Minutes of the AGM of Nettlebed Parish Council held on May 10th.2011
in the Village Club

Present – Councillors B. Lewis (chair), J.Simon, N. Gibson, D .Butler, R. Collier, J. Sedwell

Also Present – M. Lewis – Neighbourhood Watch

Apologies – Councillors M. Atkins and J. McDonnell. District Councillor – A. Paterson and County Councillor R.Belson

  1. Election of Chairman – B. Lewis was nominated, seconded and re-elected
  2. Election of Vice-Chairman – J. McDonnell was nominated, seconded and re-elected
  3. The Chairman welcomed two new Councillors – R. Collier and J. Sedwell
  4. All Councillors were issued with Acceptance of Office forms which were signed and witnessed by the Financial Officer (clerk)
  5. All Councillors were issued with Declaration of Interest forms which need to be returned to the clerk as soon as possible. These will then be sent to the Legal Department.
  6. The two newly elected Councillors were issued with copies of ‘How to be a good Councillor’ and the Code of Conduct
  7. Minutes of the meeting held on March 1st. which had been issued to all Councillors were approved and signed.
  8. Transport Representative - Councillor Gibson agreed to continue acting as Transport Representative.
  9. Children’s Playground. Mr. B. Lambden who lives opposite the site has agreed to act as minder of the playground. Regular inspections need to take place and to be recorded on forms supplied.
  10. Financial report for year ending March 31st.2011 which had been issued to all Councillors was approved.
  11. Audit. Prior to passing all books and records to our internal auditor – Mr. J. Tate, statements in sections 1 and 2 of the Audit report issued by BDO – the external auditors, have to be read out and fully approved by the Councillors Accuracy is essential as any slight errors necessitating phone calls or letters from the auditors cost the Council money.
  12. Insurance - Nettlebed Sports Association investigating whether it would be advantageous to link their insurance for the Pavilion with the Parish Council’s insurance for the village. Our preference is to keep the two completely separate.
  13. Commons. The stewardship of Crocker End Common is under discussion with a view that the P.C. should become the administrators. Since common land is a highly complex subject Councillor Simon will send information relating to commons and common land to all Councillors prior to the next meeting when the matter can be discussed and decisions made.
  14. The Nettlebed Arts Society are anxious to donate some sort of gift to the village to celebrate their 60th. birthday in 2012. Their original suggestion to have a brick and flint monument did not meet with approval by all concerned They now plan to make other suggestions which can be discussed at our next meeting.
  15. Nettlebed Sports Pavilion. Now that the work is almost completed and we have a wonderful new pavilion with which we are extremely proud, plans are being made to have a suitable opening ceremony. All the people who have worked so hard to achieve this result will be invited – the fund raisers – the members who have given so much of their time and skills – the firms who have supplied goods and services at reduced rates- and to those who have spent hours purchasing all the necessary fittings and utensils
  16. Post Office, café and shop. With space at a premium there is no room to display A4 notices as in the past. It will be possible to display notices of post card size for a small fee.
  17. NSCC update. The latest bookings for the Community Halls and Sports Pitch have included a netball team, Latin dancing classes and a children’s summer school to take place during the school holidays.
  18. Playground (further to item 9) Instances have occurred where the gate has been left open and young children have got out – a plaque is being obtained which will state that the gate must be kept shut at all times. It is also planned to attach a bolt . Councillor Simon has kindly cleared the nettles surrounding the playground which were coming through the fencing.
  19. Bus Service after June 5th. The M1 service from Watlington to Reading will be operated by Whites Coaches instead of Motts from June 5th. Exact times are not finalized yet but the bus will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to Reading via Sonning Common. In addition there will be a bus – M2- which will run from Nettlebed to Reading via Nuffield and Stoke Row. There will be one bus which will make a return trip from Watlington to Reading. on Saturday morning.. Times will be issued prior to the starting date.
  20. Play School Bus. On alternate Thursdays starting on May 12th. there will be a playschool bus parked in Nettlebed near the Kiln from 1.00 – 2.30p.m. This is a new venture – free of charge – open to young children who must be accompanied by an adult.
  21. News Letters. As usual, the editor of the newsletters asks for suitable items for inclusion in the next publication.
  22. Neighbourhood Watch. Mr. Lewis stated that there are several areas in the village which are not fully covered by N.W. co-ordinators. Councillor Collier agreed to assist with the coverage for Crocker End.
  23. Planning. a. proposed new dwelling in land adjacent to 40 Priest Close- no objection from P.C. – permission now granted by SODC  b. 15, The Ridgeway – proposed new dwelling with access via Wanbourne Lane – refused by PC
    c. dropped kerb at 38 High Street to allow for parking., - no objection PC
    d. retrospective planning for Post Office and café and shop – no objection from PC
    e. Noise and odour inspection at café – no objection from PC
  24. Roads and Footpaths. a. deep pothole at exit to filling station – dealt with promptly b. Fly tipping of motor parts near to sewage works- reported to Verdant. c. exposed cable above ground at street lamp no.1 Watlington St- reported to SEB Lighting and inspected by them on 29/4 d. Request to Oxford Citizens for grass at Elms Way to be cut. Also to cut back hedge along Watlington St. e. Owner of Malt House to be requested to cut back hedge overhanging Chapel lane.
  25. Recreation and Amenities. a. fete to be held on July 2nd. b. Children’s Playbus - see item 20. c. letter to be sent to County Councillor R. Belson and copied to Mr. J. Howell drawing to their attention the removal of a facility greatly needed by certain handicapped or blind people. Prior to the government’s ruling that all bus passes would be issued by the county ,some people were able to opt for tokens in lieu of passes and were able to use the tokens on certain taxi fares. Now that passes are issued by the County it is no longer possible to opt for tokens so the handicapped people have lost out.

          Public Question Time. 8 parishioners present.

          Date of next meeting – July 5th.
          Meeting Closed – 10.00p.m.

  • Signed –

  • To be signed at next meeting subject to approval from the Councillors

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