Minutes October 2008

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7th October 2008

Present:-

Charlie Haynes, Chairman (CH)

Wally Cox, Vice Chairman (WC)

Duncan Hatfield (DH)

Michael Cadd (MC)

Peter Cox (PC)

Gill Cox (GC)

Roy Jones (RJ)

Mr LeRoy Garner, Clerk (LG)

Mrs K Stratford, Minutes Secretary (KS)

Cllr Mary Clarkson

Requests from Members of the Public to Speak

None received.

1. Apologies for Absence

Mrs Angie Tiwari, Mr John McGinn, Mr Hugh Deam

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

2. Minutes of Last Meeting

Under point 8 (Finance) cost was not a grant, it was for printing of questionnaires. The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the last meeting once the amendment has been made.

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

PC Shaw was unable to attend the meeting, and hopes to attend a meeting later this year.

4. Correspondence (Letters/Emails)

Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association AGM on 23rd October. Members welcome to attend.

South East Plan – revised proposal if any Member would like to make a response.

Woodstock Museum has allocated a space for a creation which is a history of the Oxfordshire Regiments. The Clerk has the details for anyone wishing to attend.

Mill Lane Allotments Allotment Associations AGM on 22nd October

Questionnaire received from the LGA. DH to complete. DH

5. Planning

Planning Applications considered between meetings:

· Boults Lane Recreation Ground – Storage Container – Marston Saints F.C. – no comment.

· 8 Clays Close – front and rear extensions – no comment, neighbours to be consulted.

· 13 Gordon Close – extension – refused.

Applications considered at meeting

· R/o 14 Mortimer Drive – pair of 1B/r houses – objection on terms of overdevelopment, dangerous for access (particularly during school pick up/drop off hours) and unsightly.

· 6 Oxford Road – extension – no objection as long as neighbours consulted

· Boults Lane Recreation Ground – small hut near Marsh Lane boundary for light refreshments for spectators. Accompanying letter from Marston Saints. Does not require planning permission as not a permanent structure – it is a garden shed, which they have undertaken to maintain. Agreed, on condition that litter is controlled as well as the undertakings mentioned in their letter.

Decisions

· 3 Cotswold Crescent – Agreed

· 43 Church Lane – Agreed.

· 13 Gordon Close – Refused.

· 34 Mill Lane – Refused. LG

67-69 Oxford Road – Clark has re-sent a copy of the letter at their request.

6. Boults Lane Development Project

The Chairman reports a letter received from Football Association querying why a two-storey building is required. Once the Club have explained, a planning application will be made. A meeting will be held with the Planners. Meeting to be arranged, and GC and DH will be invited. Once Football Association has approved, and prior to Planning Permission being applied for, the information will be given to residents of Horseman and Boult’s Closes, and the allotment association. DH/GC

There are two areas that still flood. Total Turf have chased Vale of White Horse contractors, who have been given to understand they will not receive their final payment until this has been satisfactorily resolved.

7. Recreation Grounds

Marston Saints have written to invite members of the Parish Council to the official opening on new pitches on 1st November 2008, 1:30pm on the top field.

The letter also draws attention to the overhanging tree, which may be dangerous. The Clerk to contact Denis Ward in order prune the offending branch(es).

Hawes Signs have contacted the Council on behalf of the Football Foundation to publicise their grant towards works such as the drainage of the football pitch, they are offering to install a sign and enclosed a brochure. Suggested the sign is put on the gate by entrance to the recreation ground. Agreed to order the long, narrow sign, once gate has been measured and the size concerned. The material to be aluminium. The sign to display the name of the Parish Council and Marston Saints in partnership, and the name of the recreation ground. LG

The sub-committee for play areas is moving on quickly. Plans have been drawn up with a suggested design. Issues were raised about the state of the grass not being mown as regularly as it should be.

Also looking at a contractor who may be able to paint existing equipment at a quoted price of £750. A contractor is coming on site on 8th October to give a quote for installing the equipment. The Oxford Mail have done a photo-call on site today, and will run a story. Drainage is an issue. Also want to extend the fence slightly. DH to speak to the Playing Fields Association – WC to provide the number. May be of use. Next meeting to be held to complete the grant application forms. The Chairman to speak to Total Turf regarding the drainage. DH, CH

Finance

The following accounts were paid:

Lyreco

Stationery Stock

110.64

Kamalara

Drainage at Boults Lane

693.00

Charlie Haynes

NALC Conference Expenses

100.00

Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils

Accounts Programme

5.88

Thames Water

Burial Ground Supply

9.83

Play Safety

Amusements Safety Check

141.00

V.C Brown

Architectual Work

926.18

L.M Garner

Salary and Expenses

1990.71

Denis Ward

Contract Work

2660.00

C. Haynes

Conference Fee

332.50

Received our precept. £27,750. Allows us to deposit £35,000.

Members were asked if they were aware of any new bodies who may wish to apply for grant applications.

Nominated St John’s ambulance. GC to provide the Clerk with contact details so he can write to them. GC, LG

GC demonstrated one of the pre-programmable toys the pre-school brought with last year’s grant. The pre-school wanted to thank the Parish Council very much.

Anyone who has applied previously will be contacted and invited to apply.

The Clerk will be leaving the Parish Council on 31st March 2009 but will continue supernumerary until 31st May to wind up the accounts. The new Clerk will take post on 1st April. The current Clerk will be on hand to help and advise during the transition.

9. Burial Ground

No issues.

10. Highways

Clerk has asked the County Council for their previously-agreed consultation meeting on the future of the traffic calming scheme and to reinstate the hospital signs, as previous, which the County is considering.

Complaints received in Mill Lane and Elsfield Road regarding parking. Requested to ask the police to monitor. Access for buses and refuse vehicles an issue. Will be raised when the police attend the meeting.

The hedge by the old vicarage needs trimming, currently there is limited access. The Clerk to contact the relevant officer and arrange a meeting with the Chairman. LG

Rippington Drive – paths so poor that people in wheelchairs can not use. The kerbstones poorly re-laid. The Clerk to contact the City Council. LG

11. North East Area Committee

Nothing affecting the parish from last meeting.

12. Parish Council Bulletin

Almost finished. 6 pages long. Members will be needed to help deliver. ALL

13. Allotments

Chairman will attend AGM. CH

14. Website

Approx 2000 visits a month. Received contact from people who have visited (such as the Oxford Mail). Many thanks to DH for his work.

15.Any Other Business

Write up in Marston Times – telephone has been repaired and residents are very happy.

Lights need fixing in underpass, there are issues of graffiti. DH to advertise for any local graffiti artists who may be interested in painting imaginatively (has advised the Oxford Mail).

The new storage at Mortimer Hall is almost completed. Will be painted shortly (volunteers always welcome!). It is also the intention to replace the internal hall doors. Plans being put together for the toilets. Also in discussion with library service to provide the library with its own toilet area. Many thanks to the St John’s ambulance for giving us this space this evening.

16. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 4th November 2008 at Mortimer Hall at 7:30pm.