The Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 13^th February 2008 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 (part-time) with G Russell in attendance. Also present for part of the meeting was County Cllr John Howell.

1.         Apologies for absence

Apologies were accepted from District Cllr John Cotton who was at another meeting.

2.         Declarations of Interest

As the Business Director of Berinsfield Community Business Cllr Mark Williams declared a prejudicial interest in the selection of the Council’s grass-cutting contractors for the coming year, while the Chairman declared a prejudicial interest in the planning applications for properties in The Limes and the High Street since in both cases the applicants are well-known to him.

3          Minutes of the Meeting held 9^th January 2008

The Minutes as circulated were approved and signed as true record.

4.         Matters Arising from the Minutes

a. The Clerk confirmed that Garsington Parish Council has agreed to pay half the costs of acquiring the asset mapping software from Pear Technology and the order will be placed for delivery in the current financial year.

b. A quotation for the repair of part of the Abbey churchyard perimeter wall has been received from IJP Building Conservation Ltd. At £10,160 the amount is far higher than expected and Professor Malcolm Airs will be asked if he can suggest any other suitably qualified contractors who could be asked for a second opinion.

c. The solar light at the by-pass bus stop is working again but the County’s officer would appreciate being told for how many hours at night it stays working. It is planned to improve the effectiveness of the light in making the steps safer by lowering the height of the lamp.

d. It was agreed that the date of the Annual Parish Meeting would be changed to 7^th May - the Clerk is due to be away on business on 14^th May – and will be followed by a short meeting of the Parish Council to deal with any urgent business.

5     District Councillor's Report

The District Councillor was absent due to other commitments.

6.         County Councillor's Report

County Cllr John Howell gave an account of his recent meeting with Mrs Butcher and other members of her family at Overy Mill at which Mark Sumner, the County Footpaths officer, had also been present. The meeting had discussed matters concerning both the path across the river side of the Mill leading to The Hurst and also the path which continued from the end of Overy Lane, along the edge of Mr Cook’s field, towards the passage under the by-pass. The meeting had not resolved all the outstanding issues between the various parties and there would be further consultation with officials in the County’s Countryside department.

7          Finance:

Bank balances were reported as

Reserve Account at 30^th January                                   £24,894.70

Current Account at 30^th January                                    £18 293.77

                                                                                    £42,388.47

The following accounts were approved for payment:

Jenks Oxford (Tree Survey)                                                           £176.25

Redd Factors Limited (Hidden Britain)                               £431.81

Wybone Limited (Bins for Cemetery)                                 £404.97

Chris Drewett Signs (Play area & car parking)                £1,364.18

M&M Skip Hire (Allotments)                                            £164.50

Southern Electric (Pavilion)                                                              £50.83

GGD Russell – Clerk’s salary                                                        £425.43

GGD Russell Admin (Jan/Feb)                                             £88.20

Geoff Willis Handyman – 5weeks - (January £270)                        £352.50

The Council agreed to donate £100 towards the new mower appeal from the Hurst Water Meadow Trust but declined to make a donation towards the Ryder-Cheshire Volunteers, since there was no evidence that people from Dorchester on Thames were directly benefiting from its activities.

The Council considered the quotations for grass-cutting in the village during 2008. Three companies had submitted their prices. It was agreed to divide the work between Berinsfield Community Business (BCB) and Scion Estates. BCB is being asked to cut the burial ground and the Henley Road verge for the first time but this still leaves five areas of grass for Scion Estates.

Paul Jenks has completed his tree survey in both the Cemetery and the Recreation Ground. His suggested expenditure for the coming year is Cemetery £2,200 and Recreation Ground £2,590. It was agreed that Cllr Day will study these recommendations and the prices for sundry landscape works submitted by BCB. The matter will be discussed in detail at the March Council meeting but, in the meantime the Jenks estimates will be used by the Clerk in preparing budgets for 2008/9.

8          Hidden Britain Event 24^th March

Cllr Mrs Metcalfe outlined the plans for the event which will commence at 2 pm. There will be an exhibition of local attractions in the village hall, the new touch screens will be on display in the Abbey and the Museum, there will be guided tours and walks, the Millennium Album will be displayed along with the new CD-Rom, there will be a balloon race and teas will be served in both the Village Hall and the Abbey Tea Room. From 5.30 to 7.00 pm there will be a reception for invited guests only (including councillors and spouses) in the Village Hall. The Recreation Ground will be open for car parking. There will be an extensive publicity campaign using posters and local media.

Councillors are invited to offer their services to help with the event both in advance and on the day itself.

9          Correspondence and Other Business

i). Sports Club Pavilion & Playground;

The roller shutters are to be installed within the next week or so. Quotes are needed for the repairs to the wooden doors and shutters. The interior of the pavilion is to be tidied. Storage space may become available for the old village hall chairs.

The Clerk said that he received no reply from the Fishing Alliance in response to the request for a contribution towards the cost of controlling the rats. Cllr Mrs Metcalfe said that the fishermen had carried out a big clean-up of the area by the lake.

The handyman will be asked to clear the area between the play area fence and the hedge. The sign at the entrance to the play area has been erected.

The Sports Club and others have said that the ground used for the archaeological dig last year has still not been made good and the Clerk will raise this matter with Gill Hey. Some of the barrier fencing originally installed is in the Fishers’ garden.

The Council noted that permission has been given for the District Council to run a cricket coaching programme on the rec. in the Easter school holiday and that the Sports Quiz night is on 8^th March.

ii). Footpaths;

The situation at Overy Mill has been reported by County Cllr Howell.

There have been more complaints about the state of the path from the Bridge to Meadside. In addition to trip hazards it has now been reported that the tyres of prams and push chairs have been damaged, particularly since the field hedges were cut.

The Clerk will bring this matter to the County’s attention.

iii). Cemetery;

Headstone safety: the Chairman said that he would let the Clerk have a copy of the list of unsafe grave stones that were found during the check on 3^rd November. Contact details are not available for all the families concerned but an attempt will be made to reach as many as possible. The Council noted that the descendants of John and Jane Kirby have been in touch with the Clerk wishing to make their family stone safe. It was agreed that the Clerk should supply them with the names of two suitable local contractors: Howard Chadwick and Abingdon Stone & Marble.

Care of graves service; The Council has been forwarded details of a grave cleaning service provided by Abiding Angels of Wallingford. The Clerk will keep this organisation’s details on file but no further action is to be taken at this time.

iv). Allotments

It was agreed that permission would be given to Mr and Mrs Anderson of 51 Watling Lane to create a turning head for cars and other vehicles as set out on scale drawing 0687 2008 from The Anderson Orr Partnership. The Council emphasised, however, that granting permission for this space should not be taken for granting any additional rights.

The Council agreed the requests received from new allotment holders, Ron Taylor and Gill Quick, who wish to erect timber sheds measuring no more than 6' x 4'.

v). Other letters to Chairman and Clerk

a. The Chairman has received a letter from Boris Johnson MP in which he promises to oppose any development of Oxford City beyond its existing boundary at Grenoble Road. The Government’s decision about the future of the South East Plan is not now expected until later in the year, possibly late May or beyond. The Council would like Boris Johnson to do what he can to persuade Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, to withdraw his support for the scheme.

b. The Council noted a message from Ann Johnstone, formerly resident at 17 Bridge End, in which she described the history of the open space by the river at Bridge End, known as ‘Waterloo’. The Chairman will write to Father John Osman asking for details of any claim that the Roman Catholic Church might have over this land.

c. Alan Cockbill from OCC has confirmed that the County is going ahead with the replacement of the tree outside 48/50 Watling Lane.

d. SODC has arranged for a training session about the code of conduct on the evening of 9^th April. This will clash with the Council’s normal monthly meeting and so no-one will be able to attend.

e. The Wallingford Area Neighbourhood Action Group wishes to attend village fêtes this year and it was agreed that they would be welcome at the Dorchester Village Fête on 12^th July.

10        Planning

PO8/W0048 8, The Limes

Demolition of conservatory and erection of garden room

The Council had no strong views on this application and will leave it to the SODC planning team to determine as it considers appropriate.

PO8/W002 Land adjoining 86 High Street;

Erection of single detached 3 bedroom dwelling

The Council has received one letter of opposition from a neighbour but agreed that the Application should be approved. The design statement was felt to be a good one and the actual design to be satisfactory. The proposal for off-street car parking was welcomed.

(Cllr Williams left the meeting at this point)

PO7/W1413 AMENDED The Chequers PH, Bridge End

Change of use from Public House to private dwelling and new garage. Demolition of toilets, modern extensions and detached garage. New access. (As amended by subsequent drawings and agent’s letter dated 4^th February.)

The Council has received a copy of a letter of opposition sent by a neighbour to SODC. The Council agreed that there was nothing in the amended application that would cause it to change its previously expressed recommendation for refusal.

PO7/W1436/LB AMENDED The Chequers PH, Bridge End

Demolition of modern extensions to Public House and alterations for conversion to private dwelling and detached garage. (As amended by drawings and agent’s letter dated 4^th February.)

The Council has received a copy of a letter of opposition sent by a neighbour to SODC. The Council agreed that there was nothing in the amended application that would cause it to change its previously expressed recommendation for refusal.

11        Watling Lane repairs

The residents are still keen to fund the majority of the re-surfacing work and have asked a local contractor to quote for the work. The final specification will have to be agreed by the County. The Parish Council agreed that provided the specification is approved the offer to contribute £1,000 towards the cost still stands.

12        Road safety proposals High St./Bridge End & Queen Street

The work has been postponed until April; the contractor is unable to start earlier.

13        Disabled parking spaces, Bridge End, Queen Street etc

It was thought that the number of disabled spaces in Bridge End should be reduced from two to one.

The Council noted a letter of objection from one Queen Street resident. It was agreed that the Chairman should meet with the Chairman of the School governors to find out why the school felt that a disabled parking space would be an advantage. Some members wondered whether putting the space near the Manor Farm Road entrance would be a better idea. It was pointed out that wherever the space might be there was no method by which it could be reserved for the use of a school parent.

14        Community Safety Consultation

Papers were circulated last month – no comments had been received and the Clerk will complete the consultation form accordingly.

15        Thirteen Parishes Meeting Report

It was agreed that the notes of the meeting with Ed Vaizey MP on Friday 11 January 2008 would be circulated.

16        Parish Christmas Tree

There has been much criticism of this year’s tree. The dangers of the mains electricity supply problems have been explained as well as the very disappointing lack of support from any volunteers responding to notices in Dorchester News.

The Co-op head office has been asked if the new low voltage supply will be provided as agreed three years ago. If this is not forthcoming it was agreed that there would be no tree next Christmas unless another way could be found of bringing electrical power for the lights which would be safe. Cllr Hill said that he would like to look at alternatives. Some Councillors said that a smaller, well-decorated tree would be preferable.

17        Any Other Business

a. Cllr Stevenson said that David Herlihy, Chair of Governors at the School would like to talk to the Council about the School Review and it was agreed that Mr Herlihy should be invited to attend the March meeting which would start 15 minutes earlier than usual to allow time for this item.

b. Cllr Mrs Metcalfe told the Council about the plans for ‘Traditional skills in action – the crafts that built the Abbey’ – an event that is being planned for this year’s August Bank Holiday weekend and the Council agreed to support the idea in principle.

c. Cllr Stevenson reminded the Council about the ‘Living Lightly in Dorchester’ event on Saturday 8^th March.

d. Cllr Hill said that 17 Bridge End was now known as Chapel Cottage rather than Lantern Cottage. Some neighbours had been upset by the appearance of the property’s new gate and fence. It had also been noted that cars parked along side the property over a long period had caused service vehicles to drive on the grass and the village green had been damaged as a result.

The meeting closed at 9.50 pm