PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES

The Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall on Wednesday 7th February 2007 commencing at 7.30 p.m.

The Chairman, Cllr K Bryan, presided; present were Cllrs Mrs M Metcalfe (Vice-Chairman), M. Day, S Gibbons, C Hill, Mrs J Nudds, M Stevenson and M Williams with G Russell in attendance. Also present for part of the meeting were County Cllr John Howell, District Cllr John Cotton and three residents.

1 Apologies for absence

None; all Councillors were present.

2 Declarations of Interest

Cllrs Mrs J Nudds and M Stevenson declared an interest in Planning Application P07/W0034 17 Bridge End;

3 Minutes of the Meeting held 10^th January 2007

The Minutes as circulated were approved and signed as a correct record. The Council agreed that the official record of its meetings should continue to be hand-written and the purchase of another bound Minute Book was approved.

4 Matters Arising from the Minutes

a. The Chairman and Cllr M Williams will represent the Council at the reception in County Hall being hosted by the County Council Chairman on 28^th February.

b. The Clerk said that he had been assured that work to replace the hand-rail by the steps to the bus stop on the southern carriageway of the by-pass and the installation of the fingerposts will be carried out soon.

c No-one from the Council will be able to attend the meeting of the EIP in Reading on 28^th February when the future of the Oxford Green Belt will be discussed, but it was agreed that neither the Thirteen Parishes Group nor the Oxford Green Belt Network would be asked to speak for the Council even if the opportunity arose.

d. The Clerk is trying to clarify the status of Manor Farm Road as either a vehicular highway or a bridleway.

e. Cllr Hill had attended the recent meeting of the Rivers Users Group. Several Oxfordshire parishes along the River Thames are getting involved with the Oxfordshire Inspires celebrations and running their own events.

5 District Councillor's Report

Cllr Cotton said that the share of next year’s Council Tax attributable to the District Council has been frozen – there will be no increase. He confirmed that the handling of more of the District Council’s incoming telephone calls is being carried out by outside contractors but said that direct telephone communication with Council officials is not affected.

Cllr Cotton noted the Council’s concerns about the planning applications for the site at The Chequers and said that he expected the matter to be raised at the Planning Committee meeting on 21^st February.

6 County Councillor's Report

Cllr Howell said that he is in regular contact with the Clerk concerning several Highways matters. Work at Shillingford Bridge is due to start on 5^th March and some disruption to traffic is inevitable. It is hoped that the work will be completed much more quickly than has been allowed in the traffic order.

Cllr Howell said that he is aware of residents’ concerns about the future of the X15 bus route and will make further enquiries of his officers and the bus company. He has had meetings with representatives of the group of motor cyclists who meet at Fox’s Diner most Monday evenings. Their members are aware of the problems caused by the behaviour of a small minority of riders and will see if they can resolve the matter without recourse to outside agencies.

7 Correspondence and Other Business

i). Sports Club Pavilion & Playground;

Total Pest Control has completed its attempt to reduce the rabbit population by gassing the burrows in and around the Recreation Ground. Residents have commented that the exercise was handled well.

Laura Bristow has handed over playground equipment working papers to the Clerk because the official orders must come from the Parish Council. Cllr Gibbons has a site meeting with Wicksteed, the preferred contractor, in the next few days after which the orders will be placed with, hopefully, the work being carried out in April.

Cllr Gibbons will discuss with Wicksteed whether an outside safety inspection will be needed this year. It was noted that the notice banning dogs from the Play Area needs to be replaced.

It was agreed that SODC should once again be permitted to hold cricket coaching sessions during the Easter school holiday.

ii). Footpaths;

The Clerk reported that Mark Sumner, County Footpaths officer, has been asked what progress has been made at Overy Mill but no reply has so far been received. The path along Albert Place has been cleared by the handyman and fallen trees along the path between Drayton Road and The Hurst will be cleared by BCB for £150 (maximum).

iii). Cemetery;

The Council has received a letter from Mrs Lammer concerning the reburial of her husband, Albert, in Dorchester Cemetery subject to Home Office approval of the removal of the coffin from Camberwell New Cemetery in London. Mrs Lammer has recently moved to live at 1, Herringcote and the Council agreed to her request.

IJP has said that it will replace free of charge the tiles which have fallen from the restored old gatehouse buildings within the next two weeks.

The Clerk said that two memorial plaques have been ordered and paid for and that at least three more orders are expected very soon.

The Council agreed to consider the provision of new litter bins for the Cemetery and some illustrations of suitable bins will be circulated along with costs.

iv). Allotments;

BCB will quote for clearing the uncultivated area on the north side of the field.

v). Hidden Britain;

Cllr Mrs Metcalfe reported that funds will allow an additional orientation board and finger post in the centre of the Village. The Clerk said that he had discussed the planning requirements with John Coggins, SODC Planning Officer, who has asked to be sent a map showing the desired location. Full planning will not be needed.

An application has been made to SEEDA asking for additional items to be included for grant aid and a decision is awaited.

i). Other letters to Chairman and Clerk

a. The Council agreed that it would fund the supply of refreshments at the Newcomers’ Evening on Thursday 19^th April up to a maximum of £150.

b. The new arrangements for distributing travel tokens from April were noted and will be reported in the forthcoming edition of Dorchester News.

c. The ORCC’s new rural housing enabler has asked if she can be of any help reactivating the idea of a small development of approx 7 homes on an exception site in Dorchester. Some suggestions of a suitable site have been made but the Council is keen to know if there is in fact a need for ‘affordable housing’ amongst the residents of the village and their families. Dorchester News will be used to remind people who may wish to find out more to register their need with the District Council.

d. The Parish Council has been invited to select the location of a seat in memory of the late David Johnson of Beechcroft. Councillors will be asked for their suggestions at the March meeting.

8 Planning

a) Applications

P07/W0030/LB The Chequers Public House, 20 Bridge End; demolition of 20^th Century extensions. Pub use retained, car park layout revised and demolition of sectional garage building. (Amended)

The Council agreed unanimously that this application should be opposed. Cllr Stevenson will draft a letter which explains the Council’s reasons for this recommendation which will be returned with the consultation form.

P07/W0031 The Chequers Public House, 20 Bridge End; erection of a pair of semi detached houses and associated garages & alteration to access. (Amended)

(Cllrs Mrs J Nudds and M Stevenson left the meeting while the following matter was discussed)

P07/W0034 17 Bridge End; Erection of single storey conservatory breakfast room, 2 x bedroom pavilions with bathrooms to the rear. New dormer to west elevation and single storey utility room to the south.

With one abstention the Council agreed that this application should be opposed.

Cllrs Mrs J Nudds and M Stevenson rejoined the meeting and Cllr Stevenson was asked to liaise with the Clerk about drafting a letter which explains the Council’s reasons for its decision to be returned with the consultation form.

P07/W0066/LB 36, High Street; Replace casement kitchen window.

The Council had no strong views about this application.

b) Report on planning decisions, amendments etc

P06/W1077/LB & P06/W1078 Cranmer Cottage, 90 High Street; Demolition of car port & garden shed. Elevational alterations to north elevation, new boiler house to north elevation. As amended

Listed Building and Planning Consent granted 29^th January.

P06/W1290 Rose Cottage, 13, Martin’s Lane; Single storey detached garden room to rear of back garden to replace existing shed. Planning Consent granted 30^th January.

P06/W1220 7, Bridge End; Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension. Application withdrawn

P06/W1267/LB 37, High Street; Replacement of part glazed front door with new hardwood painted door.

Listed Building Consent granted 16^th January.

9 Finance

a). Bank balances

Current Account at 30^th January £24,082.01

Reserve Account at 30^th January £23,379.96

A £10,000 transfer from Reserve to Current A/c was made in January but the £10,000 payment to the County Council has not yet been sent and this is why there is such a large balance on current account.

The following accounts were approved for payment:

Dorchester Abbey PCC (Hidden Britain) £948.33

Southern Electric (Pavilion) £26.16

GGD Russell – Clerk’s salary £401.82

GGD Russell – Admin (Jan/Feb) £114.85

Geoff Willis Handyman – 4 weeks - (January £214.50) £214.75

10 Car Parking & other Highways maintenance matters

a. There has been one volunteer so far for the Watling Lane traffic survey.

b. The County Highways tree experts have not yet responded to the complaint about the trip hazard caused by the tree at the High Street bus stop.

c. Quotes for cycle racks have been requested from two suppliers but Cllr Mrs Metcalfe said that she understood from County Cllr Howell that he was hoping to obtain a second-hand cycle rack free of charge.

d. The Clerk was asked to distribute a letter concerning the possibility of using the field behind Belcher Court for car parking on the occasion of major events in the village. The letter would be delivered directly to all those immediately affected and also posted on the Village notice board. Comments would be requested to arrive in time for consideration at the March Council meeting.

11 Carbon Calculator – paper prepared by Cllr Stephenson

The Council approved this paper for distribution in Dorchester News. The Clerk will arrange for it to be printed and inserted.

12 Keen Edge Footbridge Project

Cllr Margot Metcalfe and the Clerk had attended a meeting in Warborough last night. This had been called to explain that the building of this bridge may be possible if the Sustrans Connect2 Project is successful in a bid for money from the Big Lottery Fund.

13 Abbey Churchyard

Following a discussion on proposals received from Paul Jenks for the care and maintenance of the trees in the Abbey Closed Churchyard it was agreed that the recommended work on the ‘over mature’ horse chestnut would be carried out at a cost of £495 plus VAT but that the work on the Horse Chestnut by the south pathway would be held over until 2007/8.

14 Annual Parish Meeting

It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held on 9^th May followed by the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council for the purpose of electing Chairman and Vice-Chairman and appointing representatives to outside bodies and carrying out any other urgent business.

15 Any Other Business

i. It was noted that Helen Clarke has resigned as Headteacher at the school with effect from the end of the Summer Term.

ii. The hedge along the footpath outside The Manor needs cutting back.

iii. There have been complaints that the security gate to the school playground is not always being securely locked.

The Meeting closed at 10.04 pm