Minutes of Nettlebed Parish Council meeting
held on January 19^th.2010

Members Present. Councillors B. Lewis, J. McDonnell, J. Simon, J. Reynolds, D. Butler, N. Gibson and S. McIvor

Also Present - M. Lewis, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator.

Apologies. Councillor M. Atkins, District Councillor A. Paterson, County Councillor R. Belson.

Declaration of Interests. J. Simon re donation to Conservators

Minutes of meeting on November 17th 2009. Copies sent to all Councillors prior to meeting, and were approved and signed at the meeting

Precept. Councillors had received details of the anticipated budget for 2010-2011 and agreed to request a precept of £10,500

Risk Assessments. Each item discussed and it was agreed that the risks were satisfactorily covered.

Recreation ground. Posts and a locked bollard now installed at the southern entrance to the recreation ground in order to prevent unwanted vehicles entering the ground. Emergency services informed and were given the necessary code to unlock the bollard should they need to gain entry.

Moles. Active Environmental Services, a company from Abingdon have now done their best to remove the large number of moles, but there are likely to be more taking over, so the company will be asked to keep an eye on the situation.

Donation to Commons Conservators. It was agreed to increase the annual donation to the Commons Conservators from £250 to £350 bearing in mind the large amount of common land in our parish which has to be maintained.

Police report. Unable to attend the meeting PCSO Janice Smith sent a detailed report. Although she has a wide area to cover, she has spent a large amount of time caring for our needs, e.g. dealing with parking problems particularly on the Sue Ryder sales days, various vehicle crimes, non payment for petrol at the local filling station, and holding surgeries in the village.

Neighbourhood Watch. Malcolm Lewis stated that the co-ordinators covering most of the village had proved to be an excellent means of keeping parishioners informed regarding waste collections etc. during the recent bad weather

Salt Bin It was agreed to purchase a salt bin to be situated on the north side of Wanbourne Lane, about 40 yards from the junction with Watlington Street. This might prove to be useful to the residents of The Ridgeway, Pearces Meadow and the Surgery, in addition to those in Wanbourne Lane. At a later date we must consider any other areas not dealt with by Highways gritters.

Fly tipping. Last year over 4000 cases of fly tipping across the county cost £250,000 to remove. A number of posters highlighting this will be displayed throughout the village and at our next meeting we will complete a questionnaire stating our findings.

Local shops. It was agreed to send a letter to the owner of the post office shop and to the manager of the Spar shop congratulating them on the wonderful job they had done in keeping the village supplied with essential foods etc. during the recent bad weather. It is hoped that people using the local shops for the first time will remember how helpful they were and continue to support them.

Grass cutting. It was decided to renew our contract with Scion who cut the grass in the village.
A request to be made to the District Council who cut the grass from the roundabout to the High Street and the area of grass outside the Church, to cut the grass shorter and more frequently.

Nettlebed Sports Association. As reported in the recent News-Sheet, the Pavilion Fund has now reached £60.000 since a cricket dinner raised the grand sum £22,000 and a handsome donation was received from Nettlebed Estate. Volunteers are invited to help, particularly those with special skills – architects, lawyers, accountants, secretaries and those with construction or building skills Ideas for future events would be very welcome as there is still a long way to go before reaching the target of £90,000

News letters. Our sixth news letter was delivered during the recent bad weather – special thanks to those who trod the snow covered paths under very difficult conditions. It is essential that all our parishioners are kept informed of local events. Items for inclusion in the next edition should be sent to the editor – Jeremy Simon

Local Transport Plan. Suggestions are invited for any scheme which we feel should be included in the transport plans from 2011- 2030 It was decided that we would like to add to the lengthy list already compiled the following –Double yellow lines preventing parking on the east side of Watlington Street from the junction with the High Street to the Mill Road turning. By that date the Post Office will have been relocated to the High Street. The parking in that area is highly dangerous

Children’s Playground. On the land fronting the playground a large area has become sunken and filled with water – agreement to get this area built up to it’s original height.

Approach to Mill Road. Similarly a small area has become worn away due to the area being constantly used by car owners turning. As with the above, it was agreed to get this remedied.

Fencing at Kingwood Common. It was decided to take no action regarding two letters appealing for our support to condemn the plans. We are given to understand that the matter is now in the hands of DEFRA.

N.S.C.C. The Community Hall and Sports Pitch are proving to be very popular for a wide variety of activities both indoor and outside.

Planning . Notification that in cases where the planners do not agree with the views of the Parish Council, the plans will not in future go to Committee. Plans received – a. 40, High Street – lowering of kerb and provision of turning area in readiness for car parking – no objection P.C. b. House to the rear of Malt House – objection from PC and refused by planners c. Lawful Development at Halfridge Lodge – granted by planning d. The Cottage, Magpies –complications re bats and reptiles. For this reason no strong views.

Roads and Footpaths. The pavement on the north side of the A4130 from the roundabout to Halfridge and the pavement on the south side of the A4130 from the garage to the lay by at Port Hill were both scheduled to be cleared of weeds etc. by the team who are on stand by during winter months for salting and gritting the roads. We await the outcome.

Public Question Time. 5 parishioners present. Matter raised – Parishioner at 1, The Ridgeway, is causing tremendous traffic problems by leaving her car in the road at this very dangerous corner. Clerk to write requesting she does not park in that dangerous position. If she does not respond to our request, PCSO J. Smith to be advised.
A parishioner extremely concerned having been asked by planners to take down a fence erected in front of his property. He was unaware that the maximum height permitted along the roadside is 1 metre. He has offered to paint it, to grow plants in front of it – he spent thousands of pounds having the fence erected as a safety measure for his young children being alongside a very busy road.

Date of next meeting – March 2^nd.

Meeting Closed at 10.30p.m.

These minutes will be signed at the next meeting, subject to Councillors' approval.