Little
Milton Parish Council
Minutes of Council Meeting held on 9th September 2009
Present:
Cllr Barry Coward
Cllr. Mabel Wood
Cllr
Cllr. David Wakeling
Cllr. Tim Robinson
Mr Raymond Fergusson (Parish Clerk)
John
Nowell-Smith (District Councillor)
David Turner (
No
members of the public
In
the absence of Cllr. Stuart McGill (Chairman) Cllr Barry Coward chaired the
meeting.
The
Chairman extended the Council’s appreciation to Alison and all those involved
in the opening of Little Milton Shop/Post Office on
Councillor Stuart McGill
Cllr
The
Parish Council RESOLVED to approve
the minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on
Old
Field security
The Clerk reported that SOHA had informed the Council that it had decided not to proceed with the security fencing behind six properties in Old Field as a result of its cost, its future maintenance and the fact that it was not supported by all the residents. SOHA did indicate that the existing fencing would be replaced with a like for like replacement when it was required.
Variation
of Restrictive Covenant
The
Chairman informed the meeting that Horwood & James had furnished the Council
with an Executed Deed of Variation signed by both parties in respect of the
restrictive covenant on the land purchase from Mr Emmett.
New
Refuse Collection system
The
Clerk gave a brief report on the problems that had been experienced by the
residents of
Council
Mower
Cllr
David Wakeling reported that he had spoken with Malcolm Harris and that the
accessibility of the mower was no longer a concern.
The
Chairman had no progress to report
The
Chairman informed the Council that the Play Area Safety Inspection Report had
been received from ROSPA and that there some low and medium risk items that
required attention. The Council RESOLVED
that the report should be passed to Mr Mark Willis and that he should be asked
to report back to the Council on the actions that have been taken.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the following expenditure:
Horwood
& James – Legal Fees re Deed of Variation
£295.50
Colourplus
– August 2009
£296.57
Colourplus
– September 2009
£283.81
£580.38
Enterprise
– Grass cutting July
£117.71
BDO
Stoy Hayward – Audit Fee
£155.25
Playsafety
Ltd – ROSPA Inspection
£144.90
Little
Milton Village Hall – MUGA electricity
£3.86
SODC
– Emptying dog hygiene bins Qtr to
R.
Fergusson:
R.
Fergusson: reimbursement of Council expenditure
£125.81
The
Chairman reported that the audit for the year ended 31st March 2009
had been completed by BDO Stoy Hayward and that no matters had come to their
attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulation
requirements had not been met. The Council RESOLVED
to approve the Annual Return.
The
Chairman informed the meeting that the Clerk had made available the bank
reconciliations for review.
P09/W0492:
The
Council noted that planning permission had been granted by South Oxfordshire
District Council.
P09/W0519/LB:
Replacement of modern timber windows and replacement of garden shed
The
Council noted that planning permission had been granted by South Oxfordshire
District Council.
P09/W0628/LD:
30 Chiltern View: Single Storey extension
The
Council noted that Lawful Development had been granted by South Oxfordshire
District Council
P09/W0378:
Penn House: Extension over existing utility room
The
Council noted that an appeal that had been lodged with the First Secretary of
State following the refusal of SODC to grant planning permission.
The
Chairman referred to the papers that he had circulated prior to the meeting and
reported that he had now received four comparative quotes to re-grade the car
park surface and related works. The related work included the a new electricity
meter enclosure, footpath, refurbish/replace 5 –bar gate, widen the entrance
barrier, re-mark disabled bays and boundary edging on hedge and half of Orchard
sides of car park. The Chairman also highlighted that the Village Hall had
requested that an area be allocated for skips and that this should now be
included in the scheduled work. The Chairman stated that he had informed the
shop of this development. The financing of the additional cost of the compound
was not agreed but in principle the Council RESOLVED
that the compound area should be included in the specification.
The
Clerk informed the meeting that there was no specific condition within the
planning consent P04/W0929 that dictated a “rural surface” although the
Council was conscious of the need to maintain a surface in keeping with the
surroundings.
There
was a lengthy discussion over the various options within the quotes as there was
a wide spread in the costs. The Council RESOLVED
the following:
·
There was a need to have an extended hard surface
from the entrance as this area of the car park was subject to most wear and was
in most need of renovation.
·
The rest of the car park had not deteriorated
significantly over the four years since it was laid and the Council felt that,
for the moment, a low cost make-over would be sufficient.
The
Council RESOLVED that Southern
Construction offered the most flexibility in determining a solution and asked
the Chairman to work with Southern Construction in an effort to produce an
acceptable solution. The Council were seeking a solution that was fit for
purpose and gave good value for money.
The
Clerk stated that he had not yet applied for Borrowing Approval as there was
uncertainty over the cost of the project. The Council RESOLVED
to maintain its previous decision to seek approval for a maximum loan of £15,000
over a maximum ten year term. The Clerk informed the Council that if the
application is granted that any drawdown on the facility would have to be before
The
Chairman requested that a copy of any sub-lease or similar legal agreement
between the
The
Clerk informed the meeting that he had a meeting with the owner and other
interested parties in respect of the re-instatement of the Post Office as a
result of it transferring to its new site. He stated that it was necessary for
the owner to obtain planning consent for a change of use and any
OCC:
Review of Speed Limits on A & B Roads in Oxfordshire
The
Chairman informed the meeting that OCC were carrying out a review of speed
limits on “A” and “B” class roads in Oxfordshire in accordance with the
guidance issued by the Department for Transport. The Clerk has requested that a
reduced speed limit should be considered in the area of Little Milton School as
the information received from OCC stated that no changes were currently
recommended.
OCC:
Consultation timetable on the County’s Local Transport Plan (LTP3)
The
Council noted the timescale to develop the county’s third Local Transport Plan
(LTP3)
SODC:
Clerk’s Questionnaire re Code of Conduct
The
Chairman informed the meeting that the Clerk had responded to a questionnaire
from SODC in respect of the Clerk’s needs and support on the Code of Conduct.
Post
Office: Change of relocation date
The
Council noted the official communication from the Post Office in respect of the
change of date for the relocation of the Post Office.
OALC: Power of
Wellbeing
The
Chairman read out a letter from OALC congratulating the Council on achieving the
Power of Wellbeing.
OCC:
Tree work in Little
The
Chairman briefed the meeting on the recent survey carried out by OCC on all
county owned trees within the parish that are next to the highway. As a result
one tree opposite Spring Cottage will be removed but where possible will be
incorporated into a future planting programme.
OCC: Weed Clearance
The
Chairman stated that he felt that parts of the village were looking untidy as a
result of vegetation growth on the kerbs and pavements. The Clerk informed the
meeting that OCC had an insufficient budget to address this problem and thus the
Highways Dept would no longer maintain kerbs and pavements. The Council RESOLVED that it would ask residents to care for the areas adjacent
to their properties, ask Mr David Turner to pursue support from the County
Council and to consider funding weed clearance within the village.
Letter from Clerk: permission to work after age of 65
The
Council RESOLVED to extend the
contract of the Clerk as result of him attaining normal retirement age within
his contract.
The
Chairman reported that as a result of recent problems with the alarm system of
the village hall it had been necessary to hire an external key holding company.
He informed the meeting that this company offered range of other security
support should the site have a future need.
Mr
David Turner highlighted a number of issues and stated that he would send the
relevant information to the Clerk. However there was a particular point about
the 103 bus stop in
The
Clerk informed the meeting that he was working with OCC, SODC and a resident in
connection with the brook and other related water courses adjacent to
The
Parish Council will meet at
Parish Forum
There were no matters raised.
The meeting finished at
Signed
by
Chairman…………………………………………………Date…………………………………………