Minutes of a meeting of the STANFORD IN THE VALE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the STANFORD IN THE VALE PARISH COUNCIL

Held on Tuesday 6^th April 2004 in the Millennium Hall.

There were no questions/comments from parishioners

Present: Mr.P.G.McMorrow(Chair) Mr.S.Bambury(Deputy Chair)

Mr.G.Hughes (Senior Councillor) Mr.P.Gill

Mr.M.Mullen Mrs.G.McMorrow

Mrs.F.Shires

Mrs.A.Fitzgerald-O’Connor(County Councillor)

Mr.R.Sharp(District Councillor)

Mr.D.M.Dew(Clerk)

1/04/04 Apologies:

Mr.M.Isaacs(Business) Mrs.L.Miles

2/04/04 Declarations of Interest by Councillors on any Agenda Item

Cllr Hughes – Item 8 Correspondence URC Chapel

District Councillor Sharp also declared an interest regarding correspondence from

Positive Steps Nursery Ltd.

3/04/04 Minutes of meeting 4^th February 2004

Cllr Isaacs through the Chair asked that the Marlborough Lane wooden bridge comments

be included in minutes, this being that the bridge was unsafe especially for young and

elderly. Chairman stated that all bridges needed attention and Clerk had spoken to County

Council whose responsibility it was. With this amendment:

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.HUGHES

SECONDED BY Cllr SHIRES

IT WAS RESOLVED that the minutes be approved and signed as a true record.

4/04/04 Minutes of Planning meeting 8^th March 2004

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr HUGHES

SECONDED BY Cllr.BAMBURY

IT WAS RESOLVED that the minutes be approved and signed as a true record

5/04/04 Report of County Councillor

At a Structure Planning meeting it had been decided not to build on green belt in

Oxford as previously proposed. There had also been a new code of conduct issued

for planning which was very stringent. Cllr Hughes asked about the quality of repairs to

local rural roads and the short time in which they needed repair again. Shellingford

Quarry was a continuing problem regarding mud/silt on road surface and splash on to

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Vehicles on A417. Councillor had complained to Highways.

6/04/05 Report of Clerk

· Dog Excrement – This was becoming an increasing problem and needed to be

addressed. Villagers still seem to think that they will not be

fined if reported. Clerk stated that two villagers had received a

warning letter from DC and next step if there was a recurrence

was court proceedings – TRY AND PROVE IT WAS ME IS

IS NOT AN OPTION – ALL THE COUNCIL OR ANY

VILLAGER HAS TO DO IS GIVE THE OFFENDERS

ADDRESS AND THE DISTRICT COUNCIL SOLICITOR

DOES THE REST

Councillors thought that a public meeting would be

advantageous and Councillors meeting and walking the village

one day as wardens..

Clerk to study solutions and report to Council Agenda item

for Annual Parish Meeting

· Risk Assessment Software – OALC had circulated Councils regarding legislation

for risk assessment and had recommended that DMH

software be used. Despite Cllr Bambury’s concerns

regarding the software Chair said that this was OALC

recommendation

· Appointment of Internal Auditor – Mr.B.Dancer was available for advice(free) but

there was a need for a local person to audit

accounts on a regular basis.. M/S C.White had

agreed to carry out these duties for a nominal

sum.

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr BAMBURY

SECONDED BY Cllr GILL

IT WAS RESOLVED that M/S. C.WHITE be appointed as internal auditor

· Insurance Skatepark – Cornhill Ins.quote had doubled when skatepark had been

added to policy. Following investigation by Cllr Gill and

Clerk with OPFA Roger Davis alternative insurers to be

contacted.

· Accountancy Software – Following a demonstration both Clerk and Auditor

were unconvinced that it was any better than the

present system plus the price had escalated. To be

kept on hold.

· LGA 2000 Code of Conduct – Chairman reminded Councillors even if offered

gifts are refused it must be reported.

7/04/04 Report of Chairman

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· Audit still on-going but we are gradually getting there

· Risk assessment is now a legal requirement as notified and required by auditors

· Letter of thanks to be sent to Mr.S.Maskell (Village Transport Liason)

· Wren/Entrust had visited the village to see what their grants had achieved – they

were delighted and indicated that further grants might be available.

· Skatepark – signs must be in situ before use. Signs are chosen including

smaller versions for each piece of equipment

· Annual accounts – previous problems are having a knock -on effect. Auditor

to re-work

· Dog Bins – To Annual Parish Meeting

· Handyman to install new bench on Millennium Green

8/04/04 Correspondence

· Positive Steps – Lease/purchase of Land/building for Nursery

· Oxfordshire CC – Community Partnership Forum 13 May – Chair to attend

· Oxfordshire CC – Changes to Bus Services – Noted

· Oxfordshire CC – Country Ways Project – Noted

· Oxfordshire CC Audit of Services for Older People

· Vale of White Horse DC – Assisted Travel Issue of Tokens – Clerk stated that he

had not been asked to help issues but would have done

to save people travelling out of the village

· Uffington Juniors FC – Thanks for use of floodlights and hopefully reuse in future

· Mr.G.Hughes – Council welcome to free use of Millennium hall facilities but

that consideration be given to a donation towards two tables that

need replacing. Clerk stated that previous discussions had taken

place regarding this and the delegation committee had agreed in

principle to replace tables in lieu of a hiring charge.Clerk said that

Council also had the powers under s137 LGAct. Mr.Hughes to cost

tables.

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.P.G.McMORROW

SECONDED BY Cllr.F.SHIRES

IT WAS RESOLVED that two tables be purchased for the Hall

9/04/04 Planning applications – Nil

10/04/04 To approve monthly statement of accounts

Chairman asked Councillors to look at Total Payments (£93,210) comparing it to

Precept (£20,000) A good Council is classed as spending 3 times its precept what does that

make us ?

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.HUGHES

SECONDED BY Cllr SHIRES

IT WAS RESOLVED that the statement of accounts be accepted

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11/04/04 Accounts for Payment

· D.M.Dew Salary & Expenses 626.15

· J.Northcote Salary 120.00

· Allianz Cornhill Mower Ins 184.89

· P.Gill Mower repair 21.74 **

· OALC Membership Fee 338.15

· DMH Solutions Risk Software 80.12

· Cobra Pumps Mower repair 206.31

· D.Rolls Salary & Expenses 174.50

· ORCC Best Kept Village entry 12.00

· H & AP Stebbing Bench 837.21

** Cllr Gill declared an interest

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr Mrs McMORROW

SECONDED BY Cllr BAMBURY

IT WAS RESOLVED that the accounts be paid

12/04/04 Report of District Councillor

Involved in further discussions regarding street cleaning grants which were being

granted on a very competitive basis. His comments had received no dissention and the

item will be reviewed Sept/Oct. He observed that work at Vine Cottage was progressing

Local Plan 2^nd draft due to be issued. There had been enquiries about gas being available

in Village. Clerk said a poll had been taken with little response – each household to pay

£1700 +

13/04/04 Recreation & Leisure

Extra lighting was due to be in place May/June. Floodlight timer was being altered as

needed. Sign costings confirmed £170 large - £16 small. A discussion took place about

use of grants for specific works and degrees of flexibility of use.. Grass cutting had

started. The County FA where the reason that the remainder of Football Foundation

grant was still outstanding. Clerk to contact Berks & Bucks FA

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr McMORROW

SECONDED BY Cllr BAMBURY

IT WAS RESOLVED that the report be approved

14/04/04 To discuss purchase of pavement sweeper

Cost approx £18000 although there must be sufficient funds to meet running costs

and maintenance £1000 pa. It is able to pick up and storage dog excrement and chemically

break it down. Council decide in principle to follow up .

15/04/04 To set dates for Annual Meetings

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Stanford in the Vale Parish Council Annual Meeting - 4^th May 2004

Annual Parish Meeting – 28^th April 2004

Venue: Millennium Hall Chapel Road 7.30mp

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr Hughes

SECONDED BY Cllr GILL

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT THE MEETING BE CLOSED

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