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BLEWBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
Of the monthly meeting of Blewbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 10th May in the Vale Room.
Councillors present: Mrs E Austin, Mr R Bird, Mr M Brassell, Mr A Cooper, Mrs C Duckett, Mr R Farrell, Mr W Gore and Mr G Tuff.
Also present: Mrs L Ewers (Parish Clerk), Mr C Lamont (County Councillor) and two members of the public.
Matters resolved:
· MB elected as Chairman for 06/07; AC as Vice Chairman.
· Risk management register agreed to be complete for the current year.
· All due payments were approved.
· The council confirmed that it was satisfied with the performance of its current suppliers.
· The council agreed to publish its minutes on the Blewbury website on a trial basis.
· Agreed village maintenance during the growing season includes two cuts per month for internal paths, the playground and cemetery, and one per month for external paths as time permits.
Actions arising from the meeting:
· Clerk to invite Tracey Walker of Thames Valley Police to the Annual Parish Meeting.
· Clerk to draft a letter to address inconsiderate parking in conjunction with BG/MB.
· Clerk to discuss damage to grass at The Pound with the lengthman.
· Clerk to diarise the Best Kept Village visit timings so that clear-up activities can commence earlier.
· Clerk to forward agreed minutes to the Blewbury Bulletin for website publication.
· Clerk to pass Mobile Library service details to MB to answer village queries.
· Tennis Court subcommittee (MD, CD, CW) to review new plans for the London Road site and make recommendations on a process for involving villagers at the June meeting.
· MB to write Bulletin summary, including rabbit control measures.
· RB to draft a letter on Coffin Way cycle track for the Clerk to send.
· RB to order a new mower for the lengthman.
· RB to examine footpath barriers at Watery Lane/Westbrook Street and advise content of any letter to OCC.
· RF to confirm police liaison requirements with Kathy Edmunds so that a PC representative can be appointed if necessary.
· RF to draft a letter to OCC regarding Ladycroft Park fence: Clerk to send.
· RF to arrange a Parish Meeting to discuss Ladycroft Park with senior VWHDC officials.
· RF to draft a response to the South East Plan for councillors to consider prior to the June meeting.
· RF to advise on DEFRA Dog Control orders and registration of Parish land at the June meeting.
· RF to put forward GT’s proposals to move cables underground to VWHDC.
· RF to discuss replacement tree siting with resident and OCC.
Actions carried forward from prior meetings:
· RF to enquire into availability of temporary speed warning signs for the village.
· Clerk in contact with OCC to straighten damaged road sign on Bessels Way.
1. Apologies for absence: Mr C Whatmore.
2. Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman: MB to act as Chairman for 06/07. Proposed RF, seconded EA. AC to act as Vice Chairman for 06/07. Proposed RF, seconded RB.
3 Declarations of interest: EA declared a non-prejudicial interest in Ladycroft Park.
4. Minutes of the last meeting: held on Wednesday 12th April, were accepted and signed as a true record.
5. Police Liaison: No officer present. RF advised that Kathy Edmunds had attended a meeting held by Wantage police last month in her capacity as Neighbourhood Watch representative. RF to clarify with Kathy Edmunds whether a Parish Council representative is required.
The clerk has received notification from Thames Valley Police that Neighbourhood Action groups are being set up and the officers in charge of the neighbourhood policing programme have begun to attend Parish Council meetings. PC Metcalfe has already been invited to the Annual Parish Meeting; Clerk to invite Tracey Walker who is managing this project.
6. County Councillors report: Mr Lamont updated the parish council on four matters:
· County waste strategy: OCC has to reduce landfill and will be required to come up with new disposal methods. OCC will be addressing this via a tender to contractors. A “public engagement” period commences on 25th May for 6 weeks, including an evening where the public will be encouraged to enter into debate.
· LIFT initiative: effectively a form of PFI for Oxfordshire.
· Didcot Girls’ School: OCC’s capital programme is to be used to provide permanent new classrooms to replace 10 temporary structures used for the teaching of English.
· Local Government White Paper. A Local Government White Paper is anticipated in June this year, which will be fed into the Lyons enquiry into the future role and funding of local government and next year’s comprehensive spending review. Councils will be invited to come forward with their proposals in September/October. Oxford City Council has already declared its desire to seek unitary council status.
RF mentioned that in addition to Landfill Tax which currently stood at about £30 a ton and was increasing at a rate faster than inflation, a new levy will be in place by 2008/09 on the recyclable content of waste at a rate of approximately £100 per ton. Changes to household waste collection appear inevitable (District Councils are responsible for collecting waste; County Councils for disposing of it).
RF also drew Councillor Lamont’s attention to the new close board fence at Ladycroft Park, which is believed to have intruded up to 1 metre onto the highway. It is also believed that planning permission is required for such a fence. Councillor Lamont expressed his willingness to help in any way he can. A letter, copied to Councillor Lamont, is to be drafted by RF and sent by the clerk to OCC.
7. Matters arising:
Speeding of vehicles through the village (04/09/06): No progress to report. RF to pursue the possibility of signs to affix to street furniture.
Orchard Dene Theatre (12/04/06): The loss of the theatre is no longer believed to be a short-term threat. Should this situation change the Council will revisit the matter. Item closed.
Inconsiderate Parking (12/04/06): Complaints have been received in regard to inconsiderate parking of one particular lorry. The PC discussed the different locations in which it had been parked. Clerk to draft a letter to the lorry owner in conjunction with BG and MB.
The PC also discussed damage to The Pound’s grass caused by resident parking. Clerk to speak to the Lengthman to see what can be done.
Ladycroft Park (12/04/06): The council has received expressions of concern from residents and villagers regarding the state of repair of units being brought onto the site and the policies being adopted by the site owner with regard to tenants. There have also been further reports of safety breaches affecting gas supplies and serious electrical faults. RF is in contact with the VWHDC solicitor on some of these matters; RF is seeking to arrange a Parish Meeting for senior VWHDC officials to attend and discuss Ladycroft Park, possibly on 8th June.
8. Risk Management:
Insurance Levels for review: MB advised that the broker approached for quotes for the Council’s insurance is unable to find a company willing to offer the required cover. The clerk has applied for a quote from Zurich Municipal, however this is unlikely to be received in time for the current renewal, due on 1st June.
Risk Assessments: The risk management plan has been reviewed and was agreed to be up to date with no amendments required. Risk assessments are also up to date. Item closed.
9. Open Forum
A member of the public expressed the hope that the Parish Council would be putting as much care and attention into the houses to be built on the London Road Tennis Court site as it has exercised in agreeing uses for the proceeds. Concerns expressed related to the environmental sustainability of the dwellings and the opportunity to create a landmark design. Responding, RF advised that the council are now some way down the process of architect selection; MB confirmed he would be providing an update later in the meeting.
The representative present from the BVS had no issues to report.
10. Planning & Housing:
Sale of land and development of London Road tennis courts (12/07/05): MB stressed that the architects had been selected for their ability to demonstrate sympathy with the local surroundings. Initial discussions and sketches have highlighted the main issues as being external appearance, access, “green issues” and parking. The main delay (now in the process of being resolved) has been over the issue of access; some alternative designs are pending, hopefully in time for the Annual Parish Meeting. There was some discussion over whether the land would be sold to a builder or a co-operative approach sought with the Parish Council contributing the land: CD advised that no decision has been taken as the main priority is to gain planning permission to build on the site, and stressed that green issues were most likely to be addressed after this has been achieved. CD added that building regulations have been tightening since 1st April and the architects have done a site specific response as requested. It was agreed that discussion with the village on the plans was important and that the format of this process would be proposed by the subcommittee and discussed at the June Parish Council meeting.
Distribution of Housing in Oxfordshire (06/12/05): RF to circulate a draft response to the South East Plan for councillors to look at prior to the next Parish Council meeting.
Planning committee report: CD reported on two applications: one for Shepherds Hey to knock down the existing house and replace it with two executive homes; the other is a renewal application for the Manor House in Berry Lane.
Affordable Housing (02/02/06): No updates to report.
11. Finance & Administration
RF proposed approval of all payments, seconded by CD. It was noted that the payment for rabbit control authorised and minuted last month has already been paid.
KAP Reserves (15/02/06): The clerk confirmed that an amount of £999.00 had been received from the BVS for maintenance of KAP equipment. Item closed.
Local Council Governance (21/04/06): The council confirmed that it has considered the performance of all its current suppliers, providers and contractors, and is happy with all of them. Item closed.
12. Correspondence
Item requesting a reply:
DEFRA Dog control orders (12/04/06): RF to advise at next meeting.
Registering Parish Council Land (12/04/06): RF to advise at next meeting.
Items for Information: None.
13. Cemetery Development Plan
Rabbit Control (20/03/05): This has been carried out. CD asked that the Bulletin summary should also mention rabbit control in gardens: MB to write this in absence of CW. Item closed.
New Development Plan (16/04/06 ): MB advised that Anthony Stiff has expressed his apologies for the slight delay in starting this, and will be commencing work on drawings and getting ideas together starting next week.
14. Parish Plan:
Blewbury Surgery (02/09/05): IT issues have been resolved. BG advised that the Village Hall Management Committee is in discussions regarding major improvements to existing provision, and is hoping to receive a firm commitment to the surgery for the next few years in return.
Best Kept Village Competition (02/02/06): It appears that judging may have commenced prior to the joint BVS/Parish Council litter day. Clerk to diarise this so that earlier action may be taken next year. Item closed.
Annual Parish Meeting (04/04/06): Councillors had no further items to add to the agenda for next week’s Annual Parish Meeting. Item closed.
Overhead Lines (06/04/06 ): All District Councils can obtain funding for one nominated place to have its overhead lines to be moved underground. GT has completed details which will be put forward to VWHDC by RF this week. Item closed.
Publishing Minutes on the Village website (10/03/06): While some concerns were expressed about the legal implications of posting these minutes, it was noted that they are already public documents. The Bulletin editor has provided guidelines to the council. It was proposed by RB and seconded by RF that this should be done on a trial basis, starting from the agreed minutes of the May meeting. Clerk to forward these minutes to the Bulletin, with the addition of a suitable disclaimer. Item closed.
Mobile Library Stop off points (24/04/06): MB has been approached by a member of the public who has requested an extra stop in Westbrook Street. The Clerk advised that the relevant OCC department has had to reduce its visits to Blewbury (and other villages) from once a week to once a fortnight in order to cover all areas. Its normal policy is to not have stops less than 1Km apart from each other; on this basis Blewbury should really only have two stops, whereas it currently has three. The department in charge are happy to maintain this service but cannot increase it. Clerk to provide full details to MB, who will pass them on. Item closed.
15. Recreation Ground
Nothing to report. RF may need to cancel the next meeting due to a lack of available representatives.
16. Allotments
Nothing to report, beyond allotment holders’ concerns on potential water shortages.
The time approaching the cut off for standing orders, the Chairman asked which outstanding items were urgent requiring update and discussion this meeting. Only urgent items were discussed as follows.
17 Footways, Footpaths and rights of way:
Village upkeep review (02/09/05): Postponed to June meeting.
Feasibility of preventing trail motorcycles from entering the chalk pits from BR34 (03/09/05): Postponed to June meeting.
Coffin Way cycle track (01/02/06): A letter has been received from a parishioner querying the need for this. RB advised that the expected communication from Upton Parish Council had yet to materialise. RB to draft a letter for the clerk to send.
Lengthman’s contract (08/02/06): RB advised that a new mower is now urgently required. Following investigation of the lengthman’s requirements and contact with a number of alternative suppliers it was determined that the local village supplier can provide best value, including a part-exchange allowance against the old machine. Councillors agreed to a £30 budgetary overspend to expedite this matter and authorised RB to place an order. A motion to pay this due at the next Parish Council meeting.
RB also confirmed that he has agreed with the lengthman that all internal footpaths, the playground and cemetery are to be cut twice a month and all external paths within Parish boundaries once a month, time permitting. A note has been drafted to CW for the Bulletin.
Grass cutting and spraying (08/02/06): Postponed to June meeting.
Footpath Barriers (23/03/06): Barriers at the end of Watery Lane have been resited by OCC to provide access for wheelchair users. However the Council have received comments that this allows children direct access to cycle into the road and may have created a safety hazard. RB to investigate and determine the form of any letter to be sent by the Clerk.
Bridus Way bridle path (27/03/06): Postponed to June meeting.
Dead branches overhanging Bohams Road (28/03/06): Postponed to June meeting.
Path on the east side of the Church (05/04/06): Postponed to June meeting.
18. Roads, Road Safety and public transport
20mph speed limits (02/02/06): Postponed to June meeting.
Highway Management arrangements 06/07 (07/03/06): Postponed to June meeting.
Damage to posts on Bessels Way (08/03/06): Has now been rectified. However the road sign was not straightened at the same time, so the Clerk is chasing the traffic dept at OCC.
19. Village Hall Management Committee
Nothing further to report beyond surgery matters raised under item 14.
20. Environment
Postponed to June meeting.
21. District Councillors Report
Matters not covered under items 6 and 7 above postponed to June meeting.
22. Parish Council Clerkship
Contract ready, to be signed by Chairman and clerk at the end of the meeting. Item closed.
23. Any Other Business
A letter received from a homeowner at Church End expressed concerns that a new tree planted to replace a diseased one is too close to water pipes, and should be moved. It was noted that it cannot be planted where the original was removed as it would become infected. RF to put points to the homeowner and OCC.
AC advised that he will be attending the North Wessex Downs AONB annual forum in Pewsey next week.
24. Details of the next meeting
Annual Parish Meeting to be held May 18th in the Village Hall. Next Parish Council meeting: Wednesday June 14th in the Vale Room.
Meeting closed at 9.42pm.