MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF RADLEY PARISH COUNCIL HELD on THURSDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2024 at 7.15pm in the CHURCH ROOM, RADLEY
PRESENT: Councillors Crowley (Chair), Barnfather, Frank, Henderson, Moggridge and Sparks.
IN ATTENDANCE: One member of the public, the Clerk and Assistant Clerk.
132/24 | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
The following were noted: · Councillor Johnston, McDermott and Tannahill. · District Councillor Lugova. |
133/24 | CO-OPTION: Deferred |
134/24 | DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
RECEIVED: Cr Henderson: Rotunda, Village Hall – as a trustee of both. |
135/24 | DISPENSATIONS: None |
136/24 | MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
· Lower Radley sewage: The member of the public raised: – Frustration on the lack of engagement from anyone contacted for support to resolve the issues. – Putting outside pressure onto Thames Water (MP, Press, the 2 bodies Ofwat that have a statutory duty to help. – Focussing on issues that impact all areas 1) the effect of ground water and sewage into rivers. GISMPs were supposed to deal with ground water and failed 2) Development – Thames Water have not increased the sewage capacity to cater for new developments, but Radley is the only area where sewage is being tankered out around the clock. · Standing Orders were suspended so that this item could be brought forward. · Discussed: – Could Radley join forces with other villages? – Is Radley on the flooding authority’s radar? – Should it be raised in the press how meaningless the Grampian conditions are. – What more can be done to raise awareness and put pressure on Thames Water? – Could the issues be raised with Layla Moran in person at a surgery? |
137/24 | MINUTES: |
· RESOLVED that the minutes of the October 2024 Parish Council meeting were an accurate account of that meeting. | |
138/24 | POLICE MATTERS: |
· None | |
139/24 | PLANNING MATTERS: |
(a) | CIL PROJECTS:
Noted the updated budget: 1. Lawns Community Building: i. APPROVED Matthew Day’s quote for preparing the planning application for the canopy, which will be paid by S106 public arts project. It was noted that S106 funds will not be transferred until Land Transfer has been proven. ii. APPROVED the submission of the non-material amendments to the planning permission. iii. APPROVED the project manager’s application for fees to cover extra work undertaken. iv. RESOLVED the project manager should be invited to attend the January meeting. 2. Gooseacre: i. Review the quotes for ground and structural investigation works – deferred. ii. RESOLVED for Gooseacre to be discussed in detail at the next meeting. It was proposed that the Council should prioritise what work should be carried out and only that work should be tendered for. iii. RESOLVED to have the Gooseacre project discussed in detail at Parish Council meetings. All councillors were requested to read content prior to the meeting. 3. Cemetery extension: The PCC had confirmed that they were happy for the Council to investigate providing a garden of remembrance but asked who would be responsible to maintain it. · RESOLVED To discuss further at the January meeting. 4. Radley Lakes: None |
(b) | STRATEGIC SITES:
1. Church Farm: None 2. North Abingdon: None 3. The Lawns: None |
(c) | THRUPP LANE:
1. Old Coalyard: · RESOLVED to resubmit the Council’s objection. Cr Frank will make any adjustments. 2. ROMP: None 3. Terra Firma: Noted that Enforcement response and report from the planning clinic call. |
(d) | SEWERAGE in Lower Radley:
i. RESOLVED for the Clerk to write to Thames Water, OFWAT and the Environment Agency and copy in MP Layla Moran. ii. RESOLVED for the Clerk to contact OCC with an update of what is going on and ask if they will support RPC with getting Thames Water to respond, as they are the flooding authority. iii. RESOLVED to ask MP Layla Moran to visit Radley and meet impacted residents. |
(e) | PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
Lodge Hill planning application were noted. |
140/24 | FINANCIAL MATTERS: |
(a) | ACCOUNTS:
i. ACKNOWLEDGED and APPROVED the scrutiny and acceptance of the bank statements and reconciliation for the month of November. Cr Frank confirmed this by signing the reconciliation. ii. Received the budget update. iii. Noted the finance report. |
(b) | ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:
The Council acknowledged scrutiny of the invoices for payment in November 2024. Cr Barnfather confirmed this by signing the cashbook. i. RESOLVED that the accounts as itemised on the monthly cashbook for November should be paid. |
(c) | SALARIES:
· Noted the government salary review for 24-25 (backdated to 1st April) will be applied to salaries this month. |
(d) | FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
· RECEIVED the minutes from the Finance and Administration meeting. · APPROVED: i. Replacing the SID solar panel in FY 25/26 if funds allow. ii. Part of the Abingdon Marathon donation to be used for: a. Chocolate for the Radley College boys volunteers. b. A gift for Tony Stoyle for his help with the website. ii. Noted and will proceed for the budgets for Rotunda and Gooseacre to be discussed at the December. Parish Council meeting, along with producing a priority list for the Gooseacre project. iii. To adopt the following policies: a. Risk Management Policy b. Safeguarding Policy c. Equality Policy d. Dignity at Work Policy |
(e) | ACCOUNTS to March 31st 2025: Noted.
· REVIEWED the accounts to 24-25 and noted the predicted year end outturn. |
(f) | GRANTS:
· DEFERRED until January decision on grants to be made this financial year. |
(g) | BUDGET:
General budget: · APPROVED the general budget for 2025-26. · RESOLVED that the Lengthsman vacancy post should not be filled until 26/27 to mitigate the predicted deficit in the budget for 25/26. In the meantime, Assistant Clerk will continue to cover the Parish checks tasks and any other jobs required can be outsourced. CIL Budget: The challenge of funding the projects was noted. |
(h) | PRECEPT:
RESOLVED that the precept for 25/26 would be £82,060. This would represent an increase of £3 in the Band D Council tax (£2 on Band A). |
(i) | WEBSITE:
Noted that the new website will launch on the 10th December. |
(j) | CONSULTATION:
Open consultation. Councillors were requested to respond individually to the government consultation on permitting remote meetings for local councils. |
(k) | INFORMATION:
· Noted the play area quarterly report |
141/24 | REPORTS OF THE COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS: |
(a) | COUNTY: Councillor Johnston reported:
1. Lodge Hill continues to progress; all the conditions have now been discharged and shovels are expected to be in the ground in 2025. Completion should take about a year. This was an issue when first elected to the Vale in February 1982, and it is good to see closure!! 2. Serious and detailed discussions are being held in respect of the Old Coalyard. Legal advice is to keep them confidential at this stage. |
(b) | DISTRICT: Councillors Lugova and Cox reported:
1. Vale Household Support Fund. We expect the next round of the Household Support Fund to open in the New Year following the recent Government announcement of the extension to 31 March 2025. The scheme is currently closed whilst officers consider any changes to the approach and delivery of the funding to our residents. If members receive enquiries from people struggling with the cost of living, the community hub can still help. Residents can contact our Community Hub team on 01235 422600, email communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk 2. Vale Strategic Property team is pursuing with a proposal for up to eight additional mobile home pitches on the Pebble Hill mobile home park. The consultation letters have been sent to Pebble Hill residents. Should they have any questions, they should contact Mandy Courtney, mobile homes parks officer 3. Holidays Activities in The Beacon. What’s On – The Beacon Wantage |
142/24 | HIGHWAY MATTERS |
(a) | FIX MY STREET:
· Noted that potholes on Thrupp Lane have been reported again. |
(b) | VOLUNTEERS:
Councillors noted the work carried out by the Radley college volunteers and Radley Parish Council offer their thanks. |
(c) | Vale Deep Cleanse: Councillors were asked to make recommendations for areas to be cleaned. |
143/24 | CONSERVATION: None |
144/24 | ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA: Councillors were asked to advise Clerk 10 days before the next Parish meeting. |
145/24 | CORRESPONDENCE: Items of general correspondence were noted. |
146/24 | DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
· Planning committee: Thursday 12th December at 7pm (if needed) in the Radley Church Room. · Ordinary Parish Council meeting: Thursday 12th December at 7.30pm in the Radley Church Room. · Development Steering Group: Thursday 9th January at 7pm over Zoom. · Planning committee: Thursday 23rd January at 7pm (if needed) in the Radley Church Room. · Ordinary Parish Council meeting: Thursday 23rd January at 7.30pm (if needed) in the Radley Church Room. All to be held in the Church Room. |