Minutes November 2008

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4th November 2008

Present:-

· Charlie Haynes, Chairman (CH)

· Duncan Hatfield (DH)

· Michael Cadd (MC)

· Peter Cox (PC)

· Roy Jones (RJ)

· Angie Tiwari (AT)

· Graham Swift (GS)

· Mr LeRoy Garner, Clerk (LG)

· Mrs K Stratford, Minutes Secretary (KS)

· Cllr Mary Clarkson

· Cllr Beverley Hazell

Requests from Members of the Public to Speak

Mr Taylor from Oxford City Football Club reference the proposed all weather pitch between Oxford City F.C and Oxsrad.

1. Apologies for Absence

Mr Nils Bartleet, Mr John McGinn, Mr Wally Cox, Mrs Gill Cox, Mr Hugh Deam.

The Chairman requested that Councillors declare any personal or prejudicial interests at any point on the agenda.

2. Minutes of Last Meeting

It was agreed the Chairman could sign these as a true and correct record.

3. Matters Arising from Minutes Omitting Those For Which an Agenda Heading Follows:

None.

4. Correspondence (Letters/Emails)

Notice from PCT, having a local strategy meeting. Wantage, Banbury, Henley. Should anyone want to take part.

Public Transport Representatives Meeting on 28th November at County Hall at 1:30 pm. Members of the Parish Council are invited.

5. Planning

Applications considered between meetings:

None.

Applications considered at meeting

3 Cotswold Crescent. Previous application was granted. New application for a small extension. No comment.

52/54 Mill Lane. Combined effort to adjoin two semi-detached houses with a large extension. Noted 52 Mill Lane already has an extension built onto the back. No comment.

Decisions

27 Nicholas Avenue – erection of two storey dwelling - appealed.

6 Oxford Road – single storey extension - approved.

8 Clays Close – front and rear extensions – approved.

Demolition of wall 69 Marston Road – permitted as 1m in height.

6. Boults Lane Development Project

The Chairman attended the celebrations with the two city councilors on Saturday. Good media coverage. Very successful. Still waiting to hear from Football Association.

7. Recreation Grounds

Mr Colin Taylor from Oxford City F.C. addressed the meeting regarding the development of an all-weather pitch (funding secured from Football Foundation) and 6 netball courts (in association with the Oxfordshire Netball Association) at Court Place Farm. Floodlit and teaching rooms.

Currently at Consultation Stage – one this Thursday and one on Saturday morning. Have tried to be sympathetic to neighbours. For example the modern floodlighting is different to how it used to be, and other preparation work done, such as traffic survey, potential to flooding, etc

The six courts will be ideal for netball tournaments. There has also been interest from local Basketball clubs, and the space could be utilized for this also.

There is also potential for more funding (Lottery Assoc), but this will not be known until January, and there has been some local business sponsorship also. Hope to get formal planning application in over the next six weeks. Will not run after 10:00pm at night.

Queried how this would sit with the Marston Saints F.C. Discussions have gone on between the two clubs, and it is hoped there will not be any rivalry – Mr Taylor stated both clubs would like to work together for the good of the community.

Cost of development is expected to be approximately £2 million. Noted may be a conflict of interest with a bid from Marston Saints as both apply for grants from the Football Foundation. It is hoped the facility will be used all year round. All areas will be fully accessible.

Mr Taylor thanked the meeting for its time. The Chairman said the Parish Council would consider the application when they received it.

Queried when to replace the two iron seats at Mortimer Park. As soon as possible, but the layout is going to change. Sub Committee have drawn up plans, and are receiving quotes, investigating new equipment and in process of writing grant applications. The Parish Council needs to approve the plans.

Denis Ward has completed hedge cutting. Some of the other hedges also need doing, and the Clerk requested these works were done too. The roundabout is back, but needs some spacers to be used. Clerk to ensure cemetery hedge be put on the list of works to do. LG

The sign to go on the gate at the football ground has been ordered. Wording includes the name of the Parish Council.

Spoke to Mr Layland about the tree causing concern over the pavilion. Mr Layland intends to take no action. The Chairman to discuss with Mr Layland. CH

8. Finance

The following account was paid:

C. Haynes: Reimbursement of Spywear for Computer – 2 years cover - £35.90

The Clerk in ongoing discussions with the Auditor. LG

The Parish Council has received some applications for grants, as last year:

(Roy to provide details)

Roy Jones declared an interest of St Nicholas PCC and the bellringers.

Decision to be made at next meeting.

Agreed to fund a secure lock-up container (21’ x 10’) for Marston Saints. The Chairman confirmed the minute from January meeting where this was agreed. Permission confirmed. The Clerk to inform Marston Saints. LG

Last year we paid an honarium to various people in the parish who do various jobs and work on behalf of the Parish Council. It was proposed to replicate this again this year, for the same amount.

· Mrs K. Stratford

· Mr P. Cox and Mrs Cox

· Mr M.G. Holden

· Mr A.T. Harper

· Mr D. Hatfield

Agreed.

Peter Cox declared an interest.

9. Burial Ground

Received a telephone call from a lady who’s husband is buried there offering to pay for a ride-on mower. It would not be practicable for anywhere but the main paths. There’s also no storage. The Clerk to thank the lady, but decline. LG

A complaint received when a grave digger ran over an adjoining plot. The area is recovering naturally, but caused distress to the family.

The Chairman to ring Pest Control, as moles in graveyard and also at Rec. CH

10. Highways

Reply received from Mr Burchett of Oxford City Council, sending a list of all roads on the estate with priorities. Only ones which are priority one are The Link, Fane Road and Cavendish Drive. It is unlikely that any schemes which are not priority one will happen.

The Clerk to chase the Church signs and H signs. LG

Court Place Farm allotment ditch – no response received to letter of 30th July. The Clerk to chase. LG

BH raised the traffic calming scheme with the Oxfordshire County Council. Currently dangerous for cyclists. County have said that no review taking place currently, but one may take place if the Parish Council and/or residents raise it. Would like the gap to be made wider, but Mary reported that the County have said the road is not wide enough. Cllr Hazell to draft a letter for the Parish Council to sign and to forward more details of the complaints from members of the public. The Clerk noted he had chased the promised review after 6 months, but received no response. The Clerk will chase. BH/LG

Has asked previously to have the bases of the chicanes painted. Not been done and they are hard to see at night. The Clerk to write and ask the County’s opinion. LG

11. North East Area Committee

Nothing affecting the parish from last meeting.

12. Parish Council Bulletin

Sent to printer. Should be printed by Monday at latest. All to deliver. ALL

13. Allotments

The Allotment Association Committee has a problem as most of the committee has moved on. However, most plots are filled. Short term contact is Graham Swift.

14. Website

DH updating. 2,300 visits since last meeting, and DH receiving correspondence as a result of people looking at it. Received a suggestion for blue plaques to be utilised in the village - to be pursued. DH to investigate further. DH

15. Any Other Business

Looking to hold a retirement presentation for Roy. RJ has spoken to the family. Past Parish and City Councillors to be invited. Perhaps 40 – 50 people as it will be 50 years. Will take place after the AGM in May.

GS: Commented on the plans for the all weather pitch. Thinks they will be advantageous for the area, but could well adversely affect the Marston Saints.

The Clerk has reported the lighting in the underpass to the County Council.

DH has been contacted by a graffiti artist who is keen to progress graffiti art in the underpass following the report in the Oxford Mail. DH to meet with him and discuss. The Chairman will attend. DH/CH

MC: The hedge by the cottage next door to the vicarage was finished today.

RJ: Rubbish bins in the Parish not being emptied as regularly as necessary. Call 252900 if any are noted to be in need of emptying.

The Clerk queried whether the Court Place Farm project received S106 money. MC believes it came from the Milham site, but to confirm. MC

16. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 2nd December 2008 at Mortimer Hall at 7:30pm.