 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
| February 2003 |
Minutes
of a meeting of the STANFORD IN THE VALE PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 5th
February 2003 at Stanford Village Hall.
There were no comments /questions from Parishioners
Present:
Mr.P.G.McMorrow(Chair)
Mr.S.Bambury (Deputy Chair)
Mr.G.Hughes(Senior Councillor)
Mrs.R.Packer
Mr.M.Williams
Mr.P.Gill
Mr.A.Bungay
Mr.G.Sandels
Mr.D.M.Dew(Clerk)
2
Members of Public
1/02/03
Apologies for absence
Mr.B.Burls (attending later)
Mrs.A.Fitzgerald OConnor County Councillor
2/02/03
Declaration of Interests
The following declaration was received
Accounts for payment - Cllr. Bambury
3/02/03
Minutes of previous meeting 4th
December 2002
Page 4 Parishioners comments add referred to Oxon CC
ON THE PROPOSITION OF Cllr.WILLIAMS
SECONDED BY Cllr.HUGHES
IT WAS RESOLVED that following this addition the minutes be approved and signed.
4/02/03
Report of District Councillor Mrs.Packer
The Council is approaching the time when Council Tax charges are set. Once again, the money from Central Government will be aimed at the Urban areas. Indications are that our Council Tax may well increase far above inflation. It will be decided on Feb 12th. It has already been announced that car park charges will be higher. Also, for several years, large amounts have been used from District Council reserves, which could lead to some very difficult decisions if this policy continues.
At the Local Government Associations Tourism Executive, it was very worrying to learn that many Councils are viewing tourism as an easy target for budget cuts.The economic effect in many popular holiday areas could be devastating.
A new initiative for the District Council may be the acceptance of debit and
credit cards for payments. A decision on this issue will be made at the end
January.
1/6
At the West Area Committee the future of the Old Goal was discussed.Also many Parishioners from Watchfield attended. There is much concern about the height of items on the proposed wind farm.
Cllr.Williams said he was concerned that Distict Councillors were receiving increases in expenses at the same time that council tax was due to rise.While not expecting anyone to be out of pocket he felt that this was against the thought of local government. Chairman thought that the newsletter should report this discussion and also state that the parish councillors do not receive allowances nor do they claim expenses.
ON THE PROPOSITION OF Cllr. WILLIAMS
SECONDED BY Cllr.HUGHES
IT WAS RESOLVED that the Clerk inform the Chief Executive of the District Council of the Councils attitude towards the allowances
5/02/03 Report of County Councillor (read by Clerk)
First of all, apologies for not being able to attend this evening. Very belated New Year good wishes to all the Parish Council and congratulations to Stanford for winning two categories in Village of the Year competition.
As I mentioned in my newsletter, much time has been devoted to the annual county budget. Originally, the County Council budget meeting was scheduled for 4 February, but had to be postponed until 11 February, as the Government settlement had not been finalised. It would be wrong of me to pre-empt any County Council decisions which will be made next week, but it looks very much as if there will be a Council tax increase in the order of 13 14 %.
Im sure you will all have heard that work is starting on A420/A417 roundabout and is expected to be completed by Easter. A temporary closre of A417 will be necessary for two weeks during the construction phase, but further details will be available nearer the time. The project is estimated to cost around £700,000 and the work will be carried out by Aggregate Industries of Henley and supervised by Atkins Highways & Transportation.
On a personal note, I have been occupied recently with sitting on various panels (adoption, dismissal appeal) and two scrutiny review panels (post-code differentials in day care for elderly and school premises review ie if countywide we can further optimise the use of school premises for community activities)
Once again, please let me know if I can assist on County matters.
6/02/03
Report of Clerk
Lime Trees Manor Green OCC still discussing
Photocopier Cllrs Williams & Bambury have found 2nd hand copiers
at approx £250. Cllr Bambury to inspect copier to his satisfaction.
White Horse Business park DC agree that area needs landscaping and
the site could expand. There was discussion regarding placement/positioning
of a bund.
2/6
Archives Cllr.Williams has purchased 2 cupboards and 4 cabinets
which are ready when required.Chairman confirmed that the URC had spent
money in preparing the archive area and that the Village of Year prize
should be spent helping provide these archives ie fireproofing
Clerk asked that he dispute a PPC charity minute indicating that he had
provided paperwork 1 hour before their meeting. Council agreed that the Clerk
should look into the statement (Clerks
note: The PPC minutes have been
amended following correspondence with their Clerk)
Clerk also wished it to be known that despite rumours to the contrary
he did not give permission for any works in Frogmore Lane nor has he the
power to do so.
7/02/03
Report of Chairman
Grant application had been made to the Football Assoc./ Foundation
regarding the MUGA and gates and fencing as per football club requests.
OPFA had inspected the recreational facilities prior to grant payment and had
Given a clean bill of health.The inspector had asked for £50 expenses.
ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.HUGHES
SECONDED BY Cllr.PACKER
IT WAS RESOLVED that £50 be paid to OPFA
Further vandalism in the playarea had resulted in MDC welding looking at
ways of securely anchoring the slide.
At this point the Transport Liason Cllr. (Cllr Sandels) spoke on a letter
received regarding transportation grants for door to door service and costs
Ie Stanford Wantage £7 return Stanford to Oxford £17 return.As this system
relies on volunteer drivers it was felt that this might interfere with the present
system operated by the Church and the Mini-Bus.
ORC Information Pack Cllr.Gill said that the present Village information
had been around for some time and showed the Bampton pack as example.
Cllr.Williams pointed out that advertising had financed previous packs.
The pack was passed to Cllr.Bambury to cost with further costings being obtained
Obtained elsewhere at his request.
Vandalism spoke of meeting of tenants at White Horse Business Park and
thefts from there. Clerk thought that the amount budgeted for security was
well below actual amount required.
Vine Cottage Clerk to contact District Council regarding the obstructions
General untidiness of the area of this listed building.
Jubilee Garden - .Cllr. Williams asked about the hedge which was designated
as ancient hedgerow. This is to be restored and treated
3/6
8/02/03
Correspondence
a) Berkeley Homes Hand over of land ex- Fir Tree Nursery site. Clerk
has spoken to Berkeley Homes as this also includes
grass cutting.The District Council have set a price for this which is less
than our estimate as we cut the grass more often.Cllr.Bambury will contact
the Ock Meadow residents group to guage their feelings as it was thought
that our mowers would be tidying the area anyway.
b) Village Hall Management Committee Thanks for donation towards draw
c) Vale of White Horse DC Changes in use/ inspection of electoral register
d) ******************* - Election May 1st Estimated cost £1500 +
e) ******************* - Countryside events programme
f) Public Purposes Charity Request for confirmation of payments and
Certificates of satisfactory completion.
g) Stanford Youth Club Grant/donation via Oxford Community Foundation
towards Youth Shelter/Kick wall
9/02/03
Planning Applications
STA/13225/1 3 Spencers Close 1st floor extension over existing double
garage following difficulties previously
in this area re matching materials ensure that matching bricks
are used.
STA/6480/1 Vale Stores Church Green Change of use of ground floor retail
unit to residential flat
STA/17807/1 Mill Farm Faringdon Road Construction of free range poultry
Housing
ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr. WILLIAMS
SECONDED BY Cllr. HUGHES
IT WAS RESOLVED that STA/13225/1 STA/6480/1 STA/17807/1
be supported.
10/02/03
To approve monthly statement of accounts
Cllrs. Williams and Packer objected to the accounts
ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr. Hughes
SECONDED BY Cllr. BAMBURY
IT WAS RESOLVED that the accounts be approved
11/02/03
Accounts for payment
D.M.Dew Salary/expenses 476.19
4/6
J.Northcote Salary 112.80
Portwell Press Repro 12.53
Impact Software Annual support fee 55.00
Simpson & Grimes Hall refurbishment 6363.00
Clerk provided list of payments made in December meeting ( Att to
Minutes)
ON THE PROPOSITION OF Cllr.WILLIAMS
SECONDED BY Cllr.BUNGAY
IT WAS RESOLVED that the accounts be paid
12/02/03
Resolution from Cllr.McMorrow
To consider monetary reward for the apprehension and conviction of
vandals
ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr. McMORROW
SECONDED BY Cllr. WILLIAMS
IT WAS RESOLVED that £200 reward be offered.
13/02/03
Recreation and Leisure
The new specification for fencing and boarding on the MUGA involved an
Increase of £4300 including galvanised hot dip green chain link
ON THE PROPOSITION OF Cllr.SANDELS
SECONDED BY Cllr.BUNGAY
IT WAS RESOLVED that this be accepted.
The Youth shelter contractor had asked if it could be used for inspecting by
potential customers for which in return he would add a few decorative extras.
No objections from Council
Planning permission still needed for floodlighting. DW Homes will be
constructing paths, a problem exists regarding a tree. Cllr. Gill to persue
14/02/03
Resolution from Cllr McMorrow
To consider the
weekly inspection of the Playarea becomes the Clerks
responsibility and the
financial implications.
Cllr. Williams stated that it must be mindful that the Clerk will be acting on
behalf of the Parish Council.
ON THE PROPOSITION OF Cllr. McMORROW
SECONDED BY Cllr.WILLIAMS
5/6
IT WAS RESOLVED that the twice weekly inspection be carried out by
the Clerk with a salary increase of one hour per week.
15/02/03
Resolution from Cllr.McMorrow
To consider that the membership of the Parish Council(Number of
Councillors) be updated as per District Council Electoral Officer
recommendation.
Clerk explained that the ERO had informed him that the PC was entitled to
another member and after the parish review possibly another. At this
moment they required a resolution from the PC to increase by one. Clerk
concerned that a further increase after the May elections could result in a
further election and the associated costs.
ON THE PROPOSITION OF Cllr.McMORROW
SECONDED BY Cllr.BURLS
IT WAS RESOLVED that they District Council be informed that this
Council wished to increase the number of Councillors by one.
16/02/03
Appointment of Parish Council Trustee Public Purposes Charity
Following the reading of applications it was decided that the position be
offered to Mr. W.Grant.
17/02/03
Appointment of Parish Council Trustee Stanford Relief in Need
Following the reading of applications it was decided that the position be
offered to Mr.A.Bungay
There being no further business
ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr. BUNGAY
SECONDED BY Cllr. SANDELS
IT WAS RESOLVED that the meeting be closed
 |
|
 |
