Minutes of a meeting of the STANFORD IN THE VALE PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 20th November 2002 at Stanford Village Hall.

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

                        Mr.G.Hughes(Senior Councillor)            Mrs.R.Packer

                        Mr.M.Williams                                  Mr.G.Sandels

                        Mr.A.Bungay                                               Mr.B.Burls

                        Mr.P.Gill

                        Mr.D.M.Dew (Clerk)                        1 Member of Public

17/11/02  Apologies for absence

                Nil

18/11/02  Declaration of Interests

                Nil

19/11/02  Minutes of previous meeting held 6 November 2002

                5/11/02   …use of s106 money ie Insert Faringdon Library rather than the     mobile library.

              11/11/02            delete  …or invited

              16/11/02                delete would match the £1000 insert would match whatever came from Council.

Following these amendments-

ON THE PROPOSITION OF Cllr.BAMBURY

SECONDED BY Cllr.HUGHES

IT WAS RESOLVED that the minutes be approved and signed.

20/11/02 Report of Clerk

            Skateboard facility – Clerk reported news article re permanent closure of new skateboard facility in Oxford due to sound proofing problems.

            Local Plan now in circulation – received 15 November 02

            OALC membership to increase by 3.8p per elector

            Forest Grove – Nothing received from planning or enforcement officer

            Street Lighting – Vital Villages scheme looks at large projects rather than individual cases.

            Manor Green – Lime trees – Oxon CC Tree Officer to inspect.First indications are that some trees are PC responsibility and that the limes do need remedial work.

            War Memorial – Comments had been made at the Remembrance Day service regarding the lack of a Village War Memorial.OALC suggest that the matter be raised

at the Annual Parish Meeting to gauge interest. PC has no power to erect a new memorial.

            Cllr.Williams notifications A417 manholes, electric fence on footpath and moles in High St. actioned  by Clerk.

21/11/02 Report of Chairman

                                                            1/4

            Playground equipment installed.The playarea needs to be extended inc safe landing area at an extra estimated cost of £2500.New litter bins had been ordered one for youth shelter and  one for playarea.They are non-flammable and lockable.Also ordered the noticeboard for the playarea as requested by the Police.Mr.Bungay was asked to obtain further bin bags.

Chairman was pleased to report that the Village had won the regional final of village of the Year – Business in the Community Award and were now into the last 6 for the country.

Benches – There was a discussion regarding inscription for plaques  - It was suggested by Cllr.Sandels that it should read “ Dedicated to the memory of Marjorie Sandels  1935 – 2002  Past Chairman of  the Parish Council.It was also suggested similar for John Webb ie Chairman Stanford FC.

Cllr. Gill asked for a Recreation & Leisure Committee meeting to discuss recreation field projects tenders.This was approved for Wednesday 27 November 2002  at 7pm in the Hall Committee Room.

Mr.Bungay asked if a donation towards the Village Hall Management  Committee Christmas Draw could be considered.Chairman donated £10 from his allowance to the

Draw.

22/11/02 Correspondence

            a)VWHDC – Confirmation of grant £4000 Jubilee Garden

            b) “””””””   - Free Christmas parking details – passed to newsletter

            c) “””””””   - Change of member  local Standards Board – Noted

            d) “””””””   - Faringdon Market Town Project meeting 29/11 – noted

            e)Oxon CC  - Notification of grass cutting grant - £2601 – noted

            f) “”””””””  -  Mini Gatso loan delayed due to staff sickness – noted

            g) “””””””   -  Rail aspirations – Received to late to comment

            h) “””””””   - Public Paths Dedications – noted

i)“””””””””  - Rights of Way Dedications – noted

j)OALC – Winter meeting 25/11/02 – passed to Chairman

k)Village Hall Management Committee – Refusal to allow Councillors to visit 

                                                                    meetings – noted

l)Mr.D.Miles – Explanation for refusing use of Old Mill Nursery site for

                          recreation.

m)David Wilson Homes - £2000 donation towards rec projects – Clerk to

                                           convey thanks.

n)Oxford Gang Show – Ticket applications

o)Stanford Relief in Need Charity – Appointment of PC Representative – To

                                                           be advertised.

p)Buscot Chain saws – Pesticide Operators certificate Course – Not taken up

q)Mrs.Tonks – Lay- By construction – Clerk awaiting contact with Oxon CC

            r)Oxford County Court – Protection of Lease papers Stanford FC – Passed to

                                                       Council Solicitor.

 23/11/02 Planning applications

            Nil

                                                            2/4

24/11/02 Consideration of NALC salary /pension recommendations

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.McMORROW

SECONDED BY Cllr.BAMBURY

IT WAS RESOLVED that the public and press be excluded

Cllr. Williams also thought that the Clerk should leave while his salary was discussed.Before leaving the Clerk detailed the NALC recommendations including interim rise as from October 2002.

After discussion the following rates were set.

Clerk                            1/10/02                                    £7.45 per hour

                                    1/4/03            16 hours per week             £8.28 per hour

Road sweeper              1/10/02                                    £4.70 per hour

                                    1/4/03                                      £5.00 per hour

Handyman/Mowing     1/4/03                                      £6.50 per hour

The matter of pensions deferred.

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.WILLIAMS

SECONDED BY Cllr.GILL

IT WAS PROPOSED that these rates and conditions be approved

25/11/02 Consideration of Educational Fees – Clerk

Clerk had informed Council that the fee for 2003 would be £690 and would be the same for 2004.Council 

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.WILLIAMS

SECONDED BY Cllr.GILL

IT WAS PROPOSED that  £850 be precepted for education fees and books.

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.McMORROW

SECONDED BY Cllr.BAMBURY

IT WAS PROPOSED that the meeting be opened to public and press

The Clerk was informed of the decision for which he thanked the Council.In reply Council thanked the Clerk for his work on their behalf.

26/11/02 Resolution from Cllr.McMorrow

            To consider archiving of Parish Records

Cllr.Williams asked if Ardington Archives (Situated on Business Park) could be used.

                                                            3/4

Clerk said that from previous experience a fee was payable for each visit and with the

 rights of public under the new Freedom of Information Act this could be expensive.Chairman suggested using URC  who had agreed in principle that this was viable although no rent had been mentioned.

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.McMORROW

SECONDED BY CllR WILLIAMS

IT WAS RESOLVED that further information be obtained

Cllr. Williams indicated that it was possible that he could obtained second hand storage cabinets for Council use.Council thanked  Mr.Williams

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.McMORROW

SECONDED BY Cllr.BAMBURY

IT WAS RESOLVED that minute books be archived at Oxford County Archives Cowley.

27/11/02 To authorise the adoption of new Model Standing Orders

Following permitted deletion and date insertion of NALC Model Standing Orders

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.BAMBURY

SECONDED BY Cllr.BURLS

IT WAS RESOLVED that the Model Standing Orders be approved

28/11/02 To authorise the adoption of Model Publication Scheme – Freedom of

    Information Act 2000

The Clerk was to attend an information meeting on 21/11 and recommended that any discussion be deferred until the next Council meeting

29/11/02 To set Precept 2003/2004

Following full discussion and debate in which Councillors and Committee Chairman detailed their expected budget expenses and Cllr. Gill (Recreation & Leisure) having doubts due to his project costs.

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.WILLIAMS

SECONDED BY Cllr.BUNGAY

IT WAS RESOLVED that the precept for 2003/2004 be set at £20,000

There being no further business

ON THE PROPOSAL OF Cllr.BAMBURY

SECONDED BY Cllr.SANDELS

IT WAS RESOLVED that the meeting be closed .