MINUTES of a meeting of the STANFORD IN THE VALE PARISH COUNCIL held on Wednesday 4th November 2009 in the Millennium Hall Stanford in the Vale.

 

Present:      Cll.P.G.McMorrow(Chair)    Cllr.S.Bambury(Dep.Chair)   Cllr.P.Gill

                             Cllr.G.Hughes     Cllr.M.Isaacs      Cllr.D.Monahan Smith

 

                             Cllr.R.Sharp(District Councillor)    D.M.Dew(Clerk) 4 Parishioners

 

 

Questions/Comments from Parishioners:

 

A parishioner raised concerns about the position of the dog bin in Cottage Road and considered that it was dangerous to use because of its position. Clerk said numerous complaints had been received about the danger of this bin and up until now the District Council had seen fit not to move it. The clerk will contact the DC again stressing the possibility of a serious road accident if the bin is not moved.

The clerk informed council that he had received complaints about lorries reversing into the unloading area at the rear of the Co-op including deliveries for the other businesses at the rear. There had been a near miss involving a child recently and it was considered to be an accident waiting to happen. Clerk to contact highways and DC regarding the situation.

 

01/11/09     Apologies

 

                   Cllr.Burls(Business)         Cllr.Vallis     Cllr.Mrs.McMorrow        Cllr.M.Tilley(Hospital)

 

02/11/09     Declarations of interest by Councillors on any Agenda Item

 

                   Cllr.D.Monahan Smith Cllr.M.Isaacs -  Item 8 correspondence Relief in Need Charity

                   Cllr.S.Bambury Item 6 – Report of Chairman – Parish Council Seal

 

03/11/09     Minutes of previous meeting 2 Sept 2009 to be received and signed as a true

                             record

 

                   Cllr.Gill stated that his reason for apology for absence was not holiday. Following this

                   amendment

                   ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr. MONAHAN SMITH

                   SECONDED BY Cllr.BAMBURY

                   IT WAS RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true record

 

04/11/09     Report of County Councillor

 

                   Nil – as recorded in apologies Cllr.Tilley was in hospital recovering from an operation.

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                   Clerk to send Cllr. Tilley the Council’s best wishes for a speedy recovery

 

05/11/09     Report of Clerk

 

                   Complaints received about reversing lorries at Co-op – will make representations to

                   County and District planners, also Co-op manager

 

                   Football club report stones still not removed from behind goal following erection of new

                   fence and one gate replaced upside down – Contractors are aware of the problem and will

                   be attending.

     Cllr Isaacs reported  a gate in the childrens play area needed attention  as it was open   

allowing dogs in – Clerk to inform maintenance

 

NALC had increased Clerks hourly rates by 1% back dated to 1st April 2009. This council

has always paid the recommended NALC rates and it was agreed that this should be paid

now. The question of an increase in hours to be discussed at January meeting.

 

06/11/09     Report of Chairman

 

With the ongoing progress of the Community Woodland the Chairman thought that it

was desirable to appoint a publicity leader and to this end Cllr. Bambury was appointed

with Cllr.Vallis as deputy. Publicity through the newsletter, web site and notice boards

plus TV,radio and press. Suggested dates for community planting involvement were

Thursday 7th Jan 2010 (Schools) and Saturday 9th Jan 2010 (Open to Village) although

these dates are only provisional.

 

Further complaints are being received about unsheeted loads by Earthline lorries and

it is evident that the police are not taking action. Clerk to contact VOSA regarding the

licensing conditions and opportunity to report incidents.

 

Parish Council support for Pre-School Playgroup. Village Hall Trustees were unhappy about an extension to the hall it was therefore suggested that an area of land in the playarea be made available. The council will be inspecting the area on 5th November at 10am. It was stressed that all legal fees and costs will be met by the Pre-School Playgroup and Cllr Isaacs asked that this also be the case if the scheme did not materialise.

 

A solicitor had been contacted regarding Jubilee Green and would be visiting the site. A

tree specialist and a county specialist had stated that due to impaction of land caused by car parking there had been an adverse effect upon the land and tree; clay, tarmac and

stones had caused the tree roots to spread. Cllr.Gill said that the residents just want to

 

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reinstate the green but it was pointed out that the parish council were paid by the County Council to maintain the green. It was resolved that following the visit of the solicitor council should apply to register the green

 

Cllr.Bambury produced copies of the proposed Parish Council Seal

 

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.ISAACS

SECONDED BY Cllr.MONAHAN SMITH

IT WAS RESOLVED that the final design be chosen by Cllr.BAMBURY

 

Cllr.Gill had attended a recent seminar regarding shared equity housing “Rural Houses for Rural Communities” requested this item be placed on the next agenda

 

07/11/09     Report of District Councillor

 

     Reported that as from October 2010 refuse collections would be via wheelie bins. Council requested this as an agenda item next meeting.

     Reported on District Council finances – inc that grants would be less in coming financial year

 

08/11/09     Correspondence

 

·        BDO Audit   to approve Annual return report including concerns regarding Fidelity Guarantee. Although not a statutory requirement a fidelity guarantee based on investment held plus ½ precept should be considered. Clerk had taken advice and it was recommended that insurance companies that offered a guarantee should be considered as the present policy only offered £5000 cover for this item.

 

ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr MONAHAN SMITH

SECONDED BY Cllr.ISAACS

IT WAS RESOLVED that the report be accepted and that the Clerk should obtain additional insurance quotations for additional fidelity guarantee.

 

·        Vale of White Horse DC – Review of planning services – noted

·        RSPB – Support for Community Woodland

·        Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue – Action plan 2010 – 2011

·        Vale of White Horse DC – Vale Community Safety Partnership Forum 1st Dec 2009 – Noted

·        Faringdon Town Council – Pesticide spraying course. Council considered the fee of £240 was expensive. District Councillor Robert Sharp who is qualified to use pesticides generously said he could spray the MUGA area and fencing. Council

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·        thanked him for his generosity.

·        Vale of White Horse DC – Planning evening 18th November 2009 – Noted

·        URC – Expressing thanks for the grant and support towards the new heaters

·        Stanford Relief in Need Charity – Request for grant towards renovation of historic plaque at St Deny’s Church – Deferred to next agenda

·        Various organisations – request for donations – Deferred to March agenda

 

09/11/09     Planning applications

          Two applications had been received but without any plans (Due to concerns about the postal dispute). Council felt that they could not consider any application without the appropriate plans

 

          ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.ISAACS

          SECONDED BY Cllr.BAMBURY

          IT WAS RESOLVED that not comment/decision be made regarding the applications until detailed plans were received.

 

10/11/09     Monthly statement of Accounts

 

          ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.BAMBURY

          SECONDED BY Cllr.GILL

          IT WAS RESOLVED that the monthly statement of accounts be approved

 

11/11/09     Accounts for Payment

 

          D.M.Dew                                 Salary & expenses                    1351.14

          Viking Direct                                      Office Supplies                             80.93

 

          ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.BAMBURY

          SECONDED BY Cllr.MONAHAN SMITH

          IT WAS RESOLVED that the accounts be paid

 

12/11/09     To approve decisions of General Purposes Committee Sept/Oct

 

          ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.ISAACS

          SECONDED BY Cllr.HUGHES

          IT WAS RESOLVED that the decisions be approved

 

13/11/09     Budget/Precept 2010/2011

 

          Following discussion including the finance of council’s five year plan it was felt that the precept could be reduced by £50

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          ON THE RESOLUTION OF Cllr.ISAACS

          SECONDED BY Cllr. HUGHES

          IT WAS RESOLVED that the precept for 2010/2011 be £20350

 

14/11/09     Football Club lease renewal

 

          Add Cllr.Isaacs to lease sub-committee. Sub-committee to meet with football club. On recommendation of OALC officials, District Valuer  to assess market rent payable, council to propose figures from that estimate. Item to next agenda

 

15/11/09     Community Woodland – Progress

 

          As reported at item 06/11/09

 

16/11/09     Footpaths/footbridges – Progress

 

          Two bridges to be installed at the expense of OCC

 

17/11/09     Recreation & Leisure report

 

·        Cllr.Gill report that the Perry’s Road footpath is on the County Council list for repair

·        Thanked District Councillor Sharp for his spraying offer

·        MUGA floodlights now operating 13 hours per week

·        Dog fouling – Item to be placed in newsletter

 

18/11/09     Date of next meeting

 

                   6th January 2010

 

Questions/comments from parishioners

 

A parishioner complained that he was not allowed to speak during the meeting. Chairman explained that the public were not allowed to enter into discussion during a meeting and that time was set aside at the start and end of each meeting. The parishioner talked about Jubilee Green and his actions towards reinstatement. Chairman stated that legal process had begun to find the owners.

 

 

 

 

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