Minutes of the Meeting of Milton Parish Council
held on Monday 2 December 2002 at 7.00pm in the Community Centre
Present: PK Oldham (chair) HM Smith EH Baker
JE Coston (at Landbeach PC from 497/02 to 515/02) R Day
RJ Farrington B Jefferson IF May TJ Siggs RT Summerfield
LC Twinn RLE Waters
The clerk SJ Daniels
1 Apologies for absence - M Ellwood DJ Lee CJ Lock
495/02 2 Declaration of Interest
LCT declared an interest for item 6.
496/02 3 Highways
In attendance
Mark Kemp Network Manager South and East Cambridgeshire
Michael Oakman Divisional Maintenance Engineer
Phil Sharp Traffic Management
(speed limits, parking restrictions, signing issues)
The County highways departments had been reorganised into South
and East Cambs Districts to make it easier for the public to make
contact.
The following issues in Milton were highlighted:
(283/01) Coles Road/Cambridge Road Junction - The drains were now flowing
freely (min 201/02 also refers).
Reinstatement of double yellow lines had still not been done.
PS to follow up.
Powered stump at Coles Road - to be followed up.
Bollards at High Street/Fen Road Junction - Chris Sproston
Lighting Engineer was investigating the 4 unlit bollards and
central column light. MK to report back.
Butt Lane Junction - bollard unlit. MK to report back. The Area
Joint Committee would discuss MPC's scheme (min 395/02) on
9 December. If the scheme is approved the proposed double yellow
lines would be unnecessary.
(464/02) Ely Road Pinch Point - this was finished. The Orders to extend the
30mph speed limit came into operation on 25 November. PS would
check whether the "Give Way" warning sign should be improved.
(486/02) Landbeach Road - the bollards were not put where agreed. MO had
therefore agreed to put in extra bollards. The gate was now in
place.
AWA had paid £487.50 towards the gate. Mr Young Deputy Head of
Faculty The College of West Anglia had promised to look into
Council's request and apologised on behalf of the college for not
responding.
Ash Tree on verge in front of Farm College - Stuart Mallott
would arrange for a tree surgeon to investigate whether this tree
is dangerous and should be taken down. A large stem came down
across the Farm College hedge recently.
Horse Chestnut by Bus Stop High Street - SM would arrange to
investigate the safety of this tree also.
(296/02) Double Yellow Lines Industrial Estate - CCC were reviewing
their HCV policies. PS would arrange a meeting between interested
parties.
Foot/Cyclepaths Butt Lane to Froment Way - a request to have
the trees/shrubs cut back to allow more light on to these paths was
received. To cut back the trees - from private gardens - would take
3 men half a day - cost £240 + VAT.
AGREED To accept Herald Contract Service's quotation.
The clerk would liaise with CCC and local residents.
Action: the clerk
Pedestrian Crossing High Street - one belisha beacon was out
of action - had been reported to Street Lighting Emergencies.
MK promised to report back before Christmas. All outstanding items
to be completed by 31 March at the latest.
Noted:
(416/02) Kings Hedges Drive Prohibition of Waiting - this Order came into
effect on 25 November.
Roadworks - November to April - (received from Atkins):
Jan 03 - Dec 03 Footbridge Construction
(will cause overnight delays)
Mar 03 Milton to Fen Ditton resurfacing (moderate delays)
Feb 03 - Aug 03 Girton Interchange carriageway widening
(severe delays)
(493/02) Speed Limit A10 - South Cambs Environment & Transport Area Joint
Committee meeting of 9 December to discuss speed limit on A10 at
Butt Lane.
A10/A14 Interchange - improvements to the slip roads were in the
Medium Term Scheme; also recommendation to turn on the traffic
lights full time (for discussion Area Joint meeting 9 December).
Cycle Bridge - meeting scheduled for 17 December.
A10 resurfacing - the A10 from the Slap Up to Denny End junction
was due to be resurfaced in February/March.
Flooding High Street - ditch improvements (as reported min 344/02)
appeared to have cured the flooding problems at 2 High Street.
Thanks to MK, MO and PS for attending.
497/02 4 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 4 November 2002 were confirmed and
signed as a true record.
5 Clerk's Report
498/02 Remembrance Day Ceremony
(469/02) Ceremony went well as usual. Thanks to RLEW. Thanks received from
British Legion for cheque.
499/02 Recycling Credits
(471/02) Allocation of this money to be discussed.
500/02 Willow Trees Walkling Way
Mr Clay Shire Homes had agreed to ask John Hellingsworth to
investigate the willow trees in Walkling Way (adjacent Thurlton
Court). Large branches come down in strong winds recently.
Possible danger to pedestrians.
501/02 National Training Strategy
Frank Johnston Chief Verifier National Training Strategy is
ultimately responsible for ensuring that the standards that have
been set for the awarding of the Certificate of Local Council
Administration - the 'Competent Clerk' qualification - are
maintained.
He states (in "The Clerk" magazine November 2002) that "the NTS
Steering Group has agreed that holders of the Certificate of
Higher Education in Local Policy awarded before July 2004 by the
University of Gloucestershire will be exempt from submitting a
portfolio of evidence" (essential for a clerk to qualify for
the NTS Certificate).
502/02 Declaration of Interest
Chris Taylor Monitoring Officer had not responded to the clerk's
email message that 5 councillors were also members of MCC and
that Council would soon be making decisions on whether to spend
substantial amounts of money on the Community Centre and
Sycamores pavilion.
The following statement made by Paul Hoey Head of Policy and
Guidance at the Standards Board of England at the Society of
Local Council Clerks' conference (taken from "The Clerk" magazine
November 2002) is relevant:
He said that there was no need for a declaration of interest to
be made in such instances as a councillor also being a member of,
say, the local village hall committee. "The member would be on
both bodies to represent the parish and he would be expected to
be able to put a point of view on behalf of the parish. He would
in most instances have no personal and direct interest to declare
in regard to the village hall committee and therefore could take
part in any discussions and voting."
503/02 6 Travellers - Issues arising from meeting 30 October
(485/02) Planning Policy - concerns expressed: ghettoisation caused by
large sites and lack of transit sites in the County. The County
Council had no obligation to provide transit sites.
Council agreed to continue its existing policies of min 275/02
and min 426/99.
Splitting the Parish - PKO would circulate papers for next meeting.
Other issues arising - none.
7 Planning
Decisions Received
504/02 Polight Technologies Ltd Unit 291 Science Park - chiller enclosure
(428/02) - approved.
505/02 W Connor Chesterton Fen Road - mobile home and one tourer for
(430/02) gypsy accommodation - refused. Conditions as per application
reported in minute 477/02. In addition no flood risk assessment
was submitted - Planning Policy Guidance No. 25 Paragraph 60
Appendix F refers. Existing flood protection not satisfactory.
The proposed development would be at risk of flooding and would
increase the risk of flooding to existing property. Therefore
contrary to Policies SP8/6 of the Structure Plan and CS8 of the
Local Plan No. 2.
As use of the land has already started delegated authority to take
enforcement action and prosecution if necessary has been agreed.
506/02 Mr & Mrs J Wicks - dwelling on land adjacent 28 Old School Lane -
(446/02) refused.
A two-bedroomed bungalow with internal garage and first floor
accommodation within the roof as shown on the plans would take up
most of the site leaving little amenity space. Unacceptable mass
and bulk in close proximity to the boundaries of numbers 26 and 28
- overbearing when viewed from the rear of these properties and
their garden areas. Contrary therefore to Structure Plan Policy
SP12/10 and Local Plan Number 2: Proposed Modifications 2002
Policy HG17.
Out of character with the surrounding area thereby having a
negative visual impact on the street scene. Contrary therefore
to Structure Plan Policy SP12/10, Policy H15 of the Approved
Local 1993 and Policy SE4 of the Local Plan No 2: Proposed
Modifications 2002.
507/02 Mr & Mrs S Campbell 54 Butt Lane - extension - approved. External
(449/02) materials to be identical to those used for existing building.
A copy letter of objection from the immediate neighbour was
received. There was an objection from another neighbour also.
508/02 Camstead Ltd - 7 houses at Shirley Close. Noted that the Planning
(452/02) Officers were recommending approval to SCDC Planning Committee.
PKO would try to attend meeting.
[NOTE: House Extensions
It seems that if the Parish Council has a different view from
the Planning Officer then the application will be taken to
Committee or Chairman's Delegation depending on the size of the
application (eg Silver Acre was decided under Chairman's
Delegation).
BUT if the objections are from neighbours only and not from the
Parish Council then the Planning Officer can decide under
delegated powers without referring to Chairman/Committee.
The local member can also ask for a site visit and for an
application to be referred to Chairman's Delegation or Committee
(as in the case with the recent application in Coles Road)].
New Applications
509/02 S/2186/02 Mr & Mrs G Turner - Chesterton Auto Repairs Chesterton
Fen Road - erection of 3 buildings for industrial and warehouse
uses (Classes B1 (c), B2 and B8) following demolition of existing
buildings - no recommendations.
510/02 S/2191/02 Mr & Mrs Henderson 28 The Rowans - extensions - no
recommendations.
511/02 S/2235/02/O Mr & Mrs K Dean - land adjacent 21 Goding Way -
dwelling - no recommendations. There should be one single storey
dwelling only; landscaping was essential; neighbours' comments
supported.
512/02 S/2243/02 Mr R Cox 169 The Rowans - conversion of garage into
bedroom - no recommendations.
513/02 S/2246/02 Plastic Logic Ltd - Units 32-35 Science Park - 3 roof
mounted flues and associated duct work staircase and safety rails
and chiller/plant enclosure - no recommendations.
514/02 8 MCC Update and Joint Meeting
The minutes of the joint meeting were received. Thanks to PKO for
the article in Village View and on web site.
515/02 9 Minibus
(484/02) RJF had prepared a report with a request for financial help
towards a minibus costing £15,500 + VAT.
RJF declared a prejudicial interest and left the meeting.
IFM reported that SCDC had given a verbal agreement to hand over
£6,000 so long as the minibus was available to "non-uniformed"
youth groups.
TJS felt that as this matter had been under discussion for almost
two years a decision should be made at this meeting.
Areas discussed:
- The original application was for a loan of £4,000 (towards a
second hand scout minibus min 118/01). Concern was expressed
that the request now was for a grant of £9,500 out of a total
capital cost of £15,500 (for a community minibus).
- Grants were available to Parish Councils from the Vital Villages
Grant. If successful the Parish Council must retain ownership
and management of the minibus.
- Would SCDC give £6,000 grant to a Parish Council? (The original
grant was made to the minibus "action" group). IFM to ask.
- Running costs should be met by the users.
- Any MPC grant would be contingent on community use.
- The pros and cons of applying yet again for grant aid after the
lack of success to date.
After much debate it was AGREED
that MPC should apply for a Vital Villages Grant of £10,000. The
balance to be made up of £6,000 from SCDC; failing that from MPC.
Carried 8 votes in favour 3 abstentions. (JEC abstained just
having returned from Landbeach PC).
Any other options were deferred to the next meeting.
RJF returned to the meeting.
516/02 10 Request for seat between Banker's Ditch and the river
There had been requests for a seat between the railway crossing
and Baits Bite Lock. The clerk would seek the County Council
view (for a seat on the verge) and the Conservators' (for a seat
on the halingway).
It was suggested that Council ask (through the web and Village
View) if any resident would like to sponsor a seat.
Action: PKO and JEC
517/02 11 Bills for Payment and Money Received
CONFIRMED payment of cheque 2425
AGREED payment of cheques 2426 - 2439
Internal Auditor's report - noted that Council had no formal
Health & Safety Policy regarding staff. To be discussed by
"Standing Orders" committee.
Bank Accounts - Lloyds were changing the Premier Account to one
with a lower rate of interest. The clerk and RTS had taken the
opportunity to open two Scottish Widows accounts - instant
withdrawal and a 60-day account both at a higher rate of interest.
Members signed a letter to Scottish Widows confirming that
Council receives gross rate of interest. The Premier and HSBC
accounts therefore would be closed and the money transferred to
Scottish Widows.
Budget 2003 - a reminder that committees would need to consider
their budgets in readiness for the Finance meeting in January.
Tesco Vouchers - noted that Tesco had sent £20 worth of vouchers
towards the youth notice board.
518/02 12 Crime Update
Crime figures not to hand.
Inspector Howell's letter dated 28 October states ".between
1 April and 30 September we carried out 143 extra patrols in
Milton village .."
519/02 13 County Councillor's report
Bus Priority Lane Milton Road - to be discussed at the Area
Joint meeting on 9 December.
Sewage Meeting - scheduled for 4 December 2.30pm.
Waterbeach Library -
- Proposed closure - a public meeting was scheduled for
4 December 7.30pm at Waterbeach Primary School.
- 80th Birthday Party - was successful.
A10 - a meeting was being organised for 10 February for Milton,
Landbeach and Waterbeach to discuss issues concerning the A10.
520/02 14 District Councillor's report
Barnabas Court - RTS had asked D Ellis, Housing Manager SCDC, to
investigate ways of providing relief cover for the scheme manager.
521/02 15 Correspondence
County Council - Information about flood awareness
ACRE - Cambs Fundraising Conference
South Cambs Primary Care Trust - Bulletin
CALC - Bulletin
East of England Development Agency - Broadband competition
16 Dates of next meetings
CCWG - 12 December 11.00am
Planning - 16 December
Youth - 18 December
Council - 6 January
Play - 8 January
Finance - January (tba)
The meeting ended at 9.55pm.