Sunningwell Parish Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SUNNINGWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 27^th SEPTEMBER 2006 AT SUNNINGWELL VILLAGE HALL

Present: Cllrs. R. Nichol (in the chair), H. Lynam-Smith, S. Northover and E. Bennett

In Attendance: Pat Romans (Clerk) and one member of the public

1. CHAIR’S COMMENTS

Cllr. Nichol opened the meeting and welcomed members back after the summer break.

2. QUESTIONS & COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Cllr. Nichol was thanked for his efforts in achieving an improvement to the problem of cars being parked on the road near the entrance to Cricket Lane.

It was reported that groups of youngsters have been gathering around the pavilion in the Cricket Field and several acts of minor vandalism were outlined. Concern was expressed that this problem is likely to get worse with the darker evenings. It was not clear whether the youngsters are from the Parish or travelling in from other areas. Cllr. Nichol said that he was not surprised to hear this report and ways and means for dealing with it need to be found which will be helpful to both the community and the youngsters involved. There was general agreement that the lack of facilities for young people in the area results in them congregating in less appropriate places like the cricket pavilion. The possibility of providing a specifically designed youth shelter was discussed and the need to give the youngsters a sense of shared ownership in the activities of the Cricket Club was suggested. Cllr. Nichol said that an issue such as this cannot be easily resolved and discussions will need to take place with the Cricket Club Committee and the Community PC. He said that he will also mention the situation in his next article for the Sunningwell Scene. Whilst an easy answer will not be forthcoming, it was agreed that the Parish Council will do what it can to deal with the concerns raised.

3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs. R. Macdonald, M. Woodward and D. Belcher and District Cllrs. T. Ward and C. Wise.

Cllr. Northover said that as she is shortly moving out of the Parish it will be necessary for her to resign her position as a Parish Councillor. Cllr. Nichol thanked her for her valuable contribution to the work of the Council and all members expressed their best wishes to her for the future. Cllr. Northover will supply the Clerk with written confirmation of her resignation.

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4. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL & PREJUDICIAL

INTERESTS

No declarations were made.

5. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 26^th JULY 2006

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

6. UPDATE ON ACTION POINTS/ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING

Page 201 Repairs to pot holes

Cllr. Lynam-Smith to provide the Clerk with the necessary details shortly.

Page 201 Play Area Insurance

A quote to add cover for the refurbished equipment to the existing policy with Zurich Municipal has been received. The quote from Cornhill Allianz is still outstanding.

Page 201 Registration of Land (see Ref. 7a below)

The Chairman read the latest update report from David Hodson and it was agreed that although slow, progress is being made and the situation should be regularized shortly.

Page 202 Litter Warden Appointment

Cllr. Bennett reported that the Warden has made a very good start with the task of keeping the Parish clear of litter and the Vale DC Officers acted swiftly when she contacted them recently to arrange a collection of rubbish that was too substantial for the Warden to move.

7. FINANCE

a) Finance Sub-Committee (full report on file)

The following recommendations were agreed unanimously –

• to accept the half-yearly financial statement as satisfactory
• to reserve £2000 to be donated towards SPADE’s expenses should they be invited to the forthcoming South East EIP and appoint a Planning Consultant to advise and represent them on the day.
• To give a donation of £50 to the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust
• To accept the additional payment to refurbish the surfaces under the Play Area equipment in order to meet RoSPA requirements

Members wished to have recorded their thanks to Cllr. Belcher for his work on this project which is now satisfactorily completed.

• to pay the additional insurance premium to cover the refurbished play equipment and new seat at the Children’s Play Area.
• To seek advice from David Hodson about the Chairman acting as an unofficial broker in order to achieve an informal resolution of the various land/access issues pending their formal ratification once legal proceedings have been completed.

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Action: Clerk to (i) suggest to Sunningwell School of Art directors that they approach the VHMC regarding extra parking space at the Village Hall (ii) remind the Cricket Club Committee that their grant application is still pending (iii) contact the Land Registry regarding registering the Cricket Field in the Parish Council’s name.

b) Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were paid between meetings

It was agreed unanimously to accept the following accounts for payment

Action: Clerk to obtain the necessary Bank Mandate forms to enable all members of the Council to be signatories to the account.

8. PLANNING

a) Decision Notices Received

SUN/8265/1 Larkfield, Foxcombe Road, Boars Hill

Erection of single storey extension to form a garden room. Insertion of new window to front elevation Permission granted

SUN/6085/1 32, Brumcombe Lane, Bayworth

Demolition of single storey extension to the NW & SE of property. Erection of replacement single storey extensions to form family room, kitchen area & hallway. Extension of pitched roof over flat roof. Erection of double garage.

Permission granted

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SUN/7250/2 25, Long Furlong Road, Sunningwell

Erection of a rear extension. Raise roof to form a chalet bungalow. Erection of a garage/store. Permission refused,

b) Applications dealt with between meetings

SUN/7250/2 25, Long Furlong Road, Sunningwell

As above

The Parish Council objected to this application – details on file

SUN/19726 Ridgeway, Lincombe Lane, Boars Hill

First floor alterations. Replacement of porch. Demolition and reconstruction of double garage. No objections

SUN/14250/2 28, Sunningwell

Erection of a rear conservatory No objections

SUN/10425/1 Whitsun Meadows, Berkeley Road, Boars Hill

Demolition of outbuilding/garage and erection of garage and store with accommodation at first floor, ancilliary to the dwelling. No objections

c) Charlottes

It was agreed to act upon Cllr. Macdonald’s emailed request and ask the Vale DC Planning Officer to ensure that permission conditions are being met at this site. It would appear that preparations are being made to build the new dwelling before all the original buildings have been removed and this raises concerns about possible further development in the future.

Members wished to minute their thanks to Cllr. Macdonald for the work that she undertakes on the planning issues that come before the Council.

9. CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence has been received since the last meeting

9.1 OCC Oxfordshire Local Transport Plan

9.2 Home2School Newsletter – Autumn 2006

9.3 ValeDC Sunningwell Village – Flood Prevention Scheme – Cllr. Nichol thanked

Cllr. Lynam-Smith for her efforts to achieve this remedial work

9.4 Consultation on the Statement of Licensing Policy

9.5 Chair’s Charity Dinner & Gala Casino Night

9.6 Targeting Grants for the Benefit of Vale Residents – Finance Sub-Cttee

9.7 Housing Strategy Forum – Cllrs. Macdonald & Lynam-Smith

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9.8 Meeting of North East Area Forum – 5^th October – all members

9.9 Supplementary Planning Guidance

9.10 OALC County Circular – August 2006 – Cllr. Bennett

9.11 RoSPA Play Area Inspection Report – Cllr. Belcher & details on file

9.12 OPFA AGM – 31^st October 2006 – Cllrs. Belcher & Lynam-Smith

9.13 ORCC Affordable Housing – Sunningwell

9.14 SEERA Partial Review of SE Plan – Provision of Gypsy & Traveller Caravan

Sites

9.15 Thames Water – Upper Thames Major Resource Development

9.16 Hodsons The Village Pond & Surrounding Land & Village Hall – update

9.17 EnCams A Guide to Improving Your Local Environment – Cllr. Bennett

9.18 OCC Newsletters – August& September

9.19 Vale DC Reception for Town & Parish Council Mayors & Chairmen

9.20 Meetings of Councils & Committees

9.21 Annual Electoral Registration Canvas

9.22 Vale District Community Forum – 21^st September

9.23 Vale Community Safety News

9.24 ORCC Newsletter – Summer 2006

9.25 IOG Saltex - advertising

9.26 Thames Valley Police – vandalism posters for display

9.27 Philip Hall - advertising

9.28 Primary Care Trust - AGM 28^th September

9.29 Oxford City Primary Care Trust – agenda/minutes for information

9.30 Crime Stoppers – information sheet

9.31 Clerks & Councils Direct – magazine

9.32 Glasdon - advertising

9.33 OCC Tourism signing – Westwood Country Hotel, Boars Hill

9.34 ORCC AGM 18^th October - Cllr. Macdonald

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr. Bennett requested clarification of her position as a member of the Parish Council with regard to the proposals for the Warnborough site which she cannot endorse in any way. Cllr. Nichol said that of course members were free to express a personal opinion at any time but a Parish Council response to these proposals is not possible until a formal planning application is submitted. He added that in his next Chairman’s report for the Sunningwell Scene he will make very clear that the financing of the last edition by Richmond Villages does not mean that the Parish Council is in favour of their proposals for the Warnborough site.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.07pm.

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