Jun07Newsletter

The Annual Parish meeting was held in the Pine Lodge on 9th May 2007. The meeting was attended by the six elected councillors, the County Councillor , the District Councillor, the Clerk and six members of the public. The meeting received reports from the Parish Council Chairman, the County Council member, the District Council member, the secretary of the Pine Lodge, a representative of the Orchard, the churchwarden of St James’ Church. The Clerk also provided a summary of the Parish finances. The report given by the Chairman of the Parish Council is published in full

You may be aware that Parish Council’s period of office, like Presidents of the

USA

, lasts for four years, and as it was 2003 when we came together, this year we are required to be re-elected if more than six candidates put their names forward.

I cannot speak for the other Parish Councillors, but I have always felt slightly uncomfortable that for four years I have been Chairman of Little Milton Parish Council without anyone having voted me to be there, as in 2003 there were only 6 candidates for 6 places, so no election was held.

So, this year we had 8 candidates for the 6 council places, and an election was duly held, which resulted in all existing councillors being re-elected, and one new Councillor, David Wakeling, joining us. I congratulate them all. I was amazed and delighted by the numbers of people in Little Milton who turned out to vote, (c 45%) which just shows that Little Milton cares about its community, more than most other villages. Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to vote. I would also like to thank the two unsuccessful candidates, Paula Cameron and Ian Whales for their interest in serving on the Council. Without them there would have been no election, and they both received a very respectable number of votes, so they can be proud of their contribution.

I am very pleased that the village seems happy in general with the progress we have made as a Parish Council, but it would be remiss of me not to mention where I believe we could, and should have done better.

You will note that the Precept has been held at £10,000 for the third year running. This is due to increased revenues from the Newsletter, which, thanks to Raymond Fergusson, is easily the best in the area, with his own superb photographs: and increased earnings from the Multi Use Games Area, which is popular with users from Wheatley and Chalgrove as well as Little Milton. We are also saving money on grass cutting and maintenance of the recreation ground. The surface is steadily improving, the grass is thickening, and it will soon be usable for football and (one day) cricket. Thanks to Mark Willis and his Recreation Ground Committee for their hard work.

The Primary School, led by Eve Hunter and Caroline Jones as Chair of Governors has now increased pupil numbers to 57, which if memory serves is the highest they have ever been, and created a new superb classroom for years 5 & 6, proving yet again that we have an exceptional school in the village. Congratulations and thanks go to all of the staff and governors for their achievement.

The Orchard Pre School is just as popular (and full!) as ever with over 40 children on the roll and a waiting list from next September, thanks to the efforts of Yvonne Brammer, Linda Lovegrove, Rebecca Gannon and the rest of the staff and governors. Another gem!

The Pine Lodge continues to be a popular venue both inside and outside the Village, and we have recently begun the Cinema Club which already has over 30 members. Thanks to every member of the Village Hall Management Committee for their hard work and dedication, cooking, opening up, cleaning, gardening, maintaining and improving the facility for everyone, to ensure that The Pine Lodge is financially healthy, and remains the envy of other villages.

I still receive regular phone calls, letters and emails from all over the country, referred by Pinelog Ltd, asking my advice on how to build a Village Hall. The general idea is that if one of these enquiries results in a sale, then we should receive commission from Pinelog. We shall see!

St James Church continues to thrive, although as always it is a struggle to make ends meet. This year, as last year, we do not have Rofford teas to help with funds, which have in the past contributed £1500-£2000 to our funds. Sarah Jones took on responsibility for the Fete last year, and achieved an amazing £2,700 last June for her efforts, and it is only by continued hard work by every member of the PCC and others in the village that we can ensure its survival. Thanks in particular to Raymond Fergusson, whose unheralded work as Church Warden keeps the whole institution afloat in the village (and the Benefice!).

Thanks are also due to Simon and Sarah Oddie, who have again kindly donated their wonderful garden and grounds for the Fete each year, with new landscaping. Raymond Blanc has again kindly agreed to open the fete this year, despite my teas!

Paul Jeffery and Phil Jones continue their labour of love on the BBOWT nature reserve, and thanks to them it makes Little Milton a wonderful place for wildlife and birds. How many villages have a thriving nature reserve on their doorstep?

Plans are well advanced to re-locate the Post Office up to the Pine Lodge site, and a very active committee is involved in every aspect of planning the new facility. Lesley McCaig has done an amazing job organizing fund raising events, and I would like to thank her in particular for her efforts, much of which you have yet to see! Most recently we had an amazing Plant Sale, brilliantly produced by Joyce Inge and Hilary Mogford, which raised £1600. Thanks a million to them, and all of the helpers on the day.

You may also be aware that it was recently Annie Rogers 60^th birthday in the Post Office, and a collection, expertly organized by Sarah Holifield, raised over £350, which goes to show how much we love Annie and appreciate the work she and Shirley do for us there. It would be wrong of me however to give the impression that the Post Office move is a foregone conclusion. The Post Office have said that there will be 2500 closures across the country in the next few years, so we cannot be complacent about our chances of saving ours. Please support our fund raising events, and become involved in whatever way you can. If anyone can save our Post Office, we can!

The W.I is busy as ever thanks to the efforts of Anne Hawkins as Chair and Shirley Thomas as Secretary. I would also like to thank Janet Betts, who works quietly and efficiently for Age Concern, and is Queen of the raffle at Quiz Nights! Thanks are also due to David Haenlein, who has continued to maintain the Little Milton website, another great advert for the village.

However, I mentioned at the beginning areas of concern, and The Lamb Pub is top of the agenda. If you read Raymond’s article in May’s Newsletter, you will be aware that Punch Taverns have been in discussion with South Oxfordshire District Council Planning Department since last August regarding expanding the site to make it commercially viable. When the first set of plans were submitted, last September, we approved them as a Council, but they were later withdrawn by Punch Taverns because of the size of the development, which was unacceptable to SODC. Six months passed before the next set of plans emerged, which suggested that Punch Taverns had arrived at a compromise acceptable to SODC, before re-submitting, so approval from SODC was a foregone conclusion. Wrong. SODC Planning still have concerns regarding the size of the building, and Punch Taverns have withdrawn their plans for a second time.

Unfortunately, our objections regarding the exterior finish of the building have been taken by some as meaning that we do not support the Lamb or Doug & Pauline. Nothing could be further from the truth, but I now feel we need to be more pro-active in moving this vital project forward.

I can fully understand and sympathise with Doug and Pauline over the time this is taking, which must be hugely demoralizing for them, so I offer them a promise that we will not sit idly by and let this situation continue any longer than it has to.

Finally, I must mention with sadness the passing of Meg Hue Williams, who died last year, and whose contribution to the village was extraordinary and irreplaceable. She continues to live on, however, with Michael her son and his wife Ali living in Belchers Farm, and James at Willowbank, and we are delighted they are in Little Milton.

We have also lost the superb services of Simon Oddie , our Vice Chairman, who has reluctantly decided that his work commitments do not allow him to devote the time he feels he wants to the Parish Council. I will miss him in particular, as someone whose sage advice and cool head was always invaluable in meetings of the Council and elsewhere, and thank him for four years of service to the village.

I would like to thank my fellow Councillors, Barry Coward, Alison Shelton , Mabel Wood and Tim Robinson for their commitment and dedication, and in particular congratulate Mabel, who received the second highest vote in the elections, just to prove how popular she is, and Raymond Fergusson, our Parish Clerk, who would get my vote every time.

I would also like to congratulate John Nowell Smith our District Councillor, and David Turner , our County Councillor , who were also re-elected, and continue to support our cause at District and County level. They are both a great asset and friend of the village. Thanks to both of them for their hard work on our behalf on a wide range of issues.

I look forward to working with the new council, and hope that we can successfully resolve the problems with the Lamb and the re-location of the Post Office, to add two more gems to the village of Little Milton .

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 14th March was attended by six Parish Councillors, the Clerk, the District Councillor and no members of the public.

The Council members elected at the election on May 3 duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form and the form was also signed by the Parish Clerk as a Proper Officer of the Council.

Mr Barry Coward proposed Mr Stuart McGill as Chairman and this was seconded by Mrs Alison Shelton . There were no other nominations for chairperson. Mr Stuart McGill was elected as chairman until the 2008 Annual Meeting.

Mr Tim Robinson proposed Mr Barry Coward as vice-chairman and this was seconded by Mr Stuart McGill. Mr Barry Coward was elected as vice chairman until the 2008 Annual Meeting.

The Clerk stated that as far as he could establish the work carried out by OPC on behalf of the residents of Cremar Cottages and SOHA had produced a favourable result. The Council has requested a copy of the final report.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had followed up with OCC the registration of the land adjacent to the Post Office as a Village Green. Although there had been changes to the personnel dealing with the application it is very likely that it will be approved by OCC in July 2007.

The Clerk circulated an analysis of the questionnaires as well as the comments made by villagers.

The Clerk informed the meeting that Lesley Nesbitt the Crime Prevention Advisor would attend the June meeting and would be available to comment upon any issues raised by the results of the questionnaire. The Council agreed to defer this matter until the June meeting.

This planning application was recommended for approval by South Oxfordshire District Council.

The Clerk updated the Council on the recent meeting that took place between SODC Planning and representatives of Punch Taverns following the withdrawal of their planning application to extend The Lamb. It would appear that the proposals to date have been too wide and bulky and that Punch Taverns have been asked to give consideration to a minimum size that is viable for their needs and submit informal drawings for comment. The Clerk also reported that he had invited Mr Paul Thomas of Punch Taverns to attend the Parish Council meeting that will consider the re-submitted plans. The Council agreed that it was important for them to be able to review the proposals before a new planning application was submitted. The Clerk was asked to contact SODC Planning as well as to involve the Ward member on this matter. (Action Clerk)

The Clerk informed the meeting that the SODC Planning Enforcement Team were carrying out an initial assessment into a possible breach of the planning rules as a result of the barn having both a bathroom and kitchen facility.

The Chairman informed the meeting that a new Code of Conduct for members will come into force from 3 May 2007. There is a Model Code for Parish Councils and Parish Councils will have until 1 October 2007 to adopt the revised Code. There is a particular paragraph that allows members with a prejudicial interest the same rights as members of the public to speak to a meeting on an issue and then leave before the main discussion and vote. The Council needs to pass a resolution adopting the Model Code of Conduct including paragraph 12(2). The Council will consider the adoption of the new Code at the next Parish Council meeting.

The Clerk reported that a formal request had been received from the Village Hall Management Committee to extend the village hall. The letter referred to “purposes to be determined” by the Village Hall Management Committee. Mr Barry Coward requested that details of the lease should be made available to Council members before the Council accepted the request. It was agreed that the Clerk would provide Council members with the necessary information. There was a brief exchange on the wider issues of the future relationship between the Village Hall and the Parish Council in respect of the overall site maintenance and management. This matter will be tabled a future Council meeting.

The Clerk reported that he had received an approach from Lesley Nesbitt, the Crime Prevention Advisor, in connection with making Little Milton a “No cold caller zone”. The Clerk stated that an article will be included in the June Newsletter and will invite villagers to the June Council meeting when Lesley Nesbitt will be in attendance

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 13th June 2007 at 8.00 p.m. in The Pine Lodge Little Milton unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings. This meeting will preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting.

Please note that the complete minutes of the Council are now included on the Council website www.littlemilton.org.uk after they have been approved by the Council.

Residents can see the records of the policies and practices of the Parish Council

consultations, on request from the Parish Clerk (Raymond Fergusson –279150). Current Council member are:

The Parish Clerk gave a summary of the Parish finances for the year ending 31 March 2007. The overall picture showed that the reserves had increased by £4.261 due to higher levels of income from the MUGA as well as increased levels of advertising income from the newsletter. The major areas of cost are the newsletter £3,631, administration £1,567, recreation ground & MUGA £3,940, repayment of loan £3,763. The Clerk pointed out that the relatively high level of reserves would be needed to pay for the re-instatement of the current Post Office premises at the end of its lease in 2008 as well as for future expenditure on the car park and MUGA.

Mr Barry Coward, Mr Stuart McGill , Mr Tim Robinson, Mrs Alison Shelton , Mr David Wakeling and Mrs Mabel Wood.

“We live in an age where we are bombarded by people trying to sell us things by junk mail, telephone calls or calling at homes. We can reduce the first two by registering with the mail or telephone preference service* but what can you do about the caller to your front door?

Oxfordshire Trading Standards, in partnership with Community Safety Partnerships through out Oxfordshire are introducing “NO COLD CALLING ZONES”. These are areas where potential Cold Callers are advised they are unwelcome and should not enter. Once residents agree they want the zone street signs are placed about the neighbourhood. Should any seller still decide to call, the advice is they should be treated with suspicion and Trading Standards and/or the Police should be contacted. Everyone in the zone is given a pack about bogus callers and rogue traders together with their door sticker.

National surveys shows 90% of people do not want salespeople calling at their home. More importantly there is a clear link between bogus callers and burglaries. Other “No Cold Calling Zones” have reduced burglaries by 40%”

The Parish Council have invited Leslie Nesbitt, Crime Prevention Advisor, to the Parish Council meeting on 13th June. The Council would like to hear the views of the village on this idea. Please come to the meeting and hear it directly from the Police. If you come to the meeting that starts at 8.00pm the item will an early item on the agenda so that you do not need to stay for the whole meeting. PLEASE COME TO HEAR ABOUT THIS TOPIC OR GIVE ME A CALL ON 279150

For a charge of £35 residents can arrange for their unwanted vehicle to be collected from within the District and a charge of £7.50 per bulky item e.g. fridge furniture etc. To arrange this service residents can call the Public Amenities Team on 01491 823416 or print a copy of the form from the Council’s website www.southoxon.gov.uk .

Your bin will be collected on the same day as your normal refuse and recycling. Please ensure however that your bin is placed in a safe place that does not obstruct the pavement or highway. The dates for June are as follows:-Tuesday 5th & Tuesday 19th

If you are interested in this service please contact SODC Public Amenities on 01491 823416 or email: public.amenities@southoxon.gov.uk or visit www.southoxon.gov.uk

The Oxfordshire County Council Waste Recycling Centres at Redbridge and Oakley Wood are open Monday to Saturday 8.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. and Sunday 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Do you want to do something worthwhile for your local community?

Would you like to be a member of South Oxfordshire District Council’s remuneration panel?

The panel reviews the allowances for district councillors and Standards Committee independent representatives. We are looking for two people to join the panel which meets three or four times over the summer then again once or twice throughout the year.

Applicants for membership of the panel:

• must be 18 or over

• must be a resident or work in the District
• must not be a current or past councillor, a current employee of South Oxfordshire District Council or Oxfordshire County Council, or have held such a position in the last five years

•must not be a member of any political party
• must not be disqualified from being or becoming a member of a local authority
• will ideally have some local government knowledge although this is not essential.

Relatives and close friends of current councillors or council employees cannot apply. Parish or town council employees cannot discuss parish allowances at the Independent Remuneration Panel.

This is a voluntary role, although the Council can pay travelling expenses.

The closing date for applications is 31 July 2007. For an application pack or more information, contact Jennifer Thompson at jennifer.thompson @southoxon.gov.uk or phone 01491 823619.

More than £2 million is being invested in a new teaching block at Wheatley Park School to replace ten outdated temporary classrooms.

Wheatley Park students have worked with architects on the plans that include designs for a large balcony inside the building overlooking a ‘green’ grass sedum roof.

The new building will be heated using renewable energy stored in the ground and the system can be reversed to help cool the building in summer.

Overhanging eaves will help to reduce temperatures during the summer months and a system that captures rainwater is to be installed and used for flushing toilets.

Ten permanent state-of-the-art classrooms are to be created to provide first class accommodation for the English and Media departments.

Construction work begins this September and is due to be completed in August 2008.

Just to let Villagers know that the Bell Ringers will be ringing in St. James’ Church, Little Milton on

Over the years I have done a good deal of travelling, by boat, or by car, by train and occasionally by air. In the train, boat or in an aeroplane I can simply sit back without worrying whether I will get to where I want to. I can generally rely on the driver or the pilot who have the responsibility of getting me to the destination. But it’s different when I go by car because I’m the one who has to look up maps, plan the route and make sure I follow all the relevant signs.

The worst part of it is arriving at a point in my journey where the signposting is at best confusing or at worst non-existent, or I am at a spot where four maps seem to meet at one point, and it’s pouring with rain and blowing a gale, and night is falling. Then I’m into a time-wasting and frustrating search for the right turning, clearly knowing where I want to get to, but not able to find the way. At the end of the day, it’s all down to me and my choices.

So, on our journey through life, we need to know where we’re going, and equally important, how to get there-otherwise we can go seriously adrift. Jesus knew his final destination, which was his Father’s house, saying to his disciples, “Now I am going to the one who sent me.”- and that is where we’re meant to be headed too.

The work of the Holy Spirit isn’t just in terms of giving us a deeper understanding and insight into the person of Jesus, but might be best described as a ‘knowledgeable guide’ who leads Jesus’ disciples along the right path, showing us our final destination and how to get there. He shows us the road map of life, so to speak. Only then can we follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Master who is, as he said of himself: “The Way, the Truth and the Life.”

I’m writing this on Ascension Day, when we think of Jesus ascending into heaven. May we journey onward towards our final destination, following the way Jesus teaches us, live with his truth inside us, and sharing the new life he gives us to those we encounter along the way.

Lord may our hearts and minds be ever open to the presence and power of your Holy Spirit. May he guide us on our journey today, so that we may follow closely in your footsteps and not lose our way. Amen.

This was held on Sunday 29th April, and he heard reports on how we are doing. Our Treasurer told us that this last year saw our income just managing to be greater than our expenditure. Although this was a positive sign, it must not lead us to be complacent. Each year our expenses rise, most notably our parish share.

We heard reports from Raymond of all of the maintenance work on the building which we have had to do, and a full and encouraging report given by Sally Ann on the development of the Sunday School. We noted how the nature of Sunday had changed over the years, and the effect that these changes are having on the way people worship. People do not necessarily think first of ‘Church’ on a Sunday as they did in former times, other things are in their minds and diaries, but yet they want the Church to be there for them when needs be. In times past, ‘ministry’ was always provided, but with the decline in the number of people going forward for the full time ordained ministry, more and more is ministry going to have to be undertaken by people of the congregation. This will mean an increased sense of commitment and dedication on the part of us all. That will play its part in fostering the vocation which lies within us all.

We chose Raymond to be our Churchwarden for this ensuing year, and the PCC members are Stuart McGill , Anne Hawkins, Roger Summers , Sally Ann Dennis, Paul Jeffery and Sarah Jones .

This will be held on Saturday 16^th June from 2 to 5 in the grounds of The Manor by very kind permission of Sarah and Simon Oddie . A lot of very hard work has been undertaken by our Committee, under the expert guidance of Sarah Jones who is co-ordinating things. Our Church Fete is always a great community event, and when we all come together to enjoy ourselves in lovely surroundings. Do make a note now of the day, the place and the time, and we all look forward to seeing you all there.

The Burial of Ashes of Margaret Hue Williams took place on Wednesday 9th May in the Churchyard.

On the second Monday of each month there is a service of prayer, readings and hymns in Fullers Field Community Room, Great Milton. The service is shared with our Methodist friends. The service starts at 6.00pm and lasts about 30 minutes. The next service is scheduled on Monday 11th June 2007. If you would like to attend the service but require transport please contact Raymond

Fergusson of 27 Chiltern View; telephone number 01844 279150 who will ensure that you are taken to the service and collected after it is finished.

Thank you to everyone who distributed and collected envelopes, to the children who created their own Christian Aid week prayers after our Assembly, to those who played or read at the Service and to each one of you who gave money during the week. The final total will be printed in the July Newsletter.

Saturday 16^th June at 7.00 p.m. – Cannock Chase Orpheus Male Choir, Christchurch , Thame

Sunday 17^th June at 2.00 p.m. – An afternoon with Paul and Fiona, Paul Jones (former lead singer with Manfred Mann) Haddenham Methodist Church

Both meetings start at 11.00 (promptly) and finish at 12.30. If there are any other musicians out there who’d enjoy coming to play for our song time, please do contact any of the teachers.

The prize wining numbers were drawn by the Little Milton School Children at their Good Work Assembly and were as follows:

Friday 1st June	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Friday 8th June	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 12.00 pm
Saturday 9th June	Wheatley Primary School	8.00 – 11.00 am
Friday 15th June	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Friday 22nd June	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Sat 23rd June	Wheatley Primary School Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 12.00 pm 8.00 – 12.00 pm

3rd	9.30 a.m.	All Age Worship led by Mr Colin Watts
10th	11.00 a.m.	Sacrament of Holy Communion led by Rev Derick Chambers
17th	11.00 a.m.	Church Anniversary Service led by Mrs Avery Pendry
24th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Mrs Betty Blake

Sue Marriott 279124

LITTLE MILTON