MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF RADLEY PARISH COUNCIL HELD on THURSDAY 12th DECEMBER 2024 at 7.30pm in the CHURCH ROOM, RADLEY
PRESENT: Councillors Crowley (Chair), Henderson, Johnston, McDermott, Moggridge and Tannahill.
IN ATTENDANCE: Two members of the public, the Clerk and Assistant Clerk.
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147/24 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
The following were noted:
- Councillor Barnfather, Frank, and Sparks.
- District Councillor Lugova.
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148/24 |
CO-OPTION: This item was deferred to the end of the meeting to allow the co-optee to observe the meeting. |
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149/24 |
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
RECEIVED:
- Cr Henderson: Rotunda CIO, Village Hall – as a trustee of both.
- Cr McDermott: Rotunda CIO – trustee.
- Cr Johnston: Village Hall – trustee.
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150/24 |
DISPENSATIONS: None |
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151/24 |
MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None |
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152/24 |
MINUTES: |
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- RESOLVED that the minutes of the November 2024 Parish Council meeting were an accurate account of that meeting.
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153/24 |
POLICE MATTERS: None |
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154/24 |
PLANNING MATTERS: |
(a) |
CIL PROJECTS:
RESOLVED to hold a strategic review session at the DSG meeting in April.
- Lawns Community Building:
- Noted that the revised estimated budget was more than initially expected and this would impact the Gooseacre project.
- The deposit for the Rotunda contract was paid in April. Waiting the building regulations be approved before the build payment is made.
- Noted that the project cannot go out to tender for non-Rotunda work until the building regulations are signed off and this depends on receiving information from Rotunda. This meant that approval might be delayed until February.
- APPROVED to agree in principle to continue with the project and to review all the figures and discuss any outstanding issues at the beginning of 2025.
- RESOLVED for the Clerk to provide a high-level summary of the project, a simple financial summary, information on reasons for price increases, details of what has been tendered, and what is remaining to be tendered.
- The Clerk was asked to recirculate the December 2024 lawns community building budget update.
- RESOLVED to review all budget costs and estimates for the project at the January Parish Council meeting.
- Gooseacre:
- RESOLVED for the Clerk to investigate how much the precept would need to be raised by to pay back a loan to cover the full original costings for Gooseacre improvements.
- The Clerk was asked to circulate the original figures for the Gooseacre refurbishment plans to councillors.
- RESOLVED for the council to review details of the Gooseacre project at February’s Parish Council meeting.
- Cemetery extension: None
- Radley Lakes: None
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(b) |
STRATEGIC SITES:
- Church Farm: None
- North Abingdon: None
- The Lawns: None
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(c) |
THRUPP LANE:
- Old Coalyard:
- RESOLVED to ask Cr Frank to draft Radley Parish Councils objections, and comments to be forwarded to the County Council traffic team.
- ROMP: None
- Terra Firma:
- RESOLVED for the Clerk to ask Cr Lugova for the latest information.
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(d) |
SEWERAGE in Lower Radley:
- Noted no response received back.
- RESOLVED to discuss at January’s Parish Council meeting an approach to engage other local communities regarding sewage issues.
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155/24 |
FINANCIAL MATTERS: |
(a) |
ACCOUNTS:
- ACKNOWLEDGED and APPROVED the scrutiny and acceptance of the bank statements and reconciliation for the month of November. Cr Henderson confirmed this by signing the reconciliation.
- Noted the budget update.
- Noted the finance report.
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(b) |
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:
The Council acknowledged scrutiny of the invoices for payment in December 2024. Cr Henderson confirmed this by signing the cashbook.
- RESOLVED that the accounts as itemised on the monthly cashbook for December should be paid.
- RESOLVED to delegate to the Clerk to pay invoices which require to be paid at the end of December.
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(c) |
INVESTMENTS:
- RESOLVED that bonds which were due to mature on 24th December and 3rd February should be reinvested for a further 6 months.
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(d) |
PRECEPT for 25-26:
It was noted that at the November meeting, the Council had agreed to reduce the overall budget by deferring filling the Lengthsman vacancy until 2026. This would allow council tax to be increased by only £3 per Band D household in 2025/26.
It was highlighted that the Council holds a minimal level of general reserves. |
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156/24 |
REPORTS OF THE COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS: |
(a) |
COUNTY: Councillor Johnston reported:
- No update about Old Coalyard yet.
- The County Tax is likely to rise by 5% next year. This includes a top up to keep Social Services afloat.
- We expect a Government White Paper on Local Government next week, it is likely to propose the abolition of the District Councils, Unitaries and Combined Authorities with a Mayor. If the proposals are as sweeping as expected than the County elections next May are likely to be postponed for a year. If that happens, I have agreed with my Group that I will stay on for an extra year rather than force an expensive by-election.
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(b) |
DISTRICT: Councillors Lugova and Cox reported:
- Vale is working on the 2025/26 budget now and we will update you about coming changes. The budget will be presented to the Council for approval in February 2025. One of the recommended changes to Council Tax Reduction scheme is to extend backdated period from 6 months to 12 months. Wanted to remind that Vale provides Council tax discounts and exemptions were applicable. Council tax – Vale of White Horse District Council
- Christmas Waste Collection changes and guidance can be found Christmas Waste – Vale of White Horse District Council
- Joint Local Plan (JLP) has now been submitted to the Government for the examination stage. The Planning Inspectorate will examine the JLP and assess whether it has been prepared in accordance with the legal and procedural requirements. At the end of the public examination, the Inspector will conclude whether or not the plan is sound. In most cases the Inspector’s report will recommend some changes that would allow the plan to be adopted. If successfully adopted, the plan would replace the existing Local Plans for both Vale and South.
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157/24 |
HIGHWAY MATTERS: None |
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158/24 |
CONSERVATION: |
(a) |
- RESOLVED to raise a complaint with Highways regarding the blocked drain at the bottom of Sugworth lane.
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(b) |
- Noted complaints within the community on the work being carried out by the owners of Radley Large Wood.
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159/24 |
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA:
- Lawns Community Building budget
- Thames Water communication strategy
Councillors were asked to advise Clerk a minimum of 10 days before the next Parish meeting of any items to be included in the next agenda. |
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160/24 |
CORRESPONDENCE:
Items of general correspondence had been circulated and were noted. |
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161/24 |
CO-OPTION: |
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- RESOLVED that Bridget Griffiths should be co-opted to the Council.
Ms Griffiths signed her declaration of acceptance of office. |
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162/24 |
DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
- 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 in the Radley Church Room.
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