Drayton Parish Council Minutes
of the Remote Meeting held on 12th January 2021 at 7:30pm.
Councillors Present: Tamsin Crane (Chairperson), Patricia Athawes (Vice Chairperson), Richard Wade, Pervin Shahin, Shane McAleavey, Garin Schoonhoven, Claire Woollard, Graham Webb, Natasha Brand, Susan Harris, Irma Schoonhoven.
Councillors Not Present: All Councillors were present.
In attendance: Lorraine Watling (Clerk and RFO), Christopher Price (Deputy Clerk), Andrew Cooke (VWHDC).
Public: 1 member of the public was present.
1/2021 Apologies for Absence. None.
2/2021 Declarations of Interest, Dispensations or Use of Delegated Powers.
Cllr Claire Woollard has a general interest in the Walnut Meadow development as she lives on this development. 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. Cllrs Garin Schoonhoven and Irma Schoonhoven both have interests in the Dovecote development, as they live on this development and are members of the residents’ association, and in the Allotments because they rent an allotment.
As Cllr Webber was not present at the meeting, the report from District Cllr Andy Cooke was taken next.
3/2021 Report from VWHDC Councillor Adrian Cooke (Agenda item 4).
a) Coronavirus / Covid-19. Adrian Cooke reported that there has been a resurgence in infections due to a more transmissible strain of the virus. Any local outbreak should be reported to him or to the Community Hub team. There may be some direct funding support available for individuals or groups in need. The funding is being distributed via the South & Vale Citizens Advice Bureau in Wantage. There are 22 sites and 1 hospital hub offering vaccinations. The VWHDC is running at reduced capacity whilst staff are redirected to help with the pandemic. For personal support residents should go to the VWHDC website. It was noted that there is currently a Covid scam circulating whereby scammers are phoning or texting people and trying to obtain their financial details. Please do not fall for this scam.
b) Bus Service. The bus service has been increased. Clerk’s note:
| From Sunday 3rd January 2021, the X2 service was enhanced to provide customers with frequency of up to every 20 minutes between Oxford, Abingdon and Didcot on Monday to Saturday daytimes. Evening and Sunday services were enhanced to operate up to every 30 minutes. In Oxford, buses operate to and from the railway station providing new direct connections. |
Cllr Shahin joined the meeting at this point. As District Cllr Cooke was unable to stay for the whole meeting the Council agreed to take Agenda item 10(b) next
4/2021 Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group (Agenda Item 10(b)).
Meeting with Miller Homes and VWHDC held on 8th January 2021. It was noted that a meeting was held between Adrian Cooke (VWHDC), Claire Woollard, Miller Homes and VWHDC Planning Enforcement to try and resolve the issue with the raised level of the sports field due to the buried waste material that is present. Miller Homes had sent a revised plan to the District Council Planning Enforcement team which was considered to be an improvement, but insufficient to meet the needs of Planning Enforcement. Planning Enforcement has requested a further revision using the drainage plans as a starting position. Millers have agreed to prepare a revised version of the plan and will use this information to find the lowest level. When this report is received, VWHDC specialist contractors will assess it and copy their findings to Oxfordshire County Council, so that the next steps can be decided. If no report is received, an enforcement notice will be issued. VWHDC recognise that the land levels are absolutely crucial. Miller Homes will have to submit a new planning application to change these. If this is approved, the work can be undertaken. When this is completed the Parish Council’s projects can then start moving forward.
ACTION: Claire Woollard to write a report for the Chronicle.
5/2021 Report from OCC Councillor (Agenda Item 3). Cllr Richard Webber was not present at the meeting and no report had been received. It was noted that the Parish Council has received notification that its application for a £3,000.00 grant from the Councillor Priority Fund had been successful. The PC needs to confirm the street furniture (made from recycled materials) that it wishes to purchase with some of the grant money.
ACTION: Deputy Clerk to arrange a meeting on 20th January 2021 with the Chairman and Clerk.
The Council then went back to the original agenda.
6/2021 Public Participation.
a) Dog Waste. A parishioner reported a pile of used dog poo bags at the south-east corner of the Dovecote estate where the footpath joins BW1 and asked if a bin could be installed in that area. Matter continued under item 16/2021 Dog Waste.
b) Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP). A parishioner was pleased that a project manager was being appointed and hoped that they could progress the various projects, particularly the sports facilities and cycle routes. They asked whether there were any timescales for taking things forwards, and whether it would be possible to install an off-road cycle route that would link Drayton to Milton Park and Abingdon. The Chairman noted that there are a lot of deliverables set out in the NDP, but that at present it was not possible to give timescales, e.g. there will be a big focus on Walnut Meadows, but most of the current matters affecting that site are beyond the Parish Council’s control. When the Project Manager is appointed it may be possible to indicate timelines for taking things forward. Cllr Irma Schoonhoven explained the work that she had been doing to try and improve cycle routes. The Parish Council’s s106 funds for cycle routes has to be spent within the parish. She had had limited success when trying to engage with local and national cycle networks.
7/2021 Minutes of the Previous Parish Council Meeting. The minutes of the previous Parish Council meetings were approved and signed by the Chairperson.
(a) Minutes of the Parish Council meeting which was held on 7th December 2020.
Proposed: Tamsin Crane Seconded: Susan Harris Resolved: Unanimous
(b) Extraordinary Parish Council meeting which was held on 14th December 2020.
Proposed: Tamsin CraneSeconded: Susan Harris Resolved: 10 for and 1 abstention (by a Cllr who had not been at that meeting).
8/2021 Action Checklist from the Previous Meeting was reviewed and updated, and the additional points were noted.
a) Play Area Surface Repair Walnut Meadows. It was noted that Cllr Shane McAleavey had inspected the damaged playground surface and was of the opinion that it had not been installed properly. The ground beneath it had not been prepared properly, and because the matting was installed on uneven grand, it appeared to have been damaged.
ACTION: Claire Woollard to ask Miller Homes for details of the playground guarantee.
b) Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group Footpath Improvement. It was noted that Richard Wade has not had a response from Cala Homes regarding the Manor Farm to Gravel Lane Footpath Link.
ACTION: Richard Wade to ask Cala Homes to respond to his email about the Manor Farm to Gravel Lane Footpath Link. Also, to ask them to replace some of the trees along Gravel Lane that are in a poor condition.
9/2021 Finance and Personnel Committee (Patricia Athawes). See Appendix A.
a) Payments. The list of November payments for approval at the December meeting had been circulated prior to the meeting. The 2 councillors authorised by the Council to approve the online payments at the beginning of November were Patricia Athawes and Shane McAleavey and were also authorised to approve the payments that are required to be made at the start of February.
b) Bank 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) Project Manager Vacancy. It was noted that 1 person had expressed an interest so far, but that the closing date was not until 18th January 2021.
e) Cemetery Fees for 2021/22. The cemetery fees were discussed. Further research will be undertaken to look at the fees of comparable parishes before a recommendation is bought back to Council in February for a decision.
ACTION: Patricia Athawes and the Clerk to research the cemetery fees charged by other comparable villages.
f) Millennium Green Litter Bins. It was resolved to purchase 2 litters bins for the Millennium Green as request by the Millennium Green Trust.
1. Sirius Dog Waste Bin BX45G 2591-PM £124.00 ex-vat (to go by the gate in Sutton Wick Lane).
2. Derby E Slimline Litter Bin BX45G 2596-E £185.00 ex-vat (to go by pond).
Proposed: Patricia AthawesSeconded: Natasha Brand Resolved: 10 for and 1 abstention (because Cllr Wade had a general interest).
ACTION: The Deputy Clerk will confirm the supplier details to the Clerk in order that these bins can then be ordered.
10/2021 Planning Committee (Graham Webb). See Appendix B.
New Pedestrian Crossing, High Street. It was noted that there is a new planning application that may impact the new pedestrian crossing.
ACTION. Garin Schoonhoven to ask Richard Webber for an update.
The history of some land in KiIn Lane was noted.
11/2021 Neighbourhood Planning Working Group. This had been covered earlier in the meeting.
12/2021 Public Art Working Group (Pervin Shahin).
Cllr Shahin was unable to be heard at the meeting so the Clerk gave an update.
a) Entrance Gates. It was noted that drawings from the artist have been circulated to the Council.
ACTION: Deputy Clerk to add item to February’s agenda for Councillors to select a design, and invite
Abigail Brown and the artists to attend the remote meeting to present their proposals and answer any questions from Cllrs.
b) Walnut Shaped Bollards for the Village Green. It was noted that Garin Schoonhoven is creating a map to show the locations of the walnuts. It was suggested that the artist might be invited to the March meeting to present his proposals and answer any questions from Cllrs.
13/2021 Allotments.
a) New Water Troughs. It was noted that the water pipes for the 4 new water troughs are now all laid and connected.
b) New Fence. The hedge needs to be cut back before the new fence can be erected. It needs to be decided whether the new gates should be kept open or locked. The National Allotment Society policy is to keep allotment sites as open as possible.
ACTION: The Clerk and Richard Wade to each ask potential contractors whether they can cut the hedge in the next week or so, and if so, for their charges for doing so. Because the new deer fence is due at the beginning of February this work needs to be undertaken quickly. It was agreed that the Clerk will approve the expenditure if it is within her delegated authority, or the Finance & Personnel Committee can do so as it is due to meet on 26th January 2021.
14/2021 S106 Cycle path improvements. Irma Schoonhoven has spoken to OCC about their data collection and analysis. It was noted that S106 money is available to improve cycle paths but this must be spent on improvements with the parish.
15/2021 COVID-19. It was agreed that the Community Support Working Group should reconvene due to the recent resurgence in Covid infections. Cllr Natasha Brand will join the working group.
ACTION: Community Support Working Group to meet and submit an article to the Chronicle on how to donate and receive food parcels. Deputy Clerk to add Natasha Brand to the Community Support Working Group.
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).
15/2021 Burial Ground. It was noted that a covenant, that dates back to 1970, currently applies to part of the burial ground in Church Lane and a neighbouring property. This currently affects the Parish Council’s ability to utilise all of the burial ground for the purpose for which it was purchased. Members of the Parish Council therefore recently met with the other party concerned to try to negotiate the removal of this covenant. The Parish Council was subsequently advised by the other party that the matter is now in the hands of their solicitors. The Parish Council has asked for confirmation of the name of these solicitors. When this information has been received, the Parish Council will try to progress this matter and remove the restrictions arising from the covenant which currently apply to this important community facility.
End of Reserved Business.
16/2021 Items to be noted from Parish Councillors.
Dog Waste. It was noted that dog poo bins are required on the Walnut Meadow development.
ACTION: Deputy Clerk to circulate latest email from the Vale regarding new dog poo bins.
17/2021 Date of the next Meeting. 9th February 2021.
The Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 9:40pm
Signed: Date:
Name:
Appendix A
Finance & Personnel Committee
Payments: £500 or more
£
S137 Grant to the DAMASCUS Youth Project 4,000.00
Salaries 1,312.05
Disposition of Council Funds as at 01st January 2021
ACCOUNT REF BALANCE INTEREST RATE ACCOUNT TYPE
Unity Bank 674 £222,791.74 0% Current Acct
NS&I 779 £20,341.19 0.80% Savings Acct
Unity Bank 554 £15,185.52 0.10% Projects Acct
Total £258,318.45
Appendix B
Planning Committee Applications
| P20/V1493/HH. Single storey link between house and detached games room. 45 Hilliat Fields Drayton Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4JF. PC: Support. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 9th December 2020. |
| P20/V2277/HH. Proposed work is part single storey and part first floor extension. 2 Hilliat Fields Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JE. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V2324/HH. Proposed two storey rear extension. 2A Hilliat Fields Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JE. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V2741/HH. Front & Side Single Storey Extension. The Hollies Barrow Road Drayton Oxfordshire OX14 4SU. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V2751/FUL. Erection of a dog grooming pod in the rear garden for dog grooming business. 6 Plough Lane Drayton Abingdon OX14 4GJ. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 18th January 2021. |
| P20/V2853/HH. Single storey rear extension and alterations. 7 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V2711/LB. Installation of soakaway and two additional downpipes. 15 The Green Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JJ. PC: Support. VWHDC: Listed Building Consent on 5th January 2021. |
| P20/V2797/HH. Repositioning of garden fence. 2 Fallow Field Close Drayton Abingdon OX14 4GL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 12th January 2021. |
| P20/V3023/FUL. Mixed agricultural and equestrian use of land for grazing, erection of stables, stores and yard, together with associated earthworks, landscaping and boundary treatment. Dropshort Farm Drayton Road Sutton Courtenay ABINGDON OX14 4HA. PC: Support. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V3106/HH. Rear ground floor extension to create new kitchen and dining area. New front door entrance with canopy. 18 Crabtree Lane Drayton OX14 4HS. PC: Support: It looks from the proposed plans that the porch over the front door overhangs the property boundary and overhangs the public footpath and may cause a risk to pedestrians? VWHDC: Planning Permission on 15th January 2021. |
| P20/V2751/FUL Amendment : No. 1 – dated 14th December 2020. Erection of a dog grooming pod in the rear garden for dog grooming business. (Additional sound proofing information received 14 December 2020). 6 Plough Lane Drayton Abingdon OX14 4GJ. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V3161/FUL. Proposed conversion of single dwelling into two dwellings. 7 Abingdon Road Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JB. PC: Support. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V3237/FUL. Demolition of existing commerical 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. |