DORCHESTER ON THAMES
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Parish Council Minutes November 2008
Home > Parish Council > Minutes > November 2008
The Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 12th November 2008 commencing at 7.30 pm. 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 were Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, representing County Cllr John Howell, and three residents.
1 Apologies for absence
District Cllr John Cotton
2 Public Participation
Dr Peter Pritchard asked the Parish Council to consider supporting the appeal to raise funds for the purchase of land adjacent to the bridge over the River Thame. The Chairman said that this will be considered later in the meeting
Mrs Sally Croft from Samian Way said that there are two potholes in the pavement leading to the entrance to the Rose Walk path towards the Abbey. They fill with water and are unlit at night. It was agreed that the potholes are dangerous and will be reported to the Highways with a request for urgent action.
3 Declarations of Interest
None
4 Minutes of the Meetings held 8th and 22nd October 2008
The Minutes of both meetings were approved and signed as a true record.
The Council agreed that hand-written minutes should continue to be kept and a new Minute Book should be purchased.
5 Matters Arising from the Minutes
a. Cllr Williams had attended the PACT at Berinsfield on 14th October. He said that the centre is a very worthwhile facility for young families and that he would arrange for there to be some publicity for PACT in ‘Dorchester News’.
b. The Chairman had attended the Town & Parish Forum on 11th November. He had been to the working party about the new arrangements for household waste collection and recycling. The new service will commence, with a new contractor, in June 2009. The District Council has planned a comprehensive programme to inform residents about the new arrangements. It was agreed that part of the 2009 Annual Parish Meeting could be devoted to explaining this and also the Carbon Project’s ‘Swap Shop’.
c. The Council noted that the Co-Op has declined to include the provision of low voltage electricity supply in the present work that is being done above the store. This is needed if the Parish Christmas Tree is to be re-instated in 2009 and efforts will be made to ensure that the Co-Op honours the agreement made with the Parish Council when it was seeking planning approval in 2005.
d. The Clerk said that there has been no response so far from SODC regarding its policy concerning the Sustainable Communities Act. Cllr Stevenson said that he would make further enquiries.
e. Cllr Hill has asked the Clerk to see what maps he can find which can be used to map ditches etc in order to progress flood prevention and planning for future emergencies. Some old records have been located. Cllr Mrs Metcalfe said that Mr Steven Capel-Davies, a resident of Wallingford who had addressed a recent meeting of the Historical Society is an expert in this subject and may be able to help.
f. The Clerk informed the Council that Mrs Sledman died on 10th November. He had told the Rector of the Council’s decision re providing burial spaces.
6 District Councillor's Report
District Cllr John Cotton was unable to attend the meeting.
7 County Councillor's Report
The Chairman warmly welcomed Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, representing County Cllr John Howell.
Highways officer Brian Purcell-Smith has indicated that there will be action towards the surface repairs to Drayton Road and to the path between village and Meadside but Cllr Howell thought that given the amount of other highways work that is due to take place the suggestion of a cycle path through the village would receive no priority.
The Council asked that, as a first step, the footpath in Abingdon Road could be marked for dual use by cyclists as well as pedestrians. The cost would be minimal.
Cllr Howell’s report about the lack of progress with the Overy Manor Footpath very much disappointed the Council, who had thought that this work would happen during the current year. The route is on the way to and from school and should therefore be receiving priority action. Dr Pritchard told the Council that the County’s legal department had not in fact been in contact with the Hurst Trust, contrary to what Cllr Howell had been told. The Chairman suggested that all those residents who feel strongly about the matter should write direct to the county council, preferably with a copy to the Parish Council, as well as to Cllr Howell.
Following the recent village meeting about bus services Cllr Stevenson has been producing some composite bus timetables to show how certain journeys should be timed and routed. Methods of distributing this information will be discussed. Lorraine wondered if the County might be prepared to carry out the printing on behalf of the Parish Council. Copies could be made available for collection at the Post Office.
8 Finance:
Bank balances & payments
Balance on NatWest Current Account at 30th October £22,503.42
Balance on NatWest Reserve Account at 30th October £39,575.80
The following accounts were approved for payment:
Tom Cottrell Landscapes £1,363.00
Dorchester on Thames Sports Club (grass cutting). £750.00
SODC (dog waste bin service 6 months) £407.88
Berinsfield Community Business (September) £826.91
Southern Electric (pavilion – actual reading) £75.95
Chris Drewett Signs (no parking) £23.50
Open Spaces Society (annual sub) £30.00
GGD Russell – Clerk’s salary £425.43
Geoff Willis Handyman – 5 weeks - (Oct. £250) £370.00
South & Vale Carers £80.00
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal £100.00
(The Clerk left the room while the following item was discussed)
Following the new National Award by the National Association of Local Councils the Council agreed to increase the Clerk’s salary with effect from 1st April to £450.11 per month. This meant that back pay of £197.44 had been accrued.
It was agreed that Geoff Willis, the Village Handyman, should have his pay increased on 1st April 2009 by the increase in RPI since his previous award on 1st June 2007.
The Council considered the appeal from Hurst Water Meadow Trust to fund the purchase and enhancement of the meadow by Dorchester Bridge. The total cost to the Trust is £51,722 and it is hoped that nearly £32,000 will be received from grants and a private donation.
The Appeal has so far received some £3,000 leaving just under £17,000 to be raised. The Council agreed in principle that it will make a donation but it will not be possible to agree a figure until the annual financial review, carried out prior to setting the Precept for 2009/2010, has been completed.
9 Correspondence and Other Business:
i). Sports Club Pavilion & Playground;
Paul Jenks has commenced the tree works in the Recreation Ground and Cemetery.
A working party has been successful in clearing the graffiti from the Play Area. The group raising money for the new playground equipment has been given the opportunity to run the traditional annual Christmas Carol concert in the Village Hall (formerly in Hallidays) and in return for running the event will share the proceeds with the Pre-School group.
ii). Footpaths;
The County Council has not yet responded to the Clerk’s request for action to prevent the large tree by the High Street bus shelter damaging the pavement nor the request that the young tree at the end of the footpath onto High Street be removed to prevent the surface of the footpath again being deformed.
The gate at the beginning of the path by the Cemetery will be locked open.
Some of the residents of the row of cottages in Malthouse Lane will be asked to cut back the shrubbery etc which is leaning over the path.
iii). Cemetery;
Some tiles have fallen from the old gatehouse building. The Clerk will ask IJP Building Contractors to replace these when they are next in the area.
The boundary ditch with Herringcote has now been cleared and a letter of thanks on behalf of the residents has been received by the Chairman. The clearance has, however, revealed that the boundary fence is in need of repair and the Beechcroft Trust will be asked to do this.
Councillors want the rules regarding the maintenance of graves to be observed more generally than is currently happening.
iv). Allotments
A copy of the present rules of the Allotments was given to each councillor for further study. There have been suggestions that the rules need review but it was agreed the regulations regarding the need to request permission to erect a shed should be retained. The Council confirmed that the keeping of bees on the Allotments is not permitted. The Council will, however, give further consideration as to how the demand for allotment gardens should be managed so that the residents of both Dorchester and Berinsfield receive preferential treatment by comparison with residents from other parts of the district. One suggestion was that non residents should be asked to pay double fees. The matter will receive further consideration.
v). Other letters to Chairman and Clerk
The Council has received an invitation to attend a Climate Change Community networking event on Thursday 20th November at Crowmarsh. Cllr Stevenson said that he was already attending this event and would report at the next Council meeting.
The Chairman said that he hoped to be able to attend the meeting of the Wallingford Partnership on 19th November.
10 Planning:
No applications having been received, the Council noted the following decisions:
P08/W0896 & P08/W1021/CA Land between 32 & 36 High Street.
Site redevelopment with terrace of 4 new dwellings; Applications withdrawn
PO8/W1000/LB & P08/W0982 Lychgate Cottage, 8 High Street.
New outbuilding with timber cladding containing utility room, toilet and garden store.
Planning and Listed Building Consent granted 22nd October
PO8/W1056 Spindle Trees, 1a Oxford Road; Extension and new garage; removal of existing front conservatory and replacement with a porch. Planning Permission granted 17th November
PO8/W1022/LB & P08/W1010 16 Malthouse Lane
Lowering of existing patio to rear of house. Replacement of front and back door and five windows. Planning and Listed Building Consent granted 20th October
11 Underpass footpath Dorchester Bridge
The Council has received a letter from Donald and Julia Morrison asking if the Council would agree to a reversion of the footpath adjacent to their paddock in return for an agreement to maintain the area and improve the planting. The Council will study the papers submitted and discuss the matter at the next meeting
12 Repairs to Watling Lane
Pledges and cheques actually received now total £4,600, which is £100 ahead of target. Tim Fisher is organising the extra insurance cover and intends to start work in the next 2-3 weeks. The time taken to complete the job depends on the weather. Tim wishes to begin by walking the Lane with a Parish Council representative to identify all the areas for repair.
13 Sutton Courtenay Incinerator
The Parish Council’s objections to the planning proposal were sent in on 27th October. Cllr Mark Williams has subsequently attended a meeting of the Thirteen Parishes Group which discussed this project and agreed to form an action group. The text of the Council’s objection to the proposal will be published in ‘Dorchester News’. A resident from Malthouse Lane told the Council that he was very pleased that the Council has taken this view.
14 Increased provision of Street Lighting
The Council reviewed estimates for new street lights in three locations: Drayton Road; on the Path from Drayton Road to Martin's Lane; and in Malthouse Lane. There was insufficient money in the budget to pay for all three lights and it was agreed to phase the work over two years, with the first light being installed along the path from Drayton Road to Martin’s Lane. A site visit will be held to agree the exact location.
15 Village Bus Services
The Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils has suggested that Parish Councils should appoint a Public Transport Representative – not necessarily a member of the Council – who would have a wide-ranging job description which the Council felt was unrealistically ambitious for an unpaid position. The OALC letter will be circulated.
16 Any Other Urgent Business
a. The Clerk will find out if Dorchester Sports Club is on the SODC data base to be sent information about grants etc.
b. The Council agreed that it is generally in favour of the consultation document concerning making it easier for Councils to make byelaws. There are byelaws in place for the Recreation Ground. The Council may wish to consider introducing byelaws for the Cemetery and the Allotments.
c. In response to an enquiry from a resident it was generally agreed that maintenance of the trees on the piece of land by the footway between 72 & 76 High Street is the responsibility of County Highways.
d. The litter bin in Manor Farm Road is still not being regularly emptied.
e. The White Hart is hosting an evening event at which the Carbon Project Group will be able to talk about its plans for 2009.
f. Cllr Hill said that the large waste collection vehicle which regularly damages The Green at Bridge End has been replaced by a smaller vehicle.
The Meeting closed at 10.00 pm
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