Drayton Parish Council Minutes
of the Remote Meeting held on 13th April 2021 at 7:30pm.
Councillors Present: Tamsin Crane (Chairperson), Patricia Athawes (Vice Chairperson), Richard Wade, Pervin Shahin, Shane McAleavey, Graham Webb, Susan Harris, Garin Schoonhoven, Claire Woollard, Irma Schoonhoven.
Councillors Not Present: All Councillors were present.
In attendance: Lorraine Watling (Clerk and RFO), Christopher Price (Deputy Clerk), Andrew Cook (VWHDC).
Public: 1 member of the public was present.
52/2021 Apologies for Absence. Richard Webber (OCC).
53/2021 Resignation of a Councilor. It was noted that Natasha Brand has resigned from the Parish Council. Drayton is entitled to 11 Parish Councilors so there is currently 1vacancy.
54/2021 Declarations of Interest, Dispensations or Use of Delegated Powers. Cllrs Tamsin Crane and Susan Harris each have a general interest in the Manor Farm development as they both live on this development. Cllr Richard Wade has a general interest in the Millennium Green because he is a member of the Millennium Green Trust Committee, and in the Allotments site as his wife rents an allotment. Cllr Graham Webb declared a general interest in the allotment site as he lives near the allotments.
55/2021 Report from OCC Councillor. Richard Webber was not present.
56/2021 Report from VWHDC Councillor (Adrian Cooke).
a) Coronavirus / Covid-19. It was noted that grants are available and businesses are now open again.
b) S106. Applications for s106 have been reopened.
c) Town and Parishes Forum. This will be held in May.
d) Election. The election of councillors to Oxfordshire County Council will be held on 6th May 2021.
e) Walnut Meadow Sports Pitch. Planning enforcement’s decision on unauthorised raising of levels by Miller Homes is still pending.
f) Walnut Meadow Land Transfer. Solicitors are drafting a letter to Miller Homes to agree the next steps.
g) The Dovecote Development – Footpath Access. It was noted that vehicles have been using the footpath assess again. It was also noted that Bloor Homes are responsible until the land is handed over. Cllr Cooke said that he and OCC Cllr Webber will discuss to see what help they might be able to provide.
57/2021 Public Participation.
Walnut Shaped Bollards for the Village Green. A parishioner expressed an interest in the Walnuts that will be placed on the Village Green. He noted that he would be pleased if the project deterred people from parking on the grass.
58/2021 Minutes of the Previous Parish Council Meeting. The minutes of the previous Parish Council meetings were approved and signed by the Chairperson.
Proposed: Tamsin Crane Seconded: Susan Harris Resolved: 8 for and 2 Abstentions.
59/2021 Action Checklist from the Previous Meeting was reviewed and updated, and the additional points were noted.
- Allotments. It was noted that since the installation of the fence there has been one report of damaged crops and one report of stolen fruit bushes. Plot holders will be advised to report all instances of damage or theft to the police.
ACTION: The Chair will contact the Allotments Warden and ask him to advise plot holders to report all criminal activity to the police.
b) Tommy Silhouette. Pervin Shahin reported that a metal ‘Tommy’ silhouette would cost £174.00 + £45.00 postage.
ACTION: Pervin Shahin will encourage a local group to apply to the PC for a s137 grant to purchase a ‘Tommy’ and be responsible for its storage when it is not on display.
c) Millennium Green Litter Bins. It was noted that the bins have not arrived.
ACTION: Deputy Clerk to chase Broxap for an update on our order for 2 litter bins.
d) Project Manager. It was noted that the post had not yet been filled.
ACTION: Deputy Clerk to arrange a meeting between Tamsin Crane, Patricia Athawes, Richard Wade, Shane McAleavey and Graham Webb to discuss next steps.
e) Drayton Wildlife Group / Councillor Priority Fund.
ACTION: Deputy Clerk to order plants and investigate options for sheds.
f) Benches and planters/Councillor Priority Fund. It was noted that the PC had received funds to purchase some recycled plastic benches and planters. It was suggested that a possible location for a bench might be Sutton Wick.
ACTION: The Chair to circulate details of the products sourced by the Clerk. Cllrs asked to send her suggestions for other locations where benches or planters might be installed.
g) Manor Farm – plants that may need attention. It has been reported to the PC that Hemlock may be growing on the Manor Farm site.
ACTIONS: The Chair to report this to Cala Homes so they can investigate and action. The Clerk to ask VWHDC whether CIL money can be used to employ a horticulturist to check the planting of developers as there appears to be at least one dead tree.
h) Projector for PC Meetings.
ACTION: Susan Harris to send details of her projector to the Deputy Clerk. Deputy Clerk to research projectors and screens.
60/2021 Finance and Personnel Committee (Patricia Athawes). See Appendix A.
a) Payments. The list of payments had been circulated prior to the meeting. The 2 councillors authorised by the Council to approve the online payments this month were Patricia Athawes and Graham Webb. They were also authorised to approve the payments that are required to be made before the next meeting.
b) Bank Statement and Reconciliation had been circulated prior to the meeting and was noted.
c) Disposition of Council Funds had been circulated prior to the meeting and was noted.
d) Play Area Surface Repair Walnut Meadows. It was noted that Kompan will not repair the play area surface under guarantee as they believe the rubber matting was damaged by the grass cutter.
e) Pond Risk Assessment. It was resolved to approve the risk assessment for the pond at Sutton Wick.
Proposed: Pervin Shahin Seconded: Garin Schoonhoven Resolved: 9 for and 1 Abstention
ACTION: Deputy Clerk to research whether a company can be engaged to test the water for toxins and Leptospirosis.
f) Annual Increment for the Clerk. It was resolved to approve an increment equating to an increase of 0.46p per hour, from 1st April 2021 as per the contract of employment and the pay scales for this post.
Proposed: Patricia Athawes Seconded: Tamsin Crane Resolved: Unanimous
g) Year End Figures. The end of year financial reports for 2020-21 that will be sent to the Internal Auditor were received and noted.
61/2021 Planning Committee (Graham Webb). See Appendix B.
62/2021 Meetings after 6th May 2021.
(a) Consultation about Remote Meetings. It was noted that the government has issued a Call for Evidence on virtual meetings, open for 12 weeks.
ACTION: The Chair to respond.
(b) Council meetings after 6th May 2021. It was noted that the current Government position is that all local government meetings should revert back to being held in public after 6th May 2021. It was also noted that a legal challenge to this decision is currently progressing through the Courts.
(c) To confirm what the Council wishes to do going forwards. It was agreed that the PC will hold the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish Council/may monthly meeting remotely on Tuesday 4th May 2021. The PC will review the position for future meetings after this date when the outcome of the legal challenge is known. It was noted that some Cllrs and staff were still to receive both Covid vaccinations and that Covid compliant meetings would be logistically difficult to hold.
63/2021 Annual Parish Council Meeting / Annual Parish Meeting (Meeting of the Parish). It was agreed to approve the rescheduling of the date of the May Annual Parish Council meeting, and the Annual Parish Meeting so that they are both held remotely on the evening of Tuesday 4th May 2021.
64/2021 Public Art Working Group.
- Entrance Gates. These were discussed at length and it was agreed that a detailed manufacturing specification was required in order that Cllrs could properly understand the process and consider the proposed costs. References also need to be followed up.
ACTION: Cllrs Wade, McAleavey and Webb will discuss and agree the manufacturing points that require further clarification. Shane McAleavey will then draft an email to be sent and work with Cllr Shahin to obtain a response from the artists.
Cllr Cooke left the meeting at this point
Discussion followed about the number of signs that should be placed at each of the three entrances to the village. It was resolved to have a pair of signs (one each side of the road) at each entrance.
Proposed: Tamsin Crane Seconded: Pervin Shahin Resolved: 8 for and 2 objections.
- Walnut Shaped Bollards for the Village Green. It was noted that OCC Highways have confirmed that they do not have any issues with the proposed positioning of the walnuts on the Village Green. It was resolved that the Clerk should formally accept the S106 monies for this project from the VWHDC on behalf of the PC.
Proposed: Tamsin Crane Seconded: Irma Schoonhoven Resolved: 9 for and 1 abstention
c) Tommy Silhouette. Item discussed under 59/2021 Action Checklist from the Previous Meeting b).
65/2021 Traffic Calming. Shane McAleavey reported on the meeting with OCC on 17th March 2021. It was agreed to set up a Traffic Calming Working Group. Members: Tamsin Crane, Richard Wade, Shane McAleavey, Graham Webb, Garin Schoonhoven.
ACTION: Clerk to draft terms of reference. Deputy Clerk to arrange a meeting.
66/2021 Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group.
Item discussed under 56/2021 Report from VWHDC Councillor.
67/2021 2021 Great British Spring Clean Campaign. The Great British Spring Clean Campaign was noted.
ACTION: Deputy Clerk to publicise and discuss with the Damascus youth group.
68/2021 VOWH Press release, how to spend housing cash for leisure. This was noted.
Reserved Business. Exclusion of the Public and Press. In view of the nature of the business to be transacted any members of the public and press were temporarily excluded from the meeting (Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1).
69/2021 Burial Ground.There were no updates to note at this meeting.
End of Reserved Business.
70/2021 Items to be noted from Parish Councillors. None.
71/2021 Date of the next Meetings.
- Meeting of the Planning Committee. 11th May 2021 tbc.
b) Annual Parish Meeting (Meeting of the Parish). 4th May at 6.00pm.
b) Annual Parish Council Meeting. 4th May 2021 at 7.00pm.
The Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 10:33pm
Signed: Date:
Name:
Appendix A
Finance & Personnel Committee
Payments: £500 or more
£
Salaries 1,452.08
OALC Annual Subscription 599.11
Zurich Insurance Premium 1,248.72
Surrey Hills Solicitors 900.00
Cllr Crane reimbursement – laptop for Deputy Clerk 554.56
Disposition of Council Funds as at 31st March 2021
ACCOUNT REF BALANCE INTEREST RATE ACCOUNT TYPE
Unity Bank 674 £217,393.60 0% Current Acct
NS&I 779 £20,487.64 0.01% Savings Acct
Unity Bank 554 £15,185.52 0.10% Projects Acct
Total £253,066.76
Appendix B
Planning Committee Applications
| P20/V2741/HH. Front & Side Single Storey Extension. The Hollies Barrow Road Drayton Oxfordshire OX14 4SU. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V2853/HH. Single storey rear extension and alterations. 7 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 11th March 2021. |
| P20/V3237/FUL. Demolition of existing commercial building. Construction of two semi-detached houses. Norrington House 22 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JL. PC: Response: The Parish Council regrets the loss of the retail outlet but acknowledges that the commercial building has been vacant for a number of years and there may not be a demand for it. It is also worth noting that there may be a new pedestrian crossing along the High Street near this location that needs to be considered along with this planning application. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V3357/HH. Two storey side extension. 226 Steventon Road Drayton Abingdon OX13 6RN. PC: Objection: The Parish Council is concerned about the size of the extension and the loss of light to the neighbouring house. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V0064/LB. Redesign of previous application no. P18/V0794/FUL & P18/V0795/LB. Demolition and replacement of cart shed walls. Barn to the rear of 24 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Listed Building Consent on 22nd March 2021. |
| P20/V3299/FUL. Redesign of previous application no. P18/V0794/FUL & P18/V0795/LB. Demolition and replacement of cart shed walls. Barn to the rear of 24 High Street Drayton High Street Abingdon OX144JL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 22nd March 2021. |
| P21/V0253/HH. Construction of single storey rear extension, following the demolition of existing conservatory and formation of a front porch. 33 Hilliat Fields Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JQ. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 23rd March 2021. |
| P21/V0365/HH. 17 Binning Close – Single storey rear extension and linked first floor rear extension 18 Binning Close – linked first floor extension. 17 & 18 Binning Close Drayton Abingdon OX14 4LN. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V0357/FUL. The addition of a 2 space car port and home office over. Barn to the rear of 24 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V0554/HH. Two storey rear extension, single storey glazed link and garage conversion. 8 Walnut Way Drayton Abingdon OX14 4FY. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V0643/HH. Erect single storey rear extension, single storey front extension and apply external cladding and render. 50 Hilliat Fields Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JF. PC: Objection. The proposed cladding is out of character with the rest of the estate of some 60 houses, all of with are rendered and painted, none of them have cladding. The design and appearance would clearly be out of character with the Hilliat Fields area. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V0392/HH. Proposed extension to garage to form gym. 38 Church Lane Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JS. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V3237/FUL Amendment: No. 1 – dated 2nd March 2021. Demolition of existing commercial building. Construction of two semi-detached houses (As amended by plans and additional information received 2 March, 19 March and 1 April 2021). Norrington House 22 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |