Upton Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting of Upton Parish Council held at 7.00pm on Tuesday 16^st November 2021 in the village hall.

In attendance:- Cllrs B Shaw (Chairman/BS), P McLaughlin (PM), N Thorp (NT), B Heneghan (BH). E Cooper (Clerk/EC). Nature Garden Working Group representatives K Humphrey & K Fletcher. Three members of the public.

To note or receive apologies for absence

Cllr D Beckles in advance of the meeting. County Cllr S Povolotsky, District Cllrs S

Medley & H Gascoigne.

To note any declarations of interest in the items on the agenda

None declared.

To approve the minutes of the following meeting & note any matters arising: –

UPC 21.09.21

UPC Finance Committee 22.10.21

Approved by those present at the meetings as a true record.

To hear a report from the County Councillor (see Appendix B below)

To hear a report from the District Councillor (see Appendix C below)

To hear a report from the PCSO

Clerk’s note:- The PCSO was on sick leave.

To hear representations from the public

Members of the public were in attendance specifically for a planning matter.

To hear an update from the UVHAT representative

Not present. BS to speak to UVHAT representative.

To hear an update on the Upton Nature Garden Project

9.1 To ratify the Upton Nature Garden Terms of Reference

Taken as ratified as no further comments submitted.

9.2 Working Group report

9.2.1 KF submitted a report on 11.11.21.

Quotes for postcrete & Stowag approved.

A future plan will introduce regular maintenance.

Hedge work had proceeded well.

Perennials not used will be stored for future use.

9.2.2 KH said a trial run of timber supports on the cemetery field fence was working

well & one stretch of fence had been completed in preparation for hedge

planting. KH to report back as to any further work that may be required on the

fence.

9.3 Receipts to date £6137.91. Payments to date £2369.64. Plus payments to be made

since last meeting:-

Boston Bulbs £238.00
Didcot Plant (50% hire) £419.27
Rubble removal £110.00

Total:- £767.27

Balance £3001.00

To hear an update from the PCC representative

Not present. BS to spk PCC representative re attending meetings.

To report on outstanding actions carried forward from previous meetings: –

Deferred to next meeting.

To ratify or agree the council’s response to the following planning applications: –

12.1 To agree:-

12.1.1 P21/V3107/FUL Land to the south of Main Street, West Hagbourne

New 4 bed house with parking.

Deadline 27.11.21

Council agreed to object on similar line to the previous application.

12.1.2 P21/V2077/HH Dulcina, Newmans Close, Upton

Partial demolition of existing dwelling. Erection of new front & rear

extensions. Conversion of existing loft space in to habitable accom.

Refurbishment & associated internal reconfiguration.

Deadline 27.11.21

Council agreed it could not object to this consultation, but would add a

narrative in support of the neighbouring parties.

12.2 To ratify:-

None outstanding.

12.3 To note planning permissions/withdrawals received since the last meeting:-

P21/V2488/HH Owlscote Barn, High Street, Upton

Planning permission 25.10.21.

Clerk’s note:- Council agreed to bring forward the next item:-

To hear an update cemetery extension field (Clerk)

The Clerk explained that following information gained on the existing Upton church

cemetery, the extension field would not need to be in use for a minimum of 5 years, but

probably longer. In discussion with the Chairman, it was felt that the fence repairs &

hedge planting around the field should be actioned as soon as practicable. Also that the

ground would be prepared to make it suitable for burials levelled, grass seed,

maintained), although no timing has been put on this action. The Council agreed in

principle to these actions.

The Clerk also explained that prior to the field coming in to use, the Council would

become a Burial Authority, administering all aspects of managing burial requests.

The Nature Garden team would continue with the hedge planting as discussed.

The Council wished to extend it’s thanks to Mr D Bartlett for his work on repairing the

fence around this field.

The Council is to arrange either repairs to, or replacement of, the gates.

The meeting was brought to a close at this point. Clerk was asked to set up a further meeting as soon as possible in order to complete the rest of the agenda.

The meeting finished at 9pm.

Date & venue of next meeting TBA (December 2021).

Date of the first full council meeting in 2022 – Tuesday 18^th January 2022, at 7.30pm, in the main hall.

Appendix A – List of Actions

No.		Actions from this meeting	By when
1.		BS to speak to UVHAT representative re attending PC meetings.	ASAP
2.		Clerk to spk D Bartlett re cemetery field gates.	Actioned
3.		Clerk to set up extraordinary meeting to cover remaining agenda items.	Actioned
No.		Actions from this meeting	By when
1.		Clerk to email PCSO re November meeting	Actioned
2.		Clerk to email R Traynor / J Reid re UVHAT / UPC meetings	Actioned BS
4.		BS to store blue benches & bin until re-sited	Actioned
7.		BS to 1. put together a welcome pack proposal & 2. look at ways of engaging volunteers.	Ongoing
8.		BS to look in to engaging other local chairs to meet informally	Actioned
9.		BS to arrange top soil & grass seed for play area mound	Actioned
10.		ALL to consider fencing or other options for play areas	C’fwd
11.		BS to organise volunteer turning over bark in play area	C’fwd
12.		BS to consider plan for removal of weeds on pump track	Actioned
16.		PM & Clerk to discuss findings on bus shelter noticeboard	Clerk to order
19.		Recreation ground northern boundary fence – BS to approach contractors	Actioned
20.		DB / BS to investigate new signage across the recreation ground	Actioned
21.		DB to contact the head of the Brownie group re bus shelter redecoration. Brownie group not interested.	Actioned
22.		BS to confirm with KH actions re fence / hedge in cemetery extension	Actioned
23.		PM to report back to council on work allocation system trial. PM to report via email to council.	Ongoing
26.		BS to contact potential proof reader for Upton News	Actioned
27.		PM & Clerk to discuss online meeting date updates	Ongoing
No.	Actions from previous meetings		By when
7.	KH to report back to council on recommendations for the two benches in situ in the nature garden area.		Actioned
8.	KH to provide formal proposal & timescales for fence development around the new cemetery area.		Actioned
6.	BS to issue rota forms. Deferred to Clerk to issue.		Ongoing

Appendix B – County Councillor Report November

Cllr Upcoming meetings:

2nd Nov – Full Council @ County Hall

2nd Nov – Steventon Parish Council

3rd Nov – Meeting officer around the Milton Heights Permit (ongoing issue)

4th Nov – Place Scrutiny Working Plan Group

4th Nov – East Hendred Parish Council

9th Nov – ANOB Meeting (virtual)

9th Nov – Harwell Parish Council

10th Nov – Cabinet Debrief – Culture

10th Nov – Chilton Parish Council

10th Nov – Blewbury Parish Council

10th Nov – Ardington and Lockinge Parish Council

11th Nov – West Hendred Parish Council

11th Nov – Cabinet debrief Health

19th Nov – Budget Prep

24th Nov – Place Committee

25th Nov – Upton Parish Council Meeting

26th Nov – Rowstock Relief Debrief – CC and Officers

If there are meetings you would like to invite me to please get in touch:

sally.povolotsky@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Upcoming publications:

If you have a village publication – please put me in touch so I can connect and it would be great to have the standard ‘text’ in each one as per the following;

Find Latest News and Information online here – https://hendredsandharwell.mycouncillor.org.uk

Find Daily updates / news and events on Facebook here – @sally4hendredsandharwell

Share your community news on our new GROUP on Facebook – SEARCH – Hendreds & Harwell Community Official – where we can share events / news and ideas together

You can whats app / call me on – 07939 912997

You can email me on – sally.povolotsky@oxfordshire.gov.uk

OCC news:

New 20mph policy approved: OCC has finally launched its much-anticipated new 20mph policy.

The policy has been widely welcomed by campaign groups, parishes, and residents. A website has been launched with more information on how the policy will work.

Bid for government funding for buses:

The county will bring forward an ambitious new plan to improve buses in Oxfordshire. The plan includes proposals for South and Vale, funding for these services will be dependent on the bid for£56 million from the government being successful.

New Local and Transport Connectivity Plan:

A new plan was approved at cabinet to promote cycling, walking and low-carbon transport in the county. It sets a goal of replacing one in every three car trips by 2040. Nestled within the plan is anew freight strategy that includes proposals for reducing inappropriate movements of HGVs through villages. The next step for the plan is to hold a public consultation, with final adoption scheduled for spring 2022.

Rough sleeping plan:

A new homelessness prevention strategy was approved by Cabinet. The strategy involves rapid response when someone becomes at risk, and a focus on individual needs and circumstances to provide greater levels of support. I also would like to thank those of you who sponsored my ‘Big Sleep’ at the Tower of London, we raised £760 for homeless veterans.

Warning on social care funding:

Cllr Calum Miller, cabinet member for finance has issued a warning that unless the chancellor provides more money for adult social care and special educational needs councils will have no choice but to raise council tax so that we can continue to provide the care needed for vulnerable residents. Rather than ‘solving’ the crisis in care, the national insurance hike announced by the government will increase costs for local authorities.

Civil parking enforcement: OCC enforcement of on-street parking offences comes into play this month, from 1st November (today) – do let me know if you need any assistance, several emails and documents have been sent.

Full Council 2nd Nov:

I have successfully managed to get my first motion tabled for Full Council around COP26 as follows;

https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/documents/g6492/

Public%20reports%20pack%20Tuesday%2002-Nov-2021%2011.00%20County%20-

Council.pdf?T=10

“In 2018, at COP24, the UK Government signed up to ‘domestic institutional arrangements, public participation and engagement with local communities’ so localities can play their part in delivering the UK’s ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’ in the Paris Agreement.

In May 2021 the Rt. Hon. Alok Sharma MP, President of COP26, said collaboration would be a key objective of the COP26 climate summit; “Governments, business and civil society (sometimes called ‘non- state actors’ and including local government) need to work together to transform the ways we power our homes and businesses, grow our food, develop infrastructure and move ourselves and goods around.”

Despite these agreements and statements there is still no formal relationship for partnership working between Local and National Government on climate action.

This Council:-

(a) notes that Cabinet has already adopted the recommendations of the ‘Pathways to Zero Carbon Oxfordshire’ report(1), the most detailed plan ever made for the decarbonisation of Oxfordshire’s economy;

(b) adds its voice to calls by the Local Government Association and others for a joint local and national government Task Force to work towards ‘net zero’ emissions, able to set appropriate regulations, benchmarks and targets and create long-term funding mechanisms to support local communities and economies to decarbonise; and

Leadership Board of the LGA, informing them of our support for such a Task Force and asking for one to be established as soon as possible.”

(1.) https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/2021/0629-pathways-to-zero-carbon- oxfordshire.html

Lets hope we have enough time to get onto it!

Parish round up

Meanwhile the reservoir issue is upon us again, and stronger than ever! There are various consultations out and please please do reach out to GARD for any help, advice and documents / evidence

– email Derek Stork on – Gard.chair@gmail.com

I welcome a 1:1 with any Parish Chairs, to really get a grip on local issues, and where these have happened (Steventon, Harwell) we have got allot done / going in a short period of time. Please do reach out. Clerks I am happy to get these booked in, so far these have only been with Harwell and Steventon Chairs, and its really helped move casework forwards and get results! Working together we can achieve our goals.

You, and your residents can report any pathway, overgrown verges, pot holes or signage issues

to FIX MY STREET – https://www.fixmystreet.com

As a reminder I now sit on the following committees / councillor responsibilities / champion….

Verges and BioDiversity Group (Lead)
Armed Forces Champion – Locality – Shrivenham Defence Academy
OCC Adoption Panel Member / Representative
AONB OCC Member / Representative
New PLACES Scrutiny committee member (this has now commenced)
Environment Spokesperson for Alliance – assisting Cabinet Member for Climate on Verges and Biodiversity Projects
Currently ‘Acting’ Group Chair (Chair is on Holiday), but also now the Group WHIP and Deputy Chair.

CLERKS – can I please ask you send me ONLINE meeting invites for the Parish Council meetings, as then I can manage these in my diary, as leading up-to Christmas its getting rather busy.

General Issues

Councillor Surgeries – dates to be released on Facebook and sent to Parishes accordingly. These will be via zoom for the foreseeable and individual groups / residents face to face accordingly as needed.

Parish Updates

Rowstock Relief Project

Please note these meetings are now every 2 weeks with officers, and the SID data being collated is hugely helpful. We are no further forwards at present, however I am pushing for the following

40mph buffer from before Rowstock Manor down to current 30mph
Safe Crossing for Active Travel – Harwell Campus Side
Safe Crossing for Bus Stop and a need for a covered bus stop on the Garage side.
Connecting the Golden Mile on Active Travel with a Bonded Surface
Connecting Rowstock on Safe Active Travel to Harwell Campus, Harwell Village and

East Hendred

Packhorse ‘Road Works’

FYI not a week has gone by since August when I haven’t spoken to Highways about these non existent works – have an officer meeting on Thursday at 10am to show the lack of any works and to try and get permit cancelled!

Esso Development Site

I know this is causing allot of angst, at time of writing the VOWH Planning committee agenda is not out as yet, but keep your eyes open!10.11. Please do remember you can send in statements and request to speak (time limit on latter) – and please liaise with your District Councillor accordingly.

East Hendred – 2 Current Cases.

1:1. Recent call with Chair, and discussed Thames Water works (pending meeting), White Road Parking and Safety as well as Mill Lane Surface and Safety.

Adopting Verges Biodiversity net gain trial on A417 (between East and West Hendred) with HEG, OCC and local residents – more details in January 2022

Harwell – 4 Current Cases.

Chasing Reading Road / Also asked for investigation into the S106 Crossing Funds for Route 1 / Reading Road (near Winnaway).

Looking into S106 funding around GWP on the traffic calming for High St, Burr Street, Blenheim Hill. Have questioned trigger points and actions / plans. Sent to contracts team for clarification.

Grove Road Consultation open

Steventon – 5 Current Cases.

Received several contacts through social media, issues around Anti-Social Behaviour, Parking and Illegal Parking, Drugs Offences, Driving and Speeding. Signposted residents to Police, Parish Council and District Councillor where appropriate.

Talking to residents about Air Quality Survey starting after bridge survey

Bridge Survey Part 1 has commenced, managed to change access to allow pedestrians and cyclists GARD and the Motion to FC – this is on as an emergency item and will be read at the start of the FC as follows;

Motion by Councillor Richard Webber

“On 10 July 2018, Council passed a motion unanimously calling on the Leader of the Council to write to Thames Water, Defra, the Environment Agency and Ofwat, requesting that a second consultation on the proposed Oxfordshire Reservoir be undertaken due to incomplete information or errors on the information used to base their recommendations.”

As information in the latest consultation remains incomplete, and what has been provided to support the proposal contains many errors, Council now confirms its position on the TW proposed Reservoir agreed at the Council meeting on the 10 July2018 in that it remains opposed to the proposal, at least until the case for need has been clearly demonstrated by taking into account and answering the concerns of the whole scientific community.

To this end, Council will be including and taking full account of discussions with and opinions of all sources of independent scientific expertise including the Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD) when considering its response to Thames Water proposals.”

Upton – No New Casework, wrote letter supporting 20mph for the area for new OCC speeding regulations.

Chilton – No New Casework – Chasing buses and reinstatement, no further news on Chilton Fields adoption (still with Land Registry)

Blewbury – No New Casework – Continued discussions over cycle path needs!

West Hendred – No New Casework

Ardington and Lockinge – No New Casework, chasing the school crossing signs, delays due to lack of materials for poles.

Appendix C – DC Report

Monday 8th November 2021 – Monthly Parish Update

Vale of White Horse District Councillors – Cllr Hayleigh Gascoigne and Cllr Sarah Medley

Hello from Hayleigh & Sarah

Hello! It’s that time of year again – colder nights and shorter days, complete with all the coughs and colds this time of year brings. If anyone is in need of support over the winter months, financial or otherwise, remember that the councils’ community support hub is still available as a first point of contact for getting the help you need. COVID-19 is still very much with us, and councils are encouraging residents to continue to follow the guidelines of handwashing, mask-wearing and social distancing.

On the subject of health, we are grateful that the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning group agreed to join a recent meeting of the Great Western Park Residents’ Association, in order to provide an update on the long-awaited healthcare facility on the GWP site. More on this in our report – needless to say, it is good to see the CCG are now in a position to be providing public updates on this much-needed facility.

In council news, we’re pleased that ahead of COP26, Cllr Emily Smith – leader of the Vale – has joined UK100: a national network giving council leaders greater influence and resources in tackling the climate emergency. This follows a motion passed at our last Full Council meeting in October, seconded by Hayleigh. The Vale also now has a new deputy leader, Cllr Bethia Thomas. Bethia was also a newly-elected councillor back in 2019, same as us, so it’s great to see her now in this leadership role. We look forward to working with Bethia, and we would like to thank Cllr Debby Hallett, the previous deputy leader, for all her guidance and hard work.

The Christmas season is nearly here, and there are lots of craft and gift fairs taking place in the local villages. It’s great to see these events happening again after a difficult winter last year in lockdown. Times are still very tough for local businesses, so we encourage residents to shop local and shop small this Christmas. There are plenty of wonderful independent retailers based in Didcot, Wantage and the surrounding villages – perfect for locally sourced, sustainable gift ideas.

We will use these monthly updates to keep you updated on our activities, general council news and any COVID-19 developments,. We also post regularly on our councillor Facebook Page: Cllrs Hayleigh Gascoigne & Sarah Medley – please do not hesitate to get in touch with any issues or concerns, either via Facebook message or email: hayleigh.gascoigne@whitehorsedc.gov.uk and sarah.medley@whitehorsedc.gov.uk.

COVID-19 Community Support

A reminder to all residents that the councils’ Community Support Hub continues to operate for anyone who needs any assistance, either as a result of COVID-19 or just for anyone who needs signposting towards the appropriate support channel. There are multiple ways to get in touch with the Community Support Hub:

Call: 01235 422 600 Monday to Thursday 8.30-5pm and Fridays 8.30-4.30pm
Email: communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk
Online Form: whitehorsedc.gov.uk/communityhub
Website whitehorsedc.gov.uk/covid19

Residents can also contact:

Citizens Advice – 0808 278 7907
Vale Community Impact – 01235 765348

Remember that the latest figures are updated on the county council’s interactive dashboard on a daily basis. Given the recent colder weather and rising case rates, we encourage residents to get tested regularly and, if they feel unwell, book a PCR test, as Covid-19 is still very much around.

Local News

Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group update on GWP Healthcare Centre

Summary by Cllr Sarah Medley:

On Monday 8^th November, representatives from the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) kindly agreed to our invitation to speak at the Great Western Park Residents’ Association (GWPRA) public meeting, to update residents on the progress of the new healthcare facility planned for Great Western Park.

Julie Dandridge, CCG Deputy Director of Primary Care, and Jo Cogswell, CCG Director of Transformation, attended the meeting and explained that the process for setting up new GP facilities is complex; it is not something which happens automatically when new developments are built. The CCG requires GPs, which are independent businesses, to commit to the provision of services for a new development. This is either done through working together with existing GP practices, or seeking a completely new provider.

In the case of the long-awaited GP surgery on Great Western Park, the CCG have been working together with the Didcot medical practices. The main issue is the need for a suitable building – various options have been considered over the past few years, to determine the best fit for GWP. The good news is that the CCG have now identified a suitable developer with experience of building medical facilities. The next stage of the process is for an appointed District Valuer to determine whether the proposed facility is value for money for the CCG, and the next stage after that is to apply for planning permission.

It appears that there is still some way to go in the process, however the CCG are pleased to be able to report back to the public that significant progress is now being made. They are not yet able to state a timescale for when the new GP facility on GWP will be open for patients, however they are very aware of the urgent need to alleviate the pressure on GP services in the Didcot area – an issue raised by many at the meeting. We questioned whether a temporary or pop-up surgery could be established on GWP in the meantime, for example in one of the community centres or similar, and the CCG representatives agreed to investigate this option. This is promising – and something that we will be chasing up.

Hayleigh and I would like to thank Julie and Jo from the CCG for providing this useful update. Thank you to the many local residents who attended and asked very pertinent questions about the funding, timescales and service provision. The CCG have kindly agreed to provide further updates for the public as the project progresses, and we will ensure that these are shared with residents through our newsletters and social media.

Council News

Garden Waste: Normal Service Resumed

We’re pleased to announce that our garden waste service has now returned to its normal fortnightly collections. That means your next garden waste collection will take place on your usual collection day as scheduled in our normal annual waste collections calendar. Every time it’s recycling week you’ll be able to put your brown bin out when you put your green wheelie bin as normal.

We’d like to apologise once again for the disruption to the service and to thank you for your patience and understanding. We have extended your subscription by three months to make up for the disruption.

Garden waste is an optional paid-for garden waste service. For £51.50 per year customers get their garden waste such as hedge clippings, grass cuttings, dead leaves etc collected regularly from their home using one of our brown wheeled bins. Garden waste is collected on the same day as your recycling. To check when this is please see waste calendar. If your bin was not emptied – please click here to report a missed bin collection.

Councils urge global leaders to agree urgent climate action at COP26

Find out what this hugely important climate conference means for you.

Vale’s Emily Smith joins other local leaders in putting net zero ambitions ahead of government targets

Just over a week before the United Nations Climate Change conference COP26, Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, has joined dozens of other local authority leaders from across the UK in signing up to UK100’s ‘Net Zero Pledge’, reaffirming the Vale’s commitment to meeting Net Zero carbon emissions.

Good causes in the Vale benefit from White Horse Community Lottery

Since its first draw in September the White Horse Community Lottery has already started to raise money for good causes across the Vale, enabling them to continue and expand their work with vulnerable residents and communities in the district.

Businesses based in Southern Oxfordshire given support to widen their network

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are supporting local businesses by offering a discount to join a new online networking group.

New Vale of White Horse District Council Deputy Leader announced

Councillor Bethia Thomas has been announced as the new Deputy Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council.

New council building concept design gets the go ahead

The concept design for the new district council building at Didcot Gateway has been approved, and the detailed design process is now getting underway. The project and building are owned by South Oxfordshire District Council, although the facilities are planned to be shared with the Vale – as was the arrangement at Crowmarsh, the previous council building.

You could win a Nando’s or Costa voucher as new campaign highlights that laughing gas is #NoLaughingMatter

A new campaign has started across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse to highlight the issues and dangers of Nitrous Oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas. The campaign will see #NoLaughingMatter stencils painted across the districts and there is a short online quiz, with a £25 Nando’s or Costa voucher.

Consultations

Views sought on future development at airfield at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon

We’re asking your views on how future development at the airfield at Dalton Barracks near Abingdon should look and feel, and how it should contribute to the area.