Annual
Parish Meeting
Annual
General Meeting
Present: Mr
J Nowell-Smith (Chairman and District Councillor), Mr R Boughton, Mr A
Stratton, Mr W Tremayne, Mrs J Willis, Mrs A Purse (
1.
Apologies
Mr K Field.
2.
Approval of
previously circulated minutes
Previously
circulated minutes of the annual meeting had been approved and signed.
3.
Chairman’s
Review of the Year
Highway matters have dominated the year, with turning lorries still a problem in Tiddington, repairs to road surfaces very disappointing and a pelican crossing not a viable option. However, more positive results are apparent improvements to the flooding problems, a probable installation of a street light on the A418 close to the bus stops and the trimming of problem trees by the electricity company and SOHA.
On planning
matters, it has been a quiet year for local plans, but new arrangements aimed
at speeding up the planning process at the District Council have meant training
sessions for Clerk and Councillors and, within the Parish, the setting up of a
working party to discuss matters ahead of any Council meeting.
A successful
survey carried out in the Parish highlighted the need for affordable housing
and the possibilities are being actively pursued.
Sadly the
Parish has lost the facility of the skip lorry visiting the village on a
regular basis, in spite of fierce lobbying for its retention by this Council
and surrounding villages.
In response to
a request from the County Council, three Councillors, the Clerk and a member of
the Ramblers Association walked all the footpaths in the Parish, logging
problems of maintenance and suggesting improvements and changes. These were
reported back to the County Council as part of a countywide survey.
During the
year there have been complaints from residents about inconsiderate parking in
North Close, and this seems to be a problem which is difficult to resolve satisfactorily.
Finally on a
positive note, a free copy of the
4.
Report from
School Governor,
Clerk reported that Ms Jane Roffey had relinquished the post of Governor representing the Parish last Autumn. A printed Governors’ report had been supplied by Mr Mark Stoker and this would be circulated in the wallet.
5.
Open
discussion
The residents of Willow Springs,
6.
Election of
officers
The Clerk invited nominations. Mr Stratton proposed that Mr J Nowell-Smith be elected Chairman and this was seconded by Mr Tremayne. Mr Nowell-Smith accepted.
Mr
Nowell-Smith proposed that Mr Tremayne be elected Vice Chairman and this was
seconded by Mr Stratton. Mr Tremayne accepted.
Mr Stratton
proposed that Mr K Field be elected as Village Hall representative and this was
seconded by Mr Tremayne. Mr Field will be asked if he will accept.
7.
Aproval of
previously circulated minutes
Previously circulated minutes of the monthly meeting were approved and signed.
8.
Matters
arising from previous minutes
a.
b.
Street light on A418 – response from OCC still awaited.
c.
Milton Common notice board – the board has now been
installed and notices placed. Complaints had been received that there was no
mention of Milton Common in the Parish name. Mr Tremayne reported that he had
placed a notice on the board explaining the situation.
d.
Oak tree,
e.
Affordable housing – meetings have been arranged for 7 June
with OCHA at
f.
Litter blitz – three volunteers from outside the Council had
helped and the amount of litter had not been too bad. Mr Boughton reported that
the ditch at Brookside Close had been a problem. The regular refuse lorry had
collected the little that was accumulated in Tiddington but Mr Tremayne asked
for a special collection from Milton Common.
g.
Reports on seminars attended – Clerk reported that the
seminar on the Freedom of Information Act had been useful and she would prepare
all that was necessary for the Act’s full implementation in 2005 and report
back to the Council. Three Councillors and Clerk had attended a Planning presentation
by SODC arranged at Little Milton. It was a shortened version of the training
sessions already attended earlier in the year.
9.
Planning
matters
No planning
matters.
10.
Correspondence
a.
SODC Draft Corporate Plan – it was agreed to place in wallet
for information and not to respond with comments.
b.
Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2016 Draft – proposed changes
included the removal of the plans for housing on the Green Belt at
c.
Thame Area Forum, Tuesday 18 May,
d.
SODC Environmental Improvement Schemes – it was agreed that
the Parish has no suitable projects in mind.
e.
South and Vale Carers Centre invitation, Friday 4 June,
12.00noon, Didcot Civic Hall to celebrate tenth anniversary. No one to attend.
f.
SODC Comprehensive Equality Policy – to be placed in the
wallet.
g.
SLCC seminar on funding and managing community projects –
agreed to pass details on to Cricket Club who had failed in their bid for
funding of their pavilion project.
h.
A Neighbourhood Watch newsletter had been received and it
was agreed to include relevant articles in the next Newsletter and ask for a
Co-ordinator for Tiddington.
11.
Financial
matters
a.
Parish Council contribution to Village Hall. Mr Stratton
declared a personal interest. It was agreed not to provide a regular grant but
to respond to any ad hoc need when required.
b.
Parish Council contribution to Parochial Church Council. Mr
Nowell-Smith declared a personal interest. It was agreed to defer a decision to
the June meeting, when Mr Field would be asked to make a submission.
c.
Payment of £353.03 to Allianz Cornhill for insurance
proposed by Mr Stratton, seconded by Mr Tremayne.
d.
Payment of £10.00 to Towergate Strovers for neighbourhood
watch sign insurance proposed by Mr Stratton, seconded by Mrs Willis.
e.
Payment of £65.00 to SODC for garden sacks proposed by Mrs
Willis, seconded by Mr Boughton.
f.
Payment of £58.30 to Z M Knight for administrative and
telephone expenses proposed by Mr Stratton, seconded by Mr Tremayne.
g.
Payment of £10.00 for petty cash proposed by Mr Stratton,
seconded by Mrs Willis.
12.
Open
discussion
a.
Mrs Willis asked about the goal posts in the recreation
ground. Mr Stratton said that the one set erected by the railway line was
popular but the five-a-side portable posts could only be used under close
supervision.
b.
Mr Stratton mentioned that the possibility of a teenage
shelter would be raised at the Village Hall meeting again. There was now a
shelter with solar lighting on the market, which might be a viable option.
Mr Stratton
reported that there was a bottle bank at Le Manoir at Great Milton, available
for the general public.
Mr Stratton
asked that the possibility of a hired skip for the Parish and surrounding
villages be pursued by obtaining a quote.
c.
Mr Tremayne reported that some gullies in Sandy Lane were
blocked.
Mr Tremayne
also reported that the Three Pigeons was holding a stripper night on Fridays
but could not see that this would cause a public nuisance.
Mr Tremayne
enquired who was responsible for trimming an overgrown hedge in Old London
Road, Milton Common. Mrs Purse to enquire of OCC. Meanwhile Clerk to obtain a
quote from Robinson’s Garden Care for trimming.
d.
Mr Nowell-Smith reported some disturbing vandalism by young
children, which needs to be reported to the Police. Mr Nowell-Smith asked that
any further information be reported to him.
Mr
Nowell-Smith asked whether broadband was imminent. It was agreed to put a
further notice in the Newsletter.
Mr
Nowell-Smith reported a pothole in Albury Lane.
e.
Mrs Purse reported that she had had a meeting with Peter
Ronald of OCC regarding Sandy Lane traffic calming and he had advised that an
out-build by the London Road junction was not feasible because it would be too
close to the main road. Mrs Purse suggested that the Council write to Mr Ronald
citing a similar example in Wheatley and also mention the lorries turning in
the village, although not his specific remit.
Mrs Purse also
suggested that the Council write to Richard Dudding regarding turning lorries
and the meeting which she had had with Brian Fell regarding signing, and ask
for a further meeting.
In commenting
on the OCC Structure Plan, Mrs Purse felt that the further houses needed over
the next few years would not be sited where there was easy access to London,
e.g. South Oxfordshire.
13.
Date of next
meeting
Monday, 7 June
2004 at 9.00pm. (Please note change of time)
There being no
further business the meeting closed at 10.05pm.