DORCHESTER ON THAMES
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Parish Council Minutes July 2007
Home > Parish Council > Minutes > July 2007
The Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall on Wednesday 11th July 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 and M Stevenson with G Russell in attendance. Also present for part of the meeting were County Cllr John Howell, District Cllr John Cotton, Dave Rowley, Accord Operations Manager, and one resident.
1 Apologies for absence
Apologies were accepted from Mark Williams who had another commitment
2 Visiting speaker
Dave Rowley, Accord Operations Manager, explained that his company is the County’s partner in carrying out Highways maintenance. The Company sometimes has equipment and materials that are surplus to its requirements and is keen to offer Parish Councils in-kind help and assistance. He invited the Parish Council to contact him whenever it had a need. Later in the meeting it was agreed that, as an initial request, Accord should be approached to see if they could supply bike racks for the Bridge End car park.
3 Declarations of Interest
None
4 Minutes of the Meeting held 13th June 2007
After the name of Cllr Mrs Jenny Nudds was added to the list of councillors responsible for monitoring car parking the minutes were approved and signed as a true record.
5 Matters Arising from the Minutes
i. Headstones in closed churchyard; it had been confirmed that the Council is responsible for initiating action if any headstones are found to be unsafe but information about the checking/testing procedures and methods that should be used is awaited. The Clerk has been in contact with the Association of Burial Authorities who have promised to supply some guidance.
ii The Clerk said that Aileen Watson has confirmed that the deeds of her property, 11, Bridge End, show that she owns the land right down to the bank of the River Thame.
iii. Hallidays condition 11; it was agreed that SODC should be asked to assist the Parish Council in obtaining satisfaction from Thames Water over the provision of foul water drains adequate to take the extra demands caused by the conversion of the Hallidays showrooms into residential units. The Clerk will contact Dave Baldwin of Monson and, possibly, Claire Kingston the newly appointed head of Environmental Services.
iv School governorship; Both the Clerk and Cllr Mark Stevenson have been in contact with David Herlihy, chairman of the governors, who had indicated that Cllr Stevenson’s appointment as school governor would be confirmed in the Autumn.
6 District Councillor's Report
District Cllr Cotton said that he had been disappointed at the CCTV equipment that had recently been demonstrated to SODC. He did not think that it would be suitable for testing in Dorchester on Thames.
There is currently a consultation process about the provision of more sites for travellers within the District’s boundaries. Cllr Cotton indication that this process is in its early stages but he expected that at least two new sites will be opened in the next few years.
The District Council’s policy of continuing with the weekly collection of rubbish was producing recycling rates which compare very favourably with other councils, where an alternate week collection of refuse has been introduced with the promise this will produce higher rates. It remains a possibility that a county-wide refuse collection service will be brought in but, at the moment, there is much disagreement between the councils as to what is the best system/frequency.
Cllr Cotton said that he has asked the planning officers to be proactive in getting the developer to produce an acceptable scheme that will see The Chequers re-occupied as soon as possible.
The Council noted that Dorchester Sailing Club has received a grant from the District Council towards the cost of its new clubhouse amounting to £110,000.
7 County Councillor's Report
County Cllr John Howell said that there was nothing to report this month.
8 Finance: Bank balances & Accounts for Payment.
Reserve Account at 29th June £23,705.86
Current Account at 29th June £8,592.82
The following accounts were approved for payment.
Thames Water (Allotments £23.11 & Pavilion etc £42.91) £66.02
Berinsfield Community Business (grass – May) £264.86
Berinsfield Community Business (grass – June) £264.86
Information Commissioner (Renewal fee) £35.00
Scion Estates Limited (grass cutting) £603.93
Scion Estates – pavilion ramp £628.63
Lister Wilder (strimmer spare part) £25.17
GGD Russell – Clerk’s salary £401.82
Geoff Willis Handyman – 4 weeks - (June £318.99) £277.50
The Council had received an appeal for funds from Victim Support but it was decided that the Council should continue to support only those bodies which could demonstrate that their work has been or would clearly be for the benefit of residents.
The Council agreed that it would contribute half the cost that had been incurred when, due to a misunderstanding, the staff from BCB had carried out work which had not been authorised in advance by the Council.
9 Correspondence and Other Business
i). Sports Club Pavilion & Playground;
The graffiti which had been applied to the play equipment soon after the playground was reopened has been removed by local residents. The Police have been informed about these problems.
Bruce Ferriman has repaired an electrical fault in the pavilion caused by an extractor fan being damaged by incoming rain. A replacement extractor fan is on order costing approx £120. The lights and other appliances are now working normally.
Wallingford Glass has performed a temporary repair to the damage to the skylight above the kitchen and they are hopeful that they can find a replacement soon.
It was agreed to leave discussion of whether the wooden rail across the front of the veranda should be replaced by a steel rail until the next Council meeting.
The Clerk has seen the certificate of insurance held by the archaeologists and a letter of authority has been issued. There is talk of a ten year programme of excavation.
There is to be a programme of free lectures, so far very well supported, and an open day on 21st July.
Play area – wooden frame of adventure play kit; Roger Davies has given the Clerk a verbal report saying that the rot is not as bad as it seems but he does suggest that the equipment will need to be replaced in two years. A written report has been requested – there will be no charge for the extra visit made by Mr Davies.
The Clerk is progressing the grant claims for the new play area new equipment from SODC, WREN & TOE. Cllr Gibbons will send the funds which have been raised by the team of volunteers.
Now that the new play area has opened there have been suggestions that the older children in the village should have more facilities. The grant-awarding bodies have indicated their willingness to consider new applications for this purpose.
Cllr Hill said that the Sports Club is seeking to increase its charge to the Parish Council for cutting the grass in the main field. The fee has been £680 for the past three years and it was agreed that this should be increased in 2007 to £750.
ii). Footpaths;
Overy; The Council is frustrated by the continued lack of any progress in improving the footpath via The Hurst and Overy Mill. The Clerk was asked to contact County Cllr Howell and asked for his help in getting action started.
The Chairman reported that the access gate to the Martin’s Lane end of the path alongside the Cemetery will be padlocked in a partially closed position. This will prevent access by cars while leaving sufficient width for the passage of prams and cycles.
The Clerk was asked to request the Village Handyman to tidy the path linking Bridge End and Wittenham Lane, alongside Mrs Hill’s garden, and also the access paths to the bus stops on both sides of the by pass. It was also noted that there is often litter left in the lay-by near Meadside.
The Clerk has been told that the gate at Blue Bridge will be re-instated by the National Trails team as soon as possible.
iii). Cemetery;
Paul Jenks has been asked to remove a large branch which has fallen from a tree along the Drayton Road boundary and to advise about future maintenance of this tree, which is diseased.
The Council discussed an application from the Bowles family to erect a memorial to their parents in the form of a wooden cross. It was noted that in a church yard a memorial in the shape of a cross would need a faculty and the Clerk will try to find out why by asking the Rector’s advice. There are memorials in the Dorchester Cemetery in the shape of a cross, although none has been erected recently.
iv). Allotments;
Nothing to report
v). Hidden Britain;
The Orientation Board by the Thames will be installed soon and the finger post signs are also expected to be delivered soon.
Progress has been ongoing with the touch screen programming and CD ROM production. The original Millennium Album can now only be viewed by appointment.
The budget provides for a ‘Launch event’ and this will be organised during the autumn, possibly in September.
i). Other letters to Chairman and Clerk
The Clerk drew the Council’s attention to the recent Thames Valley Police Ringmaster message about burglaries at Hallidays and another Queen Street property in the previous week. A copy of this will be placed on the Village notice boards.
The Council agreed to support the funding of Alix Michaelis, the ORCC’s rural transport adviser. Her services could be very helpful when the review of the bus services to Dorchester are carried out this winter.
The Clerk will draw to Mrs Reily Collins’ attention the services offered by ORCC in providing assistance to migrant workers in rural communities. Several Polish workers have been employed during the conversion of Hallidays. It was thought that both The White Hart and The George also employ migrant workers.
Emergency planning; the Environment agency’s map of Dorchester areas at risk of flooding will be circulated. The subject of emergency planning will be discussed at the next meeting.
10 Planning
a) Applications
PO7/W0668/LB Thatchers Cottage, 15 Queens Street
Internal alterations to existing cottage
No strong views (already reported to conform with the consultation period).
PO7/W0691 Sports Pavilion, Drayton Road
Installation of roller shutters to doors and windows on north elevation
The Council recommended approval of this application since this would assist the applicant (the Council itself) deal with a serious security problem at the Pavilion.
PO7/W0739 30, Oxford Road
Demolition of existing single storey garden room & Bay window and erection of two storey rear extension.
No strong views
b) Report on planning decisions, amendments etc
PO6/W1008; Land adjoining The Chequers, Bridge End
Demolition of existing garage and construction of a new 4 bedroom house.
Planning permission refused 27th June 2007. One reason given; details on website.
PO7/W0030/LB amended The Chequers Public House, 20 Bridge End
Demolition of 20th century extensions. Pub use retained car park layout revised & demolition of sectional garage building.
Planning permission refused 27th June 2007. Three reasons given; details on website.
PO7/W031 Amended The Chequers Public House, 20 Bridge End
Erection of a pair of semi detached houses & associated garages. Alteration to access.
Planning permission refused 27th June 2007. Two reasons given but these were not yet available on-line.
The papers relating to these decisions would be circulated and, possibly, an article about the status of this application would be submitted for the September edition of Dorchester News. There is some useful copy from CAMRA that could be included.
Mr Terry Fisher has advised the Council that the owners of listed buildings must maintain those buildings in a proper state of repair, even though they might, like The Chequers, be unoccupied. Cllr Hill said that he would try to find out more about this rule.
It was agreed that the Council’s planning sub-group should continue to look at planning applications in advance of the Council’s monthly meeting but that Cllr Mrs Nudds would be replaced as a member of this group by Cllr Gibbons. Whenever time allowed the sub-group would come to the full Council with a recommendation
11 Village Carbon Project
Cllr Stevenson said that there will be a meeting of the steering group on 19th July where the intention is to decide upon what specific projects should be pursued.
12 Car Parking & other Highways maintenance matters
Action on Bridge End surface repairs and surface dressing is understood to be imminent.
The Clerk will write to every resident who lives in Watling Lane, and those who have driveway access onto the Lane, with the news that the whole Lane could be repaired and resurfaced for a total cost of around £7,650 plus VAT. The Council would be prepared to contribute £1,000 and will account for the VAT – would the residents between them contribute the balance?
13 Adoption of new Code of Conduct and Register of Interests
Following the circulation to councillors of all the details, the Council agreed unanimously that
(a) the mandatory provisions in the Model Code of Conduct set out in Statutory Instrument 2007/1159 be adopted as the Dorchester on Thames Parish Council Code of Conduct with immediate effect, subject to:
(i) the inclusion of the "general principles" as an Annex to the Code, with a footnote to explain that it is not a part of the Code but is included as an Annex because of the requirement in paragraph 1(2) of the Code for members to have regard to the principles; and
(ii) the addition of paragraph 12(2) of the Model Code, but excluding the words in brackets
each as recommended by the Standards Board for England and South Oxfordshire District Council; and
(b) the Clerk be requested to notify the Monitoring Officer of South Oxfordshire District Council of the passing of the above resolution
All councillors agreed to complete their declarations of interest and to send them to the Clerk as soon as possible.
14 Any Other Business
There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.01
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