Monthly
Meeting
Present: Mr
J Nowell-Smith (Chairman and District Councillor), Mr R Boughton, Mr K Field,
Mr A Stratton, Mrs J Willis, Mrs A Purse (
1.
Apologies
No apologies.
2.
Approval of
previously circulated minutes
Previously
circulated minutes were approved and signed.
3.
Matters
arising from previous minutes
a.
Parish Council vacancy – the statutory notice requesting ten
residents to apply for an election had been placed on the notice boards and in
the Newsletter from 1 February.
b.
c.
Affordable housing – OCC is to have a site visit to the
Station Yard to consider how much land could be released for housing in view of
the possibility of a cycle track or bypass. A decision should be made by the
end of February.
d.
Pelican crossing – the site visit of Mrs Purse and Mr Ronald
to view the position for a pelican crossing was unfortunately at a quiet moment
in the day and Mr Ronald was yet to be convinced of
the necessity for a crossing. Mrs Purse suggested inviting Mr Ronald to the
March meeting and Mr Stratton offered to provide video evidence. Mrs Purse felt
that although we did not meet the existing laid down criteria, this village
ought to be considered urgently as there are exceptional circumstances.
e.
Tree planting and maintenance – replies awaited from OCC.
f.
Green Box collection – the
4.
Planning
matters
a.
P04/0776/LD Cartshed Loft, Sandy Lane Farm – use
of the first floor for residential purposes began more than four years ago.
Decision: SODC
granted certificate of lawful use or development.
b.
P04/W1317/O Tudor Cottage, Tiddington – two
detached houses.
Decision: SODC
refused.
c.
P04/W1414
Sandy Lane Farmhouse,
Decision: no
strong views but comments on concern for increase in traffic if vacated
veterinary premises remain in commercial use and concern for adequate foul
water disposal. Mr Nowell-Smith declared a personal and prejudicial interest
and the chair was taken by Mrs Willis for this particular application. Dr
Bennett and Mr Hignell representing Dr Bennett presented their case for
approval.
d.
P04/W1418/LB Draycot Cottage, Draycot, Tiddington –
repairing of existing wall and reuse ruined wall stone. Construction of a new
wall. Erection of fence/gate, amendment no 1.
Decision:
approved.
e.
P05/W0027
Draycot Cottage, Draycot, Tiddington – repair of existing wall
and reuse of stone; build a new wall; erect a new gate/fence.
Decision:
approved.
f.
P05/W0033
Land adjacent to Sunnyside,
Decision:
refused on grounds of overdevelopment with increase over previous application
to three bedrooms and inadequate parking. If granted, concern that the property
be connected directly to the mains sewer.
g.
P05/W0057
Gardeners Cottage,
Decision:
approved.
h.
P05/W0067 The Old
School, School Lane, Tiddington – extension to consist of new bay window and
open porch to side elevation.
Decision:
approved. Mr Field declared a personal interest.
i.
P05/W0068
Tiddington Village Hall, Tiddington – single storey extension and
alterations.
Decision:
approved. As members of the Village Hall Committee Mr Field
and Mr Stratton declared a personal interest.
5.
Correspondence
a.
SODC Environmental Improvement Schemes – there is still
money available until the end of March.
b.
SODC Easter Activities Programme – local inclusions are
invited for a list which will be widely publicised.
c.
South East Plan OCC consultation arrangements – a meeting
will be held on 23 February at Didcot and the subject will be on the agenda of
the Thame Area Forum on 10 March. Mr Nowell-Smith to keep the plan document and
bring his comments to the March meeting. Responses for SODC’s information
required by 7 April.
d.
Freedom of Information Act 2000 – authorisation of qualified
persons under section 36 of the act has been granted to the Clerk as primary
and Chairman as secondary authority.
e.
6.
Financial
matters
a.
Authorisation of cheque signatories – it was agreed that Mr
Field should become the third signatory for cheques.
b.
Bus shelter refurbishment – following further discussion it
was agreed that the interior brickwork should be cleaned but left as bare
brick. Mr Field will prepare a detailed estimate for the March meeting. The
previous estimate for repairing the roof provided in February 2003 will be
cancelled.
c.
Recreation ground, play area and churchyard maintenance
estimate – Mr Robinson had increased the charge for mowing the playing field by
£5.00 per cut but decreased by £5.00 per cut the mowing of the churchyard. It
was agreed to ask Mr Robinson to provide an estimate for raking the bark as
necessary and to generally inspect the play area for any problems. Mr Stratton
would meet to discuss what was required. It was also agreed that Mr Field would
ask Mr Richard Ilbery to roll the playing field when convenient.
d.
Payment of £211.50 to MediaLane International for website
maintenance Feb 2004/Jan 2005 proposed by Mrs Willis, seconded by Mr Field.
e.
Payment of £212.80 to Parchment (Oxford) Ltd for Newsletter
printing Feb/Mar 2005 proposed by Mr Stratton, seconded by Mr Boughton.
f.
Payment of £10.00 for petty cash proposed by Mr Stratton,
seconded by Mr Field.
7.
Open
discussion
a.
Mr Boughton commented on the welcome increase in the
advertising in the Newsletter.
Mr Boughton
agreed to provide details of higher interest rate accounts as NatWest had nothing
which would be suitable for the Council’s needs.
b.
Mrs Willis mentioned the need for first aiders at events,
which she had read about. Mr Stratton said that this would be discussed and
clarified at a Village Hall Committee meeting.
c.
Mr Stratton reported that the Village Hall Committee was
applying for grants from OCC and SODC for the building work on the Hall. He
said that the percentage that was asked for would be lower than the maximum
available and thought this would help the applications. It was agreed that the
application should be made through the Parish Council and that a contribution
of 5%, approximately £2,000 from the Council be given.
Mr Stratton
commented on the annoyance of advertising vehicles parked on the roadside. Mr
Stratton to contact Trevor Brown at SODC and Mr Nowell-Smith will discuss with
SODC the legal aspects of the nuisance.
d.
Mr Nowell-Smith said that the letter of condolence which he
had written to Mrs Tremayne had been put in the wallet.
8.
Date of next
meeting
There being no
further business the meeting closed at