UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held in the main hall at Upton village hall on Wednesday 27th April 2024 at 8pm.
In attendance: – Chairman Ben Shaw (BS)
Vice Chairman Neil Thorp (NT)
Councillors Brendon Heneghan (BH), Nicola Hall (NH)
Clerk Vacancy
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To receive apologies for absence
None – reports were not requested for this meeting.
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To record any declarations of interests relating to this meeting
BH – item 7. -
Open Forum
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To receive representations from members of the public.
(Maximum 15 minutes, 3 minutes per person)
No members of the public were present.
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To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on:-
UPC Meeting 27th March 2024
BS proposed approving the minutes. It was unanimously agreed.
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Planning
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To agree / ratify the council’s response to the following consultations:
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P24/V0675/HH Pentreen Stream Road Upton Didcot OX11 9JG
Proposed single storey infill extension (rear), proposed first floor extension (rear, above existing ground floor), proposed covered carport & dormer to front elevation, new gravel driveway area to link two existing gravel areas, replacement windows and over-cladding throughout and proposed outbuilding in rear garden.
Objection – loss of privacy amenity of neighbouring property.
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To note planning permissions granted during the month.
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Application No: P23/S2135/FUL
Change of use of existing public house (Sui Generis) to provide a three-bed dwelling and a four-bed dwelling (Use C3), erection of two four-bed dwellings and a five-bed dwelling (Use C3) on land adjacent to the public house accessed from Main Street, with associated parking and landscaping, along with the demolition of existing outbuilding. [Horse & Harrow Main Street West Hagbourne OX11 0NB]
Noted.
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Finance & Administration
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Treasurers Account to 31/03/24 £17538.79
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Business Bank Instant Account to 31/03/24 £13238.05
Total funds available as at 31/03/24 £ 30821.84
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To agree the authoriser for this month’s payments
NT & BS will authorise the payments
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To approve payments made as noted below under the General Power of Competence and within budgeted amounts.
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|
DATE |
Description /Payee |
Details |
Amount |
Amount (incl. VAT) |
|
04.03.24 |
OALC |
Membership renewal |
140.00 |
168.00 |
|
06.03.24 |
Miss E Cooper |
Training |
24.80 |
24.80 |
|
06.03.24 |
UVHAT |
Hall hire Feb meeting |
20.00 |
20.00 |
|
15.03.24 |
Krystal Hostings |
Domain renewal |
7.99 |
9.59 |
|
15.03.24 |
Organised Grime |
Bin Collection December 0011 |
225.00 |
270.00 |
|
15.03.24 |
Organised Grime |
Bin Collection February 0013 |
180.00 |
216.00 |
|
15.03.24 |
Organised Grime |
Bin Collection January 0012 |
180.00 |
216.00 |
|
15.03.24 |
Organised Grime |
Bin Collection March 0014 |
225.00 |
270.00 |
|
15.03.24 |
L Morgan |
Clerk salary |
Not publically disclosed |
Not publically disclosed |
|
21.03.24 |
Krystal Hostings |
Annual fee |
70.00 |
84.00 |
|
27.03.24 |
Microsoft DD |
Online services |
4.90 |
4.90 |
|
Total |
1077.69 plus salary above |
1283.29 plus salary above |
||
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Receipts |
Description |
Amount |
|
Lloyds |
Interest |
14.60 |
|
SSE |
Wayleave |
2.00 |
|
HMRC |
VAT refund |
1,998.19 |
|
Total |
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To sign off bank reconciliation to end March
Provided in advance of the meeting. BS signed the reconciliation.
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Donation to Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
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Previously agreed donations for 21/22 and 22/23 and 23/24 have not been paid. NT proposed that we therefore donate £200 immediately to cover these three years and bring our payments in line with what was intended, including a further £50 for 2024. Agreed unanimously.
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To hear an update on the recruitment of a parish clerk.
A candidate previously interviewed has expressed renewed interest and has been issued with a contract for their approval. If this is all agreed the new Clerk would commence in post on 1st May.
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To hear an update on the village questionnaire.
BS confirmed that paper copies had been distributed and the deadline for replies extended to the end of March. A total of 42 responses were received before the final closing date.
A working group will now be set up to determine the more detailed questions based on these initial responses.
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To hear any updates on any aspect of the recreation ground including play areas and maintenance.
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Repairs to the play area are taking much longer than hoped for because of the need to develop an approved redesign. Warning tapes have been removed on several occasions by vandals and it has also been observed that even parents supervising their children are still permitting them to use this dangerous equipment.
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Three quotes for replacement of the wood chip surround have been received and a proposal made for a slightly more expensive design using recycled plastic kerbing. This should last a lifetime and avoid the need for future expenditure. Three in favour; BH against.
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Pump Track clearance of tree roots and rubble noted as being completed; the area can now be mown if required.
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New contracts for mowing and bin collection are now operational.
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Uptonogood. BH will speak to organisers of Uptonogood and discuss what they would like for storage of their equipment. BH will then obtain quotes and report back to council.
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The garage door is in need of new locks and weather protection. Quotes to be sought.
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To agree content for next edition of Upton News
Play area repair status; grounds maintenance update; survey update; vacancies.
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Resignation of Councillor Nicola Hall
NH tendered her resignation due to family committemnts. She was thanked for her time on the council and the fresh approach she brought. A casual vacancy will be advertised in the Upton News.
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To confirm the date and venue of the next full council meeting
Next full council meeting will be Wednesday 22nd May 2024 at 8.00pm, in the main hall, Upton Village Hall.
Meeting ended 9.05pm