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Parish Council Minutes May 2006

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MINUTES

The Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall on Wednesday 10th May 2006 commencing at 7.30 pm. The Chairman, Cllr K Bryan presided; present were Cllrs. M Day, S Gibbons, C Hill, Mrs J Nudds and M Williams with G Russell in attendance. Also present for part of the meeting were County Cllr John Howell, District Cllr John Cotton, four residents and Mr Noel Wickes of Trident Developments.

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were accepted from Cllr Mrs M Metcalfe who had another engagement away from the Village.

2. Co-option of Cllr Mark Stevenson

The Council confirmed the co-option of Mark Stevenson to fill the casual vacancy that had occurred following the resignation of Cllr Chris Sleigh. The Chairman welcomed Mark as a member of the Council. Cllr Stevenson signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was witnessed by the Clerk and also submitted his form of Declaration of Interests which will be sent to the Monitoring Officer for approval.

3 Public Participation

The Chairman invited Mr Noel Wickes to speak about the new plans for the development of residential property on the site of Kruzcko's yard but Cllr Bryan explained that the Council could not comment until a formal planning application has been received.

Mr Wickes said that although there was a current appeal against the District Council's decision to refuse P05/W0829, a second plan had been prepared which kept the existing bungalow in Crown Lane and concentrated upon the existing workshop area and surrounding yard where it was proposed that two pairs of semi-detached houses should be built, with heights that are lower than the dwellings previously proposed and with greater distances from other properties. There would be seven car parking spaces and a bigger turning area.

Paul Kruzcko said that although he wished to maintain the showroom in the High Street the workshop area was inefficient and he wished to relocate that part of the business to a better site.

District Cllr John Cotton said that the Council would first look at whether it would approve the change of use from a site of employment opportunity to one for residential use. He further commented that recent changes of policy on density might require more than four units to be built and that, in principal, the site is suitable for some affordable housing.

Andrew Powell of Crown Lane asked if the revised scheme involved access from Crown Lane and was told that it did not.

A formal application is likely to be submitted for the June Council meeting.

4 . Declarations of Interest

Cllr Mark Williams concerning P06/W0317 18 Abingdon Road as this property is next door to his own.

5. Minutes of the Meeting of 12 th April

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

6 . Matters Arising from the Minutes

a. Estimates for the installation of new street lights have been received and the costs will be included in the draft budget to be discussed at the June meeting. The Clerk will see if there is any chance of obtaining funding from the Community Safety budgets of either the County or District Councils.

b. The Clerk confirmed that Linda Mead has agreed to write about Neighbourhood Watch for Dorchester News.

c. Estimates for new dog waste bins have been received and the costs will be included in the draft budget to be discussed at the June meeting.

d. If the Council wished to obtain a bus shelter for the stop outside 2 High Street the County Council will provide a grant of 72% of cost. Catalogues will be ordered.

e. The Clerk said that Don Morrison has not yet had the pavement repaired. He will ask when the work is to be completed.

f. Marsh Pratley has agreed to move sawn timber from the road side verge on Abingdon Road.

g. The unwanted trees have now been removed from Waterloo but one of the residents has been tipping garden refuse on the edge of the site. Cllr Hill said that he would investigate this problem.

h. The damaged signs at Overy have not yet been repaired.

i. The Council has no objection to Mr Devereux putting up a sign cautioning traffic in Manor Farm Road to drive slowly. The Clerk will show Mr Devereux the guidance note about the types of sign which are permitted.

j. Wicksteed has been asked to send its local representative to organise repairs to the swings in the Playground.

h. The Clerk has asked both the Planning Officer and Richard Anderson if the Planning Condition requiring Hallidays to commission a survey of the capacity of the Queen Street sewers has been satisfied.

7. Election of Parish Council Chairman 2006/7

Cllr Mrs Nudds took the chair for this item.

Cllr Ken Bryan was proposed for election as Chairman by Cllr Chris Hill and the nomination was seconded by Cllr Mark Williams. There were no other candidates. Cllr Bryan was elected unanimously and resumed the chair after signing the Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was witnessed by the Clerk. He thanked the Council for its support and hard work during the past year.

8. Election of Parish Council Vice-Chairman 2006/7

Cllr Mrs Margot Metcalfe was proposed for election as Vice- Chairman by Cllr Maurice Day and the nomination was seconded by Cllr Mark Williams. There were no other candidates. Cllr Mrs Metcalfe, who was absent from the meeting, was known to be willing to accept this nomination and she was elected unanimously. She will sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as early as practicable.

9. County Councillor's Report

Cllr Howell has attended a meeting about future extractions of minerals in the county and organised a workshop to study the South East Plan and formulate responses which will take place on 6 th June.

He has written to the area police commander at Didcot complaining about noise from the bikers who gather at the Berinsfield roundabout. Councillors said that the noise from the motor boats and jet skis on the lakes is equally bad.

The Chairman said that there have been complaints about bus services being delayed by road works. Cllr Howell said that he would talk to Highways about this problem.

10. District Councillor's Report

Cllr Cotton said that the wheeled bin service for garden waste will start in June. In response to questions about the future of The Chequers as a public house Cllr Cotton said that SODC's policy and observance of the ‘CAMRA protocol' would protect the building against an application for change of use. Mr Fisher, a resident of Wittenham Lane, said that the building, which has been unoccupied since early 2005, is effectively being ‘demolished by neglect' – which is an offence. Cllr Cotton agreed that he would investigate this matter further.

11 Correspondence and Other Business

(a) Sports Club, Pavilion and Playground;

The Clerk reported that the proposed new roller shutter doors needed approval from the planners. The suppliers had suggested that he visit the Brightwell-cum-Sotwell cricket pavilion where such doors had been installed and take photographs for submission to the planners.

It was noted that more play grade safety bark is required. Cllr Williams said that he would try to find an alternative and less expensive supplier than AWBS of Oxford.

(b) Footpaths;

The Clerk said that he been unable to contact Mark Sumner of Countryside Services due to the latter being on holiday but he would be talking to Mr Sumner next week.

He confirmed that he had sent a note to the Broadbents asking that the hedge adjoining the footpath be kept well-trimmed.

Allan Smith and David Joseph had completed the installation of the posts and councillors were asked to make a site visit and comment on the result.

It was agreed to advertise in the next Dorchester News to see if anyone, in return for an appropriate payment, would be willing to look after graves on behalf of families who no longer lived in the area. The Clerk had received a letter asking if this service could be provided.

(d) Allotments;

It was agreed that Mark Townson could spend up to £250 on new pipes and taps.

(e) Hidden Britain project;

Copying of the Millennium Album has commenced and the first and second guided walk leaflets are in progress. Miss Bowditch has given permission for the orientation board to be placed upon her land near Days Lock. The first claim of £1,758 grant aid has been approved for payment by the Rural Payments Agency.

(f) Letters to Chairman & Clerk

i. Jeanette Wright of 47 High Street has been the victim of anti social behaviour recently and there have been other examples too. The Clerk was asked to contact the recently appointed team of Community Support Officers at Wallingford to see if they would make regular appearances in the village

ii. The Council had received a request for a financial contribution towards a campaign against car crime which is being co-ordinated by Berinsfield Community Safety Group (BCSG). Cllr Williams, who is a member of this group, explained the background to this campaign, which is being supported by several parishes. He said that BCSG is not just for Berinsfield alone, any problems that Dorchester Parish Council wished to discuss could also be raised. It was agreed to circulate the appeal letter and make a decision about making a contribution at the June meeting.

iii. The Council considered an informal consultation letter about the possibility of allocating part of the High Street near The White Hart for a disabled parking space. On the whole the Council is against this suggestion which seemed to be both unnecessary and impossible to enforce.

iv. The Mayor of Wallingford has written to the Chairman asking for support in getting signatures on a petition to save the local community hospitals. It was agreed that the petition should be placed in the Post Office.

v. Letters concerning future Housing Site Allocations in South Oxfordshire, Funding for Transport Schemes and an appeal for funding improvements at the Corn Exchange in Wallingford will be circulated.

12. Planning

a. Appeal:

P05/W0829 Land between 32 and 36 High Street

The Council agreed that it would continue to oppose this application and the Clerk will write to the Inspector accordingly.

b Applications

P06/W0342/LB The Manor House, Manor Farm Road

New window to SE elevation

It was agreed to recommend approval.

c Report on planning decisions, amendments etc

P05/W1267 20, Watling Lane

Demolition of lean to UPVC conservatory and lean to porch

Planning permission and Conservation Area consent granted 25 th April

P06/W0211 91 Abingdon Road

Single storey extension to sides, porch and bay window to front

Planning permission granted 21st April

P06/W0317 18 Abingdon Road; erection of conservatory to rear. (revised)

Planning permission granted 5 th May

P06/W0116 The Chequers Public House; housing application has been withdrawn.

The Council has received a letter asking the Parish Council to make Cllr John Cotton aware of the importance that Dorchester attaches to the continued existence of the public house. Cllr Cotton was present at the meeting and the letter duly noted.

The Clerk said that he again asked Planning and Enforcement to investigate with unlawful development had taken place on land off Drayton Road, a matter that he had first raised in August 2005 but which had so far not been addressed by SODC.

The Clerk said that the Property Manager responsible for the Co-Op store in Dorchester High Street had told him that the refurbishment of the premises above the shop was currently on hold due to budgetary pressures.

13. Finance

Bank balances:

NatWest Current Account at 30 th April £14,187.32

NatWest Reserve Account at 30 th April £32,847.96

The following accounts were approved for payment

Allianz Cornhill (annual insurance premium) £1,679.76

Dorchester Sports Club – grass cutting 2005 £680.00

SODC dog hygiene bins £110.90

Allan Smith £785.21

GGD Russell – Clerk's salary £361.86

GGD Russell - admin expenses April/May £128.40

Geoff Willis Handyman – 4 weeks - (April £244.00) £195.00

Dorchester Abbey PCC (photocopying) £7.35

14 Bridge End Car Park

Cllrs Howell and Cotton joined in a general discussion following the news that Brian Purcell-Smith from County Highways has determined that the cost of the proposed scheme will be £30,000, which is some £5,000 less than had been expected.

It was agreed that a firm, written costing should be obtained for the project going ahead in the current year together with what elements, if any, had been excluded from the original scheme in order to make these savings.

With money already pledged by the Parish and County Councils it seemed that the fund is still £7,000 short and this assumes an environmental improvement grant from SODC of £3,000. Although Paul Earley of SODC has suggested an approach to the Community Development Budget, Cllr Cotton's advice is that such an approach is unlikely to succeed because the precedents are not encouraging. The District Council might be prepared to fund improvements in and around the area of the public lavatories but this would probably be dependent upon the Parish Council taking over the responsibility for looking after these lavatories, something the Parish Council is unlikely to accept. It was agreed that before any further progress could be made the definitive costing and specifications are required from Brian Purcell-Smith.

15 New Cemetery Regulations and Prices

Cllr Day has been through the latest draft, prepared by the Chairman and Clerk, and has some suggestions for additions. The new prices were agreed and these will come into effect on 1 st June.

16 County Council Community Chest grants

It was agreed to discuss this matter at the next Council Meeting

17 Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 14 th June commencing at 7.30 pm

18 Any Other Business

a. There is still litter at the end of Henley Road where it joins the by-pass, especially in the short area of old road, and the District Council will again be asked to clear it up.

b. The Village Handyman has been asked to spray weeds alongside the Village Hall.

c. Cllr Gibbons said the questionnaires about the new play area have been distributed and that his sub-committee is now holding regular meetings.

d. The Chairman asked the Clerk to contact the developer of the High Street garage site and arrange for it be screened off or, as a minimum requirement, tidied up and the safety fence made stable.

The meeting closed at 9.55 pm

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