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BLEWBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
Of the monthly meeting of Blewbury Parish Council
held on Wednesday 11th October in the Vale Room.
Councillors present: Mr M Brassell (Chair), Mr A Cooper, Mrs E Austin, Mr C Whatmore, Mr R Bird, Mr R Farrell.
Also present: Mrs L Ewers (Parish Clerk), Mr C Lamont (County Councillor).
Matters resolved:
· Parish Council to trial a 7.00 start to a Parish Council meeting, with the first half hour used as an open forum to discuss Ladycroft Park. Trial to be held in December.
· All due payments were approved.
· The Parish Council will continue its communication with the Vale concerning Ladycroft Park.
· The draft risk assessment for the London Road Tennis Court was approved.
· Finance Committee meeting to be held Wednesday 20th December.
Actions arising from the meeting:
· RF to place a note in the Bulletin giving details of dates and venues for public exhibitions regarding future housing sites in Didcot.
· CW to move temporary speed signs to London Road.
· CW to design a petition slip for Vehicle Activated Signs to go in the Bulletin.
· LE to ask Lengthman to re-seed the worn areas of The Pound.
· MB to write a response to Paul Staines regarding letter received from the Vale on 28th September.
· LE to get dates from Lee Turner at OCC for a meeting to discuss the Red Lion Sign.
· MB to circulate the new policy relating to the use of Tickers Folly Field.
· ALL Councillors to review policy and fees relating to use of Tickers Folly Field.
· RB to arrange for old wood on common ground to be removed by the lengthman.
· CW to speak to the VHMC regarding overgrown vegetation on the pathway to the Village Hall.
· LE to arrange the annual inspection of the play area.
· LE to obtain quotes for grass cutting and spraying for next years cutting season.
· LE to obtain a copy of the Village Hall insurance.
· ALL Councillors to review the diary of Annual Events prior to the November meeting.
· RF to check planning fees applicable to Parish Councils and advise clerk.
· LE to raise cheques for planning application when confirmation of fees received from RF.
· RF/CW to place a note in the Bulletin advising of next year’s Parish Council elections.
· LE to contact Jane Gibson concerning Village Festival dates and arrangements.
· EA/MB to review cemetery costs.
· MB to draft an article detailing fundraising options for the cemetery fund.
· LE to contact parishioner regarding the donation of a bench in the cemetery.
· LE to write to the parishioner querying the barriers erected at the end of Watery Lane.
· CW to place a note in the Bulletin regarding the Bridus Way bridle path.
· MB to speak to the Parochial Church Council concerning the path on the east side of the church.
Actions carried forward from prior meetings:
· RB to draft a letter on Coffin Way cycle track for the clerk to send.
· RF to compile a list of dates for actions in the run up to next years elections
· LE to obtain permission to remove lower branches from tree obscuring traffic along London Road.
· RF to arrange for temporary steps at Tickers Folly Field to be removed.
1. Apologies for absence: Received from Mrs C Duckett, Mr G Tuff and Mr W Gore.
2. Declarations of interest: EA declared a non-prejudicial interest in Ladycroft Park.
3. Minutes of the last meeting: Held on Wednesday 13th September were accepted and signed as a true record.
4. Police Liaison: No officer present.
5. County Councillors report: CL advised that the A34 southbound at the Botley interchange is due to have road works from the 14th October to the 19th November, most work will be carried out on Saturday nights to alleviate the traffic problems caused.
The Vale is putting together exhibitions regarding the South East Plan at Didcot with the possible growth of the next 3000 houses. Areas identified are all around the town. RF added that the first consultation exhibition is planned for 1st November and the nearest one to Blewbury will be Hagbourne or Harwell. The process will be done jointly with the Vale and the SODC, if agreement is reached it will be put forward to the County Council (who will make the final decision) If the two parties do not agree it will be down to the County Council recommendation. 24th/25th February are the dates set for Oxfordshire and the inspector’s decision is now binding. RF will find out where the meetings are to be held and place a note in the Bulletin.
There is a new group looking at transport in Didcot, the Southern Central Affairs Transport Strategy, It will include Wantage, Abingdon, Grove and Didcot. Once set up any transport issues will need to go to the Strategy group, however they will still liaise with Councillors.
A charge is being introduced for resident parking zones in Oxford despite opposition.
The Royal Mail is negotiating to abolish the maximum amount of unaddressed “junk mail” they can deliver. OCC are not happy as this will increase waste to landfill sites and are encouraging people to sign up for the mail preference service. This can be done by calling 08450 504550.
6. Matters arising:
Speeding of vehicles through the village (04/09/06): CW has erected signs along Bessels Way; these signs now need to be moved to London Road and are due to be returned to OCC later in October. A speed trap van has been seen in the village this week. The officers have reported that there were 40 cars stopped in the morning and the highest recorded speed was 55 mph.
EA attended the NAG meeting where Sgt Metcalf advised a “SID” system is being introduced and will contact the clerk when this is available. The system will need to be manned by two people but it is believed that this will collate information on the speeds and flash to notify drivers how fast they are going. When contacted the clerk will establish exactly how this system works although it was agreed that there would be no shortage of volunteers to use this system. It may be some time before Blewbury will get to use this system as it is already planned to be used in Ardington, the Hendreds and Steventon. It was agreed that as well as Councillors knocking on doors to get signatures for the petition to get VAS signs, a slip for completing will be placed in the bulletin by CW.
Grass repair at the Pound (10/05/06). The area of grass adjacent to privately owned land that is also showing wear is to be re seeded to try to improve the appearance, and it was agreed that area worn by vehicles on the South Street side of the Pound should also be reseeded. LE to ask the lengthman to seed as necessary. Item Closed
Ladycroft Park (12/04/06): EA advised that some of the renters have now been removed from the site. Things have quietened down and local homeowners are logging speeding vehicles exiting the site. The drain work is still ongoing and the Vale could not make the date set for a meeting by the resident’s association lawyers. RF advised that as at Friday 6th October no logs have been sent to the Vale and reiterated that in order for the Vale to take action the logs must be completed. Both RF and BG are willing to attend on site should anyone require assistance. RF also confirmed that minor repairs have been actioned however the main issue of the electrical certificate is still outstanding. RF discussed the points raised at the informal Ladycroft meeting held on the 26th September and confirmed that Housing Acts do not apply in relation to renters. MB discussed the response received by the Vale to the letter sent by the Parish Council which suggested that the schedule of breaches will be released shortly. Some discussions were had regarding different interpretation of “dilapidated homes” and interpretations of what people deem reasonable. It was resolved that written communication from Blewbury Parish Council will need to be ongoing. MB to draft a response from the letter received from the Vale on 28th September to Paul Staines (Vale Officer).
RF suggested that due the amount of time taken at Parish Council Meetings discussing the Ladycroft Park issues and informal meetings needing to be scheduled that a meeting is held for half an hour prior to the main Parish Council Meeting, which can be run as an Open Forum for residents and villagers, This would strictly be kept to half an hour. MB confirmed he would be happy to chair this meeting. It was unanimously agreed that this should be trialled in December.
Red Lion Sign (13/09/06): No written response has been received from OCC Highways however they have confirmed verbally that they are still reviewing the issue and are happy to meet a couple of people to discuss further. LE to get dates from OCC for a meeting. CW advised that he was attending a village meeting the following day. CW and MB confirmed they are happy to attend however it was agreed that one Councillor and one member of the public may be more appropriate.
Malthus Trust Accounts (13/09/06): The Clerk confirmed the accounts held by the Malthus Trust and how funds are used. This was noted by the Council who agreed that it would be inappropriate to contribute funds from the sale of the Tennis Court site. However if felt necessary, donations could be made from general funds. It was noted that the Malthus Trust would be a worthy cause along with others and is a possible candidate for future donations. Item Closed
Policy for use of Tickers Folly Field (13/09/06): A new policy has been drawn up and will be circulated for Councillors to review and consider appropriate fees and deposit charges for use of the field. RF noted that the temporary steps should be removed by the Council if not removed by the person who erected them prior to the next meeting.
7. Risk Management:
Register of large trees: The tree work at Bohams Road is complete and the tree register has been updated. MB has been asked to arrange for off cuttings of old trees to be removed from common ground. RB to speak to the lengthman to arrange for removal as required. It was noted that vegetation is overhanging the pathway to the Village Hall, CW to speak to the VHMC to arrange for this to be chopped back. Item Closed
Inspection of Play Area: Annual inspection is due in November; LE to arrange for inspection to take place.
Invite quotes for grass cutting next year: LE to obtain quotes.
Village Hall insurance due for renewal: LE to obtain copies of insurance documents. Item Closed.
Diary of Annual Events due for review in November: LE circulated copies for Councillors to review prior to the November meeting.
8. Open Forum
There being no members of the public present, no Open Forum was held.
9. Planning & Housing:
Sale of land and development of London Road tennis courts (12/07/05): Plans are ready to be submitted. A draft Risk Assessment had been drawn up and was circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. Following discussion it was agreed that this working document should form the basis for conducting the land sale. Once the land is sold we will need to allow sufficient resource to monitor development progress: AC suggested that if we could not find a suitable contractor to abide by our conditions then one option was to do the development ourselves using a professional to manage the whole project under our guidance. Pre application discussions with regard to Highways are complete however the architects advise that further pre application discussions with regard to the conservation area would result in delays of at least 8 weeks. We will need to send payment to the Vale with the applications. This payment of £530.00 (£265.00 per house) was proposed by MB and seconded by EA and unanimously agreed. RF stated that he believed reduced fees may apply to Parish Councils and will advise the clerk who will raise the cheques as soon as final amounts are confirmed.
Planning committee report: Nothing to report.
Exception Site (02/02/06): RF confirmed that Anna Kennedy has taken over from Suzanne Willers and Anna will speak to planners regarding the next site.
10. Finance & Administration
Approval of all payments including the additional planning fees for the Tennis Court site (subject to confirmation of exact amounts) was proposed by CW seconded by EA.
Preparation for next year’s election: RF is still investigating the dates and confirmed that the age limit has been reduced to 18 for Parish Councillors. It was agreed that this needs to be a high profile campaign. RF to draft note for CW to place in the Bulletin.
Committee Reviews for next year’s budget: LE confirmed date for the finance meeting has been set for Wednesday 20th December.
11. Correspondence
Item requesting a reply:
Application for memorial at London Road: MB advised that he had spoken to Ian Bacon and if any Councillors had any futher suggestions for a memorial to contact Ian Bacon. Item Closed
National Garden Scheme, permission to use TFF for parking: Parking for the National Garden Scheme has always been successful by using Tickers Folly Field however this will clash with the Village Festival. LE to contact Jane Gibson to establish if any other events are scheduled for this day. To be added to matters arising on the November Agenda.
Items for Information:
Thames Water Reservoir meeting: Due to be held November details passed to CW. Item Closed.
Footway resurfacing : Clerk was advised of footway resurfacing in Graham Close by OCC Highways after work had commenced, work is due to be completed 23rd October. Item Closed.
12. Cemetery Development Plan
MB advised that some discussion would be required on the best way to raise funds for this development; obvious options are an increase in the precept, possible use of some funds from the sale of the Tennis Court site and sponsoring of various parts of the development. While the first two options may not prove popular the view from Councillors present was that they should not yet be dismissed. RB suggested that a more general donation fund could prove more effective than individual sponsorships. There are many ways of noting donations on plaques etc. RF noted that more funds may be available as loans are discharged reducing the annual expenditure. It was agreed that all options should be reviewed in the context of the next Finance round. MB to draft an article to be circulated to all Councillors prior to the next meeting.
Warner Land Surveys (15/08/06): LE confirmed that a meeting has been arranged for the 18th October with Warner Land Surveys, the Clerk and Anthony Stiff.
Cemetery Fees (13/09/06): Current fees circulated to all Councillors to be reviewed by EA and MB. Bench Donation (16/09/06): LE to write to the person wishing to donate a bench advising that decisions regarding donations are being reviewed and other options may be available. Item Closed
13. Parish Plan:
Blewbury Surgery (02/09/05): No updates to report.
Litter Bin (27/06/06): Item Closed
14. Recreation Ground: RF reported that ideas are being put forward as to where to site the new pavilion. Any organisations or clubs using the recreation ground must adhere to the running policy; the new junior football club must comply with police checks.
15. Allotments: Nothing to report.
16 Footways, Footpaths and rights of way:
Village upkeep review (02/09/05): Provision will need to be reviewed in next year’s budget.
Coffin Way cycle track (01/02/06): A pack will be produced to go to land owners – still being devised.
Footpath Barriers (23/03/06): LE to advise parishioner querying the barriers at the end of Watery Lane that they do not give direct access to the road and have been constructed to allow wheelchair access. Item Closed.
Bridus Way bridle path (27/03/06): The Council is unable to lay shingles/gravel along this path as it will be eroded by the horses. CW to draft a note for inclusion in the Bulletin. Item Closed
Path on the east side of the Church (05/04/06): It is believed that this is the responsibility of the Parochial Church Council, MB to speak to the PCC. Item Closed
17. Roads, Road Safety and public transport: Covered in matters arising, nothing further to report.
18. Village Hall Management Committee: Nothing to report.
19. Environment: Nothing to report
20. District Councillors Report: Covered in the County Councillor's report and Ladycroft Park, nothing further to report.
22. Any Other Business
A complaint has been received concerning the state of Mr & Mrs Broomfield’s grave plot. Dead floral tributes need to be removed and the grave diggers have left large clumps of clay, the grass is now dead and needs attention. EA confirmed that this was being addressed, the family have been informed and if not cleared EA will attend to this.
23. Details of the next meeting
Next meeting to be held on 8th November at 7.30 in the Vale Room.
Meeting closed at 9.47 pm.