Newsletter March 2008

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 13th February was attended by all Parish Councillors, the Clerk and one member of the public. The following are extracts from the minutes that the council need to approve at the March meeting.

OCC Highways & related matters

The Clerk reported that he had been assured by OCC Highways that they would try to alleviate the water on the Haseley Road by diverting the flow into an existing drain and would start the work in March. The Clerk also informed the meeting that he had reported to OCC Highways the deep pot-hole on the Haseley Road opposite Woodbine Cottage/Fletchers Farm House, the poor road surface at the junction of Gold Street and the Haseley Road and the broken road surface on a drain adjacent to Wits End on the Thame Road .

Landscaping of entrances to the village

The Chairman invited Mr Steve Relton, a local resident; to address the Council on his views as to what steps could be taken to improve the landscaping within the village. He stated that there was a need to treat the nettles as that would have an immediate effect. The Council RESOLVED that the clerk would raise the matter with OCC Highways . The Council also RESOLVED to invest the donation of £150 received from Bentley Production Ltd as a contribution to the cost of any landscaping.

Recreation Ground

The Chairman informed the meeting that Mr Peter Ilbury had started his work on the recreation ground to restrict the level of mole activity and that he had managed to trap a number of moles. Unfortunately a number of traps had been sprung inadvertently by local residents.

Planning

   P08/W0054: 5 Chiltern View: Convert part of garage to study

The Council RESOLVED that this planning application should be approved by South Oxfordshire District Council.

P08/W0077 /76LB: Brookside Cottage Haseley Road : Demolition of existing conservatory & replacement with sun room. Construction of utility and cloakroom

The Council RESOLVED that these planning applications should be approved by South Oxfordshire District Council

P07/W1427: Brooklands Stadhampton Road : New two storey side extension. Porch to front with tiled roof, new cat slope dormer to front bedroom and swimming pool to side

The Council RESOLVED that this planning application should be approved by South Oxfordshire District Council

P07/W1422/RET: Abbots Close Haseley Road : Erection of gate and gate posts

The Council note that planning permission had been refused by South Oxfordshire District Council as the development failed in terms of its highway safety within the wider transport net work and is not in accordance with Policy T1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

P07/W1429: Garden Cottage Haseley Road : Demolition of existing double garage and erection of new garage incorporating workshop

The Council note that planning permission had been granted by South Oxfordshire District Council

Village Hall

The Chairman informed the Council of a letter received from The Little Milton Village Hall management committee in which it requested permission to extend the village hall to accommodate a village shop and Post Office as well as to sub-let the planned extension to an Independent Provident Society. The Council RESOLVED to grant permission to Little Milton Village Hall Management Committee and the Clerk will send the necessary letter.

The Chairman explained that the survey conducted into the commitment to the extended village hall and its use was widely supported by the village. However at the appropriate time there was need to have that commitment endorsed. The meeting planned by the IPS would provide a suitable platform for that to take place. As the project gained momentum the Council RESOLVED to maintain close links with all aspects of the project so that it was fully aware of the risks and opportunities that the project had and were best placed to assess it before any decision of financial support was made.

The Chairman informed the meeting that the shop steering group had identified the need to widen the entrance area to the car park to allow two cars to pass each other. This would necessitate a change to the existing barrier arrangement. The group had also identified the need to provide a pathway around the side of the car park leading up to the hall for use by pedestrians. The Clerk requested that a cost of the proposals should be obtained.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 12th March 2008 at 8.00 p.m. in The Pine Lodge Little Milton unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings.

R. Fergusson Parish Clerk

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.

Freedom of Information Act – Parish Council Publication Scheme

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

including minutes, financial information and responses to planning

consultations, on request from the Parish Clerk.

Current Council members

SODC: WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT

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 .

EASTER BANK HOLIDAY REFUSE COLLECTION

Please note that the collection will be on Wednesday 26th March and not Tuesday 25th March. Please do not put your rubbish out on any other day or before 6.00 p.m. on the evening before the collection.

SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL –GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION

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 March are as follows:-Tuesday 11th; Wednesday 26th

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

COMMUNITY WASTE VEHICLES – DOMESTIC WASTE ONLY

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. The recycling centres will be closed on New Years Day

SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Independent representatives are wanted for our Standards Committee.

• Are you willing to ensure that councillors meet the highest standards of conduct?
• Do you enjoy contributing to the community and making a difference?
• Can you reach independent conclusions based on facts?

If you are interested and would like an informal discussion about the role please call Margaret Reed, Head of Legal & Democratic Services on 01491 823656 or contact the Clerk for more information.

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

The County council have undertaken its statutory childcare market assessment and a full report is now available on the OCC website www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/childcaresufficiencyassessment. If you require a hard copy please contact Liane Low 01865 810517. The draft report is available for public comment until 14^th March 2008. Any comments will be collated and a final report will be published by 31^st March 2008 as an annex to the Children and Young People Plan.

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR MARCH

W/E 1st March                         -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

W/E 8th March                                     -          Mrs E. Summers/ Mrs A Jones

W/E 15th March                       -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 22nd March                       -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 29th March                       -          Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR MARCH

W/E 2nd March                                    -          Lent    

W/E 9th March                         -          Lent                            

W/E 16th March                       -          Lent    

W/E 23rd March                       -          Easter (Teresa will be setting up on Saturday 22^nd please let her know if you can help)        

W/E 30th March                       -          

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING MARCH

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

Saturday 1st March                                           10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Tuesday 4th March                                           7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 9th March                                           10.30 a.m.to11.00 a.m.

Tuesday 11th March                                          7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Saturday15th March                                          9.15 a.m. to 10.15 a.m.

Saturday 15^th March      Wedding at 11.30 a.m    Ringing before and after

Tuesday 18th March                                          No ringing in Holy Week

Sunday 23rd March                                        10.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.

Sunday 30^th March                                          6.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Tuesday 25th March                                          7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

FROM THE RECTORY

FROM THE REGISTERS.

It is with deep sadness that we record the death of Amelia Grace Louise Whitton at the age of 2 years and 10 months at her home in Warren View. In her short life she had given so much too so many, and engendered an enormous amount of love among us.  We hold in our prayers her parents, Michelle and Kevin, and Josh and Cloë. Their courage and fortitude have amazed and inspired us all. We cannot be thankful enough for them.  The large congregation in St. James’ on the 18th February was a true measure of how highly we in Little Milton regard them all.

EASTER 2008.

This year Easter is very early with Easter Day being on the 23rd March. Palm Sunday is on the 16^th March, and the usual monthly pattern of Services will be followed.

On Maundy Thursday the 20^th, in the evening at 7.30 p.m. the Service of Communion in St. Mary’s, we will be commemorating ‘The night that He was betrayed’.

On Good Friday, there will be a devotional service, reflecting on the crucifixion, in St. Mary’s at 11.00 a.m. This Service will last about 45 minutes.

On Easter Day, we celebrate the Glorious Resurrection with

            Sung Communion in St.James’, Little Milton at 11.00 a.m. and

            Sung Communion in St. Peter’s, Great Haseley at 9.30 a.m. 

Because Easter this year falls within school term time, it will not be possible to hold our usual Benefice Easter Craft Morning on Maundy Thursday, but at the last PCC Meeting it was suggested that a special event for children (of all ages) be held later on in the Summer.

I realise that many people will have friends and family with them over the holiday, and please do not hesitate, bring them with you to Church. We would love to see you.

AN EVENING SERVICE AT ST. JAMES ’

On Sunday 30^th March, we shall be having one of our occasional Evening Services, beginning at 6.30 p.m. Please do make a note of this date, and we look forward to seeing you.

FULLERS FIELD SERVICE.

Usually this is held on the second Monday of each month at 6.00 p.m., in the Common Room, in Fullers Field, Great Milton and this month falls on Monday 10th March. All are welcome for this Service which lasts about 30 minutes.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING.

Every year we have to hold our Annual Parochial Church meeting, and this year we shall be having it following the Evening Service on Sunday 30th March. At our meeting we shall be hearing reports on how we have been doing during this last year. We shall of course be electing members to the PCC and Churchwardens. There is a formal side to our Meeting, of course, but also it does give everyone in our parish an opportunity to come along and express their views on any matter concerning our Church. Please do come along.

Remember the date: Sunday 30th March, at 6.30 p.m.

May I wish you all a most blessed and happy Easter.

Victor Story 279498

GREAT MILTON METHODIST CHURCH Minister:  Revd. Derick Chambers Tel: 212019

SUNDAY SERVICES IN MARCH

Circuit Service

Maundy Thursday service will be held at Chalgrove Methodist Church on 20^th March 2008 commencing at 7.30 p.m.

Other Circuit Events

Women’s Day of Prayer will be held at St Andrew’s Chinnor on Friday 7^th March commencing at 7.30 p.m.

For further information, please ring me.

Yvonne Cartwright 279205

CONGRATULATIONS

I am sure that the whole village would like to congratulate Graham & Josephine White on the celebration of their Diamond Wedding anniversary on 6^th March 2008. Ed

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR MARCH