MINUTES – February 2022

Cr Crowley declared an interest in item 7/22c) as a trustee of Radley Lakes Trust.

Cr Henderson declared an interest in item 9/22 c) relating to the mobile home parks rents as he is a licencee.

Noted that Cr Dudding has been granted a dispensation under sections 33(2) (c) and (e) of the Localism Act 2011 because it is in the interests of persons living in the parish that to ensure that the parish council’s financial interests are properly protected in the Council’s dealings with the Radley Lakes Trust that she should be able to speak at meetings on relevant matters.

Mr Tim Law raised concerns at the potential safety impacts of the new housing developments and the Lodge Hill slips on the west of the parish around Sugworth Lane and Oxford Road.

Cr Johnston noted that discussion on speed limits was ongoing.  The Parish Council had been disappointed that the County Council briefing on the Lodge Hill slips and planned to take up the question of speed limits, the junction of Oxford Road and Sugworth Lane and traffic calming with OCC.

On the question of creation of “Sugworth” as an entity, the clerk reported that further to discussions at the July Parish Council meeting, she had spoken to the District Council who had stated that they would not take this forward as there were too few houses in the area in question.

Action for the clerk to write to Mr Law cc VoWHDC confirming this.

The notes of the January 28^th 2022 meeting were accepted as accurate.

The Lengthsman reported that the police speed camera had been in place in Kennington Road on 4 occasions and had logged 48 contraventions in total and fewer on each occasion.  They would visit twice a month in future.

The Lengthsman was seeking permission for the Parish Council to display police speed check area signs.

Action for the Lengthsman to supply quotes to come to the March meeting

The Council received the minutes of the 3^rd February working group meeting.

1.     Staffing:

The Council received a proposal from the chairman of the Finance and Administration committee that to meet of the demands of CIL projected the staffing team should be strengthened.  It was proposed by Cr Henderson, seconded by Cr Dudding and

·       RESOLVED the following:

a)   The staffing capability of the council should be substantially strengthened to deal with major increase in the council’s workload arising from the CIL programme.

b)  A new assistant Clerk should be recruited for two days a week on pay in the range SCP 7-12

c)   The hours and pay of the Clerk and the Lengthsman should be adjusted as recommended by the Chairman of the F&A Committee.

d)  The overall staff budget would be increased by up to £23,553 pa to accommodate these changes, attributed to administration in the CIL budget.

2.     CIL budget:

·       RESOLVED that a) the programme administration heading should be increased to take account of the above and b) the budget to enlarge the cemetery should be increased to £20K.

NW Radley – A group of residents might attend the next Parish Council meeting to request the Council’s support in discussions with Pye on the position of new boundary fencing.

S Kennington – Thames Water were in the process of installing the new equipment associated with pumping station upgrade.

·       RESOLVED to make a grant for masterplan projects as follows:

Sandles parking area and adjacent hub:            £12,500

Barton Fields link path and adjacent hub:        £20,000

·       The Council confirmed scrutiny and acceptance of the bank statements and reconciliation, all of which were saved in the shared file.

It was proposed by Cr Henderson, seconded by Cr Johnston and

·       RESOLVED that the accounts as itemised on the monthly cashbook for should be paid.  The Council

·       ENDORSED the payments for January

·      NOTED the quarterly inspection report.

·      NOTED that the annual risk assessment inspection had been completed with no concerns raised.

1.      I still await final confirmation of the traffic calming measures in respect of the Lodge Hill project.  I fear delay in as much as the officer who was dealing with them, Jordan Rayner, has now left the employ of the County.

2.     We now know that the Terra Firma application for permanent occupation of the Curtis site will now after much delay be determined by the County.  They have been told by the Vale to withdraw their application and make a new application to the County.  At the time of writing nothing has been heard from them.  I am led to believe that they have no grounds for an appeal on the grounds of non-determination.

3.     There is progress, but slow, on the section 278 access works at Redrow.  The old lighting has now been disconnected and can be removed.  There is outstanding work on the pavements and the bus stops!

4.     I still have no firm information on what is happening to the foul drainage at Redrow, though I am led to believe that Redrow is in the process of linking up its system to the Thames Water system which is said to have been increased in capacity.  Recent sewage overflows in Sugworth Crescent lead one to doubt that!  At the most recent count 97 dwellings are now occupied on the site.

5.     18 dwellings are now occupied on the Pye site.  I still await a “paper” on the levels adjacent to Ferny Close, but fear that something has gone badly wrong.

1. Mobile Home Parks rates. Vale will run a consultation with residents regarding rates increase and stated that they have to use that have to use the RPI as per Section 4: Calculation of the proposed new pitch fee on the prescribed form on the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pitch-fee-review-form-park-homes   and cannot switch to CPI.  Vale accountants are preparing Mobile Home Parks account and Radley PC will need to send an official request to get access to the account.
2. Business Support. £1,104,075 is available for businesses in hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors in Vale. The businesses are being urged to apply for support from the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant fund.
3. Vale Car Parks. On 4 February, Vale Cabinet agreed to change parking charges across the Vale in order to reduce the deficit and reflect the council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency. One hour of free parking in Vale car parks will be maintained, a reduction from the current two hours each day.  A new charge of £1.50 will apply for up to two hours. Current fees across all car parks will also rise by 40p.
4. Climate Action Grants. Small grants from £250 to £5,000 are available soon as part of Vale commitment to tackle the climate emergency. Climate Action Fund – Vale of White Horse District Council (whitehorsedc.gov.uk)

·       RESOLVED that the Parish Council would request copies of the mobile home park accounts.

The notes of the Road Safety working group were received.

The Lengthsman reported that the 30mph roundels had been painted.  OCC had advised that they were unable to install dragon’s teeth at the same time for financial reasons.  They and the gate would be installed in the next financial year.

·       RESOLVED that the Council should pursue the gates and dragon’s teeth but defer other measures.

A counter proposal was put forward that the proposal should instead be put to a village consultation. The counter proposal was carried and it was

·       RESOLVED i) that the proposal should be deferred and ii) the working group should bring proposals for a consultation to the March Parish Council meeting.

The working group proposed that as the number of houses in the village was increasing, arrangements should be modified with initial short listing on Friday 1^st July and judging on Saturday 2^nd July. About 20 volunteers were required to take on short listing and catering, guiding and admin tasks on the day.

·       RESOLVED to solicit volunteers from the community for those tasks via Radley News and the village email.

·       Ordinary Meeting:  Thursday 24^th March at 7.30pm in the Church Room.