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Sunningwell Parish Council
DRAFT SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION AND APPROVAL BY THE NEXT PC MEETING
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SUNNINGWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 23rd SEPTEMBER 2009
Present: Cllrs E
Bennett (Chairman), D Graham, and J Russell.
In attendance: M W Rothery (Clerk)
Four members of the public were also present for all or part
of the meeting.
91/09 Apologies for Absence
Cllrs T Foggin, H Lynam-Smith, and
C Wise. OCC Cllr Arash Fatemian
92/09 Declarations of Interests
Cllr Russell declared a personal
interest in matters relating to the cricket field.
93/09 Minutes of the parish council meeting held on
29th July 2009
The Minutes of the meeting held
on 29th July 2009
were approved, and signed by the Chairman.
94/09 Matters Arising from the Minutes
Minute 84/09 Sunningwell Festival – At the invitation of the
Chairman Mr M Woodward informed the council that a meeting of some 25
interested people had taken place the previous week. The main outcome was the
possibility of establishing a Community Interest Company was being investigated.
He would keep the council apprised of developments.
Minute 89/09 Parish Plan - At
the invitation of the Chairman Mr B Nichol, former Chairman of the parish
council, apprised the meeting of the work previously undertaken into the
preparation of the parish plan. A great deal of research had been carried out,
but further work had been suspended in view of the lack of resources; the level
of effort required to do the job properly should not be under-estimated. Mr Nichol
advised that major key issues tended to motivate the production of parish
plans, and that apart from flooding which was being addressed, Sunningwell did
not really have any. The Chairman agreed to draft an item for Sunningwell
Scene, seeking interested volunteers.
Action: Cllr Bennett to draft
item for Sunningwell Scene
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95/09 Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Clerk reported that Cllr Wise
had informed him that he had received the revised drawings for the proposed
scheme, and had recommended that the parish council accept these as satisfactory.
Cllr Wise suggested that budget and funding should now be explored. Members
understood that the proposed scheme was to be funded by the Vale of White Horse
DC, and that no contribution from the parish was anticipated. It was agreed
that Peter Dela of VWHDC be now advised that the revised scheme drawings are
satisfactory, and hoped that work could be started before the winter rains.
Action: Clerk to advise VWHDC accordingly
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96/09 Sunningwell Flood Committee
In the absence of Cllr
Lynam-Smith, Mr Bob Nichol advised
the council that at a recent meeting of interested persons forming the
Community Flood Group he had been elected Chairman. The Group had identified a
number of possible schemes to reduce flooding risk, in addition to that
referred to under Minute 95/09; they include:
·
Creating a holding pond in the field at the rear
of the mobile home park
·
Creating a holding pond behind the Barracks
·
Widen and deepen some culverts for the stream
·
Widen the outlet into The Glebe
·
Create a holding pond in The Glebe
The plan was for the Flood Group
to apply for a grant towards the cost of one or more of these schemes from the
VWHDC, with any deficit being underwritten by the parish council from the
reserves earmarked for this purpose.
A contractor was willing to provided
quotes for the work, but first needed a clear specification of the work
including some key measurements. Other quotes would also be required. The Clerk
was instructed to ask Cllr Wise to contact Mr Nichol in this regard, so that
the grant claim form can be completed for submission by the deadline of 30
October. Members advised Mr Nichol on completing certain aspects of the claim
form.
The Clerk advised the council
that it had no specific legal power to carry out flood alleviation works. However,
the use of Section 137 could be considered, but the amount available each year
was limited to £6.15 per registered elector (approx £4000pa ) and the
expenditure must benefit the population at large rather than just a few
individuals. It would probably be necessary also for the Flood Group to be
formally established as a committee of the parish council.
Action:
Cllr Wise to be asked to offer assistance
Mr Nichol
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97/09 Land Surrounding the Village Pond
The Chairman reported that she
had submitted a search enquiry form to the Land Registry
98/09 Land at the Cricket Field
Members noted receipt of a copy
of a letter from the Diocese of Oxford to church warden Mr Bob Evans, in which
the Land Registration Officer indicated that the Diocese would be prepared in principle
to register the cricket ground and adjacent land with HM Land Registry. Members
understood that Mr Evans was to locate the original deed to the land which was
required in order to start the registration process. Cllr Graham advised the
council that there was some doubt as to the ownership of a small strip of land
forming, and adjacent to, the children’s playground; it was thought that the
owner may be the county council.
Action: Chairman to submit a search
enquiry to the Land Registry
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99/09 Children’s Playground
No further progress had been made
with regard to specifying the proposed extensions to the play equipment.
Action: Cllr Russell to contact Mrs Sarah
Twinn to ascertain the views of young mothers on the play equipment they
would prefer.
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Members noted with much concern
the report of the annual ROSPA inspection of the play equipment, which
criticised its deteriorating condition. It was resolved to take immediate
action to repair the equipment and top up the bark chipping surface.
Action: Cllr Russell to contact Geoff
Cross to arrange immediate repairs
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100/09 Village Pond
Maintenance
Mike Woodward’s
report setting out proposed maintenance works was considered. The main task was
a major silt clearance and weeding exercise, which in view of its urgency and
budgetary provision, had already been carried out (partly by volunteers) with a
cost of some £600 for hire of a digger and skips. Mr Woodward stated that the
willow tree needed professional tree surgery at an estimated cost of £300; the
council suggested that he might contact the electricity company to see what
they could do. Members expressed their thanks to the work of the pond
sub-committee in maintaining the pond.
101/09 Transport Needs Survey
The Clerk reported that the
Oxfordshire Rural Community Council had offered to conduct a free transport
needs survey. This would provide much relevant information on which the parish
council’s response to the review of subsidised bus services could be based.
Members agreed that this would be a good idea and instructed the Clerk to ask
the ORCC to proceed as they suggest.
102/09 Redundant Red Telephone Box
At the request of the Chairman Mr
Charles Frost addressed the meeting. Mr Frost informed the council that a
notice had been posted in the telephone box by BT, that as it was not
financially viable, BT proposed to remove it after 42 days. Its removal could
be prevented either by sponsorship at an annual cost of £500, or by the parish
adopting it for £1; in the latter case the council would be responsible for its
upkeep in perpetuity. Mr Frost offered to help with future maintenance.
Members agreed that in principle
the council should adopt the telephone box for £1, as they believed the box to
be part of the village heritage that should be preserved. The Clerk was asked to
obtain clarification of the terms and conditions, also the status of the
electricity supply. Mr Frost passed to the Clerk the relevant website address.
Action: Clerk to register the council’s
interest on the website and obtain clarification of the terms and conditions.
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103/09 Finance
It was resolved to approve the
following payments:
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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1207
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B Cross
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Litter Warden (Aug/Sep – 9
weeks)
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198.00
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1208
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Playsafety Ltd
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Playground Inspection
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72.45
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9.45
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1209
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Sunningwell VHMC
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Hire of Village Hall
Jan-july 09
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70.00
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1210
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M W
Rothery
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Clerk salary & exps – Aug
& sep
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920.97
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1211
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OPFA
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Membership subscription
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32.00
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104/09 Planning
(a) The following applications
were considered:
R3.0178/09 Demolition of two temporary buildings. Erection of new
extension and alterations o provide two new classrooms at Sunningwell School.
COMMENT: NO OBJECTION
Erection of tourism sign in Bayworth for The Flowing Well PH,
Sunningwell
COMMENT: NO OBJECTION
(b) The following comments
submitted on urgent applications received since the last meeting were noted:
SUN/6700/1 Erection of open-sided steel-framed barn (retrospective).
Land adjoining Chilswell Edge and Pinsgrove, Chilswell Lane COMMENT - OBJECT
The Chairman reported that she
and Cllr Lynam-Smith had visited the site, and discussed the application with
the planning officer. They had decided that the council should object on the
grounds that the barn’s location in the ‘middle’ off the field, its apparent
water supply, and its landscaping, gave the clear impression that its future
conversion to a dwelling was anticipated; this would be totally unacceptable as
the field is in the green belt. Under the procedure agreed by the council for
dealing with planning applications between meetings the Clerk was instructed to
submit comments objecting to the application. This had been done.
At the request of the Chairman
the applicant Mr David May addressed the meeting. Mr May had received a copy of
the council’s reasons for its objection; he wished to explain how he came to
erect the barn, and the reason for its position. He said that he had obtained a
permitted development right for an agricultural building from VWHDC, and had
erected the barn in accordance with this and after consulting the owners of
both the neighbouring properties to establish the position that met their
concerns. However he had been advised that a technical problem with the
permitted development right meant that a full retrospective planning
application was now being required by the planning authority.
Mr May explained that the barn
did not have a mains water supply, as had been stated in the parish council’s
comment of objection, and that the planting of trees was to screen the barn to
minimise the impact on the views. He assured the council that he had no
intention of converting the barn into a house, and that its sole purpose was
for agricultural storage. Mr May stated that he would be happy for conditions
to be attached to a consent, including one that prevented future conversion. Mr
May responded to various questions concerning its location.
Cllr Graham stated that he had no
objection to the application. Cllr Russell wished to reserve her position until
she had an opportunity to visit the site; this was arranged for Sunday 27
September. At the request of the Chairman the Clerk advised the council that if
it was so minded it could resolve to withdraw its objection before the planning
authority makes a decision. Otherwise the comment already submitted would
stand. The Chairman thanked Mr May and advised him that members would consider
the matter further when Cllr Russell had visited the site.
SUN/6085/2 Erection of a single-storey extension to form garage, sun
room and fitness room. 32 Brumcombe lane, Bayworth COMMENT – NO OBJECTION
(c ) The following planning
decisions were noted:
SUN/20801/2 Alteration to approved application to included lowering of
the ground floor and increase roof pitch. Alterations to west elevation to
include larger windows with the addition of side lights to the front door. 28
Brumcombe lane, Bayworth PERMITTED
SUN/359/3 Construction of new vehicular access onto Foxcombe Road, Glenfield, Foxcombe Road,
Boars Hill PERMITTED
105/09 Correspondence
The full list of correspondence
has been circulated to members by e-mail.
106/09 Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday
28th October, 2009 in Sunningwell Village
Hall.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 10pm
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