Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
held on Monday 26 April 1999 at 8:00pm in the Community Centre
Community Centre
Present: RLE Waters (chair) RJ Farrington JE Coston IF May
CF Nunn PK Oldham J Sandford J Shaw HM Smith
SJ Snaith RT Summerfield LC Twinn
the clerk SJ Daniels and 17 residents.
Minute 185/99
1 Introduction
The chairman welcomed everyone, including Nigel Howlett of
Cambridge Housing Society, and thanked them for showing an
interest. It was the end of the four year Parish Council cycle
and six councillors had not stood for re-election: D Lee, C Nunn,
J Sandford, J Shaw, J Snaith and Y Wakeling.
On behalf of the village he thanked them for their service.
Thanks also to the other nine - he had enjoyed working with them
all and expressed his thanks for their support to him as chairman.
One new councillor Mark Palmer had been elected.
2 Apologies for Absence
R Day, M Gray and J Gray.
3 Minutes
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 27 April 1998
were confirmed and signed as a true record.
4 Sheltered Housing Update - Nigel Howlett, Cambridge Housing
Society Residents would be selected early Summer. 37 Milton
residents aged 60+ were on SCDC housing list, 25 of them were
interested in sheltered housing. Priority would be given to
those at the top of the SCDC list. Management arrangements such
as use of facilities for the Day Centre were still to be sorted.
It was expected that most of the units would be rented but this
had not yet been resolved.
Thanks to N Howlett.
5 Accounts for 1998/99
The clerk presented the unaudited, draft accounts. Income was
approximately #88000 and expenditure #75000.
6 Charities Report
The Charities pay for maintenance and servicing of telephone
lifelines. Donations were made towards the purchase of the war
memorial land and to Edmund House for their garden maintenance
scheme.
7 County Councillor's Report
JEC attends about 32 different committees including a position
on the Cambs and Peterborough Fire Authority and has good working
relationship with the local police.
Waterbeach Station Car Park
The car park was opened during the year. It could possibly be
expanded.
Highways
JEC had been working with the Highways Agency for improvements to
the A10 and A14; was also working with the Cambridge Research Park
to provide quality cycle links through to Milton.
Foot/Cycle Bridge
The current A14 cycle bridge campaign had been running for seven
years. A feasibility study recommended a bridge 3.5m wide with
ramps starting at Tesco roundabout. It was likely to be built
in 2001 at a cost of #1.2 million.
Development at Waterbeach
3000 car parking spaces were planned for the Research Park. The
new town at Waterbeach Barracks would be the size of Newmarket
with further potential for expansion. The proposal included
widening part of the A10, a bus lane on the Mere Way and an
addition to the interchange at Milton.
The Waterbeach proposal was just one - other plans put forward
for Oakington, Longstanton and the Newmarket area.
Rowing Lake
No real progress as far as the County Council was concerned.
HMS and JEC attend the Rowing Trust meetings.
JEC was pleased to work with the Parish Council and the District
Councillor for the best for the village.
It was suggested from the floor that Mere Way should be
considered by English Heritage as an ancient monument.
8 District Councillor's Report
Council Tax
SCDC had levied a Council Tax (#50 per Band D house) for the
first time in over six years as RTS had warned at the APM of
1998. Together with the County Council part this meant an
increase of 18%. SCDC still subsidised it, however, and
intended holding the level for two years.
Future Growth
The response of the examination in public for growth in the
region was awaited. RTS was convinced that part of the Green
Belt, possibly to the south and west of Cambridge, would be
developed. Both he and JEC were working to protect Milton's
interests.
Cycleways
After public exhibitions and consultation the Parish Council
had approved a scheme for a dedicated cycleway through the
village. Funding would be available for it to be built
in 2000-2001.
Housing
There had been a 387 response to the recent housing needs survey
(a high response). The results show a need for low cost,
affordable housing. Perhaps there was scope for such housing
at the proposed "Farm College" development.
Entertainments Licence
There was a large public response to the recent public houses
applications. The Parish Council tried to be fair in its response.
The Waggon & Horses and the White Horse were allowed two
entertainments per month on Fridays and Saturdays, windows and
doors to be kept closed - to be monitored by the Environmental
Health Officer.
The White Horse had laid a new quieter car parking surface with
speed bumps. It was hoped that this measure would benefit
residents nearby. The landlord had agreed to take down the
"bouncy castle" but needed confirmation from the area manager.
The tables in front of the public house did not need planning
permission.
A suggestion was made from the floor that "Highways" be consulted
about the possible dangers.
Milton Hall
Part of a planning permission for car parking by PI Research
included a new entrance off Ely Road.
RTS intended asking the planning officers to press for completion.
Refuse Collection
Households received 90 bags per year. A new contract for waste
collection would start in September. SCDC would continue with the
'bag' system. Evidence from the wheelie bin system showed that
30% more waste was delivered to landfill sites. SCDC hoped
eventually to reduce the amount of waste for landfill by 90%.
RTS thanked Milton Parish Council and the County Councillor for
their support and also the electorate for returning him, albeit
unopposed, as district councillor for another four years.
9 Millennium Report
The Millennium Committee was co-ordinating events likely to occur
during 2000 and making recommendations to MPC for funding. The
committee was also formulating plans such as:
millennium mug for all under 16 years;
a 15 minute aerial fireworks display at midnight 31 December 1999;
and would be asking for funds from MPC..
All Saints' Church would be distributing candles to be lit at
midnight.
A second meeting for all clubs was set for 8 June.
The village magazine hoped to record all the events and produce
a book at the end of 2000.
There would be no event at the Community Centre on New Year's Eve.
The path to the Country Park looked likely to go ahead - thanks to
Julie Gray for her efforts.
A Millennium picnic had been suggested. It was hoped that
children could lay a brick in the Millennium Maze.
10 Chairman's Report
Crime
Since 1995 the number of reported crimes had gone down, one
reason being that MPC actively tried to provide activities for
young people. MPC was interested in promoting any idea that
would reduce crime and supported Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
Money to purchase signs for new schemes was available.
One of the main crimes in the village involved theft of and
from vehicles. Both Tesco and Dillons were included in the
statistics for Cambridge Road and High Street. SCDC had an
active programme for crime strategy. MPC fully supported the
community beat officer and had helped purchase him a mobile
phone.
Milton Community Centre
The two recreation grounds had been handed over to the
management committee of MCC on a 125 year lease to manage all
the facilities. A substantial grant from MPC was given each
year. The MCC was a charity approved by the Charity
Commissioners. IL Davis intended retiring as chairman at the
AGM on 12 May. The committee consisted of hard working
volunteers and provided enormous amount of recreation and
leisure facilities for the village.
A decision about proposed roller blading and basketball courts
for informal use at The Sycamores would be made at the next MCC
committee meeting.
Bins
New waste and dog bins had been installed throughout the village.
Dog owners who contravene the dog bye-laws could be reported to
the SCDC dog warden.
11 Question and Answer Session
The following issues were raised:
Fly tipping in Fen Road near the river.
Use of footpaths by cyclists and the dangers of this practice.
An article in the Village View was suggested.
A10 accident blackspot. Report from the Highways Agency was due.
The meeting ended at 9.20pm.