LITTLE MILTON PARISH COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10

Overview

The Council met eleven times between April 2009 and March 2010 and there was an 82% attendance of Councillors. Our District and County Council councillors regularly attend our meetings and offer invaluable support.

The Council business in the 2009-10 has included responses to Planning Applications, Highway matters, changes to the refuse collection system as well as responses to a number of consultations initiated by other Agencies. The Council has devoted a large amount of time on the recreation ground car park as it tried to balance the need to meet the requirements of a planning condition and a need to act in a financially responsible way in the best interests of the community. The Council has also agreed with the owners of the Old Post Office a financial settlement of its responsibilities under the lease agreed by the Parish Council in 2000.

The Council has maintained a tight control over its finances and has built up a higher than usual level of reserves to partially meet the cost of improving the car park in 2010.

The Council has diligently discharged its duties and constantly tries to ensure that the interests of the community are fully represented. It was particularly proud to be the first Parish in Oxfordshire and the third in England to be able to exercise the Power of Well-Being.

The Council would encourage residents to attend the Council meeting even though information is readily available in the newsletter or on the website. The meetings are open to the public and the press. The Council meeting allows for public participation and would welcome a higher level of public participation.

Planning Matters

The Council has reviewed and commented upon twelve planning applications during the year and although it can make recommendations the final decision is made by the South Oxfordshire District Council who is the Planning Authority. The applications related to extensions or modifications to domestic properties and one change of use in respect of the Old Post Office.

Highway Matters

The Council has maintained a good working relationship with OCC Highways and continues to seek a solution to the water on Gold Street that was a major issue during the extremely cold weather. As OCC has limited funds it can be quite frustrating that projects such as the re-designation of the slip road between the Haseley Road and Gold Street cannot proceed. The Council has reported the dangerous potholes on the Haseley Road up towards Ditchend and the generally poor state of the gullies. The Council has also asked the County Council to consider a 20mph speed limit outside the school.

Refuse Collection

The introduction of the new waste collection system in June 2009 was broadly a success but your Council worked closely with the District Council and Verdant to resolve an issue for the residents of Blenheim Lane .

Crime

The Council fully supports the work being done by Thames Valley Police through the development of Neighbourhood Action Groups and encourages all residents to report to the police anything that they believe is suspicious. The crime rate in our community is low but we need to vigilant at all times. Information on local crime is circulated to members of Neighbourhood Watch. The Council would encourage residents to attend the “surgeries” that are held in the village by the Neighbourhood Police. The success of policing in our community is heavily dependant upon residents working and supporting its Police Force.

Recreation Ground Car Park

The Council has worked hard on determining a suitable surface for the car park in the recreation ground. As the surface was a planning condition on the approval of the Village Hall it has been necessary to work closely with District Council planners and Oxfordshire County Council Drainage team to ensure that it meets their requirements. The Council would like to thank Mr Jeremy Mogford for re-laying the hedge that adds to the appearance of the site.

Related Agency Matters

The Council engage with related Agencies such as SOHA, Chalgrove Neighbourhood Action Group, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils in respect of matters that impact on the wellbeing of the Parish. The Council recognises the importance of maintaining a good working relationship with all levels of local government as well as other agencies to try and protect the interests of the Parish.

Power of Well-Being

The Council achieved the Power of Well-Being in June 2009 and was the first Parish Council in Oxfordshire and the third in England . The Power of Well-Being allows Councils to do anything that they consider likely to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the community. This power was previously only available to District and County Councils.

Little Milton Shop

The Council are delighted with the success of the shop in its first six months of trading and would express its appreciation to the management committee and volunteers that have helped make it such a success.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Income

Expenditure

Balance Sheet

Commentary

The Council continues to be prudent with the finances of the Parish and had closing reserves of £26,781 an increase of £3,455. As has been reported a significant part of these reserves will be used in the current year to fund the re-surfacing of the car park.

The Council continues to benefit from the income generated from the MUGA and the advertising revenue for the Newsletter although our income from the MUGA has reduced due to other local facilities being available. The Council has also received minimal interest due to the very low interest rates.

The Council’s core expenditure in respect of the costs of the newsletter, loan repayment and Council administration at £9821 are only £84 higher than the previous year. The Council incurred some costs in respect of work done to investigate various options for the surface of the car park as well as costs related to the entrance to the car of £2655. The Council incurred a lower level of cost in respect of the recreation ground in 2009-10 as there was no replacement of the bark in the play area, lower costs for mole eradication and no major repairs to the play equipment. The other expenditure was lower in 2009-10 due to the cost of posts around the village green incurred in the previous year. The Section 137 includes mainly financial contributions to organisations where the Council believe there is some commensurate benefit to the community.

The reserve policy of the Council is to maintain at least one times precept unless there is reason to have additional reserves for likely one off expenditure e.g. car park.

The Council operate a system of budgetary control and regularly review the annual forward cash requirements of the Council. With the future uncertainty of the economic climate the Council will continue to be prudent with the finances of the Parish.

Council Members

Cllr. Stuart McGill                  01844 279092

Cllr. Barry Coward                 01844 279970

Cllr Mabel Wood                   01844 279670

Cllr Alison Shelton                 01844 278144

Cllr David Wakeling              01844 278014

Cllr Tim Robinson                 01844 278343

Parish Clerk

Mr Raymond Fergusson       01844 279150