Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 16th March at 7.15pm
Present: Cllr Barbara Cooper (Chairperson)
Cllr Ben Holland
Cllr Peter White
Sharon Brown (Clerk)
Also present: Cllr Tumi Hawkins, SCDC, Cllr Mark Howell, CCC, Mrs Bobbie Coe, Ms Elly Hemmins, and Mrs Christine Morton, Skylark Editor.
OPEN MEETING
Highways concerns:
Park Lane / School Lane junction: Noted that an LHI bid for speed reduction measures had not been taken forward, as the options were all considered too expensive. The concerns of a parent were expressed, at the poor safety measures at this junction.
Speeding on the A1198: Noted that the traffic in the 40mph zone is generally speeding, giving very little consideration to residents. Ms Hemmins asked whether there had ever been a proposal for a crossing. It was noted that such a proposal had been made, but never taken forward.
Cycle Paths: Noted that both Bourn and Longstowe would like a connecting cycle path. Cllr Hawkins noted that the CCC Greenways Project is used for cycle paths where there is greater population and housing development. (Papworth Everard used S106 money for its new path). There is little possibility of other external funding. It was considered that the proposed Cambridge – Cambourne Busway and East-West Rail developments will look after employers’ interests, but not those of local residents for local journeys.
Annual Parish Meeting: The process of this meeting was discussed.
104 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Will Bevan.
105 TO SIGN AND APPROVE MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the Meeting on 16th March were agreed and signed. Proposed by Cllr White,
seconded by Cllr Holland and approved unanimously.
106 REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS
Cllr Howell, provided a verbal report:
a) Aircraft flight route noise – RELAS local meeting. The main message from the meeting is to put in complaints when need be.
b) the vote on the Cambridge – Cambourne busway will take place next week.
Cllr Hawkins highlighted points from her written report:
a) Luton Airport flight paths – the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has agreed to continue the post-implementation review of flight path changes for an extra three months until September 2023, so that the effect of the summer holiday period can be assessed.
b) Luton Airport proposed expansion – London Luton Airport Limited made application on 27th February, to the government Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent Order (required as it meets the thresholds to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project).
c) E-W Rail – the government will announce its decision in May. Support of £15 million to local councils is currently being proposed as part of the package. The project was questioned with regards to the increase of working from home. Cllr Hawkins noted the growth and influence of the tech. industries in and around Cambridge influencing the E-W Rail development decision. The impact this was having on pricing ordinary families out of the Cambridge and surrounds was also noted.
d) Council tax: SCDC tax has increased by 3.1%.
e) The government support of £200 for heating oil users should now have been received by all households.
107 MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None.
108 MATTERS ARISING/TO REPORT FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) – COUNCIL TO REPORT THE FOLLOWING
a) Neighbourhood Planning: Mrs Bobbie Coe has completed the analysis of the Survey data. Mr Bill Allen is producing the report on the Survey to put to the Parish Council. The next Working Group meeting will be in May.
b) Verge problems between Longstowe Hall and Wayside: The verge reinforcement work has been completed, raising the verge slightly above the level of the road and replacing the bollards. Discussion questioned whether this was enough to prevent accidents along this stretch of road. Grass seeding was now proposed.
c) Speed measures on the Old North Road through Longstowe: Cllr Howell has been unable to pursue this matter, but will now make contact with the Police and Crime Commission again and as proposed by the Parish Council, will invite a representative to attend a Parish Council meeting to discuss the issues as soon as possible.
d) Co-option to Council: Mrs Bobbie Coe and Ms Elly Hemmins were welcomed to the meeting. Both have agreed to be co-opted to the Parish Council.
There was discussion on the number of Parish Council meetings actually needed each year, the clashes with school holidays and to the possibility of holding some online. It was recognised that voting on any issue could not take place at an online meeting. The suggestion was made that the February meeting could be dropped and that every other meeting be virtual. It was also proposed that these changes be put to the Open Parish Meeting. Cllr White put forward the proposals, seconded by Cllr Holland and unanimously agreed
e) Coronation events: There was discussion as to the possibility of expanding on the Coronation Tea and if so, the need to find volunteers to help. Cllr Cooper will attend the next Village Hall Committee meeting to liaise between the VH Committee and the Parish Council.
109 FINANCE
a) Accounts update: Noted
b) Clerk’s Pay and Expenses mid-Dec – mid-Mar 2022 £513.33. HMRC £98.13: Agreed
110 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
None.
111 TO CONSIDER OTHER MATTERS
a) Village Hall update: The Village Hall Committee AGM is 5th April. Larger gutters have been fitted at the back of the hall. The electricity usage and bills have now stabilized. County Broadband will be installing a fibre connection to the Village Hall on 20th – 23rd March. Forthcoming events include quiz nights, the Coronation tea and the fete.
b) Village Hall Committee – request concerning ownership of play equipment: Agreed to contact NALC concerning the legal wording concerning transfer of the play equipment.
c) Village sign – refurbishment: Judith Blackhurst, who originally painted the sign, will be able to do so again and will provide costings.
d) South Cambs Magazine: Cllr White has written to Cllr Bridget Smith and Councillor Tumi Hawkins with the concerns about non-delivery of the magazine.
e) Public Meeting: Aircraft Noise from Luton Approach – AD6- 23 February – report: Information on the extension to the post implementation review to September will be given in the forthcoming Skylark Supplement. Individuals should continue to log complaints with the full range of organisations (information on the RELAS website) each time they are impacted by the over-flying.
f) Play equipment – resident’s enquiry: The residents enquiry into the possibility of new play equipment was discussed. Mrs Bobbie Coe agreed to extract the data on play equipment requests from the Neighbourhood Plan Survey. Noted that during cricket matches, cars are parked on the grass by the play area. There was discussion on separating the play area from cars and dogs. The suggestion for some new equipment will be taken to the Village Hall Committee and also the funds that it holds for play equipment ascertained. The Clerk to respond to the resident.
112 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
A list of correspondence received is printed in the Agenda which is placed on the notice boards and on the web page prior to the Parish Council meeting; details are available from the Clerk.
113 SYKLARK – TO CONSIDER ANY EDITORIAL ISSUES
A Skylark Supplement will be produced concerning the Coronation event and also contain information on other matters.
The Skylark editor requested that the Parish Council fund the purchase of A3 paper, ink cartridges and staples for the in-house production of Skylark. The request was proposed by Cllr White, seconded by Cllr Holland and unanimously agreed.
114 MEETING DATE FOR ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Annual Parish Meeting 20th April 2023 at 7.15 pm: Agreed
115 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: THURSDAY 20TH APRIL 2023, FOLLOWING ON FROM THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING, AT LONGSTOWE VILLAGE HALL.
Signed by Date
Chair