Minutes of the monthly meeting of Waterbeach Parish Council held on Tuesday, 2nd March, 2004 at  7.30 p.m. in the New Pavilion.

Present:  Dr. C. Grant; Mr. D. Halsey; Mr. P. Jones; Mrs. S. Kay; Mr. M. Leeke, (Chairman); Mr. R. Lovett; Mrs. N. O’Horo;  Mr. W. Saberton; Mr. A. Shipp; Mr. M. Williamson; Mr. A. Wright.

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

1.      Apologies:  Mr. D. Benton; Mrs. J. Cornwell; Mr. W. Grant.

2.      To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd February, 2004.

Item 12 on page 1191 of the Minutes was amended from ‘chosen to involve’ to ‘representatives of’ and the spelling corrected on page 1191.  With these amendments and corrections the Minutes were approved.

3.      Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd February, 2004:

Station Road – Mrs. Kay had been informed by CCC Highways that work on the consultation period had not begun and that all the restrictions had to be amalgamated to give one traffic management regulation and that it may take up to six months.  This is contrary to the information given to Cllr. Mrs. Coston who had been informed that the consultation period would start immediately.  Cllr. Mrs. Coston would speak with Mark Kemp, CCC Highways.  It was agreed that the Parish Council should write to CCC concerning the matter stating their concern over the delay.

It was agreed that the profile of the Parish Council should be improved in order that parishioners are aware of the efforts made my county, district and parish councillors to achieve improvements for the parish.

Youth Club – a copy of the Ofsted report should be obtained.

Station car park – work to extend the car park had not yet started.

Ditches along Clayhithe Road – these had not yet been cleared as required by the Environment Agency Halcrow Report.  Mr. Mallett had undertaken to pass the information to CCC Estates.  The Parish Council should write to CCC, Estates with a copy to Mr. Mallett and Cllr. Mrs. Coston.

The recreation ground users committee had questioned the importance of  recording votes on decisions.  It is not necessary to record the majority by which a decision was made unless a councillor requires the voting to be recorded.

4.      To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 17th February, 2004:

The Minutes of the meeting were approved.

5.      Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 17th February, 2004:

Skatepark fence – some councillors had inspected this.  The Bowls Club would be asked to monitor the incidents of persons accessing the bowls green through the fence and the situation would be reviewed at the annual inspection.

6.      To adopt Financial Regulations as circulated:

The Financial Regulations as circulated were adopted.

7.      Cemetery wall:

In the absence of Mr. Benton it was agreed that the repair of the wall should be discussed at the April meeting.  The wall had been inspected by some Councillors who urged those, who had not looked at the wall yet, to consider the provision of a gate to the right of the lychgate for ease of rubbish removal and the reduction wall to be repaired.

8.      Bowls club path:

The quotes obtained by the Bowls Club for work on the path surrounding the bowls green had been sent to Mr. Wright and forwarded to the Clerk.  Quotes to remove existing tarmac and (i) replace with 40mm base course and 20mm top coat tarmac for a cost of £8190 and (ii) replace with paving slab for the cost of £7850.  It had been decided that the Clerk should contact Ringway for advice on remedial work on the path who had quoted £1720 for preparation work, pre patching of worst areas and overlaying whole area with 6 mm DBM.  Mr. Shipp proposed, seconded by Mr. Williamson and agreed that the quote from Ringway be accepted despite the fact that it amounts to almost one fifth of the 2004/2005 budget for maintenance on the recreation ground and play area. 

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The Clerk requested that Councillors inspect the footpath between the social club and the portacabin and as risk management consider whether the area should be repaired when the work to the bowls club path is carried out.

9.      Superannuation – Additional Voluntary Contributions:

The Clerk had obtained information from CCC, Pensions, which on examination did not allow the Council to achieve what they wanted.  S-Tech had advised that  the most beneficial option would be to buy into the CCC scheme and that if this is not possible they could, with the relevant documentation, achieve the Council’s requirements.  Mr. Williamson agreed to draft a letter to CCC setting out the situation and requesting a written answer.  It was agreed that this should be done as soon as possible to meet the end of March deadline.

10.  Co-option of parish councillor:

There are no further applications.

11.  Correspondence:

CCC – Water Meadows.  Offer of purchasing additional 12 acres to the original offer.  It was agreed that the Parish Council had not agreed to purchase the original area offered and were therefore not interested in the additional 12 acres.

CCC – Guided bus newsletter no. 3.

CCC – changes to local bus services

CCC – Adoption of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Local Plan.

CCC – bus stop flags and timetable cases

Boundary Committee – periodic electoral review of Cambridgeshire County Council

Waterbeach Village Society – notice of public meeting on 23rd March.  Attempt to save the Society.

Waterbeach Village Society – proposal to wind up society.

The Countryside Agency – Vital Villages Update.

Association of Burial Authorities – quarterly bulletin

Standards Board for England – Local investigation of allegations of misconduct.

Environment Agency – notice of consultation meeting for Whitmore Way flood alleviation scheme to be held on 25th March.

Health & Safety Executive – information request for dates of fairs.

Cambridgeshire Valuation Tribunal – notice of hearing date.  Dr. Grant and the Clerk are meeting with an officer on 9th March.

Waterbeach Colts Football Club – proposed end of season tournament and beer festival on weekend of 22nd May.  It was noted profits would only be shared by school PTFA and Milton Hospice, that the army may be giving assistance and that the Council will be kept informed of the final proposals for approval.  No heavy vehicles should be taken onto the recreation ground without prior approval.  All persons coming onto the recreation ground with equipment and or plant must make good any damage.

SCDC – South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004.  Notice of Adoption.

Moore Stephens – request for more information for audit regarding the large variance in income over the years 2001, 2002, 2003.

Waterbeach Youth and Community Building – request for a full structural survey carried out on the old pavilion.  It was agreed that a surveyor is employed when the verandah is removed to give a full structural survey.

SCDC – award of grant £1000 towards cost of cleaning, repointing and re-cutting and re-blacking lettering of war memorial subject to conditions.  It was agreed to contact the British Legion for assistance of the condition of research, to contact Jane Williamson for assistance on some of the other conditions.  Friends of War Memorials would also be contacted for grant assistance.

Louis Pragnell, 20 Bannold Road – request for junior size goals and pitches on the recreation ground.  The letter would be replied to and presented to Recreation Ground Users’s committee for information.

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Adam Bell, 12 Downing Avenue – request for skatepark to be made bigger and better.  The letter would be replied to and presented to RGUC for information.  There is no budget to do this at present.

12.  Approval of Accounts:

Mr. Shipp proposed, seconded by Mr. Lovett and agreed that the accounts as presented with the exception the amount to CALC should be paid.  The CALC invoice for 2004/2005 subscriptions would be paid in April.

13.  Representatives Report

A suitable siting for an additional lime tree on the extension of the Green had not been agreed.  Dr. Grant and Mr. Shipp would take a further look at the area and try and find a suitable place which would not obscure the village sign.  Mr. Shipp would obtain a lime tree if a planting place could be found.  He also agreed to obtain two red hawthorn trees for the Gault.

Play Area – two extra pieces of safagrass are required.  It was agreed that the RoSPA report would be obtained before an order is placed.

Library – the first LAP exchange of books had been carried out successfully with 100 brand new books being put on the shelves.

CCC had installed directional signs to the LAP in Chapel Street and High Street.

The library would be closed during week commencing 8th March in order that CCC could carry out the works needed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Cllr. Mrs. Coston reported that there are again problems with CCC computers and the receipt of e.mails.

Annual Parish Meeting – Cllr. Mrs. Coston would be arranging for representatives from CCC Highways to attend.

Pot holes:  Mr. Mallett, CCC Highways, had marked the pot holes to be filled in Burgess Road.  The pot hole at the School Lane, Chittering/ A10 junction had not been marked for repair yet.  Cllr. Mrs. Coston would contact Mr. Mallett about this and the pot holes in Bannold Drove.

Cllr. Mrs. Coston reported that she had received complaints about the bus service.  Cllr. Mrs. Coston is communicating with the bus company.

Denson Close area – Cllr. Mrs. Coston had attended the residents meeting and received complaints about the hedge which overhangs the footpath to Jubilee Close and the messy state of the path.  Hedges overhanging paths need to be reported to Mr. Mallott, CCC Highways. A litter pick in the area had also been requested by residents.  The residents had carried out a survey about the siting of the slide in the area.  It was decided by the residents that there are no children of an age who would use the slide.  The Council agreed that the slide should be offered to the army.

Primrose Lane – The groundsman would be asked to litter pick the High Street end of Primrose Lane.

PC. Shulver has been given two extra villages to police.

14.  Village Matters.

The British Sun Dial Society had carried out a survey in Waterbeach.

Ragwort – Failure by a landowner to comply with a request to control ragwort can be enforced using a weeds Act Complaint form available from Rural Development Services (www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/RDS)  Ragwort on the railway should be reported to Network Rail on 08457 114141 and on minor roads to the CCC, Highways, 01223 833717.

 

The meeting ended at 9.38 p.m..

 

 

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

 

 

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Minutes of the meeting of Waterbeach Parish Council held on Tuesday, 16th  March, 2004  at  7.30p.m. in the New Pavilion.

Present:   Mr. D. Halsey; Mr. P. Jones; Mr. M. Leeke, (Chairman); Mrs. N. O’Horo;  Mr. W. Saberton; Mr. A. Shipp; Mr. M. Williamson; Mr. A. Wright.

Mr. Wright and Mr. Shipp left during the course of the meeting.

In attendance:  The Clerk.

1.      Apologies:  Mr. D. Benton; Mrs. J. Cornwell; Dr. C. Grant; Mr. R. Lovett; Mr. W. Grant.

2.      Planning Applications:

i.                     South Cambridgeshire District Council, 45, 51, 55, 57 & 63 Denny End Road – vehicular access.  Agreed.

ii.                   B. Langley, 28a Station Road – addition of pitched roof to existing stable.  Agreed.

iii.                  P. Mullins, 2 Cody Road – extension.  Agreed.

iv.                 T. Knight, Old Mill House, Cambridge Road – conservatory.  Agreed.

v.                   Ministry of Defence, 7 Cammell Walk – extension. Agreed.

SCDC replies:

Approved:

Cambridgeshire County Council, Clayhithe Road – extension to car park including bus facilities.

N. Lock, adjacent to 66 Bannold Road – 3 dwellings.

D. Cooper, r/o 17 High Street – 2 dwellings.

Kissruck Properties, Convent Drive – erection of 3 business units (Classes B1a, B and C).

Refused:

Heddon Management, 12 Pieces Lane – eight house.

Notice of Appeal:

Ms. D. A. Peterson, land at 18a Greenside – extension and conversion of garage to form separate dwelling and erection of double garage.

Mr. Saberton reported that the planning application at Vicarage Farm Chittering for an extension is recommended for refusal at Chairman’s delegation meeting.  Mr. Saberton had been informed by planning officers that this is because the original dwelling has already been granted the 50% increase allowed.

3.      Groundsperson

Advertisement:  the Clerk had circulated to all Councillors a draft advertisement which was discussed along side an amended version produced by Mr. Willaimson.  It was agreed that the amended version with the addition of a closing date for application should displayed at the College of West Anglia and  be placed in the Cambridge Evening News on 21st and 23rd of April.  Mr. Williamson proposed that the salary should be in the range of £14,000 to £15,500 depending on qualifications and experience.  The Clerk agreed to draw up a personal specification

 Job Description:  the Clerk had circulated to all Councillors a draft job description which was based on the existing job description, job descriptions obtained from other parish councils and the suggestions made by the Recreation Ground User’s Committee(RGUC)  With minor amendments the job description was agreed.

4.      Recreation Ground:

The minutes of the meeting of the RGUC were discussed and the points made noted as follows:

New Groundsperson:

It was agreed that the Chairman of the RGUC should not be involved in the selection process of the new groundsperson.  Representatives of RGUC would be invited to meet short listed candidates prior to an appointment by the Parish Council.

It was considered unlikely that The College of West Anglia would need to make use of the recreation ground in Waterbeach for training of groundsperson.

 

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Bowls Club path:

See item 8, page 1195.

Multi-surface court:

It was agreed that there would need to be some free access to residents of the village if there had been Parish Council funding.

Village Audit – a village appraisal was carried out in 1999/2000 a copy of which would be made available to RGUC.

Bowls mower:

The Clerk had been advised that the mower could possibly be repaired in the future.  The Clerk had arranged that the mower be sent for servicing as soon as possible after the bowls season in order that it could be established if any works necessary could be carried out or if a new mower was needed.

Expenses for secretary of RGUC:

It was agreed that expenses would not paid by the Parish Council.

Other recreation ground matters:

Waterbeach Colts Football Club end of season tournament and beer festival – Mr. Law had offered to attend a meeting of the Parish Council on 20th April to answer any questions that Councillors may have.  It was agreed that this would not be necessary but that a final plan and breakdown should be sent to the Council.  The Clerk find out about insurance.  It was agreed that it may be best for the Parish Council to insure the event and the Colts Football Club to re-imburse the premium.

 

Lumps of concrete with goal sockets had been dumped in the shrubbery adjacent to the car park.  The football clubs would be asked if they know anything about these and if they do be asked to dispose of them properly.

 

The meeting ended at 9.30 p.m.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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