Minutes of Nettlebed
Parish Council Meeting held on September 6th.2011
in the Village Club
Members Present B. Lewis (chair) J. Simon, N. Gibson. D. Butler, R. Collier, J. Sedwell. P. Leigh (newly elected) and D. Elms – clerk
Also present - M.Lewis – Neighbourhood Watch and 3 parishioners
Apologies for absence – Cllr. M. Atkins and R. Belson – County Councillor
Declaration of interests - none declared
Minutes of meeting on July 5th. Minutes were approved once two addenda had been added – item 10 –NSCC and item 15 –commons
4.Grass Cutting With their grass cutting budget heavily curtailed, Highways had been unable to cut the grass on the south of the 4130 from the roundabout to the High Street and the area fronting the Church. Because of it’s shabby state the clerk arranged to have it cut by Scion who do the areas for which the P.C. is responsible. A letter was sent to the Nettlebed Estate stressing the need to cut back the scrub and weeds at the rear of the same area. The uncared for appearance gives a very bad impression to visitors to Nettlebed and those passing through.
5. Arrangements for salt bins and salt supplies A change in policy this year- existing bins plus any new ones ordered will be filled initially. In addition, with each bin a tonne bag of salt will be issued. We need to advise the department of dry storage places for these bags which will be handled by a crane. Although previously ordered but not followed through we now need to order a new bin to be positioned at the east end of Priest Close. Local arrangements will be needed to get the salt in the spare bag to the bin. Councillor Gibson will find out if Blythe’s the agricultural machinery company operating at Manor Farm could help with the dry storage and we feel sure that Nettlebed Estate will be able to help us with the transporting from storage to the bins. We have declined the offer of paying £100 for a second tonne bag of salt. We are reminded that the salt is intended for roads and pavements – not garden paths
6. Police report. Unable to attend the meeting PCSO J. Smith sent a report which was read by M. Lewis. Several suspicious vehicles observed in the area – emphasized the need for obtaining a car number or even a part of it.. Further metal thefts and several local break ins. Speed checks being taken in the High Street. Two surgeries being held in September – 5-6p.m. at the surgery on September 9th and 3-4p.m. on September 27th in the car park
7.Neighbourhood Watch - M. Lewis co-ordinator said that two new councillors have agreed to become co-ordinators covering Crocker End and the High Street.
8. Repairs to bus shelters. The large shelter is in need of a makeover. The brick work needs to be thoroughly washed to clear the verdigris , the areas of brick painted white need to be repainted The wooden seating needs to be replaced and the iron supports painted black The roofs of each shelter are in need of some attention – to be dealt with later, unless any leakage is detected.
9.Whistlestop tour by MP. John Howell M.P. and A. Paterson are embarking on a whistle stop tour of all the smaller villages, during September. Parishioners will need to raise any matters very briefly . Amazingly Crocker End is on the list for 28/9
10 Buses. Now that the M1 andM2 bus service has been subsidized until 3.6.17 consultations and comments are now sought re the 139 service from Wallingford to Henley. , since the subsidy expires on 3.6.12 A meeting held at Oxford on 9.9.11 is to be attended by Cllr. J. Simon who stood in for our transport representative – Cllr. N. Gibson
11Training meeting for new councillors Councillors J. Sedwell. P. Leigh and R. Collier will attend a training meeting on November 8th
12 Planning meeting 31.10.11 Chairman and Clerk to attend
13 Commons and common land A
commons report was circulated by Councillor Simon prior to the meeting referring
to various current issues on Nettlebed commons for Councillors information. No
discussion was needed .It is intended to issue these reports on a regular basis
prior to meetings.
Crocker End. – Councillor Collier reported on an informal meeting with residents
of Crocker End including Mr. Lyall, one of the owners of the common.
Enthusiastic support was shown by all who attended for the proposals to delegate
the regulation of Crocker End Common to Nettlebed Parish Council by S.O.D.C. It
is expected that the P.C. will discuss this and vote on the matter at the
November meeting. The residents welcomed the agreement by Green Gym to carry out
clearance of encroaching scrub outside Hamiltons and on the south side. The
charge for this work is £30 per session.
14. Jubilee celebrations Celebrations will be held nationally over a 4 day period – 2nd.-5th.June 2012 . Local arrangements are in the pipe line and it is proposed to include a celebration similar to that celebrating the royal wedding in April. Included on the committee organizing local events will be Councillor Leigh who will handle the finances involved. A hog roast will be included and the hog has been ordered. More details to follow.
15. Triathlon. The triathlon will take place on Sunday, September 18th. Most of the roads around Nettlebed will be closed for most of the day since 650 cyclists will be racing through. The closures have been widely advertised with numerous road signs in position and the detailed map is on the notice board.
16, N.S.C.C. A further 10 parking places have now been provided immediately adjacent to the community hall entrance. We were sad to learn that the school caretaker is moving from the area
17. News sheet A request from the editor – Councillor Simon – for items to be included in the next news sheet
18. Young Achiever’s Award An award of £250 to a person aged 11-18 showing dedication in citizenship, the arts or sports. Details on notice board.
19.Appeal from Oxfordshire Carers. – Decision re appeals at November meeting.
20 Appeal from Home Start offering help and advice and friendship to families going through difficult times .Decision at November meeting.
21 Red Cross Appeal Volunteers required for placing collection boxes in shops etc. and banking the money collected.
22. Lifeline Bus It was agreed that we should continue to grant £200 yearly to support this bus for the next two years. There is a possibility that S.O.D.C. will decide to support the Dial a Ride bus by that time since all the other Districts in Oxfordshire already offer their support. We would then need to decide which of the two services would be of greater benefit to our parishioners.
Planning a. 36, Priest Close – extension – no objection from PC . b. Dock Leaves- extension – no objection. c. Newlands – extension – no objection d. 2 amendments to Field Kitchen café – under discussion
Roads and Footpaths a. Very overgrown hedge along Chapel Lane. No specific owner so PC will arrange to get it cut back b. Letter being sent to Highways stating dissatisfaction re clearing footpath along Port Hill. Unusable and requests have been made for two years. c. Street lights by surgery and by no.25, The Ridgeway not working. d Street light at entrance to Chapel Lane working but glass cover is off (found nearby)
Public Question Time 4 parishioners present. No matters raised
Date of next meeting November 1st.2011
Meeting Closed at 10.05p.m.
Signed by Chairman
These minutes will be signed subject to approval at next meeting