MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APPLETON WITH EATON PARISH COUNCIL

held on Monday13th September 2010 in the Village Hall at 7.15pm

PRESENT: Mrs Sara Murray (in the chair part time), Mrs Liz Gilkes, Mrs Claire Salmon (in the chair part time), Mr Andy White

Also Present: District Councillor John Woodford, Mr Keith Stammers, Mrs Jane Dymock, Mr Nick Withers, Mr John Disley Strategic Manager OCC. County Councillor Anthony Gearing

10/107 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs Sue Hine, Mr Phil Neale.

10/108 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ANY ITEMS APPEARING ON THE AGENDA: None.

10/109 PUBLIC SESSION: Nothing raised.

10/110 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN: Mrs Gilkes nominated Mrs Salmon; this was seconded by Mr White. Mrs Salmon left the room whilst a vote was taken. Mrs Salmon returned and was confirmed as the elected Chairman which she accepted.

10/111 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 5 JULY 2010: The minutes of the July meeting were agreed to be a true record and signed as such by the Vice Chairman, Mrs Murray.

10/112 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 5 JULY MEETING:

1. Play area update – Mrs Salmon had spoken to the committee and they were still waiting for a decision from OCC about the Playbuilder grant. They have been asked for more information for the application for the WREN grant but this cannot progress until the outcome of the Playbuilder grant is known. Other grants, e.g. Tesco are being pursued. The Parish has been asked to donate Waitrose green tokens to the fundraising for the Playground. Future fundraising activities will include the Appleton Olympics (Sep26th), Treasure Hunt (Oct 10) and a shopping evening. Volunteers for all events are needed. Councillor Gearing agreed to seek clarification on the Playbuilder funding. The landlord had not progressed the lease.
2. Nothing further to report on this matter.
3. The Council agreed to formally accept the quotation from OG Stonemasonry for the cleaning and restoration of the war memorial in the sum of £985.00 (plus VAT).
4. No further communication had been received about the Appleton School road safety issues. A publication had been received from OCC, Home 2 School Autumn 2010, which referred to car sharing and information about school travel survey being undertaken. It was agreed that the Council would highlight these items to the School.
5. Flooding issues – Letters had been received from Mr Carey and Mr Holloway regarding work to the ditch. Both parties felt that it was the responsibility of the OCC to carry out any work to remedy the overflowing water. Copies of these letters to be sent to Gordon Hunt at OCC for him to action.
6. Mrs Murray was waiting for a revised quotation for the proposed works to the village pond fencing. Mr White would chase the matter with the proposed contractor.
7. Tavern Lane footpath – Mr Morley was keen that the footpath be formally adopted and would work with the Council to action this. It was agreed that Mrs J Dymock would assist in this matter.
8. 10/113 NORTHMOOR WEIR: Mr Withers reported on the latest developments for the Weir Action Group. The EA have suggested that the village take over the running of the weir by setting up a Trust. WAG have agreed to look into the possibility of doing so although recognise that this is an extreme situation and would require the full support of the village. The EA have offered legal assistance. WAG are waiting for EA to issue their proposals on how this might work although no timescale has been agreed. Work to the lock will be undertaken from 1 November to 20 December 2010. An application has been made to list the lock and the lockhouse.

10/114 PLANNING: No planning applications had been received up to the date of the meeting. Mr White asked District Councillor Woodford to comment upon the ongoing building works at the bottom of Millway Lane – he will look into this and report back at the next meeting.

10/115 TUBNEY WOODS LIAISON MEETING: Mrs Salmon had attended a meeting of the Tubney Woods liaison committee and reported that there had been a change of personnel of attendees from Hills. The completion of the work is on programme however the completion of the work is dependant upon the requirement for the sand being extracted and the availability of infill material. Should the programmed completion date not be met a planning application would be required.

10/116 PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Mr Disley and Councillor Gearing attended the meeting to discuss the removal of the bus stop on the west bound carriageway of the A420 at the Appleton turn. It was reported that consultation had taken place although there was no evidence that it had and apologies were given that due account had not been given to Appleton and their use of the stop. The primary reason stated for its removal was safety. The bus operator can stop at the position if he chooses to but OCC have no powers to request that this is done. OCC are very unlikely to install a layby at this position due to costs. It was agreed that Mr Disley would look into the possibility of buses carrying out a loop around the roundabout. Mr Feast the local transport representative had sent a letter to the Council requesting their support for the public transport facility and the 63 service. It was agreed that full support would be given. Mr Disley asked if there were any other matters he could assist with and agreed that he would research the possibility of a school bus stop on the Netherton Road, without charges being levied to parents, this would cut down on traffic to the School at peak times and arranging a pick up for children from Southmoor from a drop off point at Fyfield.

10/117 SPORTSFIELD RUBBISH COLLECTION: there were two options open to the Sportsfield committee, either organise a commercial collection or ensure that all users of the Sportsfield and pavilion took their rubbish away with them.

10/118 PROPOSED TAX INCREASE REFERENDUM: The Parish Council had not received the information for the consultation for the proposed tax increase referendum in time to make a response but did support the response made by NALC. It was agreed that no action to be taken until the outcome of the consultation is known.

10/119 ROAD SIGNAGE: Road signage – It was agreed that as Millway Lane was an unadopted road OCC would not provide signage. Discussion took place about signage for Park lane both a no turning area sign and speed restrictions. IT was agreed that this would be discussed at the next meeting. It was agreed that OCC would be approached to erect deer crossing aware and pedestrians in road signs on the approach to Oaksmere from the A420.

10/120 ACCOUNTS:

Payments authorised: Payments made since the last meeting:

• 265 Mrs JE Dymock Clerk salary £373.85

Payments authorised:

• 266 B.C. Contracts Maintenance Appleton Landing, Doctors Lane £111.57
• 267 Marston Book Services Ltd Printing Community Plan Report £255.00

Cheques for authorization were made out and Mrs Salmon signed, there were no other authorised signatories present. Mr Neale would be asked to sign cheques but if he was not available Mrs Ros Uren would be approached.

10/120 PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE: Publications and correspondence received to be circulated to Councillors.

10/121 MATTERS FOR REPORT OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA:

1. Signage at Bablockhythe.
2. Handover of keys to the Flood Action Group.
3. Distribution of emergency planning booklets.
4. Reimbursement of caretaker Clerk’s wages.

Formal thanks were noted to the outgoing Clerk Mrs J Dymock and the retiring councillor Mr H Thomas.

10/121 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING: To confirm that the next meeting of the Parish Council is to be held on Monday 4 October 2010 at 7.15p.m. in the Village Hall.