1.     To receive apologies for absence

County Councillor S Povolotsky, District Councillor Hayleigh Gascoigne.

The Chairman stated he had received a written resignation from Councillor Camilla Burrow with immediate effect. Council wished to thank Cllr Burrow for all her efforts on the Council & agreed her input had proved valuable & her expertise in environmental & other matters would be missed.

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

None.

3.     To receive the County Councillor’s report

Received in advance of the meeting & forwarded to Council.

4.     To receive District Councillor’s report

Received in advance of the meeting & forwarded to Council.

5.   To receive the Lengthman’s report

See item 13. below.

6.   Open Forum

To receive representations from members of the public if present. Maximum 15 minutes (3 minutes per person).

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

7.1 Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 22^nd                          December 2022

7.2 Minutes of the BPC meeting held on 8^th February 2023

Council unanimously agreed the above minutes were a true reflection of the meetings.

8. To hear the Planning Committee Report & Planning Responses – LI

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

8.1.1 P23/V0214/HH Collis Moor, Nottingham Fee, Blewbury

Demolition of existing annexe. Erection of new, single storey side extension.

Deadline 08.03.23

Council agreed no objections. Returned 12.02.23

8.1.2 P23/V0341/HH 21 Bridus Mead, Blewbury

Loft conversion with front & rear dormer windows & rooflights.

Deadline 10.03.23

Council agreed no objections. Returned 02.03.23

8.1.3 P23/V0446/LB Corrydon House, London Road, Blewbury

Repairs to timber frame on the upper South East gable.

Deadline 29.03.23

Council agreed no objections. Returned 02.03.23

8.2 To note planning permissions received / withdrawn during the month

8.2.1 P22/V1513/HH Amendment no.1 – Pilgrims Rest, Pilgrims Way, Blewbury

Planning permission 03.02.23

8.3 Any other planning matters

8.3.1 LI reported that no progress would be made on the conservation area assessment in the pre-election period. Also that changes had been made to the fencing in the dog walking field on Bessels Way.

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

9.1 Financial updates

9.1.1 End of month reconciliation for February sent in advance of the meeting to the Chair.

Signed at the meeting by DM.

9.1.2 Lloyds Bank account funds as of 28.02.23 were £93,889.19

This sum includes reserves of: –

• £21,909.51 village hall remaining refurb funds
• £10,521.53 CIL funds

Net funds available £61,458.15

9.1.3 VAT reclaim totalling £12,121.69 submitted 28.02.23 (period 01.03.22 – 31.12.22).

VAT reclaims will be submitted on a quarterly basis in 23-24. The Clerk confirmed that the VAT refunds totalling £12,121.69 had already been received on the account.

9.1.4 Council to ratify it’s agreement via email to purchase a Kubota Mower from Mr M Blythe for grounds maintenance around the village for a price of £2750.

Council duly ratified it’s decision to purchase the mower. DH to arrange collection.

9.2 Administrative updates

9.2.1 To receive an update on 2023 local elections – Clerk

DM reported that the Council may be 3 or 4 councillors short coming up to the local elections.

It was therefore important to raise the profile of the Council through social media, the Bulletin & word of mouth, to encourage people to put their names forward.

DM to speak to CW re Bulletin front page & flyer.

AM/LI to look at engagement copy.

The Clerk had issued election information to all members of the Council. Clerk to arrange a date for delivery of nomination papers to the District Council offices in Abingdon.

Clerk also stated that if the election is contested, the BPC AGM would be moved from the 10^th

                                      May to the 17^th May, with consideration being given to making payments (i.e. salaries) on the day they would normally have been made (11^th May).

9.2.2 To hear an update on issues relating to the Blewbury allotments

The Clerk gave a brief overview of concerns relating to the administration of the allotments.

Clerk to arrange a meeting with interested parties.

9.2.3 To decide on the renewal of the contract for White Horse Horticulture

After a short discussion on this, DM agreed to look a potential contractor, with Council making a decision on or before the next meeting.

9.3 To agree authorisers for this month’s payments – All current signatories

DM & LI.

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

10.  To receive an update from VHEMC – DM

10.1 Trustees / Counsel opinion update

DM expressed his dissatisfaction at the change of opinion given & would pursue in conjunction with VHEMC.

10.2 Cycle rack update

As this is in the hands of a representative of the VHEMC, DM asked for it to be removed from the agenda.

10.3 Any other updates

None.

11.    To receive an update on the Community Art project – LI

LI confirmed a meeting with D Harber & others on 14.03.23 to discuss community art project ideas/locations.

Clerk’s note:- CIL fund expiry date October 2025.

12.    To receive an update on the all things relating to the operation of the Clubhouse & the recreation ground – MP, DH

          12.1 Clubhouse – Remedial Work Update – Clerk/DH

DH reported that no progress had been made during February. The drying out equipment left in the Clubhouse was inadequate. Council’s decision to allow drilling in to the floors to aid this process had been passed on to Revival & a date for their return to the Clubhouse was expected.

Clerk to speak to art weeks organisers.

Clerk’s note:- Revival returning to the Clubhouse on Monday 13^th March.

12.2 Recreation ground – Update on any other aspect of the recreation ground

Amazons girls football have a planned tournament on 1 & 2 April. Clerk has already asked for a risk assessment & public liability insurance from other parties involved. There will be no access to the Clubhouse or Scout Hut during the tournament.

Clerk to pursue organisers for risk assessment & liability insurances.

13.    To receive an update on all aspects of TFF & car park – LR, MS, DH

13.1 Play area / trim trail update – MS/DH

13.1.1 Play space remedial work

Confirmed that woodwork replacement was complete. The installation of swings & a new break on the zip wire would be carried out on 9^th March.

On behalf of the Council DM expressed his thanks to MS & DH for all their efforts & hard work in carrying out the Play Space remedial work.

13.1.2 Goal remedial work

MS to carry out on 9^th March.

13.1.3 Update on table tennis table installation on TFF

LI confirmed the table was expected between the 13^th & 15^th March. MS to arrange with DH to install.

13.1.4 MS to investigate possibility of installing steps in to TFF from Rubble Pit Lane & report back to Council.

13.2 Inspections

13.2.1 Annual inspection by RoSPA update – Clerk

Annual inspection for TFF Play Space, Trim Trail & KAP arranged for Wednesday 15^th March.

13.2.2 Weekly visual & monthly recorded inspections update – DH

These continue to be carried out.

13.3 Any other updates on all aspects of TFF & car park

None.

 14.    To receive an update on Risk Management & Compliance

14.1 Speed Watch Update

February data sent to Council 01.03.23

14.2 Speed Reduction Measures update – LI

The SIDs & associated items have been delivered & were being stored until final pole sites agreed.

LI confirmed pole site on Bessels Way not finalised. LI hoped to have this finalised in April, with lead time of 6-8 weeks for installation of equipment.

14.3 Village defibrillators update – Clerk/VH

VH confirmed that the contact at the Blueberry was happy to agree the installation site for the defib unit, including additional electrical work as required. VH to move this forward & contact the     electrician accordingly.

14.4 Any update or information on risk management & compliance – VH

None.

15.   To receive an update on issues relating to the Environment – AM

15.1 Information from Sustainable Blewbury

15.1.1 AM stated that over 100 people attended the guided nature reserve walk.

15.1.2 The application for Charitable Status had been submitted.

15.1.3 Sustainable Blewbury had now taken over responsibility for the Quaker burial ground & the nature reserve.

15.1.4 AM also stated she had attended tours of both the black & green bag processing centres. AM will suggest to SB that they host a community event on this subject in the autumn.

15.2 Any other environmental issues

15.2.1 AM was also talking to a representative from Beeswax to come & speak at a future BPC

Meeting, potentially including the topics of:-

Spraying, Hedging, Field off Cow Lane, Footpaths, Grazing, Rare Breeds.

15.2.2 AM/LR to investigate where to plant wild flower areas following grant award.

16.   To receive an update on any issues relating to Footways, Footpaths, rights of way and open spaces – from MP, LI

16.1 Parking on the Pound

MP & MS to liaise regarding preventing further damage to the Pound through parking on South Street.

LI had also spoken SP who was looking at options.

16.2 Play Close Footpaths update

The PCC have been successful in obtaining a grant towards improving the footpaths.

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

None.

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

17.1 CPRE – Government consultation on planning reforms (deadline 2.3.23) – being completed by LI

17.2 CPRE – Thames Water’s Water Resources Management Plan (deadline 21.3.23) – being completed by AM (SB)

17.3 Cycle routes consultation – being completed by LI

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

18.1 Next full council meeting Wednesday 12^th April in the Vale room in the Village Hall. This meeting will be preceded at 6pm by a meeting with the Police & Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber

18.2 Annual Parish Meeting, following the BVS AGM, Wednesday 26^th April 2023, from 7pm.

The meeting finished at 8.30pm.

Appendix A