Minutes of the Blewbury Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 13th November 2024

1. To elect a Chairperson for this meeting

Anne Millman was proposed & seconded to be the Chairperson for this meeting.

2. To receive & approve apologies for absence

Chairman D Mathias, Vice-Chair L Inglis – acknowledged & accepted by Council.

3. To record any declarations of interests relating to this meeting

J Saunders – planning consultation ref. P24/V2378/HH

4. To receive a report from the County Councillor

No report received.

5. To receive a report from the District Councillor

Received in advance of the meeting & sent to Council.

In addition: –

• HG confirmed the Joint Local Plan consultation had closed on 12.11.24.
• LR confirmed the bin at the end of Heather Way had been moved.
• HG stated BPC was not the only Council with challenging business rates & will provide more information
• HG to send AM contact re bridle ways

6. Action points from previous meetings – All

Councillors updated actions taken or carried forward.

7.     To receive the Lengthman’s report from Iain Wood

• KAP inspections & repairs – IW reported problems with the entrance surface, gates & distance between the swing & hedge at the back of the play area (following RoSPA report). Clerk to speak to SCS re work on entrance. All agreed that as hedge was cut back as far as possible, nothing else could be done.
• Play Space & Trim Trail inspections & repairs
• Minor repairs undertaken (following RoSPA report). The zip wire remains out of action pending suitable conditions to action repairs. IW had checked the KAP sign & reported no further action.
• General work & observations

IW reported an increase in dog fouling/poo bags. LR had reminded people via a Facebook post to pick up after their dog & either put poo bags in a bin or take home.

• Update on trailers

D Hollick had collected his trailer, & the BPC owned trailer had been sold for £800. Clerk confirmed receipt of funds. IW will continue to look for a suitable second-hand trailer. Council agreed specification & a budget of c£2000.

8. Open Forum

Members of Speed Watch were present & a discussion was held under item 11.

9. To approve previous minutes & report on any matters arising – All Cllrs

9.1 Minutes of the BPC meeting held on 9^th October 2024

Council agreed minutes were a true representation of the meeting.

10. To hear the Planning Committee Report & Planning Responses – L Inglis

10.1 To agree or ratify the Council’s response to the following consultations

10.1.1 P24/V1557/FUL Downside Farm, Woodway Road, Blewbury

Removal of 3 existing portacabins & static caravans & erection of 2-storey building comprising 4 units for current occupants of portacabins & 4 units of accommodation for staff on work shift pattern.

Deadline 18.11.24

Council agreed to respond by asking for more information as per the comments received from LI via email.

10.1.2 P24/V2375/LB New Inn Cottage, London Road, Blewbury

EV charger to front porch wall.

Deadline 4.12.24

Council agreed no objections.

10.1.3 P24/V2378/HH Charity School House, Church Road, Blewbury

Construction of a Hobbit themed playhouse to replace existing collapsed shed.

Council agreed no objections.

10.2 To note planning permissions received during the month

10.2.1 P24/V1901/HH Ashbrook House, Westbrook Street, Blewbury

Planning permission 31.10.24

10.2.2 P24/V1848/S73 Variation of C2 on P22/V1588/HH Millbrook Cottage, Berry Lane, Blewbury

Planning permission 28.10.24

10.2.3 P24/V1678/HH Oak Hall, Nottingham Fee, Blewbury

Planning permission 11.10.24

10.2.4 P24/V1397/FUL Fieldside Farm, Westbrook St, Blewbury

Planning permission 18.10.24

10.2.5 P24/V1167/FUL Blewbury Barn Cottage, Blewbury Hill, Blewbury

Planning permission 18.10.24

11. To hear an update on Speed Watch & Speed Reduction Measures (L Robinson / J Ingoldby)

11.1 SID movement & data update

i. The SIDs had been moved around & were now in spy mode.

ii. How to use the data from the SIDs needs to be discussed. While TVP receive information from Speed Watch sessions, it is not appropriate to send SID data to TVP as they do not have the capacity to analyse. Data in a suitable format can be raised in TVP Road Safety meetings where an OCC representative is present.

 iii. Following an email request from R Loyd, LR made it clear that the purchase of a 4^th SID had not been raised before & would not be purchased before the end of the calendar year. Council will                  consider this in the next financial year. A formal proposal, with supporting evidence, must be produced before any further speed reduction measures can be considered or introduced. This includes   ‘bollard crossings’ or any other sort of crossing on London Road & Bessels Way. It was understood that JI was obtaining costings. Highways would need to be involved in any proposals.

iv. Council would consider a budget for speed reduction measures in its budget for 25/26.

v. LR & Speed Watch representatives to contact other Parish Councils (ie Harwell) to find out what they do with their data. SA suggested that OCC should have a minimum data requirement to build a case for safety measure.

vi. L B-S raised safety for horse riders on main roads. Clerk to check what safety measure can be introduced on A  & B roads (including potential for 20mph) with OCC Highways.

vii. LR to speak to Highways regarding the use of road strips to measure speeds & re the out of use speed sign at the western entrance to the village.

viii. KF further reported that team had possible new recruits. Also, that sessions were only taking place during daylight hours, & reiterated the difficulty of crossing main roads at peak times due to the level of traffic. KF would also speak to the Speed Watch team regarding wording for a crossing petition.

AM thanked the Speed Watch team for their analysis of the speed data & their continued efforts.

11.2 Speed Watch report for October

Speed Watch report was received in advance of the meeting & sent to Council.

12. To hear an update on Finance & Administration from the Clerk

12.1 Financial updates

12.1.1 Bank Reconciliation

The end of month reconciliation for October sent in advance of the meeting to the Chairman. Agreed & signed by the Chairman at the meeting.

12.1.2 Lloyds Bank account funds as of 31.10.24 were: –

Current Account £122,768.96

Deposit Account Reserves £83,988.96. Interest for October £178.12

12.1.3 To hear any other Financial updates

i. Update on Business Rate demands on Old Scout Hut & Clubhouse. AC

AC is working with Capita (business rates are outsourced from VoWH) to ensure that business rates are correctly applied to the Old Scout Hut. In the meantime, the deadline for payment of the current bill is the end of November, in the sum of £1005.75.

There has been no progress regarding the Clubhouse business rates.

ii. To agree transfers of recent specific funds received to the account

Council agreed that as well as transferring the £16,830 in CIL funds to the reserve account (as agreed in the October meeting), That £4000 received on 1.11.24 for EV charging   facilities at the village hall should also be reserved. Clerk to action the transfer & update reserves list accordingly.

iii. Council unanimously agreed to accept receipt of a small S106 fund in the amount of £124.31 for skate ramp repairs. This sum would be used exclusively for this purpose.

12.2 Administrative updates

12.2.1 Council to note the following: –

‘NALC welcomes government announcement on remote meetings. Since temporary COVID-19 powers ended in May 2021, we have been at the forefront of a national campaign to allow parish and town councils to hold remote council meetings. This is         why we strongly welcome the deputy prime minister’s announcement that the government is committed to allowing councils to hold remote council meetings and published a consultation paper, which closes on 19 December 2024. We will, of course, be responding, but I want to  encourage all parish and town councils, county associations, and individual councillors and                   clerks to participate in this essential consultation. Your responses are vital in demonstrating the continued strong support for this flexibility, building on the momentum from the previous                             call for evidence.’

Council agreed this provides more flexibility & remote meetings could be used occasionally for specific issues.

12.2.2 To hear any other Administrative updates

Trailers – see 7.4 above.

12.3 To agree two authorisers for payments as detailed below

LR & AC.

12.4 To approve payments to be made under the general power of competence and within budgeted amounts as detailed in the table below – All Councillors.

In addition, Council agreed to accept an invoice from White Horse Horticulture for £200.

*Paid to be ratified

13.    To receive an update from VHEMC – D Mathias

13.1 EV charger update – LR

LR was waiting on a further comparative quote. Options to host the location or take own responsibility. LR will provide a pros & cons analysis at the December meeting.

13.2 To hear any other updates

None.

14.    To receive an update on the Community Art project – L Inglis

14.1 Armillary inspection

To be carried out by LI & AM on 14.11.24.

Council agreed that although the installation date would be 27.11.24, an official launch would probably take place in the Spring. JS to develop launch options.

14.2 Corderoy bench / replacement bench – LI / JS

IW is safekeeping the Corderoy plaque from the bench.

15.    To receive an update on all things relating to the operation of the Clubhouse, recreation ground & other concerns in this area – E Holroyd, I Wood

          15.1 Clubhouse update

15.1.1 Clubhouse Admin & income report for October – EH

Report received in advance of the meeting & indicating income for October bookings would be £1,499.25.

15.1.2 Clubhouse solar panels update – LR

LR reported the quotes received were all very similar.AM suggested LR or AE attend the next working group meeting to explain in more detail. AM to let all know date of next         meeting in January. The results of this would then be reported at the Council meeting in February.

15.1.3 AM to send Clubhouse usage data to AE.

15.1.4 AE to take a look at the plant room & report back on situation with water damaged wall & situation of electricity meter.

15.2 Recreation ground update – D Mathias, I Wood

15.2.1 To hear an update on drainage

No further problems were reported..

15.2.2 To hear an update on replacement plants alongside the tennis courts/car park

A quote had been received from White Horse Horticulture for clearance of the bed, & later planting of suitable plants. Council agreed to quote for clearance. Clerk to speak to J          Woodage. AM & DM to meet with the Tennis Club regarding plants. If the Tennis Club insist on re-planting lavender, they must undertake the maintenance themselves. Otherwise,                              more suitable plants would be suggested.

15.2.3 Recreation rabbit holes had been filled in. The cricket club were upgrading their cricket square.

15.3 Scout Hut & Tractor Shed update – A Calder / D Mathias

15.3.1 Storage working group update

The working group were trying to speak to an Amazons representative re moving of all their gear to the metal shed.

15.3.2 BlewShed electricity usage

Council agreed that as the majority of electricity usage in the Old Scout Hut was now down to BlewShed, that the split of the quarterly bills should be BlewShed 80%, BPC 20%. Clerk                   to write to the BlewShed Treasurer accordingly.

15.4 To hear an update on the use of S106 funds in the sum of c£18,715 by May 2027

To improve the condition of: –

15.4.1 The recreation ground pitches

15.4.2 Sports equipment storage facilities

15.4.3 Drainage in & around the recreation ground & Clubhouse

Council agreed to the following: –

• To offset drainage maintenance costs
• To include solar panel costs
• To include repairs to the plant room (TBA)
• To include costs associated with the electricity meter in the plant room (TBA)

15.5 To hear any other updates

None.

16.    To receive an update on all aspects of TFF & car park – M Shayler

16.1 Play area / trim trail update

Zip wire repair update, inc timescale & inspection. MS reported that no work had taken place on the zip wire as yet & it remained out of action. This work would be carried out when time & conditions allowed.

16.2 Skate Park / Cycle Track update

SA reported that DM is producing a short list of Contractors.

16.3 To hear any other updates

None.

17.   To receive an update on Risk Management & Compliance – A Calder

AC had challenged insurance issues on building valuations (particularly the Old Scout Hut). Also to look at asset value of tools held.

18.   To receive an update on issues relating to the Environment – A Millman

18.1 Information from Sustainable Blewbury

AM reported that an exhibition on Quaker Wood would take place on 17.11.24 in the village hall.

18.2 Any other environmental & bio diversity issues

18.2.1 To hear an update on: –

i. Highways Engagement activity

The problems with water at the junction with Westbrook Street & Heather Way remain.

ii. Fixmystreet super users

One super user has undertaken training & is working to highlight issues as a Fixmystreet SuperUser.

19.   To receive an update on any issues relating to Footways, Footpaths, rights of way and open spaces – M Shayler, I Wood

19.1 Parking on the Pound update

A new No Parking Sign has been installed.

19.2 Footpath gravelling – MS

MS to speak to IW re leaf/weed clearing prior to any re-gravelling.

19.3 Trees survey (for BPC responsibility trees) – DM

No update – carried forward to December.

19.4 Curtoys Lane cob wall maintenance

Cob wall maintenance had begun with an 80ft section of thatch being replaced. Council expressed appreciation of the quality of the work undertaken.

19.5 Any other update on Footways, Footpaths, Rights of Ways & open spaces in & around the village – All

None.

20.  To receive an update on any outstanding consultations – All Councillors

None.

21. To agree actions from this meeting – All

AM confirmed actions agreed through the meeting.

22. To agree the date/venue of the next meeting(s) of the Council – All Councillors

Finance Committee Meeting Thursday 28^th November at 4.30pm at The Old Mill, Berry Lane.

Next full council meeting is on Wednesday 11^th December 2024 at 7.00pm in the Melland Room at the Clubhouse.

The meeting finished at 8.40pm.

Appendix A