Minutes of a meeting of the STANFORD IN THE VALE PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 4th September 2002 at Stanford Village Hall.

Before the meeting Council and Parishioners stood in silence in remembrance of John Webb

Chairman of Stanford FC, who passed away earlier  in the day

Questions/comments from Parishioners

There was a large attendance by Parishioners(110) due to the ‘notice to quit’ served upon the football club by the Council solicitor.There was much discussion and heated exchanges both from the parishioners and amongst the councillors themselves. The Clerk had received advice from the OALC and a copy of LGA 1972 General Disposals Consents. Mrs.Packer stated that the District Council solicitor disagreed with the OALC and his opinion was contrary to the Parish Council’s advice The Parish Council solicitor was present .Chairman  read a statement prepared by himself which he hoped would clarify the Council’s position.(Att.Apendix A). After over an hour the Chairman said that there was still a monthly council meeting to complete,and asked that the questions ceased, adding that further negotiation was needed and would be at a time and place convenient to all parties. There followed a 10 minute recess.

Present:           

Mr.P.G.McMorrow(Chair)                           Mr.S.Bambury

                        Mr.A.Bungay                                                            Mr.M.Williams

                        Mrs.R.Packer                                                           Mr.G.Hughes

                        Mr.P.Gill                                                            Mr.B.Burls

                        Mr.G.Sandels

1/09/02 Apologies:Nil

2/09/02 Minutes of meeting 3 July 2002           

             4/07/02  …..consultations with the Parish Council – Reply add no not yet

             3/07/02 …...add shared ownership

            Following these amendments it was proposed Mr.Williams seconded Mr.Gill minutes

            be approved – carried

3/09/02 Matters arising : Nil

4/09/02 Minutes of Planning/Finance meeting 7 August 2002

            Add discussion took place regarding spraying of weed.Clerk to investigate the

            certification requirements.

            Following this addition it was proposed Mr.Williams seconded by Mr.Burls

            minutes be approved - carried           

5/09/02 Matters arising

             Mr.Williams asked who had been spraying in the village – nobody knew,Clerk

             to ask Oxon CC.

6/09/02 Report of District Councillor

             1.There were no ordinary meetings during August.

             2.Tomorrow evening there is a special Council meeting to push forward the draft

                Local Plan which will function to 2011.

                                                                        1/4

                There is now a tentative timetable & there will be a 6 week period of

                consultation.An exhibition will visit various venues around the Vale.

             3.At present New Abbey House in Abingdon is having big alterations to create

                a “One Stop Shop”(There should also be one in Faringdon so that we all have

                access to the same level of service.)

             4.Electric blanket testing.Appointments only.Grove 13 Sept.Abingdon 20 Sept.

                Tel: 01865  815000

7/09/02 Report of County Councillor

             Developing partnerships for rural Oxfordshire – The South East Rural Towns

             Partnership(SERTP)is sponsoring a seminar ans a series of workshops during

             Sept.and October.The aim is to both spread good practice from work in

             Faringdon and to offer practical support and information on a range of issues

             relating to working in partnershipThe workshops will be hosted by the four

             District Councils in Oxfordshire and by Oxfordshire CC.

             Last month I had the pleasure of presenting two prizes – a dinner for two at the

             Rose & Crown in Ashbury and a bicycle voucher for £50 to winners of a draw

             selected from those responding to a questionnaire sent to households around

             Uffington,Childrey,Ashbury etc.This is a “hands on” project to improve facilities

             for pedestrians,cyclists,horse riders and car drivers in the White Horse area.

             Almost a quarter of residents responded and when asked about their local road

             safety and traffic problems,almost half cited HGV’s using unsuitable roads as a

             particular problem.

             Exams update – While detailed figures on Oxfordshire’s overall GCSE and A

             level results are not yet available,we do know that some excellent results have been

             achieved thanks to the hard work and commitment of pupils and teachers and the

             support of parents.In relation to GCSE’s it is likely that Oxfordshire’s overall

             results will reflect the national picture of improving performance and early

             indications are that the year’s A level results are amongst the best ever.

             Top Planning Role – The South East England Regional Assembly Regional

             Planning Committee recently elected the leader of the Council,Keith Mitchell as

             Chairman.The Committee comprises 14 Councillors from local authorities across

             the South East,three representatives of economic interests in the region and three

             representatives of social and environmental interests.The Committee is charged with

             advising the Regional Executive and Regional Assembly on many of the key issues

             facing the whole of the South East today.These include the allocation of housing

             numbers across the region,theprovision of affordable housing,transport policy and

             energy policy.

8/09/02 Report of Clerk : Nil

9/09/02 Correspondence

            a)Village Hall Management Committee – Complaint that PC mislead village Re:

               Newsletter item £300 ….Waived by this Council – To be copied to Councillors

               Councillors Williams,Packer & Bungay asked why item had been published

               despite telling the Editor it was incorrect.Mr.Bambury stated that he was assured by the author

                that item was correct. Mr.Bungay asked about Millennium Hall grant – it was stated at the

                previous meeting that the item had been deferred.

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            b)Abingdon Town Council/VWHDC – Service of Celebration for life  Hon.Alderman

               John Jones OBE – Clerk to send note of sympathy.

            c)Oxfordshire C.C. – Ragwort Strategy –  Mrs.C.Parker  had agreed to become the

               Stanford Ragwort Co-ordinator –

            d)ORCC – Grants for Parish Plans – Noted

            e)OALC – Minutes of AGM – Noted

            f)OALC – Advice FC Lease – As previously noted

            g)Oxfordshire CC – Planning Green Paper – Continued campaign against green paper

            h)DEFRA – Planning Green Paper – Further details of parish involvement and

                vital villages.- Noted

            i)SERTP – Developing Partnerships for Rural Oxfordshire – Noted

            j)Public Purposes Charity – Change of Officers(Chair – Mrs.Sally Barnes Clerk

              Dr.David N.Axford) – Noted

            l) Wantage Silver Band – Application for Grant – Deferred to March

            m)Home-Start – Application for grant – Deferred to March

            n)NALC – Further financial regulations  and internal auditors role.

            o)Vale of WHDC – Standards Board – Change of address – Noted

            p)Oxfordshire CC – Gatso Speed Recorder – Offer of loan to parishes to check

               speeds through village.Clerk stated conditions of loan,Mr.Sandels and Mr.Gill

               expressed an interest in operating the machine.Proposed Mrs.Packer seconded

               Mr.Hughes that the offer be accepted – Carried.

            q)New Faringdon Health Centre – Invitation to attend opening – Mr.Williams and

               Mr.Bambury to attend.

10/09/02 Planning applications

               STA/7904/24 – 5 White Horse Business Park – 3 Bay extension to rear of

                                         Existing light Indus.unit – Supported

              STA/17648 – 2 Manor Cres. – Erection of 2 storey side extension – Supported

                                    Mrs.Packer declared an interest.

11/09/02 Monthly Statement of Accounts

              Mr.Williams and Mrs Packer objected to the accounts.Proposed by Mr.Hughes

              seconded by Mr.Gill accounts be approved – carried

12/09/02 Accounts for payment

              D.M.Dew                                     Salary & Expenses                                  512.19

              D.M.Dew                                    Refreshments village of Year                37.08

              Playground Man.Services              Playground Safety Inspection                          88.71

              British Telecom                       Telephone                                                  54.27

              KJM Garden Services           Grass Cutting                                       87.59

              Portwell Press                Repro                                                              20.32

              J.Northcote                                    Salary                                                   103.20

              D.Rolls                                    Salary                                                     87.00

              Proposed by Mr.Hughes seconded by Mr.Sandels accounts be paid – carried

              Mr.Bambury declared an interest

13/09/02 Newsletter

             Village of Year success to be reported.Mr.Williams asked about three Councillors

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             objecting to the item regarding the hall(3 PC hall management committee members)

             and did the editor not think that the 3 were correct.Mr.Bambury had made some

             alterations and had assumed that the copy had been correct.

14/09/02 Playarea

             Clerk reported on RoSPA report and while some items failed the new European

             standards which were not compulsory and were far sticter than previous UK

             standards.The only item of equipment that was of high risk was the tractor and

             the report recommended removal.The Council regretted removing this popular item

             it was proposed by Mr.Williams seconded Mr.Bungay tractor be removed – carried

             Due to the disappearance of the scheduled contactor,new quotes will be obtained for

             refurbishment of playarea

15/09/02 Recreation & Leisure

Mr.Gill reported KickWall being built at present and the shelter metal parts were

            being manufactured. There would be updated cost figures for the MUGA and

an electrical supply would be needed for the floodlights,these needing planning

permission.He had talked to Mr.Sandels regarding siting of memorial seats which

would be vandal resistant.Mr.Williams gave Clerk written details of new mowers.

16/09/02 Model Standing Orders

            Item to next agenda

17/09/02 Renewal of account signatories

            Much confusion caused by Lloyds Bank who after asking for Councillors to attend

            with proof of identity professed to know nothing about it.Clerk has hopefully sorted

            the matter with computer centre in Leeds

18/09/02 Any other urgent business

            Chairman reported on County final of Best Village and thanked all who took part.

Questions/comments from parishioners

Mrs.Iles speaking about the village of Year final said the whole truth had not been told to the

judges and there were many things that had not been said.Chairman said that the judges had

been given copies of the newsletter and also a copy of the letter from the Football Club

(Dean Grimes)Some councillors expressed disappointment at not being informed about the

final – Chairman pointed out it was advertised in the August newsletter. Dr.Axford asked about

toilet facilities in recreation field and the importance of cooperation with organisations

Mrs.Williams said access to toilets was through the bar area and would limit child use – it has

been used before without problem. Mr.Gill asked about Jubilee Green and asked for

discussions regarding parking and improvements  - The grant application is still being

processed – ownership is with the Oxon CC ? Part of the County plan is to improve

drainage system to prevent flooding.Mr.Bungay asked about Jubilee Green seat – On going