Newton Parish Council

NEWTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 18TH SEPTEMBER 2019 IN NEWTON VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 PM

PRESENT:Councillors L Peden (Chairman)(LP), B Belson (BB), C Eggleton (CE), C Bradbury (CB), P Topping (PT) Mark Deas (Cambridgeshire ACRE) Uzma Ali (South Cambridgeshire District Council) Sally Walmesley (Clerk) Members of the public: 8

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE,DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS All Parish Councillors were in attendance. There were no interests declared.

2. PUBLIC QUESTIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS AND DISCUSSION AT FUTURE MEETINGS (PARISH COUNCIL) 2.1 Housing Needs Survey -Presentation Mark Dees (Cambridgeshire ACRE) The Chairman invited Mr Dees to update attendees on the recent Housing Needs Survey. He introduced himself stating that the last survey had taken place in 2013 and there were various issues at the time and a site was not agreed. A new site had now been identified in the village and Cambridgeshire Housing Society wanted to take the project forward to provide affordable housing for local people. Mr Dees advised on other sites in the District where 350 affordable homes had been built in the past seven years. Newton was a relatively small village with around 170 homes. It was designated a rural area, and infill only village, so any affordable homes would be protected in perpetuity. He added that priority would be given to people from the community. Mr Dees then reported on the process for the survey adding that there had been a 35% return rate which he felt was good. 75% of those supported affordable housing while the other 25% expressed concerns including traffic issues and lack of infrastructure. The result of the survey, after processing, was that there were six families identified as candidates for affordable housing. There was currently 12 families on the South Cambridgeshire District Council housing waiting list with a village connection. The Cambridgeshire Housing Association proposed a scheme for eight dwellings of various size. He reiterated that the homes would be for people with a local connection and these people would take people with a village connection. Residents attendance were invited to ask questions. Mr Dees was asked about the 2013 survey and why, after a huge amount of controversy when this was carried out, had a new survey been done. Mr Dees advised that South Cambridgeshire District Council would not use a survey which was over five years old. The definition of ‘Rural’ was queried as Newton was squashed between the developing villages of Harston and Foxton. Mr Dees confirmed that Newton currently had a Rural status. The affordable housing allocation on the nearby Whittlesford development was referred to and the South Cambridgeshire Housing Representative, Izma Ali, who was in attendance was asked how many local residents were living there. Mrs Ali stated that she would need to find out but reminded the meeting that she couldn’t provide confidential information just numbers. She added that there was currently 1800 names on the South Cambridgeshire District Council housing waiting list. A discussion took place on current council housing stock and Mrs Ali confirmed that there were no vacant properties in Newton at the present time. She added that the Housing Officers did speak to residents who no longer needed large properties to see if they wanted to downsize but the decision was down to the tenants. They would not be made to leave. Mr Dees was asked if other sites were to be investigated. He replied that the

Newton Parish Council Parish Council Minutes 18th September 2019

search for the Harston Road site had been going on for 5-6 years so they were not actively looking. It was believed that this was the most appropriate site. The timeline for the project was requested. Mr Dees confirmed that a planning application would be submitted in the near future now that the Housing Association were aware of the survey results. The Chairman added that residents would be able to have their say on the plans so the village would be advised once they were received for consultation. The Chairman thanked Mr Dees and Mrs Ali for their attendance. She added that the survey would be published on the village website, and made available to residents.

3. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 3.1 The Parish Council Meeting held on 5th June 2019 Minutes of the meeting held on 5th June 2019, copies previously circulated, were agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman.

4. MATTERS ARISING There were no Matters Arising.

5. COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS 5.1 District Council Cllr Topping circulated a report in his role as District Councillor. He gave a brief verbal report including an update on the cemetery application on Whittlesford Road, which had now been refused. Cllr Topping stated that he expected this would go to appeal at some stage. The Clerk was asked about the transfer of street lighting power to the Parish Council from Cambridgeshire County Council which was to take place at the end of October 2019. The Clerk confirmed that she was working with other local Clerks. The first stage was to obtain a MPAN for an unmetered supply for the village.Once this was known then energy quotations could be sought. Recycling sites were to introduce a permit scheme which was hoped to better regulate vans and trailers. The permits would be limited to 5 visits per year. The application for a taller chimney at the Vetspeed plant expired at the end of September. The chimney was supposed to be part of a new method for disposing of waste. Cllr Topping added that the activities on the site would need to be monitored. South Cambridgeshire District Council had brought in a private company to manage elements of the planning process. The company was based in Birmingham so there were concerns over the lack of local knowledge when dealing with applications. 5.2 County Council The County Councillor was not in attendance.

6. FINANCES 6.1 To receive the financial statement and to approve the payment of bills

The following payments were approved – MRS L PEDEN Reimburse for filing cabinet and travel £139.49 SEABYS GROUND MAINTENANCE

Grasscutting June/July 2019 £374.00 TOTAL £513.49 The financial statement, after payment of invoices, showed a total of £20,965.78, in the parish bank accounts.

The statement was circulated to Councillors. 6.2 To agree the Change of Signatories The Clerk had prepared a change of address mandate for the bank account. It was advised that the signatories also needed updating to include Cllr Eggleton and the -Clerk new Clerk. This would be arranged as soon as possible.

Newton Parish Council Parish Council Minutes 18th September 2019

7. WEBSITE 7.1 Update on Replacement Website Cllr Belson reported that she had tried on a number of occasions to set up a meeting with the ex Councillor who held the website account without success. It was noted that the website could not be updated easily. A discussion took place on options for a replacement site. The Clerk suggested that the btck British Telecom free site be investigated as this worked well for other councils. It was agreed that the Clerk and Cllr Belson work together on the -BB & investigation. The Chairman suggested that there might be a resident of the village Clerk willing to help. 7.2 Councillor email addresses The Parish Council e-mail addresses were currently linked to the website. These also needed to be updated. Cllr Belson and the Clerk would also investigate these.

8. HIGHWAY ISSUES 8.1 Update on implementation of agreed Scheme 2018/19 Cllr Bradbury reported that the successful application for the five way junction was progressing. He had a conversation with the County Highway Officer regarding the tree, which had some of its boughs removed, and now had to be removed. Cllr Bradbury had tried to get a start date for the work but the Project officer was currently away on holiday. He then advised that the next scheme applied for on -CB Harston Road, for speed cushions, could go ahead. The proposal was originally for

speed cushions but then the Parish Council was advised that these would not allowed and a speed platform was the option. Cllr Bradbury was told that the two schemes would go ahead at the same time to keep the costs down. He would keep Councillors updated.

8.2 LHI Scheme 2020/21 Cllr Bradbury advised that unfortunately the deadline for the submission of the application had passed. He had drawn up a specification for yellow lines, which were not part of the pending roadworks, which he shared with attendees. An

explanation of how the LHI scheme worked was made. The specification would form part of the submission for the next round of the LHI bids for 2021/22. 8.3 General Condition of roads and drains A list had been prepared by Cllr Bradbury who confirmed that he would raise the

list potholes with the County Council Local Highway Officer. He added that there was a number of blocked drains. Cllr Topping stated that the County Council now -CB had a program to clear drains and suggested that the list be forwarded to the Local Highway Officer which Cllr Bradbury agreed to do. The Chairman thanked Cllr Bradbury for his work. 8.4 Historic Trees Following a request by the County Council Projects and Road Safety officer, about the ownership of the tree on the centre triangle of Whittlesford and Fowlmere Roads, Cllr Bradbury had followed up with the Diocese as it was believed the tree belonged to them. The Diocese confirmed that there was no record of ownership. He had since advised the officer of his findings.

9. RECREATION/PLAY AREA 9.1 RoSPA Play area inspection July 2019 A safety inspection of the play equipment had been carried out during July 2019 and there had been a number of items identified as a medium risk. Cllr Topping had met with a contractor to obtain a quotation for bringing the equipment up to standard which had just been received. The costs were substantial. Cllr Topping agreed to go through the quotation to prioritise the work which would need to be carried out over the following few years. Cllr Belson stated that it was disappointing that the community didn’t come together to form a fund raising group for new equipment. She had tried appealing for people to come forward, through the newsletter, without any success. It was recognised that there were grants for play equipment applied for through a community initiative. The Chairman advised that she had spoken to the grasscutting contractor about

Newton Parish Council Parish Council Minutes 18th September 2019

water getting into the wooden bases of some equipment due to strimming too close. They had agreed that a child friendly weed killer would be used around the bases next season. Cllr Bradbury offered to cut back the branches under the trees on the recreation ground. Arrangements to dispose of the cuttings would have to be made. The Chairman advised that she had obtained a quotation for the cutting back of the trees plus the disposal of the waste, for a cost of £95.00. Councillors agreed that -Clerk the contractor, Seabys Grounds Maintenance, be asked to carry out the work. Clerk to advise the contractor.

10. PLANNING To consider planning applications 10.1 Planning Ref S/2701/19/VC 11 Harston Road -Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission -Cllrs S/1193/17/FL for new 1.5 storey 2 bedroom dwelling Councillors were urged to look at the planning application on line and advise the Clerk of any concerns. 10.2 Planning Ref S/4329/18/OL Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton Saffron Walden -Outline planning permission with all matters reserved for a phased mix use development -Further information received -Briefing note to respond to key themes raised during the first and second rounds of consultation -Draft Heads of Terms which is an update of Appendix 4 of the Planning Statement -Revised Housing Statement -Viability Statement -Response to the parishes (July 2019) which responds to key themes from the local Parish Councils -Consolidated Design and Access Statement which updates the December version with the relevant updates set out in the April submission 10.3 Planning Ref S/1458/19/FL (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) Spinney Hill Farm, Newton Road -Change of use from a dwelling house and former agricultural land to a nature reserve and burial ground -Transport Addendum Report Additional Information

11. VILLAGE WARDEN TRUST Cllr Belson reported that there were no longer any members of the scheme from the village. The aims of the scheme were being advertised but people were not coming forward. She reminded members that the Parish Council was paying a -BB financial contribution. Councillors agreed that the biggest issue was getting the information out to the residents. The Chairman asked Cllr Belson to arranged for the Warden to attend a village coffee morning.

12. DEFIBRILLATOR PROPOSAL Cllr Belson reported on an incident in Thriplow during the Summer where access to a defibrillator would have helped. She added that the equipment was worthwhile and that the Parish Council should pursue. Details of the cost, and suggestions for location, would be discussed at the next meeting.

13. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED INCLUDING 13.1 Street Lighting – Parish Energy Handover

A communication had been received from Cambridgeshire County Council advising that they would no longer be buying energy on the Parish Councils behalf and recharging at the end of the year. This meant that parishes would now need to set up new arrangements for procuring and paying for street lighting energy

themselves. A copy of the lighting inventory was provided with guidance on how to proceed. As confirmed by the Clerk under the District Councillor report the handover was progressing. The Clerk was currently waiting for a MPAN number from UK

Networks and then the local Clerks intended to join together to see if they could get

Newton Parish Council Parish Council Minutes 18th September 2019

a good deal on the electricity supply. 13.2 Operation London Bridge

This operation related to the death of a Monarch. The Clerk reported that at recent training sessions, and also at the Clerk and Councillors CAPALC conference, the procedure for this operation had been discussed. Details of the discussion from the SCDC Liaison Meeting had been distributed to Councillors.

It was noted that the resident with a flag pole had been advised. 13.3 Foxton Parish Council -Invitation to join a cross village traffic working party Foxton Parish Council had suggested setting up the working party with neighbouring villages. Their first meeting was to be held on the 26th September

which the Chairman had agreed to attend. Foxton Parish Council had also suggested that in order to keep a record of the discussions at the meeting a Clerk be employed to take notes. This cost of his/her time to be divided between the -LP attending villages. th st 13.4 Foxton Travel Hub Consultation 9 September -21 October 2019 Details of the consultation had been circulated to Councillors. It was advised that the travel hub would be in close proximity to Foxton railway station and would offer more sustainable alternatives to the car and encourage more people to use public

transport. There would be around 750 car parking spaces and parking for cycles. Cllr Topping expressed his disappointment that there was no proposal for cycleways to connect the villages. He felt this would just be a free car park for commuters.

The Clerk would be prepare a notice, advertising the consultation, for the village -Clerk notice board.

14. COUNCILLORS ITEMS FOR INFORMATION AND REQUIRING THE URGENT ATTENTION OF THE CLERK 14.1 Facebook Cllr Belson reported that there was an increasing number of village issues being -BB posted on Facebook. She had asked that they be channelled through the Clerk so that they could then be brought to a Parish Council meeting for discussion. She would reiterate this in the newsletter.

15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING -20th November 2019

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm

Newton Parish Council Parish Council Minutes 18th September 2019