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BLEWBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
Of the Parish Council meeting of Blewbury Parish Council.
Held on Wednesday, 12 March 2008 in the Vale Room
Councillors present: Mr C Whatmore (Chairman), Ms Jane Gibson, Dr P Whitehead, Mr R Farrell, Ms C Duckett, Ms E Austin, Ms Abi Barclay-Watt
Also present: Elaine Smit (Parish Clerk), 3 members of the public
Matters resolved:
Actions arising from the meeting:
1. Clerk to follow up with lengthman about motorcycle in the Chalk Pit.
2. Clerk to ask lengthman to renovate seat and to inspect stone
3. Clerk to find out the scope of work to be carried out at Orchard Dene and Brookdene, and how the surface of Watts Lance could be improved.
4. Clerk to find out who owns Watts Lane and how the right of way can be maintained
5. Clerk to find out if which category support from the Toddler Group and Pre-school fall into and if there are any limits to the amount the Council can donate in the future.
6. CD to follow up and draft a response to the OCC review of primary school provision
7. Clerk to contact Youth Club re Youth in the Vale nomination.
8. Clerk to reply to resident about motorcycles in the chalk pit.
9. Clerk to ask lengthman to put up signs at either end of the chalk pit making it clear no motorcycles are allowed.
10. Cemetery committee to amend regulations to state that surplus soil should be removed and to notify funeral services.
11. Clerk to contact Anthony Stiff to get a definitive map as well as a quote for the next phase of the cemetery development plan.
12. AB-W to speak to one of the residents who regularly park on the footway
13. Clerk & CW to reply to resident about rabbit cull.
14. JG to follow up on the removal of the old staging and keep Council informed.
Actions carried forward from prior meetings:
1. Clerk to circulate car boot sale report when received from Mr Lamont.
2. Clerk to follow up with the Lengthman if he is able to remove the motorbike from the Chalk pits and if he needs help
1. Apologies for absence: Mr A Cooper, Mr M Brassell, PCSO Mike Clayden
2. Declarations of interest. No declarations of interest.
3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 13 February 2008 were accepted and signed as a true record.
4. Police liaison. No Police liaison present.
5. County Councillor’s report. Mr Lamont was not present.
6. Matters arising.
6.1. 12/09/07 Church Moor. The Clerk reported that a second letter with a copy of the original was sent by recorded delivery to Mr Bond, and the delivery has been confirmed. The clerk also reported that the estate agent, Mr Merrifield, reminded the Council that Mr Bond’s children now own the land.
6.2. 12/12/07 Future Didcot cycle links. PW reported that a meeting was scheduled to meet with Mr Kauntze, who seems favourable although he has reservations about motorcycles using the path.
6.3. 14/11/07 BVS Village days– green day – litter & gravel spreading. JG reported that she has been asked to look at the issue of litter. AB-W arrived late and this item was discussed in full later.
6.4. 13/02/08 Motorcycle in chalk pit. The Clerk reported that the Lengthman had a look at the motorcycle in the chalk pit. He said that it was stuck and that he would have to take it apart in order to remove it. JG volunteered to help with the removal if necessary. Action: Clerk to follow up with lengthman.
6.5. 13/02/08 Memorial seat and stone. CW reported that the developers of the tennis court replied to the Council’s letter stating that the seat and stone are not on their land. The lengthman can therefore renovate the seat and should advise the council if the stone should be removed for safe-keeping or if it seems safe where it is. Action: Clerk to ask lengthman to renovate seat and to inspect stone.
6.3 14/11/07 BVS Village days– green day – litter & gravel spreading. AB-W reported
that a marketing piece will be put in the Blewbury Bulletin. Volunteers will meet at 10 am on May the 17th for coffee and brownies before starting on 2 tasks, namely gravel spreading and litter picking. It was reported that gravel for Watery Lane and the Church Yard. They are investigating the right type of gravel for these paths, and confirmed that the gravel will be paid for by the Parish Council’s budget for gravel. The BVS is also investigating if Watery Lane needs digging out before gravel can be spread. The autumn Village day is set for the 25th of October.
7. Open Forum. A member of the public brought the state of Watts Lane to the Parish Council’s attention. Heavy vehicles are using the lane for the work being carried out at Orchard Dene and Brookdene. These vehicles are blocking the lane which makes it difficult for pedestrians to use. The surface of the lane is also deteriorating. Action: Clerk to find out the scope of work to be carried out and how the surface could be improved. CD pointed out that the Council should establish who owns the road, and how the public right of way could be maintained. Action: Clerk to find out who owns Watts Lane and how the right of way can be maintained.
8. Risk Management.
8.1. 11/07/07 Tree register. Nothing to report.
8.2. 10/10/07 KAP & skate ramp inspection. The Clerk reported that Allianz has acknowledged receipt of the letter and they are satisfied that a suitable maintenance program for the play area and skate ramp is in place. Item closed.
9. Planning & Housing.
9.1. 02/02/06 Planning Committee Report: CW reported that only one application was received during this time. As the Council objected to the Westbrook Green application received earlier in the month, it will probably be referred to the committee. RF offered to find out what the planning office is likely to recommend. Action: RF to contact planning office re Westbrook Green application.
9.2. 02/02/06 Exception Site: Nothing to report.
10. Ladycroft Park. EA reported that quite a lot of work and tidying up were carried out prior to a visit from the Council. Kerbs have been laid. Parking is a big concern as the bigger units take up too much space for cars to be parked next to the units. RF reported that he enquired about the site licence which could be used as a means of dealing with some of the outstanding problems, e.g. the electrical certificate and clearing up of the site. The office advised RF that they are awaiting the new regulations which are due to be implemented in about 6 weeks time.
11. Finance & Administration
11.1. Small grants committee.
11.1.1. Toddler group. It was recommended that the small grants committee donate a £100 to the Toddler Group, who is going through a difficult time in recruiting more attendees, and £200 to the Pre-School, who needs a large sum of money for the new boiler. JG mentioned that the Council might have to review the Toddler Group situation in the new financial year as the Council supports the Youth Club annually. Action: Clerk to find out if which category support from the Toddler Group and Pre-school fall into and if there are any limits to the amount the Council can donate in the future.
11.1.2. Blewbury Pre-school boiler: See above.
11.1.3. Root & Branch. The small grants committee recommended that this request for a donation be considered in the new financial year.
11.2. Payments for approval to be made under ancillary powers and within budgeted amounts. All payments were approved. Proposed by JG, seconded by CD. All agreed.
11.3. Payment Vouchers for Adkin’s fee £6725 + £1176.88 VAT = £7901.88 (Voucher #469) and Alliance & Leicester chaps fee £20 (Voucher #470). The clerk reported that as part of the internal audit, it was recommended that separate payment vouchers be made to for those amounts.
11.4. Funds to be allocated to reserves. Resolution: To carry over to the next financial year as earmarked reserves the amounts budgeted but unspent on projects that are in hand but not complete. Proposer RF, Seconded JG, all agreed. Projects in hand include path maintenance & gravel, car park maintenance, cemetery development, rabbit cull. The final list of projects and funds carried over will be made at the next Council meeting.
12. Correspondence.
12.1. Items requesting a reply
12.1.1. OCC review of primary school provision. CD reported that this was put on the agenda of the governors’ meeting during the previous week. CD reported further that Ms Mills’s response was received earlier in the day but her interpretation is different to what the Council expected. Ms Mills set out the needs of the school whereas the Council is of the opinion that the value of the school in the community and why the school should be retained should be emphasised. Action: CD to follow up and draft a response to the OCC review of primary school provision.
12.1.2. Youth in The Vale. Nominations are invited celebrating achievements by youth. Action: Clerk to contact Youth Club.
12.1.3. Riding motorcycles in chalk pit. An email was received about riding motorcycles in the chalk pit, enquiring where motorcycles are allowed. CW reported there is an official bike track to the east of Blewbury, but they are not allowed on footpaths. Action: Clerk to reply to resident. Action: Clerk to ask lengthman to put up signs at either end of the chalk pit making it clear no motorcycles are allowed.
12.1.4. Watts Lane. Discussed during Open Forum.
12.1.5. Power into your Project. Funding from NPOWER is available through this scheme and the information has been passed on to the Cob Wall committee. Action: Clerk to pass on the information to the Pre-School and Toddler group. Clerk to enquire with NPOWER if this will be run next year again to give the Council more notice to pass on the information.
12.1.6. Petition to Downing street re Parish Councils. CW reported on the email which was sent to the councillors about the petition to Downing Street complaining about the volume of paper work unpaid councillors have to go through keeping them from what they volunteered to do. Councillors who agree with this petition can follow the link in the email to sign up.
12.1.7. Community Policing awards. Nominations for the Community Policing awards were requested. The council was not aware of any suitable nominees.
12.2. Items for information
12.2.1. Tim Sadler reply – Ladycroft. Following the Council’s request of regular meetings with representatives of the VWHDC and Ladycroft Park, CW reported on Mr Sadler’s reply which was very similar to the reply received in January, wherein Mr Sadler said that regular meetings are not possible,
12.2.2. Ryder-Cheshire Volunteers thank you. CW reported that Ryder-Cheshire Volunteers thanked the Council for the donation received.
12.2.3. WI reply. Following the Council’s offer to recycle long-life light bulbs, the WI thanked the Council and asked that a notice be put in the Blewbury Bulletin.
12.2.4. Childcare Market Assessment. The Council was notified that the Childcare Market Assessment has been carried out and the report is available online. A note will also be put in the Blewbury Bulletin.
13. Cemetery Development Plan. Cemetery Development Plan
13.1. Grave digging & removal of soil. The clerk reported that a phone call was received from a funeral service asking clarification if surplus soil needs to be removed or not. The current regulations state that the clerk should be asked before removing the soil, and currently the clerk does require surplus soil to be removed. Action: Cemetery committee to amend regulations to state that surplus soil should be removed and to notify funeral services.
13.2. New cremation plots & path. EA and the clerk reported that the according to the cemetery plan the next cremation plots will be along the path which has not yet been made and therefore the plan might not make sense to anyone who might buy the plot. The clerk also reported that the numbering on the existing cremation plots along the fence is not clear as the reserved plots are not marked. CD suggested that the clerk contact Anthony Stiff about the development plan, and to get quotes for making the path. RF pointed out that it is imperative that the clerk gets clarification on the reserved cremation plots. Action: Clerk to contact Anthony Stiff to get a definitive map as well as a quote for the next phase of the cemetery development plan.
14. Parish Plan
14.1. Calor Village of the year competition. The Clerk reported that the Best Kept Village competition has been replaced with the Calor Village of the year competition. Entry is free and the Council will be notified when the competition is launched.
15. Recreation Ground
15.1. 28/11/06 Management Committee Structure CW reported that a meeting of the clubs were taking place at the same time as the Council meeting.
16. Allotments
16.1. Allotment tenancy agreement. PW reported that the BVGA had a new tenancy agreement and changed the wording so that the residents from the Astons were included in the agreement. Item closed.
16.2. Risk assessments. The clerk reported that Dr Jag Cook carried out the necessary risk assessments and supplied the paperwork to the clerk. Item closed.
17. Footways, Footpaths and rights of way
17.1. 02/09/05 Village upkeep review. Nothing to report.
17.2. 03/03/07 Bridus way. CW reported that progress has been made with both sections of Bridus Way. The money paid by the developers (section 38) will be tracked down to deal with the first section of the path. The OCC has requested that the Parish Council to contribute towards the cost of repairing the bridle path, and also gauge if support exists for this work under the residents. The latter part has been done and is widely supported. An amount of £400 was mentioned. RF suggested that the clerk phones the OCC to hear if £400 would be an adequate contribution, and if so, pass a resolution at the next meeting.
17.3. 02/04/07 Cob Walls. PW reported that repairs to the cob walls will be carried out from the 6th - 9th of May with 1-day course on how to look after an old house on the Saturday. The Cob Wall committee are hoping to get 45 people attend the course, which should cover the cost of the repairs.
17.4. 14/02/07 Cleve path repair work. CW reported that the repair work overrun by almost a week but it is completed now. The clerk reported that she spoke to Mark Sumner and he anticipates that if further work needs to be carried out in a few years time, the Environment Agency will have to get involved as it will require a lot of extensive work. Item closed
17.5. 14/06/07 Path behind Savages and path from Ladycroft to stables. Nothing to report.
17.6. 12/12/07 Footpath 24. CW reported that the clerk was contacted by a member of public whose father fell and injured himself on the footpath. The clerk helped the resident to get in touch with the OCC to obtain claim forms. The clerk reported that emergency make safe repairs have been carried out, but the OCC will carry out extensive works to the footpath in the next financial year. The OCC will contact all the adjacent properties as they are looking to adding hand railings and lowering the footpath.
17.7. 13/02/07 Parking on footways. CD reported that the parking problems in London Rd have continued despite the item in the Blewbury Bulletin and cars are still parked on footways. Action: AB-W to speak to one of the residents who regularly park on the footway.
17.8. 13/02/07 Rabbit cull. CW reported that the rabbit cull has taken place. The Parish Council also received a letter from a concerned resident who objects to the rabbit cull. Alternatives including rabbit proof fencing have been suggested, which will be very expensive. JG suggested that the Council replies explaining that it has to take the best action it can within the budget even though members within the Council also have strong feelings about it. Action: Clerk & CW to reply.
18. Roads, Road safety and public transport
18.1. Traffic calming measures. CW reported on the correspondence from a new resident on speeding in Bessels Way. The Council has notified the resident about current traffic calming measures.
19. Village Hall Management Committee report: Nothing to report as there was no meeting since the last Parish Council meeting.
19.1. Staging outside village hall. JG reported that the Blewbury Players have undertaken to remove the staging but due to illness it has not yet happened. CD mentioned the staging has been vandalised since the last meeting and is now a fire hazard. PW mentioned that he has emailed the Players about spending some of the money left over from fund raising for the removal of the staging. Action: JG to follow up and keep Council informed.
19.2. Risk assessment due April. Noted.
20. Environment
20.1. 16/01/08 Trees at Church End. The clerk reported that residents of Church End, RF, the clerk and members of the BVS EG met with Mr George Reade from the VWHDC at Church Moor. Mr Reade marked the trees he consider unsafe and which could be removed. He will be issuing the necessary Tree Preservation Orders for trees he wishes to protect. Mr Reade will also write to Mr Bond with certain recommendations, as well as restrictions on when the work can be done considering that birds are already nesting. RF mentioned that Mr Reade hoped that he would be able to protect the hedgerow and that the hedgerow will be coppiced.
21. District Councillors report. RF reported that the increase in council tax has been set to 4.99% as predicted given the pension liability, and the amount the Vale has to provide for bus passes. RF also mentioned that the Audit Commission raised their fees above the inflation rate, which added to the burden. RF also mentioned that cuts had to be made and changes will be made to the way waste is collected through green sacks. When further details are known, RF will report back.
22. Any Other Business: The clerk asked that a note be put into the Bulletin that footpaths and pavements need to be kept clear. RF mentioned the state of the Vale Room and CW replied that it will be redecorated.
23. Details of the next meeting. The next Parish Council Meeting will be on the 9th of April 2008 in the Vale Room at 19:30.
The meeting closed at 21.29