Minutes of a meeting of the STANFORD IN THE VALE PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 7

November 2001 at Stanford Village Hall.

Present: Mr.P.G.McMorrow(chair)                                     Mrs.M.Sandels

                        Mr.M.Williams                                                       Mr.P.Gill

                        Mr.S.Bambury                                                        Mr.A.Bungay

                        Mrs.R.Packer                                                         Mr.G.Hughes

                        Mr.B.Burls

         Approx 50 parishioners

         Questions/Comments

Putting this item at the start invoked several questions.Clerk explained that it was recommended good practice as this allowed Councillors to here comments on agenda items before a decision was made and to further questions he replied that ALL councillors  were made aware of changes on receipt of their agenda.

There were questions on what was a ‘Quality Council’.Clerk explained that this was only in consultation stage but gave some of the criteria.Clarification on the progress of KPMG audit of accounts was requested – this is being carried out at the moment.There being no more questions the meeting was opened.Proposed by Mrs Sandels seconded by Mr.Williams.Chairman said that providing there were no objections item 12 F.C,Lease would be moved to item 15.

1/11/01.Apologies:

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

2/11/01 Minutes of meeting 3 October 2001

7/10/01 Mrs.Packer stated that she had voted against the application HAT/STA/16953 at the      District Council meeting and it had not been recorded as such.Mr.Williams thought that Council should realize that this was not a feed store as in selling.

15/10/01 Mr.Hughes had said that grass verges could be concreted and used for parking.

Following these additions it was proposed by Mr.Gill seconded by Mr.Bambury that the minutes be approved – Carried

3/11/01 Matters arising

5/10/01 (7) TranscoClerk stated that Transco were sticking with their initial quote.It was

suggested that David Wilson homes might be in a position to help.It was proposed by Mrs.Sandels seconded by Mr Gill that a reply box be inserted in the newsletter asking for interest in a gas supply – approved.

7/10/01 Chairman and Clerk informed Council of  a letter sent to District Council  regarding

dissatisfaction with planning decisions especially with the Bow Road application.

Clarification in the form of C15(policy – rural) was requested and received as was a reply regarding our thoughts on a Judicial Review or use of Ombudsman.It was decided that no

action would be taken unless there was a change of use and the Clerk would monitor the landscaping siuation.

4/11/01            Report of District Councillor

1.The West Area Committee met in October.Two Parishes requested that the Area Forum be            .  convened.A letter has been circulated to all Parishes to enable the Council to make a

   decision in January

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 .I was elected Chairman ,with Councillor Tommy Thompson(The Coxwells) as vice-

   Chairman.

2.The next Youth Forum in December will be about Organic Farming & Volunteering.The

   two local MPs will attend & answer questions.Next year a visit is planned to the European

   Parliament.

3.The Executive is meeting next door this evening.They will be considering a grant

   application from this Council.

4.A steering Group has now been established to progress plans for a Rural Enterprise Hub

   for the Faringdon Area.I shal be a member of the group.

5.I have made preliminary enquiries about the Social Housing on the Quarry Field site and

   the possibility of allocation to local people.The nomination for occupancy is with the

   District Council:applications should be made within the next few months.The homes will

   be administered by The Sovereign Housing Association.

5/11/01            Report of County Councillor

First of all,apologies for not being able to attend the meeting tonight.This has been a busy time for all County Councillors in trying to come to grips with the new administration system.I am on two scrutiny committees,Learning & Culture and Social Health Care.Our first meetings are scheduled for mid- December.However,a great deal of written information has been produced on the new protocols and this all has to be read and inwardly digested. Many decisions which would have been made by the various committees were postponed for the new Cabinet to deal with,hence they will be spending much more time at County Hall !

We had our last old style County Council meeting on 16 October at which the make-up of

membership of the Scrutiny Committees was decided.

During the past month I have attended three adoption panel meetings a meeting of the

Oxfordshire Youth Arts Partnership,RMCS Liason meeting,Vale Division Youth Committee

meeting,various seminars and parish meetings.

There are several Age Concern Forums during November and the one for the Vale is

scheduled for 27 November from 2 – 4 pm at the Guildhall in Abingdon.This forum is

aimed at giving older people,carers etc.an opportunity to express views on matters which

concern them and how these issues may be addressed.I am hoping to attend and would very

much like to fill a car – so if anyone wouls like to come with me,please let me know (Tel:

710719)

6/11/01            Report of Clerk

              Clerk stated that this new agenda item was initially to explain points that had arisen from his experiences at the University of Glos.where he was studying his Local Policy course.

Items that had emerged from there and various Government publications were:

            Allowances for Councillors – Grants(the application by a Scout for a donation to

help him attend the World Jamboree might not satisfy S137 regulations)and it had been

suggested that a donation from a Chairmans allowance might be allowed in lieu.Mr.

Williams was not in favour of taking this line and Mrs Sandels asked that the Clerk seek

further details at the University Standing Orders – the Clerk had been looking at updating SO but with new regulations & statutes in the pipeline felt this should be left until they became law.

Declaration of Interest – This was also being reviewed by Government with the help

of the NALC and involved a relaxation of the rules covering declaration and voting.

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            Headed notepaper – Clerk asked that headed paper be provided including the

Village crest and Fax/E-Mail contact.Council approved that Mr.Bambury be asked to

provide the Clerk with a disc to produce the letterhead.

            Training – Clerk stated that he had passed two modules of the course,had been

given a credit for another and by January would have passed five of the ten modules.Mr.Hughes asked that the minutes record the Council’s appreciation of the Clerk work.

Correspondence

            a)Vale of White Horse DC – West Area Forum – Council sees no need for another

                                                                                            level

            b)Vale DC – Naming/Numbering new development – Parish Council wish to keep

                                  their suggested names regardless of objections from developer.

            c)Vale DC – Confirmation of Transco charges for connection of gas supply.

            d)Vale DC – Re-siting of Dog Waste Bins & new bin – Noted

            e)Oxon CC – Grass verge maintenance 2001 – grant payable – Invoiced

            f)Oxon CC – Bus shelter grants application – Kept on file

            g)OPFA – Notification of AGM 12 November 2001 – Mr.Gill/Mr.Bungay attending

            h)District Audit – Outstanding account – referred back to DA

            i)Stanford Primary School Governors – Re PC nominated governor – requested referred

                                                                            to Mrs.McMorrow the PC representative.

            Mr.Gill said the only qualification should be an interest in the school.Mrs.McMorrow

            has provided details of her experience.Proposed by Mr.Gill seconded by Mrs.Sandels

            this item be included in the newsletter – carried.

7/11/01            Planning applications

              Nil

8/11/01            Monthly statement of accounts

              Mr.Williams & Mrs.Packer objected to the accounts(the Sept accounts were also on the sheet)

              as they were not aware of what the items were.Proposed by Mr.Hughes seconded by Mr.Gill

              accounts be approved – Carried – 2 votes against(Mr.Williams/Mrs Packer)

9/11/01            Accounts for payment

              D.M.Dew                                 Salary & Expenses

              J.Northcote                              Salary

              Goodwood Tree care                      Aborial Work Rec.Field                      £800.00

              Clerk reported an account from Handy for mower servicing for £842.95.He had rejected the account as being excessive and had asked for an explanation as the mower was still under warranty.Proposed by Mr.Williams seconded by Mrs.Packer  3 above accounts be paid – carried

10/11/01 Date for precept

               Precept to be decided during December meeting.Chairman asked all Councillors to inform clerk 

               of their budget thoughts by 27 Nov.

11/11/01 Village Hall

               Beading had been replaced inside vandalised notice board.BKV plaques were being made to

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               be placed inside hall.

12/11/01 Newsletter

               Deadline – ASAP

13/11/01 Playarea

              Toddlers area fencing must be replaced quickly.Grant application has been made for wet pour area.Quotes are required for fencing and wet pour.

14/11/01 Leisure & Recreation

               Mr.Gill reported that the digger from David Wilson Homes had been and assisted in

 clearance of the new cycle course and had helped clear for the fencing.A new quote of £8237.55 plus VAT had been obtained to include 2 double gates & 5 self closing gates.It was hoped to

receive a £3500 grant from the DC and a grant from the Youth Justice Board to help offset the cost. Proposed by Mr.Gill seconded by Mrs Sandels that the work be commenced – carried.Mr.Gill read a letter from David Wilson Homes offering their support in any way.

              Ock Meadow – Berkley Homes rep has returned to Company regarding Council proposals.

               It was proposed by Mr Williams seconded by Mrs Sandels that the meeting be closed to hear

               comments from the assembled Parishioners regarding the FC Lease – Carried

               Various matters were discussed – Length of time,Council trying to bankrupt Club,why

                should the Club be subsidised,present rent £1 per annum,Council had been prepared to accept

                £600 per annum but FC solicitor had rejected this,Fc saying that the agreed lease had been

                changed.There were calls from neutral observers  to resolve this matter for the good of the Village  but the Chairman stated that the Council must obtain the best rent that it can.There is a lack of recreational ground and the FC has half of it.After listening to the comments the chairman asked for the public to vacate the hall in order that the meeting be continued In confidence. Proposed by Mr.Hughes seconded by Mrs.Sandels the meeting be re – opened – carried.

15/11/01  Football Club Lease

             Declaration of interest – There was a discussion regarding the position of Mr.Williams.

In the light of the Clerks explanation of relaxing of regulations several Councillors were prepared  to let Mr.Williams have an input into this item.Mrs Sandels was worried about the confidential

correspondence.Mr.Williams again stated that this had dragged on enough and that  £600

and all lease items had been agreed. He then left the meeting.Mr.Bungay also thought that it

was a good rent and also left the meeting declaring an interest.Mrs.Packer said the Council

should be flexible and charge a fair rent.Mr.Bambury said that he loved and supported sport.

Chairman read letters from Franklins(FC Solicitors) which suggested:

a)£600 plus annual increase % RPI b)£600 plus limit 25% increase every 3 years

 all plus grass cutting.

Marriotts – Recommended legal advice re: completion of building.It had been suggested that a specialist Lawyer be used to determine ownership of building.This would then cover the PC if the £600 was accepted as rent.Proposed by Mr.Bambury seconded by Mr.Burls that the lawyer be engaged – Carried.It was further resolved that a special meeting be called when the decision is known.

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Minutes of a meeting of the Stanford in the Vale Parish Council Public Purposes

Charity Disputes Committee.

Present:

Mr.P.G.McMorrow                                       Mr.S.Bambury

Mr.A.Bungay                                                 Mr.G.Hughes

Mr.B.Burls                                                     Clerk

Chairman produced invoices total £2248.79 from Thring Townsend.It was proposed

Mr.McMorrow seconded Mr.Hughes these accounts be paid.It is expected that this money

will be refunded.Clerk to write to Audit Commission(R.Little)accepting his report but rejecting

sections of it as previously agreed by this Committee – Agreed

KPMG auditor still looking through the accounts and is looking for clarification on certain

transactions