Draft Drayton Parish Council Minutes
of the meeting held on 7th December 2021 at 7:00pm in the Caudwell Day Centre
Councillors Present: Tamsin Crane (Chairperson), Patricia Athawes (Vice Chairperson), Richard Wade (Vice Chairperson), Pervin Shahin, Shane McAleavey, Graham Webb, Caroline Green (see item 181/2021 a), Clifford Hutton (see item 181/2021 a).
Councillors Not Present: Susan Harris, Robert Taylor.
In attendance: Lorraine Watling (Clerk and RFO), Christopher Price (Deputy Clerk), Andrew Cooke (VWHDC), Richard Webber (OCC), Jonathan Fowler (Program Manager).
Public: No members of the public were present.
180/2021 Apologies for Absence. Susan Harris, Robert Taylor.
181/2021 Councillor Vacancies.
a) New Councillors. Caroline Green and Clifford Hutton were elected to the Parish Council in an uncontested election and they both signed his Acceptance of Office. It was noted that the Parish Council can vote to have General Powers of Competences at our next meeting.
b) Co-option. It was noted that there is 1 vacancy to be filled by co-option.
182/2021 Declarations of Interest, Dispensations or Use of Delegated Powers.
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.
183/2021 Public Participation. None.
184/2021 Report from OCC Councillor Richard Webber.
a) Housing Infrastructure Fund / Didcot Thames Link Road. It was noted that this project has run into problems and is now 30% over budget. Additional central government funding is being sought.
b) Walnut Meadow Road Adoption. No updates were available.
c) Manor Farm Raised Pedestrian Crossing. It was noted that the ramp had been modified and some road markings painted on the road. Cllr Webber will ask for additional road markings.
d) Traffic Calming. It was noted the Parish Council had submitted its report to OCC Highways for comment. OCC highways team will ask an engineer to come to Drayton to discuss the report.
e) OCC Budget. It was noted that council tax was likely to increase by between 2 and 4%.
185/2021 Report from VWHDC Councillor Adrian Cooke.
a) Walnut Meadow Sports Facility. There were no updates about the land levels at Walnut Meadows available at this meeting. It was noted that the Parish Council is re-surveying residents to confirm what facilities that they would like to be considered for inclusion at Walnut Meadows. The original survey was undertaken in 2016 and so needs to be updated. The closing date for responses is 24th December 2021.
c) Corona Virus. It was noted that early indications suggest that the new Omicron variant of coronavirus is more transmissible than the current Delta variant. At the previous meeting Cllr Cooke had agreed to find out why there were no vaccination centres in the Vale of White Horse District. He reported that this was due to a lack of money and staff. He agreed to ask about the possibility of mobile vaccination clinics.
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).
186/2021 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: Graham Webb Resolved: Unanimous (by all who had attended that meeting).
187/2021 Action Checklist from the Previous Meeting. This was reviewed and updated.
188/2021 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.
Proposed: Pat Athawes Seconded: Tamsin Crane Resolved: Unanimous
- The two councillors authorised by the Council to approve the online payments this month were Patricia Athawes and Shane McAleavey. 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 23rd November 2021.
(i) The draft minutes were noted.
(ii) The recommended budget for 2022-23 was received and approved.
Proposed: Patricia Athawes Seconded: Tamsin Crane Resolved: Unanimous
(iii) A precept request of £105,280.00 for 2022-23 was approved.
Proposed: Richard Wade Seconded: Graham Webb Resolved: Unanimous
(iv) The allotment charges were reviewed and a 5% increase approved. It was noted that the Parish Council has to give 1 years notice of allotment fee increases. The approved fees were £10.50, £15.75 and £21.00.
Proposed: Patricia Athawes Seconded: Shane McAleavey Resolved: 7 for and 1 abstention (Richard wade as his wife has an allotment)
(v) The burial ground fees 2022-23 were reviewed and a 5% increase to all charges approved to come into effect from 1st April 2022
Proposed: Richard Wade Seconded: Pervin Shahin Resolved: Unanimous
(vi) The working from home allowance increase of 2.25% was approved. (from £42.48 per Qtr. to £43.44 – an increase of 0.96p per quarter.)
Proposed: Tamsin Crane Seconded: Patricia Athawes Resolved: Unanimous
e) Track Leading to the Burial Ground. The quotation from The Landscape Group Oxford to prune back and tidy lane leading to burial ground to the sum of £900.00+ vat, plus waste disposal costs estimated to be £250.00 was approved.
Proposed: Tamsin Crane Seconded: Patricia Athawes Resolved: Unanimous
f) Recycled Street Furniture. It was noted that the Parish Council needed to make a payment in advance for the recycled street furniture as it is a new customer.
g) Speed Surveys. The council approved the expenditure required to conduct OCC speed surveys at three locations in Drayton at a maximum total cost of £480.00 + VAT. This will provide the PC with benchmark data.
Proposed: Shane McAleavey Seconded: Graham Webb Resolved: Unanimous
h) Walnut Art Installation Plaque. The proposal for a plaque about the walnut art installation at a cost of £379.20 was deferred to the next meeting.
i) Community First Oxfordshire. It wasresolved to pay Community First Oxfordshire £120.00 for the provision of an online survey and results to capture feedback for the Walnut Meadows Sports Facilities.
Proposed: Patricia Athawes Seconded: Richard Wade Resolved: Unanimous
189/2021 Planning Committee (Graham Webb). See Appendix B.
190/2021 Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group (Graham Webb).
a) Manor Farm Public Open Space (POS). It was noted that Adams Habermehl (landscape architects) were instructed by Drayton Parish Council to review the landscape implementation of proposed public open space forming part of the Manor Farm housing development by CALA homes. Adams Habermehl worked with the Parish Council and the Drayton 2020 working group to master plan the potential development open space with the original landowner, and then with CALA to prepare landscape proposals to support a residential planning application. On planning approval and in response to planning conditions, CALA engaged ACD Environmental landscape architects to prepare detailed landscape proposals. CALA also engaged Miacoda and Glanville engineers to provide engineering / hard landscape site layout, and surfacing / hard landscape details. It was also noted that the recent report highlighted a number of issues that the Parish Council needed to make decisions about. Matter deferred to the next meeting.
b) Barrow Road. Item discussed earlier in the meeting under 184/2021 d).
191/2021 Public Art (Pervin Shahin).
a) Walnuts Shaped Bollards on the Village Green. It was discussed whether the two new planters should be placed on either side of the bench at the back of the Village Green. This would require the litter bin being repositioned closer to the salt bin. No decision was made. It was noted that some generous anonymous residents had agreed to fund the installation of 11 additional Walnuts on the Village Green.
b) Entrance Gate Signs. It was noted that OCC have safety concerns with the proposed location of the new sign at the Steventon end of the Village. Discussion followed. Caroline Green agreed to work from photos and make a mock up image of what the sign would look like so that Jonathan Fowler can discuss further with OCC. Cllr would still like at least one sign at each of the three entrances to the village. It was agreed that Tamsin Crane would draft a contract for the artists pending approval.
192/2021 Meeting Dates in 2022. The list of meeting dates for 2022 were approved. The Deputy Clerk will book the Caudwell and the Clerk will arrange for the dates to be posted on the website.
193/2021 Allotment Gates. It was noted that there has been a report of stolen vegetables. It was agreed not to lock the gates. Tamsin Crane will advise the Allotment Warden of the Councils decision.
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).
194/2021 Burial Ground Covenant. An update about the covenant was discussed. Cllr Wade proposed, Cllr Crane seconded the motion, and the Council resolved to proceed to engage a solicitor to lodge a request to legally set the covenant aside (unanimous decision).
195/2021 Funeral Director Debt. It was noted that there is still an outstanding payment.
196/2021 Miller Homes. Item discussed under 185/2021 a).
End of Reserved Business.
197/2021 Items to be noted from Parish Councillors.
a) Footpath Improvements S106. It was noted that the Parish Council needs to progress this as soon as possible.
b) CO2 Meter. It was noted that if the Parish Council had a CO2 meter it would be possible to tell if the meeting room needed ventilating, thus reducing the need for doors and windows to be open during the cold winter months.
c) Lychgate Light. It was noted that the light in the lychgate has stopped working. The Clerk will contact a local electrician to obtain the cost of a repair.
198/2021 Date of the next Meetings. 11th January 2022.
The Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 9:42pm
Signed: Date:
Name:
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Appendix A
Finance & Personnel Committee
Payments of £500 or more since the last meeting
£
Staff salaries 2,386.61
LPGS pension contributions 693.49
Surrey Hills Solicitors – legal work 1,050.00
TDP Limited – recycled benches and planters 2,535.91
Disposition of Council Funds as at 01st December 2021
ACCOUNT REF BALANCE INTEREST RATE ACCOUNT TYPE
Unity Bank 674 £263,396.87 0% Current Acct
NS&I 779 £20,487.64 0.01% Savings Acct
Unity Bank 554 £15,185.52 0.10% Projects Acct
Total £299,070.03
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Appendix B
Planning Committee Applications
| 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/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/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: Noted. 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. |
| 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. |
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