MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SHIPLAKE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN SHIPLAKE MEMORIAL HALL
ON MONDAY, 14th DECEMBER 2009 AT 7.45 P.M.
1. PRESENT.
Mr R Dean (Chairman) Mr E Ryder, Lord F Phillimore ,Mr T Taylor, Mr G Thomas, Mr R Head Mrs J Arnott, Mrs A Law and Mr M Leonard (DC) and Dr P Skolar (OCC)
2. DECLARATIONS OF GIFTS & INTEREST.
Councillors were given the opportunity to declare any gifts or interest in any item on the Agenda. None Declared
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 9th NOVEMBER 2009
Item 7 line 2 may should read May. The minutes were then approved on a resolution proposed by Mr Ryder and seconded by Mr Thomas.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS(not covered under items in the agenda
Discussion on the land available for sale on A4155.This item was held over until February meeting.Mr Head asked what was the designation of the land e.g. agricultural The Clerk to contact the Land Agent to obtain details and also to contact planning SODC Jill Oliver to confirm whether this land falls within village envelope and whether village envelope as a definition still exists. ACTION Clerk
5. POLICE MATTERS.
Police Surgeries were held on Wednesday 2nd December between 1000 hours and 1045 hours at the Parish Hall, Trench Green, Mapledurham, between 1100 hours and 1145 hours at the village hall, Dunsden Way, Dunsden between 1300 hours and 1345 hours at the Village Stores, Binfield Heath and 1530 hours and 1615 hours at Station Road, Shiplake. PCSO LWallman and a colleague attended meeting to discuss any issues in the village stating that she was aware of the parking issues at Station Road and Mill Road and doing her best to police the area and prevent illegal and discourteous commuter parking.
6. O.C.C. - Cllr.Dr. P. Skolar.
Dr Skolar reported on the challenges of the budget situation at County which has progressed from £60 million worth of savings to an estimated £106 million savings over next 5 years. County is committed to protect front line services and hold Council Tax rise to under 3%.County are required to fund Personal Care services for all clients living in the community who have a critical level of need , currently £2.8million.
A recent survey of South Central Ambulance service showed that ,compared to the ‘A8’ target of 75% to be attended within 8 minutes, in Oxford City Centre 83% was achieved, whereas outside the centre only 50% was achieved.
Plans for redevelopment of Townlands have again slipped and no building work is expected to begin until 2012.The PCT also has to make significant savings totalling £480 million over 3 years.
Mr R Head commented that where road repairs are identified by white paint, the paint is fading before the repairs are carried out.
7. S.O.D.C. – Cllr. M. Leonard.
Mr. Leonard reported that SODC had been awarded the best direct mail campaign for the Waste Collection programme in the Green Awards .SODC has now moved from 124th in the Local Authority register to 1st for recycling rates. District has received £710,412 from Icelandic Banks where they had £2.5million deposited. They are hopeful of receiving further payments in due course.SODC are inviting Parish & Town Councils to participate in consultation on how to improve working practices and relationships.
District has passed a change to the planning process from February 1st 2010 when there are conflicting views between local and district, particularly when Parish Council recommends approval and District recommend refusal. The application will no longer be automatically referred to the planning committee. The recommendation by the Planning Authority will be accepted unless the Head of Planning and the Chairman decide to send it for further discussion. Mr R Dean commented that he felt this was not a major issue for Local Councils.
Mr Leonard emphasised that The District Councillor will have the right to request an application to go to committee if there are sound planning reasons so it is most important that the Parish Council keep him informed on any controversial applications. This new system will be on trial for one year.
A new texting service has been launched .To obtain collection days, residents can text WASTE collection day (e.g. Wednesday) to 07797870370.
There will be a by election to replace Terry Buckett who passed away recently on February 11th 2010.
A resident has been rehoused in Sydney Harrison house following a period living rough.
8. OPEN FORUM. The meeting was suspended at 8.22pm and there being no questions from the public the meeting was reconvened at 8.23pm
9. SPECIAL REPORTS-PLANNING.
10. PLANNING.
Council received the following recommendations from the Planning Working party
P09/E1061 – Gateways, Station Road – Applicant Mr T James – Proposed new dwelling at land to rear of Gateways, with new vehicular access off existing lane of Northfield Avenue STRONGLY RECOMMEND REFUSAL.
P09/E1154 – Orchard Gate, Plough Lane – Applicant Mr & Mrs Askin – Rear extension and internal alterations NO STRONG VIEWS
P09/E1160 – Highfield House, Mill Lane – Applicant Mr and Mrs M Hill – Conservatory to rear
NO STRONG VIEWS
P09/E1164 – Riviera, Bolney Road – Applicant Dr & Mrs Fenwick Wills – Raise internal floors and external balcony to avoid flooding NO STRONG VIEWS
P09/E1209 – Gateways, Station Road – Applicant Mr T James – Erection of detached double garage NO STRONG VIEWS
Council approved the Working Party recommendations.
DETERMINATIONS
APPEALS: House by the Water – APPEAL GRANTED with 8 CONDITIONS
11. FINANCIAL MATTERS.
Copies of the financial statements for December with details of the accounts due for payment were reviewed and approved on a resolution proposed by Mr R Head and seconded by Mrs J Arnott.
The FWP met on 10th November 2009 to:
1. Review Internal Audit effectiveness,
2. Carry out risk assessment.
3. Review grant applications and set grants budget 2010/11
4. Plan budget /Precept 2010/11
5. Review Clerk salary.
Council reviewed the report and recommendations of the Finance Working Party:1) Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mr G Weir ,as Internal Auditor and his terms of reference .on a resolution proposed by Lord F Phillimore and seconded by Mrs A Law. The Clerk to contact Mr Weir to confirm an appointment to carry out the Internal Audit early in the New Year. ACTION: Clerk
2) Council unanimously approved to accept the completed Risk Assessment on a resolution proposed by Mr E Ryder and seconded by Mrs J Arnott.
3) Council unanimously approved the following grants Shiplake Memorial Hall £600.00, Shiplake CE School £750.00 ,Royal British Legion(Wreath) £275.00, Oxfordshire Association for the Blind £100.00,Sue Ryder £250.00,South & Vale Carers £100.00,Rosemary Club £350.00, on a resolution proposed by Mr R Dean and seconded by Mr R Head.
The FWP also recommended two additional Grants a) Shiplake CE Primary School contribution towards the publication costs of a history of The School £300. Motion was approved on a resolution proposed by Mr R Dean and seconded by Mr R Head and b)Shiplake Memorial Hall a contribution to the architectural costs of the proposed developments at the Hall £400.Motion was unanimously approved on a resolution proposed by Mr R Dean and seconded by Mr G Thomas.
4) Council unanimously approved the 2010-11 Budget proposal and Precept request of £25000 on a resolution proposed by Mr M Leonard and seconded by Mr R Dean.
5) The Clerk was asked to leave the meeting and Council discussed the recommendation to increase the Clerk’s Salary in line with the guidelines of the NALC.Council approved the proposal on a resolution proposed by Mr E Ryder and seconded by Mrs A Law.
The Clerk requested the Council to approve a letter to the Cooperative Bank requesting removal of Ms T Edwards as an approved signatory, as required by the Bank in the absence of a personal signature. Council approved and signed the letter.
12. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.
92/10 MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT.
Copy of Agenda of Standards Committee received .Tabled
E-Copy of the minutes of the Standards Committee meeting held on 22 October received.
93/10 RECREATION GROUNDS.
Badgers Walk - Mr. Leonard reported the condition of the equipment and general condition of the playground was satisfactory Mr Leonard confirmed there was age restriction signage at Badgers Walk.
Memorial Hall. Mrs Law reported the condition of the equipment and the general condition of the playground was satisfactory. Mrs Law confirmed there was age restriction signage at Memorial Hall.
94/10 HIGHWAY MATTERS.
Update on SOTIG. Mr G Thomas reported on the meeting of SOTIG held on 12th November, attended by representatives of SOTIG, OCC,SODC and John Howell MP at which the findings and conclusions from the recent SOTIG survey were presented .It was agreed that these should be presented to the OCC Cabinet meeting on 24th November and that a separate follow up meeting with the Transport Minister, Lord Adonis, should be arranged by Mr Howell. At the OCC Cabinet Meeting SOTIG recommended that, until OCC has secured a veto and there has been full consultation and independent traffic modelling, OCC should reserve its position on any form of participation. In the event OCC decided in principle to participate in Reading Borough Council’s TIF bid scheme as a level two Programme Partner , subject to a right of veto on various elements of the programme , and specifically on the Bridge.
Mr Thomas commented Wokingham are now considering joining Reading's bid as a level one partner, with equal status to Reading. This is in direct response to OCC's decision to be level two members of Reading's TIF bid – subject to safeguards which SOTIG successfully persuaded them to adopt.
The OCC view is that this will strengthen the county's position in bargaining with Reading.
Level 1 Full Partners support the whole programme and can derive the full financial benefits of the package (revenue and capital) but must be prepared to accept congestion charging within their area if this is necessary to tackle congestion.
Level 2 Programme Partners will support and contribute to any proposals in the programme affecting their area. They will share decision making with Full Partners (except about how any congestion charging revenue is spent). They will contribute 10% funding to match 90% Government funding.
Level 3 Infrastructure Delivery Partners will not have direct access to TIF funding and will not share decision making powers. They may benefit from cross-boundary measures affecting their areas, will be kept informed and may lobby for changes to the programme. Bracknell Forest Council is likely to sign up to this level of partnership.
Non-participation is the remaining option. West Berkshire Council is likely to take this course of action because of its strong opposition to congestion charging in Reading Borough.
Mr Thomas reported that the current status was that a meeting was yet to be held between Reading and the other local authorities to clarify and agree their respective positions.
The Clerk briefly updated Council on the Fly Tipping along Mill Road, the Parking issue by Rail Crossing, the Traffic humps in Station Road, the Lighting issue along Station Road and the broken road sign Memorial Avenue.
Mr G Thomas reported that there were street lights on all day in Westfield Crescent .Action the Clerk to contact County Street Lighting. ACTION: Clerk
Dr Skolar was requested to obtain a response in writing from OCC to the earlier suggestion from a resident that the Woodlands Road Bus Stop crossing be improved for safety reasons with a traffic island/pedestrian refuge. ACTION :Dr Skolar
95/10 FOOTPATHS.
There were no footpath walking reports.
96/10 SHIPLAKE – DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES.
. Mrs A Law reported that the next edition of the Newsletter will be February2010.
97/10 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. .
98/10 S.O.D.C.
Request for Parish Precept 2010/11 received from Finance, covered under item 11
November edition of the South Oxfordshire Sport and Activity newsletter received .Tabled
99/10 O.C.C.
Latest Local Transport Plan 3 Newsletter received .Tabled
Communication received from OCC Consultation Portal .Shiplake Parish Council has been invited to participate in the Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2030. Consultation 3: Long list of schemes.Mr Thomas requested input from Council on items that should be included in the above Consultation and also that the deadline has been extended to February 5th 2010.Mr Thomas to forward a response on behalf of Council and copy the Clerk.
ACTION: Mr. G Thomas
100/10 O.A.L.C. /O.R.C.C.
4 copies of Local Council Review received for distribution.
101/10 MEMORIAL HALL
Mr R Head proposed that a Clerks Office be considered as part of the redevelopment of the Memorial Hall .Council unanimously supported the proposal.(added at Feb 8th 2010 meeting)
102/10 CHILTERN SOCIETY/CPRE/OPFA.
· Latest issue of Chiltern News received .Tabled
· Latest issue of Chiltern Woodlands Project “News of the Woods”. Tabled
· Latest issue of December E-newsletter received.
· E copy of Chiltern Woodlands Project Business Plan / Prospectus which explains the work carried out by this charity received.
· Latest issue of Chilterns AONB E-Newsletter received
· Latest issue of Chilterns Conservation Board e-newsletter received. Tabled
· Latest Issue of Oxfordshire Bulletin .Tabled
· Latest issue of OPFA annual report 2008/9 received .Tabled
· The Government have published their draft National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5), concerning erection of Pylons .CPRE request a response to the consultation before 22nd February 2010.Tabled
103/10 DEFRA & OTHER GOVERNMENT CORRESPONDENCE
104/10 TOWNLANDS & OXFORDSHIRE PCT.
13. CORRESPONDENCE
Letter received from Memorial Hall requesting support.
Communication from Crimestoppers requesting publicity for their Newsletter to be placed on Notice Boards.
14. ITEMS OF INTEREST OR FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION.
A 2 hour time slot was requested on the February Agenda to discuss the land on the Reading Road and any projects Councillors may wish to propose to benefit the community.
There being no further items of business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.10pm.
R.V.Hudson.
Clerk to the Council.
21/12/2009