MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APPLETON WITH EATON PARISH COUNCIL

held on Monday 5th Jul 2010 in the Village Hall at 7.15pm

PRESENT: Mr Howard Thomas (in the chair), Mrs Liz Gilkes, Mrs Sue Hine, Mrs Sara Murray, Mrs Claire Salmon, Mr Andy White In attendance: The clerk

10/91 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mr Phil Neale

10/92 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ANY ITEMS APPEARING ON THE AGENDA: None. 10/93 PUBLIC SESSION: None

10/94 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7th JUNE 2010: Mrs Salmon asked for it to be recorded that the decision to apply for loan agreement at the 4th May meeting was carried by a majority vote. The minutes of the June meeting were agreed to be a true record and signed as such by the chairman.

10/95 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 7TH JUNE MEETING:

1. Play Area: A letter had been received from David Gow to say that he is progressing with the lease. His agent has agreed heads of terms of the lease and will be contacting the Council’s solicitor shortly. The contract with OCC is signed and the committee is awaiting funds. The Group has applied for grants from WREN and Tesco. They have been assured that the Playbuilder grant has been ring-fenced. Designs have been received back from Wicksteed and the committee is at present making alterations. They have been encouraged to consult local teenagers. It was noted that the committee should provide comparative quotes.

2. Condition of the Green Lane: No further progress to report.

3. War memorial: The clerk was meeting a specialist company later in the week.

4. Appleton School Road safety: Noting more. The PCSOs had been out recently and had moved drivers on. The Council is disappointed that no progress has been made.

5. Flooding issues: None of the residents concerned had replied. The Council will ask Gordon Hunt to take action. Aquasacs have been delivered to all those households who were affected in 2007 and 100 are left. These will be stored in case anyone else is in need. Training will be arranged for flood marshals.

6. New waste collection service: It was reported that new bins will be delivered between 23rd and 30th August.

7. Village Hall: The chiropractor is coming to speak to the committee.

8. The Great green: The Chairman and Vice-chairman met Mr Martin and have agreed a boundary line. Mrs Page hopes to have her plan drawn up by the next meeting. The Almshouse Trustees have agreed that the conifers may be cut down. Approval will be required from the Vale.

9. Bablockhythe slipway: Mr White has cleared the area and reformed the slipway; however, the owners of the Ferryman have queried ownership of the parking area and don’t want any work to be done. This has been left in the hands of the Upper Thames Users Group. It was noted that the area has always been maintained by Appleton with Eaton. It was suggested that Highways should be asked for a sign at the junction saying that there is no access to the river.

10/96 NORTHMOOR WEIR: Mrs Bateman, chairman of the Weir Action Group reported that: Two sub-groups have been formed; Weir and Access, each with 4 members. The Environment Agency had made presentations to each group. They are emphatic that work will go ahead next year. Three options have been identified for access to the lock, but none of the landowners have been contacted yet. There is a 4th option from Eaton road and a 5th from Northmoor. The WAG has been doing research to counter EA arguments regarding Health and safety, weights of paddles, traffic surveys and turning points. 200 pedestrian movements were logged between 8.30 and 8.45 at the end of Badswell Lane. A paper has been put together covering cost, flood prevention, H&S, heritage, environment and energy use. They will be meeting Nicola Blackwood MP and the MEP would like to get involved.

10/97 ADOPTION OF STANDING ORDERS: A working group had met to look at the Standing Orders and recommended that they be adopted by the Council. It was RESOLVED to do so.

10/98 FENCING AT THE VILLAGE POND: To be agreed at the next meeting.

10/99 FOOTPATHS AND STILES: It was AGREED that Mr White will visit Mr Jeffreys to explain that the path from Thatched Tavern Lane is a long and well-used path and that people have been very upset by its closure. It is marked on Ordnance Survey Maps. The clerk had research the options for the action that Council can take and it was AGREED to pursue a Definitive Maps Modification Order to have it designated as a Right of Way.

10/100 COMMUNITY PLAN – ACTION PLAN TIMETABLE: Mrs Hine tabled the timetable to accompany the Action Plan and it was approved with some modifications. The cost of £153 for printing was AGREED. It was AGREED that the Council will fund another 100 copies to be sold through the Shop.

10/101 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR GEARING:

1. Capital spending review: OCC made £35m of cuts last year and there will be further cuts. In relation to the Playbuilder grant, he has assurances that contracts already committed to will be honoured, but otherwise will be at risk. Some capital projects won’t go ahead.

2. Weir: Councillor Gearing has asked the Prime Minster personally to deal with the weir and he is waiting to hear back.

3. Bus stop: Steve Howell has been out to site and has offered to attend a Parish Council meeting to discuss it.

10/102 PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

APT/17684/1 10/00884/FUL Erection of a replacement porch and utility room 104 Eaton Road, Appleton No objection

APT/21225 10/01002/FUL Erection of a ground floor and first floor extension to the side and ground floor extension to front and rear 24 Town Furlong, Appleton No objection

APT/16750/3 10/01101/FUL Removal of existing window and door and replacement with new to front elevation with stone wall surround. Small area of timber panelling and vents for freezers to side elevations. Timber enclosures to forecourt for bins, crates and storage containers Appleton Community Shop No objection

10/103 ACCOUNTS: Payments Authorised: Payments made since the last meeting:

260 Pittaway Fencing Extension to Tennis Courts fencing £642.73

261 Cumnor Parish News Job advertisement £30.00

262 Marcham & District News Job advertisement £5.00

Payments authorised:

263 Mrs J E Dymock Clerk salary and expenses (June) £295.29

264 Yew Tree Contractors Sportsfield Grass Cutting £351.62

It was AGREED to authorise payment for the printing of the Community Plan Action Plan.

10/104 CORRESPONDENCE:

1. The Appleton Trust: Request for a representative for a committee to organise a volunteer car scheme. Mrs Murray agreed to be put forward.

10/105 MATTERS FOR REPORT OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA:

1. Mrs Page’s plan for the Great Green.

2. Speeding in Netherton Road.

3. Mrs Hine and Mrs Murray sent apologies for the next meeting.

10/106 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 6th September 2010 at 7.15pm in the Village Hall.