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| December 2001 |
Minutes of a meeting of the STANFORD IN THE VALE PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 5 December 2001 at Stanford Village Hall.
Present:
Mr.P.G.McMorrow
Mr.M.Williams
Mr.P.Gill
Mrs.R.Packer
Mr.G.Hughes
Mr.A.Bungay
3 Parishioners
There were no questions/comments from Parishioners.
1/12/01
Apologies
Mrs.M.Sandels – Mr.S.Bambury – Mr.B.Burls – Mrs.A.Fitzgerald – O’Connor
2/12/01
Minutes of meeting 7 November 2001
2/11 Add Mrs.Packer had telephoned
13/11 Add Items for playarea could be precepted.
Following these additions it was proposed by Mr.Hughes seconded by Mr.
Bungay that the minutes be approved – Carried
3/12/01 Matters arising
3/11/01(7/10/01) Mr.Williams asked if any contact had been made regarding the
use of the Bow road site as a rec.field and was the objection due to “sour grapes”
by the Parish Council.Chairman stated that no approach had been made by the
Parish Council,the only contact had come from the applicants mother who wished
to know the grounds for objection.The Chairman had intimated to her that if a
guarantee of no future change of use could be given then the Council would
reconsider the objection – this assurance was refused.
6/11/01 The grant applied for by the Scout(Jamboree) should not be from the
Chairman’s allowance(Univ of Glos recommendation).Any grant should go to
the County assoc.for future jamborees(in 3 years time)
Mr.Bungay apologised for not attending the OPFA AGM.Mr.Gill attended and
details of the discussions on the 6 acre standard.Council decide not to purchase
the latest publication(£45)
Transco – Item to next agenda – letter boxes to be placed at P.O. and Alldays
and reply box to be inserted into newsletter again.
11/11/01 A vote of thanks to Mr.Hughes for repairing the village hall notice
board.It was also noted that glass panels were broken in Cottage road bus
shelter and
the shelter on Church Green was covered in graffiti.
13/11/01 Estimates for wetpour 15m x 15m £9000 plus £2000 for permi
colour.A whirlybird £1600 Fencing £2800.What type of path ? concrete or
tarmac – concrete edging to help cutting.The original wetpour would be repaired
by the new contractor.Mr.Williams was concerned about older children wrecking
the equipment.Chairman said that it was only baby type seats and we should not
be hemmed in by vandalism.Mrs.Packer enquired if there was any other equipt.
Chairman has brochures and will meet Councillors at the playarea on Sat 8/12
for discussions.Chairman asked for authority to pay Fencing contractor as this
was to be completed before Christmas – approved.
15/11/01 Mr.Bungay asked why it was necessary to consult a lawyer.This was
to cover the Council legally.
1/4
4/12/01
Report of District Councillor
1.Recycling Mobile Phones – The battery contains toxic metals.There are
collection boxes in Abbey House,Abingdon:Local Service Point Wantage &
Faringdon Corn Exchange.Proceeds will go to the Children’s A & E service at
the J.R. Hospital.
2.Any European coins will be worthless after January 2002.The District Council
is collecting them & forwarding them to Age Concern Fight the Freeze Appeal.
Any coins can be given to me & I will give them to the appropriate department.
3.There is an additional Bank Holiday in 2002 – Bank Holidays are now Mon 3
June and Tues 4th June.
4.The number of noise complaints to Councils have been rising steadily for the
last 20 years.A Vale Officer has completed a special course,so that the problems
can continue to be properly addressed.
5.Several departments within the Corporate Resources department have been
recommended for the ISO 9001:2000 status.
6.The Best Value Regulations apply to the District Council and large Town
Councils.In this area only Abingdon comes under this heading.Normal Local
Government rules apply to this parish.
7.A new Model Code of Conduct for Councils came into operation on November
27th 2001.There is a special code for Parish Councils.The District Council will
probably be initiating training for Parish Councillors.
5/12/01 Report of County Councillor (Read by Chairman)
Apologies for not being able to attend,but I have to be in London for a Chamber
of Commerce dinner.
WIND FARM
One of the main topics which has been discussed around this County Council
Division is the proposed application to build five huge wind turbines at
Watchfield.on the other side of the A420.The proposal is for the construction of
5 turbines of a hub height of 164 feet,with a tip height of 266 feet.Turbines of
such height haqve never been constructed before on a mainland site and if the
project were to go ahead,they would be visible for many miles radius.It is
believed that they would also be very noisy.The majority of the surrounding
villages have objected,as has the military college(safety factor).Although
everyone is in favour of renewable energy,such huge turbines are far more
efficient out at sea.An action group has been formed and it is requesting that an
Environmental Impact Assessment be done prior to a formal application being
heard.At the time of writing,a decision is still awaited in the EIA.
RUBBISH
Newly released performance indicators for recycling and waste management
show that Oxfordshire’s residents produce the least amount of rubbish in
England.Figures show that in 2000/01 each of Oxfordshire’s residents produced
460 Kg of rubbish.This is 13% below the national average and the lowest figure
for the UK,along with Gloucestershire and Cambridgeshire.However,our waste
managers are pledging to reduce this even further.So,we are all urged to carry on
composting,this being an excellent way to start reducing household waste.Advice
on composting is available from the County Council’s Compost Hotline – 01865
815499.
2/4
As always,please do ring me on 01367 710719 if there is anything I can do and
Happy Christmas everyone.
6/12/01
Report of Clerk
As the school governor was due to be discussed the Chairman declared an
interest and left the meeting.In the absence of the Vice- Chairman it was proposed
by Mr.Bungay seconded by Mr.Williams that Mrs.Packer take the Chair –
approved.It was further proposed by Mr.Williams seconded by Mr.Bungay
that the meeting be confidential due to the presence of persons named in the
relevant correspondence – Approved.The item was discussed and Council were
disappointed that as the largest authority their nomination had not been
accepted.It was proposed by Mr.Gill seconded by Mr.Bungay that the Governors
be informed of this – approved.Proposed by Mr.Bungay seconded by Mr.Gill
that the meeting be opened publicly – approved.The Chairman returned to the
meeting,taking over from Mrs.Packer.
Further details were given regarding the “New Ethical Framework” Clerk
stated that was now law and Councillors would be asked to make declarations
but was waiting for guidance,hopefully,from District Council.
Various grants had been received throughout the year.Chairman asked Mr.Gill if
there would be any interest in a Youth Council as grants were available through
the Living & Learning scheme.Mr.Gill to persue Youth Club also an item for the
Newsletter.
7/12/01 Correspondence
a)Parishioner – Request check of Apostle trees – Done all OK
b)V.W.H.D.C. – Approval of fencing grant £3500 – to be used by 22/3/02
c)Parishioner – Statements on Traffic,Parking & Roads – Chairman stated
works in the pipeline included the provision hopefully of a
zebra crossing at the schools,7 1/2 ton.weight restriction Bow Road/High St
Cottage Road footpath to be completed(a complete village link after 47 years)
Parking – very limited what Police can do.P.C.Holder to be invited to next
meeting for discussions.Jubilee Green to be refurbished in Jubilee year
d)The Independent Advice Centre – Grant application
e)Robert Jackson MP – Confirmation not seeking re-election
f)Audit Commission – Apologies and confirmation of receipt of letter.
g)DTLR(through District Council) - Statutory Instrument re Accounts &
Audit
h)DEFRA – Consultation papers Quality Councils
i)Standards Board – Guides to Part 3 LGA 2000
j)NALC – Training strategy for Parish & Town Councils
k)Governors of Stanford School – Decision of Governors regarding
vacancy
8/12/01
Planning
Nil
9/12/01
Monthly Statement of Accounts
Mr.Williams and Mrs.Packer objected to the accounts.Proposed by Mr.
Hughes seconded by Mr.Bungay accounts be approved – carried.
3/4
10/12/01
Accounts for payment
D.M.Dew Salary & Expenses x 2
J.Northcote Salary x 2
Vale of WHDC Litter Bins £518.47
Handy Mower service £674.38 *
Soc.of Local Clerks Membership & Manual £ 65.00
Stanford Village Hall Meeting rental £ 50.00
*Reduced from £842.95
Proposed by Mr.Bungay seconded by Mr.Hughes accounts be paid –
Carried.It was further proposed by Mr.Bungay seconded by Mr.Hughes that
Cheques be signed if required during the January break – approved.
11/12/01
Precept 2002/03
After much discussion and inspecting budgets prepared by Councillors and
very detailed discussions on recreation projects,it was proposed by Mr.Bungay
seconded by Mr.Hughes that a precept of £19250 be set.There were three votes
for the proposal,three votes against.The Chairman used his casting vote for the
proposal which was therefore carried.Chairman thanked those Councillors who
produced figures for a budget.This was a reduction of £1500 on the previous
year and the Clerk had reported adverse comments from auditors regarding
carrying over unspent monies.
12/12/01
Newsletter
Nil
13/12/01
Playarea
This had been covered in the Matters Arising
14/12/01
Recreation and Leisure
Mr.Gill reported that there were still brambles on the fence line.Youth Club
had been picking litter.Proposed by Mr.Williams seconded by Mrs.Packer that
a donation of £50 be made to the Youth club chargeable to Street Cleaning Grant
approved.Mr.Gill declared an interest and thanked the Council.
15/12/01
Other Urgent Business
Clerk stated that his computer had become unreliable.Poroposed by Mr.
Williams seconded by Mr.Bungay that the Clerk be authorised to purchase a
computer up to a value of £1000 – approved.
Proposed by Mr.Williams seconded by Mr.Bungay the meeting be closed.
Mr.Wentworth said that re the Audit Commission he had received a letter from them in error.
He also said that he would also carry on grass cutting but there would be diesel costs.Council
thanked him for all his efforts.
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