DRAYTON ST LEONARD PARISH COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN	CLERK
Mr David Watkin Cope Cottage Drayton St Leonard Wallingford Oxon (01865) 890598 david.watkin@draytonstleonard.co.uk	Mrs Lucy Cook The Old Cottage High Street Drayton St Leonard Wallingford, Oxon (01865) 891660 lucy.cook@draytonstleonard.co.uk

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held at 8.00pm on Wednesday,
23^rd April 2003 in the Village Hall

Present: David Watkin (Chairman), Simon Richards (Vice-Chairman), John Cotton (South Oxfordshire District Councillor), Charles Dickerson, Tracey Brook, Robin Read and members of the Parish.

08/03	Apologies Apologies were received from Roy Tudor Hughes
09/03	Minutes of the previous meeting for approval The minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 13^th May 2002 were signed as correct.
10/03	Matters arising from the minutes Village Signpost Quotes for the moulding and casting of a new ‘polomint’ top have been requested for consideration by the Parish Council.
11/03	Report from the Chairman of the Parish Council, Mr David Watkin. David Watkin read out a written report (attached). In addition to the report, the following points were raised: Additional Costs Additional costs, not accounted for in the budget last year, were encountered for the village hall (maintenance grant) and the purchase of a new village tent. Public Access PC Although running costs for the public access PC are significant, parishioners are reminded that these were included in the original grant. It is expected that, during the three year trial, there will be no direct cost to the Parish Council.
12/03	Report from John Cotton, South Oxfordshire District Councillor. Summary of issues that affected the parish last year The proposal to introduce ‘wheelie bins’ was rejected by SODC, in light of evidence that recycling rates drop with their introduction and the difficulties experienced by householders living in terraced housing. The proposal to include ‘H13’ in the draft Local Plan was also rejected. This clause would have restricted planning permission for the extension of smaller properties in the area. Issues likely to face the parish during 2003/2004 An early stage proposal has been submitted for the development of approximately 600 houses and an industrial area at Berinsfield. Whilst understanding the requirement for more affordable housing, John Cotton pointed out that he is not in support of the proposal, instead favouring the spread of development across approximately 100 parishes in the area. This alternative would mean perhaps only 2 or 3 new houses in Drayton St Leonard. As a result of the flooding experienced last winter, the SODC has significantly increased its budget for flood prevention. John pointed out that a large proportion of the money is earmarked for identifying riparian owners and enforcing repairs. Whilst the SODC has the power to prosecute riparian owners for failure to maintain waterways and ditches, it has not made a prosecution to date. John also explained that the council’s responsibility to spend on flood prevention is discretionary and that no major investment had been made in recent years. David Watkin thanked John Cotton for his invaluable advice and support to the Parish Council during his term of office and wished him every success in the forthcoming elections.
13/03	Village Hall Report from Simon Richards Simon firstly welcomed David Herlihy to the village hall committee. Income from use of the village hall had been minimal last year, however a regular user of the hall has been found and income for the 2003/2004 period is expected to be improved. A maintenance grant from the parish council will be used this year to repaint the hall, however a more thorough (and costly) refurbishment is urgently required. Simon reminded those present that the cost of refurbishment was minimal compared to the cost of a new village hall and encouraged everyone to view the hall as a valuable village asset. Simon urged the incoming parish council to consider its long term plans for the hall, suggesting an imminent refurbishment funded by grants and local fundraising.
14/03 Action Action 15/03 Action 16/03 Action	Public Forum Fly Tipping Alan Johns raised the issue of fly tipping on the Dorchester and Stadhampton Roads. After some discussion, it was agreed to keep a record of all events as evidence for the SODC that fly tipping is on the increase in Drayton St Leonard. Parishioners to report to John Cotton incidences of fly tipping. John Cotton to request to SODC that DSL is considered for mobile CCTV monitoring of fly tipping hot spots. Flooding A petition was received from some residents of Water Lane requesting that the Parish Council do more to maintain the ditches outside their properties to reduce the risk of flooding. David Watkin pointed out that the Parish Council are not the riparian owners of the ditch and pipes in question and that they are, therefore, not directly responsible for their maintenance. It was clear from discussions that the exact cause of the ditch failing to drain during the winter floods is unknown. It was agreed that the Parish Council would assist in identifying the cause of the problem in the first instance. John Cotton to request SODC to send engineers to survey ditch and pipe. Dog fouling in the Osiers Robin Read (on behalf of some residents of the Osiers) asked if the Parish Council could do anything to assist with the problem of dog fouling. It was agreed that the Parish Council would investigate the effectiveness of signs and dog bins and consider their installation. Lucy Cook to speak to neighbouring parishes about the cost and effectiveness of signs and dog bins.
17/03	Next Meeting Due to the forthcoming election on May 1^st, the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was postponed until 8pm on Wednesday 7^th May 2003 in the Village Hall.