DORCHESTER ON THAMES
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Parish Council Minutes September 2006
Home > Parish Council > Minutes > Sep 2006
The Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall on Wednesday 13th September 2006 commencing at 7.30 pm. The Chairman, Cllr Ken Bryan presided; present were Cllrs Mrs M Metcalfe (Vice-Chairman), S Gibbons, C Hill, Mrs J Nudds, and M Stevenson and M Williams with G Russell in attendance. Also present for part of the meeting was District Cllr John Cotton and one resident.
1 A pologies for absence
Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllrs Maurice Day and Mark Williams and also from County Cllr John Howell
2 Public Participation
a. In response to an enquiry from Mr Terry Fisher the Clerk confirmed that he had reported the condition of the horse chestnuts by the bridge for the advice of the District Council's forestry experts.
b. Mr Fisher asked if the Council had any news about the re-opening of The Chequers. The Council has been told that the property has been sold, subject to contract, and that the new owners intend to open a restaurant on the premises.
3 Declarations of Interest
None
4 Minutes of the Meeting held 9th August
Paragraph 7 i).was amended to make it clear that Cllr Hill wished to talk to Total Pest Control (UK) on behalf of the Sports Club. The Minutes were then approved and signed as a true record of the meeting.
5 Matters Arising from the Minutes
a. New street lights; the Council is hoping for assistance from the rural transport adviser at ORCC and community safety officers for the County and District Councils.
b. Hallidays Planning condition 11; the District Council has still not confirmed that this condition has been satisfied.
c. The speaker from the Primary Care Trust is confirmed to attend the October meeting. It was agreed that the start time of this meeting should be brought forward to 7 pm and that the presence of the speaker would be mentioned in Dorchester News.
d. It was reported that the new bus time tables omit the times for the by-pass bus stops. The Clerk will raise this matter again with Thames Travel.
6 District Councillor's Report
District Cllr Cotton said that he though that P06/W0535 (Land between 32 & 36 High Street) would be referred to the Planning Committee in October. The District Council's public consultation on the Site Allocations Development Plan document will commence on 6 th October. There will be exhibitions from 3.00pm to 8.00pm at Berinsfield Church Hall on Monday 9 th October and Wallingford Town Hall on Friday 20 th October. Cllr Cotton urged Councillors to look at the proposed changes to the Planning Enforcement policy on-line and to make their views known. He said that the Council will concentrate its resources in opposing the most major attempts to flout planning controls but the Council would be able to enforce compliance even in relatively minor cases by using the sanction of Land Registry listings of those properties where owners would not comply with the Council's requests.
Cllr Cotton said that the new wind turbine at Berinsfield School had caused little adverse comment and is now being used as part of the curriculum.
7 County Councillor's Report
County Cllr John Howell has sent his apologies for absence.
8 Correspondence and Other Business
i). Sports Club, Pavilion & Playground;
The RoSPA safety inspector's report has identified no major risks.
Scion's quotation was received for Pavilion repairs and reinforcements but no information about the shutters. Bruce Ferriman will quote for the security lights.
Cllr Gibbons reported several schemes for fund raising and grant aid to pay for the new Play Area equipment. A bank account will be opened soon.
The Sports Club has had direct contact with Kevin Murphy about tackling the rabbit problem. Most of the animals live on neighbouring land and the owners' permission will be required if any measures are to be taken. The Council noted that the Sports Club is holding a fund-raising quiz night on 28 th October.
ii). Footpaths;
There has been a start to improving access along the path at Overy but the work is by no means finished. Three new dog bins and five new signs asking owners to behave responsibly have been installed.
The new definitive rights of way map & schedule is being passed around the Council for detailed study.
iii). Cemetery;
BCB have been asked for a quotation for the cutting of hedges but have asked to receive an exact specification of the required work from Cllr Day.
The final copy of the new Regulations has been received from Cllr Day and a copy provided to the Chairman for final checking. The Council will need to identify which graves are not being maintained according to the new regulations and, on a case by case basis, decide what action will be taken to enforce the standards required. This can only be achieved by on-site meeting(s).
The Clerk is preparing an A4 sheet summary plus plaque memorial order form. There are several people already interested in plaques and Dorchester News will be used to mention that the plaque information is now available.
Mrs Lynn Williams has offered a wooden commemorative bench. It was agreed that this could be placed in the central area between the ‘old' and ‘new' portions, not far from the old gatehouse building.
The volunteer grave carer has been asked to contact the Clerk.
iv). Allotments;
The Chairman is to have an on site meeting with Richard Anderson to discuss the location of the proposed turning circle; the Clerk will be in attendance.
It was noted that Norman Blissett had cut back one of the boundary hedges.
v). Hidden Britain;
The new orientation boards are in progress with draft copy and designs in preparation.
vi). Other letters to Chairman and Clerk
a. The consultation document about provision for Traveller Caravan sites is being circulated. Any comments are required by SEERA by 5 pm on 13 th October,
b. Code of Conduct: All Councillors confirmed to the Clerk that the registers are up to date with councillors' interests, the receipt of gifts and of hospitality.
c. The Council noted the temporary road traffic order for the shutting of part of Queen Street for up to one week. The Clerk will contact the Head Teacher about this.
d. A letter from Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Parish Council concerning the new scheme for traffic lights at Shillingford Bridge will be circulated.
e. The Council approved the Clerk's purchase of the new edition of ‘Local Government Administration' (Arnold-Baker) at a cost of £48.
f. It was agreed that Cllr Gibbons and the Clerk would attend the OALC Risk Management Training Day on Wednesday 11 th October at Didcot Civic Hall from 2 – 4 pm. The cost is £23.50 per delegate.
9 Planning
a) Application:
PO6/W0901; 59, Abingdon Road
Demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of single storey rear extension to existing dwelling.
The Council agreed that it is had no strong views on this application
b) Report on planning decisions, amendments etc
PO6/W0842; 6 Samian Way, Dorchester-on-Thames; First floor extension at rear.
The Council noted that this application has been withdrawn
P06/W0667 54 High Street; Garden room (3 metres by 3 metres) to rear of the property, existing shed to be demolished.
Planning permission granted 4 th August
P06/W0685 Dorchester Sailing Club, Abingdon Road; Proposed extension to the existing Dorchester sailing club, to include changing facilities/toilets, a briefing room and training room.
Planning permission granted 31st August
PO6/W0707; 54 & 54a High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames; Erection of a double car-port for use by the owners of both 54 & 54a High Street.
Planning permission granted 14 th August
PO6/W0787; 5A Malthouse Lane, Dorchester-on-Thames; Replacement of existing obscure glass in upstairs front elevation window with clear glass and change of use of first floor room from en-suite/dressing room to child's nursery.
Planning permission granted 25 th August
10 Finance
a). Bank balances
Current Account 30/8 £5,790.31
Reserve Account on 30 th June £33,011.75
It was agreed that the bank mandate should be amended to add Cllr Bryan as a signatory in addition to Cllrs Day and Mrs Nudds with two out of three to sign. Cllr Bryan has already visited the NatWest branch in Wallingford to supply the necessary proofs of identity.
b). The following accounts were approved for payment:
Wicksteed Leisure (swing repairs) £1,051.62
Earth Anchors Ltd (sign fixings) £68.55
Lister Wilder (service/parts) £99.17
Total Pest Control UK Ltd) wasps and moles £223.25
Thames Water (Cemetery rate ½ year) £36.30
Playsafety Ltd (Inspection charge) £77.55
SODC (Dog bin emptying service) £127.54
Scion Estates Limited (Grass cutting) £240.06
Pipeline Direct (Pavilion repair) £41.12
Berinsfield Community Business (Grass cutting) £237.93
GGD Russell – Clerk's salary £401.82
GGD Russell – admin expenses August/September £112.70
Geoff Willis Handyman – 4 weeks - (August £208.25) £266.50
c). Annual Return for Audit
The Chairman signed the Annual Return form and statement of Assurance prior to the accounts being handed to Douglas Jupp for internal audit. These accounts need to be filed with BDO Stoy Hayward by 2 nd October.
11 Parish Council/Police liaison
Cllr Williams has placed a statement in the next edition of Dorchester News describing the new initiatives to have a significant increase in the number of Police Community Support Officers and the creation of a local Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) to collate local priorities and task the Police accordingly.
A NAG has been created to cover the Wallingford, Berinsfield, Benson area. Its 12 members represent various sectors of the community and Cllr Williams has been appointed to represent local businesses as well as Berinsfield and Dorchester.
He will need a target ten local contacts in the area to help him keep a finger on the pulse because the NAG concept is based upon the Police reacting to local concerns. He would like suggestions. Cllr Williams said that there will be a public meeting for Dorchester-on-Thames, Berinsfield and Warborough, which the Berinsfield Parish Council will arrange in due course.
Some Councillors will attend the meeting at Drayton Golf Club on 21 st September to learn more about the plans for increasing the numbers of Police Community Support Officers and proposals for how such an increase might be funded by Parish Councils.
The Clerk will contact the Regional Watch Administrator to discuss how the Dorchester Neighbourhood Watch scheme might he improved.
12 Bus shelters:
Proposed new shelter in High Street
The letter from the Morrisons has been circulated to members of the Council and the Conservation Officer has written to the Clerk saying that she is not in favour of a new shelter near the Toll House, although she has no powers in this matter. It was agreed that Dorchester News should be used to see what residents think about the provision of new shelters, not just in the High Street but elsewhere as well. The Clerk will write to the Morrisons explaining that the matter will be discussed again in October.
By Pass shelter repairs
The repairs have been done and the shelters are now insured. The County will pay for a new handrail on the steps leading to the southbound stop and have asked for the Council's views about signage.
13. Bridge End Car Park & other Highways maintenance
The Clerk said that so far there has been no response from Highways about repairs to Watling Lane and the path to Meadside or any further information about the start date for Bridge End work. He will ask County Cllr John Howell to intervene
14 Any Other Business.
a. The popularity of the recent auction held in the Village Hall had introduced new parking problems and the fortnightly visit of the mobile library also requires a parking area to be provided at the end of the village hall.
b. Cllr Mrs Metcalfe said that Dorchester on Thames has been selected as the site for a major archaeological survey commencing in 2007. Further details will be announced at a meeting being hosted by the Historical Society on 22 nd November.
c. Cllr Hill said that he had noticed that the recent cutting of grass at Waterloo had not gone to the river bank and he wondered whether the contractor's staff had been worried about the swans. He said that there has been vehicle parking on Waterloo and wondered how this should be stopped.
d. Cllr Hill said that builders have started work at Lantern Cottage, Bridge End, even though no plans have been submitted for approval.
e. The Chairman said that he would like the strengthening of the surface at the entrance to the Recreation Ground to be done as soon as possible.
Meeting closed at 9.36 pm
Revised 20/02/2005 © 2006 DOTWeb