12 May 2008 - PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT Minutes of Shenington with Alkerton Parish Council Meeting held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 19th March 2008
The meeting started at 7.30 p.m.
Present:
Keith Adams
Gillian Crabb
Tim Dowdeswell Vice Chair
Keith Hainsworth Chair
Emma Philcox
Stuart Mitchell
Wendi Court Clerk
Plus 25 members of the public
1. Chairmans Opening Remarks
KH welcomed the public, Emma Philcox, (new Councillor) and Aimee Evans from Oxford Rural Community Council.
2. Apologies
Margaret Coles
3. Declaration of interest
KH declared a personal interest (friendship) with Nunneleys at Sugarswell
KH declared a personal interest /friendship with Dr Tayor and also with Dr Manns widow (if his estate still has an interest)
4. Minutes if last meeting.
Minutes were amended and approved.
5 Parish Plan – Talk from Aimee Evans
Ms Evans gave a short talk about the Parish Plan. She explained how to go about setting up a steering group and how the issues of the village would be addressed using this format. So far the following people have expressed an interest in joining the steering group: Gerald Cashman, Marc Marot, Chris Duffy, Tiggy Day and Lavinia Bentley. Anyone else in the village can join in as and when they would like to. EP had some experience with this at Adderbury. It was suggested she become PC liaison with the above group. Dr Heron also volunteered to join the steering group. KH thanked Ms Evans.
6. First Open Forum
There has been a spate of thefts of lead from houses and from local churches. If anyone does see anything suspicious they are urged to contact the police.
A member of the public reported that the SITA contract may end in September. Do we know about this and what can be done about it?
KH did not know but welcomed the news and said the current contract with SITA did not reflect village concerns. If the contract is to be re-negotiated then the PC would make representations.
To be investigated Action: KH
A member asked if the Parish Council were aware that two sites within the parish had been mentioned for an incinerator. The PC was unaware. Further information sought. Action EP
A member of the public advised that Minutes were not posted on the two boards in time. Minutes had been on the website for 4 weeks. It is intended to post minutes earlier and that much shorter minutes should be written.
7 Financial Matters.
Funds in deposit account £5067.85
Checking Account £3500
Two cheques £14.00 OALC
£927.72 Clerk
RFO has cheque book.
8 Budget
The Budget had been circulated along with guidance notes which confirmed members earlier decision to reduce the precept to £4000.
Concerns and dissatisfactions were expressed about procedures adopted in reaching this decision. The processes are to be reviewed as part of the PCs review of Standing Orders in the light of OALC guidance. GC wished her objections to the procedure followed to be minuted.
Members approved the draft advertisement and follow-up paper. Advertisements to be place in the Banbury Guardian and Banbury Cake action: Clerk/KH
A reserve figure, including the cost of advertising, was agreed. KH tabled a suggested account for costs incurred in recovering the stone. GC was against any payment being made, other members felt it was a reasonable request. KA sought reassurance that possible costs for future signage and other works could be met.
Budget has been accepted and adopted.
9. Conservation Area
GC proposed that Conservation Area Status be applied for. This led to much discussion about the validity of the previous ballot. GC alleged that the case against “CA” contained 9 lies. Four members against 2 said that they would like to see a Conservation Area. KH and TD maintained that it was a matter for the vilage to decide as it had before. It was finally agreed (95 TO1) to ask CDC to carry out their CA area appraisal to aid further consideration and for discussion with the PC
10 Drs Surgery
concerns were expressed about the reducing of hours at the Drs Surgery. A meeting is to be arranged to talk with the partnes or invite them to speak at he next meeting
11 Newspaper Communication
GC asked KH why he had telephone the Banbury Guardian about the recent election. KH replied that he hadn’t.
The question was raised by GC as to why KH had spoken to the Banbury Guardian regarding the recent election? It transpired that the reporter picked up the story from CDC’s website, which then referred them to the Shenington website. KH felt the story was reported accurately although it was pointed out that Banbury Guardian did not print the letter from Nick De Silva correctly and this led to confusion.
12 Portfolios
Planning and affordable homes
Sugarswell Business Park
It was suggested that Planning Permissions are being contravened in Sugarswell Business Park and the Enforcement Officer at CDC has agreed to make a site visit.
There is planning in for a Light Industrial Unit. This will be impacted by the site visit.
All agreed to await the outcome of the site visit before commenting on the application, however KH had no objection t it provided there was some protection against showroom use expanding into a full retail operation.
Coles Trust – the application for equine use has been withdrawn.
Affordable homes to be part of Parish Plan
Minerals & The Tip/Waste
KH referred to a letter received from Mrs Heron concerning roadside litter to which he will respond and circulate members. Action KH
Transport
Next meeting with Highways is 15th April at 5pm in the village . Pigmarket Lane wilL be resurfaced on 31st March. KA tabled some suggested signage and was asked to report back with costings.
Authorities have recently been in the village doing speed checks. The results show that speeding in the village was not an issue. This means the village remains at 30 mph unless this PC feels very strongly. GC asked to look at previous results, but they were all similar. KA feels we should stop here and accept the view of the officers, otherwise it is somehting the PC would have to fund.
The PC is in receipt of a formal complaint from Bruce Hopkins Ltd regarding new telegraph posts at the Epwell junction..
Conservation and Restoration
It has been pointed out that the land up the hill from the War Memorial on the left hand side, is unkempt and overgrown. KH agreed to talk to Upton House to try and get it cleared.
Liasion
KH has talked to the new editor of The Shenington Green who would like to put the PC minutes in the publication but wants to keep politics out. This is an ongoing discussion
Karts
Change of dates for a meet on 29th/30th November 2008. This will now be held on 6th/7th December.
12 Correspondence
MH referred to the procedures adopted on the appointment of the clerk. KH handed out information at the beginning of this meeting. Further information will be given asap
14 AOB
The clerk requests the council to purchase a book on Local Council Administration at an approx. cost of £55-£60. GC thought this should be a separate agenda item at the next meeting for approval.
15 Second Open Forum
There was no time for a second open forum.
The meeting finished at 9.35pm
Date of Next Meeting:
14th may 2008