Minutes of Nettlebed Parish Council meeting
held on March 2nd 2010
 

Members Present Councillors B. Lewis (chair), J. McDonnell, J. Simon, J. Reynolds, D. Butler, M. Atkins, S. McIvor
and clerk D.Elms.

Also Present  PCSO J. Smith, District Councillor A. Paterson, and Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator M. Lewis,

Apologies from Councillor N. Gibson

Declaration of Interests J. McDonnell and S. McIvor re particular planning issues

Minutes of meeting held on January 19th.which had been previously issued were approved and signed .

Police Matters PCSO Smith said that there had been a reduction in crime due to the poor weather. Henley Police were piloting new ideas, one of which is the introduction of ‘Have your say " meetings which will be held twice monthly. One will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Nettlebed Doctors’ surgery between 1.00 and 2.00 p.m.The other will be held on the first Friday of the month at the school entrance between 8.30 and 9.30 a.m.. Calls are being made to likely vulnerable people living alone and posters are being distributed which highlight the dangers of distraction burglaries. When a person calling at the house is suspected of being a distraction burglar the police should be notified immediately After investigating the police will usually notify the caller re the outcome.

Neighbourhood Watch Mr. Lewis explained that two areas in the village are without a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Volunteers are sought to cover Wanbourne Lane and The Green

Address from District Councillor Mrs A. Paterson The District Council has not increased it’s budget requirement for this year. A public campaign is being organized to reduce the excessive amount of litter by the roadsides, usually thrown from motorists. In cases where people consistently light bonfires which cause problems for others ,and do not respond when politely asked to stop, the matter should be referred to the Environment Health department . In conjunction with OCC meetings have been arranged for secondary school children to meet regularly in order to become aware of civic activities.

Salt Bin As requested at the previous meeting, we have now ordered a salt bin to be positioned along The Ridgeway, on the north side a short distance from the junction with the B481 . It will be maintained and filled by the Highways department who will ensure that it is kept in good working order During the bad weather Highways gritted Wanbourne Lane leading to the doctors’ surgery but did not grit the section of The Ridgeway between the junction with the B481 and that with Wanbourne Lane. They will be requested to add that short area to the gritting schedule in future.

Nettlebed Sports Association Councillor McIvor gave a brief update on the activities of the Sports Association. On Sunday, March 28th. there will be tractor and trailer rides around the villages, with several vehicles taking part. Commencing at Nettlebed bus stop at 10.00 a.m. and with a half hour stop in Checkendon, they will return by 2.30p.m. to the Village Club for either a ploughman’s lunch or a barbecue meal. Other fundraising events in the pipeline but not confirmed. Plans in place for the demolition of the pavilion after a roadway and fencing have been positioned.

Appeals. Requests for donations received from the Ryder-Cheshire volunteer organization and from St. John's Ambulance. Decision to donate £50 to each.

Litter Blitz The annual litter blitz will take place on Saturday, April 24th. Volunteers required to report to the car park at 10a.m.. Bags, jackets and grabber sticks will be provided

N.S.C.C. Councillor Lewis was pleased to report that the halls are proving to be very popular for children's parties and most weekends are booked.

Bollards at the recreation ground entrance Councillor Simon drew the Council’s attention to sect.38(2a) of the Commons Act 2006.This work is classed as an exemption under the Act but requires a notice to be placed at the site, and a copy sent to the Secretary of State, and permission obtained from the landowners. The Commons Conservators will arrange for this to be done.

Overarching agreement The O.A.A. dated January 14th.2005 is the agreement for the disposal of the Church Hall and land at Nettlebed Community School and the provision of a replacement Nettlebed School and Community Centre (NSCC) and Playgroup and the establishment of the Nettlebed School Trust. Details kept in this Minute Book in perpetuity.

Chiltern Society The Chiltern Way is a 278km circular footpath around the Chilterns and passes through our Parish. We are asked if anybody would like to organize a Chiltern Way walk on our section of the footpath. Decision to raise this at annual meeting on April 13th.

Grass cutting It was agreed to accept the quotation from Scion for the regular grass cutting in the Parish.In addition to the areas cut on a 3 weekly basis at £104.32 per cut, several additional areas will be cut on 4occasions only at £86.00 per cut.

Sewer Connection A letter was received from the Ministry of Justice responsible for all the prisons ,informing us, as a matter of courtesy, that HMYOI at Huntercombe were going to be connected to the main drainage system. This would entail pipe work along the road from Huntercombe to Nettlebed which would be situated a yard from the verge on the north side. Work will last from the autumn of 2010 to December 2011. They will keep us informed throughout.

Planning Watlington Street Project. Numerous amendments to this application. No objection from PC but we pointed out several concerns such as the need to remove the posts fronting no.4, need for footpath to north of project to be resurfaced with additional cars using it, the need to ensure that the hedge at No. 4 High Street does not impede the view for motorists turning from the High St. into Watlington Street. We wrote to planning stating that the original drawing of the rebuild at nos.1-4 with gabled roofs and porchways over doors was far more pleasing than the rather bland uninteresting amendment which lacked any character. Other plans – 35 Catslip – no objection Mill Cottage – no objection S. Ryder – no objection St. Swithins – no objection Land adjacent to 38 Priest Close- no objection, 4, Pottery Fields – no objection Eversley House – no objection Kendor – no objection

Roads and Footpaths As requested, we reported numerous potholes, many of which were filled the same day. A pile of cardboard rubbish was reported by a parishioner- arranged for Verdant to remove it. Complaint from parishioner re enormous amount of litter at lay bye at Port Hill. Arranged for Verdant to have it cleared.

Recreation and Amenities. Letter sent to parishioner re parking at dangerous corner of Ridgeway. Letters of appreciation sent to Village Shop and Spar shop who kept everybody supplied during bad weather.

Public Question Time - 8 parishioners present. Matters raised - a). Need for hedges fronting houses at nos. 9,10,11, and 12Watlington Street to be cut well back to avoid impairing vision. b). Suggestion for collating all e-mail addresses in village as a means of imparting news rapidly.

Date of next meeting - the AGM- MAY11th.

Date of Annual Parish Meeting – TUESDAY APRIL 13th  speaker John Howell MP

Meeting Closed at 10.45p.m.

Minutes subject to council approval at the next meeting