LITTLE MILTON PARISH COUNCIL

 ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

 Overview

The Council met ten times between April 2010 and March 2011and there was a 76% attendance of Councillors. Our District and County Council councillors regularly attended our meetings and offered invaluable support.

The Council business in the 2010-11 saw the satisfactory completion of the car park and the re-instatement of the Old Post Office. The Council also responded to a number of consultations that included the Subsidised Bus Services and a referendum on Excessive Council Tax increases. The Council were consulted over a number of planning applications by South Oxfordshire District Council, the Planning Authority. The Council initiated a number of enquiries with Oxfordshire County Council Highways as well as Thames Water.

The Council has continued to invest in the village recreational facilities as it considers them to be very important assets for the community.

The Council has maintained a tight control over its finances although the level of reserves has fallen due to the expenditure on the car park.  The closing reserves are at adequate level to meet the predicted levels of expenditure over the next three years.

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 and will actively seek to maintain this power after the election of the new Council in May 2011.

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. As Localism evolves it may encourage more public participation.

Planning Matters

The Council has reviewed and commented upon seventeen planning and listed building 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.

Highway Matters

The Council has maintained a good working relationship with OCC Highways. The extreme winter conditions in 2009-10 prompted the Council to invest in two salt bins within the village and after a bit of persuasion we managed to procure green bins that were more in keeping with our rural environment. We have had a problem with the drainage outside the school on the Stadhampton Road and after a number of calls to Thames Water both by the Council and the School the matter appears to be resolved. The water problem on Gold Street appears to be less of an issue although that may be simply down to nature rather than anything that has been done by the Highways department. The Highways departments have identified a number of bad pot-holes and these should be dealt with over the next few months. The new speed limits on the A329, over the bridge at Milton Common, and on the A40 have now been implemented.

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

The Council is delighted to have completed re-surfacing the car park as well as replacing the meter house and some fencing around the shop. This work brings a closure to the village hall and shop projects after a lot of hard. The Council are fully appreciative of the hard work done by all those that were involved.

The Council seeks to maintain the play-area and MUGA facilities to a high standard and as part of the programme it has an annual inspection carried out by suitably qualified inspectors. The report highlights any safety issues that require the Council’s action. This year we have replaced the climbing net and a spring on one of the rockers. The Council has also topped up the bark and appreciate the contribution made to the cost of bark by the Orchard Pre School.

The Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) has had a continuing problem with the floodlights as well as poor drainage on the surface of the carpeted court. The Council is working diligently to solve these problems.

The Council appreciate the work of a small team that works on issues during the year and helps to ensure that we maintain a high level of safety in our play area.

Related Agency Matters

The Council engages with related Agencies such as SOHA, Chalgrove Neighbourhood Action Group, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC), Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (OALC) 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. The recent initiative on the Bulk Purchase of Oil by ORCC is a good example of something that has a direct benefit to our community.

The Shop

The Council were fully supportive during the set up of the Community Shop and have been encouraged by what has been achieved during its first eighteen months of trading. The Council appreciates the hard work that has gone into the Shop and its establishment as a vital community asset.

Localism

The Localism Bill that was published by the Coalition Government in December 2010 represents a major shift in power towards local communities. Although there has been information on aspects of the Bill such as Neighbourhood Planning and The Community Right to Build it is not yet clear how that will operate at a Parish level. The Council will monitor the situation very closely and will work closely with the District Council to ensure that the interests of the village are properly protected.

Community Emergency Plan

Nearly all emergencies affecting communities will be dealt with routinely by a joint response of the emergency services, local authorities and the major utilities. However there may be rare occasions when circumstances such as extensive flooding, storm damage, extended power cuts that delay the arrival of outside assistance, and the community will need to help itself. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) has been actively encouraging Parishes to develop a local Community Emergency Plan. The Council has produced a high level plan that is currently being reviewed with OCC Emergency Operations Centre.

The Lamb

After a lot of uncertainty about the future of the village pub the Council are delighted that it is now under new ownership after Punch Taverns sold it. Although it is early days the  signs are that it is doing very well and the Council hope that it will grow in popularity over the coming months.

FINANCIAL REPORT

 Income

Expenditure

Balance Sheet

Commentary

The total income of £27181 was significantly higher than the previous year as it included a loan of £7000 from the Public Loans Board as well as a contribution of £730 from the Orchard Pre-School for bark. The Council continues to benefit from the income generated from the MUGA and the advertising revenue for the Newsletter.

The Council expenditure in 2010-11 has been dominated by the expenditure on the car park related work. The total cost was £22879. The Council decided to borrow £7000 to help finance the project. The Council also spent £2322 reinstating the Old Post Office.

The Council’s core expenditure in respect of the costs of the newsletter, and Council administration at £6158 was £201 lower than the previous year.

The expenditure on the recreation ground of £5130 included the cost of bark for the play-area of £1461, repairs to play equipment of £1030, replacement of five bar gate and other fencing £455 as well as the grass cutting and ground maintenance of £1872.

The other expenditure of £1525 included the cost of the audit fee of £135, repairs to the church clock of £284, subscriptions of £222, Insurance of £247, salt bins £340.

The loan repayment of £3778 includes the first instalment in respect of the additional loan of £7000.

The Section 137 includes mainly financial contributions to organisations where the Council believe there is some commensurate benefit to the community.

The closing reserves of £11249 are significantly lower than the previous year mainly due to the expenditure on the car park.

The reserve policy of the Council is to maintain reserves of one times precept. The Council will always be prudent with the public finances.

Council Members

Cllr. Barry Coward               01844 279970

Cllr Mabel Wood                  01844 279670

Cllr Alison Shelton              01844 278144

Cllr David Wakeling                        01844 278014

Cllr Bertie Bright                   01844 279131

                            Cllr Kate Daunt                 01844 279151

Parish Clerk

Mr Raymond Fergusson     01844 279150