MINUTES – September 2024

The following were noted:

·       Councillor Barnfather and Moggridge.

·       District Councillor Lugova,

·       District Councillor Cox was unable to attend and sent his apologies.

RECEIVED:

i.         Cr Henderson – North Radley Community Room CIO, Radley Village Hall (Trustee of both).

ii.         Cr McDermott – North Radley Community Room (Trustee of the North Radley Room CIO)

iii.         Cr Johnston – Radley Village Hall (Trustee)

·       None

1.     Lawns Community Building:

i.         Received the architect’s project update.

ii.         APPROVED the installation of an air-to-air heat pump for all rooms. Noted the solution is likely to exceed the 8k budget.

iii.         APPROVED for the CIO members to draft the specification for the heating.

iv.         APPROVED the Submission of the Building Regulations application at the architect’s recommendation.

v.         APPROVED the architect to make a planning application for minor amendments at his discretion.

vi.         Noted the final building finished floor will be 200mm above finished site level.

vii.         Noted that the Land Transfer agreement has been signed on 19^th September and returned to the solicitor on the 20^th.

2.     Gooseacre:

i.         Noted delays on the North Radley Room have impacted on the programme for Gooseacre.

ii.         Noted it has been agreed that the Village Hall committee will take bookings up to Easter 2025.

3.     Cemetery extension: None

4.     Radley Lakes: None

1.     Church Farm: Noted the report of the site visit.

2.     North Abingdon: None

3.     The Lawns: None

1.     Old Coalyard:

·       RESOLVED for the Clerk to write to the county to ask them judicial review on the inspectors’ decision.

2.     ROMP:  None

3.     Terra Firma:

·       RESOLVED for Clerk to chase for a response from Adrian Duffield and copy in the CEO and Cr Lugova.

·       Noted a report on correspondence received since July.

i.         RESOLVED for the Clerk to contact environmental health and advise Sovereign that the condition of the garages is being reported.

i.         ACKNOWLEDGED and APPROVED the scrutiny and acceptance of the bank statements and reconciliation for the month of August and September.

ii.         Received the budget update.

i.         The Council acknowledged scrutiny of the invoices for payment in August and September 2024. Cr Henderson confirmed this by signing the cashbook.

ii.         RESOLVED that the accounts as itemised on the monthly cashbook for August and September should be paid.

i.         Received the opinion of the External Auditor and their report on the accounts to 31 March 2024.

ii.         Noted the comments from the report for action on the 24-24 audit.

iii.         APPROVED the appointment of April Skies Accounting as Internal Auditor for 24-25.

i.         Noted there were no applicants for the Lengthsman vacancy.

ii.         RESOLVED that the job description should be reviewed and the post readvertised.

iii.         RESOLVED for a request to be made to the Radley Boy volunteers to help clean the bus shelters.

iv.         Cr Henderson would begin to charge the SIDs batteries as the solar panel was unlikely to charge sufficiently in the winter months.

i.         Noted the quarterly inspection report.

ii.         APPROVED the removal of the bench for safety reasons.

iii.         RESOLVED that a communication would be put out regarding the removal of the bench with confirmation that it would be replaced in the new play area design.

i.         CONFIRMED that the clause of the licence agreement will be taken to mean that the Parish Council will not be responsible for any consequential loss in the event of the pavilion becoming unfit for use.

ii.         Noted that the Football Club has been recommended to take out insurance for their property stored in the pavilion.

i.         Received the website reports.

ii.         APPROVED the recommendation of the new website layout, appearance and content.

iii.         APPROVED the solution for the storage of org.uk website content.

iv.         APPROVED the website content policy.

v.         APPROVED the closure of the radleyvillage.org.uk website.

·       Adoption of the new regulations was deferred to October’s Parish Council meeting.

1)    Most of my report concerns Lodge Hill. Contrary to some of the material still circulating on Social Media, both the slips and the associated works are fully funded. Preliminary work on diverting services an archaeological survey are underway, hence the weekend road closures on the A4183. Associated works are underway with new yellow lines and notices in Kennington etc.

2)    Since the last meeting I have met (with others) Chloe from Highways Engagement and I hope I have now convinced the County that there really is an ongoing problem with drainage in Sandford Lane which needs resolving in the area of the cycle track/railway bridge. I am now convinced from events in the last day or so that the balancing pond is not working as intended.

1)    As you already know, OCC lost Old Coalyard Enforcement Appeal with cost award to Oxford Skiphire. It’s unexpected and very upsetting outcome, and OCC is working to explore any other legal avenues which they can use, and Vale is staying in contact with OCC team.

2)    Both Vale and South Council voted to approve Joint Local Plan (JLP). It will be submitted to the Secretary of State at the beginning of December 2024.

3)    New NPPF consultation is wrapping up – you can have a look at the details here Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

4)    Planning training for Town and Parish Councils was scheduled for 3^rd and 8^th October – the same training session, two different dates to accommodate all Cllrs. The invites were sent across.

5)    FYI, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has approved Thames Water’s Water Resources Management Plan managed to secure Government approves Thames plans to protect water resources (thameswater.co.uk) which is a disappointment as Vale always expressed its opposition to TW reservoir project.

·       Fix My Street have admitted they cleared all the reports. Advise to check if any reports are still listed and if not then re report.

·       APPROVED the draft maintenance plan for the Lower Churchyard.

·       Planning committee: Thursday 24th October at 7pm (if needed).

·       Ordinary Parish Council meeting: Thursday 24th October at 7.30pm (if needed).

·       Finance and Administration Committee: Thursday 14th November at 7.30pm.

·       Planning committee: Thursday 28th November at 7pm (if needed).

·       Ordinary Parish Council meeting: Thursday 28th November at 7.30pm.

·       Planning committee: Thursday 12th December at 7pm (if needed).

·       Ordinary Parish Council meeting: Thursday 12th December at 7.30pm (if needed).

All to be held in the Church Room.