MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APPLETON WITH EATON PARISH COUNCIL

held on Monday 1^st February 2010 in the village hall at 7.15pm

PRESENT: Mrs Sue Hine, Mrs Claire Salmon, Mr Phil Neale, Mr Howard Thomas (in the chair) and Mr Andy White

Also Present: District Councillor John Woodford, Thomas Unterdorfer, James Mansfield, Keith Stammers, Sanchia Prickett, Richard Snow, Natalie Crawford, Becky Bradbrook, Fiona McCree, Vicky Broadley and the clerk.

1. Mr Unterdorfer re: Appleton Manor. Mr Unterdorfer answered questions and clarified some points of planning application APT/10011/29 for Appleton Manor.
2. Playground group: Mrs Natalie Crawford: Mrs Crawford told the council that the group had just become aware of the Playbuilder grant available from Oxfordshire County Council which would offer up to £45,000 for new and refurbished playgrounds, targeting particularly the 8 to 13 years age group.

Initial interest must be registered by 8^th February and the application made by 8^th March. The application requires

1) A constitution 2) Demonstration of social need 3) An established management committee and 4) Agreed plans.

There will be an Open Day on March 13^th to solicit views from the community. The Plough has been approached about providing parking for people using the playground.   

The next meeting of the Playground group will be on Tuesday 9^th February at 8pm in the village hall.

Action: the council will prepare a constitution before the March 8^th deadline.

3. Flooding and Rainwater management group – Sanchia Prickett and Richard Snow:

The Vale has offered a grant to pay for 1000 “Aquasacs” (a sandbag alternative) 4 high-vis jackets and 2 diesel pumps with hoses pumps on condition that the group is able to say where they will be stored. Possible locations for the pumps were discussed. It was noted that on the occasions when Oaksmere has flooded there has not been a problem at the Tavern and this was attributed to Highways cleaning out the drains.  

Action: the group will find locations to store the pumps and the council will write to inform the Vale. Mr White is able to offer information about the size of pump.

Oaksmere overflowing ditch: Frozen water on the road had caused 2 accidents. It was agreed that the ideal solution would be either for holding ponds to be formed on the adjacent land or for the water to be piped across the road and through the woodland into the ditch which Mr Morgan has formed on his land, thence into the brook downstream from the ditch.   

Action: Mr Neale will try to speak to all the landowners to see whether a solution can be agreed.   

10/17 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN MATTERS ON THE AGENDA: None.

10/18 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: 09/10.8: Added: The money will be given in the next financial year. That apart, the minutes were agreed to be a true record and signed as such by the chairman.

10/19 ELECTION OF A VICE-CHAIRMAN: To be deferred until the next meeting.

            An election had not been requested so the council may co-opt from the people who have expressed an interest.

          Action: They will be asked for a brief statement of interest and the council will meet at 7pm on 9^th February.

10/21 COUNTY MATTERS: County Councillor Anthony Gearing:

            In response to questions from the parish council:

1.     A420 bus stop: Councillor Gearing is meeting officers regarding the A420 bus stop and will report back to the council.

2.     Seacourt Park and Ride: The council had written to OCC complaining that it is often impossible to park and suggesting that spaces are being occupied by workers of surrounding office buildings which don’t have enough parking themselves.

Councillor Gearing will organise for letters to be written to adjacent businesses. 

3.     Bad weather: Appleton was particularly affected as buses were not able to run on the ungritted road.

Councillor Gearing explained that heavy snow in the north of the county in early December had depleted supplies of grit and that government intervention meant that stocks were sent to support counties which didn’t have stockpiles and the county was left short.

The council asked whether farmers would be allowed to clear roads. At present, individuals are discouraged from clearing roads and paths because of liability issues. The hope is that in future individuals will be classed as volunteers of the council. Action: The council will find suitable locations for more grit bins.

4.     Flooding: Councillor Gearing had attended a flood meeting in Witney where it was apparent that people are not clear about the responsibilities of riparian owners.

5.     School Transport: The council has been discussing school travel with school and it has been queried whether the existing bus could pick children up on the route inside the catchment area. OCC would make a charge of £80 per term. Action: the council will supply Councillor Gearing with information so that he can make enquiries.

The clerk had circulated a NALC document “ The relationship between the council and its sub-committees was discussed and the responsibilities of parish council representatives and it was RESOLVED to re-instate the “Tennis and Recreation Committee” referred to in the Tennis Club constitution to which sub-committees would refer, rather than the full council.

Action: Terms of reference will be an agenda item for the next council meeting. 

Action: Because of the Playbuilder grant application, it has become urgent that the new  playground group’s constitution is agreed and the council agreed hold a special meeting to discuss it on Monday 15^th February at 7pm.

Action: The council had questions about the proposed lease of land for the playground which Mrs Hine will raise at the 9^th February meeting.   

10/23 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4^th JANUARY 2010:

1. Playground: See 10/16/2 above.
2. A420 Bus Stop – see 10/21/1 above.
3. School Parking and Road Safety: Mrs Salmon and the clerk and Mr Stammers (NAG representative) are to meet representatives from OCC and the headteacher at school on Wednesday 3^rd February.

It was AGREED that the council did not want the zigzags to be replaced with double yellow lines 1) because there would not be sufficient police presence to enforce them 2) because the problem exists only for a short time each day and 3) because they were perceived as unacceptable urbanisation of the village.

It was AGREED that the council did not want to see flashing lights added to the existing school signs because they were perceived and unacceptable urbanization.

4. Village Pond area – nothing further at present.
5. Condition of the Green Lane: There had been no reply from Mark Sumner. It was noted that vehicles have been driving to the bottom of the lane.
6. Broadband: A meeting has been arranged for 13^th February to look at a wireless alternative.
7. Flooding: See item 10/15/4 above.
8. Community Plan: Results evening Thursday 11^th February. Volunteer sheets are being distributed to the relevant groups. 
9. War Memorial: It was AGREED to seek quotes for repairing the steps.
10. “Greensward”, Eaton Road: The council had accepted a quote of £180.00 from Richard Upton for removing a dead trees and a large amount of brambles. The Jeffreys at Appleton Manor had kindly said that the brambles, which cannot be chipped, may be burnt on a bonfire on their land, but they will want to wait until weather conditions are right.
11. Seacourt Park and Ride: See item 10/21/2 above.
12. Disaster Recovery Plan: Mr White has made a start. He needs further information, for example:  keyholders, businesses, locations of valves, hydrants. 

10/24 PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

10/26 REPORTS FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEES AND EXTERNAL MEETINGS:

1. Website: It had been proposed to make the Advertiser available on the website, but it had been noted that not all contributors to the Advertiser want their contact details available online. Future editions will allow people the opportunity to remove their notice from the online copy.
2. Tubney Woods Liaison Group meeting: Mrs Salmon reported the following:

1)   There was no-one present from either Magdalen College or OCC.

2)   Meetings are called only at the request of parish councils or the TWPG.

3)   The land by the A420 has completely settled. At the request of householders and agreed by OCC, the finished level is higher than originally planned. Tree planting is to begin February/March this year

4)   Infilling has been completed next to Oaksmere.

5)   Residents have asked that the trees and bund on the edge by Tubney Manor Farm can be retained, but they are not part of the planning approval.

6)   Due to the economic downturn in the building industry, Hills are extracting less sand and have less material for infilling and they may apply to extend their approval. 

7)   The next meeting will be in January or February 2011 or before any application for a time extension.

3. Playground: Nothing to add.
4. Sportsfield: None.
5. Tennis Club: The clerk noted that she had not received any grant applications to date.
6. Village Hall: The sound system and hearing loop are being installed during half term.

10/27 PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE: None.

10/ 28MATTERS FOR REPORT WITHOUT DECISION OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA: None

 Monday 1^st March at 7.15pm in the Village Hall

As the first Monday in April is Easter Monday, the April meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Tuesday, March 30th at 7.15 in the Village Hall.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.55pm