DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHENINGTON WITH ALKERTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, SHENINGTON ON WEDNESDAY, 11TH MAY 2016 AT 7.45PM
PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: R. FURNEAUX (CHAIRMAN), D. BRUMMELL, C. BUCHANAN and A. COURT
2 members of the public.
1. Election of Chairman
Councillor Brummell proposed Councillor Furneaux be appointed as Chairman, seconded Councillor Court and carried unanimously.
2. Apologies for absence
Councillors Smith (business) and Porter (business).
3. Declarations of Interest
The Chairman declared a personal interest in item 8(b)(ii) as a Village Hall Trustee. Councillor Brummell declared personal interests in items 8(a)(i), 8(a)(ii) and 11(a) as a family member owns the land. He also declared a personal interest in item 8(b)(ii) as a Village Hall Trustee.
4. Open forum
A resident asked how many people helped with the litter pick. The Chairman said there were 8 helpers including councillors.
5. Election of Vice Chair and appointment of Financial Officer
Councillor Court proposed Councillor Porter be appointed as Vice Chairman, seconded Councillor Brummell and carried unanimously. The Clerk was reappointed as financial officer.
6. Acceptance of the minutes of the previous meeting (April)
The minutes had been circulated prior to the meeting. Cllr. Court proposed that they be accepted, seconded and agreed unanimously. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
7. Matters arising from the minutes of the previous meetings:
(a) Dog waste bin; update
The Chairman reported that the bin has not been emptied by the District Council. He emptied it because it was overflowing. He believes that the District Council will put a bag in the bin once they have emptied it. The Clerk to ensure that the bin is added to the District Council’s list.
ACTION: The Clerk to make sure that the bin is on the District Council’s list for emptying.
(b) The Jitty public right of way update
The Chairman confirmed that the list provided by the County Council has been clarified and returned to them.
(c) Independent Parish Remuneration Report; displayed
The Clerk confirmed that this has been displayed on the notice board.
(d) Registered Village Green map
The Clerk reported that the map has been sent to all councillors.
(e) Supported transport letter; sent to Johnsons
The Chairman reported that Johnsons are considering continuing to run buses through the village but not to go through Balscote.
(f) Rights of Way across Upton Estates; liaison with Upton Estates
The Clerk said that she sent an email to the manager but it has not been delivered. Councillor Court said that she believes our contact may have left the Estate.
ACTION: The Clerk to call Upton Estates.
(g) Tanner’s Pool; damage to wall update
No new report.
8. Councillors Reports
(a) Outsider Organisations
(i) Gliding Club; planning withdrawn
A new planning application will be submitted.
(ii) Karting Club; planning consent
No new report.
(b) Communication
(i) School update
The Chairman reported that Ofsted has given the school a good rating.
(ii) Village Hall trustees update
The work to the village hall is nearly finished.
(iii) Banbury Rural Neighbourhood Meeting; 13th April
Councillor Buchanan reported that other parishes have issues similar to ours but also experience anti-social behaviour. You can sign up for texts alerting you to burglaries in your area. The alerts are called Thames Valley Alert which can be seen on the TVP website. Residents can also register on the TVP website for Thames Valley Alert: Community Messaging which enables information exchange. Residents can receive messages of information, crime alerts or witness appeals by email, text or telephone.
(iv) Community Enterprise Meeting; 20th April
The Chairman and Councillor Court attended this meeting. Notes had been circulated prior to the meeting.
(v) Shenington Green article; submitted
The Chairman confirmed that he had submitted the approved article.
(vi) Annual Report; distributed
This has been delivered to all residents.
(vii) Cherwell Parish Liaison; 8th June
This is the same day as our Parish Council Meeting and so no one is able to attend.
(c) Highways
(i) Traffic Calming Report; meeting with County Highways plus report circulated to other parishes
The Chairman confirmed that he has forwarded the report to the North Oxfordshire Parish Liaison chairman with a request that he forwards to all members. It was agreed that the Chairman and Councillor Buchanan should meet with County Highways on 23rd May.
(ii) Speed Monitoring Dates
Councillor Buchanan reported that the Police now have another speed monitoring device.
(iii) Repairs to road by Karting Club update
No new report.
(iv) Mill Lane potholes update
These have been reported but not repaired yet.
(v) Alkerton Hill drainage update
The Clerk to ask County Councillor Reynolds for his help on this.
ACTION: The Clerk to write to County Councillor Reynolds.
(d) Countryside
No new report.
(e) Services
(i) Power cables, telephone cables and street lights update
The Clerk to ask Councillor Smith if she can find out whether Alkerton’s power cables will be placed underground.
ACTION: The Clerk to ask Councillor Smith.
(f) Assets
(i) Grit bin on Mill Lane
ACTION: The Clerk to email County Councillor Reynolds.
(g) Emergency Planning
(i) Annual Parish Survey; keyholders for the school updated
Councillor Brummell said that he will update this information.
ACTION: Councillor Brummell to update information.
9. District and County Councillors Reports
(i) To receive reports
No new reports.
(ii) Oxfordshire Together update
It was agreed that the Chairman would look into this.
ACTION: The Chairman to look into this.
(iii) Devolving Powers to Towns and Parishes
It was agreed that Councillor Buchanan would attend this meeting.
(iv) Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership
It was agreed that the Parish Council would not respond.
(v) Community Infrastructure Levy Consultation
It was agreed not to respond.
10. To receive planning applications
(a) 16/00630/AGN - Sugarswell Farm
No comments or objections.
11. To receive results of planning applications
(a) 16/00114/F - Shenington Gliding Club; withdrawn
12. To receive correspondence
(a) OALC members update (April)
Circulated to councillors via email.
(b) National Commemoration of the Centenary of the First World War
Noted.
(c) Bus route update
Noted.
(d) Response to councillor vacancy; to agree skills required
The Chairman said that several residents have expressed interest in this role. The vacancy was discussed and councillors agreed that Alkerton was under represented on the Parish Council. It was agreed that a ratio of 5 Shenington councillors to 2 Alkerton councillors was acceptable.
13. Financial/Adminstration Report
(a) Draft 2015/16 accounts
The Clerk circulated the draft accounts to councillors prior to the meeting. Councillors agreed that they could be forwarded to our internal auditor.
(b) To appoint internal auditor
It was agreed that Margaret Coles would be asked if she would audit the accounts.
(c) To review asset register
The asset register was reviewed and it was noted that the dog waste bin has been added and the grit bins removed since they are owned by the County Council.
(d) To review insurance policy
The insurance policy was reviewed and councillors agreed that Zurich Municipal appeared to offer the best value policy.
(e) To agree dates of Parish Council meetings
It was agreed that from September Parish Council meetings would be held on the third Wednesday of every month.
(f) To adopt new website
ACTION: The Clerk to send the link to councillors.
14. Open forum
No questions.
15. Passing of any accounts for payment:
The following accounts were proposed by Councillor Buchanan, seconded by Councillor Brummell and carried unanimously.
(a) Mrs. C. Hill - Clerk’s fee (April) - £164.28
(b) HM Revenue & Customs (PAYE) - £41.00
(c) Zurich Municipal - annual insurance premium - £251.85
16. Closure of meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 8th June 2016 at 7.30pm.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40pm.