John Ordish, as Secretary of the Community Trust, item 9b – playground maintenance grant request from the Community Trust – prejudicial interest.
5.Open session for public debate
Roy Williams expressed his concern about the amount of gravel on the path outside the school which was put there during the snow. Several of the Councillors volunteered to sweep it back towards the fence and the wall.
There were complaints about the condition of some of the roads – there are potholes in Bampton Road as it goes out of Aston and the road in Chimney is in very poor condition. John Little pointed out that the problem is a lack of funding, with Highways concentrating on making repairs to major roads but not to smaller local roads. All that people can do is to continue reporting problems to Highways.
6.OCC/WODC items
Charles Mathew, the County Councillor had offered his apologies for the meeting.
This was Brenda Smith’s last meeting as the parish’s District Councillor. The Parish Council offered their thanks for all her work on behalf of the parish over her years as a District Councillor.
The Parish Council was advised that arrangements for the new waste collection contract are being finalised. Recycling and food waste will be collected once a week, with residual waste in the wheelie bin collected once a fortnight. Garden waste will also be collected fortnightly and will be free to all residents.
7. Matters Arising from Previous Meetings
a) Cote Chapel
No response has been received from Sir Alan Beith but John Little informed the Parish Council of a letter he has received from Dr Jennifer Freeman with the name and contact details of the local contact (Mr Michael St John Parker) who has been appointed by Historic Chapels Trust.
A retired Baptist Minister has also been appointed to undertake occasional funerals, weddings and baptisms.
It was decided that John Little would wait a further couple of weeks to see if a reply is received from Sir Alan Beith in case he has a specific view on how things should now be taken forward. If no response is received from Sir Alan Beith John Little will contact Mr St John Parker to invite him to meet with the Parish Council, copying the letter to Sir Alan Beith.
The quotation from Des Johnston for the full cost of maintaining the graveyard at Cote Chapel (£440) for 2010 was discussed. It was decided that the additional cost which exceeds the Parish Council’s budget would be discussed with Historic Chapels Trust if a meeting is able to be arranged. Mr Johnston to be asked to carry out the maintenance work at the level he would normally do and to inform the Parish Council when the total cost is nearing the Parish Council’s budget of £300, and that the Parish Council is hoping to secure the additional funding required from Historic Chapels Trust.
b) Request for new road signage into Chimney
Nothing to report .
c) Cote bus shelter glass panel replacement
The panel has now been installed and the invoice is presented for payment.
d) Relocated/new bus stops in Aston
The new bus stop next to the notice board on Cote Road was installed on 23 March 2010. Stagecoach still needs to come and install the vinyl stickers showing the bus numbers and the timetables.
e) Annual Parish Meeting
Speakers to be invited:
Geoff Feasy of the Challenge North Leigh energy reduction project.
Thames Valley Police – a PC, not a PCSO – specifically to be asked to talk about how they deal with obstructive parking.
The new District Councillor – to be welcomed at the start of the meeting and asked if they want to introduce themselves.
Parish Council
Playgroup new building committee – ask them to produce a handout about the project to distribute at the meeting and then talk briefly about it.
Lorna Joyner, Chair of Fête Committee.
f) May Parish Council meeting
As decided at the meeting on 4 March because of the impact of the Parish Council election on 6 May the May Parish Council meeting will now take place on Thursday 13 May.
g) Damage to bench on junction of Southlands/Bull Street
The bench has now been repaired and the invoice presented for payment.
h) Parish Council asset review
A review of the external assets had been carried out by Roy Williams. He had no issues to report.
i) Anti social behaviour
No issues raised.
8. Correspondence sent
Listed in the Clerk’s Briefing Notes previously circulated to all Councillors.
9. New Business
a) Polling cards for Parish Council election
The impact of the Parish Council election being contested and the General Election taking place on 6 May was discussed. In this situation the Parish Council election would be delayed and the Parish Council would be responsible for deciding whether and how to issue polling cards for its election and for paying for them.
It was decided that the Parish Council would not ask for West Oxfordshire District Council to distribute polling cards in this circumstance but that if this situation arises notices will be put up around the parish informing people of the Parish Council election.
b) Grant to the Community Trust towards the maintenance of the playground
John Ordish, having previously declared a prejudicial interest in this matter, left the meeting.
It was decided to award the requested grant of £600. Proposed by Bob Jones, seconded by Roy Williams.
John Ordish rejoined the meeting.
c) Membership of Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC)
It was resolved that the Council, in accordance with its powers under sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, would renew the Council’s membership of ORCC at a cost of £30.00. This is, in the opinion of the Council, in the interests of the inhabitants of the Parish and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure. Proposed by Bob Jones, seconded by Jane West.
d) Membership of the Campaign to Protect Rural England for 2009/10
It was resolved that the Council, in accordance with its powers under sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, would renew this subscription at a cost of £29.00. This is, in the opinion of the Council, in the interests of the inhabitants of the Parish and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure. Proposed by Jane West, seconded by Bob Jones.
e) Fly problem at Parish Council office Gill Long declared a prejudicial interest in this item if any decision is made to spend Parish Council money on the problem as she is a member of the Baptist Church which owns the building.
The Parish Council had exchanged emails about the problem with Graham Sparrowhawk, pastor of the Baptist Church, over the past month. He had arranged for Rentokil to visit – the flies are cluster flies and hibernate during autumn/winter in disused buildings and roof voids. They return to the same hibernation site every year.
The Baptist Church is not willing to undertake the pesticide treatment recommended by Rentokil due to its cost implications.
It was decided that John Ordish would ask Mr Sparrowhawk whether Mr Ordish can arrange for a different contractor to have a look at the problem, recommend treatment and provide a quotation. The Parish Council would consider whether it could provide some assistance with the cost at a future meeting.
f) Freedom of Information Act request to Oxfordshire Highways
The Clerk informed the Parish Council that she had sent a letter requesting information about the frequency of road surveys in the parish, the date of the most recent survey and the information it revealed to Oxfordshire Highways on 1 March, requesting a reply within 28 days. No reply has been received.
It was decided that the same information should be requested under the Freedom of Information Act, with a reply required within 20 working days in accordance with the Act.
g) Temporary closure of Great Brook Road
The Great Brook Road will be closed between 10 and 14 May and 17 and 21 May to enable Oxfordshire Highways to undertake tree maintenance and re-pollarding works.
10. Community Trust
John Ordish placed a copy of the minutes of the recent Community Trust meeting in the folder for circulation. A new carpet has been laid in the porch outside the meeting room and in the meeting room.
Bob Jones informed the Parish Council that the field’s grass cutting has been delayed due to the wet weather.
11 Parish Infrastructure
a) Great Brook
See item 9g concerning tree work.
b) Bramble on allotment boundary
The allotment charity has now cut this down.
12. PLANNING
PLANNING APPLICATIONS GRANTED
10/0104/P/FP 5 Farm Close, Aston
Erection of conservatory to side elevation
10/0117/P/FP Rivermead, 4 Back Lane, Aston
Erection of single storey rear and two storey side extensions
PLANNING APPLICATIONS GOING TO APPEAL
09/1253/P/FP 8 Foxwood Close, Aston
Erection of two storey extension, removal of garage and erection of replacement garage
NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS
10/0368/P/FP 37 Saxel Close, Aston
Replace existing flat roof over existing utility with new pitch roof and changes to internal layout, including part conversion of existing garage
No comments.
13. FINANCE
a) Account Balances – circulated in the Clerk’s Briefing Notes
Balance on Current Account at 31 March 2010 £ 2,044.10
Balance on Investment with WODC at 31 March 2010 £12,400.00
Total Cash Holding at 31 March 2010 £14,444.10
b) MARCH INVOICES
Office Rent for April 2010– already paid by Direct Debit | 25.00 | LGA 1972, s111 |
PRESENTED FOR APROVAL AND PAYMENT AT 1 APRIL 2010 MEETING
|
| Statute |
Clerk’s salary - H Sandhu | 294.00 | LGA 1972, s112 |
Clerk’s expenses – refreshments for meetings, card for B. Smith - latter to be spent from Chairman’s allowance | 2.85 | LGA 1972, s111 & LGA 1972 s15(5)
|
McLeans Glass Limited | 420.45 | LG (MP) 1953 s4 |
Margaret Johnson Ltd - stamps | 10.80 | LGA 1972, s111 |
Oddjobs – clearing up broken glass at Cote bus shelter in December (£35), repairing Bull Street bench | 115.00 | LG (MP) 1953 s4 & PCA 1957 ss 1(1) & 7 |
OALC – annual subscription 2010/11 (net fee £194.52 – net fee 2009/10 £196.60) | 228.56 | LGA 1972, s143 |
WODC – dog bin emptying for March 2010 | 16.17 | Litter Act 1983 |
Aston & Cote Community Trust – playground maintenance grant | 600.00 | LG(MP)A 1976, s19 |
ORCC – membership fee 2010/11 | 30.00 | LGA 1972, s137 |
CPRE – membership fee 2010/11 | 29.00 | LGA 1972, s137 |
John Little – Chairman’s allowance – refreshment’s to mark B. Smith’s retirement | 22.85 | LGA 1972 s15(5)
|
Total | 1,769.68 |
|
It was resolved to make the above payments – proposed by Bob Jones, seconded by Jane West. The cheques were signed by John Little and Roy Williams.
14. Parish Councillors’ reports from meetings attended since last meeting
None.
15.FOLDER – Jane West
16. Date of next meetings:
TUESDAY 11 MAY 2010 – Annual Parish Meeting
THURSDAY 13 MAY 2010 – First Meeting of new Parish Council to
include election of Chairman
Monthly Parish Council Meeting
John Ordish has already given his apologies for these meetings.