Minutes of the Drayton Parish Council Meeting
held on 8th August 2023 at 7:00pm in the Candwell Day Centre
Present: Richard Wade (Chairperson), Patricia Athawes (Vice-Chairperson), Pervin Shahin, Elaine Wade, Adrian Cooke.
Not Present: Susan Harris, Graham Webb (Vice-Chairperson).
In attendance: Dianne Rickaby (Locum Clerk, joined the meeting remotely), Christopher Price (Deputy Clerk), Jonathan Fowler (Programme Manager, joined the meeting remotely).
Public: 8 members of the public were present.
154/2023 Apologies for Absence. Susan Harris, Graham Webb.
155/2023 Declarations of Interest, Dispensations or Use of Delegated Powers. None.
156/2023 Public Participation.
a) S106 Public Art Monies. A parishioner expressed an interest in the S106 Public Art monies and reminded the council of the importance to consult the village on how the balance is spent. It was noted that it is stipulated that the remaining money can only be spent by agreement between Bloor Homes and the residents of the Dovecotes.
b) Barrow Road. A parishioner expressed concern over the state of Barrow Road after it was dug up by Miller Homes to install drainage pipes for the Walnut Meadow development. It was noted that Barrow Road is privately owned.
Clerk’s note: Minutes from December 2021 state:
| 185/2021 Report from VWHDC Councillor Adrian Cooke. d) Barrow Road. A resident had written to the Chair about the state of the road surface. Cllrs Webber and Cooke explained the background to the current situation. It was noted that Miller Homes had initially offered to reinstate the road surface, however some residents had prevented their sub-contractors from undertaking the work when they arrived on-site. It is a matter that needs to be resolved between the residents concerned and Miller Homes. The land does not belong to OCC highways and there have never been any plans to adopt the road. It is a restricted by-way. Tamsin Crane will respond to the resident. Cllr Cooke will deal with the current Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). |
ACTION: Richard Wade to write a letter to the owner of Barrow Road. Adrian Cooke to talk to the VWHDC planning enforcement.
c) Allotment Gates. Timothy Atkins (Allotment Warden) and several other members of the public asked if the allotment gates could be locked due to a growing number of thefts of produce. Matter continued under item 168/2023 Allotment Gates.
ACTION: Timothy Atkins to provide the Council with more details of the thefts.
157/2023 Report from OCC Councillor. Richard Webber was not present.
158/2023 Report from VWHDC Councillor Adrian Cooke.
a) Hif1 Road Scheme. It was noted that OCC’s planning committee voted against the £269 million HIF1 Didcot relief road despite recommendations from planning officers that it should be approved. It was also noted that the Secretary of State has called it in.
b) Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans is a new, strategic approach to identifying cycling and walking improvements required at the local level.
c) Community EV Microhubs Scheme provides one or two chargers in towns and villages across the county especially in areas that currently have limited EV charging provision.
159/2023 Minutes of the last Parish Council Meetings.
a) Minuted of the last Meeting. It was resolved to approved the minutes of the last meeting held on 11th July 2023.
Proposed: Patricia Athawes Seconded: Adrian Cooke Resolved: Unanimous
b) Minutes of the last Finance Meeting. It was resolved to approved the minutes of the last Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on 25th July 2023 with 1 amendment: The Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 12:00pm.
Proposed: Graham Webb Seconded: Richard Wade Resolved: Unanimous
160/2023 Action Checklist. See Appendix A for this month’s action list. The following actions were updated:
| Defibrillator. It was noted that Richard Wade to send an email to obtain more details as to why there was a problem unlocking the cabinet. It was noted that the ‘C’ clear button may not have been pressed before entering the 4 digit code. ACTION: Deputy Clerk to put a label on the defibrillator cabinet instructing people to press the ‘C’ clear button before entering the 4 digit code. |
| Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS). It was noted that Richard Wade has asked Richard Webber if the faulty VAS can be repaired. Action completed and removed. |
| Caretaker Contract. It was noted that the Landscape Management Plan Working Group is reviewing the contract. Action removed. |
| Football Club Roof. It was noted that this is an agenda item. Action removed. |
161/2023 Finance and Personnel Committee (Patricia Athawes). See Appendix B.
a) Payments.
i) The list of payments was received and approved. It was approved the payment to Irwin Mitchell (solicitors) for legal advice in 2022 with regards to Walnut Meadows – £2400 (inc VAT).
ii) The payments to be made following the meeting were approved. It was resolved to pay the Architects part stage payment.
Proposed: Richard Wade Seconded: Elaine Wade Resolved: Unanimous
iii) The two Councillors authorised to make the on-line payments between this and the next Parish Council meeting were Graham Webb and Patricia Athawes.
Proposed: Elaine Wade Seconded: Graham Webb Resolved: Unanimous
b) Bank Statements and Reconciliation. The bank statements and reconciliation were received and noted.
c) Disposition of Council Funds. The disposition of council funds were received and noted.
d) CIL Monies. Item deferred.
ACTION: Clerk to write a report and proposal.
e) Any Other Urgent Financial Matters Arising. The recommendations from the F & P Committee on 25th July 2023 were discussed. Recommended that a recruitment pack be brought to another F & P meeting (dates to be confirmed by email). With a view of commencing recruitment in September once the process is approved. Dianne Rickaby to consult with her colleague on developing the recruitment pack.
162/2023 Planning Committee. Graham Webb was not present. See Appendix C.
P23/V1805/S73. Variation of condition 1 (Approved plans) in application P22/V2546/S73 to change the layout and the house types proposed. Variation of conditions 2 (Approved Plans) on planning application P17/V1225/RM and removal of condition 14 (Age Restriction) on planning application P15/V2077/O. Land South of Halls Close Drayton. It was noted that we will probably have a Planning Committee meeting to discuss this planning application.
163/2023 Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group. Graham Webb was not present.
a) Programme Managers Report. Jonathan Fowler’s report was noted.
b) Walnut Meadow. It was noted thatMiller Homes commenced work to remove the buried waste and re-level the site on 17th July. They have established a compound on site and are due to finish the work early September.
c) Sports Pavilion. It was noted the first review of the design for the Pavilion was held on 2nd August. A number of points were fed back to the architect with an updated design scheduled for review on 9th August.
d) MUGA. It was resolved to issue the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the Archaeological Strip, Map & Sample excavation at the proposed location of the MUGA on Walnut Meadows.
Proposed: Patricia Athawes Seconded: Pervin Shahin Resolved: Unanimous
164/2023 Rights of Way & Conservation Working Group (Richard Wade).
Footpath / Bridle Way Improvements. It was noted that now Eastway BW1 surface improvement is completed, we need to start thinking about which Footpath / Bridle Way we want to improve next.
165/2023 Landscape Management Plan Working Group (Richard Wade).
Meeting. It was noted that the Landscape Management Plan Working Group held a meeting where a ‘Gap Analysis and Options – Discussion Paper’ was discussed. The working group will draft modified Grass Cutting and Village Caretaker contracts.
166/2023Public Art Working Group (Pervin Shahin).
Mosaic. It was noted that the mosaic is finished and the Small Hall in the Village Hall will be painted next week. The unveiling will be held on 3rd September 2023 at 3:30pm.
167/2023 Football Clubhouse Roof. It was noted that It is proving extremely difficult to get quotes for the repair to the Football Clubhouse roof. Item deferred.
168/2023 Allotment Gates. Richard Wade and Elaine Wade both declared a conflict of interest for this item of business. It was noted that there has been an increasing number of produce thefts from the allotments. It was also noted In October 2022 the plot holders expressed their views on locking the gates and the vast majority (over 80%) were in favour of securing the gates. In January 2023, the Parish Council voted not to pay for the durable Borg gate locks. Due to there only being 5 Councillors present with 2 having conflict of interests, it was agreed to defer this item whether or not to fit combination padlocks to the gates to the next meeting.
169/2023 Items to be noted from Parish Councillors.
20mph Speed Limit. It was noted that OCC have deferred the decision weather or not to reduced speed limit to 20mph for Drayton.
170/2023 Date of the next Meeting. 12th September 2023.
The Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 8:16pm.
Signed: Date: 12th September 2023
Name: Richard Wade
Appendix A
Actions Checklist
| Defibrillator. Deputy Clerk to put a label on the defibrillator cabinet instructing people to press the ‘C’ clear button before entering the 4 digit code. |
| Barrow Road. Richard Wade to write a letter to the owner of Barrow Road. Adrian Cooke to talk to the VWHDC planning enforcement. |
| Allotment Gates. Timothy Atkins to provide the Council with more details of the thefts. |
| CIL Monies. Clerk to write a report and proposal. |
Appendix B
Finance & Personnel Committee
Appendix C
Planning Applications
| P22/V1917/LDO. Milton Park Milton Abingdon Grid Ref : 449180191788 Re. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT ORDER – Draft for Public Consultation. PC: Support: See October’s Minutes for details. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P23/V0280/LB. Proposed demolition of an existing modern rear bay and small wooden store and the construction of a new orangery at the rear of the property. Internal alterations associated with the relocation of the existing kitchen. The Manor 68 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JR. PC: Support. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P23/V0279/HH. Proposed demolition of an existing modern rear bay and small wooden store and the construction of a new orangery at the rear of the property. Internal alterations associated with the relocation of the existing kitchen. The Manor 68 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JR. PC: Support: It’s to the rear and an in keeping and bespoke timber conservatory. Good luck with the oranges. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P23/V1247/O. See amendment 1 for details. PC: Objection: See June minutes for details. VWHDC: Refusal of Outline Planning Permission on 20th July 2023. |
| P23/V1222/HH. Garden annex ancillary to main house. 35 Sutton Wick Lane Drayton Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4HH. PC: Pending. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P23/V1247/O Amendment : No. 1 – dated 16th June 2023. Outline planning application for up to 80 residential dwellings (including up to 35% affordable housing), and 0.27 hectares for C2 use as a residential care home. The introduction of structural planting and landscaping, public open space and children’s play area, sustainable urban drainage system, and associated ancillary works. All matters to be reserved with the exception of the main site access. Land off Abingdon Road Steventon OX13 6FX. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Refusal of Outline Planning Permission on 20th July 2023. |
| P23/V1549/HH. Proposed first floor extension to extend existing bedroom with new ensuite changing area. The Old Post House 2 The Green Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JA. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P23/V1805/S73. Variation of condition 1 (Approved plans) in application P22/V2546/S73 to change the layout and the house types proposed. Variation of conditions 2 (Approved Plans) on planning application P17/V1225/RM and removal of condition 14 (Age Restriction) on planning application P15/V2077/O. Land South of Halls Close Drayton. PC: Pending. VWHDC: Pending. |