Upton Village

South Oxfordshire

Minutes of the meeting held 19th March 2025

UPTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the meeting held

19th March 2025

In attendance: Chair Ben Shaw (BS)

Councillors David Beckles (DB) Brendan Heneghan (BH) Chris Seelig (CS) Francoise Yates (FY)

Clerk Lisa Heneghan

  1. Apologies for absence

None received

  1. Declarations of interests relating to this meeting

None received

  1. Emma Watts-Lay co-opted onto the Parish Council

Unanimous vote

  1. Open Forum

No members of the public present

  1. To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on 26th February 2024

The reference to villagers’ names to be removed and replaced with parishioners and as such approved by four. Two abstensions.

  1. Planning

Noted that application P25/V0899/FUL, for development work at Dulcina Newmans Close, has been approved.

  1. To review village matters:

7.1 Village survey is underway. Contract been drawn up with supplier and awaiting signature. Concern about timing and a timeline required that will be signed off. Will need a quick turn around. It may be that villagers will be asked to complete the survey at the APM with a possible further village meeting later in the year.

7.2 So far there has been no interest from villagers in being first aid trained and to commit to being on the village emergency plan. To be recirculated on the WhatsApp group. Emergency Plan to be reviewed.

7.3 DC’s had suggested contacts to approach to be involved in Keep Britain Tidy campaign but no response received. The event has been missed for 2025 but to be reconsidered for 2026

  1. Standing orders, updated in March 2025,

Approved

  1. Finance & Administration

Treasurers Account to 31/02/25 £23,787.76

Business Bank Instant Account to 31/01/25 £12,959.66
Total funds available as at 31/02/25 £36,747.42

9.1 Authorisers for next month’s payments. Bank to be approached as to whether or not CS and FY are able to authorise. Meanwhile BS & DB

    1. Payments made in February approved and noted within budgeted amounts.

    2. Bank reconciliation to end of February 2025 signed off.

    3. An alternative bank has an account exempt of charges for a Council organisation is still being considered.

  1. Updates on any aspect of the recreation ground including play areas and maintenance.

10.1 Repairs made to items in the playground including removing the net tunnel. Next ROSPA inspection is arranged for 27th March. Metal bench to be removed as cost of repairing is prohibitive. This will be done as soon as the ground is dry enough. A new bench will be bought to replace it. 5 voted in favour, one abstension.

10.2 The ladies’ football group, who would like to reinstate weekly use of the football pitch and possible use at weekends will be asked if they can present their wishes at the next Council meeting together with confirmation that they have the hall booked.

10.3 Purchase of a rodent proof container has previously been approved. A container has been sourced which will be purchased subject to SSE being approached to ensure there are no restrictions on placing the container near the transformer. Need to ascertain a delivery vehicle will be able to go across the grass to deliver – not likely to be until the summer. Unanimous decision.

10.4 Nature Garden is being tended and all is growing well. However, it does need someone to take over the project management of the garden since the previous ‘caretaker’ left the village. If someone does not come forward the ultimate result would be the garden being returned to grass. To be an item on the APM agenda.

  1. Progress on IT situation: .gov email and website

Moving all email addresses to the .gov domain can be done easily. There is considerably more to be done for the website. Old pages to be left temporarily and notice given to migrate to new site. Vote taken to move emails to gov.uk as soon as possible. 4 votes in favour. 2 abstensions. Further work continues.

  1. Contributions for Upton News for April agreed

First aiders (repeat) Clerk’s resignation.

  1. To record resignation of the Clerk and hear statement from the Chair

Ben Shaw stated that he will apply for the Clerk’s role and, if successful, will tender his resignation as Chair.

  1. To confirm the date and venue of the next full council meeting

Next full council meeting will be Wednesday 23rd April 2025 at 19.00 in the meeting room, Upton Village Hall.

Meeting declared closed at 22.14