Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair and Vice Chair for the municipal year 2010/11. 

Cllr Taylor, proposed by Cllr Blackhurst and seconded by Cllr Al Bander was elected as Chair of South Area Committee for the municipal year 2010-11.

 

Cllr Blackhurst, proposed by Cllr Stuart and seconded by Cllr Swanson was elected as Vice-Chair of South Area Committee for the municipal year 2010-11.

To receive apologies for absence.  

There were no apologies for absence.  

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 Services should be sought before the meeting. 

Cllr Blackhurst declared a personal interest as a member of Trumpington Residents Association and a member of the University of Cambridge.

 

Cllr Taylor declared a personal interested as an employee of Cambridge University Press, and vacated the Chair for the item.

 

Cllr Taylor declared a personal interest as she know some of the objectors for the planning application related to 102 Glebe Road.

 

Cllr Al Bander declared a personal interest as a member of Trumpington Residents Association.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th May 2010 were agreed as a true and accurate record subject to the addition of Cllr Swanson to the attendees list.  

Members of the public are invited to ask any question, or make a statement on any matter related to their local area covered by the City Council Wards for this Area Committee. The Forum will last up to 30 minutes, but may be extended at the Chair’s discretion. The Chair may also time limit speakers to ensure as many are accommodated as practicable. 

 

There were no questions raised during the open forum. 

The committee received a report from the Police regarding Safer Neighbourhoods. The following comments were made on the report.

 

·        Additional policing in the Accordia/Aberdeen Avenue area was welcomed. The importance of supporting and developing a sense of community in new areas was acknowledged. The committee was encouraged to continue reporting relevant issues to the Police.

 

·        Clarification was sought on what work was undertaken with parents, and whether parents were always aware of the issues created by young people in their care. The Sergeant outlined the overall approach in this area including the use of parenting support workers, ASBOs and engagement with parents.

 

·        The recent reports in relation to alleged drugs issues around Hanover Court were highlighted, and it was suggested that the issue should be prioritised.

 

·        Significant concern was raised regarding the ongoing level of violence against health care workers at the Addenbrookes site. Additional concerns were raised the length of time it was taking to investigate some of the incidents. The Police advised that they worked closely with the hospital and that there was no evidence or suggestion that the hospital were withholding information. It was noted that a number of delays were as a result of alleged perpetrators being detained under mental health provisions.

 

Resolved

 

1.    The committee endorsed the priorities as outlined in the committee report with the addition of drugs issues associated with Hanover Court.

The Head of Refuse and Environment introduced the consultation document on the Statement of Licensing Policy, and provided a brief overview of how it related to the wider licensing system.

 

The committee sought clarification on the misuse of alcohol and drugs figures. It was explained that the figures were obtained from the Police.

 

The committee also suggested that the discussion would have been assisted if the Police had remained for the item. The Head of Refuse and Environment explained that the Police were statutory consultees.

 

The committee received a presentation on the new planning services. The following comments were made;

 

·        What support will be available if members of the public can’t find information? The committee were advised that there was a Duty Planning Officer available at the Customer Services Centre. It was also noted that the help documentation was easily accessible via the website.

 

·        The committee and members of the public welcomed the accessibility of the system.

 

·        Clarification was sought on how far back the system would go. The Officers explained that full information (documents) back to 2008 was currently available and over time this would be extended back to 2000. The committee were also advised that the text information on applications was available back to the early 1960’s, and further information for the period 1964-1983 was available via microfiche and to 1999 on CD at the Council’s Customer Service Centre.

 

·        The possibility of including a more detailed or consistent approach to naming conventions, or the inclusion of a summary document was suggested for large applications as it was suggested that documents were sometimes difficult to find. It was noted that options may be limited, but the issues raised would be considered.

 

·        It was confirmed that significant amounts of information were included in the Public Access system and main corporate website regarding the planning process.

 

·        Clarification was sought on the status of “copyright” protected document provided by third parties and whether these would be published. Officers confirmed that since the system went live no problems had been raised, but that it would continue to be monitored.

 

·        The committee were assured that hard copies of plans and drawings would continue to be made available on request at the Customer Service Centre.

The committee received a report from Cambridgeshire Community Foundation regarding Community Development and Leisure Grants.

 

The representative outlined the applications received and proposed allocations. The committee asked a number of questions to clarify the nature of applications including;

 

·        10147 (2^nd Cherry Hinton Guides) – The level of fundraising undertaken by the group was clarified.

·        11512 (Hanover and Princess Court Residents Association) – The details of the next grant round, specifically whether it was too late for community group to apply for Christmas related funding.

·        2315 (Trumpington Elderly Action Group) – The representatives of the group present confirmed that the group had adopted a new constitution, and that a new copy would be provided to CCF.

 

Resolved

 

1.    The Committee approved the grant allocations as outlined in the committee report.

 

The committee received a report from the Principal Landscape Architect regarding the Environmental Improvement Programme. Updates were provided on the following schemes;

 

·        Fishers Lane

·        Rectory Terrace

·        Cherry Hinton High Street Verges

 

Clarendon Road Traffic Calming

 

Cllr Taylor withdrew for the item.

 

The committee were advised that following the suggestion from the March 2010 meeting, options for traffic calming in the area had been examined. An indicative cost of £70,000 based on the design included with the committee report was highlighted.

 

The committee were further advised that full public consultation would be undertaken subject to the outcome of the Area Joint Committee in September.

 

Mr Ron Clifton addressed the committee representing Brooklands Avenue Residents Association. The following issues were raised;

 

·        A serious incident involving the death of a domestic animal

·        A recent monitoring exercise highlighted 42% of cars travelling north are exceeding the speed limit.

·        Significant risk of accidents.

·        Main offenders appear to be cars leaving the Government Office and Cambridge University Press sites.

·        Reservations about whether the imposition of speed humps was the most appropriate solution, and whether alternative mechanisms such as a 20mph limit or working with the main alleged offenders.

·        Reduction of available parking spaces

 

In response the committee were advised that speed humps were the most efficient options for reducing speed, but that other options could be investigated.

 

The committee made the following comments on the proposal;

 

·        The possibility of installing 20 mph flashing signs and implementing a “Speed Watch initiative”.

 

·        The need to avoid  “heavy engineering” solutions.

 

·        The need to engage with the major alleged offenders.

 

Resolved (Unanimously)

 

1.    The committee agreed to instruct officers to consult on a range of options regarding speed reduction.

 

Cllr Taylor rejoined the meeting.

 

Wulfstan Way

 

The Principal Landscape Architect sought authorisation from the committee for a topographical survey.

 

The committee thanked the Principal Landscape Architect for the work undertaken to date on the project.

 

Resolved (Unanimously)

 

1.    To authorise a topographical survey of the site at a cost of £1600.

Site Address: 54 Kelsey Crescent

Application Number: 10/0248-FUL

Proposal: Erection of a new 2metre fence, following removal of existing (retrospective application).

Applicant: Mrs Beryl Fairweather

Officer Recommendation: APPROVE

Public Speaker: Mrs S Glynn

Decision: APPROVED (unanimously)

 

Site Address: 102 Glebe Road

Application Number: 10/0485-FUL

Proposal: Erection of two dwelling (following demolition of existing dwelling).

Applicant: Mr. G. B Jeffery

Officer Recommendation: APPROVE

Public Speaker: Mr C Anderson

Decision: APPROVED (Unamiously), with the final two conditions on the agenda recognised as Informatives, and two additional conditions:   1. Except with the prior written agreement of the local planning authority, there shall be no collections from or deliveries to or in association with the development of the site, during both the demolition and construction stages of the development, outside the hours of 0930 and 1500 on Mondays – Fridays and 0700 hrs and 1900 hrs on Saturdays; there shall be no collections or deliveries on Sundays and Bank and public holidays.   Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to avoid conflict with the prime times for movements to and from the nearby Pelican Pre-Preparatory School and in the interest of the amenity of neighbours. (Cambridge Local Plan 2006, policies 3/7 and 4/13 and 8/2)   2. No development shall commence until details of soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Soft landscape works shall include planting plans; written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); schedules of plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/densities where appropriate and an implementation programme.  Particular attention shall be given to planting on the periphery of the site designed to help limit the impact of the development as seen from neighbouring property.  The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the detail agreed and any planting that dies within a period of 5 years from the introduction of the planting scheme, shall be replaced with new planting.   Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to ensure that suitable soft landscape is provided as part of the development, in a way which help the development become assimilated into its surroundings as quickly as is practicable

 

The committee is asked to agree a start time for future meetings of the South Area Committee.  

The committee resolved by 5 votes to 0 to revise the start times to 7:30pm for future meetings.