GREAT COXWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Reading Room at 8.00 pm on Monday 3 July 2006.

PRESENT: M Durham in the chair, E S Daffern,  A N Whiting and Mrs A Zinovieff; the Clerk in attendance. C/Cllr Mrs Judith Heathcoat also attended.

1.             APOLOGIES

Mrs Burns and D/Cllr Cox sent their apologies.

2.             MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

                The minutes of the Parish Meeting held on Monday 12 June 2006 were confirmed.

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3.             MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a.   Reading Room quotations for chairs and cupboard.  Mrs Zinovieff stated that chairs would cost between £25-40.00 plus VAT each, with cushions £2.50 a pad.  Having attended a Drop In morning, residents had told her that they felt Mrs Niass wouldn't have wanted new chairs and had suggested that something like a table tennis table would be more appropriate.  The quote received by Mr Daffern for the cupboard was £640.00.  After much discussion it was agreed that Mr Durham would speak to Mr Niass to see how he felt about the suggestions and details of what was on offer.  Mr Durham will report back at the next meeting.

b.    Salt Bin update.  The position of the bins still needs to be decided.  Mr Durham will make one further attempt to get a response and then seek assistance from Mrs Heathcoat, if unsuccessful. 

c.    Standing Orders.  Following last month's meeting, Mrs Zinovieff proposed and Mr Whiting seconded the adoption of the Standing Orders, subject to the amendment discussed at last month's meeting.  This was unanimously agreed.

d. Environment Agency - piping at Pear Tree Farm update.   The Environment Agency has visited the site and confirmed that a retrospective planning application has been submitted.  It also indicated that it is unlikely to grant permission with the current bore being used.  No further news has been received and Mr Durham will chase for an update.

e.  New Stable Block. Mr Durham has spoken to Paul Yaxley at the Vale of White Horse Planning, who felt that the construction was probably of a type that could be constructed without planning permission and would look into it and report back.  Mr Durham stated that the Parish Council had raised this issue on the principle of it being erected without planning, rather than having a problem with the building if planning permission had been requested.

f.  Lamps at Old Willows.  Retrospective planning permission needs to be applied for and it has not.  Concern had been expressed at last month's meeting that while the lights are currently turned off, if the statutory time elapses, there would be no control over when the lights would be turned off.  Mr Daffern has spoken to the Vale who will look into it and report back.

4.             PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a.             GCO/17555/2 - alterations to existing access to Steeds Farm (Faringdon Tennis Club).  Notice of Permission has been received for this application.

b.             GCO/148/10 - Chowle Cottage, erection of garage and conservatory.  There was no objection to this application.  The Clerk will write to the Vale.

c.             Chowle Farm House.  Following a number of complaints from residents, the Parish Council has now written to the Vale of White Horse District Council concerning the illegal dumping at the rear of Chowle Farm House.  Despite the fact that the Chairman has contacted the Environmental Control Department on two previous occasions and they have visited the site, the dumping continues.

5.             CORRESPONDENCE

Bills

The Parish Council approved payment of the following bills:

British Gas                                                                             £  43.06 + VAT

M Denée (grass cutting park and Reading Room)         £230.00

Notice board for Park                                                          £530.45 + VAT

Other

a.             WI Tables.   The WI has kindly donated the six new card tables to the Reading Room.  The Clerk will write a letter of thanks for these.

b.             Park Notice Board.  While the Parish Council has approved the revised figure for this new board, Mr Durham will speak to the Park Committee to make sure that future figures are investigated thoroughly, before being submitted for approval by the Parish Council.  It was also felt that a representative from the Park Committee should attend the Parish Council meetings as there has been some confusion over a request for a sign for the wild flower area.

6.             OTHER BUSINESS

a.             Neighbourhood Watch.  Mr Daffern had nothing to report this month.  Mrs Heathcoat reported that a serious incident had taken place at Badbury Clump on 9 June where a lady was attacked and knifed in the morning, while walking her dogs.  Mrs Heathcoat stated that the police had only informed the National Trust of this incident and none of the neighbouring villages and she felt that all local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators should have been contacted.  The Parish Council was very concerned that an incident of this nature had not been reported locally.

b.             Future Meeting Dates.  Due to his commitments at planning meetings, D/Cllr Cox has been unable to attend a number of Parish Council meetings.  Although he has arranged for D/Cllr Thomson to replace him at a number of the meetings, the Parish Council discussed whether it would be worth trying to change the dates of future meetings, if this would help.  It was agreed that if parish councillors had issues where they needed further information, that they would ask the Clerk a week before the meeting to contact Mr Cox for details.  This would therefore mean there was no need for the dates to change.

c.             Lorries up the Holloway.  It was pointed out that following the change to the weight limit access sign at the top of the Holloway preventing lorries coming down it, there was nothing to prevent them going up it!  Mrs Heathcoat will investigate this.

d.             Community Empowerment Award.  The Parish Council has been nominated by the Countryside Agency for a Community Empowerment Award, being run jointly by NALC and the Commission for Rural Communities.  A copy of the nomination has just been circulated to the Parish Council for comment.

e.             Party in the Park.  This will be taking place on Saturday 2 September and arrangements are all in hand.  The vegetable competition will take place on 9 September.

e.             Next Meeting.  The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 11 September 2006 at 8.00 pm.