Minutes 30.01.08

Milton Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting duly convened and held in the Community Centre, Milton Heights on 30^th January 2008

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

In attendance: L.Dalby (Clerk), District Cllr R.Waite, County Cllr I.Brown and fourteen members of the public.

08/1.Public Participation

Mr Strange had the following items to report

- The hedge in Potash Lane has been cut back but the debris needs clearing.

- The sports field fence still needs repairing.

- Mr Strange was concerned that only two councillors had looked at the large Milton Park planning application. Cllr Sadler explained that the planning application had taken over three weeks to be delivered to the Clerk. The Clerk had therefore had to apply for an extension for comments to be made to the district council leaving only a couple of days for the application to be examined.

- Mr Strange asked why the Best Kept Front Garden Competition had not taken place last year? Cllr Sadler explained that no one had had time to organise the competition.

- Mr Strange asked why there had been no meeting in December. The Clerk explained that she had been unable to book a venue for the meeting.

- Mr Strange was unhappy that the Senior Citizens Christmas gift vouchers had not been delivered.

- Mr Strange queried why the Council needed permission to remove the hedge in the cemetery.

- The waste bin in the cemetery has still not been emptied.

Mr Robertson had the following items to report

- The rules regarding access to the Community Centre were still not displayed. Action: Clerk to follow up and also to have this printed in Milton Matters.

- Footpath 3 through Milton Park has been blocked by a fence. Action: Clerk to report this to the County Council.

- The footpath running from the Packhorse to Q Gardens has become very hazardous. Action: Clerk to report to the Highways Department.

Mr Griffiths from Milton United Football Club introduced himself to the Council. Mr Griffiths hoped that the new committee at Milton United would be able to work with the Parish Council to resolve any outstanding issues. Mr Griffiths also reported that following several delays the legal documents that the Councils solicitors were waiting for had finally been returned to the Clubs solicitors. Action: Cllr Sadler will contact Mr Griffiths to arrange a meeting.

08/2. Reports from County and District Councillors

County Cllr Brown reported that there will be an increase of 3.875% in the Council Tax from the County Council.

Five companies are tendering to Oxfordshire County Council to incinerate the counties residual waste.

District Cllr Waite’s report is held on file.

The Damascus group gave a presentation about their work with young people in the village. They need more adult volunteers as well as funding in order to be able to continue. The young people would like to become more involved in village life and asked if the Parish Council would consider putting additional litter bins on Milton Heights.

08/3. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr P Bradbury, District Cllr T Fraser and District Cllr M Murray.

The Clerk explained that due to the Garage Fire in Sutton Courtenay today she had been unable to bring all the relevant paperwork to this evenings meeting.

08/4. Minutes of the Council’s meeting held on 28^th November 2007

The minutes were agreed with one amendment and signed by the chairman.

08/5. Matters Arising

a) Cemetery Bin – this has still not been emptied and the clerk will chase this matter up.

b) Sports field fence – it was agreed this matter should be taken up with the Football Club when a meeting has been arranged. Action Cllr Sadler

c) Community Centre Access - as the Clerk was unfortunately unable to access her office today she will find the relevant file for the next meeting. Action – Clerk

d) Road markings – Milton Heights – these were renewed in December.

e) Traffic Speed Esso Research Centre – the highways department have responded that the accident record for this area isn’t sufficient to justify a change in the speed limit. However the planned changes to the A34 interchange may include a reduction in the limit on this stretch of road.

f) Footpaths Esso Research Centre – the clerk has not received a response from the developers.

g) Dropped Curb Rowstock – the VWHDC planning department are investigating the matter.

h) Playground Areas – the monthly safety inspection has reported that the fence at Lambe Avenue is now very dangerous. Mr Howden has now provided the Council with a quote to renew the fence. It will cost £980 with new posts and fence or £730 making use of the existing posts. Cllr Jennings agreed to meet with Mr Howden to discuss which option is most suitable and to ask him to remove the vandalised fence as soon as possible. Action – Cllr Jennings

i) Cemetery – a quote for a new fence has been received. Action Clerk to bring to the next meeting.

j) Bus Shelter –the Clerk needs a few more details before being able to complete the grant application form. Action – Clerk

k) Website – it was agreed that the Council would not fund a Website at this time however it would consider asking the Damascus Group if they would be interested in setting up and running a website in conjunction with the council. The Council are concerned that any website is kept up to date.

l) SID – the Clerk has now received details of who to send the maintenance cheque to.

m) Land at Milton Heights – the Clerk has received confirmation that the acquisition of the land will cost around £1500 - £2000. Cllrs Liquorish and Jennings volunteered to meet up with Mr Nik khah to discuss the matter. Action Cllrs Liquorish and Jennings

n) HGVs Milton Heights – an unsuitable for HGVs sign has been put up. The Clerk will persue the matter of the missing give way sign. Action Clerk

o) Moor Ditch – the Clerk has not received a satisfactory response from the environment agency about the status of Moor Ditch. Action – Clerk to chase up.

p) Overhanging hedge Potash Lane – the hedge has now been cut however the debris is now causing a hazard. Action – Clerk to follow up.

08/6Planning 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

The Council discussed the proposed development at the Service Station and agreed that there were no objections. The Council considered the proposal to be much safer than the current Service Station for both traffic and pedestrians.

08/7 Financial and Administrative Matters

(i) The following accounts for payment were approved

Revenue and Customs – PAYE  £138.83

P. Browning – Litter Picking November  £34.48

S. Devitt – Litter Picking November  £44.16

 L.Dalby – Clerks Salary & Expenses November  £497.39

Milton C of E Primary School – hire of hall  £6.87

VenturPlay – safety inspection - December  £65.80

VWHDC – Servicing dog bins  £138.62

MEPC – SID maintenance  £30.00

(ii) Precept 2008/09

Copies of the proposals made at an informal meeting of Councillors on 23^rd January had been circulated prior to this meeting. The proposals were accepted and the Precept for 2008/09 set at £18,000.

08/8 Correspondence received

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

08/9 Matters raised by Councillors/Clerk for

i) Inclusion on the agenda by notice to the Clerk

a) Road and Car Park Milton Sportfield – Cllr Sadler will bring this to the attention of the Football club when he meets with them. Action Cllr Sadler

b) Milton Matters – Cllr Sadler reported that he will present an annual financial statement to the Annual Parish Meeting.

c) Meeting Dates 2008 – the following dates were agreed.

January 23^rd (Precept)

January 30^th (Full Council)

February 27^th

March 26^th

April 9^th (Annual Parish Meeting)

April 23^rd

May 28^th (Annual General Meeting)

June 25^th – Milton Methodist Church Hall

July 23^rd – Milton Methodist Church Hall

September 24^th

October 29^th

December 3^rd

January 7^th – Precept Meeting

January 28^th

ii) Urgent Action by approval of the meeting

Cllr Sadler now has the Senior Citizens Christmas Vouchers list and he will deal with this matter. An apology for their lateness will be published in Milton Matters.

Cllrs Liquorish and Jennings agreed to meet with the young people on the Damascus bus.

08/10 Future Meeting

 It was agreed that the next meeting of the Council would be held on February 27^th at the Community Centre, Milton Heights commencing at 7.45pm.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.10pm.