Agenda and minutes

Prior to the formal start of the meeting the chair invited all present to observe a minute silence in memory of Miciajah Brown.

The Chair also made the following announcements

·        It was explained that following the conclusion of discussions with the CAB, it had been agreed that the advice kiosk would be located in Cherry Hinton Village Centre.

·        The deadline for receipt of applications for Community Development and Leisure Grants was 31^st March 2012, and all present were encouraged to promote the grants. 

Apologies were received from Councillor Dryden. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January were approved as a true and accurate record. 

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting. 

Members of the committee are asked to declare any interests in the items on the agenda. In the case of any doubt, the advice of the Head of Legal should be sought before the meeting.

 

Councillors Swanson, McPherson, Blackhurst and Taylor declared a personal interest in item 11 as being acquainted with the agent.

Councillor Stuart declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 11, as the applicant was her ex-husband and the agent was her current husband.

Councillor Pippas declared a personal interest in item 10, as being acquainted with the applicant.

Councillor Taylor declared a personal interest in item 7, as an employee of CUP, mentioned in one of the proposed schemes. 

Sam Davies addressed the committee and its support for improvements to the infrastructure for cyclists along Long Road. The committee were advised of the problems associated with travelling by cycle along Long Road. The committee welcomed the proposals and suggested that it could be possibly addressed utilising Southern Area Corridor Transport Funding.

Jerobie Read and Ian Carter addressed the committee seeking improvements to the skate park in Cherry Hinton. Jerobie and Ian spoke about the positive benefits that improvements to the skate park could deliver. The committee thanked both Jerobie and Ian for attending the area committee and speaking on the issue. Ward Councillors explained that discussions were ongoing with Streets and Open Spaces about possible improvements.

Andrew Bower spoke in support of the suggestion in item 7 to construct a link between Hills Road Bridge and the guided bus-way. The committee welcomed the support, but it was noted that the available space was likely to preclude the construction of a ramp.

Mr Varney expressed his disappointment that a senior member of the county council highways team was not present to discuss the concerns of residents regarding traffic management in Cherry Hinton. Councillors Carter and Ashton explained that discussions had been on-going for some time, and that the lack of progress on the part of County Councillors Officers was disappointing. Both Councillors also expressed concern about an email, circulated on the day of the meeting, which appeared to suggest that funding decisions had already been made.

The committee thanked all the members of the public who taken the opportunity to ask questions in the open forum.

 

The committee received a report from the Southern Area Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant (Jim Stephenson).

Prior to the presentation of the report, the Sergeant highlighted the recent murder at Hanover Court. The committee were advised that the Neighbourhood Policing Team were not directly involved in the investigation, however it was explained that they would have a role in the long term.

The Sergeant reported on activity relating to priorities set at the November meeting.

·        Anti-social behaviour on and in the immediate vicinity of Cherry Hinton High Street

·        Anti-social behaviour associated with the use of mopeds

·        Anti-social parking associated with Morley Memorial and Queen Edith’s Primary Schools.

The committee were given the opportunity to consider whether each priorities should be retained, altered or discharged.

Anti-social behaviour in Cherry Hinton

It was noted that at a recent meeting of the Cherry Hinton Residents Association the continuation of the priority at least for another period had been requested. Concern was also expressed that some of the issues may have been suppressed by the cold weather.

The Sergeant acknowledged the concerns, but explained that engagement activities associated with Cherry Hinton were now embedded in the day to day activities of the neighbourhood policing team, so even if the priority was dischargedm the level of activity was unlikely to fall.

Mopeds

It was noted that there had been a significant reduction in the number of incidents, but concern was expressed that the cold weather may be a major factor in this reduction.  It was also suggested that inappropriate use of mopeds and mini motors has been highlighted as a possible problem on the southern section of guided bus route.

Anti-social parking

It was noted that to date the Police activities had been focussed on education and not enforcement, but inconsiderate parking remained a problem, although it was at a reduced level. Ward Councillors asked for the police to move to enforcement at the two schools where work had already taken place. It was also explained that both schools had written to all parents on a number of occasions.

Similar problems were highlighted in relation to the Pelican School on Glebe Road and Homerton Children’s Centre. Specific engagement activities had been undertaken with parents at Homerton Children’s Centre in the past, but due to the turnover of children it was agreed that education should be used as the first tactic. It was agreed however that issues associated with the schools identified in the original priority should be addressed through enforcement.

 

Questions were asked about the reasons for the rise in violent crime in Queen Edith’s. The Sergeant explained that the levels of violent crime were low in Queen Edith’s, and that the majority of the increase related to a single incident at Addenbrooke’s. Clarification was also requested on what engagement occurred with Addenbrooke’s and whether any specific interventions were planned. The Sergeant explained that there was regular engagement with Addenbrooke’s and that crime levels were in line with the normal patterns.

Police were asked whether detection rates in the report were unduly low, or whether they were average and what if any actions were being taken to improve the detection rate. The Sergeant explained that the detection rate was an average across all crime types, and crimes where the complaint was withdrawn were included in the undetected category. The committee were advised that the detection rates varied significantly across different crime types.

Mr Richard Taylor addressed the committee and welcomed the recent publicity from the South Area Policing Team regarding burglary. He also repeated previous requests for additional detail about the composition of the violent crime statistics and for details regarding speeding to be included. Mr Taylor also highlighted the presence of a representative of the Police Authority and suggested that they should have a greater role in the priority setting process, and also asked whether the Police Authority could exert any influence to ensure that the information was included.

The Sergeant explained that burglary was not solely managed by the Neighbourhood Police Team. The committee were assured that there was no spike in recent activity, and whilst incidents continued to be low, it was recognised that burglary had a major impact on individuals.  With reference to speeding the Sergeant explained that he couldn’t access the requested information, but did provide a breakdown of which percentage of report crimes had been logged as domestic violence.

	Domestic Violent related incidents	Total incidents
Queen Ediths	16	202
Cherry Hinton	31	126
Trumpington	22	186

 

The Sergeant explained that the % composition of domestic violence was broadly consistent with the rest of the city and previous reporting periods.

The Sergeant agreed to explore the possibility of reporting the number of fixed penalty notices issued by traffic cameras in the South Area; however it was noted that there were only a small number of cameras.

Ruth Joyce, an independent member of the Police Authority introduced herself and agreed to follow up the issues raised. She explained however that the Police Authority would cease to operate at the end of 2012 and that the responsibilities would be transferred to the new Police and Crime Commissioners.

Concerns were raised regarding the prevalence of speeding in Church End, Cherry Hinton. The Sergeant explained that speed enforcement was part of the regular business of the Police, and enforcement would be undertaken based on intelligence. The committee were advised that whilst PCSOs could undertake sampling activities, they were not permitted to undertake enforcement activities. Ward Councillors confirmed that the issue had been raised with the police before and asked for enforcement.

The following priorities were suggested during discussion.

1.    Continue – Anti Social Behaviour in Cherry Hinton

 

2.    Continue – Anti Social Behaviour associated with mini motos and mopeds

 

3.    Continue – Anti Social parking associated with Queen Ediths and Morley Memorial Primary Schools (enforcement) and add Homerton Childrens Centre and the Perse Pelican School (education).

 

4.    Add – Speeding on Church End

 

 

Following discussion it was agreed to not adopt a fifth priority associated with drug related issues in Hanover and Princes Court due to the on-going investigation activities having a significant impact in reducing general crime level. It was also agreed to review the situation in relation to Hanover and Princes Court at the next Police priority-setting meeting.

Resolved (Unanimously) to adopt the following priorities.

1.    Continue – Anti Social Behaviour in Cherry Hinton

 

2.    Continue – Anti Social Behaviour associated with mini motos and mopeds

 

3.    Continue – Anti Social parking associated with Queen Edith’s and Morley Memorial Primary Schools and add Homerton Childrens Centre and the Perse Pelican School.

 

4.    Add – Speeding on Church End

 

The committee received a report from the County Council requesting feedback on two specific project proposals and also seeking additional ideas for potential transport projects. The committee were advised that the money had been collected through the S106 process and could only be used to mitigate the effects of development. Previous schemes in Cambridge funded through the Area Transport Corridor Funding were highlighted.

With regards to the specific projects the committee made the following comments.

1.    Supportive of the Hills Road Bridge proposal, and it was suggested a similar project could be considered for Long Road Bridge as well.

2.    General support for the radial route signage project. It was suggested that the project should also include other major routes in the area such as Babraham Road, Queen Ediths Way, Mowbray Road and Fendon Road,

The committee made the following suggestions for new schemes

1.    Improvements to Cherry Hinton High Street

2.    Improvements to Hauxton Road Bridge

3.    Re-modelling of Long Road Cycleways

4.    Reverse rural bus subsidy cuts

5.    Other improvements to Cycleways, including increased maintenance

6.    Lighting on the Guided busway cycleway.

7.    Supporting the implementation of the South Area Parking Review

8.    Installation of a bridge to link the Leisure Park with the Railway Station

9.    Re-siting of the Brooklands Avenue bus stop away from grass verges and improvements to the infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.

10.           Improved maintenance of trees where they overhang signage

Mr Crack explained that S106 money could not be spent on pure maintenance, but could potentially be used for maintenance where it could be demonstrated that maintenance delivers a significant improvement which mitigated the effects of development. Mr Crack highlighted the schemes which potentially were eligible for funding through this route and which weren’t, and explained the process for progressing schemes.

The committee expressed concern that the funding would not cover maintenance issues, particularly where the current approach of the County Council could be seen as dangerous to particular users such as cyclists or pedestrians.  

Ward Councillors re-iterated the concerns which had been raised in the Open Forum regarding the need to progress improvements to Cherry Hinton High Street.  

The committee thanked Mr Crack for attending the committee.

 

The committee received a report from the Head of Streets and Open Spaces regarding the current status of the Environmental Improvement Programme, and to consider future proposals.

The committee made the following comments

1.    Significant concerns were raised regarding the manner in which the external contractors managed the Wulfstan Way project. Strong objections were raised regarding the proposal to allocate additional money for the project to cover the cost of a noticeboard.  Councillor Heathcock suggested that the money should be sought from the contractors delivering the work.

2.    Regarding Rectory Terrace, two separate views were raised. Firstly it was suggested that if the project goes ahead it should be progressed quickly and without delay. Secondly significant reservations were raised about spending public money on private land. With reference to the second comment, clarification was requested on why City Council was responsible for cleaning and maintaining the forecourt if it was private land. The Head of Streets and Open Spaces agreed to provide an update outside the meeting.

 

Resolved (8 votes to 0) to approve the recommendations in the committee report.

The committee received a report from the Head of Streets and Open Space regarding tree planting.

Resolved (Unanimously) to approve the recommendations in the committee report.

 The committee received an enforcement report for consideration regarding the unauthorised change of use from C3 dwelling house to house in multiple occupation (sui generis).

The committee were advised that a retrospective planning application had been recently submitted and validated on the day of the meeting. Due to the change of circumstances the Principal Planning Officer submitted a proposed amendment, to defer enforcement action (if approved) until such point an application is refused or withdrawn.

The committee received representations from the agent (Mr Philpott) and an objector (Mr Gradwell).

Mr Gradwell addressed the committee and spoke in objection. Mr Gradwell highlighted the disturbance created by the premises and the associated implication for his enjoyment of his own property.

Mr Philpott explained the nature of the business and encouraged the committee to support the revised recommendation. He also suggested that the planning merits of the premises would be more appropriately addressed during the consideration of the planning application.

The committee requested that their frustration at the late submission of the planning application be included in the minutes.

Resolved (7 votes to 0) to authorise the issuing of an enforcement notice subject to the following revision to paragraph 5.1 to read:

 

‘In the event that application 12/0257/FUL for retrospective permission for a change of use from dwelling house (class C3) to Sui Generis use, including part HMO (class C4) and part B&B (class C1) accommodation and provision of additional parking is either refused or withdrawn it is recommended that the Head of Legal Services be authorised to issue enforcement notices under the provisions of S172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), for Material Change of Use from a C3 dwelling house to a House in Multiple Occupation (sui generis).’

 The committee received an application for full planning permission to erect six studio units and removal of existing trees at 20 Panton Street.

The committee received representations from Jasper Green (Objector) and Bruce Stuart (Applicant).

Mr Green made the following points

i.        Size of front dormers

ii.      Loss of apple tree

iii.    Loss of garden wall, which has been a long standing community feature

iv.   Height of the building, was not suitable for the location

v.     Chimney design

vi.   Loss of garden space at 20 Panton Street

vii. Lack of clarity regarding boundary

Mr Stuart spoke in support of the application.

Resolved (4 votes to 3) to accept the officer recommendation and approve the application subject to

 

·        proposed conditions

 

·        additional conditions 7 and 8 (as shown on the amendment sheet)

 

·        additional condition to secure landscaping scheme and replacement tree for the removed Malus tree

 

·        additional condition to control detailed design of chimney

 

·        additional condition to ensure the new front wall is constructed from re-used bricks from the existing front garden wall

 

·        amendment of condition 6 to explicitly reduce the external width of the upper dormer window

 

·        S106 agreement

 

The committee received a S73 application to vary condition 4 of planning permission reference C/99/1218/FP to use the single storey side extension (known as the annexe separately for a period of 2 years).

Mr Conmy spoke in favour of the application on behalf of the applicant.

Resolved (7 votes to 0) to reject the officer recommendations.

Resolved (7 votes to 0) to approve the s73 application subject and grant temporary permission personal to the applicant for a period of 2 years and S106 agreement, as it was not contrary to planning policy in the view of the committee.