Minutes of the Caldecote Parish Council Meeting on 3 October 2002 at 7

Minutes of the Caldecote Parish Council Meeting on 16 January 2003 at 7.30pm

in the village hall

Present: Parish Councillors; B Drayton, T. Footman, O. Kember (Chairman), J. Lang, P. Phillips, Dr C Stopp, F. Wolton, Councillor County Councillor R. Martlew and Mrs LG Stoehr (Clerk).

Present by invitation: Mrs Sally Fletcher, Januarys Chartered Planning Consultants, Mr Nick Parkinson, CHBC Architects and Mr Carl Atkinson Land Director and Mr Simon Butler-Finbow Planning Director both from Ashwell Development Ltd.

Also present thirteen members of the public (parishioners).

1. Apologies for absence

District Councillor J. Stewart.

2. To approve the minutes of the meeting on 5 December 2002

The proposal by Councillor Drayton, seconded by Councillor Phillips that 'the minutes be approved as a true record' was carried unanimously. The Chairman signed the minutes.

3. Grafton Pig Farms development and planning applications

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Sally Fletcher from Januarys Chartered Planning Consultants, Mr Nick Parkinson, CHBC Architects and Mr Carl Atkinson Land Director and Mr Simon Butler-Finbow Planning Director both from Ashwell Development Ltd. Letters from residents expressing concern at the plans for the proposed development of the southern site were received and considered.

Following discussion of the plans on a proposition by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor Lang the meeting was temporarily adjourned to enable residents who were present to ask questions and put forward their views to the developer.

The Chairman declared the meeting reopened at 8.50pm.

3.1 S/0459/02/F Ashwell Developments Ltd, Grafton Pig Farm, 10 West Drive, Highfields Caldecote - erection of six dwellings

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Footman, carried unanimously that the Parish Council refuse the application and offer the following comments:

A full archaeology survey should be carried out and a full report supplied. There is evidence of a Roman settlement to the west of Highfields Road at or near the location of the application.

Foul drainage. There is already substantial evidence of foul water problems within the village. The pumping station is already at over-capacity. No properties are to be occupied until the pumping station is upgraded.

The styles of the housing are very urban in appearance and not in keeping with a rural village.

The roofing materials are unacceptable to the Parish Council within a rural village. Given the problems that the village has with noise from Thyssen Tallent Chassis factory on Bourn Airfield the Parish Council is also concerned that this type of roofing material will further transmit the sound into the village.

The Parish Council is concerned at the movement of rats from the site. Steps should be taken to deal with the rodent problems prior to the start of any development.

It is noted that the Parish Council did not receive a copy of the contamination report or details of surface water drainage proposals despite having commented on contamination on the previous application. A copy of these are requested.

3.2 S/0460/02/F Ashwell Developments Ltd, Grafton Pig Farm, West Drive, Highfields Caldecote - erection of 41 dwellings and access to Highfields Road

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Footman, carried unanimously that the Parish Council refuse the application and make the following comments:

Although the Parish Council note that there are other three storey properties in the village these don't overlook existing properties as these do. The Parish Council object therefore to the location of the three storey properties.

It appears from the plans that the development has extended beyond the boundary to the north. For example near plot 27. Ashwell Developments have been asked to contact the adjacent landowner to clarify this. This needs to be resolved.

A condition should be imposed to ensure that the turning head, road, sewers and other services are completed before the start of any housing.

Urban concept of mews court yards and courtyards not in keeping with the rural nature of the village

The styles of the housing are very urban in appearance and not in keeping with a rural village.

The roofing materials are unacceptable to the Parish Council within a rural village.

Surface water drainage. Details are required of the route of surface water drainage

Foul drainage. There is already substantial evidence of foul water problems within the village. The pumping station is already at over-capacity. No properties are to be occupied until the pumping station is upgraded.

The Parish Council object to the inclusion of area of private drives and to gated private drives. The suggested proposal to have these areas under the ownership and management of a private management company is unacceptable. In practice this usually folds and the responsibility and burden normally falls on the Parish Council.

A condition should be imposed to ensure that there is a wheel washer on site and that all vehicles have their wheels washed before leaving the site.

The Parish Council is concerned at the movement of rats from the site. Steps should be taken to deal with the rodent problems prior to the start of any development.

A condition is required to ensure that there is no access to the development down West Drive. All access must be Highfields Road.

The Parish Council has received copies of objections to the development. These must be taken on board and resolved. The Parish Council endorse their concerns.

The Parish Council has no objection to the spare triangular area as marked on the accompanying plan being incorporated into Plot 1 or Plot 4.

The Parish Council is concerned at traffic movements along the road adjacent to a primary school. An appropriate health and safety plan must be produced to ensure the safety of the pupils. Deliveries and traffic movements should avoid school start and ending times in particular.

The Parish Council note that an area is left unallocated to the south of the access Road. The Parish Council would be willing to accept transfer of this land subject to agreement between both parties as to the amount of funds for on-going maintenance.

4. Matters arising

4.1 (3.1) Telephone kiosk re-siting update

Carried forward.

4.3 (3.3) Notice board and schematic map

Cornhill had replied that it would not comment of the suggested wording for the play area and suggested that advice form CALC as sought. A reply from CALC's solicitor was now awaited.

5. To attend to correspondence received since the last meeting

5.1 A letter from Mr Tolhurst regarding problems with postal deliveries because of Highfields Court having a similar numbering was received and considered. It was noted that the Parish Council had closed this matter following correspondence from the District Council. It was agreed to reply to Mr Tolhurst giving details of actions last year and suggesting that he contact the District Council if he wishes to take this further.

5.2 Invitation to attend training on highway pot holes and street works had been received. It was agreed to decline the invitation and to refer instead to the County Council's policy documents.

5.3 In response to the letters of complaint from residents concerning noise, in particular 'dumping metal' noises from Thyssen Krupp it was agreed to write and ask Mr McCrystall for a progress report.

5.4 In response to the letter from the District Council asking if the Parish Council wished to continue to be notified on planning applications at Cambourne it was agreed that it did with to be consulted.

5.5 The Chairman reported on the proposed application for 2,500 new homes to be built by Countryside Properties on Bourn Airfield and that he had written an article for the Journal.

6. Planning received since the last meeting

Nil

7. The village development including

7.1 Traffic calming and highways

It was noted that the speed bumps had not been modified as expected and it was agreed to ask Mrs Sue Reynolds for a progress report and a timetable when the works would be undertaken.

7.2 An order had been received stating that the bridge works would now commence on 20 January and were expected to take approximately six months.

Whippet Buses had been written to asking them to collect in Highfields Caldecote and turn in Strympole Way. Councillor Wolton reported that the bus company had said that they would be turning in Bosserts Way.

7.2 Wilson Connolly development

Councillor Footman was thanked for compiling a list of faulty streetlights in the village that had now been sent to the developer. It was noted that repairs had taken place to some of the streetlights along Highfields Road.

7.3 Banner and Bloor development

Banner Homes had replied that they had no responsibility for the road markings at the junction of Blythe Way and Highfields Road and the County had said the same. Councillor Martlew kindly offered to take this up with the County Council.

7.4 To consider the draft transfer for the Banner POS

The draft transfer document sent by Mr David Stead of Mills and Reeve Solicitors was considered. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'the transfer document be approved and that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman be authorised to sign the transfer on behalf of the Parish Council' was carried unanimously.

It was agreed that the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the hedging along the southern boundary should be clarified and it was noted that there was barbed wire within the hedge.

8. Recreation grounds and public open spaces

8.1 CALYPSO and the multipurpose arena

Councillor Phillips reported that the fundraising was almost all in place and that the Group was concerned that the land transfer might delay the project. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Drayton that 'the Parish Council ask the Solicitor to ask Wilson Connolly if it would be willing to transfer the kick about area and pro-rata establishment funds' was carried unanimously.

8.2 Children's play areas

8.2.1 Councillor Wolton reported that he had been carrying out weekly inspections and that the area was very muddy. It was agreed to seek a quotation for 1 meter wide paths between each piece of equipment made from the same safety surfacing as at present and seek the views of the Caldecote Play Equipment Scheme Committee on what could be done to improve matters.

8.2.2 It was noted that Wilson Connolly had installed a seat and two litter bins. The proposal by Councillor Drayton, seconded by Councillor Kember 'that these be added to the assets list, included on the Council's insurance policy and that Miss Martlew be asked to empty the bins as part of her duties' was carried unanimously.

8.2.3 The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'the second bench kindly donated by Councillor Lang be installed on the eastern area of the tennis courts and added to the assets list and insurance' was carried unanimously.

8.2.4 A letter is to be sent to Wilson Connolly asking them to complete the landscaping to the children's play area by removing the shrubs between the two areas as shown in the landscaping plans.

8.3 Tennis courts and tennis club or sports association

Mrs Tasker had agreed to start up a tennis club and liaise with the Lawn Tennis Association however she had suggested that a sports association be started rather than just a tennis club. It was agreed that the Parish Council would do all it could to support this initiative and that Mrs Tasker be thanked.

8.4 Grasscutting and recreation ground maintenance

It was agreed that quotations be sought from James Wakelin and other contractors for the grasscutting and maintenance of the shrub areas and be considered at the next meeting.

8.5 Other

A letter is to be sent to Wilson Connolly asking when the drainage will be laid in the recreation ground so that the Parish Council can co-ordinate the proposed cricket square works.

9. Awarded watercourse and Bourn Brook

9.1 It was noted that there were still problems with the pumping station. The tankers occasional visits were not frequent enough to alleviate the situation and also the rising main in Bourn Drift was still overflowing.

Mr Lansley's letter and that of Anglian Water were received and considered and the proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'another letter of complaint be sent to Anglian Water stating that the Parish Council is still not satisfied and that it considers the company in breech of ist Licence and asking what their contingency plans are' was carried unanimously.

8.2 Councillor Wolton reported that he had completed the survey of awarded watercourse along Highfields Road and that the information had now been sent to Pat Matthews. It appeared that the most sections of the open ditch were free flowing and that the problems lay with stretches where the ditch had piped and along Mr Bibby's stretch in particular 150m south of the SSSI. It was agreed to ask Mr Matthews to speak to Mr Bibby asking him to make urgent improvements.

8.3 Problems along the St Neots Road reported to the Chairman by Mrs Liew of 347 St Neots Road were considered. A letter is to be sent to the Highways Agency asking it to clear out the ditch alongside the A428 and ensure regular maintenance is scheduled to the stretch. Details of the residents concerns in particular the diverted water run off from The Shielings onto her property are to be sent to the Environmental Health department with a copy to Pat Matthews asking for them to contact the resident to try to resolve the problems.

8.4 The Chairman proposed that the Parish Council purchase a pump for use by residents in event of flooding. There was a consensus that one pump would not be sufficient and that the Parish Council should instead put an article in the Journal letting residents know how to purchase their own pump and other flooding prevention measures.

8.5 Complaints from residents regarding the run off from the Wilcon Phase 2 site into adjacent residents gardens were received and considered.

8.6 The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'a letter of complaint be sent to the Leader of the District Council regarding the lack of development control and planning enforcement which allowing the developments to continue before the pumping station was upgraded' was carried unanimously.

10. Village appraisal/Parish Plans

It was agreed to carry this item forward to a future meeting.

11. Finance

11.1 Payment of bills

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton, that 'the following bills be paid:

Mission Computers - £206.10 Journal printing

M Kember - £27.30 salary

LGS Services - £259.40 clerking services

Inland Revenue - £23.10

Cornhill Insurance - £53.01 additional premium for safety surfacing

K Martlew - £33 salary

Caldecote Parish Council - £10,000 National Saving account' was carried unanimously.

11.2 To consider bank interest rates

It was noted that National Savings currently offered 300% higher interest than the Council's present savings account with Barclays. The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Lang that 'a savings account be opened with National Savings initially for £10,000 and that Councillors Kember, Wolton Drayton and Dr Stopp be signatories on the account with Mrs Stoehr authorised to carry out administrative duties' was carried unanimously.

11.3 Draft budget for FY 2003-2004

The second draft of the budget for the forthcoming financial year, which included amendments discussed at the last meeting, was received and considered.

The proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton that '£2039 be included in the budget under special projects for as flooding prevention and the budget then be approved by the Parish Council' was carried unanimously.

11.4 To approve the Precept for FY 2003 to 2004

The Proposal by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton that 'a Precept be issued for £12145.00 (twelve thousand, one hundred and forty-five pounds only)' was carried unanimously.

12. Councillors' items

12.1 A Highfields Road garage break in was noted.

12.2 Increased dog fouling in the village was noted and it was agreed that something should be put in the Journal pointing out that it was an offence and offenders would be prosecuted.

12.3 Damage to the West Drive road name sign had been reported to the District Council. Ms Duncan is to be contacted and urged to replace the Highfields Road sign that has been reported on several occasions.

12.4 Litter on the private track near the old shop was noted.

12.5 It was noted that works to the footpath adjacent to the Kennels were due to start shortly.

13. Closure of meeting and Parish Matters

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.24pm.

Signed…………………………………Chairman…….…………………Date.