DRAYTON ST LEONARD PARISH COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN	CLERK
Mr Simon Richards Manor Farm Cottage Drayton St Leonard Wallingford Oxon (01865) 891717 simon.richards@draytonstleonard.co.uk	Mrs Julia Wiblin The Paddock Ford Lane Drayton St Leonard Wallingford, Oxon (01865) 890550 julia@wibles.net

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at 8.00pm on Tuesday,

9 November 2004 in the Village Hall

Present:         Simon Richards (Chairman), Charles Dickerson (Vice-Chairman),
David Watkin, George Farrant, Ann Speirs, John Howell, John Cotton and a member of the public. 

39/04	Apologies Apologies were received from Julia Wiblin, the parish clerk.
40/04	Declaration of interests in matters arising in the agenda None.
41/04	Minutes of the previous meeting for approval The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 3 August 2004 were signed as correct.
42/04	Report on actions outstanding from the previous meeting Minute 18/04 Refurbishment of village signpost The installation of the village signpost has taken place.
43/04	Finance Accounts for year ended 31 March 2004 The receipts and payments account was presented for inspection.  It was agreed by all present that sufficient funds were available to meet the remaining financial commitments of the year. Approved Payments: As the parish clerk was absent the approved payments will be reported in the next minutes to be published in January 2005. Budget Figures approved. Parish Council looking for increase in Precept from £1,900 to £2,150 for next year. It was proposed that the PC should look into the cost of buying another tent and this would be followed up at the next Parish Council meeting. It was also proposed that the PC make a donation to PAGE. The play area budget to be increased by £100.00 The village hall maintenance grant to remain the same.

44/04	Report from District Councillor, Cotton Willowbeck. Refusal was based on the volume of the proposed house in a Green Belt Area, which exceeded policy. The way forward would be submit a further application based on a smaller house with a high quality design. Wheelie bins. SODC are again looking at this item with the possibility of collecting ‘green waste’ and achieving recycling targets but the Wheelie bin issue will be very expensive to implement. Southeast plan for new houses is going through – the proposed growth at Didcot and surrounding villages is unacceptable and housing figures are dubious.  Consultation begins January 2005 and seminars are to be run for Parish Councils.  If SEERA is unacceptable SODC will say so.
44/05	Report from County Councillor, John Howell · PAGE achieved some success at the inquiry into the SouthEast England Regional Minerals Strategy held in Reading Town Hall.  It is now back to the drawing board – the whole issue of where sand and gravel should be extracted in Oxfordshire will need to be re-examined top to bottom by the County Council in preparation of the next stage of its minerals plan.  A far more detailed re-examination into the environmental and archaeological implications than had been done for the Structure Plan, and it should not start from the supposition that the Stadhampton-Benson area was the best choice.  John Howell said that if PAGE were not satisfied they would seek a judicial review.  He also reported that PAGE had done everything they could have possibly done and even more.  PAGE is still fund-raising. · The bus service X42 Berinsfield-Oxford, Berinsfield-Didcot which was due to be closed had now been saved and upgraded to an hourly service. · The B4015 Clifton Hampden-Chislehampton is undergoing a consultation exercise with a view to looking at all transport in the County to solve problems – non car use etc. The suggested options at the moment are: - Review signage to dissuade non-local traffic and downgrade road to a ‘B’ classification. - Closing road from Clifton Hampden to Golden Balls roundabout. - Closing road from Golden Balls roundabout to Chislehampton. John Howell asked that we look at the full report, which is on the web site, and respond as a Parish Council to the consultants at www.oxfordshire,gov.uk/index/travel/tnr latest consultation reports chapters 1-5.
44/06 Action	Planning The application for Willowbeck has been refused for the second time. Waterside New application for the extension to be submitted as a modification of the previous application. Village Hall The third quote for the proposed work is still awaited.  Simon Richards will chase and this item will be followed up at the next PC meeting. Simon Richards
44/07	Playground Maintenance Proposal to be instigated for maintenance of playground area, as voluntary labour from parents has not been forthcoming.  Cost could be approximately £250 per year.
44/08 Action	Repair/sale of ‘village computer’ Village computer to be written off for scrap. Simon Richards to report in newsletter. Simon Richards
44/09 Action	State of village roads Clerk to write to SODC regarding potholes. Julia Wiblin
44/10 Action	Access and signage for public area at the ford A complaint has been made to the Parish Council regarding dogs barking at Ford Cottage.  PC investigating and will invite neighbours to give data. Wording for sign to be investigated by George Farrant – who will report back at next meeting. George Farrant
44/11 Action	The Chequers The Parish Council is to clarify the situation regarding the alleged closure of the pub.  Charles Dickerson will investigate the legal policy in respect of this and report back at the next meeting. Charles Dickerson
44/12	Items for inclusion in next agenda Update on land at the ford.
44/13	Next Meeting The next meeting will be at 8pm on Monday, 31 January 2005.