Sunningwell Parish Council
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SUNNINGWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 21st FEBRUARY 2007 AT SUNNINGWELL VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs. R. Macdonald
(in the chair), H.
Lynam-Smith, E. Bennett & D. Graham
In Attendance: Pat Romans (Clerk)
and 3 members of the public
1. CHAIR’S COMMENTS
Cllr. Macdonald opened the meeting and welcomed those present. She
suggested that Planning be brought forward on the agenda for the convenience of
residents attending for that item and this was agreed. Cllr.
Macdonald mentioned that notice of the vacancy for a new Clerk had now been
published in the OALC newsletter and would shortly be appearing in the Sunningwell Scene. She informed members that she would not
be putting her name forward for nomination to the Council for a further term at
the Local Elections to be held in May. This will lead to vacancies for Councillors and she hoped that residents will consider
whether they would be able to offer their services for the next four year term
of office.
2. QUESTIONS & COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC
There
were no issues raised by residents present at the meeting.
3.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies
were received from Cllrs. R. Nichol and M. Woodward,
County Cllr. B. Johnston and District Cllrs. T. Ward and C. Wise.
4.
DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL & PREJUDICIAL
INTERESTS
Declarations
of personal interest were declared by –
Cllr.
Graham – agenda item 7a – grant application by the Bayworth
Chapel Committee
Cllr. Lynam-Smith – agenda item 8b – planning application for 71,
Sunningwell
5.
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 31st JANUARY 2007
It was agreed that the Minutes were a correct
record of the meeting and the Chairman signed
accordingly.
6.
UPDATE ON ACTION POINTS/ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
Page 226 Cricket Club
The Clerk
reported that the Community PC Paul Reece has agreed to increase his evening
patrols of the Cricket Field in an attempt to deter youngsters from
congregating
236
there. Cllr. Graham said that he has also discussed the issue with
the Police Inspector responsible for the area and it is believed that these
gatherings may be linked to the similar problem that is occurring at the shops
in Wootton. Cllr. Macdonald
reminded members of Cllr. Nichol’s offer to meet with
the youngsters involved and she hoped that residents would keep him informed if
the situation reoccurs.
Page 227 Army Exercises through Parish
A
response has been received from Col. McCormack, Dalton Barracks, together with
a copy of an order issued to the soldiers regarding the care required when
using the village roads.
Page 228 Registration of Cricket Field
Cllr. Lynam-Smith will be discussing this issue with Janet
McNamara, solicitor, shortly.
Page 228 Repairs to Pot Holes
Cllr. Lynam-Smith reported that a significant amount of work has
already been carried out by OCC Highways and she will continue to work with Mr.
Chris Softley, Highways Engineer, until the task is
completed.
Page 228 Provision of Bungalows at Bayworth
A request
has been submitted to Mr. Martin Deans, Principal Planning Officer, that this
development be included in the Local Plan post 2011
Page 228 Village Hall/Pond Surrounds – interim
access
There has
been no progress on this issue and it was felt that because Cllr.
Nichol has been dealing with it, any follow up should wait until his return.
Action: Cllr. Nichol to check on progress of land ownership and
seek advice about organizing interim access.
Page 228 Card/Flowers for retiring Councillor
Cllr. Lynam-Smith has completed this task and will submit details
of her expenses in due course.
Page 233 Ivy/Trees – Sunningwell
& Bayworth
Cllr.
Macdonald has emailed Mr. Iain Corbyn for advice on
this issue and is awaiting a reply.
Page 234 Fly Tipping – Surveillance Equipment
The Clerk
has submitted a request to Vale DC for surveillance cameras to be
used in Bayworth where fly tipping is a particular
problem.
7. PLANNING
a)
Applications dealt with at meeting
237
SUN/19936 71, Sunningwell
Demolition of existing workshop building. Erection of a dwelling.
Cllr.
Macdonald outlined the facts leading to this application to replace the current
workshop with a dwelling and said that one dwelling on this site would be
infill and thus would fall within the criteria of the Green Belt Policy. She
understood the current building is in a state of considerable disrepair and
would therefore need to be rebuilt rather than converted.
Members
of the Planning Sub-Committee had already been made aware of serious concerns
held by the immediate neighbour and Cllr. Macdonald invited Mr. & Mrs
Beirouti to present their views to the Council. They
said that in principle they were not opposed to the development of the site and
if the current plans had followed the existing structure layout, the result
would undoubtedly enhance the area. However the application as it stands would
lead to the loss of light, amenity and privacy for their neighbouring
property. Mr. Humphries, the applicant, said that many of Mr. Beirouti’s comments were an exaggeration of the actual
situation and his agent would be able to deal with the specific points he had
raised.
Cllr.
Macdonald thanked all 3 residents for their contribution to the debate and they
then left the meeting. Following further discussion it was unanimously agreed
that the Council should object to the plans as they stand but to make clear
that a revised proposal ,with a reduced negative
impact on the neighbouring property, would be
welcomed. Cllr. Macdonald said that she would meet
with the Planning Officer handling the application on site tomorrow and submit
the Council’s response along the lines agreed.
SUN/9849/1 24, Sunningwell
Erection
of a single storey extension and dormer windows
This
application had only just been received and it was agreed that the Planning
Sub-Committee should investigate further and respond on behalf of the full
Council.
b)
Applications dealt with between meetings
SUN/19941 11, Brumcombe
Lane, Bayworth
Erection
of a single storey front extension
No objections
SUN/19938 13, Brumcombe
Lane, Bayworth
Proposed
extension and alterations
No objections
SUN/2963/12 Warnborough College, Foxcombe Road, Boars Hill
Outline
application for redevelopment of former college site to create a retirement
community with new access, landscaping and ancillary development (C2 use).
238
The
Council objects to this application by Richmond Care Villages for outline
planning permission for a retirement community and new C2 institutional use for
the Warnborough College site. The application represents
inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
(full response on file)
Cllr.
Macdonald said that a further issue has arisen with this application in terms
of the submission of the Parish Council’s suggestions for planning gain should
the proposed development eventually be given the go ahead. Cllr. Ward had said
that suggestions would need to be submitted to the Vale DC without delay.
Members felt strongly that they require further guidance on this process and
that a hurriedly constructed wish list must be avoided. Cllr.
Macdonald said that she will seek advice from Mr. Martin Deans, Vale DC, and keep members informed.
c)
Decision Notices
SUN/10250/8 The Oxford Beaumont, Bayworth Lane
Internal alterations. Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of new
Permission granted
SUN/6450/1 Oakridge, Red Copse Lane, Boars Hill
Extension
& alterations to existing dwelling including recladding,
two storey rear extension, loft conversion & demolition of existing garage
& erection of new double garage.
Permission granted
SUN/3046/2 Land adjoining to Foxcombe Rise, Foxcombe Road, Boars Hill
Erection of a single dwelling.
Permission refused
SUN/17525 57, Sunningwell
Road
Demolition of existing house and garage. Erection of a 3 bedroomed house with detached double garage.
Permission granted
The
conditions attached to this permission were noted by members who felt that some
of the points they had raised in their response had not been adequately
addressed.
Action: Clerk
to seek further
comment on their requests that a) any asbestos at the site should be cleared
appropriately and legally b) Vale DC
Officers should monitor the provision of utilities and ensure appropriate work
practices.
8.
FINANCE
a) Grant Application – Bayworth Chapel Hall
Members
had received copies of past accounts from Cllr.
Woodward but felt that they did not have sufficient information on the costings of Stage 2 of this renovation project or how the
required total funding will be achieved should the requested £1,000 be given
239
from
Council reserves. A meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee is due to be held
on the 13th March to which Cllr. Woodward will be invited to supply these details and
a decision can then be made at the next Council meeting.
b)
Renewal of Bank Mandate
The Clerk
explained the need for additional signatories to the Council’s account. The
necessary forms were completed and Cllrs. Lynam-Smith, Bennett and Graham will visit the NatWest Bank within the next few days to complete the
process.
c) Account for Payment
It was
unanimously agreed to accept the following account for payment -
Cheque
No.
|
Payee
|
Purpose
|
Amount
|
VAT
|
079
|
Mr. B. Cross
|
Litter Warden’s Duties
|
£80.00p
|
|
9.
THAMES WATER RESERVOIR – STAGE 2 CONSULTATION
Cllr.
Bennett had read through the publicity material recently supplied by Thames
Water. It was agreed that the concerns of the Parish Council should be conveyed
to Thames Water in view of the size of this proposed project and its likely
impact on the environment.
Action: Cllr. Macdonald to submit a response in time to meet the
deadline.
10.
CORRESPONDENCE
The
following correspondence has been received since the last meeting
10.1 Vale DC
District & Parish Elections – 3rd
May 2007 (Clerk
to circulate details)
10.2 Parish Council Comments on Planning
Applications – Code of Conduct
10.3 Carbon Savers Action Day (Clerk)
10.4 DTI Consultation – Post
Office Network (Cllr. Macdonald)
10.5 OGBN
Written submission to EIP
10.6 Audit Commission – Appointment of External
Auditor (Clerk)
10.7 Communities & Local Government –
Revised Model Code of Conduct
10.8 OCC
Newsletter – January 2007
10.9 Reception for Parish
Councils – reminder
10.10 Vale DC
Meetings of Council & Committees
10.11 ORCC
News Bulletin
10.12 NALC
Review of Quality Town & Parish Council Scheme
10.13 Enjoy England – Celebration of St. George’s Day
10.14 Safe & Sound Playgrounds Ltd. –
advertising
10.15 OCC
Minerals & Waste Core Strategy – Consultation Paper (Cllr. Nichol)
10.16 Oxfordshire Children’s Information Service – appeal (Finance
Sub-Committee)
10.17 Wicksteed Advertising
240
10.18 OALC
County Circular – February 2007 (to be circulated)
10.19 OPFA
Membership acknowledgement
10.20 Vale DC
Standards Committee agenda – for information
10.21 Beaumont resident – Beech hedge at Cherry
Tree Cottage (Clerk)
10.22 Npower Radley Lakes
10.23 OCC – Three Unitary Council
Proposal: does it make sense (Cllr.
Graham)
11.
SUB-COMMITTEES
a)
Flooding –
due to illness it has been necessary for Cllr. Lynam-Smith to arrange a new date for a meeting with Mr.
Peter Dela, Vale DC Engineer, and a representative
for Ms Bowditch, with a view to progressing
the required remedial measures.
b)
SPADE - Cllr.
Macdonald said that at the moment the focus of the group is the EIP process and
the forthcoming hearing. She has supplied the SPADE Committee with a copy of
the Parish Council’s response to the Richmond Homes planning application but is
not sure whether they will be submitting comments of their own.
12.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr.
Graham reminded members of Cllr. Ward’s recent survey
of the views of Bayworth residents and the 3 main
concerns that had emerged from this – speeding, flooding/ditches and hedges/greenery.
He had had similar views expressed at a meeting of residents that he had
organized last summer. He hopes that as a result of a site meeting with Mr.
Brian Short, OCC Area Engineer, Gateways - modified because of the narrow roads
– can be placed at all 3 exits to Bayworth near to the
30mph signs, but he will seek further views of residents before these are
actually erected. Members were pleased
about the possibility of Gateways in Bayworth having
been told that they could not be erected at the outset of the scheme due to the
narrow roads.
He has
met with another member of the OCC Highways Dept. regarding the need to tidy
the hedges and ditches but is aware that environmental issues will need to be
considered before any large scale work is undertaken. Cllr. Macdonald
advised him to work with Cllr. Lynam-Smith
over this matter because of her ongoing work on flooding and ditches and in
order to avoid any overlap with the investigations currently being carried out
by Mr. Chris Softley, OCC Highways Engineer, and Mr.
Peter Dela, Vale DC Water Engineer. This was agreed.
There
being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.05pm.
Signed……………………………………….Date…………………………………
Chairman
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