Minutes from meeting held on: Thursday 26 April, 2018
Present: Bruce Tremayne (BT), Jack Pearson (JP), Dawn Channon (DC), Lynn Roberts (LR). Samantha Hatwell (SH) -clerk.
Members of the parish and Cllr Dan Sames.
Apologies
Bryn Walker (BW) & Terry Pollard(TP).
Declaration of Interests
None given.
Public Comments/Notices
C Harris raised the issue of the SSE deficit and suggested it be changed to ‘surplus’. He also stated that he was informed that he could not record meetings at a previous meeting. The PC confirmed that he, along with any other member of the public can record the meeting (The Openness of Local Government Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/2095).
Approval of the minutes from the meeting held on 22nd March 2018
The minutes were approved and signed by Bruce Tremayne in the absence of the chairman Bryn Walker.
Matters arising from the meeting 22nd March 2018.
Expressway – Oxford – Cambridge. BT confirmed that the East/West rail is definitely going ahead. The expressway is still in its proposal state, with three possible routes; 1- will go towards Thame/Aylesbury, 2- Northerly route A34 Bicester and 3- will pass through Otmoor. We are in consultation with the local parishes and Terry Pollard has been attending meetings stating our objections to the proposal. TP arranged for some posters to be printed off to be put up in the parish, (at his own expense) and suggested we arrange a meeting to involve the village. A possible date was 29th May to coincide with the Conservation exhibition. SH to speak to Claire Mitchell. If a meeting is arranged SH will liaise with BT for the wording for a leaflet drop around the village.
The decision on which route is chosen, will be made in July 2018.
Cherwell District Council (CDC) won’t give their views until they hear from Highways England.
Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) views are that the route up the A34 should not get Approval.
There is a website for further information ‘Save Otmoor’ and also a petition that can be signed.
Allotments
BT thanked JP for collecting the rubbish that had collected in the hedges. JP stated that he had filled three bags!
A quote from AJF landscaping had been received for work on the well of £1165.00. The quote from Thames Water had not yet been received, SH to chase up. Bruce Honour wanted to see a further two quotes. SH to look for more companies to carry out the work with the same specifications received from AJF.
Conservation Exhibition – 29th May 2018, 4.00 – 8.00pm in the Community Hall.
SSE surplus
The PC had been in touch with SSE who gave us clear indication on what the surplus can be spent on. BT asked the councillor’s present for their views on the surplus. After a discussion it was decided to arrange for a certified teacher to come and do a first aid course. It was suggested we include the school children. BT thought this would be a good idea. SH to find a suitable teacher.
C Harris thought this would be a bad idea and suggested that the surplus be spent grit bins. He also stated he would not be interested in carrying out the first aid course.
Finance
a) Payments for approval – BT stated that in accordance with the NALC pay award, the clerk’s salary should be raised from £193.30 to £197.15. All the councillors were in agreement and a cheque was signed for £197.15 along with expenses of £12.60. Cheques were also signed for M R Cross £420.00 invoices 2033/34 grass cutting and CDC £144.14, emptying of dog bins.
b) Insurance renewal – £676.59. Previous year was £655.90. It was agreed to pay the renewal to Zurich Municipal. A cheque was signed.
Burial Grounds
OLD – LR and DC noted that the gate was being left open again.
NEW: N.T.R
Playing field/ground
a) Swing seat. BT asked whether the swing seat had been ordered yet. SH and the councillors stated that they were not aware if it had been. SH to chase BW when he returns.
b) M R Cross had started the grass cutting and SH confirmed that he had been informing us when it took place.
Planning
a) Mr P Dickinson – Cumberland Barn – change of door to window. No objections were given.
b) Mr P Cooper – West View Farm – Change of use from two holiday cottages to one dwelling. No objections were given. SH had returned the documentation stating our views.
May elections – 3rd May 2018
To be held in the Percy Collet room of the Community Hall to vote for your nominated parish councillor.
Data Protection
Update of the GDPR and Data Protection Bill has tabled an amendment to its own Data protection bill to exempt all parish and town council and parish meetings in England and community and town council in Wales from the requirement to appoint a DPO (data protection officer) under the General Data Protection Regulation. JP will write up a document to give clear rules on how the PC/clerk will deal with the information on Data held.
Items for further discussion
It is with sad news to hear that Bruce Tremayne will not be standing again as a councillor.
Cllr Dan Sames arrived and apologised for being late and not attending previous meetings. He proceeded to report:-
Roads – He has been chasing up work to repair the pots holes around the district, but with so many he is finding is difficult to get results quickly!
Network rail have given the district council one hundred & sixty five thousand pounds for compensation to the damage of the roads between Islip and Ambrosden when lorries were carrying out the extension to the railway. He is trying to determine when the work will be carried out.
He stated that he has submitted a report stating his opposition of the proposal to the expressway across Otmoor, one of the observations were the impact on the ecology of Otmoor.
He has contacted the Chief Executive of Friend of the Earth who is keen to meet up with him to discuss the matter further.
BT asked if he would be interested in attending a meeting in Charlton, regarding the Expressway, he said he would be but it would have to be in June as he He stated that each county councillor has been given a £15.000 priority fund which will be run over two years and will be at the discretion of individual councillors to award to local communities. He has set aside £4,000 for primary schools.
Being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.20pm. The next meeting will be the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council in the Percy Collet room of the Community Hall at 7.30pm when the newly elected councillor’s will take office.