MIDDLETON CHENEY
Parish Council
PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING & GENERAL MEETING
Monday, 21st November 2016 at 7.15 p.m.
MINUTES
Venue: Parish Meeting Room, Main Road, Middleton Cheney, OX17 2LR.
Present: (Chairman) Cllr. A. Youel, (Vice-Chairman) Cllr. S. Jerrams Coughtrey
Cllrs. P. Dixon, E. Mason, A. Deary, R. Solebury-Timms,
Clerk/RFO & District Cllr. V. Furniss (Mrs.) Clerical Assistant E. Winn (Mrs)
16/311 Resolution to approve apologies for absence
Cllr. C. Canning - Work commitments
Cllr. C. Bowden - Family commitments
Cllr. E. Mason - Arrived late
Proposed: Cllr. S. Jerrams Coughtrey Seconded: Cllr. R. Solebury-Timms
16/312 Members’ declaration of interest in items on the Agenda
· Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting
There were no Members’ declaration of interest in items on the Agenda
16/313 OPEN MEETING
· An opportunity for residents of the village to raise any items concerning the Parish
No residents attended the meeting
16/314 Planning - Letters, Decisions and Applications to be determined by SNC
16/314.1 – Applications
· No Applications received
16/130
16/314.2 – Decisions - SNC – Local Planning Authority Responsibility
S/2016/2343/LBC – Rectory Farm House – 1 Rectory Lane
o Addition of new bathroom & storage cupboard to first floor bedroom. New external SVP to bathroom & connection to existing sewer system APPROVAL
16/314.2 – Decisions Continued - SNC – LPA Responsibility
S/2016/2322/TCA – 4 Rectory Lane
o 1 – The felling of one Spruce;
o 2 – Crown reduction of one Cherry tree in height by 3m & carry out a 10% crown thin;
o 3 – Height reduction of one Magnolia by 1m & carry out a 10% crown thin NO OBJECTIONS
16/315 Play Areas – MCPIT - Astrop & Stanwell Clerk
· Astrop Road – Skate Ramp
o Due to Health and Safety reasons the PFA Committee are not in a position to give support or approval. Therefore, an alternative location will need to be found.
· Voting relating to Tesco Funds – Banbury & Brackley Stores
o A letter has been received stating that the results will be known at the end of November.
· Support from Sports Clubs – PFA
o Letters of support have been received from Tennis Club, Football Club and Cricket Club.
16/316 Horsefair Surgery & Horton Hospital - Update Dist. Cllr. V. Furniss
· Appeal & Letters
o These have been distributed to surrounding villages, businesses and the library.
· Peaceful Gathering in village – Saturday 26th November 10.15 a.m.
o This meeting is being arranged by Sophie Johnson and is expected to be well attended. The Police have been consulted and the Press invited.
· Surrounding villages – participation
o See above.
16/131
16/317 Permissive Bridleway – Update Cllrs/Clerk
· Councillors’ Agreement to new Licence
o Following discussion, Cllrs. felt unhappy with Clause 4 as they would not be able to police the activities of residents/visitors. The Clerk would discuss this with the Landowner’s solicitors and PC’s Insurance Brokers. She had already sought a response from the Parish Council’s solicitors.
· Way forward
o The Clerk would contact the Parish Council’s Insurance Brokers to see if the Parish Council would be covered in circumstances raised under Clause 4. The alternative would be to see if Clause 4 could be removed.
16/318 Remembrance Day Service – Update Cllr. E. Mason/Clerk
· Overview of day
§ Positive feedback had been received on various aspects. Thank you notes had been sent to those helping on the day.
§ Feedback had also been received that could be incorporated in future years and will be reviewed.
16/319 PFA & Tennis Club – Funding Requests Cllrs/Clerk
Tennis Club
§ Following discussion and review of the Grant Application, which had been sent to all Cllrs. prior to the meeting, it was agreed to support the application.
§ Cllrs. voted 6:1 in favour, noting 1 Proxy vote.
Proposed: Cllr. S. Jerrams Coughtrey Seconded: Cllr. R. Solesbury-Timms
Views of Cllrs. relating to 3 further Grant Requests were as follows:
PFA – Community Hub.
§ Although Cllrs. thought the concept of a new build was a good idea they were concerned on how matters would be taken forward. They were also concerned about the cost and how funds would be raised and would have preferred to see a Business Plan.
§ The Clerk was asked to convey to District that currently Council would not be in favour of this Grant being accepted as it only covered plans and not future funds for the build. They did, however, appreciate the time and effort to date given by Committee Members.
16/132
Village Archivist
· Cllrs. reviewed the application and although they approved the amount requested, they questioned why the stationery could not be purchased through the Parish Council’s suppliers. The Clerk explained that the Archivist had felt in the past the quality did not meet requirements.
Proposed: Cllr. S. Jerrams Coughtrey Seconded: Cllr. P. Dixon
Unanimous vote to accept the request by all Cllrs. attending.
16/320 Annual Budget and Precept 2017/18 Cllrs./RFO
· Review and ratification of proposed budget
o The Clerk explained that the Budget figures had been adjusted – reason given was they did not reflect Gross Salaries. Plus, Employees’ Tax and NI calculation and Employer’s NI had been combined.
o Following discussion the Precept was agreed at £120,703.14. Although this figures is slightly above last year it will not have an impact on the Parish Council’s element of Council Tax due to more households paying. District were hoping to have the Tax Base figures by the end of the month.
Proposed: Cllr. A. Deary Seconded: Cllr. P. Dixon
Unanimous vote by all Cllrs. attending.
16/321 Environmental Issues Clerk
· Rats – Animal & Pest Control
o An Environmental Officer had been to the village to inspect the areas of concern. It was felt that parts of the village had the potential of being areas that rates would make a nest and should be dealt with by the Parish Council. However, the Clerk had informed the Environmental Dept. that the areas mentioned are the responsibility of South Northants Homes.
· Dog Bins – Contractor – A new bin would be installed as soon as possible in the area opposite The Washle to replace the existing one. 2 more bins will be ordered.
16/322 Parking & Speeding issues Clerk
· Main Road & High Street
o A number of concerns have been raised by residents – some have been addressed but this did not cover all areas. To be reviewed at the next meeting.
· School Run – concerns being raised were about speeding and parking.
16/133
16/323 ICC/Chairman’s Report Chair
· Dog Bins – Audit – This had taken place and been added to the website for residents to see.
· Visit to SNC – Cllr. Youel gave an overview of his meeting with Robert Fallon and Mike Warren. This covered the Local Plan 2, Confines and proposals by Developers. The discussion included enabling developments.
16/324 Clerk/RFO Report – General Update & Approval Clerk/RFO
· Cemetery – Bench and Plots
o New Bench has been provided and the family member is in communication with the contractor to secure it.
o A further review needs to take place, as 2 burial plots on the initial plan put together do not exist.
· Grand Union – Dands Drive – There have been a number of concerns raised regarding the build. Grand Union have confirmed that the properties being built will be Affordable Homes. The area close to a Blue Badge Holder has now been dealt with following the Clerk’s communication with Grand Union.
· Charities – Donations
o The Royal British Legion donation cheque for £250 will be signed at the next meeting on 5th December. The Clerk will send direct as it is slightly late to save additional work for the Local Organiser.
o The Clerk also asked Council if the charity Children in Need could be considered to receive a grant as there was a small balance remaining of charity money. It was agreed this Charity would be reviewed another time.
16/325 Matters for discussion and possible future Agenda items
o Permissive Bridleway
o Play Areas – MCPIT - Astrop & Stanwell
o Horsefair Surgery – Community Asset
o Parking – Use of boulders
o Light source – Pylon in resident’s garden
16/134
in addition to the above future Agenda items other topics raised with the Clerk by residents covered the following topics
1. Theft of a lawn mower
2. Rough sleeping
3. Parcel delivery service
4. New lighting – The Green and other areas in the Village
5. Defibrillator use
6. Children In Need Charity
7. Dands Drive – Grand Union Build
16/326 Next meetings
· Full Council Meeting – 5th December 2016 – 7.15 p.m.
· Planning & General Meeting – 19th December 2016 – 7.15 p.m.
Signed ……………..……….…………….. Dated: 5th December 2016
Chair
Queries Regarding the Agenda
If you have any queries regarding this Agenda, please contact the Clerk as follows:
· Tel. No. 01295 713500
·
Access to Meetings
If you have any special requirements (such as a large print version of these papers or special access facilities) please contact the office, giving as much notice as possible before the meeting.
In Case of Fire
If you either hear the fire alarm or you are asked to leave the building please do so immediately and proceed to the assembly area – Village Green.
16/135
Chairman: Cllr. Alan Youel
Vice Chairman: Cllr. Sue Jerrams Coughtrey
Clerk: 01295 713500, email -