Parish Council Minutes

Little Milton Parish Council

Minutes of Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13th September   2006

in Pine Lodge, Little Milton 

 

Present:                                                  Mr Stuart McGill (Chairman)

                                                                Mr Tim Robinson

                                                                Mrs Mabel Wood       

                                                                Mrs Alison Shelton

                                                                Mr Raymond Fergusson (Parish Clerk)

 

                                                                Mr John Nowell-Smith (District Council Member)

                                                                Mr David Turner (County Councillor)

                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                Three members of the public

                                                                                                 

01/09/06                Apologies for Absence: Mr Simon Oddie, Mr Barry Coward

 

02/09/06    Declaration of any personal or prejudicial interests of members

 

Mr Stuart McGill declared a personal interest in the Village Hall, Orchard Pre School and Post Office agenda items.

 

03/09/06     Approval of Minutes

 

The Parish Council approved the minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 12th July and 22nd August 2006 as a true record of the meetings and the Chairman signed them.

 

04/09/06     Matters Arising

 

                    Triangle of land adjacent to Wells Farmhouse

The Clerk informed the meeting that the application to register the triangle of land adjacent to Wells Farmhouse had been re-submitted to OCC and that he had already received an acknowledgement of the documentation.

 

                    OCC Highways

The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Mr Peter Ronald of OCC Highways in respect of the additional markings around the build-outs and the removal of temporary road signs as you approach the build-outs. Mr David Turner informed the meeting that the work had been ordered and it is hoped that the work will be completed in the near future.

 

                    Listing of the Telephone Box

The Clerk stated that English Heritage had now submitted their recommendations to the Secretary of State and that a decision will be received in the near future.

                   

05/09/06     A329 Advisory Group

                   

Mrs Alison Shelton reported that there had been no meeting of the A329 committee since the last meeting. The Clerk reported the information that was included in the September newsletter and emphasised the need to establish a dialogue with Little Milton School in respect of their school travel plan in order to move the possible closure of the slip road into Gold Street forward. The Clerk reminded the meeting that Mr Peter Ronald was still waiting for a suitable point to conduct a further traffic speed survey.

                                 

06/09/06    Recreation Ground

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Chris Gilding to the meeting. The Chairman explained that in response to a request at the Annual Parish Meeting for the Council to consider a Youth Shelter. Mr Gilding informed the meeting that a survey of teenagers in the village indicated that there was support for a youth shelter. There was a discussion on a possible design and it was agreed that it would better to hear the views of the young people involved and they would be invited to the next Council meeting. The Chairman stated that he would include a report in the next newsletter to inform the village and invite any comments. (Action Chairman)

 

The Chairman stated that the Recreation Ground Committee were still pursuing additional lighting for the MUGA.

 

The Clerk requested that the Council should consider the installation of a CCTV system to cover the play area as well as the entrance to the car park. It was agreed that the Clerk should consult with the Community Police Officer. (Action Clerk)     

 

               

07/09/06     Finance

 

                    The Council approved the following expenditure:

                Colourplus – August Newsletter                                                                             £185.03

                Colourplus – September Newsletter                                                                             £207.73

                Alan Stone – Repairs to mower 2006-07                                                 £391.46

                Alan Stone – Repairs to mower 2005-06                                                 £129.25

                Alan Stone – repair to entrance barrier                                                    £35.25

                Spadework – Grass cutting July                                                                           £301.18

                Playsafety Ltd – ROSPA inspection                                                                             £104.58

                SODC – emptying of dog bin 1 April – 30 June                                        £21.25

                Mr D Taylor – repairs to play area gate                                                   £29.86

                Mr R Fergusson – Clerk/Editor expenses                                                                £57.48

                Public Loans Board – Loan repayment (direct debit)                                         £1,894.09

                Society of Local Council Clerks                                                                     £64.00

                Retrospective Approval

                BDO Stoy Hayward – Audit Fee 2005-06                                                                £411.25

 

                The Council agreed a donation of £50 to Thame & District Citizens Advice Bureau.

               

                The Clerk briefed the Council on the cash forecast for the year to 31st March 2007.

                                   

08/09/06    Planning

 

        P06/W0769 – 33 Chiltern View, single storey extension

                    This planning application has been granted by South Oxfordshire District Council

        P06/W0903 – Wells Farm Cottage, resiting of vehicle access and construction of double garage

The Council recommended that the application should be approved by South Oxfordshire District Council

                   

P06/W0846 & P06/W848/LB – Lamb Inn, extension to existing premises to include a toilet block and courtyard area

The Chairman welcomed Mr Paul Thomas of Punch Taverns to the meeting. Mr Thomas was invited to give the background to the proposal. He explained that the current premises were too small to be economically viable and the current demographics of the location suggested that the development should be food led. He believed that the future of the Lamb depended upon a successful application to develop the premises.

 

The Council discussed the application and agreed that they fully supported the need to secure the long term viability of the Lamb. However they believed that the design, roof, facia and windows were out of keeping with the existing premises. The Council agreed to recommend approval of both applications subject to the reservations that had been expressed by the Council. (Action Clerk)

09/09/06    Correspondence

                   

                    ORCC – Thame Area Review of Subsidised Bus Services

The Chairman read out from ORCC in which they offered the Parish Council free support and advice in conducting a survey of transport needs and used within the community. The information would be used to feed into the Thame area review of subsidised bus services that will carried out OCC

                     SODC – Monitoring of Ethical Framework

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had to complete a questionnaire to assess the effectiveness of the Ethical Framework in respect of member’s interests. The Clerk reminded the members of the need to keep the register up to date.

                    SODC – Consultation on the Statement of Licensing Policy

The Council noted that a draft Gambling policy has been prepared by SODC in accordance with guidance published by the Gambling Commission and LACORS (Local Authority Co-ordinator of Regulatory Services.

 

        Oxfordshire Association for Young People (OAYP)

The Chairman read out a letter from OAYP detailing the services on offer. The Council felt that it may be better to explore the possibility of supporting the Youth set up in Great Milton. The Clerk was asked to make enquiries and report back to the next meeting. (Action Clerk)

 

                    Thames Valley Police

The Chairman informed the meeting of an invitation to a briefing on collaboration opportunities with Thames Valley Police in support of Neighbourhood Policing/ Police Community Support Officers. The Council members did not think that this was appropriate for our local circumstances.

10/09/06     Village Hall

 

The Chairman reported that the heating system had been replaced due to ineffectiveness of the original radiators. Pinelog had also installed some roof vents to minimise the build up of condensation.

 

11/09/06     Village Shop/Post Office

 

The Chairman reported that he had spoken with a District Council Officer in respect of disabled toilet facilities in the proposed new building for the shop/Post Office. The information being given would allow the use of the facilities within the Pine Lodge in order to meet any statutory obligations. Mr Tim Robinson asked if minutes of the working party could be circulated to Council members. The Chairman stated that Business Plan would be presented at the December/January meeting. (Action S McGill)

                   

 

12/09/06     Any Other Business

                   

Mrs Mabel wood requested that a note could be included in the newsletter to remind residents to cut back any overhanging shrubbery. (Action Clerk)

 

13/09/06    Date of Next Meeting

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 11th October 2006 at 8.00 p.m. in The Pine Lodge Little Milton unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings.

 

The meeting finished at 10.12 p.m.

 

                Parish Forum

                No matters were raised