Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
held on Wednesday 26 April 2001 at 8pm in the Community Centre Annexe
Present: RLE Waters (chair) JE Coston R Day M Ellwood B Jefferson
GM Richardson TJ Siggs HM Smith LC Twinn
The clerk SJ Daniels and 16 residents
Minute 238/01
1 Introduction
The chairman welcomed everyone. He thanked the clerk for his hard work;
also the councillors all of whom were volunteers. The Parish Councillors
introduced themselves to the meeting.
2 Apologies for Absence
EH Baker RJ Farrington DJ Lee IF May PK Oldham RT Summerfield
A Moore C Taylor
3 Minutes
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 26 April 2000 were
confirmed and signed as a true record.
4 Draft Accounts 2000/01
Approximately £77,000 had been spent on capital projects such as cemetery
path, play equipment, youth building and purchase of allotments land. Much
of this money had come from the sale of the land for Barnabas Court - there
being a balance of £40,000 in this account.
5 Charities Report
A copy of the accounts was received.
The following points were raised:
- Noted that the Trustees were advised by a land agent about land rents.
- Parish Banks - are they owned by the Charities or the Parish?
- Drains had been filled in causing problems.
- The Charities earn some investment income.
- The Rowing Trust had offered a land swap about four years previously but
had then subsequently withdrawn the offer.
6 County Councillor's Report
Despite the report in the Cambridge News JEC was still County Councillor
for Waterbeach, Landbeach and Chittering as well as Milton and Parish
Councillor for Milton.
She continued to deal with important issues (some of which both the
Parish and District Councils had been involved in):
- Northern Fringe Development
- Sewage Works
- Science Park - traffic issues
- Landfill Site - JEC had fought the case to attempt to prevent the
extension of the permission. Partial success had been achieved as the
extension was granted to year 2010 instead of 2017.
- A14 - JEC had arranged a public meeting.
- A10 - problems along the A10.
- Bus Service
- Landbeach Recycling Centre
- Waterbeach New Settlement - there were plans for other areas also.
- Waterbeach Station - after the accident yellow lines and a box had been
painted.
- Research Park - cycle path to Waterbeach.
- Cycle Bridge - work was due to start the next week.
In her area JEC dealt with 3 waste sites, 2 research parks, 1 rowing lake,
a new development, the A14 and the A10 plus many other local problems.
She was pleased to work with the local Parish Councils, and the District
Councillors RT Summerfield, W Saberton and A Wyatt for the benefit of the
villages.
Questions from the floor concerned:
The landfill site - the smells, the amount of waste coming from other areas
and the use of clay from the site for purposes other than what the
operators had been granted planning permission. The chairman expressed the
view that there had been a catalogue of mismanagement of the site by
Environmental Health and the County Council. A letter from C Taylor
expressed the need for an "action" committee.
Go-East (the government office for East Anglia) felt that the matter was of
insufficient importance to warrant a public inquiry. MPC would debate the
issues at its next meeting.
The cycle scheme and the poor workmanship. MPC had identified 33 points
needing remedial action and were waiting for the County Council to put
these right.
Refuse collections - the mess caused by bags being left out during bank
holiday weeks. It was suggested that SCDC should use wheelie bins.
Skip near Tesco and the amount of rubbish. The clerk would ask SCDC to
clean up the area.
7 District Councillor's Report
A written report was circulated. The following issues were detailed:
- Council Tax - although the SCDC element had remained the same for three
years increases were inevitable in the long term.
- Future Growth - SCDC position was to protect our villages.
- Northern Fringe - SCDC had adopted a new development strategy: up to 900
houses plus local shops, school and employment at western end;
development in the east would have a mixture of uses including housing.
- CHUMMS - SCDC opposed strategy 3 (dual carriageway north of Milton) and
supported improvements to the existing A14 subject to satisfactory
improvements to Girton, Histon and Milton interchanges.
- Refuse Collection - a kerbside collection of paper, textiles, cans and
bottles would be starting in July.
- Country Park - SCDC were following Government guidelines in closing the
Country Park during the foot and mouth crisis.
- District Electoral Arrangements - The Local Government Commission was
carrying out a review of electoral arrangements. It was likely Milton
would be paired with a smaller village and have a second District
Councillor.
8 Chairman's Report
Crime - in 1995 reported crime for Milton reached an all-time high. Crime
figures in 2000 were just over half the number of those reported in 1995.
The majority of crimes were committed by people from outside the village.
A high number of crimes were committed at Tesco - about one quarter of the
crime in the village.
Milton was not successful at Neighbourhood Watch - more co-ordinators were
needed.
Facilities - MPC had tried to provide facilities for all ages such as
Barnabas Court sheltered housing scheme and both play equipment and a youth
centre for the young. Thanks to HMS for her hard work on behalf of the
young. The youth centre was proving to be very successful.
Community Minibus - MPC in partnership with the scout group was looking to
buy a new minibus for community use. Government grants were available. A
questionnaire to assess the possible use of a minibus had been sent out to
all the village clubs and organisations.
9 Question and Answer Session
Allotments - The Sports Council had withdrawn its objection to the
sheltered housing scheme on condition the MPC would try to find
alternative land for a junior football pitch. As a result MPC were
looking at the possibility of putting a pitch at the northern end of the
allotments site. MPC would compensate any allotment holders adversely
affected by the scheme.
Highways - a complaint about the poor standard of road surfacing and
reinstatement of verges in the village was made.
A10/Butt Lane Junction - concern was expressed that the new traffic lights
would cause queuing of traffic.
Cycle Path - concern was expressed about possible dangers to pedestrians.
Footpath Link Landbeach Road to the A10 - this would be discussed by MPC.
Parking of commercial vehicle on this site was raised. MPC could look at
this problem also.
Roundabout at Tesco - it was suggested that a sponsor be found to
"brighten" up this roundabout. MPC had refused one such application.
Maintenance Committee could look at this again.
Land adjacent A10 - leisure activity use by motor bikes was raised.
The meeting ended at 9.35pm.