Newton Parish Council
Minutes
Minutes from Meeting held on 29th March 2017 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm
Present: Mr Les Bailey, Mrs Louise Peden (Lou), Mrs Becky Belson, Mr Clive Bradbury, Mrs Maria Bailey (Clerk); Cllr Tony Orgee
Members of the public in attendance: 13
1. Apologies Mr David Benson was unable to attend
2. Approval of Minutes of last meeting Clive & Becky approved the minutes of the meeting held on 25th January 2017
3. Declarations of interest and dispensations held – None
4. Matters Arising (Open Forum)
War Memorial Nothing to report from Clive
Harston & District Village Warden Trust NPC agreed to raise the contribution by £50 a year to £350. Becky to send Clerk details where to send cheque. Becky will deliver leaflets in the village to raise awareness of the service that the Trust provides.
5. Discussion Items
Affordable Housing Les reported that following the planning refusal for the Whittlesford Rd development, there was renewed interest in developing affordable housing in the village. Mike Sugden of Cambridge and County Developments has been in initial contact with Uzma Ali, Housing Development Officer at South Cambridgeshire District Council, regarding the potential site on Harston Road.
Mike confirmed to Uzma that they are interested and she has suggested that he contact NPC to make us aware of the situation.
Cambridge and County Developments acts for Cambridge Housing Society in the development of affordable housing in Cambridge and surrounding areas and completed the successful Newton Road, Whittlesford scheme last year.
Les had an initial discussion with Mike on 17th March and was advised that Cambridge and County Developments was in early dialogue with the Diocese of Ely, the site owner, who are interested in discussing the sale of the site. No price had been agreed at that time. Once an outline of the price is agreed there will need to be a feasibility study to test whether the site could be developed as 100% affordable housing, or whether some market housing will be required to make it commercially viable. So far, there has been no planning application.
Cambridge and County Developments will be invited to attend the next meeting.
A draft layout plan of the proposed development is annexed to these minutes.
Compliance Lou is in the process of writing the standing orders and will present them at next meeting Action: Lou
NPC Clerk Vacancy Becky and Clerk to continue to advertise vacancy Action: Becky/Clerk
Local Highways and Village Maintenance Anglia Water has now finally repaired the broken manhole cover on Fowlmere Road outside the Robson’s Cottage.
New damage has occurred to a large manhole cover at the entrance to the farmyard opposite Deepthatch Cottage on Fowlmere Road. This has left a deep hole on the grass verge where cars park for the pub. The manhole cover has now been lifted back to cover the hole and prevent anyone falling. Anglia Water reported that it was not one of theirs and that it was surface drainage and probably the responsibility of CCC Highways. CCC have been informed and agreed to repair it.
During the recent gales several branches from the tree opposite the pub broke off falling into the main road and the slip road to Town Street. Residents cleared these. Henry Hurrell kindly arranged to clear all the small branches, which had been stacked on the grass verge against the farmyard wall. The broken branches have exposed the tree as being rotten and potentially a danger to the public. CCC Highways have been informed and arrangements made for the Tree Officer to come out and inspect the tree to see if it can be pollarded or needs felling.
On the other triangle of land with the village sign, one of the three oak posts has been broken off at the base by a vehicle mounting the verge. The Council is deciding if it needs replacing.
Concern has been raised again about lack of vision when crossing the junction next to the pub. NPC have previously been turned down for speed bumps or a mirror at this junction. Action will now be taken to monitor the speed of traffic on Fowlmere Road against the results obtained prior to the Speed Calming Grant Application. If there is still a high incident of vehicles exceeding the speed limit, following the installation of the 40mph buffer zone, then NPC will apply again for speed bumps on the basis of the dangerous corner. Action: Clive
Clive reported that the tarmac pathways in the village have deteriorated. Regrettably nothing can be done at present as SCCC has no budget available and is unlikely to have any for the foreseeable future.
Playground Maintenance It has been brought to the PC’s attention that a large amount of garden refuse has been dumped on the north end of the green between the cottages’ permissive path and garden fence. It was also noted that parties unknown have dumped a large amount of soil, far exceeding what is required for the playground, there. Clive has arranged for all the brush wood and garden refuse to be removed by Ed Barnes for the PC. George Hurrell has kindly offered to spray the area with Roundup and one month later remove the surplus topsoil. At the same time he will get the area leveled off ready for seeding, leaving enough soil for repairs to the Playground.
To prevent dumping reoccurring NPC will send letters to all residents of houses on the green and adjacent to it, as well as David Walston, reminding them that the gate must be kept closed at all times and that vehicles are not parked at any time on the Green. Action: Clerk
Children’s Play Area Julian Dunn has been asked to quote for maintenance to benches, fences and wood surround in the padded play area. Julian has already made three round seats to replace the ones missing or broken on the round table. It was agreed that NPC would arrange to erect a fence at right angles from the end of the stretch parallel to the Cambridge Road to the cottages, so as to fully enclose the play area for children’s safety. Action Clive/Becky
Tug of War – St George’s Day Robert Short has asked for permission to use the village green on St George’s Day. NPC very happy for this to go ahead as long as insurance is arranged via the Village Rooms.
NPC new Meeting dates going forward The AGM and Annual meeting will be held on Wednesday 17th May. Tuesday 11th July was penciled in the calendar for the summer meeting. Clerk to co ordinate diaries with village rooms for future meetings Action Clerk
6. Correspondence Planning applications received and circulated since last meeting: None Planning application updates: Nature Reserve & Burial ground (S/3364/16/FL) – permission refused
7. Report from Tony Orgee District Councillor Tony announced that he was standing down in the May elections. Thanks were given for all his help and support to NPC and Newton over the many years he has been in office. Tony confirmed that he would attend the next NPC meeting on 17th May. Tony went through his report – as attached
8. Questions from the Public Parking outside the village rooms and on the pavement on Harston Road was raised as a major concern for residents who live there. It was suggested that a sign be put up and notices placed under windscreens of offending vehicles. Becky to check wording for notices with Peter Taylor at Highways. Also, photos of cars parked on pavements can be sent to ecops. Action Becky/Clive
9. Finance – YTD accounts YTD accounts were distributed to Councillors. Section 106 Agreement (S/0607/13/FL) has been signed and monies released to the NPC.
10. AOB It was noted that any future affordable housing should still only be offered to people who have a connection to the village.
BT has not been in touch regarding the purchase of the phone box Action: Clive to chase
It was noted that there is damage to the pavement opposite Cockle Close, which may be due to the development of the bungalows. Action: Clive to inspect
A Neighbourhood plan was discussed and agreed that Lou would contact surrounding villages to see what action they have taken on this to date. Action: Lou
Les asked the audience to suggest the best way to go about communicating Affordable Housing plans to the village. It was agreed that the potential building company should be invited to a meeting to present their plans in full with plenty of visuals. Also, that the sustainability aspect of AH is checked. Action: Les
The land owned by the Parish is due for a rent review Action David
A mobile display van showing the full plans for the A14 development is visiting surrounding villages. Clive to let village know date that it is in Harston. Action Clive
Meeting closed 21.10
11. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on 17th May 2017 in the Village Rooms.
NPC Meeting Dates Wednesday 17th May 2017 – AGM Tuesday, 11th July 2017
NPC Areas of Responsibility
Area of Responsibility Scope First Point of Contact Highways Road conditions; Paths; Signs; Street Lighting Clive Assets Village Green; Play Area; Amenity Land; War Memorial Louise Finance Budget; Reporting; Banking. David Planning Policy; Applications; SCDC Liaison Les Compliance Localism Act; Standing Orders; Probity Louise Community Liaison Communications; Parish Engagement; Crime & Police Liaison; Becky Public Transport
County Council Report - Newton Parish Council 29 March 2017
County Council Budget 2017-18 At the County Council’s February meeting it was decided that there would be no increase in Council Tax and 2% Social Care precept. This overall decision for a 2% increase in the County Council’s portion of Council Tax means that the County Council’s portion of Council Tax will rise by about £24 per year for a Band D property with proportionate rises for properties in other Council Tax bands.
The two other amendments at the meeting, both lost, that proposed Council Tax rises: • 2% increase in Council Tax and 2% Social Care precept, • 2% increase in Council Tax and 3% Social Care precept, would have resulted in the County Council’s portion of Council Tax being increased by approximately £48 and £60 respectively for a Band D property.
To put things in context, a 1% rise in the County Council’s portion of Council Tax raises an additional £2.4 million whereas a 1% rise in the District Council’s portion of Council Tax raises an additional £70,000.
Social Care budgets all over the country are under great strain, and further financial support for Social Care was announced in the national budget. Cambridgeshire will get an extra £8.33 million for Social Care in 2017-18. This is over and above what the County Council is precepting.
Cambridge Sporting Village Tony attended a briefing on the Cambridge Sporting Village on 2 February. The Cambridge Sporting Village is a proposal to build sporting facilities and several hundred houses on land south of the Trumpington Meadows development, though with some facilities on the Hauxton side of the M11. It is associated with the Cambridge Community Stadium proposal, which seeks to develop Cambridge United’s Newmarket Road Stadium and immediate surroundings.
It was thought that these two linked planning applications will go to the relevant committee for determination within the next 3 months or so, the Community Stadium going to the City Council’s Planning Committee and the Sporting Village to the Cambridge Fringes Joint Development Control Committee for determination.
It would appear that the main issues relating to the Cambridge Sporting Village application are the special circumstances put forward by the applicants weighed against issues such as loss of Green Belt, loss of high grade agricultural land and the appropriateness of any proposed traffic mitigation measures.
Traffic signals on the A10 at Harston In January 2017 Central Government announced the creation of a National Productivity Investment Fund. This fund is for local highway and transport improvements; to reduce congestion, improve maintenance and to improve access to employment and housing. The Department for Transport has allocated £2.89 million to Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) for 2017-18.
The County Council had a planned resurfacing scheme for the A10 from the M11 to Hauxton. The productivity fund will enable the County Council to extend the resurfacing scheme to the London Road, Harston junction. Works will include upgrading and replacing the traffic signals at that junction. The improved signals should help manage traffic and accommodate the increased traffic flow along the A10, reducing congestion.
The main road through Newton leads on to London Road, Harston, and the London Road / A10 junction is a n important junction for Newton residents travelling to Cambridge or accessing the M11.
Cambridge Central Library Looking further afield, Cambridge Central Library was closed from Monday 20 March to Sunday 26 March inclusive whilst the first floor is refurbished at a cost of £65,000. There is now a new layout on the first floor with the creation of a new area for young people and an extension of the children’s library.
Tony Orgee and Gail Kenney County Councillors for Newton