Minutes of the A,G,M. of the Nettlebed Parish Council held at 8.00p.m. on Tuesday
May 4th.2004 in the Village Club

 

Members Present Councillors Simon, McWhirter, Gibson, Reynolds, Butler and D. Ackerman and the clerk,D.Elms

Also Present County Councillor Roger Belson, Transport Representative J. Phillips, and P. Leverett representing the Sports Association..

Apologies Councillors Lewis and Atkins and District Councillor D. Sloan

Minutes The minutes of the meeting held on March 2nd. were read, approved and signed.

Election of Chairman Councillor Simon was proposed and seconded and approved.

Election of Vice-Chairman Councillor McWhirter was proposed, seconded and approved.

All the Councillors agreed to remain on the sub-Committees as before and Miss Phillips expressed her willingness to continue as our transport representative.

Financial Report All the Councillors had received a copy of the financial report for year ending March31st.2004. This was studied and agreed as an accurate report, the details of which to be supplied to the auditors .

Comments on Annual Parish Meeting The talk on the Disablement and Discrimination Act by Mr. Davis was very helpful About 40 people were present and only one matter was raised by the parishioners. Presumably this reflects their satisfaction with our efforts

Recreation Ground After investigations with the Commons Conservators and the Nettlebed Estate it has now been established that the overall responsibility for the recreation ground and pavilion falls on the Parish Council with the Sports Association taking care of the day to day running and the pavilion insurance. In view of the small amount of use of the pavilion it was not considered necessary to make adjustments for use by the disabled. It was agreed that  Mr. Leverett would attend some of our meetings and report on any matters of concern pertaining to the recreation ground and pavilion. Half of the money from the fete is kept for maintenance with the remainder being allocated to those sections of the village in need of financial help.

Report from County Councillor Belson.  In June, work will commence at junction 6 of the M40 when parking and shelters will be provided for commuters joining the coaches for London and Oxford. A taxi service will operate from Chinnor and Chalgrove for those wishing to travel on the Oxford to London service. In order that each County Councillor will represent 6,500 eligible voters, some boundary re-arrangements will take place prior to the May 2005 elections. Nuffield, Ewelme and Brightwell Baldwin will leave the Watlington division, and Aston Rowant, Kingston Blount , Crowell and Sydenham will join the division. 3000 letters from the public expressed their disapproval of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan to build 1000 houses on green belt land near to Oxford.The new plan is for each of the 5 District Councils to build 200 houses. County Council’s website is www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

Update on new school  Numerous drafts and schedules have only just been received and since these need to be studied carefully on account of the Parish Council’s involvement a meeting to be arranged urgently between members of the Community Facilities Committee. Members are Councillors McWhirter, Simon, Reynolds and B. Lewis. Mr. A. Coyle, a solicitor is now acting on behalf of the Parish Council. Clerk to ascertain from Cornhill Insurance, what would be the extra charge to the existing Council insurance, if it were to include insurance for the playgroup room, the community hall and the all weather sports pitch, as with the village insurance , with a public liability of 5 million pounds.

Children’s Playground The annual R.O.S.P.A. inspection will take place in July. After that we will decide what action is required in order to comply with the Disablement and Disability Act which comes into force in October 2004.

Church Flower Festival  It was agreed that the Parish Council would take part in the flower Festival 15-17th July.

Police Report  Crime figures for February and March as follows :

Burglary from dwellings   Feb 0 Mar 1
From non-dwellings        Feb 1 Mar 0
Other thefts              Feb 0 Mar 1
Theft from Motor Vehicles Feb 1 Mar 2

An appeal for Special Constables to be advertised on notice boards.

Report from Planning Sub-Committee  

a. Soundess House – extension – no objection P.C.
b. Kennels – extension – no objection P.C.
c. 4, Pearces Meadow – ext and balcony – Objection to balcony.
d. As above minus balcony – no objection P.C.
e. 3, Pottery Fields – ext – no objection P.C.

Report from Roads and Footpaths Sub-Committee  Letter sent to S.O.H.A. re gap in hedge at Watlington Street creating dangerous drop. Blocked drain in Watlington St. near Elms Way junction. To be reported.

Report from Recreation and Amenities Sub-Committee  Nothing to report.

Public Question Time  Only one member of public present - no matters raised

Date of next meeting July 6th 2004

Meeting closed at 10.10p.m.