TIDDINGTON WITH ALBURY PARISH COUNCIL

Monthly Meeting

Monday 5 December, 2005, 8.00pm – at Tiddington Village Hall

MINUTES

Present: Mr J Nowell-Smith (Chairman and District Councillor), Mr R Boughton, Mr A Stratton, Mrs A Tremayne, Mrs J Willis, Mr D Turner (County Councillor) and three members of the public.

1. Apologies

Mr K Field.

2. Approval of previously circulated minutes

Previously circulated minutes were approved and signed.

3. Matters arising from previous minutes

a. OCC Highway matters – the sign indicating the M40 before the Waterstock Turn is still awaited. There have been several roadwork sessions on the A418, repairing drain covers.

b. Affordable housing – a meeting of all Councillors with Suzanne Willers and Sally Kelsall of SODC was held on 15 November and it was agreed that a further survey should be done. The form giving a detailed explanation of costs, criteria and with a questionnaire was included with the December/January Newsletter and a deadline of 12 December made for responses to Suzanne Willers. Results of the survey are awaited.

c. Tree planting and maintenance – at the site meeting it was agreed that a fir tree could be planted at the proposed position, but a variety which would not grow too large needed to be authorised by OCC. Mr Mike Robinson had been asked to suggest a variety, but meanwhile for this year a donated Christmas tree had been erected. Mr Stratton was thanked for organising its placement.

d. M40 road noise levels – the Council had registered its interest and support to the M40 Chilterns Environmental Group and several Milton Common residents had attended the AGM of the Group. It is hoped that the stretch of motorway beyond Junction 7 to 8A can be included.

e. London Road, Milton Common – road safety concerns – Peter Ronald of OCC had reported to Mr Turner that the survey of the London Road will be done this week. Mr Pallant had reported to the Clerk that his drive had been blocked by a lorry queueing for the Lantern Service Station, but the Police had said they were unable to do anything unless there were double yellow lines. Mr Turner to investigate whether this is a possibility.

f. Village Hall grant – Mr Stratton intended to resubmit the application by the end of December but will arrange a meeting with SODC to discuss the matter beforehand.

4. Councillors’ subject responsibilities

Mrs Tremayne agreed to be responsible for planning, highways and street furniture. Footpaths would be transferred to Mr Field and transport to Mr Boughton. Other subjects remained as before.

5. Planning matters

a. 15 Brookside Close – Mr Nowell-Smith reported that the relevant plans were now in storage and not available to view with the solicitor. Mr Nowell-Smith will obtain the land registry number from the resident and investigate further. He had also been in touch with Mrs Luckett to advise her of the situation.

b. P05/W1126 Brimpton Cottage, London Road, Milton Common – two and single storey extensions.

Decision: no strong views.

6. Correspondence

a. Christmas waste recycling promotion – SODC will visit certain towns and villages offering a free recycling sack and money-off vouchers for the packs of 25 clear sacks.

b. “Pavements are for people” campaign – this has been relaunched with new stickers. Mrs Willis asked for two stickers to use in North Close and Brookside Close. At the weekend a fire engine had found difficulty accessing a fire at Brookside Close because of parked cars. The problem will be highlighted in the next Newsletter.

c. Free trees offer – SODC has bare-rooted whips of 40 to 90cms tall for delivery in January/February. It was agreed that if the offer is available next year, a site at the junction of Sandy Lane with London Road, Milton Common might be considered.

d. Youth Service budget in Oxfordshire – a letter had been received from Woodcote Parish Council, highlighting the problems of underfunding of the Youth Service in Oxfordshire and urging the Parish Council to write of its concerns to the Leader of the County Council. Mr Turner said that there had been difficulties recruiting staff at the sharp end. An Ofsted report a year ago had been good but had doubted that there was adequate funding. Great Milton is keen to co-operate with other local villages with activities such as trips to bowling by minibus.

e. South Oxfordshire Dial-a-Ride Service – funding will be withdrawn and the service discontinued on 27 January 2006.

f. Notice had been received from Oxfordshire County Council of a Fares and Ticketing Strategy questionnaire. It was agreed not to respond.

7. Financial matters

a. Budget and Precept 2006/2007 – Clerk reported that the finances were healthy with a likely reserve of £10,000-£11,000 at the financial year end. There are outstanding promises of grants of £2,000 each to the Cricket Club and Village Hall. A precept of £9,200.00 for 2006/2007, a rise of £200.00 was proposed by Mr Stratton, seconded by Mrs Willis.

b. Payment of £10.00 to Joy Fitzpatrick as refund for two adverts not taken up proposed by Mrs Willis, seconded by Mr Boughton.

c. Payment of £186.20 to Parchment (Oxford) Limited for Newsletter printing December/January proposed by Mr Stratton, seconded by Mrs Willis.

8. Open discussion

a. Mrs Tremayne said that communication with the M40 Chilterns Environmental Group had highlighted the fact that it was difficult to find Milton Common on any website and to know to which parishes it belonged. Mr Stratton suggested a Milton Common website with links to the named parishes. Mr Stratton was asked to prepare an estimate for this for the January meeting. Mrs Tremayne also asked whether the name on the notice board could include Milton Common. It was agreed to investigate the cost of a new sign.

b. Mrs Willis asked Mr Turner to pursue the painting of the white gates with OCC.

c. Mr Boughton reported that the ORCC AGM which he had attended had been well supported and interesting.

d. Mr Stratton asked to take a year’s sabbatical because of pressure of work. Clerk said that she felt this was possible with the agreement of the Council and would clarify the details at the next meeting.

e. Mrs Horne reported that an M40 residents group was being formed and a meeting will be held on 14 December. They have been in touch with Great Milton and Great Haseley Parishes.

Mrs Horne asked that thanks be conveyed to Mr Field for erecting the dog signs at Milton Common.

f. Mr Giddy circulated a letter he had received from Boris Johnson, MP, regarding the retrospective planning at Sandy Lane Farmhouse. Mr Johnson had written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and to the Strategic Director for Planning at SODC to request they look into the matter.

9. Date of next meeting

Monday, 9 January 2006 at 8.00pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.35pm.