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Sunningwell Parish Council
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SUNNINGWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 30th JANUARY 2008
Present: Cllrs E
Bennett (acting Chair), T Foggin, D Graham, H Lynam-Smith, J Russell and C Wise
In attendance: M W
Rothery (Clerk)
1/08 Public Forum
Playground: Mrs Sarah Twinn asked about the children’s playground
equipment, used regularly by several mothers with young children. She said it
needed maintaining, a replacement baby swing, and one swing is not working
properly. Cllr Foggin would respond under a later item.
Oxfordshire CC: Cllr Wise reported that the increase in council tax
for 2008/9 may not be under 4% as had been hoped.
Vale of White Horse: Cllr Wise reported that a recent survey
indicated that people would be prepared to may more council tax for desirable
projects. Plans for the redevelopment of the Old Gaol for housing and retail
had been announced.
‘Charlottes’ Mr Logan expressed concern at the minute of the
September meeting regarding the ridge height of the new building, since at that
time the construction was only up to the first floor. He had now received a
letter from the Vale confirming that at this stage the construction is in order
and that he may proceed. He understood that the parish council should have had
a similar letter; the Clerk reported that the letter had not been received.
Councillors assured Mr Logan that their only concern was to ensure that
developments confirm to the relevant planning consent.
2/08 Apologies
for Absence
There were no apologies.
3/08 Declarations of Interest
There were
none.
4/08 Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th
November 2007
The minutes were approved and
signed by the Chairman.
5/08 Matters Arising from the Minutes
P280/6 Protruding Hedges - Cherry Tree Cottage No action had been taken in response to
the letter to the owner. The Chairman reported that Mr Bowler of OCC Highways
had expressed concern at the overgrown beech hedge.
Action: It was agreed that the Clerk send
another letter, and that Cllr Lynam-Smith and the Clerk meet to compile a
list of other overgrown hedges to whom similar letter should be sent.
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P280/6 Parish Notice Board The exact location agreed with the
Oxford Beaumont was identified by the Chairman on the Clerk’s sketch plan.
Action: It was agreed that the Clerk send
a letter and the sketch plan to the Highways and Planning departments asking
if they have any objection to the erection of the notice board.
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P280/6 Mobile SIDs Foxcombe Road The
Chairman had met Mr Bowler from OCC Highways on 29 January. He was very
sympathetic and thought that there was a good case for extending the 40mph
limit and moving the ‘slow down’ signage to better locations. He will report
accordingly on this and the overgrown hedges partially obstructing the
footpaths. A 30 mph limit was unlikely as there had been very few accidents.
Cllr Wise had received a letter
from OCC Highways saying that road signage is to be improved on Fox
Lane, 300m east of B4017.
P281/6, 57 Sunningwell. The Chairman of the VHMC, Mr Bob Warne, had
written to the council regarding the urgent need to resolve outstanding issues
with the owner of 57 Sunningwell. The Clerk reported that he had had no
response from Hodsons the council’s solicitor despite two letters and four
telephone calls.
Action: It was agreed that the Clerk write
again to Hodsons seeking confirmation that they will act quickly for the
council in this matter, and informing them that alternative arrangements
might otherwise have to be made.
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P281/6 Sunningwell addresses Cllr Wise reported that he had
discussed this problem several times with VWHDC officers; the issue was the
databases used by the council which followed the royal mail postal addresses.
Action: It was agreed that the Clerk write
again to the CEO of VWHDC asking that at least the council officers do not corrupt
addresses stated on planning application forms.
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P281/6 Hedgerow Strategy Letters had been sent to all relevant
owner/occupiers in early December; there have been no formal responses.
P281/6 Salt Bin This has now been installed and salt provided, which
will be spread as required by local residents. It was understood that the
charge is £150.
Action: It was agreed that Cllr Graham
discuss the need for a salt bin in Green
Lane, Bayworth with the Triangle Committee.
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P282/9 Surface Water Flooding Cllr Lynam-Smith had obtained a quote
for the construction of a holding tank and headwalls, and asked Cllr Wise for
advice on obtaining funding. He suggested that an application be submitted to
the North East Area Committee of the Vale. Cllr Wise agreed to meet with Cllr
Lynam-Smith and the contractor on 2 February.
Action: Clerk to contact Toby Warren of
VWHDC.
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P282/10(i) Issues & options for future development Former councillor Bob
Nichol had reviewed the report but had found nothing that was
particularly worthy of comment.
P282/10(ii) Consultation paper: open Space, Sport and recreation
Strategy Cllr Foggin reported that he had submitted comments on behalf of
the parish council.
P282/11 Proposed enmainment of River Stert The Clerk reported that
he had received no reply to the letter sent after the last meeting n but hat he
had spoken to the EA officer concerned who had explained the purpose of the
proposal, and confirmed that it would not have any adverse effect on water
flows upstream.
P283/12 Childen’s playground Cllr Foggin reported that one swing
was missing, and that he would make enquiries
regarding a replacement. The other swing is squeaking and not swinging
straight. He will attend to the exposed base of the swing, and contact
PlaySafety Ltd regarding the sourcing of additional bark chippings to improve
the surface. Regarding the comment earlier in the meeting by Mrs Twinn that the
playground might be extended, Cllr Graham indicated that the cricket club may
not object to a limited extension.It was understood that advice is available
from ORCC regarding obtaining grants for playgrounds.
6/08 Finance
(a) The following accounts were
approved for payment, and the cheques signed:
Cheque no.
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Payee
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Details
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Total
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VAT
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1130
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Nuffield Press
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Sunningwell Scene – Winter issue
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310.00
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1131
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B Cross
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Letter Warden (9 weeks to 2 Feb)
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216.02
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1132
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M W Rothery
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Salary & expenses Nov & Dec
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940.68
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(b) The draft budget for the
financial year 2008/9 submitted by the Clerk after consultation with
councillors following discussion at the last meeting, and attached as an
appendix to these Minutes, was approved. The key features of the budget were:
·
A grant of £1000 to be made before the end of
the financial year towards the restoration work at St Leonards Church under the
S137 allowance for 2007/8.
·
The whole of the S137 allowance for 2008/9 will
be available if required towards the cost of surface water flooding prevention
works.
·
Further provision to be made for legal fees in
connection with the transfer of ownership of the cricket field from the Church
Commissioners.
·
A parish precept of £15,690 (an increase of 4.1%
over the current year)
Action: Clerk to submit the formal
notification of the precept of £15,690 to VWHDC
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7/08
Planning
(a) Applications dealt with between meetings
WTT/SUN/4633/4: Demolish
existing store and build replacement one-bedroom cottage. Convert existing
cottage and store to store building only. South Lodge, Boars Hill, Oxford
Comment submitted: No objection
(b) Decision Notices received
SUN/6545/19 &18LB: Restoration of outbuildings. The Old
Rectory, 52 Sunningwell: PERMITTED
c) New Applications
SUN/20079/2: Remove existing bunker. Construction of a single
storey extension with link to existing ancillary accommodation. The Willows, Lincombe
Lane, Boars Hill, Oxford.
Comment: No objection provided
the increase in the accommodation is no more than 30%
8/08 Speed Gating at Bayworth
Cllr Graham had consulted many
residents of Bayworth on this proposal which was designed to restrict the speed
of traffic entering the village. All were supportive. It was agreed to submit
an application for this work to be carried out which would not incur any cost
to the parish council.
Action: It was agreed that Cllr Graham
draft a suitable application letter for the Clerk to send.
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9/08 Hedgerow Strategy
Cllr Graham reported that he and
Cllr Bennett had met with Ian Corbyn on 28 January, and discussed a strategy
involving the following elements:
·
Funding options for new trees etc, including a
PC grant
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Measuring the length involved, and the time it
would take
·
Approaching the landowners, individually
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Planting
·
Publicity, eg Sunningwell Scene
10/08 Correspondence
The full list of correspondence
received had been circulated to councillors by e-mail.
Item 155 Mr Walsh had submitted the completed grant application
form for St Leonard’s Church - see
Minute 6/08 (b)
Item 164 The Clerk had submitted the completed application form for
a cleansing grant towards the cost of the litter warden to VWHDC
Item 165 Cllrs Bennett and Lynam-Smith agreed to attend a Community
Grants funding surgery on 29 February
11/08 Other Business
1. Cllr
Graham reported that OCC Cllr Keith Mitchell will be speaking on the Oxford Green
Belt at the meeting of the Oxford Preservation Trust on Tuesday 5 February.
2. Cllr
Graham was unable to attend the Oxford Green Belt Network meeting on 18
February and invited someone to attend in his stead.
3. Cllr
Lynam-Smith will talk to Martin Deans of VWHDC
regarding the ridge height of the garage being built at 57 Sunningwell.
12/08 Next Meeting
The next
meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th
February 2008 at Sunningwell Village Hall at
7.30pm
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.35pm.
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