7 Jul 2007 - PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT Minutes of Shenington with Alkerton Parish Council Meeting held on
Wednesday 9th May, 2007
This meeting followed the Annual Parish Meeting and started at 9.30 pm
Present:
Keith Hainsworth Chairman
Tim Dowdeswell Vice Chairman
Gillian Crabb
Keith Adams
Stuart Mitchell
Jan Walters
Margaret Coles
Plus approx 12 members of the public
Preliminaries
For the avoidance of doubt, and in the face of conflicting opinion, it was decided to act on Dr Heron's suggestion and begin with the appointment/reappointment of Chairman.
That KH continue as chair was proposed by TD, seconded by JW and carried 5 to 1, GC dissenting.
1 Declarations of interest ACTION
Tim Dowdeswell declared an interest in Long Acre housing development site.
Keith Hainsworth declared a personal interest in Long Acre
2 After discussions the Minutes of the meeting held on 10th
January 2007 were modified in respect of the Stone Pit
and by majority approval 6.1 signed with GC's dissent noted.
It was agreed that Correspondence should always be an
agenda item. Clerk
3 Village Hall Funding
John Evans was asked to speak regarding this item. TD/RFO
The Management committee have applied to SITA for half of the
1st stage cost, this requires £1050 to be paid by an outside
organisation. A decision would be made by SITA in mid June/
He was asked if there was a cap, and replied there was of £10,000.
After the first stage there are choices afterwards to go to other organisations than the PC.
The Management committee have also applied to CDC and OCC for funding.
The Disabled access ramp, when approved, would require more funding.
All grant applications require evidence of local support.
TD stated that the £1050 could be funded out of savings as PC had no Clerk expenditure for several months.
It was proposed that a letter would be sent supporting 3rd party cost of £1050. Unanimously agreed.
4 CDC Local Development Framework - nothing to report.
5 Parish Plan - nothing to report
6 Anonymous letter to residents - dealt with in Annual Parish Meeting
7 Street Lighting - Keith Adams to report when research
complete KA/SM
8 Clerk
The Chairman stated that he had spoken to the Association
of Parish Councils regarding the appointment of a Clerk.
They could see no problems in the handling of this by the
PC and the fact that the Court family land was submitted
for inclusion in the LDF was thought to not affect her acting
as Clerk. Mrs Wendi Court had withdrawn her services after
hearing adverse comments about her appointment.
However, she has now offered herself again for a 3 month probationary period and has been given a job description.
A majority of 6:1 approved her appointment. TD/Clerk
TD will be producing necessary documents for her
appointment, terms and conditions.
GC objected to the appointment because of the involvement of Court family in LDF.
9 Shenington Green Magazine. The Chairman has spoken to the Editor and she confirms that the magazine will not be used politically. All members agreed.
10 Portfolios
a) Finance - TD asked for approval of additional payments. They are £17.50 for the hire of the hall. Last year sub to Association of Local Councils £119.85 Balance at the bank is £9863.30.
Approval for current year required for Insurances £595.54 and Churchyard maintenance £400. TD/RFO
b) Highways/Traffic - Keith Adams to look into removal of bus service between Banbury and Tysoe (7.10 am) Comments from public welcome by 1.6.07 please. The PC to write and formally protest and ask what arrangements are intended. KA has a meeting scheduled with Highways on June 6th and has following items on the agenda: Lane maintenance (all) Kerb damage, highway obstructions, drainage Alkerton, School signs, No through road at Pig Alley, Speeding, Sweeping and Cleaning. SM mentioned the missing signpost at Epwell turn.
Old school house, no immediate plans to reinstate granite setts. The boulders are to be moved soon.
Dog fouling at school end of Stocking Lane mentioned by JW.
KH?s report on the Street lighting debate he attended at Sibford Gower was held over.
c) Karting and Recreation ? nothing to report
d) Planning : Long Acre - (TD left room) Planning Officer had commented on this development, does not affect The Lynchetts. Planning required as 15 cu m limit exceeded and earthworks for access to Kenhill road required planning. GC also contacted English Heritage who also confirmed The Lynchetts not affected. Retrospective Planning application not seen by GC yet. GC/JW
Planning permission granted for Garters in Stocking Lane.
e) Minerals/Tip Document from the Planning office.
Draft response to be circulated. KH
e) Conservation/Police liaison - nothing to report
Public forum
Members of the public raised the following issues:
a) Are funds now deposited in bank account suggested at last meeting. TD stated it was in hand and he will present the best deal to the PC when all information is to hand. TD
b) Are buses actually damaging the Green? Overhanging greenery on Alkerton hill mentioned. KA/SM
c) Why do Highways cut the grass on other side of Stocking Lane from the school playing field, it is a haven for wild flowers and should be kept that way. KA/SM
d) It has been a tradition to hand out Annual Finance report at Annual Parish Meeting. TD
CORRESPONDENCE
The Chairman said that a letter had been received from M Cuming, husband of GC, but that due to the sensitive nature of the information it should not be publicly discussed.
Letter from Ploxzajeaski - survey for Cherwell on Recreation grounds (football pitches) returned by KH
3 letters received regarding The Green, Neil and Barbara Books, Diana Thorne and Dr and Mrs Anson.
1 letter from Rosemary Nunneley, general matters.
AOB
KH advised that he had been speaking to the OALC about this PC?s administrative problem as they were thinking of setting up a sort of help/conciliation/arbitration advisory service. He has now been told that they have done so. He suggested that they be invited to look at and comment on our problems. Unanimously agreed.
Date of next meeting 11th July 2007
GC would like it minuted that she thought that the statement refuting poison pen letter was sent out too late to be commented on.
Meeting closed at 11pm
T
Wednesday 9th May, 2007
This meeting followed the Annual Parish Meeting and started at 9.30 pm
Present:
Keith Hainsworth Chairman
Tim Dowdeswell Vice Chairman
Gillian Crabb
Keith Adams
Stuart Mitchell
Jan Walters
Margaret Coles
Plus approx 12 members of the public
Preliminaries
For the avoidance of doubt, and in the face of conflicting opinion, it was decided to act on Dr Heron's suggestion and begin with the appointment/reappointment of Chairman.
That KH continue as chair was proposed by TD, seconded by JW and carried 5 to 1, GC dissenting.
1 Declarations of interest ACTION
Tim Dowdeswell declared an interest in Long Acre housing development site.
Keith Hainsworth declared a personal interest in Long Acre
2 After discussions the Minutes of the meeting held on 10th
January 2007 were modified in respect of the Stone Pit
and by majority approval 6.1 signed with GC's dissent noted.
It was agreed that Correspondence should always be an
agenda item. Clerk
3 Village Hall Funding
John Evans was asked to speak regarding this item. TD/RFO
The Management committee have applied to SITA for half of the
1st stage cost, this requires £1050 to be paid by an outside
organisation. A decision would be made by SITA in mid June/
He was asked if there was a cap, and replied there was of £10,000.
After the first stage there are choices afterwards to go to other organisations than the PC.
The Management committee have also applied to CDC and OCC for funding.
The Disabled access ramp, when approved, would require more funding.
All grant applications require evidence of local support.
TD stated that the £1050 could be funded out of savings as PC had no Clerk expenditure for several months.
It was proposed that a letter would be sent supporting 3rd party cost of £1050. Unanimously agreed.
4 CDC Local Development Framework - nothing to report.
5 Parish Plan - nothing to report
6 Anonymous letter to residents - dealt with in Annual Parish Meeting
7 Street Lighting - Keith Adams to report when research
complete KA/SM
8 Clerk
The Chairman stated that he had spoken to the Association
of Parish Councils regarding the appointment of a Clerk.
They could see no problems in the handling of this by the
PC and the fact that the Court family land was submitted
for inclusion in the LDF was thought to not affect her acting
as Clerk. Mrs Wendi Court had withdrawn her services after
hearing adverse comments about her appointment.
However, she has now offered herself again for a 3 month probationary period and has been given a job description.
A majority of 6:1 approved her appointment. TD/Clerk
TD will be producing necessary documents for her
appointment, terms and conditions.
GC objected to the appointment because of the involvement of Court family in LDF.
9 Shenington Green Magazine. The Chairman has spoken to the Editor and she confirms that the magazine will not be used politically. All members agreed.
10 Portfolios
a) Finance - TD asked for approval of additional payments. They are £17.50 for the hire of the hall. Last year sub to Association of Local Councils £119.85 Balance at the bank is £9863.30.
Approval for current year required for Insurances £595.54 and Churchyard maintenance £400. TD/RFO
b) Highways/Traffic - Keith Adams to look into removal of bus service between Banbury and Tysoe (7.10 am) Comments from public welcome by 1.6.07 please. The PC to write and formally protest and ask what arrangements are intended. KA has a meeting scheduled with Highways on June 6th and has following items on the agenda: Lane maintenance (all) Kerb damage, highway obstructions, drainage Alkerton, School signs, No through road at Pig Alley, Speeding, Sweeping and Cleaning. SM mentioned the missing signpost at Epwell turn.
Old school house, no immediate plans to reinstate granite setts. The boulders are to be moved soon.
Dog fouling at school end of Stocking Lane mentioned by JW.
KH?s report on the Street lighting debate he attended at Sibford Gower was held over.
c) Karting and Recreation ? nothing to report
d) Planning : Long Acre - (TD left room) Planning Officer had commented on this development, does not affect The Lynchetts. Planning required as 15 cu m limit exceeded and earthworks for access to Kenhill road required planning. GC also contacted English Heritage who also confirmed The Lynchetts not affected. Retrospective Planning application not seen by GC yet. GC/JW
Planning permission granted for Garters in Stocking Lane.
e) Minerals/Tip Document from the Planning office.
Draft response to be circulated. KH
e) Conservation/Police liaison - nothing to report
Public forum
Members of the public raised the following issues:
a) Are funds now deposited in bank account suggested at last meeting. TD stated it was in hand and he will present the best deal to the PC when all information is to hand. TD
b) Are buses actually damaging the Green? Overhanging greenery on Alkerton hill mentioned. KA/SM
c) Why do Highways cut the grass on other side of Stocking Lane from the school playing field, it is a haven for wild flowers and should be kept that way. KA/SM
d) It has been a tradition to hand out Annual Finance report at Annual Parish Meeting. TD
CORRESPONDENCE
The Chairman said that a letter had been received from M Cuming, husband of GC, but that due to the sensitive nature of the information it should not be publicly discussed.
Letter from Ploxzajeaski - survey for Cherwell on Recreation grounds (football pitches) returned by KH
3 letters received regarding The Green, Neil and Barbara Books, Diana Thorne and Dr and Mrs Anson.
1 letter from Rosemary Nunneley, general matters.
AOB
KH advised that he had been speaking to the OALC about this PC?s administrative problem as they were thinking of setting up a sort of help/conciliation/arbitration advisory service. He has now been told that they have done so. He suggested that they be invited to look at and comment on our problems. Unanimously agreed.
Date of next meeting 11th July 2007
GC would like it minuted that she thought that the statement refuting poison pen letter was sent out too late to be commented on.
Meeting closed at 11pm
T