6. OCC/WODC items
The budget has now been set for West Oxfordshire District Council – its share of the Council Tax will rise by 3.9% - an extra £3.06 for a Band D property for a year.
The District Council has decided that members of the public will be allowed to speak at planning meetings from May 2010. People wishing to speak will need to apply to do so in advance. Brenda Smith said that she thinks this will be useful as District Councillors on the Planning Committees will be able to ask applicants present questions about their planning applications.
7. Matters Arising from Previous Meetings
a) Cote Chapel
John Little has written to Sir Alan Beith – reply awaited.
Des Johnston is prepared to continue to cut the grass at the graveyard for 2010 but has informed the Parish Council that the value of the contract does not cover the cost. It was decided that Mr Johnston would be asked to provide a quotation for the full cost of the work, with the Parish Council then to contact Historic Chapels Trust about the extra costs involved in maintaining the graveyard.
b) Request for new road signage into Chimney
Nothing to report .
c) Obstructive parking in Aston
The Clerk has written to WODC to ask what role the Community Wardens will have with parking enforcement in the villages – no reply received.
However, conversations with Thames Valley Police Officers indicate that dealing with obstructive parking remains the responsibility of the Police, not WODC.
d) Cote bus shelter glass panel replacement
Following a change of personnel at McLeans Glass the quotation has been recalculated with an increase of £4.31 to £357.83. It was decided to accept this quotation – proposed by Roy Williams, seconded by John Ordish.
e) Relocated/new bus stops in Aston
Nothing further to report.
f) Media Policy
The proposed Media Policy had been circulated in the Clerk’s Briefing Notes.
It was decided to approve this policy – proposed by Roy Williams, seconded by Bob Jones.
g) Anti Social Behaviour
Gill Long informed the Parish Council that there had been a spate of criminal damage to vehicles on Saxel Close, Foxwood and Southlands, with screws put in the side walls of tyres. The Police have been informed and an article will be put in the next issue of Voices.
8. Correspondence sent
Listed in the Clerk’s Briefing Notes previously circulated to all Councillors.
9. New Business
a) Annual Parish Meeting on Tuesday 11 May
John Little asked the Parish Councillors to think of ideas for the format of this meeting which will be discussed further at the Parish Council meeting on 1 April. Brenda Smith reminded the Parish Council that there will be a new District Councillor for the parish to introduce at the meeting.
b) Parish Council election on 6 May 2010
Nomination papers were circulated to the Councillors.
c) May Parish Council meeting
It was decided to hold the May Parish Council meeting on the second Thursday in the month – Thursday 13 May so that the annual Parish Council business can be conducted at the same time as the usual monthly business.
d) Parish Council insurance renewal 2010
It was decided that competitive tenders would be sought for the Parish Council’s insurances for the renewal in June 2010. Clerk to request quotations from
Came & Company Ltd (underwritten by Aviva) and Community First (underwritten by Zurich) which will be compared to the quote from Allianz.
e) Damage to bench on junction of Southlands/Bull Street
Two rear slats of the bench were removed through vandalism during the evening/night of 11 February. The Clerk asked Martin Tooth of Oddjobs to sand down the remaining rough edges. Mr Tooth has provided a quotation to repair the bench - £75 to replace the slats and install a further horizontal slat to support them. It was decided to accept this quotation – proposed by Fanny Sedman, seconded by Roy Williams.
f) Litter Blitz 2010
Bob Jones spoke on this matter. The blitz will be done between 1 and 17 April, with the same areas to be covered as in 2009. He will approach the people who have volunteered previously to help (some of the Parish Councillors agreed to help as before). Bob Jones will obtain the required equipment from West Oxfordshire District Council.
g) Aston & Cote Playgroup Grant Request
A letter requesting the grant had been circulated in the Clerk’s Briefing Notes.
It was resolved that the Council, in accordance with its powers under sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, would pay a grant of £5,506.00 to Aston & Cote Playgroup towards the construction of their new building. 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 Roy Williams, seconded by John Ordish. As with the previous grant, this money is given with the condition that if work is not started before the end of summer 2010 the Parish Council may request its repayment.
h) Parish Council asset review
Roy Williams agreed to carry out this review and to complete the form provided by the Clerk before 31 March 2010.
i) West Oxfordshire District Council’s further consultation on the Local Development Framework – the Core Strategy: Preferred Approach
It was decided that the Parish Council would respond that it supports the District Council’s approach to planning for the district.
j) Oxfordshire Rural Community Council’s offer of help with the production of a transport needs survey prior to the County Council’s review of bus services
Oxfordshire County Council will review all subsidised bus services in the parish during 2010. It was decided that the Parish Council is sufficiently aware of the transport needs within the parish and that a transport needs survey will not therefore be required.
k) Request from Oxfordshire Rural Community Council for Parish Councils to complete a survey giving information about their local community
John Ordish offered to complete and submit this survey.
l) Request from Oxfordshire Rural Community Council to submit an entry to their planned county book to celebrate ORCC’s 90th birthday
John Ordish suggested that the Community Trust could be asked to submit an article about the recent work at the village hall and playing field. It was agreed that this was a good idea – John Ordish to pass the information onto the Community Trust.
10. Community Trust
John Ordish placed a copy of the minutes of the recent Community Trust meeting in the folder for circulation. He expressed the Community Trust’s thanks to the Parish Council for paying for the installation of the windows and door at the village hall. A grant request for the annual small playground maintenance (£600) will be tabled at the April Parish Council meeting.
The Caravan Club will be using the village hall and playing field on 19 March.
Bob Jones reported that he has drawn up a preliminary programme for the field grass cutting for 2010 following discussions with Joe Moloney.
The Aston fete will take place on Saturday 17 July.
11.Parish Infrastructure
a) Great Brook
Nothing to report.
b) Bramble on allotment boundary
It was decided that the Clerk would write to the Allotment charity to ask them to remove at its base this large bramble which frequently grows through the fence, presenting a danger to pedestrians (particularly children) walking past.
12.PLANNING
PLANNING APPLICATIONS GRANTED
09/1551/P/FP 2 Home Farm Cottages, Back Lane, Aston
Erection of single and two storey rear extensions
09/1576/P/FP 18 Waites Close, Aston
Erection of rear conservatory
NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS
10/0210/P/FP 12 Foxwood Aston
Erection of rear conservatory
No comments.
13. FINANCE
a) Account Balances – circulated in the Clerk’s Briefing Notes Balance on Current Account at 28 February 2010 £ 8,526.00
Balance on Investment with WODC at 28 February 2010 £15,400.00
Total Cash Holding at 28 February 2010 £23,926.00
b) FEBRUARY INVOICES
Office Rent for March 2010– already paid by Direct Debit | 25.00 | LGA 1972, s111 |
PRESENTED FOR APROVAL AND PAYMENT AT 4 MARCH 2010 MEETING
|
| Statute |
Clerk’s salary - H Sandhu | 294.00 | LGA 1972, s112 |
Smith of Derby – annual service of St James Church clock | 210.33 | PCA 1957, ss2 & 6 |
Margaret Johnson Ltd – copying and stationery | 27.32 | LGA 1972, s111 |
RMD Builders Ltd – installation of windows & door at Village Hall | 3636.62 | LG(MP)A 1976, s19 |
A J Mitchell – bus shelter clean on 27/2 | 30.00 | LG(MP)A 1953, s4
|
WODC – dog bin emptying for February 2010 | 16.17 | Litter Act 1983 |
Aston & Cote Playgroup – grant towards building | 5,506.00 | LGA 1972, s137 |
Total | £9,720.44 |
|