Minutes of the Meeting of Milton Parish Council
held on Monday 4 March 2002 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre
Present: RLE Waters (chair) RJ Farrington EH Baker JE Coston R Day
M Ellwood DJ Lee (to 122/02) IF May TJ Siggs HM Smith
RT Summerfield LC Twinn
The clerk SJ Daniels
A member of the public (part)
RLEW reported that he had sent a wreath on behalf of Council
following the death of Harold Easy, Parish Councillor from
1970 - 1984.
1 Apologies for absence - B Jefferson CJ Lock PK Oldham
99/02 2 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 4 February 02 were approved and signed
as a true record.
3 Clerk's Report
100/02 Grass Cutting Contract
(44/02) Barry Newitt had signed and returned the contract - the final
contract price being £18755.
The clerk would return two invoices dated March 01 as the work done
was covered by the contract.
Noted that Pi were waiting for the recently planted hedge to grow
before removing the remaining part of fence along Ely Road.
101/02 Highways
(45/02) - Parking of Van The Rowans
Inspector Howell had confirmed that the van did not contravene any
parking regulations nor did it cause an obstruction.
- Butt Lane/A10 Traffic Lights
The County Council were meeting in early March to finalise
implementing the work, which was scheduled to begin in May. It was
a difficult site and there had been problems to resolve.
The clerk would write expressing concern over the delay.
- Cycle Scheme
The clerk reported on a walk with Ed Thornton on 13/02/02.
Ed Thornton was putting in a bid to resurface High Street/
Cambridge Road. He had since the walk arranged for various drains
and gulleys to be jetted out (see min 47/02). P Matthews SCDC had
agreed to clear out debris from the bottom of the open ditch in
Cambridge Road (in late summer) - a likely reason for flooding
outside 2 High Street.
J Richards was following up outstanding points.
- Pedestrian Crossing near Tesco
In response to a request from Barnabas Court residents JEC has
asked Philip Sharp at the County Council to look into the
possibility of providing a pedestrian crossing in Cambridge Road.
The clerk would write to the County Council for suggestions.
102/02 Community Minibus
(46/02) RLEW reported that the scheme was likely to receive a revenue grant
for three years.
AGREED therefore that Council's grant approval of £6000 (min 606/01)
be allocated for capital if other revenue funding is forthcoming.
103/02 Local Government Act 2000
(48/02) Details of the New Ethical Framework had been circulated. The Code
of Conduct would be discussed at the April meeting. The ad hoc
committee would meet to amend Council's Standing Orders to bring
them in line with the new Code of Conduct.
104/02 Land at War Memorial Green
(50/02) The resident had decided not to pursue the matter.
105/02 Chesterton Fen
(52/02) JEC would invite the Travellers' Liaison Officer to speak at the APM
in April.
106/02 Bus Shelter Lighting
(53/02) RJF and Colin Nunn had repaired the light.
107/02 Public Entertainments Licence
The clerk had asked for the same conditions to apply as previously
for the public entertainments licence at the Lion & Lamb.
108/02 Travellers - Landbeach Road
Travellers had occupied the redundant highway at Landbeach Road for
two weeks. Two residents had written requesting that road be stopped
up. A member of the public also attended (Standing Orders were
suspended to allow him to speak).
RJF agreed to talk to David Groom County Council to discuss the
possibility of stopping up this road.
The clerk would ask Land Registry to search for the name of the
owner of the land behind the bus shelter.
109/02 Trees on Bund
In response to a request from a resident the clerk had asked Herald
Contract Services to cut back trees from the bund which were
overhanging a garden at The Sycamores at a cost of £200 (from
commuted sums).
Authorised by RLEW and HMS (pro PKO).
110/02 Rapid Transport System St Ives to Cambridge
A report on a proposed transport system from St Ives to Cambridge
had been received. Comments to be made by 29 March.
111/02 Library
A resident had written requesting that Council investigate a
permanent library in Milton. JEC reported that the library budget
for 2001/02 was overspent and that there could be cuts in the
service in 2002/03.
JEC would investigate whether Tesco or the College of West Anglia
had any room for a library.
112/02 Civil Protection/Emergency Planning
A questionnaire from CALC was received. The clerk would reply that
Council were happy to liaise with the County and District Councils.
113/02 Youth Meeting
Noted that some Histon/Impington councillors were scheduled to meet
the youth committee on 8 March for advice on setting up a youth
centre.
114/02 Election of Chairman
RLEW reminded Council that consideration should be given (in advance
of the May meeting) to the election of the chairman for 2002/03.
4 Planning
115/02 The minutes of the meeting of 18 February were received
116/02 Appeal by Camstead
(503/01) RLEW reported on the appeal which was also attended by ME, RTS and
residents of Shirley Close. The result should be known within
4 weeks. The officer representing SCDC had pointed out that if MPC
wanted "affordable" housing this comment should have made during the
consultation period. Noted that this applied to any future similar
application.
Decisions Received
117/02 Trinity College (CSP) Ltd with Aula Ltd - Unit 410 Science Park -
(578/01) building for research and development with associated offices -
amendments approved.
118/02 Iansyst - Rose Cottage Industrial Site Chesterton Fen Road -
(647/01) extension link - approved.
New Applications
119/02 S/0207/02 Mr P Carey 34 The Oaks - single garage and conversion of
(92/02) existing garage to a study/playroom - no recommendation (by Planning
Committee).
The clerk having received no adverse comments from neighbours had
sent the form to SCDC.
120/02 S/0326/02 Mr S Campbell - 54 Butt Lane - two storey side extension -
(97/02) no recommendation (by Planning Committee). Noted that there had
been no adverse comments from neighbours.
121/02 S/0356/02 Mr & Mrs S & EM Taylor 2 Walnut Close - conservatory - no
recommendation.
122/02 5 Play
The minutes of the Play Committee Meeting of 18 February were
received.
(82/02) Fence The Rowans Play Area
Quotations were received - £1100 for a wooden fence and ranging from
£2270 to £3500 for a metal fence.
The following issues were raised:
- There was no (road) safety reason for having a fence - a quiet
cul-de-sac near the entrance. The play area was designed for young
children who would (normally) be accompanied and therefore
supervised by parents.
- ROSPA recommended a fence for all play areas - to keep out dogs.
It would appear that there was not a dog fouling problem at this
site.
- Fear of litigation was not a good enough reason for installing a
fence.
- Logically the toddlers play area at Froment Way should also be
fenced.
AGREED not to have fence installed; to remove the vandalised fence,
leave that part of the fence still serviceable and continue to
monitor the area.
Carried - 8 votes in favour, 2 against and 2 abstentions.
(DJL left)
123/02 6 Queen's Jubilee
AGREED
1 that MPC would like to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee;
2 to commemorate the Jubilee with a permanent reminder.
Carried - 10 votes in favour, 1 abstention.
JEC would ask for suggestions in the Village View.
124/02 7 Purchase of Computer
(26/02) Quotations were received from World of Computers. As there were
unresolved issues EHB and PKO would meet to make firm
recommendations to the April meeting.
128/02 8 MCC Update
Transfer of youth building to MCC
AGREED to transfer the youth building to MCC as from 1 April - the
two chairmen to sign the transfer agreement.
Village Fayre
Noted that volunteers to organise the Village Fayre were needed.
Burglary
There had been a break-in at the garage - one rotary mower stolen and
damage done to the door.
129/02 9 Bills for Payment and Money Received
AGREED to authorise payment of cheques 2273 - 2293
- 2 abstentions JEC and RLEW.
Note: cheque 2272 to RJ Farrington for Christmas lights (chairman's
allowance) omitted from schedule.
130/02 10 Crime Update
Crime figures were received and circulated. RLEW would talk to
Cambridge News about a misleading recent report putting Milton
"top crime spot in the area". The figures used for that repor
were out of date and included Chesterton Fen, Science Park and
the Regional College.
131/02 11 County Councillor's report
Report of meeting with bus company
The meeting with the bus company raised various issues. JEC intended
to send out a questionnaire to Milton, Landbeach and Waterbeach -
the results of the survey to be sent to Stagecoach. Stagecoach would
then hold a surgery in each village at the end of April.
Drainage
Drainage maps for Milton and the area were received.
132/02 12 District Councillor's report
Blackwell Travellers' Site
RTS reported that were problems at this site.
133/02 13 Correspondence
South Cambs Primary Care Group - Newsletter January 2002
ACRE - "Vital Villages" funding seminars
Cambridge & County Folk Museum - request for donation/visit
14 Dates of next meetings
Youth - 8 March
Planning - 18 March
Council - 8 April
The meeting ended at 10.25pm.