Sunningwell Parish Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SUNNINGWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30PM ON WEDNESDAY, 22^ND FEBRUARY 2006 AT SUNNINGWELL VILLAGE HALL

Present: Cllrs. R. Nichol (in the chair), R. Macdonald, H. Lynam-Smith and

M. Woodward

In Attendance: Pat Romans (Clerk)

1. QUESTIONS & COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Cllrs. D. Belcher & S. Payne and District Cllr. T. Ward

3. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL & PREJUDICIAL

INTERESTS

No declarations were made.

4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 18^TH JANUARY 2006

It was proposed by Cllr. Lynam-Smith and seconded by Cllr. Macdonald that the Minutes be accepted as a correct record of the meeting and the Chairman signed accordingly.

5. UPDATE ON ACTION POINTS/ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING

Page 158 Security lights at property adj. to The Stumps

These lights remain a potential nuisance to nearby residents and need to be adjusted.

Action: Clerk to write to the current tenants asking them to forward a request to the owner of the property.

Page 159 Footpath Sign

The footpath sign, which was removed by the developer when this property was built, has not been replaced and has in fact been removed from the site.

Action: Clerk to send a reminder to the OCC Footpaths Officer

Page 162 Parish Council Vacancy

The Vale D.C. have confirmed that an election has not been requested by residents and the Parish Council can therefore go ahead with filling the vacancy by co-option. Cllr. Nichol said that he has asked residents to consider serving in his Chairman’s Report for

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the next edition of the Sunningwell Scene. It was agreed to await the outcome of this general appeal before making individual approaches to residents.

Page 162 Village Gateways

Members remain unclear as to whether any further work is intended by OCC on this scheme in the Parish.

Action: Cllr. Nichol to contact the relevant officer at OCC and report back to the next meeting,

Page 162 The Village Hall & Access to No. 57, Sunningwell

No further news has been received from David Hodson, solicitor, on this matter nor regarding the land around the pond.

Action: Clerk to write requesting a progress report on both these issues.

Page 164 Repairs to Pot Holes

This work is still outstanding.

Action: Clerk to write to OCC Highways requesting that repairs are carried out based upon information supplied by Cllr. Lynam-Smith.

Page 164 Brown Wheelie Bin Scheme

The Clerk reported that the Vale D.C. were reviewing the scheme in view of the unexpected demand and that limited funding had meant that some rural areas had been initially excluded. Cllr. Woodward said that Bayworth residents had now received confirmation that they are not to be part of the scheme and are naturally upset at this decision. Members agreed that this situation requires further explanation and is a case for District Cllrs. to take up on behalf of the Parish.

Action: Clerk to (i) write to the Head of the Vale D.C. Waste Management Team for a full explanation and (ii) send requests to Cllrs. Ward & Wise to take up the case on behalf of Bayworth residents.

Page 164 Fly Tipping

The original request to the Vale D.C. had been dealt with very promptly. However a large number of tyres have been dumped in the ditches on both sides of Green Lane, Bayworth.

Action: Clerk to write to Vale D.C. requesting that these tyres be collected as soon as possible.

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6. PLANNING

a) Decision Notices Received

SUN/19375 2, Bullsmead, Sunningwell

Proposed extension to garage and loft conversion to include new roof

Permission refused

SUN/19079/2 33, Long Furlong Road, Sunningwell

Proposed dormer window to side elevation (amendment to SUN/19079/1)

Permission granted

SUN/13347/2 2, Yatscombe, Foxcombe Road, Boars Hill

Retrospective application for a first floor extension Permission granted

b. Application dealt with between meetings

SUN/12471/1 16, Long Furlong Road, Sunningwell

Proposed conservatory No objections

c) Application dealt with at meeting

SUN/17821/9 Appletree House, Lincombe Lane, Boars Hill

Erection of summerhouse (retrospective)

Parish Council response: The Parish Council has always been vigilant about this type of development on Boars Hill. Many houses on Boars Hill could easily be increased substantially in size, indeed more than one dwelling could be built on most plots. The character of the whole area could easily be compromised. Mr. Turnock has pushed against all the planning rules for the Green Belt throughout the building of Appletree House.

However the Parish Council does not object to the summerhouse as it currently stands and would recommend that the enforcement notice for its demolition is lifted on condition that –

1. the summerhouse never becomes a self contained annexe eg. for staff, and that the shower and kitchen are not reinstated. We would have to rely on neighbours for this – particularly Mr. H. Smith at Sevenoaks, who has direct views over the summerhouse
2. That permitted development rights are removed.

d) Other Planning Matters

(i) Charlottes – Cllrs. Nichol and Macdonald had attended ther Vale D.C. Development Committee when this application was discussed. Cllr. Nichol presented the Parish Council’s views and from the ensuing debate it was clear that he had been heard. Both members felt that it had been worthwhile attending.

(ii) Warnborough College Site – Cllrs. Nichol and Macdonald had attended a site meeting arranged by the new owners who hope to eventually obtain planning permission to build a Care Village which will provide an extended range of care for the elderly, linked to the Beaumont Nursing Home. These proposals go beyond the current restrictions on building within the Green Belt and the negotiations will be largely

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conducted at District Council level. However the owners are keen for all residents to be fully consulted and Cllr. Nichol suggested that they might consider arranging an exhibition in the Village Hall and giving the general public a chance to air their views. Cllrs. Nichol and Macdonald felt that the development looked very tasteful and was being presented by someone with a sound knowledge of the needs of the elderly.

An application has not yet been submitted.

e) SPADE

Cllr. Macdonald reported that SPADE members are meeting monthly to monitor developments. They are awaiting the final outcome of the Local Plan – particularly as to how it will relate to the South East Plan. Cllr. Nichol said that he had been approached by the SPADE Chair regarding a further grant from the Parish Council and this will be considered in more detail at the next meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee.

7. BURIAL GROUND SPACE

Cllr. Nichol said that he has been looking into the background to this issue and it is clear that this is a problem that has been around for several years. As time goes on the issue becomes more acute of course and decisions are going to have to be reached within the next 2-3 years He is also very aware of the sensitivity of the issue and is therefore keen that residents are given the opportunity to express their wishes on the matter. To this end he has set out the possible options in his report for the forthcoming edition of the Sunningwell Scene and invited readers to make contact in order to discuss what they see as a possible solution to the problem. Members agreed that the situation is a complex one which involves the Diocesan Board and the PCC as well as the Parish Council and at the moment it is not known what – if any – solution these other involved bodies would prefer. The key need currently would seem to be to get a dialogue underway and as far as possible for all parties to work together to find an acceptable way forward.

Action: Cllr. Nichol to contact Rev. McKellen to discuss and devise a strategy for the resolution of this issue

8. FLOODING MAPS

Cllr. Macdonald said that she had been approached by Mr. Bob Warne who feels strongly that Long Furlong Road residents need the help of the Parish Council over the whole issue of flooding and the maps currently on the Environment Agency website. There seems to be a feeling amongst residents that they have not been part of the Council’s concern over flooding but members were aware that the response from Long Furlong Road to Cllr. Lynam-Smith’s original flooding questionnaire had in fact been sparse. It was agreed that there is an obvious need to discuss this issue with as many of the residents as possible and without too much further delay.

Action: Cllr. Lynam-Smith to arrange a Flooding Meeting for residents of Long Furlong Road within the next 6 weeks.

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9. FINANCE

a) Request for donations

(i) Sunningwell School of Art, who are raising money to improve access and toilet facilities for their students with disabilities, had submitted an application to the Parish Council for help with this funding. It was agreed to pledge £250 towards the total required subject to plans being operated on and that this money can be called in at any time during the coming financial year 1^st April 2006 – 31^st March 2007.

(ii) It was unanimously agreed to donate £50 to the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind – this money to go towards the staffing of a telephone support service for people in the County who are losing their sight.

b) Payment of Accounts

The following account had been paid between meetings

It was agreed unanimously that the following accounts be accepted for payment

10. ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANNUAL PARISH MEETING/AGM

It was decided to combine the Annual Parish Meeting with the Parish Council AGM on the 31^st May rather than holding two meetings within a fortnight. It was felt preferable not to arrange a speaker but to invite the various organizations in the Parish to come and present a report of their year’s activities as usual. It was agreed to begin the Annual Parish Meeting at 7pm and to make light refreshments available.

11. CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence has been received since the last meeting

11.1 OCC Funding Youth Services

11.2 Mobile Library Service

11.3 Committee on Inclusive Transport

11.4 Newsletter Questionnaire (Cllr. Nichol)

11.5 Reception Invitation (Cllr. Nichol)

11.6 Ack. of return of unauthorized signs agreement

11.7 News Magazine

11.8 Abingdon Fayre Air & Country Show – 30^th April 2006

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11.9 Vale D.C. Meetings of Council & Committees

11.10 ORCC Best Kept Village Competition

11.11 Primary Care Trust - Agenda for information

11.12 External Auditor - change of address

11.13 Thames Water - ack. of Reservoir Consultation request

11.14 Cancer Bacup ack. of donation

11.15 OCC Structure Plan 2016 Cllr. Nichol)

11.16 CAG Recycling Newsletter

11.17 Affordable Housing – information booklet (Clerk)

11.18 Vale D.C. Local Plan 2011 – Inspector’s Report (Cllr. Nichol)

11.19 Assessment & Greenspace Strategy Questionnaire (Cllr. Nichol)

11.20 Volunteer of the Year- Nomination (Cllr. Lynam-Smith)

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(i) Cllr. Macdonald reported on her attendance at the recent Health Forum organized by the Primary Care Trust and said that the programme had been interesting and worthwhile.

(ii)Cllr. Lynam-Smith reported that recent helicopter training over the village had caused a lot of additional noise and disruption because the aircraft are turning directly over the properties in Beaulieu Court. The helicopters seem larger and the traning exercises more frequent.

Action: Clerk to write to the Commanding Officer RAF Benson requesting that the turning maneouvres are conducted away from properties in Sunningwell.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.36pm

Signed…………………………………….Date……………………………….

Chairman