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BLEWBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
Of the monthly meeting of Blewbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 14th June in the Vale Room.
Councillors present: Mrs E Austin, Mr R Bird, Mr A Cooper (Chair) Mrs C Duckett, Mr R Farrell (who joined the meeting at 9.00pm) Mr W Gore, Mr C Whatmore and Mr G Tuff.
Also present: Mrs L Ewers (Parish Clerk), Sarah Whittall (BVS representative) Mr Anthony Stiff
Matters resolved:
· The Council granted permission for the BVS 4th November Bonfire event.
· The Council approved the attendance of the Lengthman on the OPFA road show.
· All due payments were approved.
· The Council agreed the Statement of Accounts and the Chairman signed the Statement of Assurance.
· The Council decided not to apply for dog control orders.
· The Council agreed to publish the minutes after sign off at the next meeting.
· Ownership of two Parish Council notice boards was confirmed.
· The Council granted permission for parking on Tickers Folly Field on 25th June for Open Gardens.
Actions arising from the meeting:
· .RB to review the options with the lengthman to stop wear of the grass on the Pound.
· AC to draft letter to VWHDC confirming the points raised at the Ladycroft meeting in conjunction with MB.
· CD to look at options available for developing the SANDS area of the cemetery.
· LE to check pending cemetery quote.
· Cemetery committee to arrange a date towards the end of July for an Open Day.
· CW to advise the bulletin of the date for the open day for the Tennis Court development.
· CW/RF to establish latest position with regard to Affordable Housing with the landowner.
· LE to write to the bank to close the inactive deposit account.
· CW to read the Community Rights of Way grant application.
· BG to ensure owner of the notice board on London Road are aware that this is not owned by the Parish Council.
· CW to check the position of the tree at Bohams Road with dead branches.
· LE to check the coffin way letters and forward to RB.
· LE to send letter of thanks to the lengthman for work done FOC during Best Kept Village judging.
· RB with CW and the lengthman to verify possibilities for improving Bridus Way bridle path.
· RB to find out how much gravel the lengthman is holding.
· GT to get views on the new species of tree to be planted on the triangle at Church End.
Actions carried forward from prior meetings:
· RF to enquire into availability of temporary speed warning signs for the village.
· RB to draft a letter on Coffin Way cycle track for the Clerk to send.
· RB to examine footpath barriers at Watery Lane/Westbrook Street and advise content of any letter to OCC.
· RF to look into registration of parish land.
1. Apologies for absence: Received from Mr Colin Lamont (County Councillor) and Mr M Brassell. Apologies were also received from Mr R Farrell who could not attend until later and Mr R Bird who needed to leave the meeting early.
2. Declarations of interest: EA declared a non-prejudicial interest in Ladycroft Park.
3. Minutes of the last meeting: Held on Wednesday 10th May, and the Annual Parish meeting were accepted and signed as a true record.
4.. Police Liaison: No officer present. RF advised (when he arrived) that at the meeting Kathy Edmunds had attended in her capacity as Neighbourhood Watch all other representatives were from Parish or District Councils and agreed that a Parish Council representative would need to be appointed at the next meeting.
5. County Councillors report: No County Councillor present.
6. 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.
Inconsiderate Parking (12/04/06): Since the letter was sent the vehicle has not been seen in the village. Item Closed
Grass repair at the Pound (10/05/06) LE has spoken to the lengthman who advised that re-seeding or re-turfing the area would not solve the problem, that gravelling could be an option but not a very satisfactory one. One suggestion is that the kerb is raised. RB to meet with the lengthman to discuss the way forward.
Ladycroft Park (12/04/06): EA advised that the Residents Association had reviewed the breaches that the owner had pleaded guilty to, and of the 12 breaches a number had not been addressed or had been repeated. These include bringing unauthorised units onto the site, written notice of fire points, notice of name and address and site licence with conditions not being displayed. The Residents Association have passed this to the VWHDC requesting 100% compliance and have sent the following list of items they would like the Vale to action.
Unblock the roads.
Remove all the pallets of building materials.
Tidy up communal areas as this presents a fire hazard.
Mobile home brought onto the site recently and in a state of disrepair to be removed as well as any sited on the car park.
Hardstanding in disrepair to be replaced not patched up.
Hardstanding to be of an adequate size for the mobile home and if not the unit to be removed.
To review all correspondence from the Vale to the owner.
Ask the owner for documented proof that the workmen who have recently worked on the electrical supply are professionally qualified.
Check that all units sited since 10th March 2006 are 100% compliant with site licensing conditions.
It was agreed that following the Parish Meeting the Parish Council will write to VWHDC confirming the points raised at the meeting. AC to draft a letter in conjunction with MB.
EA thanked the councillors and clerk who were present at the Parish Meeting for their support.
When RF arrived he advised that he may hold an informal meeting to review the progress of the Vale.
7. Risk Management:
Insurance Quote .LE advised that the quote from Zurich Municipal was £1400 more than the current insurers. The majority of this increase being an extra £675 for the same level of cover of both public and employer’s liability insurance and £550 more for property insurance covering the same risks. It was agreed that this was a valuable exercise to establish the validity of the premiums currently paid. Item Closed
8. Open Forum
The BVS requested permission to hold the Bonfire event on the 4th November 2006. Permission granted. The BVS will supply a risk assessment for this event nearer the time.
Following a meeting of the cemetery committee and Mr Anthony Stiff, Anthony presented the current design for the cemetery, he explained the plan, layout and reasoning behind the design and advised that the paths would be made from self binding gravel and edged with timber. The central feature would create a focal point and was designed to give height to the overall plan. The main entrance route was likely to be changed. The boundaries, overall layout and planting structure were discussed. Points raised in relation to the initial design were the possible need for a deer proof fence and the need to develop the SANDS area. CD will look into the various possibilities available for developing this area. The overall project could cost anywhere up to £50,000 and take approximately five years to complete. This really is a ball park figure and will depend entirely on the quantity and cost of materials and labour required, as the project becomes more defined the costs will become clearer. It is proposed that work would be carried out in phases. Due to the costs involved there would need to be a high profile fund raising initiative and a possible review of burial fees. The plans will be made available to the public at an open day towards the end of July. All public with relatives buried at the cemetery will be formally invited to attend.
Phase 1 To define layout and pathways. This could perhaps be done with community involvement
Phase 2 Introduction of boundary fences and planting.
Phase 3 Development of the SANDS area and installation of gates and wall.
Phase 4 Central focal point.
Anthony advised that there was a quote pending for the marking of grave spaces. LE to check relevant documentation and forward to Anthony.
9. Planning & Housing:
Sale of land and development of London Road tennis courts (12/07/05): An open day is to be arranged for the 9th July for the public to view the architect’s plans. This needs to be as soon as possible in order to get planning forms submitted. CW to place a note in the bulletin. The architect will have colour images available. It was advised that the Council had received an offer from Ashbrook Housing to go into partnership with the Parish Council to develop this land. With all profits going to the Parish Council. The offer is to be reviewed by all councillors and discussed at the next meeting.
Distribution of Housing in Oxfordshire (06/12/05): RF has drafted a response to the consultation on the South East Plan. Item Closed.
Planning committee report: The following planning applications were permitted.
Shepherds Hey (with several conditions). The Manor House, Bohams House, Great Tree Orchard, Little Triton, and Mavalden.
Planning application has been received for 3 houses on The Pleasance.
Affordable Housing (02/02/06): The landowner has been in contact with the officer. CW in conjunction with RF to establish the latest position with the landowner. . The affordable Housing Officer has offered to attend the next Parish Council meeting. It was agreed that it is too early for this and we may take up this offer in the future.
10. Finance & Administration
LE requested approval of the payment to OPFA for the lengthman to attend a training road show for the maintenance of playground equipment. Proposed by EA and seconded by GT. Approval of all payments was proposed by BG, seconded by EA.
LE advised a letter to the bank would require signing to close the old inactive deposit account. This was agreed. Item Closed
AC discussed the Annual Audit and the Council agreed the Statement of Accounts and completed the Statement of Assurance.
11. Correspondence
Item requesting a reply:
DEFRA Dog control orders (12/04/06): RF advised why this was not applicable at present. To be reviewed if this starts to become a problem. Item Closed.
Registering Parish Council Land (12/04/06): RF is at present reviewing the documentation and will advise at the next meeting.
Community Rights of Way improvement fund. (25/05/06): CW to read the application and investigate if this is applicable to the Bridus Way bridle path. Item Closed
VWHDC Design award scheme 2006 (30/05/06): Not applicable. Item Closed
Items for Information:
Byelaws in England (18/05/06): Available from LE. Item Closed
Oxfordshire Local Bus Strategy (23/05/06): GT for information Item Closed
Changes to vehicle use on the Ridgeway (26/05/06): GT for information. Item Closed
Good Councillors Guide (30/05/06): Available from LE. Item Closed
12. Cemetery Development Plan
New Development Plan (16/04/06 ): Updated in Open Forum. Cemetery committee to arrange a date with Anthony Stiff for public open day.
Funeral Directors: The Council is aware of the prosecution of R & H Barker in press last year and has examined all transactions relating to this funeral director. The Council are happy that transactions were made correctly and the clerk will ensure all future transactions are checked thoroughly. Item Closed
13. Parish Plan:
Blewbury Surgery (02/09/05): No updates to report.
Minutes on the Website (10/03/06).:LE asked for clarification as to when the minutes should be published. It was agreed that this should be after final sign off. Item closed.
Notice Boards (24/05/06): It was confirmed that the Parish Council own two notice boards one by the school and the other next to the Load of Mischief. The old board by the Barley Mow is now the property of the Barley Mow and BG will ensure the owner is aware. Item closed.
Richard Farrell joined the Meeting
14. Recreation Ground
Nothing to report.
15. Allotments
EA has advised that Mike Edmonds will advise if there are any issues to report.
16 Footways, Footpaths and rights of way:
Village upkeep review (02/09/05): GT advised that the Council have budgeted funds available of £500 for tree pruning, £200 for path gravel and £520 for gravel for Tickers Folly Car Park. CW to establish the most urgent tree in need of attention.
Feasibility of preventing trail motorcycles from entering the chalk pits from BR34 (03/09/05): As No further instances have arisen, any repercussions are to be reported to the police. Item Closed.
Coffin Way cycle track (01/02/06): LE to check for any documentation and forward to RB.
Lengthmans contract (08/02/06): AC reported considerable extra duties carried out by the lengthman free of charge during the Best Kept Village judging period. LE to send a letter of thanks from the Council. Item Closed
Grass cutting and spraying (08/02/06): The quote from Whitehorse Horticulture for additional spraying of footpath 24 is within budget and spraying has commenced. Item Closed
Footpath Barriers (23/03/06): RB in the process of reviewing the newly erected barriers.
Bridus Way bridle path (27/03/06): The path needs redefining however as this is regularly used by horses gravelling may not be an option. CW to assess if this falls within the countryside grant CW & RB to discuss options with the lengthman. If gravelling not possible we could look at cutting back overhanging vegetation.
Dead branches overhanging Bohams Road (28/03/06): OCC have provided a map detailing their area of responsibility, as with the village upkeep review CW to establish who owns the tree, if owned by the Parish Council this tree will be put forward for tree work.
Path on the east side of the Church (05/04/06): Needs attention, RB to speak to the lengthman to see how much gravel is remaining. This could possibly be done by a working party.
Tree work to be carried out by OCC. (08/06/06) OCC have reviewed trees and will be attending to pruning of damaged branches on trees owned by then. The tree at the triangle will need to be felled and OCC are happy to have suggestions of the species to be replanted. LE to find out timescales before replanting will commence and GT to get some suggestions from the environment group.
Richard Bird Left the meeting
17. Roads, Road Safety and public transport
20mph speed limits (02/02/06): Due to the low accident rate in Blewbury it does not meet the Oxfordshire Highways local transport Plan objective and therefore OCC Highways cannot justify lowering of speed limits within the village. Item Closed
Highway Management arrangements 06/07 (07/03/06): Highway arrangements for 2005/2006 are to be rolled forward to 2006/2007 Item Closed.
Damage to posts on Bessels Way (08/03/06): These have now been straightened. Item Closed.
Parking arrangements for the National Gardens Scheme 25th June (05/06/06): Permission was granted to use Tickers Folly Field for parking on the 25th June for the Open garden Day and Boules competition. Item Closed.
18. Village Hall Management Committee
Nothing further to report.
19. Environment
No update available yet on under grounding of cables.
20. District Councillors Report
The VWHDC have voted in favour to adopt the Local Plan, this is due to happen mid July. The arrangements for the joint management of finances with SODC are due to commence 1st August, 2 Vale councillors (of which RF will be one) and two SODC councillors will be overseeing the process.
21. Parish Council Clerkship
No issues Item closed.
22. Any Other Business
LB advised details of the VWHDC Oxfordshire Sustainability and Conservation Awards and passed the May Drought report to GT.
23. Details of the next meeting
Next meeting to be held on 12th July at 7.30 in the Vale Room.
Meeting closed at 9.38pm.