MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APPLETON WITH EATON PARISH COUNCIL

Held on Monday 4th October 2010 in the Village Hall at 7.15pm

PRESENT: Mrs Claire Salmon (Chairman), Mrs Sara Murray, Mrs Liz Gilkes, and arriving later Mr Andy White and Mr Phil Neale. Also Present: Mr Keith Stammers, Mrs Sancha Pritchett, Mr Richard Snow, Mrs Tian Davidson (Clerk) and arriving later, Mr Woodford (District Councillor).

10/122 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs Sue Hine, Mr Anthony Gearing (County Councillor)

10/123 DECLARATION OF INTEREST IN ANY ITEMS APPEARING ON THE AGENDA: Mrs Murray declared a prejudicial interest for planning application 10/127(1) and Mrs Salmon declared a personal interest on the same item.

10/124 PUBLIC SESSION: Nothing was raised but was covered later under flooding issues in matters arising.

10/125 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13 SEPTEMBER 2010: The minutes of the September meeting were agreed to be a true record and signed as such by the Mrs Salmon (Chairman).

10/126 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 13 SEPTEMBER MEETING:

1. Signs - It was agreed to write to OCC for a cul de sac sign for Park Lane, Appleton and a no river crossing sign at the top of Eaton Village.

2. War memorial – Instruction issued to O.G. Stonemasonry Contractors Ltd. Mrs Murray to confirm a start date.

3. Village pond - The revised quote of £620 inclusive of VAT to be accepted from Accredited woodworking. To continue railings on pond side with access, place railings on War Memorial side and lay slabs to allow easier road crossing.

4. Flooding issues - It was agreed that the Flooding Action Group provide a list of key holders including contact numbers and agree where these will be displayed. To action: Mr White, Mr Snow, Mrs Pritchett to train key holders for 4 designated sites, being Netherton Road, Oaksmere Rd, Badswell Lane and Eaton Rd.

5. Emergency Planning Booklets have been distributed to all households in Appleton and Eaton.

6. Public Transport – The Parish Council agreed to support the on going bus service to the village and write to OCC to re-emphasize the Parish’s continuing need for the 63 bus service.

7. Sportsfield rubbish collection – no further action. 

8. Northmoor weir – Mrs Salmon advised that Keith Hutchence is organising a visit to demonstrate the operation of the weir and Parish Councillors are invited to attend. The Traffic report from the Environmental Agency was received and circulated to councillors.

9. The Great Green – A schedule of proposed work has been received from Mrs Rosemary Page and a drawn plan is being developed for presentation to Council. Once the proposals are available the Council would consider them at a meeting which interested parties would be invited. An application has been submitted to remove the two Cypress Trees on the boundary with the Almshouses; three quotes for the work will be required. A letter was received from Mr Martin requesting the Council to consider sharing some of the costs of work to the hedges forming the boundary of his garden to the Great Green. It was agreed that no funds were available at this time to maintain the hedges on this boundary, but Mrs Page would be asked to work with Mr Martin to carry out suitable work.

10. Tennis and Recreation Club – It was reported that work had started on the pavilion. The Tennis Club had arranged the contract for the work and was paying for it; thus reimbursement of VAT would not be allowed. Mrs Murray confirmed that she had written to OALC with further information that had been requested in support of the loan application. To action: Leisure & Recreational Committee

10/127 PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

1. Tree works - Beech tree with a preservation order at 58 Eaton Rd. The Parish Council has no objection.

2. Mrs Murray left the room. APT/21328 – 10/01707/FUL - Erection of a timber building to be used as a garden gymnasium. The Parish Council has no objection. Mrs Murray returned.

3. APT/21333 – 10/01722/FUL and APT/21333/1-LB – 10/01803/LB (Eaton development). Conversion of Derelict stables to single dwelling and construction of associated ancillary buildings (The Old Stables). Conversion of brick farm building to single dwelling (Bull Cottage). Conversion and extension of listed timber framed barn to office space and construction of new loose boxes (Florrey’s Barn). Conversion of old cart shed to garages and construction of new timber garages. Conversion and extension of listed timber framed barn to office space and construction of new loose boxes (Florrey’s Barn). A meeting will be held this Saturday 9 October 2010 at 10am at the Village Hall. To action: Parish Council to respond after meeting of 9 October, 2010. 

4. Mr White asked Cllr Woodford about the ongoing building works at Millway Lane. Cllr Woodford said he had spoken to the planning officer and that the Council would need to contact Mr Paul Yaxley in the planning dept. directly with any concerns.

10/128 ACCOUNTS: Payments authorised:

• 268 Teenager Delivering planning booklets £20
• 269 Teenager Delivering planning booklets £20
• 270 Yew Tree Contractors Grass cutting at Sportsfield 3/9 and 10/9 £234.41
• 271 Appleton Sportsfield Management Committee Annual grant £600

10/129 LETTERS AND PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED: They were circulated to Councillors. The items were briefly discussed:

1. Survey of flooding.

2. Planning application approved Upwood Quarry for sand extraction.

3. Ian Scargill – Oxford Green Belt Network re: proposed development at Eaton- invite him to attend the meeting this Saturday. To action: Mrs Salmon

4. Parish record box in church – a letter was received from Mr John Evans reporting damage to the storage box. It was agreed that the Clerk would write and ask him if he would be willing to undertake to do the work and with agreement of Reverend Lyn Sapwell.

5. Neighbourhood action group – letter submitted by Keith Stammers and abridged version posted on website.

10/130 MATTERS TO REPORT WITHOUT DECISIONS OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA. The items raised and related to:

1. Terms of reference for the Leisure & Recreational committee. Mrs Gilkes has a copy and will circulate to all councillors.

2. Draft financial report - The Budget needs to be discussed at the November meeting and agreed.

3. Broadband access – Mr Neale reported that it is looking more hopeful that we may have access to high-speed broadband from BT but they are doing a business needs/requirements review.

4. A Volunteers’ section on the Appleton Website – Mrs Gilkes has approached Mr Graham Rose to consider having a section on what help is needed by organisations, groups, charities in Appleton; any special skills required; contact numbers and emails; and getting the groups to fill the details in themselves.

5. It has been suggested that a village event could be staged in the spring, to launch the volunteer section on the website and give further updates on progress with items highlighted by the Community Plan.

10/131 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: To confirm that the next meeting of the Parish Council is to be held on Monday 1 November 2010 at 7.15pm, in the Village Hall.