OAKSEY PARISH COUNCIL
Oaksey, Wiltshire
MINUTES of the meeting of Oaksey Parish Council held on Thursday, 8 October 2015 at The Rest, Oaksey Village Hall commencing 7.00pm.
PRESENT : Cllr R Moody (Chairman); Cllr Lady Oaksey; Cllr D Kimbell; Cllr R Squance; Wilts Cllr C Berry
Also Present: Veronica Hourihane (Clerk); Mrs C Soden; Mrs N Clarke; Mrs J Lorezan; Mrs J Brackley (parishioners) and PC Marie Poole
The meeting commenced at 7:00pm
Public Question Time
Prior to the meeting PC Marie Poole introduced herself as the new Neighbourhood PC. PC Poole has 27 years experience in the force, the last 23 years as a dog handler, and Neighbourhood Policing is a new venture. Due to financial constraints, PC Poole cannot commit to regular Parish Council meeting attendance, but will continue will the regular drop-in sessions at the Village Shop. Last month there were reports of a persistent speeding offender through the village and there will be a concerted effort to allay the situation. There had been a report of a car break in by The Latches, it appeared to be an opportunist offence and the message continues to be “secure your vehicles and do not leave valuables in the open”. Questions were raised regarding the recent Triathlon events, which appeared to include speed trails through the village, with a general disregard for the safety of residents. It was noted that other sections of the races had Police control points and safety marshals, whereas there were none of these precautions in Oaksey. PC Poole will raise the problem with the risk assessment team for these events.
PC Poole left the meeting
Mrs Lorezan, Mrs Brackley and Mrs Clarke addressed the meeting to update the Parish Council on the progress since the Open meeting with regard to increasing the playground equipment available for older children. It was noted they had formed a working group, although they are trying to increase the numbers in the group, which has mapped out the appropriate use of available land at the playing field without impinging on the Cricket and Football pitches. The general consensus had been to utilise the perimeter of the field, from behind the Village Hall and, eventually, to make a play trail around the circumference to the current area behind the school. Studies have been made of other play areas, including those in London, Bath and other local villages. It was appreciated that there would need to be a concerted fundraising effort and the Parish Council will try to identify potential grant sources, the Wiltshire Council Youth Community Officer Xina Hart, who does have limited funds available, was identified as a good starting point. The group agreed to attend the next meeting with a strategic plan for the next steps and potential costs for the initial three phases.
Mrs Lorezan, Mrs Brackley and Mrs Clarke left the meeting
Wiltshire Council Report
Wiltshire Cllr Berry reported that Wiltshire Council continues to look to make substantial cuts in the future, as with the Police, savings have to be made. It has been proposed that Parish Councils could club together to “pay” for an additional post to support the Neighbourhood PC. As reported previously, Total Landscapes are now contracted by Wiltshire Council directly, while the services from Balfour Beatty are being phased out. The developers at the old Cotswold Community site have agreed to meet up with the Parish Councils of Oaksey and Minety to update the Parish Councils with progress so far. The meeting has been arranged for 22 Oct at Oaksey Village Hall 7pm. Cllr Berry had met the developers for the Cotswold Airport and it would appear that they have decided to delay progress on the proposed development for the time being.
101/15 Apologies for absence accepted by the Council
Apologies for absence accepted by the Council were received from Cllrs Hall and Poulton
102/15 Declarations of interest in items on the agenda
There were no declarations of interest
103/15 Minutes from the last Council meeting held on 10 September 2015
The minutes of the meeting held 10 September 2015 were agreed and signed as a true record of the meeting.
104/15 Matters arising
Wiltshire Council had been informed of the resignation of Mrs Burton and the vacancy advertised on the Parish Notice Board. No requests for an election have been received by the clerk, however Wiltshire Council have to inform the Parish Council officially, that they may co-opt a suitable representative. The clerk will confirm with Wiltshire Council once the deadline has been reached.
105/15 Planning
a) Applications forwarded for observation
None received
b) Determinations - approved
None received
c) Undetermined applications
15/06680/FUL
Proposal: Proposed 3 Victorian Style Lights Along Pedestrian Footpath
Address: All Saints Church, The Street
Although there has not been any notification received through the weekly dissemination of the applications determined, it appears that the case officer for the application would refuse it in its current form. Cllr Berry will call in the application if the case officer does refuse the application
15/07119/VAR
Proposal: Removal / Variation of Condition 7 of planning application N/02/01841/FUL (Erection of 18 Holiday Lodges and One Bunkhouse with Covered Parking. Shed/ Workshop/Reception Area and Associated Access.)
Address: 1 Oaksey Park Cottages, Wick Road
It was noted that the “caravan” requested in another application was still on site, despite Wiltshire Council requesting the removal. The clerk will ascertain the time scales attached to the request.
15/07316/FUL
Proposal: Proposed garden room extension
Address: Lindesfarne Cottage, Wheatsheaf Lane
Although there has not been any notification received through the weekly dissemination of the applications determined, it appears that the application has been approved with conditions and no reference has been made regarding the comments made by the Parish Council. Cllr Berry will request that case officers contact Parish Councils with their reasons for overriding Parish Council objections.
15/07059/FUL
Proposal: Replacement of Existing French Doors with Half Wood Clad and Half Window
Address: Meadowcourt, 6 Court Farm
Other planning issues: There were no other planning issues
106/15 Report from the Chairman
It was noted that new tenants had been found for the Wheatsheaf with an opening date of 10 October. Dining facilities had been compromised as the previous tenants had removed all the cooking equipment.
The tenancy for the Village Shop has been completed and the new tenant is in place. It was noted that the shop could be in need of a “facelift” and if the Parish Council could assist in any way, please could the shop committee make an application.
107/15 Finance and Administration
a) Schedule of payments. The Council resolved to make the payments as set out in the schedule.
It was noted that the clerk was due an incremental increase as from the next pay date. The Parish Council resolved to confirm the increase.
The clerk will review the current open space maintenance contract with a view to continuance for the next year.
108/15 Office reports/Parish matters
a) Infra structure – no report
b) Roads, traffic & footpaths - Community Speedwatch results from the last three sessions: Total vehicles checked: 369; within speed limit: 345; up to 40mph 15; up to 45 mph: 1. It was noted that there had been damage to the railings by the pond along The Street. There is to be a report made on the My Wiltshire App in an attempt to get the railings repaired.
c) Information – website appears to be working well, but more use of the calendar and more recipients of the Oaksey “Buzz” was requested.
d) Community – events and meetings – no report
e) Neighbourhood Plan – planner, Tim McColm, will meet with the steering group in November to discuss the progress on the preliminary stages with the housing and traffic groups. Wiltshire Council has yet to ratify the registration of the Neighbourhood Plan and potential housing sites, if required, still have to be identified.
f) Health and Wellbeing – PHEW is holding a mountain bike ride in December
g) Village Hall – it was noted that the furniture was in need of repair/replacement. The Council noted that it could use the grant set aside for the Village Hall to purchase the equipment if the Village Hall management committee was in agreement.
h) Playing Fields – the works have been completed and signed off by Sport England, however, due to the legal delays, the final tranche has not been paid over. The legal documents are with the Land Registry and this should allow Sport England to release the funds. Football is due to commence next week.
i) Playground equipment – as reported earlier in the meeting
j) Reporting to Wiltshire Council through the My Wilts app – following the co-ordinators September newsletter, it was noted that fault reports should be sent through the My Wiltshire App as this was reviewed regularly. The more detailed the report, preferably with photos, the more likely the fault will be prioritised.
k) Transfer of land responsibility/maintenance – the co-ordinators newsletter had also included the transfer of responsibilities of land areas from Wiltshire Council back to the Parish Council. It was unclear how much of the land in the village come under the responsibility of Wiltshire Council. The clerk will confirm for the next meeting. It was hoped that volunteers within the village could help with a tidy up day.
109/15 Councillors reports from outside bodies
a) Cotswold Water Park – no report
b) Cotswold Airport – as reported earlier in the meeting
110/15 Matters for the next meeting
Cllr Moody requested there could be a First Aid training session made available for the village. Potential costs and the feasibility for such an event to be brought to the next meeting.
111/15 Date of next meeting
The next meeting of Oaksey Parish Council will be held on Thursday 12 November 2015, at 7.00pm, in The Rest, Oaksey Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 8.26pm
Signed......
Chairman Oaksey Parish Council
Oaksey Parish Council – October 2015 Page 4