Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Ashwood.

 

Name	Item	Interest
Councillor Taylor	14/7/SAC	Personal: Her son plays on the Accordia Estate.

 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2013.

The minutes of the 4 November 2013 meeting were approved and signed as a correct record subject to the following amendment shown in bold:

 

13/52/SAC Open Forum question 2: Councillors Ashton and McPherson responded that the issue had been raised by Councillor McPherson before the new estate had been built. A speed check had subsequently been undertaken by the Police but the results were felt to be flawed. A further check had therefore been requested. Councillor Ashton also confirmed that he had personally spoken with the Police and the County Council on this issue and supported the views of local residents.

 

There were no matters arising.

1.    Mrs Prosser raised concerns regarding the safety of dual use pavements (cyclists and pedestrians), specifically in Queen Edith’s Way. Mrs Prosser had contacted County Council Highways Officers on a number of occasions since August 2013, to raise concerns regarding pavement safety and neglect which made the pavements unusable; she had not received a response to date.

 

South Area Committee (SAC) Councillors responded that pavement safety was a cross-city issue. As was the protection of grass verges, which could be damaged when people moved off the pavement, or covered over to give a larger pavement area.

 

Councillors Birtles, Crawford and Taylor had discussed the issue of pavement safety with County Highways Officers, particularly in Queen Edith’s Way; and undertook to pursue the matter further. A public consultation is expected in future on possible solutions.

 

ACTION POINT: Councillor Taylor to discuss issue of safety on shared cyclist / pedestrian pavements with County Council Highways Officers.

 

2.    Mr Carpen asked SAC Councillors who were not present at the 4 November 2013 meeting how they used social media.

 

Councillor Birtles, Dryden and McPherson responded that they used community but not personal Facebook pages.

 

Councillor Stuart said she read but did not respond to ‘tweets’.

 

Mr Carpen signposted free social media training in Cambridge through Cambridge Online.

 

3.    Mr Carpen thanked SAC Councillors for attending an event at Morley Primary School.

 

4.    Mr Carpen signposted “35 ideas for Cambridge” as published on his website/blog http://antonycarpen.co.uk/. Responses to date showed support for civic engagement with students as they progress through school. Mr Carpen asked if SAC Councillors would engage with local schools and colleges to make this happen.

 

Councillor Ashton responded that all SAC Councillors would speak at local schools and colleges if formally invited to attend on specific times and dates. If Mr Carpen was willing to facilitate contact on behalf of students, Councillor Ashton would act as the central contact for councillors in his capacity as SAC Chair.

 

5.    Mr Carpen signposted a discussion at East Area Committee where the Mayor proposed hosting a question time event between councillors and students from St Bede’s and Parkside. Mr Carpen asked if SAC would host a question time event for local students (eg Netherhall) too?

 

Councillor Dryden responded that SAC Councillors would attend if formally invited to attend on specific times and dates.

 

6.    Mr Carpen queried if Netherhall students and a non-executive director from Addenbrooke’s Hospital could be invited to join SAC as ‘observers’.

 

Councillor Ashton responded that there was no age limit restricting attendance at SAC meetings. Meetings were public, anyone could attend and ask questions. Therefore students and personnel from Addenbrooke’s Hospital could attend SAC meetings if they wished. Councillor Ashton asked Mr Carpen to invite any contacts he thought would be interested to future SAC meetings as shown on the city council website http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=122&Year=0.

 

7.    Mr Carpen queried what actions councillors would take in 2014 to inspire young people in local democracy.

 

Councillor McPherson said that his job involved explaining the city council governance process to local students, some of whom go on to become student governors.

 

SAC Councillors discussed the merits of re-instating the use of posters to advertise meetings. A survey of members of the public in the room showed that only one person had viewed recent posters (put up by Mr Carpen) advertising SAC meetings.

 

SAC welcomed Mr Carpen’s input into publicising SAC meetings.

 

ACTION POINT: Councillor Ashton (as Committee Chair) to write to local schools and colleges to invite students to attend future South Area Committee meetings.

Under paragraph 4.2.1 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chair used his discretion to alter the order of the agenda items. However, for ease of the reader, these minutes will follow the order of the agenda.

Report to follow

The Committee received a report from the Urban Growth Project Manager.

 

The September 2013 second round short-listing report highlighted constraints on which short-listed options could be afforded from the devolved developer contributions available to the South Area. Over the last four months, these financial pressures have been eased.

 

The January 2014 report asked the Area Committee to identify three local project priorities (plus a fourth grant-based priority project, if appropriate).

 

The Urban Growth Project Manager:

       i.          Referred to an email from Accordia Estate residents to SAC supporting the proposed scooter/skate park. He referred to P19 of his report where details of a petition were set out. The Urban Growth Project Manager was trying to combine scooter park and trim trail projects in one item for Accordia in the proposed project.

     ii.          Referred to an addendum to the committee report setting different options to fund projects.

   iii.          Once SAC agreed its priorities, a consultation will be undertaken prior to implementation of work. Further details are set out in section 5 of the Officer’s report.

 

Members of the public made a number of statements, as set out below.

 

1.              Ms Dean spoke on behalf of Trumpington Bowls Club:

·       Funding was required to extend club facilities.

·       A lack of facilities limited the size of the club.

·       Suggested few sports projects received s106 funding.

·       The Bowls Club offered facilities for all ages and abilities, including people with disabilities.

 

2.              Mr Wheer spoke on behalf of Accordia residents:

·       Referred to the petition to support the skate park.

·       Asked for the project to be fast tracked to receive funding.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Urban Growth Project Manager said the following:

 

       i.          SAC could signpost Cherry Hinton Hall as a site for a multi-use games area, for consideration of citywide funding by Community Services Scrutiny Committee 13 March 2014.

     ii.          Undertook to check multi-use games area locations across the city.

 

ACTION POINT: Urban Growth Project Manager to check if multi-use games areas are located in each city ward.

 

The six options (in no particular order) are:

A. Refurbish the family centre at Cherry Hinton Baptist Church.

B. Extend Trumpington Bowls Club Pavilion.

C. Junior scooter park for pre-teens and trim trail at Accordia.

D. New or refurbished pavilion at Cherry Hinton Rec Ground.

E. Basketball court or MUGA at Cherry Hinton Rec Ground.

F. New pavilion at Nightingale Avenue Rec Ground.”

 

Following discussion, Members resolved (unanimously) to:

 

       i.          Identify local priorities to be funded from devolved developer contributions funding, subject to local consultation and project appraisal as follows:

·       A. Refurbish the family centre at Cherry Hinton Baptist Church.

·       B. Extend Trumpington Bowls Club Pavilion.

·       C. Junior scooter park for pre-teens and trim trail at Accordia.

·       D. New or refurbished pavilion at Cherry Hinton Rec Ground.

     ii.          Earmark up to £200,000 of devolved outdoor sports contributions for the proposed new pavilion at Nightingale Avenue Recreation Ground in advance of the receipt of community facilities contributions expected from the development of the Bell School site.

   iii.          Instruct officers to make preparations (including further local consultation) for developing the proposals for the proposed new pavilion at Nightingale Avenue Recreation Ground.

 

Councillors requested a change to the recommendations. Councillor Ashton formally proposed to add the following recommendation to those listed in paragraph 1.1 (referred to by recommendation 2.1) of the Officer’s report:

 

   iv.          Request the Urban Growth Project Manager to ascertain if the basketball court or MUGA at Cherry Hinton Rec Ground (option E) could be sited at Cherry Hinton Hall and be eligible for citywide s106 funding.

 

The Committee approved new recommendation iv unanimously.

 

The Committee agreed recommendation iv unanimously.

The Committee received a report from the Technical Officer.

 

The report outlined that following a recent update of the play area at Cherry Hinton recreation ground, a Panna (micro football pitch) has been planned for installation in early 2014. However, after a consultation was carried out in September 2013, an objection to the proposed positioning of the Panna on the Recreation Ground was received from one of the end properties of Chequers Close which would overlook the proposed location.

 

The Council would therefore like to revisit the choice of location with the option of two further positions which may offer better options in minimising anti-social behaviour adjacent to nearby residences.

 

Councillor Ashton sought clarification if there would be space for the Panna if the pavilion expanded. The Technical Officer said there would be little impact as the Panna was small.

 

Following discussion, Members resolved (unanimously):

 

       i.          To choose Option C as the new position of the Panna (Appendix A in the Officer’s report).

     ii.          The Area Chair to sign-off (post meeting) the associated project appraisal for commencement of the installation of the Panna as Option C (Appendix A in the Officer’s report).

The Committee received a report from the Director of Customer & Community Services.

 

The report outlined that the Cambridge Community Safety Partnership (CCSP) is currently consulting on new priorities following the production of a detailed Strategic Assessment of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour across the City. These priorities will guide the work of the Partnership over the coming three-year period from 2014-2017 although the plan will be updated annually to ensure it reflects the needs of the community. This paper provides background information for consultation with Area Committees.

 

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Customer & Community Services. The following points were made:

       i.          The level of reported crime was reducing for the last 5 – 10 years.

     ii.          People were asked to give feedback on CCSP priorities through the city council website.

 

The Area Committee considered the evidence in the Strategic Assessment 2013 (Appendix A of the Officer’s report) and discussed the following comments and draft CCSP priorities:

       i.          Domestic violence.

 

The Director of Customer & Community Services noted comments regarding domestic violence from a statement by Ms Sinot as read out by Councillor Birtles. Domestic violence had not been deprioritised and there was no change in officer support. CCSP aimed to work with the County Council to signpost services and cover different needs.

     ii.          Victimisation in schools. Councillor McPherson said part of his role was to work with vulnerable children and offered to work with CCSP in this area.

   iii.          Theft of bikes to fund other criminal activities.

 

ACTION POINT: Liz Bisset to signpost details regarding immobilize.com

 

   iv.          Road safety.

 

The Director of Customer & Community Services suggested this could be raised as a local police priority for SAC.

    v.          Working with CAMBAC to reduce the level of shoplifting.

   vi.          Working with young people, specifically girls, to ensure that crimes were reported.

 

A member of the public made a statement, as set out below.

 

1.       Mr Carpen signposted an event regarding domestic violence to be held 13 February 2014 in Mill Road. He offered to forward details to the SAC Committee Manager to circulate.

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for demolition of existing building and replacement with proposed residential dwelling and raising of existing dropped kerb.

 

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from Mr Woodley.

 

The representation covered the following issues:

 

       i.          He had no objection to development of the site in principle, but took issue with this specific application.

     ii.          Raised concerns regarding:

·       Parking.

·       Emergency service access.

 

Ms Frost (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (unanimously) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers.

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for construction of two storey extension to form a shower room and bathroom, plus a new window on gable wall for lounge.

 

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from Ms Beaumont.

 

The representation covered the following issues:

 

       i.          Expressed the following concerns:

·       Impact on amenity space, the garden and view from it was important for family life.

·       Sense of enclosure.

·       Dominant design and appearance.

·       Overshadowing.

     ii.          Signposted alternative options as set out in her representation to the Planning Officer.

 

Ms Jones (Applicant’s Representative) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (unanimously) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers.

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for erection of one two-storey four bed house on land adjacent to 4 Strangeways Road.

 

The Principal Planning Officer corrected a typographical error on P127 (Highway Safety) in the Officer’s report as follows:

 

8.17   The proposal does not include any alterations that would affect highway safety and the additional level of traffic movement associated with a new dwelling is unlikely to have a significant adverse impact on highway safety in this area. Furthermore no concerns have been raised by County Highways on highway safety.

 

Mr Marsh (Applicant) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (unanimously) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers.

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for an extension to the front of the house and erection of a new dwelling to the side.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (unanimously) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers.