Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
held on Wednesday 26 April 2000 at 8pm in the Community Centre Annexe
Present: RLE Waters (chair) RJ Farrington JE Coston R Day
M Ellwood DJ Lee P Mynott PK Oldham GM Richardson
HM Smith RT Summerfield LC Twinn
PC Shulver (for part) the clerk SJ Daniels and 13 residents.
1 Introduction
The chairman welcomed everyone and thanked them for showing an interest.
Thanks to the clerk for his hard work, also to all the councillors for the
amount of time and effort that they had put in over the year - "experts in
different fields".
The chairman welcomed PC Shulver. PC Shulver's duties covered 6 villages
including Milton. The most common crimes in Milton were burglaries, theft
of and from and damage to vehicles. The chairman thanked PC Shulver for
his continuing interest in the village.
The Parish Councillors introduced themselves to the meeting.
2 Apologies for Absence
A Lakhani IF May M Busby M Gray and J Gray J Sandford.
3 Minutes
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 26 April 1999 were
confirmed and signed as a true record.
4 Draft Accounts 1999/2000
Expenditure exceeded income by almost £17,000 due mainly to capital
spending on play areas at The Sycamores Recreation Ground.
£80,000 was set aside for land acquisition and £20,000 for youth projects.
After allowing for expenditure on millennium projects and improvements to
The Sycamores Council had approximately £25,000 in its general balance.
5 Charities Report
There had not been much money spent during the year. Alarm systems for the
elderly were available.
6 County Councillor's Report
JEC represented Waterbeach, Landbeach and Chittering as well as Milton.
She served on many committees, supported the millennium wood at Waterbeach
and was monitoring the rowing lake and proposed development at Waterbeach.
She was a member of the Fire Authority which was coping with all the new
European directives as well as providing a high service, although one of
the lowest funded authorities in the country.
A10 - she was working with the Highways Authority for improvements to the
A10, especially the junctions, which after de-trunking would become the
responsibility of the County Council. Some improvements had been made but
the junction at Chittering still caused great concern.
Cycleways - it was hoped that funding for cycleways to Ely would be
available from the Research Park. Thanks to all who had supported the
cycle bridge over the A14.
JEC thanked RTS and the Council for their support. Her aim was to work for
the benefit of all "her" villages.
7 District Councillor's Report
Finance - SCDC had maintained the level of Council Tax at £50 for a Band D
house for the second year and aimed to do so again for a third year.
Increases in Council Tax resulted from the Police levy, County and Parish
Councils. It was the District Council's responsibility to collect the tax.
Planning - the Draft Regional Planning Guidance had set out a specific
order of priority for development in the Cambridge Sub-region:
1 Within the built-up area of Cambridge
2 Outskirts of Cambridge (subject to review of Green Belt)
3 A new settlement, probably Oakington or Waterbeach
4 Market Towns and larger villages with good public transport to
Cambridge.
SCDC and the Parish Council would submit their views and endeavour to
maintain the character of the village(s).
Recycling - As a result of Government targets SCDC were piloting a trial
kerbside collection scheme of newspapers, textiles and cans. If successful
then a collection service for the whole of South Cambs would be in
operation within 12 months.
Cycle Route - there had been 3 objections to the scheme. If these could be
resolved then work would begin in late summer.
Sheltered Housing - residents would be moving in shortly.
Science Park -
- RTS had persuaded the planning committee of SCDC to approve a day nursery
for the children of employees of the Science Park.
- Two zebra crossings were planned for the Science Park. With the help of
JEC and the chairman he had persuaded the City Council (who were building
the crossings) to relocate one to a more appropriate position.
- The sequencing of the traffic lights into the Science Park were being
looked at to try to reduce the morning gridlock of traffic.
Modernising Local Government - Central Government's agenda for modernising
local government had two main strands:
- Best Value - this replaces competitive compulsory tendering. The District
Council must review all its service over the next 5 years. SCDC had just
published its Best Value Performance Plan.
- Political Management Structures - consultation would take place during
next 12 months as to whether South Cambs should have a mayor and/or
cabinet.
5% of the voters could demand a referendum on the issue.
District Councillor Review - a review would soon take place to decide
whether Milton should have a second District Councillor. He was not aware
of any proposed boundary changes.
RTS thanked the Parish Council, its chairman and the County Councillor for
their support.
8 Chairman's Report
Crime - PC Shulver needed the support of the residents to help reduce the
level of crime. One way of helping is through a Neighbourhood Watch
Scheme.
Milton Parish Council was proactive and had provided basketball and
multi-use courts for the older teenage youth. Other "teenage" projects
were also planned.
Community Centre and Recreation Grounds - thanks to RJF, chairman of MCC,
all the committee volunteers including L Sandford, who was overseeing
building maintenance and J Gray and the staff for their hard work in making
the Centre such a success.
Dogs - dog owners who disregard the bye-laws caused concern. There was a
maximum fine of £1,000 for owners who did not obey the law which applied to
all open spaces in the village.
9 Question and Answer Session
Low Cost Housing - it was suggested that the Parish Council should have a
policy of trying to pursue low cost housing. MPC were aware of the need
and argued for low cost housing at the time that the "Farm College" applied
for residential housing in 1999.
Railway Station - JEC felt that a station at Milton was highly unlikely in
view of the railways companies' policy of reducing the number of stops in
order to speed up longer distance travel.
Sycamores Recreation Ground Boundary - concern was expressed that
unofficial use of a gap through a boundary fence was being made via
private properties on The Sycamores.
Proposed Youth Building - a business plan identifying the types of use for
the building had been drawn up. A more detailed one would be agreed during
the next few months. Council was waiting for planning permission.
Old A10 (Ely Road) - Council would bear in mind the suggestion that the
slip road off the A10 should be closed. The highways authorities, however,
opposed the closing of this road as cars turning left off the A10 would
cause more hazards on the A10.
Youth Parish Councils - the question was raised whether these councils
worked. Hardwick had such a council.
Mere Way - should this be designated a monument by English Heritage?
A14 Road Noise - concerns about the effect of road noise on the Country
Park and the proposed rowing lake were expressed.
The meeting ended at 9.30pm.