Village Diary
This Diary of village events is kept up to date with information passed to the Editor. However, please be aware that dates and times of events may change before they take place, so do check with the organiser if you’re in any doubt.
For venues and other information, roll your mouse over the relevant Diary entry.
Bin collections are usually on Fridays but this varies whenever there is a public holiday. Furthermore, because of the new dual calendar system, different parts of the village have different bins collected on any given day. To download the calendar that applies to you click here and enter your postcode.
AGENDA
1. To elect a Chairman
2. To elect a Vice-Chairman
3. To complete Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms (for 1. & 2. above)
4. To complete Register of Members Interests forms (as necessary)
5. To discuss the Council’s Councillor vacancy
6. To confirm all Committees & Committee members & Working Groups currently existing for the Council
6.1 Committees: –
- Finance (DM, AC, LR)
- HR (AM, DM, LI)
6.2 Working Groups: –
– Clubhouse (AM, DM, HEH & J Gibson)
7. To receive & approve apologies for absence
8. To record any declarations of interests relating to this meeting
9. To receive the County Councillor’s report
10. To receive District Councillor’s report
11. To receive the Lengthman’s report from Iain Wood
12. Open Forum
To receive representations from members of the public if present. Maximum 15 minutes (3 minutes per person).
13. To approve previous minutes & report on any matters arising – All Cllrs
Minutes of the BPC meeting held on 10th April 2024
Note: – Any changes to the minutes need to be agreed by a vote.
14. To hear the Planning Committee Report & Planning Responses – L Inglis
14.1 To agree or ratify the Council’s response to the following consultations
14.1.1 P23/V2635/FUL Land at end of Coffin Way, Blewbury
Appeal – planning application refused in January 2024.
Construction of single dwelling & associated works.
Deadline 30.05.24
14.1.2 P24/V0945/LB Corrydon House, London Road, Blewbury
Various internal & external renovations.
Deadline 30.05.24
14.1.3 P24/V0956/FUL Abners Barn, Church Road, Blewbury
Proposed renovation, conversion & extension of grade 2 listed barn to create self & custom build 3-bed dwelling house, pursuant to previous planning consents.
Deadline 06.06.24
14.1.4 P24/V0958/LB Abners Barn, church Road, Blewbury
LB consent for 14.1.3 above.
Deadline 06.06.24
14.2 To note planning permissions received during the month
14.2.1 P24/V0533/HH Lowmans, South Street, Blewbury
Planning permission 26.04.24
14.2.2 Ashbrook House, Westbrook St, Blewbury
Planning permission 10.04.24
14.2.3 P24/V0405/FUL Community Artwork Structure for Play Close, Blewbury
Planning permission 02.05.24
15. To hear an update on Speed Watch & Speed Reduction Measures (L Robinson / J Ingoldby)
16. To hear an update on Finance & Administration from the Clerk
16.1 Financial updates
16.1.1 General Power of Competence
Council to resolve to retain the General Power of Competence on meeting the criteria.
16.1.2 To hear an update on the internal & external audits
16.1.2.1 Internal Audit
16.1.2.2 External Audit
16.1.2.3 Council to agree & sign off the Accounting Statements
16.1.3 End of month reconciliation for April sent in advance of the meeting to the Chair. To be agreed & signed at the meeting.
16.1.4 Receipts in April included: –
– Cemetery related £90
– VAT refund £25,207.99
– Clubhouse income Q4 £2,740.50
– Hall admin salary reimbursement from VH £1,377.50
– Donated funds towards a new Skate Park £50,000
16.1.5 Lloyds Bank account funds as of 30.04.24 were £180,539.03
This sum includes main reserves of: –
- £16,594.16 remaining village hall refurb funds
- £10,521.53 CIL funds
- £5,000 EV Charger grant fund
Net funds available £148,423.34
16.1.6 Any other Financial updates
i. Interest bearing account for reserves – Council to resolve to open a 30-day interest-bearing account with Lloyds Bank.
ii. Council to agree whether to retain or decline the Community First Oxford membership renewal (£70)
16.2 Administrative updates
16.2.1 To hear an update to proposed changes to existing leases – D Mathias
i. Croquet club
ii. Tennis Club
iii. Band Hut
16.2.2 To hear an update on the grass cutting contract for this year
Tactical Facilities Management appointed to maintain the Pound, Play Close & Churchyard for 2024.
16.2.3 To hear an update on the format of this year’s Annual Parish meeting currently scheduled for Wednesday 15th May – J Saunders
16.2.4 Any other administrative updates
i. Council to approve updated Parish Council Members & Responsibilities lists.
ii. To confirm the Council’s Standing Orders are in order & any required amendments.
16.3 To agree authorisers for this month’s payments (signatories present only)
16.4 To approve payments to be made under the general power of competence and within budgeted amounts as detailed in the table below – All Councillors
PAYEE | Description | Amount |
| E Cooper/D Hollick/ E Holroyd/I Wood | Clerk, Lengthman, trainee Lengthman & Hall Administrator salaries & expenses for April | £3938.15 |
| NEST DD | Clerk’s pension April | £113.65 |
| HMRC | PAYE Clerk, Lengthman, Hall Admin & Employer NIC contributions April | £762.28 |
| Biffa Waste Services Ltd DD | Waste services April | £180.30
|
| BT DD | Clubhouse digital fibre package | £80.07 |
| Scottish Power DD | Clubhouse electricity 01.05.24* | £258.00 |
| J Newman | Clubhouse cleaning April | £252.00 |
| Walters Electrical | Various works at Clubhouse* | £523.00 |
| Post Office | BPC stamps* | £17.60 |
| Amazon | Microsoft Office for Hall Admin/Card* | £44.97 |
| Amazon | New equipment for Lengthman: – Overalls & gloves* | £58.31 |
| Amazon | IT for Hall Administrator: new mouse* | £14.98 |
| The Zip Wire Company | Various parts for zip wire* | £187.96 |
| Gallagher | Tractor insurance renewal | £156.65 |
| PWLB | PWL 497831 Clubhouse* | £4207.50 |
| Total | £10,795.42 |
*Paid to be ratified
Receipts | Description | Amount |
| VoWHDC | Precept first half | £56,500.00 |
| HMRC | VAT refund | £25,207.99 |
| VHEMC | Clubhouse income Jan-Mar 2024 | £2,740.50 |
| Blewbury Brass Band | Ground rent fee | £5.00 |
| Anonymous donation | Towards new skate ramp | £50,000.00 |
| VHEMC | Hall Admin salary reimbursement Jan-Mar | £1,377.50 |
| Blewbury Croquet Club | Annual Rent arrears & paid up to end of lease in 2036 | £16.00 |
| Amazon | Refund for item not received | £32.49 |
| M&J Didcock | Cemetery fees (Pottle) | £90.00 |
| Total | £135,969.48 |
17. To receive from VHEMC – D Mathias
17.1 EV charger update – L Robinson
17.2 Any other updates
18. To receive an update on the Community Art project – L Inglis
19. To receive an update on all things relating to the operation of the Clubhouse & the recreation ground – E Holroyd, I Wood
19.1 Clubhouse
19.1.1 Clubhouse Admin report
Clubhouse income for April 2024 estimated at £TBC
19.1.4 Any other updates
19.2 Recreation ground update
19.3 Scout Hut update
BlewShed feasibility study
19.4 Any other updates
20. To receive an update on all aspects of TFF & car park – M Shayler
20.1 Play area / trim trail update
20.2 Inspections
20.3 Skate Park future refurbishment / replacement update – D Mathias/A Calder
20.4 Cycle Track – potential refurbishment / replacement update – D Mathias/A Calder
20.5 Any other updates
21. To receive an update on Risk Management & Compliance – A Calder
22. To receive an update on issues relating to the Environment – A Millman
22.1 Information from Sustainable Blewbury
22.2 Any other environmental & bio diversity issues
23. To receive an update on any issues relating to Footways, Footpaths, rights of way and open spaces – M Shayler, I Wood
23.1 Parking on the Pound update
23.2 Any other update on Footways, Footpaths, Rights of Ways & open spaces in & around the village
24. To receive an update on any outstanding consultations – All Councillors
None outstanding.
25. To agree the date/venue of the next meeting(s) of the Council – All Councillors
Annual Meeting of the Parish on Wednesday 15th May at 7pm in the Village Hall.
Next full council meeting is the Annual Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 12th June 2024 at 7.00pm in the Melland Room at the Clubhouse.
Appendix A
| NO. | ACTIONS FROM APRIL MEETING | WHEN BY |
| 1. | BPC to review its overall storage position with the set-up of a working group – DM | ASAP |
| 4. | DM to speak David Long re introduction of a maintenance charge to the Croquet Club | Actioned |
| 5. | DM & AM to speak to the Tennis Club re introduction of a maintenance charge | April meeting |
| 6. | Clerk to look at lease data that needs to be updated. | Actioned |
| 7. | Clerk to obtain two additional quotes for grass cutting contract. | Actioned |
| 8. | DM, AM, JS to open discussions re format of APM in May | Actioned |
| 10. | LR to obtain further quotes re EV charger at VH | ASAP |
| 11. | DM to obtain new skate ramp proposal from Radii Ramps | Actioned |
| 12. | AC to continue investigations in to new pump track | Ongoing |
| 13. | AM & JS to consider draft community engagement statement regarding ‘water problems’ in the village | ASAP |
| 16. | DM to speak to resident of Turnpike House re parking. | Actioned |
| NO. | ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS | WHEN BY |
| 1. | HG to provide an update on the new DC building in Didcot. | C’fwd |
| 2. | HG to check on progress of requested dog waste bin re-siting on Berry Lane. | C’fwd |
| 5. | DM to open discussions with A Forman re Post Office Post Mistress formal arrangements (appointment/grant) | ASAP |
| 10. | MS to investigate what remedial work may be required at the TFF car park (filling in of pot holes?). | C’fwd |
| 11. | LR / MS to see if funding for car park maintenance is available. | C’fwd |
| 7. | DH / MS to arrange to replace part on zip wire | Ongoing |
| 2. | MS to deal with vandalised bench by the TTT on TFF | ASAP |
| 8. | MS to investigate possibility of installing steps in to TFF from Rubble Pit Lane | To be installed |
Blewbury Village Society AGM – Agenda
Wednesday 15th May 2023 at 7.00 p.m.
Location – Blewbury Village Hall
1. Introduction to the BVS
2. Chair’s report for the past year
3. Treasurer’s report for the past year
4. Any questions?
5. Election of Officers (Chair, Treasurer and Secretary)
Blewbury Annual Parish Meeting
Wednesday 15th May 2024 from 7pm
Blewbury Village Hall
Please note: – This meeting will be preceded by the Blewbury Village Society Annual General Meeting at 7pm
AGENDA
Annual Meeting of the Parish – Facilitated by the Parish Council
- Opening remarks from the Parish Council Chairman – Dermot Mathias
- Round table discussions, accompanied by written or short verbal reports, bringing together the following: –
- Parish Council’s Year – Dermot Mathias
- Parish Council Planning Report (Lydia Inglis) & Financial report (Clerk)
- County Councillor – Sally Povolotsky
- District Councillor – Hayleigh Gascoigne
- Village Hall Management Committee – Andrew Forman
- Bell Ringing – Richard Loyd
- United Charities & Tony Loy Trust – Sheila Loy
- Malthus Trust – Meirion James
- Blewbury School – Ann Parham
- Blewbury Pre School – Philippa Weedon
- Blewbury Local History Group – Roger Murphy
- Blewbury Players – Steve White
- Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue – Anni Byard
- Speed Watch – Jill Ingoldby
- Sustainable Blewbury – Anne Millman
- BlewShed – Mike Magnay
- St Michaels – J St John Nicolle
- Blewbury WI
- Blewbury Bulletin – Chris Whatmore
- Blewbury Flying Squad
- Blewbury Bridge Club
And any other groups not mentioned above, together with the good people of Blewbury.
- Summary of discussions & ideas
- Date of next meeting: – May 2025 (TBC)
- Closing remarks & thanks – Dermot Mathias
Dermot Mathias
Chairman, Blewbury Parish Council
3rd May 2024