PRESENT: Mr J Dickens (Chairman), Mr S Fraser, Mr S Norman, Mrs L Shaw, Mr B. Shaw, Mrs C Lightfoot (Clerk)
1. Apologies received from Dr R Lott
2. Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Any Member arriving after the start of the meeting is asked to declare personal interests as necessary as soon as practicable after their arrival even if the item in question has been considered. None recorded
3. Planning Applications:
11/02001/FUL – proposed erection of a single storey oak framed garage to replace existing garage. Location: Tadpoles, Stream Road.
11/02429/FUL – proposed erection of a single storey extension to the front and side of Torpids, High Street. Applicants Mr & Mrs W Betts.
The plans for both applications, having been previously circulated, were considered by the Council. There were no objections in either case. The clerk to advise the Vale accordingly. Clerk
4. Playground – Invitation to Tender
In advance of the meeting, Mr Betts had circulated a draft copy of the Invitation to Tender document for comment.
A number of points were raised:
- consideration be given to fencing off the area, particularly in view of the large number of dogs which are trained and exercised on the recreation ground;
- the priority given to each piece of play equipment be checked;
- clerk to check what impact the new playground will have on the cost of insurance.
Mr Betts said that it was proposed to give contractors as much scope as possible. The onus will be placed on the contractor to ensure that his bid is compliant.
It was agreed that representatives of the Parish Councillor and the Playground Working Group meet on the Recreation Ground on Saturday 29th October at 10.00 a.m. to define the area to be set aside for the Playground.
The Chairman thanked Mr Betts and the working group for their hardwork which had brought the project this far.
It was agreed to keep the village informed on progress of the project via Upton News. BS
5. Update from UVHAT on caravan meeting – Mrs Shaw reported that UVHAT had agreed a date change with the Caravan Club and the 2012 event is due to take place on the first May Bank Holiday. Mrs Shaw will advise UVHAT of the possibility of work on the playground being undertaken around that time.
Mrs Shaw said that although her brief had been to draw up terms & conditions for the Caravan Club’s (CC) use of the Recreation Ground, UVHAT have stated that they do not want any T&Cs to be too onerous as the CC already work to their own rigorous set of rules. It was noted that £10 per pitch per night was the maximum amount which the CC are prepared to pay.
6. Working Group Activities:
- Snow clearing – Mr Fraser said that he had attended a useful meeting on dealing with emergencies. It had been stated that if we clear snow from pathways we are not liable should any incident subsequently occur. He said that he had seen a useful manual spreader for putting down salt at a cost of ~£200. Since a tonne of salt is being provided by Highways it was agreed that a spreader would be a vital piece of equipment and should be investigated. Clerk
- Cleaning bus shelter: Mrs Shaw reported that Mrs West had asked if the Working Group could help with keeping the bus shelter clean particularly during the autumn when it becomes littered with leaves as well as rubbish. Mr Dickens volunteered to have an initial clean up and will advise on whether a rota of people is required to continue with this. JD
7. Correspondence:
Annual ROSPA report on Playground had been received. There are some minor repairs required to the Play area;
Tree surgery on TPOd Beech Tree at Torpids: the Vale has notified that work is to be carried out on the Beech Tree at Torpids;
Interim Housing Supply Policy Workshop: councillors are invited to attend a workshop being held on 17th November at 6.00 p.m. in Wantage Civic Hall. Councillors to advise clerk if they wish to attend. ALL
Clare Lightfoot
Clerk/Upton Parish Council
31st October 2011