Drayton Parish Council Minutes
of the meeting held on 9th November 2021 at 7:30pm in the Caudwell Day Centre
Councillors Present: Tamsin Crane (Chairperson), Patricia Athawes (Vice Chairperson), Richard Wade (Vice Chairperson), Pervin Shahin, Shane McAleavey, Graham Webb, Susan Harris, Robert Taylor (see item 167/2021 a).
Councillors Not Present: All Councilors were present.
In attendance: Lorraine Watling (Clerk and RFO), Christopher Price (Deputy Clerk), Andrew Cooke (VWHDC), Richard Webber (OCC). Jonathan Fowler (Program Manager).
Public: 6 members of the public were present.
166/2021 Apologies for Absence. None.
167/2021 Councillor Vacancies.
a) New Councillor. Robert Taylor was elected to the Parish Council in an uncontested election. It was noted that he had signed his Acceptance of Office before the meeting.
b) By-Election. It was noted that a by-election will be held on 16th December 2021 to fill the 2 remaining vacancies, if more than two candidates stand. If only one or two people stand a by-election will not be required and the vacancies will be filled uncontested.
c) Co-option. It was noted that there is 1 vacancy to be filled by co-option.
d) Vacancies. It was noted that there were now a total of 3 vacancies left to fill.
168/2021 Declarations of Interest, Dispensations or Use of Delegated Powers.
a) Declarations of Interest. Susan Harris has a general interest in the Manor Farm development as she lives on this development. Tamsin Crane has a general interest in the Manor Farm development as she lives on this development. 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. Graham Webb declared a general interest in the allotment site as he lives near the allotments.
b) Use of Delegated Powers. It was noted that under Standing Order 3y delegated powers were used by an “Emergency Delegation Panel” (EDP) comprising the Clerk in consultation with the Chairperson, and the Vice Chairpersons, to authorise the use of a budget of up to £5k to be spent on a legal matter, before the November Council meeting, if required.
169/2021 Public Participation.
a) Walnuts Shaped Bollards on the Village Green. A parishioner addressed the Council about the recent Walnut Art installation. He considered them to be a great asset to the village that put Drayton on the map, but suggested that it only looked half finished and that more walnuts were needed. Matter continued under item 176/2021 Public Art a).
b) The Abingdon DAMASCUS Youth Project (ADYP). Jake (Youth Worker) reported on the recent work that the project has been doing. The ADYP supports young people by empowering them and providing opportunities. These are drivers to achieve positive change and increase their life chances through development of skills which improve their well-being and life chances to transform their community through positive engagement that promotes a shared sense of belonging. The project recognises that no one size fits all. Over recent months more sports and well-being sessions had been run. There had also been a lot of one-to-one sessions with youngsters struggling with their mental health. The increased number of older teens in the village struggling with mental health was noted. The project also provides gifts of food kits and recipes for families who could do with a little help, and again an increase in numbers was noted. During the pandemic the social skills and behaviours of some youngsters had dropped but these were picking up again via social sessions e.g. they were doing lots of cooking. In summer they had done a ‘Food for Mood’ session that looked at salt and sugar in foods. It was noted that some of the youngsters had complex needs and needed one-to-one help on a weekly basis which was expensive. The project had run a variety of workshops e.g. about male body image, LGBT support etc. They had helped 12 people write their C. V’s, of which 8 were now back in school, college or in employment. They had played bingo with the elderly at the Caudwell Centre, and partnered with the football club to do activities outside. Matter continued under item 173/2021 g).
c) Lesparre Close. A parishioner expressed concerns with the newly installed bollards. County Cllr Webber agreed to go and look at them.
d) Traffic Speed. A parishioner expressed concerns with excessive traffic speed through the village. County Cllr Webber noted an increased number of complaints. He said that the intention was for all towns and villages in Oxfordshire to eventually get 20mph speed limits.
170/2021 Report from OCC Councillor Richard Webber.
a) New Relief Road. It was noted that a planning application for this £500,000.00 project was submitted today. The project must be delivered by the end of 2024 or penalties will be applied.
b) Reservoir. It was noted that OCC had passed a motion which had raised the status of GARD in the reservoir consultations. OCC will be against the reservoir unless the need is identified. It was noted that some of the evidence was currently unsatisfactory.
c) Walnut Meadow Road Adoption. It was noted during the meeting that OCC do not own the roads. There is a covenant requiring Miller Homes to build the estate roads to adoptable standards.
d) Manor Farm Raised Pedestrian Crossing: There are signage issues which Cllr Webber agreed to follow-up with OCC.
d) Traffic Through Drayton when the A34 is closed: Three OCC Cllrs had met with the head of Highways England and discussed the current problems arising when the A34 is closed. It was noted that when the A34 is closed the official diversion route is through Wantage, but the traffic still comes through Drayton. One solution might be to downgrade the road into Drayton to a “C” road.
171/2021 Report from VWHDC Councillor Adrian Cooke.
a) Reservoir. The reservoir was discussed at some length, during which it was noted that OFWAT had expressed their displeasure to Thames Water about the heavy redactions contained in the environmental report. Thames Water were required to resend all of the environmental information and submitted considerable volumes of information. The GARD experts are reviewing this. It was noted that there was no mention of a possible flood risks to Drayton, Abingdon etc. although because this reservoir would not be built between hills, it would be bounded by bunds that would be the height of a pylon.
b) Walnut Meadow Sports Facility. It was noted that there have been a number of objections to the retrospective planning application P21/V1924/FUL for the unauthorised raising of levels by Miller Homes including ‘Sports England’, and the floods officer and landscape officers at the District Council.
c) Corona Virus. It was noted that the districts numbers had gone up but had now started to fall. This was thought to be as a result of 64% of youngsters now having had their vaccinations. The boosters were also proving to be being very affective. Cllr Cooke was asked to find out why there were no walk-in vaccination centres in the Vale of White Horse.
d) Marcham Road Signs. It was noted that new road signs will be installed to avoid confusion with Ashby Court.
e) Eco-friendly. It was noted that the Vale is the 9th eco-friendliest district in the country out of a total of 314.
172/2021 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: Richard Wade Resolved: Unanimous
173/2021 Action Checklist from the Previous Meeting was reviewed and updated. The following point was noted.
a) Action 109/2021 – Walnut Meadow Sports Facility – MUGA/Tennis provision. It was noted that another village survey needed to be done to refresh the opinions of the village and see how these differed from those in the original survey. It will be an on-line and paper poll. The DAMASCUS Youth Project offered to help distribute the paper form. It was also noted that Sport England were not happy with the current proposed pitch layout.
b) Action 59/2021 – Manor Farm Plants that need Attention. It was noted that there are a number of outstanding issues that need to be resolved before the land can be transferred to the Parish Council.
c) Action 195/2020 – Drayton Wildlife Group / Councillor Priority Fund. It was agreed that the Clerk would confirm the current expenditure figures on items for the group.
d) Barbed Wire FP13 that borders path to Millennium Green. It was agreed that Richard Wade would speak to a local equestrian regarding the removal of the barbed wire to confirm that this would not compromise the security of the horses.
174/2021 Finance and Personnel Committee (Patricia Athawes). See Appendix A.
a) Payments.
- The list of payments had been circulated prior to the meeting and was noted.
- The payments to be made following the meeting were approved with an amendment of an extra £55.67 for the South Abingdon Landscape Services.
Proposed: Pervin Shahin Seconded: Richard Wade Resolved: Unanimous
- The two councillors authorised by the Council to approve the online payments this month were Patricia Athawes and Graham Webb. They were also authorised to approve any payments that are required to be made before the next meeting.
b) Bank Statement and Reconciliation. These had been circulated prior to the meeting and were noted.
c) Disposition of Council Funds. This had been circulated prior to the meeting and was noted.
d) Minutes of the Finance and Personnel Committee on 27th October 2021 were noted.
e) Recommendations from the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting. It was resolved to approve the following:
i) The Council approved the appointment of IAC to be the Parish Council Internal Auditor for a three-year period commencing in 2021-2022.
ii) The Internal audit policy document was approved.
Iii) The Review of the Effectiveness of the Internal Audit was approved.
iv) The budget review was noted and approved.
v) The expenses claim from a Cllr associated with plants associated with the walnuts art installation was approved.
vi) The risk assessment was approved.
Proposed: Patricia Athawes Seconded: Tamsin Crane Resolved: Unanimous
f) Projects Account. It was noted that the Projects Account was set up by the then Clerk to process Drayton 2020 projects (minute 128//2016-17). The account signatories are the same as those on the main bank account.
g) S137 Grant Application. It was resolved to approve the Abingdon DAMASCUS Youth Project grant to the sum of £4,000.00.
Proposed: Pervin Shahin Seconded: Richard Wade Resolved: Unanimous
The work of the Abingdon DAMASUS Project is valued by the PC. It was suggested that the project team might like to consider what more could be delivered if they had more money.
h) Recycled Furniture. It was noted that in December 2020 the Council successfully made an application to County Cllr Webber’s Cllr Priority Fund for recycled plastic furniture comprising Dale benches and possibly Ipstone Planters to a value of £1,848.68. It was resolved to purchase the said items.
Proposed: Graham Webb Seconded: Tamsin Crane Resolved: Unanimous
175/2021 Planning Committee (Graham Webb). See Appendix B.
176/2021 Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group (Graham Webb).
a) Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP). It was noted that the current Drayton2020 NDP expires at the end of 2031 so the Parish Council needs to start thinking about updating it. It was also noted that the PC Chair will put something about this in the Chronicle.
b) P21/V1924/FUL Unauthorized raising of levels by Miller Homes. It was noted that the deadline has been extended again.
c) Village Sports Survey. It was noted that the PC needs to survey the village again. The proposed set of questions had been circulated to Cllrs tonight.
d) Ivy. It was noted that there is some Ivy that needs cutting back, or perhaps removing where FP21 exits onto the High Street. It was agreed that the Deputy Clerk should contact the landowner.
177/2021 Public Art (Pervin Shahin).
a) Walnuts Shaped Bollards on the Village Green. It was noted that the walnuts were installed and the community planting morning was a great success. It was also noted that a few anonymous parishioners would like to purchase up to 11 more walnuts. It was resolved to gratefully accept the additional walnuts.
Proposed: Richard Wade Seconded: Tamsin Crane Resolved: 6 for and 2 abstentions
b) Entrance Gate Signs. It was noted that OCC Highways had agreed to supply the posts for the new entrance signs, so the twinning signs will remain in situ. PC’s Programme Manager will discuss with OCC Highways the possible locations of the sign at the Steventon Road end of the village.
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).
178/2021 Burial Ground Covenant. An update about the covenant was noted.
End of Reserved Business.
179/2021 Items to be noted from Parish Councillors.
Barrow Road. It was noted that a parishioner sent an email to the Deputy Clerk asking when Miller Homes would resurface Barrow Road after they dug it up to install utilities for the new Walnut Meadow development. It was also noted that when Miller Homes arrived with the sub contractors to resurface Barrow Road that had been agreed with OCC they were obstructed by some local residents and prevented from carrying out the work.
180/2021 Date of the next Meetings. 7th December 2021.
The Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 10:20pm
Signed: Date:
Name:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix A
Finance & Personnel Committee
Payments of £500 or more since the last meeting
£
Staff salaries 2,379.94
OCC LPGS pension contributions 687.38
The Landscape Group Oxford – Sept & Oct cuts 2,790.00
Cllr Expenses – plants for Village Green 714.61
DAMASCUS PCC – contribution to churchyard
Maintenance – Power LGA 1972 s215(6) 2,250.00
s137 Grant – Abingdon DAMASCUS Youth Project 4,000.00
A McKeown – 4th & final instalment for walnuts art 4,200.00
__________________________________________________________________________________
Disposition of Council Funds as at 01st November 2021
ACCOUNT REF BALANCE INTEREST RATE ACCOUNT TYPE
Unity Bank 674 £281,582.31 0% Current Acct
NS&I 779 £20,487.64 0.01% Savings Acct
Unity Bank 554 £15,185.52 0.10% Projects Acct
Total £317,255.47
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Appendix B
Planning Committee Applications
| P21/V1900/HH. Two storey rear extension, single storey side extension and erection of new detached garage with annexe above. October House 64 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JR. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 16th September 2021. |
| P21/V1924/FUL. Hybrid Planning application: Formation of sports pitches with associated ground works, drainage and landscaping (Full application) and sports pavilion with associated car parking and access (outline application with all matters reserved except access). Land West of Abingdon Road Drayton. PC: Objection: See September’s minutes for comment. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V1680/HH. Single storey extension at rear of the house. White flat roof and two roof windows. 22 Hilliat Fields Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JQ. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 5th October 2021. |
| P21/V2122/HH. Extend our existing dropped curb to enter our drive way. 10 Crabtree Lane Drayton Abingdon OX14 4HS. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 29th September 2021. |
| P21/V2176/FUL. Development of a brownfield site in Drayton to provide 9 purpose built houses to modern space and environmental standards. Land at Kiln Lane Drayton OX14 4FE. PC: Objection: See September’s minutes for comment. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V2203/HH. Erection of new timber frame double garage to front of 122 Abingdon Rd. 122 Abingdon Road Drayton Abingdon OX14 4HT. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V2219/HH. Two storey and single storey extensions and alterations to the house and garage, replacement greenhouse and new loggia in the garden. The Old Vicarage 11 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 10th November 2021. |
| P21/V1924/FUL Amendment: No. 1 – dated 18th August 2021. Hybrid Planning application: Formation of sports pitches with associated groundworks, drainage and landscaping (Full application) and sports pavilion with associated car parking and access (outline application with all matters reserved except access). (Retrospective). Land West of Abingdon Road Drayton. PC: Objection: See September’s minutes for comment. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V2502/LB. Proposed replacement windows. Old Lodge 31 Henleys Lane Drayton Abingdon OX14 4HU. PC: Pending. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V2215/FUL. Provision of storage and landscaping to the rear (retrospective). 1-2 Bradfield Court Milton Road Drayton Abingdon OX14 4EF. PC: Objection: The Parish Council understands that the premises are used as a commercial recording studio and we have concerns that the additional patio doors and outside area may exacerbate noise pollution to the neighbouring residents during antisocial hours. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V1924/FUL Amendment: No. 2 – dated 7th September 2021. Hybrid Planning application: Formation of sports pitches with associated groundworks, drainage and landscaping (Full application) and sports pavilion with associated car parking and access (outline application with all matters reserved except access). (Retrospective). Land West of Abingdon Road Drayton. PC: Objection: See October’s minutes for comment. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P20/V0130/FUL. Replacement floodlights. (Retrospective). Drayton Park Golf Club Steventon Road Drayton Abingdon OX14 4LA. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 11th November 2021. |
| P21/V2622/O. Outline planning application for up to 80 residential dwellings (including up to 35% affordable housing), and 0.46 hectares for a C2 extra care facility (up to 30 units). 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. PC: Objection: See October’s minutes for comment. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V2945/HH. Removal of existing roof and first floor bedrooms – erection of new roof over the whole footprint of the house with first floor accommodation. 2 Corneville Road Drayton Abingdon OX14 4HN. PC: Support: Drayton Parish Council is confused as to why there is a Dropped Kerb Enquiry Form attached to this application. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P21/V3085/LB. To remove non load bearing internal ground floor wall to make family kitchen. Gothic House 15 The Green Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JJ. PC: Support. VWHDC: Pending. |