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MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCILS AND CITY COUNCIL

 

Wednesday 9th May 2007

 

PRESENT

Councillor David Rundle (Oxford City Council)  

Fred Mogridge and David Wibberly (Littlemore Parish Council)

Wally Cox and Charles Hayes (Old Marston Parish Council)

Paul Phipps and Derek Taylor (Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council)

Angela Cristofoli and Fergus Lapage (Area Co-ordinators)

Lois Stock (Democratic Services)

 

APOLOGIES: Councillors Gill Sanders, Jean Fooks and John Goddard (Oxford City Council)

 

Brian Lester and Bob Avery (Blackbird Leys Parish Council)

 

1. GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT AREA COMMITTEES AND FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE CITY AND PARISH COUNCILS.

 

Councillor Rundle explained that there had been meetings between the City Council and Parish Councils in the past, but that these had not taken place for a few years. He felt that it would be useful to discuss the future role of these meetings, and consider what can be gained from them. During discussion, the following key points were made:-

 

(1) It was agreed that an annual City/Parish meeting would be sufficient. The next meeting will take place in March 2008.

 

(2) The main purpose of City/Parish meetings should be to discuss concerns that were common to all Parishes.

 

(3) It was important for the Parishes to receive notes from the meeting after it had taken place.

 

(4) There had been meetings in the past to which City Parishes and neighbouring Parishes (for example, Cumnor) had been invited, and some thought that this had been helpful.

 

(5) The Parish Councils agreed to hold a meeting in January 2008, prior to their meeting with the City Council, so that they could focus on issues that were of concern to them. They would arrange this themselves.

(6) The Parish Councils would like relevant City Council officers to attend the City/Parish meeting, dependant upon the topics to be discussed.  They would also welcome some input from Oxfordshire County Council, especially Highways.

 

(7) The Parish Councils felt that Area Committees had to deal with much wider areas and topics than Parish Councils, and thus had a much more demanding agenda.

 

(8) Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council did not feel fully engaged with the Area Committee, although it was useful to meet officers and flag up local concerns. Councillor Rundle suggested that the Parishes could ask the Area Co-ordinators to consider items for inclusion on an Area Committee agenda.

 

(9) All Parishes agreed that, whilst it was useful for them to have a presence on the Area Committees, it was noticeable that there was very little community engagement other than for planning applications.  It would be useful if some consideration could be given to improving this situation.

 

(10) Councillor Rundle suggested, and the Parishes agreed, that it would be helpful for the Parish Councils to present an annual report to their Area Committees.

 

(11) The Parish Councils would appreciate the attendance of City Councillors and officers at their meetings, especially when there was an issue of concern with which they could assist. It would be especially helpful for the Area Co-ordinators to attend on a regular basis.

 

(12) The Parish Councils believed that planning should continue to be considered at Area Committees, since it added value to the meeting and tended to attract more participation. It was important that the person presenting the planning report had detailed knowledge of it.

 

(13) There was concern that a fear of being taken to appeal hindered Councillors in their consideration of applications, and that local people lost out as a result. It might be helpful if people were able to clarify points after their 5 minutes speaking time had expired. Councillor Rundle explained that there were very strict rules governing the consideration of planning applications, and that once there was a move towards a decision, only City Councillors were allowed to speak. He agreed that it would be useful to invite Michael Crofton Briggs to a future meeting with Parish Councils to explain the planning process.

 

 

2. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FROM PARISH COUNCILS

 

Written responses had been provided to the questions below, but the following additional information was given at the meeting:-

 

(a) Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council raised an issue around responses from City Departments to Parish Council queries.

 

Littlemore and Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Councils both reported poor, slow or non-existant responses from some departments, in particular Parks and Leisure. They stressed that they wanted a reply, even if it was only to say “no” or “we don’t know”. Some departments and officers were very good however. Councillor Rundle asked for specific examples and undertook to investigate further. Fergus Lapage explained that each Area Committee would soon have a Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team Co-ordinator, and he/she should be able to help with specific problems and queries.

 

(b) Where a planning application is subject to Parish Council Objections will the Planning Officer attend Area Committee meetings to answer questions on the report? (Old Marston Parish Council)

 

Councillor Rundle confirmed that a planning officer was always in attendance at Area Committee meetings.

 

(c )  When and how are the County Highway Surveyors consulted about Planning applications?  How are their comments included in the consultation documents circulated to local people and organisations? (Old Marston Parish Council)

 

Councillor Rundle agreed that any response from Highways should be explained in greater detail, and this would be passed to the Planning Services Business Manager to deal with.

 

(d) Can the City Council provide Parish Councils with annual reports of the receipt and use of sec 106 monies in Parish areas. (Old Marston Parish Council)

 

Councillor Rundle undertook to ensure this happened in future, as he felt sure that it was possible for Section 106 money to be detailed on an area-by-area basis. It was stressed that this information was provided regularly, although perhaps not as clearly as it might be.

 

(e) When new blocks of flats are constructed on streets with no spaces in the numbering, and a new name is given to the block, can Parish Councils be consulted on that name? (Old Marston Parish Council)

 

Unfortunately there was little that could be done here – names are a matter for the owner.

 

(f) Are Parish Councils able to obtain the City Council’s holdings of ordnance and survey maps.  If so, at what cost? (Old Marston Parish Council)

 

The Area Co-ordinators will look into this further.

 

(g) Can refurbishments of Parish play facilities be included in the City Council’s current plan to refurbish play facilities in Oxford?  The cost of these works will be met from Council tax that is paid equally by residents of parished and unparished areas.  (Old Marston Parish Council)

 

It was observed that there was a shortage of money to improve every play area in the City. It was regrettable that maintenance work did not appear to have been carried out as often as it should have been. It would be helpful for the City and Parish Councils to seek a constructive solution together.

 

 

3. OTHER MATTERS.

 

Littlemore Parish Council was concerned to note that the Precept payment was late – this will be passed to Finance and Asset Management for comment and future information.

 

A question was raised about new bus shelters – Councillor Rundle indicated that there would be lots of new bus shelters in the City shortly, and that information would be presented to the Area Committees about this.

 

The Parish Councils thanked the City Council, the Area Co-ordinators, and Councillor Rundle in particular, for arranging the meeting.

 

The next meeting will take place in March 2008.

Meeting closed at 7.30pm

 

City Council Contacts

Cllr David Rundle:  Tel: 07980 894147 or E-mail: cllrdrundle@oxford.gov.uk

 Angela Cristofoli (Area Co-ordinator):  Tel:  (01865) 252688 or E-mail: acristofoli@oxford.gov.uk

 Fergus Lapage (Area Co-ordinator): Tel:  (01865) 252249 or E-mail: flapage@oxford.gov.uk

 Lois Stock (Committee Secretary): Tel:  (01865) 252275 or E-mail: lstock@oxford.gov.uk