Minutes 28.01.09

MILTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting duly convened and held in the Community Centre, Milton Heights on 28^th January 2009

Present: Cllrs K. Sadler (Chair), S. Jennings, N. Adderley, R. Fyfe and R. Liquorish.

In attendance: L. Dalby(Clerk), County Cllr I. Brown, District Cllrs T. Fraser, R. Waite and M. Turner, PCSO Catherine and 8 members of the public.

09/01 Best Kept Front Garden Competition 2008

District Cllr R. Waite presented the prizes to the winners of this competition.

09/02 Public Participation

PCSO Catherine gave a short report. There had been no reported crime in Milton since the last meeting. The Police have spent 3 hours over the last month doing speed checks in the local area. Of the 395 cars monitored only 4 were found to be speeding. All officers in the Wantage East area have now been trained to use the AMPR which is proving very successful in detecting all sorts of crime. There have been a number of reported incidents of criminal damage in local fields which has been taking place overnight. An operation is being set up to deter this type of crime. PCSO Larry Gardner is setting up a monthly surgery in the Community Centre and Methodist Hall.

It was reported that the Highways department have been working on the footpaths in the Milton Hill area at night.

Mr Glazebrook reported that the ditch in the High St is being cleared, he also reported that since the Gingebrook has been cleared that the surrounding fields are now flood free.

Mr Strange reported that one of the speed cushions in the High Street is breaking up. He also noted that Murphys have churned up the verge at the bottom of Milton Heights during the recent road works. Action – Clerk to report both matters.

09/03 Reports from District and County Councillors

County Cllr I. Brown gave a short report.

- A speed reduction between Rowstock and East Hendred will be installed on February 8^th. The speed limit will be reduced from 50mph to 40 mph.

-   The County Council budget for 2009/10 has not yet been finalised.

- Incinerator – there is a great deal of concern about the proposed incinerator however the County Council is the planning authority and have no control over licencing or monitoring. The County Council cannot refuse to build an incinerator.

- Flooding - Cllr Brown recommended that the Parish Council set up a flood group so that they can get help from the Environment Agency and attract funding to do any necessary maintenance work to help prevent flooding. He also reported that the Environment agency have done work to the Ginge brook however they are unable to clear the culvert under the A34 as this is the responsibility of the Highways department.

- Proposed Steventon reservoir – talks are still ongoing however Cllr Brown expects a decision to be made this year.

The report from District Cllrs Waite and Turner is held on file.

District Councillor Fraser asked if any progress had been made with the bus shelter for Milton Heights. The Clerk explained that she was waiting for permission from the Highways department before the project could progress. Action – Clerk to chase up Highways and to copy to County Cllr Brown.

Cllr Fraser also reported that the recent 44% rise in anti-social behaviour was due to a wider variety of crimes being classified as anti social behaviour rather than an actual increase in crime.

09/04 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr I von Wenden.

09/05 Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interest

There were none.

09/06 Co-option to the Council.

Mr S. Glazebrook was co-opted onto the Parish Council to represent the Village ward. Cllr Glazebrook completed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and his signature was witnessed by the Clerk.

09/07 Minutes of the Council’s meeting held on 3^rd December 2008

The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

09/08 Matters arising

a) Grass Cutting and Cemetery Hedge – quotes have now been received from Evergreen, Berinsfield Community Business and Calber. Following a brief discussion it was agreed to award the contract to Evergreen.

b) Playground Areas – The inspection reports for both playground areas found no problems this month. Cllr Jennings had made further enquiries about the Playbuilder scheme. He reported that there will be further funding available in January 2010. He suggested as there really isn’t time to apply for the current round of funding that the Council begin to make plans for the 2010 deadline.

c) Football Club – Cllr Fyfe gave a comprehensive report on the Councils dealings with the football club, a copy is held on file. Cllr Fyfe also expressed some concerns about the current licence. The Clerk has not received the information she requested from the Club. A lengthy discussion followed and it was agreed that Cllr Fyfe would draft a letter to the club. The letter should warn the Football Club that unless the requested information is received by the end of February that the Council would have to consider giving them notice to quit. The letter would be sent via the Councils solicitor. It was also agreed that due to anomalies in the original licence and the proposed building work this would be a good time to renegotiate the licence. Concerns were also expressed that the Football Club is not allowing other sports to take place. Action – Cllr Fyfe.

d) Risk Assessment – Cllr Sadler to distribute forms to Councillors according their areas of interest.

e) Litter Picking Rowstock – a litter picker for Rowstock has been found. It was agreed to employ Robert Connelly for 4 hours per month, allowing an extra 2 hours in his first month to get on top of the situation. It was agreed that the litter pickers should be supplied with high visibility waistcoats, gloves and litter grabbers.  Action – Clerk to source equipment.

f) Burial Fees – the completed table of fees was agreed and signed by the Chairman and Clerk. Action – Clerk to distribute to local Funeral Directors.

g) Land at Milton Heights – the Clerk has still not heard from the VWHDC legal department. Action – Clerk to chase up.

h) Speed Limit A4130 – the Highways department have responded to the request for an extension of the 40 mph speed limit on the A4130. There are no current plans to extend the speed limit.

i) Bus Shelter – the Clerk is still waiting to hear from the Highways department.

j) Memorial Safety Check – the Clerk has obtained guidelines for checking the safety of monuments in the Cemetery. Action – Cllr Fyfe to inspect the Cemetery.

09/09 Planning and Development Matters

a) Applications received from the District Council for consultation and considered by the Planning Committee.

b) Decision(s) of Local Planning Authority

c) A letter has been received asking for the Councils opinion on what the new houses on Wantage Rd, Rowstock should be known as. The options are 1-5 Acorn Close or 3-7 Wantage Rd. It was agreed that as none of the other houses on Wantage Rd have numbers, Acorn Close would make the houses easier to find. Action – Clerk to respond to the letter.

09/10 Financial and Administrative Matters

(i) Accounts for payment

Society of Local Council Clerks – subscription £112.00

Citizens Advice Bureau Abingdon – section 137 donation £50.00

Milton PCC – standing charge water at Cemetery £6.53

L. Dalby – Clerks salary and expenses January £615.27

P. Browning – Litter Picking January  £45.90

S. Devitt – Litter Picking January £38.84

Venturplay – safety inspection December £64.40

VWHDC – servicing dog bins £146.18

VWHDC – servicing dog bins £146.18

L.Dalby – vouchers for BKFG Competition £60.00 

(ii) Payments made between meetings

Revenue and Customs – PAYE &NI December £ 54.87

S. Devitt – Litter picking December £ 38.84

P. Browning – Litter Picking December £ 45.90

L. Dalby – Clerks salary and expenses December £593.45

Venturplay – safety inspection November £ 64.40

P.Browning – rubbish sacks £ 9.00

(iii) Precept 2009/10

The proposals made at the last meeting were accepted and the Precept for 2009/10 was set at £15,985.

09/11 Correspondence Received

Cllr Fyfe has read all the correspondence received and pointed out some matters of interest. A list is held on file.

The Clerk had received some information about setting up a Flood Group. Action – Cllr Glazebrook .

The VWHDC have now confirmed that Rowstock will not now become part of the Parish of East Hendred until 1^st April 2011.

09/12 Matters raised by Councillors/Clerk for

a) Inclusion on the agenda by notice to the Clerk

- Freedom of Information, the Council formally adopted the new model publication scheme.

- Sutton Courtenay Incinerator – the Council agreed that in principle they don’t object to the proposed incinerator however they noted the misgivings of the residents of Sutton Courtenay.

- Parish Cleansing Grant Scheme – the Clerk has applied for this funding.

- VWHDC Core Strategy – Preferred Options – Cllrs Fyfe and Liquorish reported on the recent meeting they had attended. The proposed housing may be partially within Milton Parish. All the Councillors felt that the proposed infrastructure was not sufficient for the number of planned houses. Action – Cllrs Liquorish and Fyfe to prepare a response before the next meeting.

- It was agreed to change the date of the May meeting from May 27^th to May 20^th.

b) Urgent action by the meeting

- The new editor of Milton Matters is John Simmonds.

- The Council agreed that the Clerk should attend the “Law and Administration” training day which is to be organised by OALC.

09/13 Future Meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on February 25^th 2009 at the Community Centre, Milton Heights commencing at 7.45pm.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10pm.