HRG Meeting Minutes 17.5.22
Present: Joy Richardson, Russ Phillippo, Claire Cock-Starkey, Fabio Puddu, Marieke, Gaynor Hayde, Peter Hayde, Margaret Greeves, Hilary Roadley, Dom Bellamy, Jan Nanor, Brian Williamson, Rupert Pearce Gould, Paru Naik, Evelynne Hull, Christine Heath.
Apologies: Irene Richards, John Holmes, Julie Seekings, Linda Churchman
Update on issues from previous meeting:
Irene Richards contacted highways regarding bitumen on Button End. Dom surprised Irene complained as he thinks it’s fine and it can’t be fully asphalted as there is no kerb or anything.
Can the PC get the bus shelter cleaned of graffiti? Dom says all the bus stops in the village are going to get professionally cleaned this year.
Artesian Well: Water now turned on again with a hose connected to the drain in the road. This seems to have improved bogging on the green. Anglian Water came and cleared a ditch. There is a network of pipes under the green and no one is sure where they all lead. Highways are now being consulted as to what’s going on in the pipes. The good news is that water no longer pooling on the Green.
Cutting verges on London Road and Station Road for walkers. PC have not actioned anything so far but they will look into the costs. Hilary suggests a footpath connecting Harston and Newton. Dom says it has to be properly factored in to the costs for cutting all the grass. Hilary suggests applying for a grant to get a path.
Traffic and Transport:
EWR announced on news page that they’re doing a consultation across the east-west line starting tomorrow in Bedford and it is intended to come to our area at some point. Brian will keep us posted.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority are carrying out a 12 week consultation on local transport, ends 4th August. Claire to add link to consultation in newsletter. https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/news/public-urged-to-have-a-say-on-regions-transport-future/
Air Quality: Zephyr reporting system outside school now gone so currently nothing taking readings in the village.
Speed monitoring: PC report conclusion regarding sids:
· London Road was the main problem area, it has a 40mph limit. 30-50% of cars were found to be speeding. 91mph max speed recorded on London Road.
· 16-20% violate the 30mph limit on High Street, max speed measured 79mph.
· Station Road 30% speeding, max 91 mph.
· Church Street and Button End speeding is not a problem but there are other issues with vehicles blocking the road.
· Most really bad speed violations happen late at night.
PC will use this report to try and lower speed limits in the village and use the evidence to show highways. There has been a positive impact of the flashing lights slowing people down. PC is hoping to buy more flashing lights this year. Flashing lights will be put up outside the school to get people to slow down.
Joy asks if anything can be done about HGVs on Button End? Dom replies not really as they have the right to use the road despite it being unsuitable.
Buses: Contacted Stagecoach over a year ago to ask them why it cost so much to travel into Cambridge when more distant villages get a cheaper rate. Over £6 for Harston but only £4 from Oakington. Jan is going to chase this up.
Neighbourhood Plan: Paru reports she has stepped up to be a parish councillor. Met with Alison Talkington strategic planning, she is very supportive of our NP and has a consultant who can help us.
Steering group now has 10 members. NP plan area has been agreed and passed by PC. More people into steering group needed. They have an architect but need other experts who can be co-opted in when needed. They need: note-takers, project managers, planners etc.
They are going to be taking the village aspirations to Alison Talkington and these include affordable housing. Claire to add the draft aspirations to the minutes.
Harstonnp@gmail.com – email any thoughts on the aspirations to them directly.
Jubilee Picnic: Flyers have gone out, Hilary coordinated. Charlotte Clarke has organised. Dom needs help with the children’s games. Hilary doing a badminton task and Russell is doing quoits. Anyone who is available to help with stewarding etc please contact Charlotte.
Litter Pick: Peter Hayde suggests 11th September for next litter pick. Joy says there are a number of people who informally are picking up litter around the village which is wonderful.
Russ says lots of litter around the shop. There needs to be some sort of plan to tackle this. PC got some signs asking people to take litter home but they haven’t been put up by the shop. HRG happy to help support more litter picking there.
Button End band playing at the Church on Friday for Ukraine.
Greener Harston: Area by bus stop was cleared, still a few bits to do. Trailer loads of wood taken away. No greener Harston in May but Roger needs a bit of work on the war memorial this Saturday 10am. Box hedge has box blight so is dying off.
Grass verge by the Green that has been reseeded needs cutting. And the positioning of some posts to stop people parking there. PC looking into it.
Rupert reports serious sewage leak in Haslingfield but it has been fixed.
Signs for naming the river between Haslingfield and Harston. PC looking into this possibility.
Brian asks if the big red sign saying new traffic signals ahead has been there for over two years can be removed. Also the signs saying traffic calming as there isn’t any. Dom would like to see a list of redundant signs, people should email them in to the PC.
Planning:
Beech Farm: Had permission in principle for 5 units but then applied for nine. Date finished for this one. Waiting to see what happens with it. PC asked for some social housing.
Vujon: Going ahead with 8 houses on the site but no idea when they’ll start. Hilary’s husband, John asked them to preserve a benchmark on the house and they said they’ll start work in 8 weeks. They’re also looking for a local/historic name for the development. Hilary suggested The Old English Gentleman.
No news on Pemberton Arms/Coop.
RPG suggests we ask new councillors to come and talk to us.
PC Update: Lost three councillors including Martin and Tim but gained Paru. They’ve rejigged groups for things like transport, recreation ground, open spaces and pavilion redevelopment: if anyone from HRG wants to get involved then get in touch with PC. To make sure communication is better improved with other interested groups. Dom suggests someone from HRG attends PC meetings to report back.
AOB:
Park House wall: Hilary spoke to the chap fixing the wall. He’s using lime mortar and is going to use the broken pieces of the wall properly. Very technical and needs straightening so it is taking a while. He’s keen to do a demonstration to the village. RPG asks if he might do a video/pictures of the process. Paru suggests Hilary do something on it for the newsletter.
Next meeting: 21 June 2022 8pm