Minutes of the monthly meeting of Waterbeach Parish Council held on Tuesday, 1st June, 2004 at 7.30 p.m. in the New Pavilion.

Present:  Mr. D. Benton; Mr. N. Brown; Dr. C. Grant; Mr. D. Halsey; Mrs. S. Kay; Mr. M. Leeke: Mr. R. Lovett;  Mr. W. Saberton; Mr. Williamson; Mr. A. Wright (Chairman)

In attendance:  Cllr. Mrs. J. Coston, the Clerk.

  1. Apologies:  Mrs. J. Cornwell; Mr. W. Grant; Mrs. N. O’Horo; Mr. A. Shipp.
  2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4th May, 2004:

It was agreed that it should be recorded under matters arising that Mr. Saberton had requested a loop system in the new pavilion and that Mr. Wright had agreed to look into it.  With this addition the Minutes were agreed and signed.

  1. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 4th May, 2004:

Mr. D. Armstrong had agreed to be the footpath representative for the Council.  A reply from Mrs. Gooding concerning representation on the Twinning committee was awaited.

Way Lane entrance to school – a meeting had not yet been arranged.  The school secretary should be contacted by the Clerk.

Mr. Hobbs had been written to and had telephoned the Clerk whilst she was away.  The Clerk is awaiting a further telephone call from him.

Youth provision – suggested dates for a meeting are awaited from Geoff Redhead and Robin Giles.

Cllr. Mrs. Coston and Mr. N. Brown had met CCC highways representative to discuss work in Chittering.  The work was being carried out on the day of the meeting.

Cllr. Mrs Coston reported that she had received an e.mail from Philip Sharpe, CCC, stating that the double yellow lines had not been laid as advertised.

Mrs. Kay reported that the Colts Football keys had been found.

  1. To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 26th May, 2004

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th May were approved and signed

  1. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 26th May, 2004.

Berry House fence – Mr. Belcham, SCDC planning should be asked if a supplementary application for this planning application is needed as it is in a conservation area.

Mr. Wright is investigating all the necessary contracts and forms required for the employment of the groundsman.

  1. Planning Applications:

i.        Mr. Mrs. Lavender, 50 Rosemary Road – extensions.  Approved subject to neighbours

ii.       L. Sadler & D. Field, Orchards, School Lane, Chittering – increase height of boundary fence from 2 metres to 2.4 metre.  Approved subject to neighbours

iii.     D. Shipp, 11 Way Lane – garage.  Approved subject to neighbours.  It was agreed that it should be brought to the notice of the planners that permission had already been given for a garage with the original plans for extension.

iv.     O. Johnson, 30 Station Road – top & fell sycamore, remove large limb of apple tree.  Approved.

v.      Stuart Driver – street trading consent to sell kebabs and burgers The Green.  Refused.

SCDC replies:

Approved:

Hayler Developments, r/o 13 Pieces Lane – 2 houses.

Cambridge Community Church, 51 Pembroke Avenue – change of use to public worship, assembly and leisure.

Mr. Mrs. Askham, Dog & Duck Farm, Long Drove – annexe. 

B. Langley, 28a Station Road – addition of pitched roof to stables.

Refused:

Miss S.J. Colclough, 89 Way Lane – erection of 3 dwellings following demolition of existing dwelling.

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Notice of Appeal:

J. Jefford, The Bungalow, Long Drove – retention of building and use as store and security office together with boundary screening to existing scrapyard.

       7.  Recreation Ground Matters – RGUC minutes previously circulated.

The minutes of the RGUC were discussed and noted.  The following comments and decisions were made:

Skateboard fence – this had been damaged almost immediately after repair.  The Clerk advised that the chain link fence be replaced with a more substantial fence.  The Clerk would try to obtain

estimates for alternative fencing before the annual inspection of the recreation ground.

Tennis court fence – this matter is being dealt with by the solicitor.  It was agreed that the insurance brokers be written to with the facts concerning the fence and the action taken to date and advise sought on the action which should be taken.

Dog signs – these had been collected by the Clerk who had arranged for their installation at the three entrances that were agreed by the Council.  All clubs should be asked to re-enforce the dog rules to their members, their families and their supporters.  The Clerk had again tried to contact the dog warden with reference to the supply of dog litter bags and notes for the groundsman to hand out.

Beer festival – It was agreed that the Council should write to Philip Law with praise for the organisation and success of the event.  It is understood that £2000 had been raised of which £1000 is for club funds, £500 for the hospice and £500 for the school.

Item 7.2 of the RGUC minutes (Cambs, F.A. training course request) – it was agreed that this matter is not for the RGUC.  Any request should be put to the Parish Council who would make a considered decision.

Bowls club pavilion – the Clerk would obtain the recommended product for the bowls club members to apply.

Future of the RGUC – the comments of the RGUC were noted and a discussion of the Council was held.  The Council representatives would discuss the matter further at the meeting of the RGUC to be held on 8th June.

Other Recreation Ground Matters -  Mr. Williamson agreed to start to formulate a risk assessment.  It was considered of utmost importance that a risk assessment of working conditions was in place before 1st July.

Disability Discrimination Act – the pavilion, old pavilion including external toilets, the bowls pavilion and the play area needed to be assessed under this act for compliance and any non-compliance rectified.  Cllr. Mrs. Coston would give the Clerk a contact name and address.

Conifer tree on Cambridge Road boundary – it was considered that Acacia Tree Surgery had not trimmed the trees sufficiently.

VAT implications of fees – Mr. Williamson advised the Council that the method of charging the clubs needed reviewing to satisfy VAT regulations.  It was agreed that the agreements between the Council and all clubs using the recreation ground needed reviewing.  This would be discussed as an agenda item at a later date.  Mr. Williamson investigate the matter.

  1.  Rates:

Dr. Grant had negotiated with Dean Vine, Valuation Officer, an approved new rating of £4800.  The tennis courts, sports fields, the garage and the pump house in the new pavilion had been removed from the rating list. It was agreed that the Council appeal to split the valuation on the 2000 listing in order that the valuation on the old pavilion, the pavilion and the bowls area could be identified separately to allow for potential savings in the future.  Thanks were expressed to Dr. Grant and the Clerk for the work carried out to achieve this result.

Dr. Grant recommended that the refund of rates should be used for a capital project such as the previously discussed repair of the cemetery wall. This proposal would be given further consideration.

 

 

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  1. School access – closure from Way Lane during school hours:

It is understood that the access from Way Lane will remain closed on, 10th June, election day.  The Council considered that it would be in the interests of school to open the access on this day  in an effort to reduce the number of people driving to the polling station.

The Council are disappointed that the gate was closed without consultation and do not understand how security of the school is significantly compromised by leaving the Way Lane gate unlocked as the front entrance remains open at all times.  To date school has failed to arrange the requested meeting with the Council.

School playground – a new surface on the playground which will not stand the use by cars is being considered by the school governors.  The use of the billygoat  to sweep the playground surface to remove all loose materials had been suggested to the school by Dr. Grant.  To date the Clerk had not been contacted to arrange for this work to be done.  It was agreed that the Clerk should contact the school secretary or caretaker.

  1. Ditch maintenance – Clayhithe Road:

Pat Matthews, SCDC, did not consider that the culvert under the road had been cleared by CCC.  Mr. Leeke agreed to contact Mr. MacMillan, CCC Estates to discuss the issues raised in the Environment Agency commissioned Halcrow Report.

Mr. Saberton reported that the Environment Agency is to continue paying the highland water charge to maintain the penstock in Clayhithe Road.

  1. Superannuation – Additional Voluntary Contributions:

Mr. Williamson waiting for information.

  1. Correspondence:

Kember Loudon Williams – notice of meeting on 14th June at Cambridge Research Park

CCC – Consultation on the Cambridgeshire Rights of Way

CCC – Older Peoples’ Community Groups

Government Office for the East of England – Review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy

Cambridge Evening News – Cambridge Water Village Life Fund. 

Thomson, Webb & Corfield – notice of transfer of licence for Travellers Rest, Chittering to be heard at Cambridge instead of Ely.

SCDC – Maintenance of Open Spaces in South Cambridgeshire – Committee decided that  (i) a plain English document on Section 106 agreements be produced, (ii) that advice on the best way to examine ownership of disputed land with reference to Section 106 agreements be sought (iii) that following (ii) there would be a focus on the management of grounds maintenance, (iv) that the issue of fly tipping be passed to the Waste Management Advisory Group, (v) that the issue of maintaining protected verges be passed to the Conservation Advisory Group.

Mr. Mrs. Scott Marshall – nuisance of children playing ball games on the green space in Winfold Road.  Request to plant shrubs/flowerbeds to reduce  available space for ball games.  The Council would look at this site at their annual inspection.

CCC – Guided bus newsletter

Cambridgeshire Constabulary – Histon Sector Newsletter

CALC – bulletin

The Clerk had been contacted concerning the Council taking in hand a reserved grave space which was no longer required.  It was agreed that once an application had been made to the Council by the deceased’s estate the current value of the plot should be re-imbursed.

Mr. Wright had received a letter concerning graffiti around the village. 

  1. Approval of Accounts:

It was agreed that the accounts be paid as presented with the exception of the amount due to Mr. Hobbs.  See item 3.  The cheque made out to Gresswells should be retained until the items had been delivered.

  1. Representatives Report:

Mr. Williamson requested that the Highways Committee have a meeting.  Mr. Williamson agreed to arrange a suitable date.

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Mr. Halsey reported that he had arranged to receive a copy of the Community Association agendas and minutes.

  1. Village Matters:

It was reported that the house of the warden at Chapel Close had been attacked by three known youths and that the police had taken one and half hours to attend the scene.  Consequently it had been suggested that calls from sheltered housing should be marked as urgent.

The seat on the recreation ground near to Chapel Close bungalows is causing concern to Chapel Close residents.  It was requested that this seat be removed and positioned elsewhere.  The Council would give this consideration after the annual inspection.  Advice from the police would be sought on anti social behaviour.

Mail – some residents are not receiving their post.  A letter should be sent to Royal Mail with a copy to Post Watch.

Chittering verges – Mrs. Cornwell had reported that the contractors had not trimmed round the seat and that the area behind the bus shelter is becoming overgrown again.

 

The meeting ended at 10.15 p.m.

 

 

 

Chairman ……………………………………      Date ……………………………………………….

 

Minutes of the meeting of Waterbeach Parish Council held on Tuesday, 15th June, 2004 at 6.30 p.m. in the New Pavilion.

Present:  Mr. D. Benton; Mr. N. Brown; Dr. C. Grant; Mr. W. Grant; Mr. D. Halsey; Mrs. N. O’Horo; Mrs. S. Kay; Mr. M. Leeke:  Mr. Williamson; Mr. A. Wright (Chairman)

In attendance: The Clerk.

  1.  Apologies:  Mr. R. Lovett; Mr. W. Saberton; Mr. A. Shipp.
  2.  Planning Applications:
    1. Mr. Scarff, 74 Cambridge Road – conservatory.  Approved subject to neighbours
    2. P. Hancock & A. Taylor and Mr. Mrs. G. Wright – 98 & 100 Cambridge Road – extensions.  Approved subject to comments from neighbours
    3. Mr. & Mrs. Chating, New Farm, Long Drove – extensions.  Approved subject to comments from neighbours
    4. C. Crickmore, Travellers Rest, Chittering – erection of building to provide 8 guest rooms.  Approved comments from neighbours and CCC, highways.
    5. Mr. & Mrs. Chatting, New Farm, Long Drove – amendment to include all existing windows.  Noted.
    6. Environment Agency – copy of plans for flood alleviation at Whitmore Way.

Notice that agricultural occupancy condition on bungalow at Enterprise House, Ely Road has been lifted by SCDC.

 

SCDC replies:

Approved:

Arcam, Pembroke Avenue - Re-cladding of front elevation including new windows and canopy and erection of sreened/walkway feature.

  1. Recreation Ground Matters:
    1. Minutes of Recreation Ground User’s Committee:

Mr. Brown, Mrs. Kay, Mr. Jones and Mr. Williamson had attended the meeting of the committee which had been held on 8th June.  Two members of the bowls club and the secretary had been present.  It had been agreed at the meeting that minutes of  these meetings would not be available to all parish councillors and that the councillors on the committee would report issues requiring action to the council.  Another meeting of the RGUC is to be arranged when further discussions will take

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place regarding how councillors would like the committee to operate.

Mr. Williamson asked for a copy of the Terms of Reference of the committee.

    1. Other recreation ground matters:

The appointed groundsman had accepted the post and would be commencing employment with Waterbeach Parish Council on 1st July, 2004. Information regarding Criminal Record Bureau checks and medicals was passed to the Clerk who would put these in place.  Mr. Wright would provide a contract of employment.  A budget of £500 was agreed for safety equipment and workwear.  It was agreed that an account be opened at Starmaker.

 

The meeting ended at 7.30 p.m.

 

 

Chairman …………………………………………      Date ………………………………………….