Minutes of the Drayton Parish Council Meeting
held on 9th January 2024 at 7:00pm in the Caudwell Day Centre
Present: Richard Wade (Chairperson), Graham Webb (Vice-Chairperson), Patricia Athawes (Vice-Chairperson), Elaine Wade, Susan Harris.
Not Present: Pervin Shahin, Adrian Cooke.
In attendance: Dianne Rickaby (Locum Clerk, joined the meeting remotely), Christopher Price (Deputy Clerk), Richard Webber (OCC).
Public: 3 members of the public were present.
1/2024 Apologies for Absence. Pervin Shahin, Adrian Cooke.
2/2024 Declarations of Interest, Dispensations or Use of Delegated Powers. None.
3/2024 Public Participation.
Walnut Meadow Sports Facility. A parishioner expressed concern over the lack of progress with the Walnut Meadow Sports Facility. It was noted that Miller Homes have removed some of the imported waste material they buried and the level of the sports field is now acceptable. Our solicitor is in the process of preparing the papers for the legal transfer of land from Miller Homes to the Parish Council. Matter continued under item 5/2024 g).
4/2024 Chairperson’s Report (Richard Wade).
a) New Clerk. It was noted that Anita James will be our new Clerk and will be taking over from Dianne Rickaby (Locum Clerk) on 1st February 2024.
b) The Dovecote Residents Association. It was noted that Nigel Billingham (from the Dovecote Residents Association) expressed an interest in our meeting with Bloor Homes to discuss their biodiversity commitments. It was agreed to invite him to the meeting and have a Parish Council representative on the Dovecote Residents Association.
Action: Richard Wade to invite Nigel Billingham to our Bloor Homes meeting.
c) The Abingdon DAMASCUS Youth Project. It was noted that Richard Wade met with Rita Atkinson (Trustee Line Manager, DAMASCUS). It was also noted that we should have a Parish Councillor as a DAMASCUS Trustee and our budget will include an automatic annual grant to this organisation.
5/2024 Report from OCC Councillor Richard Webber.
a) Flooding. It was noted that issues regarding flooding have recently been handed over from the VWHDC to OCC, thus flooding issues need to be reported to OCC.
b) OCC Budget. It was noted that cuts need to be made.
c) 20mph. It was noted that there are a few people still objecting to the new 20mph speed limits.
d) High Street Lighting. It was noted that another street light is needed along the High Street.
e) B4016. It was noted that there is a proposal to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph between Drayton and Sutton Courtenay.
f) High Street Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS). It was noted that the replacement of the broken VAS is pending.
g) Chestnut Drive Road Adoption. It was noted that the Walnut Meadow Sports Facility can not progress until Chestnut Drive is adopted by OCC Highways. It was also noted that Richard Webber will try to expedite this work. Matter continued under item 10/2024.
6/2024 Report from VWHDC Councillor. Adrian Cooke was not present.
7/2024 Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting. It was resolved to approved the minutes of the last meeting.
Proposed: Graham Webb Seconded: Susan Harris. Resolved: Unanimous
8/2024 Action Checklist. See Appendix A for this month’s action list. The following actions were updated:
| Burial Ground New Hedge. It was noted that the Deputy Clerk thanked the 2 local residents that kindly planted the new beech plants. Action completed and removed. |
| Defibrillator. It was noted that the Deputy Clerk formally asked the Red Lion Pub if a defibrillator can be installed on their building. Action completed and removed. Matter continued under item 15/2024. |
| FP18 19 and 20. It was noted that the Deputy Clerk photographed and report footpath obstruction to the landowner. It was also noted that the landowner responded and said that it is too wet to do anything at the moment. Action completed and removed. |
| Village Hall Car Park. It was noted that the Deputy Clerk looked at the Village Hall deeds and there is no mention of car park repair work. Action completed and removed. |
| High Street Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS). It was noted that the Deputy Clerk sent an email to Richard Webber requesting that he uses his Cllr Priority fund to repair the broken VAS. Action completed and removed. |
9/2024 Planning Committee (Graham Webb). See Appendix C.
P23/V2338/FUL. New dwelling house to rear of site. 11 Crabtree Lane Drayton Abingdon OX14 4HS.
It was noted that the Parish Council objected to this planning application with the following comment:
| Objection: This is “backland” development with the following result: 1. Insufficient parking/delivery space in a narrow road. 2. Overlooks gardens of adjoining houses. 3. Increased density behind Meads Close and Crabtree. |
It was also noted that there have been over 20 objections from local residents and the VWHDC approved this planning application. It was agreed that if this planning application goes to appeal the Parish Council will restate our objections.
10/2024 Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group. (Graham Webb).
Programme Managers Report. Jonathan Fowler’s report was noted:
| Walnut Meadow: With the exception of the planting of a Wetland Wildflower meadow, Miller Homes have completed the “Phase 1 Landscaping Works” (replacement of dead trees and hedging) as outlined in the Deed of Variation associated with approval of the Hybrid planning application. The Wildflower meadow will be planted in the Spring when the weather is more conducive. Negotiations are still ongoing to agree the legal transfer of the land from Miller Homes to the Parish Council. We are concerned that we could be liable to costs to bring the roads up to an adoptable standard and for ongoing maintenance. We have therefore requested our Solicitor to amend the wording to ensure the Parish Council are not liable for any costs related the estate roads. It is hoped to complete the transfer by the end of January, or sooner if possible, at which point the MUGA excavation can proceed. The Sports Pitch consultant engaged by the Parish Council submitted their feasibility report just before Christmas. The next step is to undertake a detailed design and I have drawn up a brief/specification in order that quotes can be received. A draft version of the Business Plan has been circulated for review. Traffic Calming: A productive meeting with Milestone (OCC Highway’s contractor) took place early December with a number of traffic calming measures agreed to take forward to a design stage. A further meeting will take place in January to review the designs and costs. Manor Farm: Cala have now implemented the missing path from the Public Open Space at Manor Farm but the repairs to the perimeter path are unsatisfactory as the membrane is still visible. |
Matter continued under item 18/2024.
11/2024 Finance and Personnel Committee (Patricia Athawes). See Appendix B.
a) Payments.
i) The list of payments was received and approved.
ii) The payments to be made following the meeting were approved.
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.
b) Bank Statements and Reconciliation. The bank reconciliation was signed and the bank statements for last month was noted.
c) Disposition of Council Funds. The disposition of council funds were received and noted.
d) Budget 2024-25. It was noted that another budget meeting is needed. It was resolved to increase the precept by 10% from £119,628.00 to £131,590.80.
Proposed: Patricia Athawes Seconded: Elaine Wade. Resolved: Unanimous
e) Any Other Urgent Financial Matters Arising. None.
12/2024 Landscape Management Plan Working Group (Richard Wade).
Grass Cutting and Village Caretaker Contracts. It was noted that the Grass Cutting and Village Caretaker contracts are being updated.
13/2024 Rights of Way & Conservation Working Group (Richard Wade).
S106 Cycle Path Improvement. It was noted that despite the recent rain, the surface and drainage improvement work along BW29 and BW1 have worked well. It was agreed to have another village consultation to decide which bridle way to improve next.
ACTION: Elaine Wade to consult parishioners in her Chronicle report and ask which bridle ways need improving.
14/2024Public Art Working Group. Pervin Shahin was not present.
15/2024 Defibrillator. It was noted that the Deputy Clerk formally asked the Red Lion Pub if a defibrillator can be installed on their building and Greene King responded asking for confirmation that the legal entity of the defibrillator will be the Parish Council and has the authority to enter into such an arrangement. It was resolved to confirmation that ‘Drayton (near Abingdon) Parish Council’ will be the legal entity for a new defibrillator located at the Red Lion Pub and it was noted that we have the authority to enter into such an arrangement.
Proposed: Richard Wade Seconded: Graham Webb Resolved: Unanimous
ACTION: Adrian Cooke to confirm the listed building status of the Red Lion Pub and find out if a defibrillator can be installed on the outside of the building. Deputy Clerk and Richard Wade to photograph the pub to show the suggested location of the defibrillator.
16/2024 Items to be noted from Parish Councillors. None.
17/2024 Date of the next Meeting. 13th February 2024.
18/2024 Walnut Meadow Land Transfer. It was noted we are not ready to accept the land yet. It was resolved to hold an extraordinary meeting if necessary to transfer the land once the legal details are agreed.
Proposed: Richard Wade Seconded: Susan Harris Resolved: Unanimous
The Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 8:32pm.
Signed: Date: 13th February 2024
Name: Richard Wade
Appendix A
Actions Checklist
| Burial Ground Hedge Clearance. Village Caretaker to try and remove the stumps from the ground. |
| Football Club Insurance. Clerk to look at the finance minutes to see if the Parish Council agreed to pay for the Football Club’s insurance. |
| Grass Cutting and Village Caretaker Contracts. Richard Wade to discuss contracts with the Clerk. |
| Church Lane and High Street Junction. Adrian Cooke to inform the VWHDC parking enforcement of the dangerous parking. |
| The Dovecote. Richard Wade, Patricia Athawes, Pervin Shahin and Elaine Wade to meet and discuss biodiversity with Bloor Homes. |
| The Dovecote Residents Association. Richard Wade to invite Nigel Billingham to our Bloor Homes meeting. |
| S106 Cycle Path Improvement. Elaine Wade to consult parishioners in her Chronicle report and ask which bridle ways need improving. |
| Defibrillator. Adrian Cooke to confirm the listed building status of the Red Lion Pub and find out if a defibrillator can be installed on the outside of the building. Deputy Clerk and Richard Wade to photograph the pub to show the suggested location of the defibrillator. |
Appendix B
Finance
Expenditure for December 2023
31-Dec-23 19:06 Service Charge -26.1 254007.56
29-Dec-23 08:31 HMRC Cumbernauld 075PH00148296 -90.84 254033.66
29-Dec-23 08:31 OCC Pension Fund DRAYTON PC 210 -771 254124.5
22-Dec-23 10:20 ChrisWilmott-Smith CARETAKING NOV 23 -393 254895.5
22-Dec-23 10:20 LGRC LOCUM CLERK SERVIC -5267.19 255288.5
22-Dec-23 10:20 Abingdon DAMASCUS S137 GRANT -4000 260555.69
22-Dec-23 10:20 Jeanette Roberts REFUND OF CEM FEES -200 264555.69
21-Dec-23 06:16 (CASTLE WATER LTD) TW1281321123 -6.95 264755.69
13-Dec-23 09:25 OCC Pension Fund DRAYTON PC 210 -485.77 264762.64
13-Dec-23 09:25 HMRC Cumbernauld 075PH00148296 -7.75 265248.41
13-Dec-23 09:25 Staff EXPENSES NOV -75.57 265256.16
13-Dec-23 09:25 Staff OVERTIME NOV 23 -26.86 265331.73
Total -11351.03
Please note some payments rolled into January as below:
02-Jan-24 06:27 Staff SALARY DEC 23 -1453.64 251397.34
02-Jan-24 06:27 Staff SALARY DECEMBER 23 -1156.58 252850.98
-2610.22
No income for December 2023.
Bank Balances as at 31 December 2023
Current account 254007.56
Project Account 15650.92
NS & I Account 20508.76
290167.24
Appendix C
Planning Applications
| P23/V2338/FUL. New dwelling house to rear of site. 11 Crabtree Lane Drayton Abingdon OX14 4HS. PC: Objection: This is “backland” development with the following result: 1. Insufficient parking/delivery space in a narrow road. 2. Overlooks gardens of adjoining houses. 3. Increased density behind Meads Close and Crabtree. VWHDC: Planning Permission on 13th December 2023. |
| P23/V2380/S73. Variation of conditions 2 (Approved plans), 3 (Drainage Details (Surface Water)), 4 (Drainage Details (Foul Water)), 5 (Contaminated Land), 8 (Materials) on application P22/V2919/FUL (New dwellinghouse). Magpie Cottage 30 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JW. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |
| P23/V2636/HH. Demolition of conservatory. Two storey rear extension with associated works. 1 High Street Drayton Abingdon OX14 4JL. PC: Noted. VWHDC: Pending. |