped.
CCC – Emergency Planning Awareness Seminar, SCDC on 1st Oct at 6pm – Chairman will attend.
A Lansley, MP – Gypsy & Traveller Development Plan document – Chairman read out letter and his response which included his take of what our formal response will be.
Local Works – promoting Sustainable Communities Act
East of England Plan 2031 – Public Consultation Event 10.9.09
SCDC – confirmation that Joan Sidaway’s vacancy should be filled by co-option
Graham Lowe, CCC Highways – response to letter requesting reduction in speed limit to 30mph in Cambridge Road. Mr Lowe stated that the national review of speed limits on A & B roads is still in progress and likely to take until 2011. Therefore, CCC is not in a position to undertake reviews outside the A & B network.
SCDC – Swine Flu vaccination centres. Clerk has provided details of the Pavilion that could be used for smaller scale vaccinations where ‘vulnerable’ people may be vaccinated.
Northstowe Parish Forum – Thursday 10th September, 7pm at Cottenham VC. Chairman & Vice chair will attend.
CCC – swine flu antiviral distribution centre volunteers
Cambridgeshire Transport Commission Report
COPE newsletter, Sept 09
NHS – Invitation to AGM of Princess of Wales Hospital – 22 Sept at 6.30pm
Standards Committee Newsletter, Summer 09
Andrew Lansley,MP – Microsoft donations for charities.
D Jenkins & S Gymer, CCC – August report
Carillion WSP – A14 Northern Bypass – major resurfacing scheme
CCC – Community Engagement Strategy – Consultation 1 Sept – 24 Nov.
Clerks & Councils Direct, Sept 09
Tree Warden Scheme meeting 8th October at SCDC
RAF – Pathfinder March, 20 June 09
Fernbrae Estates Overseas Ltd – offices at Level Crossing, Station Road – removal of condition 3 of planning permission S/1745/02/F (new vehicular access approved under Cambridgeshire Guided Busway at Oakington Junction. No objections but there needs to be a restriction on use of the car park so it can’t be used by guided bus passengers.
Mrs Dean, 57 Station Road – repollard of willow tree – no objections
Bedford Markets – land at Oakington Business Park – change of use from pasture land to land to be used for public car boot sales on Saturdays & Bank Holidays (retrospective application) – approved.
| Dent Security Systems – engineer call out to adjust camera 3, Pavilion & clean camera fronts | 74.75 |
| Connections Bus Project – 15 visits @£83.28 from 20.4.09 to 24.8.09 | 1249.20 |
| L Lawrence - clerk's salary 14.7.09 to 7.9.09 60 hours @ £10.07 = 604.20 + telephone allowance = 60.00 + travel expenses = 5.87 + Pavilion admin, 3.5 hour @ 10.07 = 35.25 |
705.32 |
| J Milton - refund re 10 padlocks & keys for barriers/MUGA gates | 114.00 |
| British Gas Business – Pavilion gas 1.6.09 – 30.6.09 | 81.73 |
| British Gas Business – Pavilion electricity 1.6.09 – 30.6.09 | 176.98 |
| British Gas Business – Pavilion gas 1.7.09 – 31.7.09 | 82.54 |
| British Gas Business – Pavilion electricity 1.7.09 –31.7.09 | 164.83 |
It was proposed by Coun Harradine and seconded by Coun Reeves that these bills be paid.
Agreed.
Coun Jenkins outlined the main items of his written report. He reported that Oakington would be in the cheaper band for guided bus fares.
The Chairman asked him to take up the issue of overgrown hedges and suggest that CCC start the process of cutting them back earlier in the year.
Coun Grove reported that the garden of one of Mill Road’s residents was very badly flooded after the heavy rainfall of 6th Aug. The Chairman stated that the Station Road ditch clearance had helped ease the flooding problem slightly but the gullies need to be cleared out again as they are silting up. The Clerk will report this to Matt Pickering (and Water Lane). Part of the problem is lack of gullies in High Street.
The Tomato Farm trees have still not been cut back and are obscuring lights and signs, Matt Pickering had written to the owner about this already. The Clerk will ask him to follow up.
A sweeper will need to be purchased to clean the MUGA surface (cost approx £4000). The Clerk will remind the Pavilion Committee that it is needed.
Coun Barnett will include a note in the newsletter acknowledging that the Parish Council contributes £200 per year to the running costs.
A football match had taken place on the Rec between teams from Cottenham and Sawston without permission of the Parish Council. The Chairman had been alerted to this and went along and informed the teams that they should have booked in advance. He obtained the £20 hire fee from them.
Coun Edwards had been asked by SCDC to promote two jointly funded services offered – Relate and Cambridgeshire & District Mediation Service. He handed the Parish Council two information leaflets.
A member of the public reported that the link is broken on the website to minutes dated 2007 and earlier. Coun Barnett will rectify.
The meeting closed at 9.55 pm