Wootton Parish Council

WOOTTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Wootton (Abingdon) Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th April 2016at the Wootton & Dry Sandford Community Centre

Present: CouncillorsLudlow (Chair), Bristow, Carter, Fysh, Langley, Mann, Parker, Rayner, Shaw, Werrell, Westell and White and County Councillor Bob Johnston

1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

a)To receive any representations from any member of the public present.

Mr Brett Leahy, PlanningManager at the Vale of White Horse District Council, attended the meeting. He supervises 4 teams and 42 staff. He explained that in the absence of a recent Local Plan the National Planning Framework took precedence. This resulted in variations to the Green Belt rules including the exclusion of permitted developments from volume calculations and a general move towards granting planning applications. The National Housing Allocations had to be met and if they fall below 10% the Council would be subject to direct rule. The Inspector had commented on the Local Plan and the VWHDC had been asked to identify more sites with a deadline for a response of 29 April. The ruling was expected by early June; the Stage 2 hearings would then take place with a view to the Plan being implemented by the end of the year.

The current concept for the use of Section 106 money was to mitigate harm caused by the development and funding for highways, schools and open spaces. There was no longer a requirement that the funding should be used in the parish where the development was situated. The decision on this rested with the District Council. Planning Councils were being encouraged to go down the CIL route; this was expected to be launched in the VWHDC by the end of the year. CIL related to floor areas, Parish Councils would receive 15% of the funding, 25% if they had a Neighbourhood Plan. Mr Leahy agreed to put the Parish Council in touch with the planning officer responsible for Section 106 allocations for Wootton Business Park.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None

1. DECLARATION OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS

None

1. DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

County Councillor Johnston said that the situation on the closure of Children’s Centres was fluid and confused. All would now stay open until December and are expected to continue in some form, but without offering a full service. Two options were being looked at for unitary authorities, Option 1 - a Countywide Unitary Authority and Option 2 – four unitary authorities; West & Cotswold, Cherwell and North, Oxford City and Vale and SODC. The latter was being proposed by the District Council but would be unlikely to generate savings and suffered from a number of shortcomings, including Oxford City Council being below the Government minimum threshold of 300,000 and the proposal failing to bring together services such as health and social services. Independent reports are being prepared which would lead to a referendum.

1. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 1 March 2016

The minutes of the meeting of 1 March were approved and signed by the Chairman.

1. MATTERS ARISING

a)Community Centre - Para 6(a)

Cllr Fysh said that the work on the car park had now been completed. The spaces would be marked out. Football will return to the Community Centre in September. There had been a 0.5% increase in usage. Some charitable funding is likely to be available. More information should be available by June.

b)Hedges and footpaths - Para 6(b)

Cllr Mann said that there were problems with the footpath outside the flats in the estate; this was a matter for Sovereign Vale. Flooding on Fox Lane had caused a problem with gravel.

c)Highways- Para 6(c)

The potholes in Mathews Way and Hawkins Way had not been properly repaired and were beginning to break up.

d)Transport/No 4 Bus Review– Para 6(d)

A meeting had been arranged with Oxford Bus Company for Monday 6th June at 3.30pm. Cllrs Langley, Bristow and Parker attended a meeting at Oxford Bus Company on 8th March when the usage statistics, the bus turning circle at Wootton Business Park and the discounted tickets for young people were discussed. An article was placed in the newsletter giving details of thearrangements for young people.

e)Cricket Club and Recreation Ground - Para 6(e)

The Cricket Club had been approached by a local group of residents who would like to hold tea and coffee sessions for residents in the pavilion.

f)Playgrounds– Para 6(f)

Cllr Bristow said that information was awaited from Mrs Gwen Morgan to send to Playground Services so that a quote could be drawn up. There were a number of grant sources that could be approachedincluding WREN, the VWHDC and Awards for All.

g)Community website and newsletter - Para 6(g)

Cllr Bristow said that how the function of the Community Group could be addressed by the use of the website needed to be addressed.

h)OCC: Transmissions of Responsibilities to Parish Councils – Para 6(h)

Proposals were still awaited from Oxford County Council

i)Section 106 Funding – Para 6(j)

It was resolved that the use of Section 106 funding should be challenged with the VWHDC and OCC.

j)Wootton Business Park – Para 8

There was a good turnout for public viewing of the plans on the 8th March. The main comments from residents related to the increased traffic and speeding on Besselsleigh Road. The Parish Council’s comments had been sent to the Vale of White Horse District Council and are attached as an annexe to the minutes. Traffic, parking, Section 106, the bus turning circle, road layout, rental of properties and management were identified as the main issues. A dialogue is continuing with developers. It was resolved that the Parish Council should focus on the Section 106 money being used for the main priority. Following a vote, in which 9 Councillors were in favour, it was resolved that a roundabout on Besselsleigh Road which would also provide a turning circle for the bus was the main priority.

1. DEVELOPMENT MATTERS

a)Applications received from the District Council for consultation and consideration by the Planning Committee

None

b)Decisions of the Local Planning Authority

P16/V0195/FUL
9.2.2016 / Replace detached dwelling and detached garage /office with associated landscaping. Amendment comprising additional of basement beneath replacement dwelling (Hilcote House, The Ridgeway, OX1 5EZ
Mr & Mrs King-Thompson / No objection / Permit
15.3.2016
P15/V2343/HH
24.12.2015 / Part single and part double storey extension to the west (rear) of this detached single family house
Hedderley House, Old Boars Hill OX15JQ
Mr & Mrs David Bennett / No objection / Permit
26.2.2016

It was resolved to note the Planning Authority’s decisions

1. MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

Cllr Shaw asked about events at Dalton Barracks being advertised, in particular the Shippon Air Show. It was resolved that the SSO should be asked for information that could be put in the newsletter and on the website.

Cllr Bristow said that the information on transparency needed to be put on the website.

It was noted that residents should be encouraged to sign the Pharmacy Petition.

1. FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

a)April 2016 Accounts for approval

Clerk Salary April £444.24

Clerk Expenses April £112.30

Post Office Ltd – HMRC PAYE and NI£470.81

Post Office Ltd – Southern Electric – pavilion electricity 3.12.15 – 26.2.16 £234.62

WADS Community Centre – room rental Jan-March 2016 £78.00

Advent Solutions - playground inspections Jan/Feb 2016£130.00

VWHDC – dog bin servicing Jan-March 2016 £80.38

ST Grounds Maintenance – litter clearing March£300.00

OGBN – 2016/7 Subscription £15.00

Community First Oxfordshire (formerly the ORCC) 2016/7 subscription £70.00

It was resolved that the April invoices be approved for payment.

b)Applications for grants

None

1. COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED

Clerks & Councils Direct – March 2016

OCC - Corporate Services; Public Service Reorganisation for Oxfordshire – 11.3.2016.

OCC - Annual Parish Survey

Oxfordshire Green Belt Network – Newsletter March 2016

OALC – Training Courses and Section 137 limits

OCC - Corporate Services; Public Service Reorganisation for Oxfordshire – 4.4.2016

Mrs Herrington – comments on Wootton Business Park

OALC Newsletter - March 2016

OALC Financial Briefings

It was resolved to note the communications received

1. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

None

1. FUTURE MEETINGS

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Council, the Annual General Meeting, would be held on Tuesday 3rd May 2016 at 7.30pm at the Wootton & Dry Sandford Community Centre.

Chairman………………………………………..Date ……………………………………………..

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