Minutes of the Meeting of Milton Parish Council
held on Monday 7 December 1998 at 7pm in the Community Centre
Present: RLE Waters (chair) RJ Farrington (vice chair)
JE Coston DJ Lee CF Nunn PK Oldham J Sandford
HM Smith SJ Snaith RT Summerfield LC Twinn
and the clerk SJ Daniels.
1. Apologies for absence R Day IF May J Shaw EY Wakeling
550/98 2. MCC Financial Arrangements
(508/98) DT Wildman (treasurer MCC) and IL Davis (chairman) attended
to give a presentation of their plans and financial
requirements.
In 1998/99 MCC had broken even. With no grant from MPC the
general fund would drop from £34800 in March 1999 to 13700
by March 2000.
General expenses were running at about £34000 per year.
EU legislation regarding part time staff plus recreation
grounds maintenance would result in extra costs for MCC.
DTW would bid for a £21000 grant for 1999/2000.
ILD gave a resume of tasks facing MCC Committee and invited
representatives of MPC to address a meeting of the MCC.
Thanks to ILD and DTW for an excellent presentation.
From the chair RLEW proposed that MPC rescind minute 508/98
as proposed at the Finance Committee meeting of 19 October
(min 493/98) and that MPC do not deduct the bills of £923.02
relating to the barrier at The Sycamores Recreation Ground
from the grant to MCC (as this work was carried out without
consultation).
Seconded HMS.
PKO said that while he understood why this resolution was
being proposed he was unhappy that Council were going to
rescind minute 508/98 having been given no notice that of
intention on the agenda. He felt that a decision should be
deferred till January so that proper notice could be given.
The motion was then carried 7 votes in favour 4 abstentions.
The financial agreement including alterations proposed by MCC
to be discussed at January meeting.
551/98 2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 2 November 1998 had been
circulated. The accuracy of minute 512/98 was debated.
PKO proposed and HMS seconded that the minute be amended to
read "A request to buy and restore the seat....."
Carried 5 votes in favour 4 against and 2 abstentions.
The minutes were then confirmed and signed as a true record.
3. Matters Arising
552/98 Draft Regional Planning Guidance
(443/98) Public Examination to take place in February 1999. MPC's
submission would be taken into account.
Noted that CALC had been invited to make verbal submissions
on two of the items.
553/98 Parking on Verge
(503/98) Response from Ed Thornton. Verge appeared to be public highway
verge. It could not therefore be claimed by an individual in
his/her ownership.
554/98 Emergency Plan
(504/98) A meeting with the Emergency Planning Officer had taken place.
Further discussions with Tony Leadley needed. Report to be
circulated in due course.
555/98 AWA Sewer
(505/98) D Ward has reached agreement with AWA for compensation of
£4426.65 + interest due to MPC.
(Note that D Ward's fees and £484 already received would be
taken out of this figure)
MPC had previously agreed to arrange replanting trees -
letter 3 February 1998.
RJF proposed JS seconded that Herald Contract Services be
asked to plant replacement whips
Carried 9 votes in favour 2 abstentions.
MCC to be advised.
556/98 TPO 1 Bene't Close
(511/98) The resident was happy for a TPO to be put on the hornbeam.
Clerk to action.
557/98 Daffodils
(533/98) JEC thanked the volunteers for planting daffodils.
558/98 Northern Fringe
(536/98) Minutes of the Villages Action Group meeting held on 20
October were received.
559/98 Central Refuges
(537/98) Letter dated 11 November circulated. County Council were
now fully aware of MPC's concerns. Any defects to be
reported through clerk or direct to J Pinder at Shire Hall.
5. Planning
560/98 Minutes of Planning Committee meeting of 23 November were
received.
Decisions received:
561/98 Mrs Gaskin Lomas Farm Chesterton Fen - appeal against an
(394/98) enforcement notice to remove caravans for
residential purposes together with associated levelling,
laying of hardcore and drainage works - refused.
562/98 Bioscience Innovation Centre - signboards approved.
(522/98)
563/98 Mr & Mrs Maltby 27 Bene't Close - extension refused.
(523/98) Overbearing and oppressive when viewed from 28A Cambridge
Road. Unacceptable loss of privacy to 28A Cambridge Road.
564/98 Mr & Mrs Hill 28 Bene't Close - extension refused.
(524/98) Overbearing and oppressive when viewed from 28A Cambridge
Road
565/98 Mr Smith 111 The Sycamores - conservatory approved.
(527/98)
566/98 Mr & Mrs Coston 67 Coles Road - replacement conservatory &
(528/98) workshop approved.
New applications:
567/98 S/1933/98 Christian Blind Mission Park House Winship Road
- change of use to B1 office/light industrial. No comments.
568/98 S/1943/98 D Edwards 12 Fen Road - rear extension. No comments.
569/98 S/1950/98 K Stopher plot adjacent Silver Acre High Street
- erection of dwelling and garage. No comments.
570/98 C/11/40/72 J Holder Queen Anne Lodge - to fell sycamore tree.
No objections - would support Trees Officer's views.
571/98 6. Farm College Proposals
RLEW, RTS, JEC and the clerk attended a presentation given
by the principal of the College of West Anglia together with
other representatives on their proposals for development
which were to:
sell some land for housing remove temporary buildings and build
a teaching block plus increased car parking
move large livestock and associated buildings to field on
eastern side of the old A10 plus erection of a stockman's
bungalow.
Possible benefits to the village:
community access to new library / I.T. Centre
affordable non executive housing (RTS - ref SCDC survey)
traffic calming at entrance to village - north of 30MPH signs.
Noted that the college was buying the land off Fen Road for
agricultural purposes ( item 12 below).
JEC had already spoken to head of libraries about the
proposals.
(460/98) In view of the above it was agreed to put "on hold" the
stopping up of Landbeach Road. Noted that MPC would be
expected to meet costs of advertising stopping up -
approximately £700 - £1000 plus costs of having a path laid.
572/98 7. Land by War Memorial
A request to acquire part of this land by a resident was
received. Agreed to confirm Council would not be allowed to
pass on "open space" land to individuals.
573/98 8. Community Care
Report of the Community Care meeting of 13 October 1998 was
received and noted.
RJF proposed JS seconded and all agreed
to pay the Community Care warden 34.9 pence per mile
travelling expenses backdated to 1 November 1998.
574/98 9. Maintenance
The maintenance committee report of 16 November was received.
a) Bins
HMS proposed RJF seconded and all agreed that Council
spend up to £5000 to purchase up to 11 dog "poop-scoop"
bins and 16 waste bins from Glasdon to be sited on the
recreation grounds and throughout the village, the bulk
of the money to come from the interest on the "sheltered
housing land" sale and commuted sums.
[Note: The cost of 5 dog bins and one waste bin would have
to be met from the general fund - clerk.]
b) Cemetery Seat
RTS proposed CFN seconded and all agreed to purchase a
seat for the cemetery. Maintenance Committee to agree
details.
c) Village Sign
A quotation of £500 + materials for restoring the sign
was received. Agreed to ask Mr Waterson for a firm quote.
RJF would arrange for the sign to be taken down.
d) Maintenance - Quotations
HMS proposed CFN seconded and all agreed to accept the
following quotations from Herald Contract Services to:
remove stakes and ties from trees on bund and cut back
trees/shrubs on bund footpath - £367 + VAT
prune three sections of old hedge on The Rowans £398 + VAT
prepare and plant border adjacent The Rowans open space
£220 + VAT.
575/98 10. Cycle Scheme
(470/98) RTS and JEC expressed disappointment at the Area Joint
Committee that the cycle scheme had been put back to 1999/2000.
The scheme had dropped from first to third in precedence.
Council was disappointed at slow consultation process.
Agreed to invite J Richards to January meeting.
576/98 11. War Memorial
JEC proposed PKO seconded and all agreed not to have the
memorial cleaned.
The County Council intervention level for relaying slabs
was 20mm. RLEW proposed and all agreed to give HMS the
discretion to arrange for work to be done if necessary.
577/98 12. Millennium Woodland/Recreation Land
Noted that the land off Fen Road had been sold (min 572/98).
HMS felt that Council should continue looking for recreation
land for two reasons:
1. Possible loss of part of The Sycamores Recreation Ground
to road improvements
2. Sports Council requirement.
In addition Council should seek possible sites for a millennium
woodland. In RTS' view the proximity of the Country Park would
not preclude Milton from applying for a millennium woodland
grant. The "landfill site" condition concerning restoration
of the land would be checked.
578/98 13. Audit Report
There were no major accounting issues. The auditors were
seeking independent confirmation of Council's balances
before issuing an audit certificate. (Lloyds Bank charged £25
and C & G £20 for this service).
579/98 14. Sheltered Housing Update
(529/98) Tenders were due to be received by CHS on 18 December. It
was hoped that work would start in mid February 1999.
The Steering Group would need to meet in the new year.
580/98 15. NALC Consultative Document
CALC were seeking Council's views on a NALC proposal that a
"dedicated Larger (and Active) Local Councils' Officer" be
appointed to enhance NALC's servicing of larger local
councils.
PKO advised that there would be no value in subscribing to
an officer who would be serving over 250 councils.
PKO hoped to put recommendations before Council for improving
CALC's service.
581/98 16. Community Transport
(532/98) JEC gave a summary of her report. The Milton Charities
supported in principle a scheme to provide a minibus for
regular shopping trips and occasional outings for the
elderly.
MPC also supported a scheme in principle.
JEC to present Council with a proposal including how the
scheme should be administered.
582/98 17. Christmas Arrangements
RJF reported that the lights were due to be put up on
12 December and taken down on 9 January.
RJF proposed JEC seconded and all agreed that in accordance
with its powers under Section 137 of the 1972 Local Government
Act Council should pay 30 towards putting up the lights.
583/98 18. Youth Provision
The report of the Youth Working Party meeting held on
2 December was received and noted.
[Noted that RJF had sent his apologies].
DJL proposed and JS seconded that Council contribute £290 +
cost of venue towards the Girl's Group for another 5 weeks
through January and February.
Carried 10 votes in favour and one abstention.
JS reported that the bus was being transferred to Cottenham
for the next term. Council expressed disappointment that
this decision was made without consultation.
The clerk to make Council's strong feelings known to the Bus
Project. DJL would raise issue at 'Bus' AGM.
584/98 19. Millennium Report
Report of the meeting held on 9 November was received.
JEC gave an update.
The Green had failed in the first application for funding
from the Countryside Commission.
JEC proposed PKO seconded and all agreed that Council spend
no more than £100 to subsidise a party for all village
groups and societies to discuss "millennium" events.
585/98 20. Crime Update
Figures for November were received and noted.
586/98 21. Money received and bills for payment
Proposed DJL seconded RJF and agreed by all that cheques
1405 to 1436 and cheques 38 to 42 current a/c no'2' be
authorised for payment. (See attached)
Noted with thanks that Milton Charities had donated £600
towards the purchase of Memorial Green.
587/98 22. County Councillor's report
The County Councillor reported on the following:
new bus timetable
mud on Fen Road
plans for Research park on A10 - 3000 car parking spaces
to be provided detrunking of the A10 developing of
Dickerson's site A10 - meeting with Parish Councils
to be arranged
Waterbeach Barracks proposals - public meeting to be held
in January - Milton PC to be invited
Rowing lake - no new development - Rowing Trust were close
to an agreement with the County Archaeologist - were still
fund raising
Cycle bridge - Planning Committee (Milton PC) had noticed
application by Bridehall Developments (min 544/98) would
cause problems for the bridge. The Feasibility Study had
been sent back to look at the 'bus' option.
588/98 23. District Councillor's report
The Housing Needs Survey - 38% of the village had responded
- there was strong support for housing to meet local needs.
589/98 24. Correspondence
CALC Bulletins and associated literature
A14 commercial vehicles survey
(382/98) Highways Agency - unauthorised access into field by A14 and
tree planting on northern side of slip road
Friends of the Unit for the Elderly Addenbrooke's
Sainsbury's application - decision
SCDC - Citizen's Charter & Milton Housing Needs Survey.
The meeting ended at 10.10pm