Minutes of the Upton Parish Council meeting held at 7pm on Monday 14^th January 2019

In attendance:- Stuart Fraser (SCF/Chair), Liz Cooper (EC/Clerk), Stuart Norman (SN/Vice Chair),  Brendan Heneghan (BH), Ian Sykes (IS), Cllrs Reg Waite, Janet Shelley, Mike Fox-Davies, Paul Batho.

1. Apologies for absence

Jo Fidgen (JF), Karen Marshall (KM)

2. Declarations of interest

None declared.

3. To receive reports from District & County Councillors – R. Waite / J. Shelley – report attached to these minutes.

M Fox-Davies – report attached to these minutes.

4. To receive a report from the PCSO

Report attached to these minutes. 

5. To approve the minutes of the following meetings:-

UPC   29.11.18 – minutes approved & signed off.

6. Matters Arising and Actions from previous minutes above

EC to contact MF-D re Councillor Priority Fund forms. ACTION EC 

7. Representations from the public

None present. 

8. To discuss Planning Application:-

P18/V3107/FUL

Extension to vestry to provide an accessible WC, St Mary’s Church, Upton

Mr Batho attended the meeting to explain the planning proposal.

The Parish Council voted to ‘Fully Support’ the planning application. 

9. Clerk’s Financial Report & Approve Expenditure

9.1 Reconciled cashbook to 13.01.19 was presented with no queries.

9.2 Expenses & Invoices

• Clerk expenses for the period 30.11.18 to 14.01.19 Total £32.40 – approved for payment.
• Grounds upkeep expenses – none presented.
• Defibrillator cabinet installation £125.62 + VAT – approved for payment

9.3 Invoices / Standing Orders

• Microsoft Office £3.80 – ratified
• HMRC PAYE Monthly SO £41.20 – ratified

10. To agree UPC Precept for 2019/2020

UPC agreed and voted to raise the precept by rpi of 2.2% to £9376.

11. To agree UPC Budget for 2019/2020

UPC agreed the budget as presented.

12. To agree timing of AGM & APM meetings in 2019

UPC agreed the dates and timings of meetings as presented & details are attached to

these minutes.

13. To discuss the following items:-

       13.1 Web site update training

SCF had spoken to Brian Rippon who agreed to provide training. EC to contact BR to arrange training for Clerk and IS.

13.2 Fire damage cover from Came & Co (SN)

SN confirmed cover is included in came & co insurance. SN to investigate what signage may be appropriate to place at entrances to the Upton rec to inform users of ‘no fires’ on rec. ACTION SN

       13.3 Defibrillator unit installation – publicity/communication

SCF confirmed that the defibrillator unit was installed and registered at the village hall.

Upton Parish Council would like to extend its thanks to the Lime walk Gospel Hall Trust, and in particular Mr Stuart Robertson, for their kind donation of the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) unit to the village. Thanks also go to Uptonogood? for paying for the cost of supplying and installation of the cabinet, through money that was historically donated.  Finally, the PC wish to thank UVHAT for allowing the cabinet to be installed to the front of the village hall, and for covering the electricity running costs.

SCF informed the PC that JF would be responsible for PC communications starting with the February Upton News update, which would include the recent installation of the defibrillator at the village hall.

13.4 Stream Road flood defences update

SCF informed the PC that work had been completed in the top part of Stream Road by the District Council to install a pipe to help alleviate flooding in this section of road.

14. To discuss future planning of the Recreation Ground play areas:-

14.1 Play area inspection rota

14.2 Toddler play area old vs new

14.3 Adventure play area pump track resurfacing / running repairs

The PC agreed that responsibilities for all of the above needed to be agreed and SCF

would instigate this outside of the meeting, for confirmation at the next meeting.

15. To discuss Parish Councillor Roles & Responsibilities

15.1 IS agreed to speak to a nominated villager about taking on the play area inspection

rota.

15.2 JF to take on UPC updates for Upton News and to the village. SCF to speak JF.

15.3 Village roads & highways – Stuart Norman

16. AOB

16.1 Parking on the grass at the village hall was raised (in terms of access). SCF to

investigate & report back at the next meeting. ACTION SCF

16.2 It was noted that Stuart Fraser and Karen Marshall will be stepping down from the

PC at the end of April as they have both come to the end of their term.  It was agreed

that two new volunteer parish councillors were needed.

 

   Note:- No decisions can be made under AOB. This is for information only or items for the

next meeting.

   

Date of next meeting:-

Regular Council Meeting, Thursday 21^st March 2019 at 7.00pm in the village   

hall meeting room.

 

 

District Council Notes for Parish Councillors  from Cllr Janet Shelley & Cllr Reg Waite 

Planning Enforcement Investigations:

VE18/99     The Gate House, Reading Road, Upton OX11 9HP

Reported:  20 February 2018

Alleged breach:  House not built in accordance with the approved plan for P16/1903/FUL unauthorised addition of balcony and access.

Case Officer:  Clare Merritt

6 week target date:  3 April 2018

Site visited:  26 February 2018 and 28 March 2018 and 17^th May 2018

Enforcement notice was served.

This was followed by a Planning application reference P18/V1715/HH for installation of oak posts and glass balustrade over flat roof to form balcony to north elevation.  Reconfiguration of window opening to form door providing access to the balcony.

Registered by the Vale on 14^th September 2018.

Consultation – 16^th July – 9^th August 2018.

Target decision date – 10^th September 2018.

Decision – REFUSED on 10^th September 2018 –

Mr K Naylon submitted an APPEAL, reference APPN/V3120/D/18/3215682, under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against the refusal to grant planning permission by the Vale of White Horse District Council. 

This proceeded under the Householder Appeals Service. 

Stuart Willis BA Hons MSc PGCE MRTPI, an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, was duly appointed.

No public hearing held in this case.

During his investigation a site visit was made on 18^th December 2018.

Decision date – 9 January 2019.

The APPEAL has been DISMISSED by the Inspector. 

Modifications to Vale’s Local Plan Part Two:

Subsequent to the notes in our last report, a further letter dated 19 December 2018 was received by the Vale from the Inspector in response to the Vale’s letters dated 20 and 30 November setting out the Council’s response to the concerns in his post hearings letter dated 30 October and enclosing additional evidence relating to transport and air quality.

The Inspector stated he is now satisfied that the examination can progress to the next stage and provided an outline of the Main Modifications to the plan.  In addition to the need to amend the proposals for Dalton Barracks which was dealt with in his earlier letters, the most significant of these modifications is the deletion of the housing allocation of 1,000 dwellings at Harwell Campus, so LPP2 allocations total is 400, referring to planning permission P15/V0575/EZ.

There will be a public consultation early in the year.

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway:

As mentioned in previous notes details on this may be found on the government website – please see the links below –

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/route-announced-to-unlock-full-potential-of-englands-economic-heartland 

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/oxford-to-cambridge-expressway-road-scheme-update 

https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/oxford-to-cambridge-expressway/

We will comment on rumours emanating locally.

Grants for voluntary organisations:

New homes bonus community grants – the second round for new applications is open until noon on 28 February.  Applications can be for a minimum of £1,000 and up to 50% (budget permitting) of the cost of capital and one-off revenue projects benefitting the community

Festival/Event grants – open for applications until 28 February 2019 (budget permitting)

Capital grants -currently closed for new applications

Partnership grants – not accepting applications at present.

Other types of council and partnership funds –

Disabled facilities grants – funding for home adaptations – contact grant team on 01235 422403 for more information.

Business rates relief – how to apply for a reduction in your business rates – contact 0845 300 2839

Energy saving grants –helping you make your home more energy-efficient – contact 0800 107 0044

Home improvement loans – support for changes to your home – contact 01235 422403

Funding advice –

The Vale also works with Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA), who support voluntary and community sector groups and organisations based in Oxfordshire and offer all kinds of advice, including sources of funding and getting fit to fund.  OCVA can be contacted on 01865 251948 or admin@ocva.org.uk

Enquiries for Vale grants can be made by visiting the Vale’s website – www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/grants or telephoning grant team on 01235 422405.

South and Vale Business Awards:

Business owners, managers, leaders and entrepreneurs attended the launch of the business awards at Cornerstone on 31^st October.

Nominations for the 8 categories will be accepted until midnight on 18^th January 2019 or via www.vale4business.com/svba/    Once announced the finalists of each of eight categories will be invited to attend a fabulous awards ceremony at Williams F1 Conference Centre in March next year.

Increased charges to help tackle empty homes problem:

Hundreds of empty homes in southern Oxfordshire could be brought back into use as a result of increased charges proposed by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.

The two councils are set to increase the amount of council tax that property owners must pay on homes which are left empty for more than two years, with an even greater premium after five years and the years unoccupied.

Currently there are more than 300 long-term empty properties across the two districts.  With a significant housing shortage, having these homes available again would provide a boost for families who are struggling to find suitable properties to rent or buy.

In 2013 the councils introduced the current premium of 50% additional council tax on long-term empty properties.  This measure has helped to significantly reduce the number of long-term empty homes, dropping from 504 to 183 in South and 136 in the Vale.  The councils now want to target the remaining dwellings and believe that increasing the premium will encourage even more owners to bring their homes into use.

The two councils are proposing that the premium will be as follows –

• from 1 April 2019 – 100% additional council tax on properties which are empty for 2 or more years
• from 1 April 2020 – 200% additional council tax on properties which are empty for 5 or more years
• from 1 April 2021 – 300% additional council tax on properties which are empty for 10 or more years

Thames Water Consultation:

The Vale responded to Thames Water’s consultation on their draft Water Resources Management Plan 2019.

In its letter the Vale has stated that they would like to see a public inquiry to ensure correct processes have been followed in Thames Water’s decision to propose a reservoir and that all of the implications of such a large structure has been fully assessed and explored to the appropriate detail.

They have requested more detailed impact assessments on the environment, highways and landscape to demonstrate that other alternatives have been properly explored.

Didcot Garden Town looks forward to the future:

The Nominated Didcot Garden Town Board met last month to discuss the best way to set up the board for long term and how it will move from the vision phase to delivery of the plan.

The nominated board is currently made up from Oxfordshire County, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Homes England.

The board’s long-term aim will be to look at how to enable individual garden town projects to go ahead and to make the best use of the county’s infrastructure funds from the government.  It will also help include garden town principles for new homes and much-needed infrastructure to Didcot and the surrounding villages.

The nominated board seeks to simplify its structure and form three ‘sounding boards’ made up of parish councils, businesses and community groups to help members make their recommendations.  Other ideas, pilot studies and projects will be discussed at public events to help the future board form its plans.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, who chaired the Nominated Didcot Garden Town Board meeting, said “This is an exciting time for Didcot and the surrounding villages – through the garden town work we’re able to unlock the true potential of the area, with both exciting and innovative projects, and with funding for much-needed infrastructure – this will enable housing growth in a way that benefits the whole area.  We’re looking forward to listening to local residents and working with them as we move forward.”

It was proposed that members of the board will meet quarterly and make their recommendations on future developments at each meeting.  Once officially formed, board meetings will be open to the public and minutes made available.  The nominated board members plan to meet in February to review a revised board structure and formally create a Didcot Garden Town Advisory Board.

Vale Leader’s Report to Council Meeting on 12^th December 2018:

A full report was released on 13^th December and can be found on the Vale’s website. 

South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2034 – have your say 7 January – 18 February 2019:

SODC has been working on a new Local Plan to shape the future of their district.  Following extensive consultation and gathering of evidence, they have now prepared an updated Local Plan which they are ready to publish prior to it being submitted to independent examination.

Before they submit the plan for examination, they are carrying out a six-week publicity period, and are hosting a series of drop-in events at 11 venues across the district, the first of which is being held in Didcot at the Cornerstone Arts Centre on Thursday, 17^th January from 3pm to 7pm.

Further details can be obtained from their website.

You can provide comments using the prescribed form before 5pm on 18 February 2019.  Responses can be made in one of the following ways:

• Complete their online comment form http://survey.southandvale.gov.uk/s/LocalPlan2034/?m=34909539jnmhj
• download a comment form from their website and email the completed version to policy@southoxon.gov.uk
• collect a comment form from one of the locations and post it to Planning Policy, SODC, 125 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4SB; or
• attend one of their drop-in events

Oxfordshire Growth Board:

Last week Oxford Growth Board issued a press release – “Oxfordshire organisations provide exciting visions for county’s future.”

Further details can be found from their website www.oxfordshiregrowthboard.org

 

REPORT TO UPTON PARISH COUNCIL JANUARY 2019 FROM CLLR MIKE FOX-DAVIES

GENERAL OCC REPORT 

BUDGET PROPOSALS 

Tough decisions taken since 2010 have created a route to financial stability at OCC as the council plans to set its 2019/20 budget at a time when all councils face financial challenges. The main budget proposals are:

• Investment of almost £6m by 2023 to increase care packages to meet assessed needs for adults with learning and physical disabilities. (Adult Social Care)
• An increase of £5.8m is proposed to be added to the budget in 2022/23 in adult social care to meet projected increased need as a result of the aging population. The council’s existing planning up to 2021/22 already includes provision for budget increases of £5.0m in 2019/20 and 2020/21 and £5.6m in 2021/22. (Adult Social Care)
• Invest £3.2m up to 2023 (£800,000 per year) to support the increasing number of children qualifying for school transport – in particular children with special educational needs. (Children, Education and Families)
• Invest £17m to support the predicted increasing numbers of children in care, including more permanent care staff (Children, Education and Families)

With regard to Council Tax, the council’s plan – agreed at the last budget in February 2018 – to raise Council Tax by 2.99 per cent in 2019/20 and 1.99 per cent in the years thereafter remains the same in the new budget proposals. However, funding for local government beyond 2020 is currently uncertain, with councils waiting for funding decisions from central government which will not be known until late 2019. 

DELIVERING AN OLDER PEOPLE’S STRATEGY FOR OXFORDSHIRE 

Living longer and living better is the drive behind a new Older People’s Strategy for Oxfordshire.

The strategy sets out how OCC and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group will deliver a positive future for the county’s older population. It was developed following feedback over a three-month period. Residents, health and charity organisations, professionals, businesses, the public sector and community groups were engaged in the strategy development so it could be grounded in what people tell us matters most to them. The strategy’s vision and priorities were specifically co-produced with a wide range of people whose work and lives it affects. The strategy will be used to inform the planning, commissioning and delivery of services across Oxfordshire and will be monitored by the Better Care Fund Joint Management Group reporting to the Health and Wellbeing Board. To read the strategy and have your say online visit here https://consult.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk/consult.ti/OPLLLB/consultationHome or request a paper copy of the strategy by calling 01865 334638. The closing date for comments is Feb 1, 2019.

DAYTIME SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY GRANT AWARDS 

Twenty-nine organisations have been recommended to receive grants from the county council’s adult social care Sustainability Fund. The fund was established last year as part of measures designed to enable the ongoing delivery of daytime support services in Oxfordshire. A grant pot of £250,000 was approved for 2019/20 and community and voluntary organisations were invited to apply for the fund between September 12 and November 2. To allocate the funding to as many organisations as possible, a panel of county councillors and people representing daytime services recommended that a maximum level of 70 per cent of the amount awarded in 2018/19 should be made where applicable. Among those services recommended for funding are Day Break Oxford (£50,000), Age UK (£27,500), October Club (£14,000) and Aspire (£12,500). Applications totalling £244,847 went before Cabinet on December 18.

SEND SUFFICIENCY STRATEGY GAINS APPROVAL

Plans to create significant new provision for Oxfordshire children with special educational needs (SEND) have been agreed by councillors, with a £15m investment set to create 300 new places which will involve a major rebuild for Northfield School in Oxford. The county council has conducted a wide-ranging review of its special educational needs provision in light of the large increases in the numbers of children with such needs entering the educational system in recent years and the forecast for continued increases in the future. The rebuild of Northfield School would be accompanied by a new school at Bloxham Grove in North Oxfordshire (due to open in 2020) and at Valley Park, Didcot (target date 2023) as part of a free school application process. At a national level, the Department for Education will be rolling out a new assessment approach for pupils with complex disabilities, from 2020. DfE has said “The statutory assessment will replace P scales 1 to 4 and will be based on the ‘7 aspects of engagement’, an assessment approach that focuses on pupils abilities in specific areas like awareness, curiosity and anticipation”. A guidance and training package will be developed and delivered to schools, local authorities, Ofsted and parents prior to programme roll out.

£10 MILLION PROGRAMME DELIVERING ROAD REPAIRS GETS £7M BOOST

Journeys on Oxfordshire’s roads have already been significantly improved in recent months thanks to an extra £10million being spent by OCC this year on repairing and improving road surfaces. Government announced in November that OCC would get £7.4 in additional funding to top-up this activity. A range of different methods of road repair and sealing are used to extend the life of county roads and reduce the likelihood of potholes forming which include resurfacing, patching, Dragon-patching and surface dressing.

OCC WELCOMES GOVERNMENT’S WASTE STRATEGY

OCC has welcomed the government’s new Waste and Resources Strategy for England, describing it as “ambitious”, with the potential to “transform the way that waste is viewed and managed.” Key points within the strategy include:

• Introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers to improve the amount recycled when out and about (known as ‘on the go’ recycling)
• Improved and extended redistribution of surplus food from businesses, and mandatory food waste collections from businesses and households.
• A national recycling target of 65 percent by 2035 (current national recycling rate is 45 percent)

OCC is committed to protecting the local environment as part of its Thriving Communities initiative. 

OCC BEST PERFORMING COUNTY COUNCIL IN ENGLAND FOR ITS RECYCLING RATE

Oxfordshire has been named the best performing county council waste disposal authority in England for its recycling rates during 2017/18. The success reflects OCC’s commitment to work with districts to protect the environment. Figures published on Tuesday 11 December by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) show that Oxfordshire is the highest performing disposal authority, ahead of Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.

Oxfordshire is ‘top of the pops’ in two categories:

• The highest proportion of waste which is reused, recycled and composted (57.2%)
• The lowest amount of general waste (non-recyclable waste) produced per household (430kg).

All Oxfordshire Councils recycled over 50% in 2017/18, (the national recycling rate is 45%). The county has seven Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) that provide recycling facilities for a wide range of items, from batteries to clothes, fridges to plastic garden furniture. They accept over 350 different waste streams, recycling around 60% of the waste accepted.

For further information about Oxfordshire County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres, visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/waste

 

 

Minutes of the Upton Parish Council meeting held at 7pm on Thursday 29^th November 2018.

In attendance:- Stuart Fraser (SCF/Chair), Liz Cooper (EC/Clerk), Stuart Norman (SN/Vice Chair), Jo Fidgen (JF), Brendan Heneghan (BH), Ian Sykes (IS), Cllr Reg Waite, Cllr Mike Fox-Davies

1. Apologies for absence.

Karen Marshall, Janet Shelley

2. Declarations of interest

No declarations were made.

3. To receive reports from District & County Councillors
4. Waite – see report attached below

M Fox-Davies – see report attached below. MFD to forward information regarding the Councillor Priority Fund to the Clerk (note received 30.11.18).

4. To receive a report from the PCSO

No report received.

5. To approve the minutes of the following meetings:-

UPC   17.09.18 – Minutes approved

UPCX 31.10.18 – Minutes approved

6. To go through any Matters Arising and Actions from previous minutes above

SN updated the PC on his work on a risk assessment of lighting fires on land belonging to the Parish Council. SN will give a further update at the next full meeting.

7. To hear representations from the public

Mike Brown attended prior to the meeting to hand over donations to the PC totalling £75 in cheques.  The Parish Council thanked Mike Brown for the donation. 

8. To hear Clerk’s Financial Report & Approve Expenditure

8.1 The updated payments and receipt to 26.11.18 were circulated in advance.

8.2 Expenses & Invoices (to be paid)

–      Clerk expenses for the period 18.09.18 to 29.11.18 Total £63.95 – approved.

• Grounds upkeep expenses £37.16 – approved.

8.3 Expenses & Invoices (paid, to be ratified)

–      Defibrillator cabinet £834 inc VAT – ratified

–      Microsoft Office £3.80 x 3 paid by SO (September, October, November) – ratified

–     HMRC PAYE April-September 2018 £256.58 paid in November – ratified

– Monthly SO set up £41.20 from November- ratified

9. To discuss & agree UPC Budget for 2019/2020 (circulated 16.10.18)

SCF requested changes to the reserve element of the budget. Otherwise the budget was agreed in principle by those present. Also suggested budget meeting between SCF, SN & Clerk. Clerk to arrange. ACTION Clerk

10. To agree the updated Standing Orders for UPC (circulated 10.8.18)

SCF had further amendments to the SOs and would email these to the Clerk. ACTION SCF

11. To agree UPC Planning Application Procedures (circulated 08.10.18)

       SCF suggested amendments to the above & would email these to the Clerk. ACTION SCF

12. To agree timing of AGM & APM meetings in 2019 (email 24.9.18 refers)

It was agreed to keep the meetings on the dates currently arranged and confirm

nearer the time. (AGM 18^th May, APM 12^th April 2019)

13. To discuss the following items:-

       13.1 Cranford School advertising in Upton

The council agreed that the advertising should be removed. SCF confirmed 3.12.18

that advertising had been removed.

       13.2 Web site update training

SCF to arrange a time with Brian Rippon for this training, to be attended by the

Clerk and IS, preferably in the evening after 6.30pm. ACTION SCF

13.3 High Sheriff Awards

For information only. Already forwarded to M Brown for information.

13.4 Bus changes through village

For information only.

13.5 White line road markings through the village (particularly junction of High

Street & Church  Street). SCF reported that he had met with 3 residents of High

Street and Mark Francis from County Council Highways.  It was agreed for road

markings at the junction of High Street and Church Street to be re-laid as a matter

of priority  with a view to the road markings in the rest of the village being re-laid

in the next financial year.

13.6 Dog bin in Church Street

SCF reported that after discussions with the District Waste Team a dog bin with

weekly collection will be installed in Church Street with no charges to the Parish

Council. The installation will happen in the New Year.

13.7 Stream Road drainage

SCF  was pleased to report that work will go ahead, hopefully before Christmas, to

improve the drainage at the top part of Stream Road.  A new pipe will be laid to

connect the existing pipe outlet to the culvert running under Stream Road.  The

water has currently been running as a small stream in wet conditions in the dip by

the side of Stream Road.  The works should greatly reduce the risk of flooding to

properties on the lower side of Stream Road near the junction of Orchard Close.

13.8 SSE Pole Installation

The Wayleave consent form was signed by SCF. Clerk to send to SSE. ACTION Clerk

14. To hear an update on the Recreation Ground Activity:-

14.1 Inspection Rota – KM carried forward.

14.2 RoSPA report action following findings (circulated 6.8.18)

The council discussed the most pressing requirements of play area equipment. It was agreed to apply for Councillor Priority Fund this year and next year to help fund repairs and replacement equipment. MF-D to send forms to Clerk. Clerk to send forms to PC. ACTION Clerk

15. AOB

SCF confirmed that he had the defibrillator unit and cabinet & would liaise with the electrician regarding installation.   The Parish Council would like to thank Lime Walk Gospel Hall Trust for their very generous donation of the defibrillator unit.

ACTION SCF

JF said she would take over the PC update of Upton News from January 2019.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.   

Date of next meeting:-

Regular Council Meeting, Monday 14^th January 2019 at 7.00pm in the village hall meeting room.

 

REPORT TO UPTON PARISH COUNCIL NOVEMBER 2018 FROM CLLR MIKE FOX-DAVIES 

GENERAL OCC REPORT

IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER OCC CREWS ARE OUT REPAIRING THE ROADS

Earlier this year OCC put an extra £10m into fixing the roads – effectively doubling the amount of money invested in repairs – and crews are out and about every day in all types of weather doing the job. Their work has already resulted in £1.6m worth of surface dressing with around 33km of roads being surfaced. Work is also under way on a £700,000 programme of surfacing sealing projects around the county. As well as the extra cash which is going into some larger projects, the county council has also increased the amount of relatively small-scale work it does to put right local roads that are suffering from potholes, cracks and worn out tarmac. The number of completed defect repairs between January and September this year is 35,127.

SALTING, GRITTING AND SNOW CLEARANCE

OCC is committed to keeping the network of major roads free from ice to minimise the risk of accidents and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Precautionary salting (sometimes called ‘gritting’) helps achieve this aim. OCC usually salts between 2 November and 5 April. Live updates can be found here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/street-maintenance-z/salting-and-snow-clearance Details about how community groups can request salt bins can be found here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/street-maintenance-z/salt-and-grit-bins

COUNCIL TO INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE & REDUCE RUNNING COSTS

Plans to completely overhaul the county council were given the go-ahead by the county council’s Cabinet on 16 October. They agreed a major investment in digital technology to improve customer service and reduce council running costs. The redesigned council will enable residents to report faults or book appointments online, freeing up staff time to help to service users who cannot go online or have complex care needs. Staff will be given the tools they need to do a better job and spend more time on delivering services to residents. Outdated ICT systems make it hard to join up services and will be replaced, with admin tasks automated to save money and make the council run more smoothly. The changes will support the county council’s long-term vision of ‘thriving communities for everyone in Oxfordshire’. The redesign is also needed to secure the council’s long-term financial stability as demand for services continues to rise – particularly for children and adult social care.

OCC TRADING STANDARDS & POLICE CONDUCT OPERATION ROGUE TRADER 

Rogue traders and aggressive doorstep sellers were targeted during October by OCC Trading Standards as part of ongoing work to protect residents and business people. Working in collaboration with Thames Valley Police, Operation Rogue Trader aims to stop rogue business practices and raise awareness of the dangers linked to hiring cold-callers. Fourteen Trading Standards staff and around 30 police travelled around the county when 67 traders were approached and checked; ten warning letters were issued; five waste offenders were fined by district councils; and an overloaded vehicle was investigated along with seven doorstep crime offences and two police offences. In Henley four traders were checked; three warning letters were issued to traders for not providing ‘cancellation rights’ to residents; and there were three offences for carrying waste without a licence. In Witney 11 traders were checked; and two warning letters issued to traders for not providing ‘cancellation rights’ to residents. Those who suspect someone of being a rogue trader, or find themselves accosted by uninvited doorstep sellers should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506.

BOOST FOR A ‘FULL FIBRE’ FUTURE IN OXFORDSHIRE

Hundreds of businesses and homes across Oxfordshire are set to benefit from faster internet connections, following the launch of the UK Government’s nationwide Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS). The £67m investment is in addition to the £200m allocated to the Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) programme, and will provide future-proof full fibre connections for businesses and the residential communities around them. It follows a successful pilot scheme launched in four areas around the country late last year, which has already seen nearly 1,000 vouchers used up to date. ThinkBroadband statistics show that 8% of homes and businesses in Oxfordshire already have a full fibre internet connection. Superfast broadband reaches almost 97% of premises, and even-quicker ultrafast broadband covers 51.3% of the county. The vouchers, worth up to £3,000 for a SME and £500 for a resident, provide a one-off contribution to subsidise the installation cost of gigabit-capable infrastructure. In addition to providing a boost to the 95% of the UK that can already get superfast speeds (24Mbps or faster), the vouchers could also help those not yet able to do so, helping to narrow the diminishing digital divide even further. The scheme launched at the end of March 2018 and will run until March 2021 or until all available funding has been allocated. For more information visit https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/.

CARERS CAN SHOW BADGE FOR A FREE JAB

Flu season is coming and the army of front line carers across Oxfordshire are being urged to make having a free jab a key priority. More than 8,500 staff employed in residential care, nursing homes or with registered domiciliary care providers, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable people, are entitled to a free flu jab. Keeping this valuable workforce fit and well is essential to easing winter pressures across the county’s health and social care system. Being immunised not only reduces the chances of carers themselves and their families becoming unwell, it also means that the health of the most vulnerable people in Oxfordshire’s communities is not compromised. The flu is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect an individual’s health and the risks of developing complications are greater for people within the ‘at-risk’ groups – for example the over 65s and those with medical conditions like heart, lung and kidney diseases, diabetes, asthma and multiple sclerosis. Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days, but for some influenza can lead to a stay in hospital, permanent disability or even death. All workers across the NHS will get flu jabs – meaning the immunisation of the whole health and social care workforce will make the system more resilient. As well as workers in social care settings, anyone who receives a carers allowance, or is the main carer for an elderly or disabled person, is eligible for a free vaccination; all they have to do is present their ID badge to a pharmacist or GP surgery.

Upton Parish Council

District Council Notes for Parish Councillors on Thursday, 29^th November 2018 from Cllr Janet Shelley & Cllr Reg Waite

Apologies:

Cllr Janet Shelley regrets she is unable to attend as she is summoned to another meeting and conveys her sincere apologies.

Planning Enforcement Investigations:

VE18/99The Gate House, Reading Road, Upton OX11 9HP

Reported:  20 February 2018

Alleged breach:  House not built in accordance with the approved plan for P16/1903/FUL unauthorised addition of balcony and access.

Case Officer:  Clare Merritt

6 week target date:  3 April 2018

Site visited:  26 February 2018 and 28 March 2018 and 17^th May 2018

Enforcement notice served – awaiting response from Case Officer.

However, this has now been followed by an Appeal application reference P18/V1715/HH for installation of oak posts and glass balustrade over flat roof to form balcony to north elevation.  Reconfiguration of window opening to form door providing access to the balcony.  Date and venue of hearing will be advised in due course but within 8 weeks of the appeal start date.

This planning application P18/V1715/HH was received by the Vale on 5^th July 2018.

Registered by the Vale on 14^th September 2018.

Consultation – 16^th July – 9^th August 2018.

Target decision date – 10^th September 2018

Decision – REFUSED on 10^th September 2018 –

Decision letter addressed to Mr K Naylor on 10^th September 2018.

Quote from decision letter  – “….planning permission is REFUSED for the carrying out of the development referred to above for the following reason(s):

1, By reason of the position and extent of the balcony proposed, the development would be intrusive and unneighbourly and be detrimental to the privacy and amenity of occupants of the neighbouring property, Upton Lodge Cottage, contrary to saved policy DC9 of the Vale of White Horse Local Plan 2011, emerging policy DP23 of the Vale of White Horse Local Plan 2031 Part 2 and design guide principal DG64 and relevant paragraphs of the NPPF.”

Modifications to Vale’s Local Plan Part Two:

Released on November 13, 2018

Vale of White Horse district councillors will be voting on a proposed response to the Planning Inspector relating to part two of the council’s Local Plan in the coming weeks.

Following on from the plan’s public hearing sessions in July and September, the Planning Inspector wrote to the council asking for confirmation as to their preferred approach to the proposed site allocation at Dalton Barracks.

The Inspector also made it clear that modifications would be needed to allow the plan to progress and that he would advise on these in due course. Modifications following examination are a normal part of the Local Plan making process.

In terms of Dalton Barracks, the original draft of the document proposed the allocation of a site of 1,200 homes at the military base near Abingdon

The base will be decommissioned by the MOD during the life of the Local Plan, which extends to 2031. The original plan also acknowledged that in the longer-term the site could accommodate up to 4,500 homes and so the Council suggested removing the whole site from the Green Belt to enable any future development in the longer-term.

The Inspector explained he felt there wasn’t currently sufficient evidence to remove the whole site from the Green Belt and outlined three options for proceeding. Vale of White Horse planning policy officers are recommending modifying the plan, so it only removes enough land for the 1,200 homes that are covered by the evidence provided as part of this plan.

The council’s Cabinet will vote on the recommendation on 16 November to make a recommendation to the full Council meeting on 19 November.

Cllr Roger Cox, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “The Cabinet and Council will be making a decision based on our officers’ recommendations. In due course, residents, businesses and other organisations will get a chance to comment on the modifications we make to the plan.”

Note for editors

Part one of the Vale’s Local Plan was adopted in December 2016.  It was submitted for independent examination in February 2018.  Part two deals with detailed policies, and also identifies additional sites to help the council meet its duty to support Oxford City Council with its unmet need for housing development.

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway:

As mentioned in last month’s notes detail on this may be found on the government website – please see the links below –

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/route-announced-to-unlock-full-potential-of-englands-economic-heartland

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/oxford-to-cambridge-expressway-road-scheme-update

https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/oxford-to-cambridge-expressway/

Planning application P18/V1826/RM for erection of Healthcare Site in Sir Frank Williams Drive, Harwell:

Consultation period on this planning application P18/V1826/RM expired on Friday, 9^th November.

There are concerns relating to overdevelopment, insufficient parking, impact on street scene and un-neighbourliness relating to dumping of rubbish, which already exists in the area.

Money available for community events at Christmas and in the New Year:

Groups in the Vale looking to hold an event in the run up to Christmas (and beyond) are being encouraged to apply for grant funding from the district council.

The Vale has more than £6,000 available to support festivals and events organised by non-profit community organisations.

Grants of up to £1,000 per application are available – they can cover up to 75 per cent of the total costs of staging an event that is open to the local community with at least 100 people due to attend.

Enquiries can be made by visiting the Vale’s website – www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/grants

South and Vale Business Awards:

Business owners, managers, leaders and entrepreneurs attended the launch of the business awards at Cornerstone on 31^st October.

Nominations for the 8 categories will be accepted until midnight on 18^th January 2019 or via www.vale4business.com/svba/  Once announced the finalists of each of eight categories will be invited to attend a fabulous awards ceremony at Williams F1 Conference Centre in March next year.

Call for review of ‘affordable housing’ definition:

Following a motion at the Vale’s Council meeting on Wednesday, 10^th October, Cllr Roger Cox, Leader, has written to the Secretary of State for Housing Community and Local Government to request a review of the definition of ‘affordable housing’ and is strongly urging government to consider a more regional based approach to affordable housing which could reflect local circumstances and salaries.

Purple Tuesday – accessible shopping day:

Please help spread the word to local retailers over the coming months that Purple Tuesday took place today, Tuesday, 13 November.

This special day aims to encourage shops across the country to make shopping more inclusive and accessible for disabled customers.

You can find out more information about Purple Tuesday and let your local independent shops know, they can get some guidance on how to make their property more accessible by going to www.purpletuesday.org.uk

District Community Building, Great Western Park – planning application P17/V0845/RM

The District Community Centre is located within the Vale on GWP development opposite the Station Garden pub/pizza restaurant.

A ground-breaking ceremony marking the commencement of the construction of this centre has been arranged by Taylor Wimpey for 21^st November at 2.00pm.

This centre will be 900 sq.m (much larger than the existing Northern Community Building in Didcot on GWP measuring 168 sq.m) will consist of foyer and community café/coffee bar, kitchen, reception, office, main hall, ancillary hall, large room, meeting room, 2 interview rooms, creche, creche secure outside space, stores, WCs, police office, plant rooms and parking.

Completion date is expected to be around September/October 2019.

A further Southern Community Building on GWP – planning application P18/S2086/RM – will be sited in East Hagbourne and planned completion is around June/July 2019.  This will be approximately 330 sq.m and comprise a hall, kitchen, 2 meeting rooms, WCs, stores, associated outdoor space and parking.

FREE swimming for a month for people with diabetes:

Residents of southern Oxfordshire (the Vale and South Oxfordshire) who have diabetes can sign up for a month’s FREE swimming thanks to  a special offer from the Vale and SODC.

This month’s offer is to coincide with World Diabetes on 14 November.

Would-be swimmers will need to register for the offer by emailing participation@@southandvale.gov.uk or by calling 01235 422219.  Once confirmation is received the month-long swim will commence from the date of the first swim.

The scheme is part of the district councils’ GO Active Get Healthy county-wide programme to support people with diabetes into physical activity.

Valley Park Development:

At very short notice, Taylor Wimpey organised a Public Exhibition for the first phase of this development of 4,254 homes on Thursday, 22^nd November, from 4.00pm to 7.00pm at Taylor Wimpey’s former GWP sales office, Sir Frank Williams Avenue, Didcot OX11 6AB.  Cllr Reg Waite attended that one and raised a number of questions.

A further Public Exhibition is to be held on Tuesday, 4^th December from 4.00pm to 7.00pm at the same venue. Please attend if possible because your views and comments are important.

If unable to attend, please visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/valley park

Renewable workshops:

Councillors, local town and parish councillors and neighbourhood planning groups were invited to the renewal energy workshop which took place on Wednesday, 21 November from 1pm – 4pm in association with the Centre for Sustainable Energy.

The workshop included identifying potential energy resources, expressing support for specific forms of renewable energy, identifying suitable sites and promoting a more sustainable future.  We were unable to attend but understand it was beneficial to those who went along.  Was Upton PC represented – if so, your feedback would be welcomed.

Vale offices in Milton Park – Christmas closure:

Offices will be shut at the end of the day on Friday, 21st December and will not open again until Wednesday, 2nd January.

Free parking in December:

The Vale’s District Council-owned car parks are FREE on the following dates –

• Abingdon – Saturdays from 1 December
• Faringdon – Saturdays from 1 December
• Wantage – Fridays from 30 November

Car parking is also free at South Oxfordshire District Council-owned car parks in the run-up to Christmas, on the following days:

• Didcot – Mondays from 3 December
• Goring – Saturdays from 1 December
• Henley – Tuesdays from 4 December
• Thame – Saturdays from 1 December
• Wallingford – Thursdays from 6 December

WARNING – Please note that the Rye Farm Commercial car park, Abingdon is closed until further notice.

JS & RWW 28 November 2018

Minutes of an extraordinary meeting of Upton Parish Council held on Wednesday 31st October 2018 in the Upton village hall meeting room.

Present: Stuart Fraser (SCF/Chair), Liz Cooper (EC/Clerk), Karen Marshall (KM), Stuart Norman (SN), Ian Sykes (IS) 

1. Apologies for absence

Brendan Heneghan, Jo Fidgen

2. Co-opt a new parish councillor

Ian Sykes was proposed, seconded and co-opted as a parish councillor. Ian duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took away the Register of Interests document for completion prior to the next meeting.

3. Declarations of Interest

None.

4. To consider the following planning application:-

P18/V12839/HH

Norton House, Chilton Road, Upton. Single storey and 2 storey rear extension. Dining room extension with extension to bedroom over, to front of house.

Amendments to plans.

Deadline 12noon on 5^th November 2018

The Parish Council voted unanimously ‘No Objections’ to this amended application.

6. AOB

Note:- No decisions can be made under AOB. This is for information only or items for the next meeting.

 

The meeting closed at 7.31pm. 

      Date of next meeting:- Thursday 29^th November 2018, 7.00pm in the village hall

      meeting room.

Minutes of the meeting of Upton Parish Council held at 7pm on Monday 17^th September 2018 in the village hall meeting room.

In attendance :- Stuart Norman (SN/Vice chair), Liz Cooper (EC/Clerk), Karen Marshall (KM), Brendan Heneghan (BH), Janet Shelley (District Councillor/JS)

1. Apologies for absence.

Stuart Fraser, PCSO Gary Kirby, Reg Waite, Mike Fox-Davies

2. Declarations of interest.

None declared.

3. Reports from District & County Councillors

JS – talked through the key points of her report (see below).

EC highlighted items of note from M Fox-Davies report (see below).

4. Report from the PCSO

Circulated 10.9.18 (details below).

5. The minutes of the following meetings were approved

– UPCX 20.08.18 (note there are no minutes for this meeting as it was not quorate).

– UPC   30.07.18

6. Matters Arising and Actions from previous minutes

JF asked if meeting days/times could be changed to make it easier for councillors who do not work locally to attend. EC stated that dates and times could be flexible and with the agreement of the council, agreed to look at future meeting dates.

UPC agreed for JF to laminate a minimum of 5 of each of the two designs for the A4 ‘rubbish’ posters to be displayed around the rec.

JF is still investigating whether a dog poo bin or standard bin (that also takes dog poo) that will be emptied on a regular basis would be best.

SN to obtain fire safety guidelines as they pertain to an area such as the Upton rec – carried forward to the next meeting.

EC to check details for the free sapling as discussed at the last meeting.

UPC agreed that the cushionfall for the children’s play area should be delivered on the afternoon of 28^th September, with villagers invited to help with the distribution. EC to liaise with contractor and MB for villager notification.

Clerk’s note:- Delivery arranged for the afternoon of 28.9.18 (c1pm) and MB volunteer notice sent 21.9.18.

7. Representations from the public

Ian Sykes attended the meeting.

8. Planning Applications

8.1 The Barn, High Street, Upton

P18/V1917/DIS

Discharge of conditions (many) of planning permission P15/V2407/LB

No PC response required.

P18/V1923/FUL

Variation of condition 2 on P15/V2406/FUL

UPC voted No Objections to this application.

P18/V1921/HH

Proposed detached garage with ancillary accommodation above & hardstanding. Proposed new 1.66mh facing brickwork boundary wall to front of site.

UPC voted to Object to this application for the following reasons:-

1. The height of the garage – over dominating.
2. The brick wall – use of hedges is more in keeping with the village.

P18/V2212/LB

Proposed internal alternations, varying from P15/V2407/LB

UPC voted No Objections to this application.

P18/V1922/LB

UPC voted to object to this application on the basis it was objecting to P18/V1921/HH above.

 

8.2 P18/V2119/FUL

Braeside (now The Burrow), Orchard Close, Upton. Replacement dwelling & garaging; works there to.

UPC voted No Objections to this application.

8.3 P18/V1839/HH

Norton House, Chilton Road, Upton. Single storey & two storey rear extension. Dining room extension with extension to bedroom over, to front of house.

UPC voted No Objections to this application, but noted the existing covenant raised by the neighbour.

9. Clerk’s Financial Report & Approve Expenditure

9.1 Updated cashbook report to 14.09.18 – presented by EC. Noted that 2^nd half of

precept had been received.

9.2 Expenses & Invoices (to be paid)

–      To agree payment of Clerk’s working from home allowance

UPC agreed unanimously to the payment of £18pm.

• Clerk expenses for the period 31.07.18 to 17.09.18 Total £93.60 (inc payment from home allowance backdated to April 2018).
• Grounds upkeep expenses £72.95 (12.5.18 – 16.9.18) payment agreed.
• 8.18 , Microsoft Office 365 (by SO) , £3.80

9.3 Expenses & Invoices (paid, to be ratified)

–    RoSPA playground inspection £201.60 inc VAT (paid online 8.8.18)

This payment was ratified by the council.

10. To agree the updated Standing Orders for UPC (circulated 10.8.18)

       UPC asked for the SOs to be re-sent for further consideration.

Clerk’s note:- SOs emailed 21.9.18.

11. To agree UPC Councillor new email addresses

Councillors were requested to set up outlook email addresses in the format given

By the end of September. SCF will assist with this if required.

12. To agree which defib cabinet to be purchased

UPC agreed on the purchase of ‘3000’ cabinet at a cost of £695 + VAT. EC to obtain details from SCF and action purchase. 

13. To hear an update on the Recreation Ground Activity:-

13.1 Inspection Rota – KM agreed to speak to Duncan Reid regarding this.

13.2 RoSPA report findings (circulated 6.8.18) – UPC agreed to all view the element

highlighted in the report on the afternoon of 28.9.18 at 7pm if not earlier.

14. Siting of SSE pole in corner of rec

UPC unanimously ratified this decision.

15. AOB

Note:- No decisions can be made under AOB. This is for information only or items for the next meeting.

The Clerk informed UPC of a planning application for Flett Cottage which had been received, but did not need PC input because the proposal was within permitted boundaries.

Meeting finished at 8.45pm.  

   Date of next meeting:-

   Regular Council Meeting, Thursday 29^th November 2018 at 7.00pm pm in the village 

   hall meeting room.

 

Upton Parish Council

District Notes for Parish Councillors on Monday, 17^th September 2018

from Cllr Janet Shelley & Cllr Reg Waite  

Planning Enforcement Investigations:

VE18/99    The Gate House, Reading Road, Upton OX11 9HP

Reported:  20 February 2018

Alleged breach:  House not built in accordance with the approved plan for P16/1903/FUL unauthorised addition of balcony and access.

Case Officer:  Clare Merritt

Site visited:  26 February 2018 and 28 March 2018 and 17^th May 2018

6 week target date:  3 April 2018

Enforcement notice served.

Local Plan Part 2:

The Inspector’s examination and questions on several matters, including the proposed development of 1,000 dwellings in Harwell Campus, was undertaken in The Beacon, Wantage last week.

Cllr Reg Waite attended the lengthy Inspector’s examination on matter 7 – Harwell Campus as an observer.  This lasted for 6 hours – from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Kitchen Waste:

The Vale can now collect and recycle your used cooking oil as part of our food waste service.

Oil is collected every week.  After cooking, any left-over oil can be allowed to cool before being poured into a plastic bottle no bigger than a 1 litre size.  The bottle and contents can then be placed into your kerbside food waste caddy along with other food waste and put out for the weekly collection.

The oil is highly calorific and so makes a lot of energy.  In fact, one litre of used cooking oil can generate enough electricity to make 240 cups of tea! 

More residents satisfied with council’s work – but work still to be done:

More residents are satisfied with the Vale Council’s work and almost three-quarters believe the services it provides are ‘good’, according to a survey.

Researchers spoke to 1,100 residents across the Vale for the Council’s Residents’ Survey, which is carried out from time to time to help the council identify priorities and shape the way it works, as well as providing information about residents’ attitudes and satisfaction rates.

Seventy -nine per cent said they were satisfied with how the council runs things.  This is up by seven per cent since 2015 when the council carried out its last Residents’ Survey.

More residents also felt the council did a ‘good’ job for people like them – up by five per cent to 69 % – and trust in the council remaining high with 83 per cent saying they trusted the council ‘a great deal’ or ‘fair amount’.

However, there was a drop in satisfaction in some areas.  This includes providing value for money – down by eight per cent to 61%, which is in line with national trend.  Despite the decrease, satisfaction remains higher than the national average, which has ranged from 47 to 56 per cent over the last five years, according to the Local Government Association.

Satisfaction with council services remains largely consistent and over seven out of ten residents thought the quality of services provided by the council were good overall. There has been a significant increase in satisfaction for some areas including

–      Housing – up by 15% to 72%

–      Environmental protection, covering issues such as fly-tipping – up by 18% to 82%

–      Public toilets – up by 11% to 50%

–      Community safety – up by 6% to 79%

Waste and recycling continued to receive the highest satisfaction rate of all services, with 83 per cent.  However, satisfaction with this service has dropped since 2015 by 4 per cent.

Whilst we are pleased many of our residents are satisfied with the way the Vale operates, we are under no illusion that there is room for improvement and we want residents to feel confident that we are providing not only good value for money, but best value.

Janet and Reg would welcome your thoughts and suggestions where you feel improvements can be made.

Pub in West Hanney shut down after two dead mice found:

Owners of the freehold fined £1,495 to cover the Council’s costs following a routine but unannounced inspection by Environmental Health Officers on 15^th August 2018 when they discovered a mouse infestation.

New managers in post:

Donna Pentelow is now the Head of Community Services.  She will be overseeing the council’s art and community centres, active communities and community enablement teams.

Michelle Wells is the Insight and Policy Manager.  Michelle will be looking at existing and future policy partnership working with other councils and government, and future project funding.  She will also be overseeing Didcot Garden Town until a new manager is in post.

Houses in multiple occupation:

New legislation comes in on 1 October, which affects landlords of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

As licensing authorities, both South and Vale grant licences to larger HMOs that are three or more storeys and occupied by five or more people forming at least two separate households.

From 1 October, the legislation changes so that smaller properties used as HMOs will also require a licence.  Other changes to be introduced include national minimum sizes for rooms used as sleeping accommodation and the requirement to landlords to adhere to council refuse schemes.

More information can be found on the Vale’s website.

If you have any information on HMOs in Upton Parish that may require a licence, please refer matters to Reg and Janet; or e-mail our Environmental Health Team with copies to us, or by phoning 01235 422403.

Householders Yellow Enquiry Form -Annual Canvass update:

The elections team inform us that the annual canvass campaign is going quite well with 64 per cent of households in the Vale having responded to date and 65% in South (more than 87,000 homes so far)

Please encourage residents to respond quickly and online if possible as it is much more efficient to the council.  Reminder letters are being sent out to roughly 34,000 homes.

By law, each household must confirm their details.  Anyone who fails to do so could be fined up to £1,000.

SmartWater scheme launched:

Officers from Thames Valley Police have been visiting households in Botley and Cumnor to launch a crime prevention and anti-burglary scheme in partnership with the Vale’s Community Safety Team.

The council gave funds to buy 500 new household S588oitymatWater kits – a unique forensic marking solution registered to an address and helps retrieved stolen items to be traced back to its original owners.  The kit protects property, deters thieves and helps the police to convict criminals.

The police will be rolling the scheme out to other area in the South and Vale at a future date.  You can find out more information on Thames Valley Police website.

A total of £3.1 million available for projects via the European Social Fund:

Businesses and charities are encouraged to bid for major funding, supporting better access to the jobs market.

OxLep are encouraging businesses and charities to ‘be ready’ after the Education and Skills Funding Agency published two European Social Fund (ESF) project specifications, with the aim of supporting people to gain access to the workplace.

OxLEP’s  Annual Revue Event:

OxLep will be holding its 2018 annual review event on Tuesday, 25 September at Satellite Applications Catapult, Harwell Campus.  Anyone interested should register their place by visiting their website – www.oxfordshirelep.com

At the event OxLep will be reflecting on what has been a ‘game-changing’ year for Oxfordshire, looking back on some of their achievements and the emerging economic themes over the last 12 months, including their Local Industrial Strategy, the Oxfordshire Growth Deal and the emerging ‘Oxford-Cambridge Corridor’.

They will also share the progress they continue to make strengthening the county’s economy through robust and effective relationships between businesses, academia and the public sector.

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway route announced:

Last week the government announced that ‘Corridor B’ is its preferred option for the proposed Oxford Cambridge Expressway.

The government stated that this route would see a road pass either to the north-west or south-east of Oxford then north to Bicester and beyond.

Further details can be seen on websites referring to – The Government’s announcement; A written statement to Parliament from the Department for Transport, Highways England, and Jesse Norman MP; and Highways England’s page on the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway.

In case you missed them, here are the initial responses from the Leaders of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.

Statement from South:

Cllr Jane Murphy, Leader of SODC, said, “It’s important that progress is now being made on the Oxford to Cambridge Corridor.  Our residents have been waiting for an update on this issue, which will have a significant impact on life in Oxfordshire.  We are disappointed the announcement doesn’t bring the clarity or certainty our residents need about the route around Oxford.  We are now calling on the government to confirm their intentions as soon as possible, and we stand by our position that the route to the west of the city is the best outcome for our residents.”

Statement from the Vale:

Cllr Roger Cox, Leader of the Vale, said, “We’re supportive of the principles of the Oxford Cambridge Corridor and we’re pleased to see some progress from the government.  However, we don’t yet have detail on the government’s final thoughts for the expressway’s proposed route around Oxford, and we have particular concerns about the impact on communities and the environment if the government proposes the route to the west of Oxford.  It’s very important that we get the opportunity to discuss with the government the potential impact of the remaining options on our communities.”

Three-year housing land supply:

Following a consultation in July, councils in Oxfordshire now only need to provide a three-year supply of land for housing, instead of the five-year supply normally required by the government.

The government has agreed to this change while the councils work together with the other Oxfordshire Councils on a Joint Statutory Spatial Plan (JSSP), the document that will address how we collectively plan to deliver 100,000 homes across the county by 2031, which was agreed as part of the Oxfordshire Growth Deal.

This means it is now much less likely for developers to win planning permission on appeal after the Vale has rejected their applications.

You can read the full written statement from the Parliamentary Under Secretary Under Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Councils recover over £1.2 million in Council Tax:

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils recovered over £1.2 million in council tax arrears last year thanks to tough enforcement action.

In 2017/2018 the councils issued more than 5,000 court summonses to people who had repeatedly failed or refused to pay their council tax.  Magistrates then granted liability orders against almost 4,000 of those individuals. This meant enforcement action, including the use of bailiffs, could be taken to retrieve the money.

Bailiffs recovered over £900,000, with most of those in arrears eventually paying the money they owed.  The councils were forced to take further action against 64 people.  More than £140,000 (plus costs) was recovered after 28 people received charging orders, which allows the councils to enforce the sale of their property to retrieve the money.

The councils also took committal to prison action against 36 people, with four receiving suspended prison sentences.  This enforcement action recovered almost £173,000.

The councils are also recovering and saving a further £272,000 after 80 people were caught claiming discounts on their council tax that they weren’t entitled to.  This resulted in 53 discount cheats being fined and ten prosecuted in court.

Town and parish forum:

The next Vale Town and Parish forum takes place on Monday, 24^th September, 6.30pm to 8.15pm at The Beacon in Wantage. All Parish Councils are encouraged to attend.  Has Upton PC registered?  To sign up, or for more information, please e-mail -policy.partnerships@southandvale.gov.uk

JS & RWW 17 Sept 2018

REPORT TO UPTON PARISH COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2018 FROM CLLR MIKE FOX-DAVIES

GENERAL OCC REPORT

NEW PARTNERSHIP APPROVED BY OCC AND CHERWELL DISTRICT COUNCIL

Councillors at OCC and Cherwell District Council have approved a proposal for a partnership between the two local authorities, including the appointment of a joint chief executive. The partnership arrangement will offer long-term opportunities to join up services for residents, reduce the costs of providing services, and secure investment in Cherwell to enable the continued growth in homes and jobs. The partnership proposal came after the financial problems in Northamptonshire County Council, which has implications for Cherwell’s existing partnership with South Northamptonshire Council, created an opportunity to explore closer joint working. The joint arrangement was approved by county councillors on 10 July and Cherwell councillors on 16 July, and will come into effect on 1 October. Partnership arrangements under a single chief executive will make joint working more effective and deepen the partnership arrangements. Spatial and transport planners already work closely together on schemes related to housing and infrastructure, and that will be make day-to-day working simpler as they are working to a single chief executive. Following a formal internal recruitment process, Yvonne Rees, the current chief executive of Cherwell and South Northamptonshire councils has been appointed to the new post of joint chief executive of Oxfordshire and Cherwell councils, with a start date of 1 October. The post of county council chief executive, currently occupied by Peter Clark, will be made redundant.

STUDENTS RECEIVE A-LEVEL RESULTS ACROSS OXFORDSHIRE

Thousands of students are preparing to take their crucial next steps after receiving A-Level results at schools and colleges across Oxfordshire last month. Confirmed pass rates for the county as a whole will be confirmed when national figures are published later this year. In the previous two years the key benchmark of two or more A-Levels at the A*-E pass rate was achieved by around 95 per cent of students. For anyone unsure of their next steps after A-Level or GCSE exam results, further help can be found at the Oxme website and through the National Careers Service which has a helpline number – 0800 100 900. Throughout the results period and beyond, county council staff will be available via the web chat service on the Oxme website or over the phone (01865 328460) to talk to young people and parents about the wide range of learning and employment opportunities available in Oxfordshire for 16-19-year-olds, and to help with applications. Details of drop-in sessions can also be found on the council’s website.

OCC COUNTS THE COST OF THE CARILLION COLLAPSE

OCC is carrying out a detailed review of the costs and liabilities related to its properties following the Carillion collapse so that a robust financial plan can be considered by councillors in the autumn and included in the council’s budget. Carillion provided services on behalf of OCC including maintenance of council buildings; property services, and building work such as school extensions. OCC made a net payment of £10.6m at the end of December 2017 to Carillion to cover work already completed as part of the final settlement to end the contract with the company, limiting any future financial liability. However, the costs of dealing with ongoing construction and property maintenance problems following the Carillion collapse have not yet been calculated but are expected to be “very significant”. Surveys to assess defects in buildings including schools are continuing across the county council’s properties. Compliance with health and safety requirements is also being considered, with any safety issues that emerge being dealt with quickly.

CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN DELAYED TRANSFER OF CARE NUMBERS

The latest published figures on people who are unnecessarily in hospital while they await confirmation of care arrangements have been published. The figures for June 2018 show that on average 90 Oxfordshire residents had their hospital discharge delayed. This is 9% fewer than in May and less than half the number of people delayed than the same time last year. Oxfordshire’s delays figure trajectory continues to be better than national improvement with a 0.3% improvement in the last month and a drop of a quarter in the last year.

ACTIVE AND HEALTHY TRAVEL ENCOURAGED BY OCC

Commuters returning to work after the holiday period are being encouraged to walk or cycle, for all or part of their journey, by OCC. The council is championing healthy alternatives to the car, which will also help to reduce congestion and pollution on the county’s roads. Exercise is widely recognised as one of the best ways to improve physical and mental health. Daily physical activity lowers the risk of depression and dementia by around 30 per cent according to the Department of Health. Exercise also reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and strokes. The council has appointed an active and healthy travel officer, using central government funding, to assess existing walking and cycling routes. Priority will be given to improvements and maintenance schemes designed to encourage active travel and reduce pollution. Over 85,000 new jobs and 100,000 new homes are planned in Oxfordshire by 2031. The council is committed to ensuring that as the population grows, infrastructure is in place to encourage healthy travel options. Streets and spaces will be developed to put first the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. OCC’s Cycling Champion, Councillor Suzanne Bartington, said: “Active travel is win, win, win – for health, the environment and local economy. I encourage Oxfordshire residents to try foot or bike even for only part of their journey and feel the positive benefits for themselves.” For further information about the benefits of active travel, visit the website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/whycycle

£80K BOOST FOR KIDS’ CYCLING SAFETY

Almost every primary school child in the county will now be able to get free cycle safety training after the award of an £84,500 Bikeability grant which will pay for an additional 2000 places. The bulk of cycling training in the county is carried out by a 700-strong army of volunteer instructors under the Oxfordshire Cycle Training Scheme, which has been running for more than 40 years. Training is offered to children from nine-years-old and up and is a mixture of learning about the Highways Code and practical ‘on the road’ tuition. Parents and carers who want their children to take part in training should contact their school’s head teacher.

 

Gary Kirby, PCSO C9455

Wantage and Grove Neighbourhood Police Team

Non emergency number: 101

gary.kirby@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

There are no crimes of note to report for the Village.

We continue to patrol the rural areas in regards to rural crime such as hare coursing which we have had several reports on in the Blewbury area.

This also includes theft from vehicles in the beauty spot areas, in particular those car parks situated on the ridgeway. Please ensure that if you use these area’s that absolutely nothing is left in your vehicle or in view.

Domestic burglary remains a priority and patrols continue to deter this. Now the darker nights are starting and with the clocks changing next month, now is a good time to think about using timer switches for some lamps in your home. Making your home look occupied.

If you would like a free crime prevention survey on your property or any advice please do contact me.

 

Minutes of the meeting of Upton Parish Council (UPC) held at 7pm on Monday 30^th July 2018 in the village hall meeting room. 

Present:- Stuart Fraser (Chair, SCF), Liz Cooper (Clerk/EC), Stuart Norman (Vice Chair, SN), Jo Fidgen (JF), Cllr R Waite (RW), Cllr Janet Shelley (JS), Cllr Mike Fox-Davies (MFD), Hamish Blythe (HB), Lesley Shaw (LS)

1. Apologies for absence.

Gary Kirby (PCSO), Brendan Heneghan, Karen Marshal

2. Explanation on The Loop application from Hamish Blythe

The Loop – a car sharing app / platform, with a focus on Blewbury, Upton and the Astons.

HB attended the meeting to explain this project, (previously called Ryde). It is a social enterprise, designed to bring drivers and passengers together to reduce pressures on number of cars on the road, in car parks and help people who may not otherwise easily be able to get from A to B. It is proposed that passengers pay £1 per mile, drivers can claim the standard 45ppm HMRC rate and 10ppm would go to the PC. Participants will need to register, together with a photo & driving licence for security purposes. Launch is scheduled for mid-August. Further details are available from HB, via the Clerk.

3. Reports from District & County Councillors
4. Waite / J. Shelley – report incorporated below. Also noted:-

• JS gave a summary of Gate House situation and planning enforcement breaches to date.
• RW will forward information on medical facts in Great Western Park when he has these.
• RW stated that funds are available on application for village events for a period of 3 years (with funds reducing year on year).
• JS stated that the NAG group still exists, led by Andrew Forsythin Wantage.
• Fly tipping may be on the increase and all are asked to be vigilant and call 101 for suspected incidents.

M Fox-Davies – report incorporated below. MFD also noted:-

• Council Community Fund. MFD urged the PC to apply.
• Community Speed Watch. Clerk to speak to Blewbury Clerk re additional information and report back to UPC.
• Thames Water Reservoir at Steventon. The CC are objecting to this application.
• MFD to forward information from Oxford CC & the Woodland Trust regarding planting of trees for the Armistice Day 100th anniversary.

4. To hear representations from the public

LS attended the meeting to raise concerns over the recent incident of a fire in the toddler play area and the removal of a sycamore tree, both to the rear of her property.

4.1 Fire on the rec 14.7.18

A fire started in the early evening of 14.7.18 in the toddler play area. The fire brigade were called by a neighbour and a high pressure hose reel was used to extinguish the fire and prevent any fire spread.

SN agreed to look in to fire regulations and report back to the PC.

The PC agreed that defined rules for fires on Parish Council land are required which should include, but not be limited to; the siting of fires in the future, not to leave a fire unattended and smouldering fires must be put out.

SCF to speak to GdeW

4.2 Removal of sycamore

Lesley expressed her surprise at not being informed about the removal of a tree which gave some privacy to her garden. The Chair stated if further tree work is required, a member of the council would try to speak to neighbouring residents. The Chair further stated that the tree in question was confirmed as ‘sick’ by a tree surgeon and had to be removed. (Clerk’s note:- this has subsequently been clarified as the tree had numerous long thick nails driven in to it).

5. PCSO Report

No report received.

6. To record declarations of interest from councillors regarding items on the agenda.

None declared.

7. To approve the minutes of the following meetings:-

• UPCX 02.05.18
• UPCX 20.06.18

Minutes were approved & signed by SCF.

8. To go through any Matters Arising and Actions from previous minutes above

Play area resurfacing – JF had samples of woodchips from different supplies & explained

the differences. The PC voted (3-0) to accept the quote for ‘cushionfall’ woodchips from

Giffords at a cost of £1344 inc VAT & Delivery. JF to ensure formal quote is sent for the

attention of the Clerk. Clerk then to action order. JF to check the availability of

machinery & volunteers to aid with the distribution of the material.

9. To discuss Planning Application P18/V1715/HH

The Gate House, Reading Road, Upton. Installation of oak posts & glass balustrade over flat roof to form balcony to north elevation. Reconfiguration of window opening to form door access to balcony.

Deadline 10.8.18

The PC agreed to OBJECT to this planning application as it is already the subject of an enforcement action regarding the unauthorised addition of the balcony and access.  The PC fully support the enforcement action being taken.

10. To discuss Upton Rec Car Park Security

After a discussion regarding the security of the rec,  UPC agreed not to instigate or install any additional security measures at this time.

11. To discuss UPC’s Local Council Insurance

       The Clerk explained that the insurance premium from Came&Co had increased this

year due to an increase in the sums assured. On balance, the increase of £10.95 was

agreed in order to maximise the sums assured.

13. To hear Clerk’s Financial Report & Approve Expenditure

13.1 Updated cashbook report to 30.07.18

The cashbook was circulated in advance and no questions were raised on it’s

presentation.

13.2 Expenses & Invoices (to be paid)

• Clerk expenses for the period 15.5.18 to 30.07.18 Total £10.80
• Came&Co Local Council Insurance £558.54 + VAT
• Grounds upkeep expenses £TBC – none presented.

The PC agreed to the two expenses being paid as listed above.

13.3 Expenses & Invoices (paid, to be ratified)

• Purchase of laptop for Clerk’s use £232.58 + VAT (paid online 05.07.18)

The council ratified the purchase of the laptop above.

14. Updated Financial Regulations for UPC (circulated 3.7.18)

The PC agreed to the updated Financial Regulations.

15. Update on UPC IT Policy – SCF

 SCF stated that due to the costs involved in adding councillor email address to

Office 365, that other (free) email address would be arranged for the councillors.

Clerk to check that access to PC documents can be arranged.

Clerk to see if a Standing Order can be set up through the bank to pay Office 365

monthly. Clerk’s note:- Actioned 1.8.18

16. Update on the provision and installation of a defibrillator cabinet to the village

       hall – SCF

       SCF confirmed that the donation offer of a defibrillator unit to the PC was still on the

table. SCF also confirmed he had a quote for c£750 + VAT for a lockable cabinet plus

installation at c£115 + VAT. SCF to copy PC & Clerk in on spec & quotes. The PC voted

3-0 to install the defibrillator cabinet, based on the information given.

17. Update on the Recreation Ground Inspection Rota – KM

       Carried forward to the next meeting.

18. To discuss various concerns around the rec:-

18.1 Further tree work (Mr Nelson’s emails dated 3.7.18 & refers). SCF confirmed that branches overhanging a property neighbouring the rec had been removed.

18.2 Previous tree work – confirm work completed

See 4.2 above.

18.3 Fire on rec Saturday 14.7.18

See 4.1 above

18.4 Additional / replacement Bins (dog waste or otherwise on the Church path). A request was received for a dog waste bin to be sited on Church Street at the junction of the footpath that goes past the St Mary’s church.  It was agreed in principle by the PC subject to further enquiries. SCF to speak to Biffa.

18. AOB

Note:- No decisions can be made under AOB. This is for information only or items for the next meeting.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm.   

   Date of next meeting:-

   Regular Council Meeting, Monday 17^th September 2018 at 7.00pm pm in the village hall  meeting room.

 

 

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Upton Parish Council

Upton Village Hall, Monday 14th May 2018 at 7.30 pm 

Present:- Stuart Fraser (Chair/SCF), Liz Cooper (Clerk/EC), Stuart Norman (SN), Karen Marshall (KM),

Brendan Heneghan (BH), Jo Fidgen (JF)

1. Apologies for Absence

            None. 

2. Election of Chairman

            Mr Stuart was duly re-elected as Chair.

3. Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any items under consideration at this meeting. Members were reminded that it is a criminal offence if, without a reasonable excuse, you fail to declare your Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) either for inclusion on the register or to amend the register, or when you become aware of a DPI which is not recorded, but which relates to a matter to be discussed at a meeting where you are present.

No declarations of interest were made.

4. Acceptance of Office – All Members

SCF, SN, KM, BH all agreed to remain as members of the parish council and duly completed their Declaration of Office forms.

5. Co-opt New Councillor

            Jo Fidgen was co-opted as a new parish councillor and completed the appropriate forms. 

6. Election of Vice-Chairman

            SN was duly elected as vice-chair. 

7. Adoption of minutes of previous meetings

The following minutes were all adopted without change:-

22nd May 2017 (AGM),

16^th April 2018 (APM)

5^th April 2018 UPCX

19^th March 2018 UPC

8. Matters arising:

There were no matters arising from the minutes adopted above.

9. Public Forum

            There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

10. Business to be transacted:

10.1    The Annual Governance Statement part of the annual audit was completed, ratified and

                   Signed.

10.2    UPCs Aims and Objectives for 2018/19 were agreed and adopted.

10.3     UPCs Standing Orders were agreed and adopted as they stand. Potential amendments to

             be discussed further between SCF & EC for sign off at the July meeting.

10.4    The Clerk’s salary for FY 2018-19 was agreed. SCF to amend the Clerk’s contract

                   accordingly for signature.

10.5    UPC agreed to accept and adopt the accounts for 2017-2018, which had been circulated

                   in advance.

10.6     The Clerk handed over all documentation for the completion of accounts to SN. SCF, SN &

             EC agreed to meet on 22 May to finalise documents and arrange internal audit, for

completion by 14 June. Notice of accounts for inspection to commence on or around 15

June for a period of 30 days to include the first 10 days of July, as per regulations.

10.7    To discuss potential items of expenditure / project work for 2018/19 as per the budget:-

1. Garage door repairs

G DeW & Rob Trainor are looking in to this. This is included in the budget.

1. Defibrillator installation & training

The council agreed to review previous quotes for the installation of the defib unit in the absence of funding for same.  A budget was set at £1250 ex. VAT.

iii. Pump Track resurface

BH agreed to investigate this & contact existing supplier (Shoretrack). It was acknowledged this was an expensive job and alternatives should be looked at.

1. Play area surface bark

SCF to investigate costs and volume & then pass to JF. BH to confirm if he has equipment suitable to aid distribution of bark.

1. Tree Work

Ashdown agreed to hold previous quote. All agreed to go ahead. SCF to organise.

10.8    To discuss the situation with the deterioration of the concrete bales in Stream Road

SCF gave update. Confirmed that the upper part of Stream Road was a ‘BOAT’/byway

open to all traffic. Had negotiated with Gordon Kaleman to replace concrete bales with

more major work and was looking at quotes.  The DC has money to do this, but no

resource to carry it out. Ongoing.

10.9    To discuss IT policy update

UPC agreed to use Microsoft Office 365 Gov for PC work at c£3.70pm. Email addresses

are still needed to carry out PC work (i.e. parish.councillor@uptonvillage.co.uk with

additional identifier for each councillor). B. Rippon has agreed to assist in the transfer of

data from the roundcube email system to Microsoft. ‘uptonvillage.co.uk will be taken over

by the PC at a cost of £15pa. The PC agreed to pay for BR’s time in transferring the data

(details TBC, but a budget of £100 was set). If costs are more, then will be deferred to next

meeting for discussion. SCF to discuss with BR. BR also confirmed a software set up cost of

£54.

11. Planning

            To discuss planning application P18/V0551/HH – further amendment to lack of headroom in first

floor bedroom extension. Deadline 12 noon 17.5.18.

The council voted ‘No Strong Views’ on this application.

12. Correspondence

            EC confirmed that an email had been received stating the car boot sale originally planned for the

9^th or 10^th of June had been cancelled.

13. Financial Business Considerations were all agreed:-

13.1  Summary of receipts in previous financial year

• Total Payments 2017-18 = £9573
• Total Receipts 2017-18 = £11465
• Lloyds Bank Gross Interest 2017-18 £6.35 (compared to the previous year of £2.17)

13.2  To accept/reject the Schedule of Payments (see Appendix A below)

           The council accepted all payments as listed in Appendix A of the agenda.

13.3  Receipts to date this financial year:-

• VOWH – precept £4587.50 (April 2018)
• Bank interest April 55p, May 55p.

14. AOB

            KM raised the issue of rubbish left on the Upton Rec, including disposable BBQ trays which had

also burnt the grass. Increased signage was suggested, with JF suggesting something written by a

child, then laminated and placed around the rec. JF to investigate. Also to be added to July’s

agenda for further discussion. KM also to look at the use of Facebook for raising/dealing with

such issues.

15. Date of next AGM

Monday 20th May 2019 7.30pm.

The meeting concluded at 9.25pm. 

Liz Cooper

Clerk to Upton Parish Council

23rd May 2018

Minutes of an extraordinary meeting of Upton Parish Council held on Wednesday 20th June 2018 in the Upton village hall meeting room.

Present: Stuart Fraser (SCF/Chair), Liz Cooper (EC/Clerk), Karen Marshall (KM), Stuart Norman (SN), Jo Fidgen (JF)

1. Apologies for absence

Brendan Heneghan.

2. Declarations of interest

None.

3. To ratify the purchase and ownership of the modular stage system (purchased in April

2017 & delivered in May 2017).

UPC ratified the purchase and agreed to confirm ownership to UVHAT. Clerk to email

Brian Rippon accordingly.

4. To ratify invoice for tree work recently carried out (Ashdown Tree Management,

£1500) paid online. (Clerk’s note:- paid on 21.6.18).

UPC ratified this payment, noting the invoice was £80 less than the quote.

5. UPC Annual audit

SCF expressed his thanks on behalf of the council to the Clerk and SN for their part in

completing the audit. He also formally extended the thanks of the council to Ros Caffyn,

who had comprehensively completed the internal audit. Clerk to record all

improvements to practice & send to UPC councillors.

The following were also actioned:-

5.1 The checklist for UPC’s Annual Return was completed by SCF.

5.2 UPC agreed that the annual return was now complete, following an internal audit.

5.3 UPC agreed to the submission of Certificate of Exemption to the external auditor.

Clerk to action.

5.4 UPC agreed to the Period for the Exercise of Public Rights notification as follows:-

Period to commence Monday 25^th June 2018 for a period of 30 days, ending on

Monday 23^rd July, thus incorporating the required first 10 days of July. Clerk to email

details to Brian Rippon.

6. To consider the following planning applications:-

6.1 P18/V1214/HH

Winterbourne, Stream Road, Upton. Proposed single story side & rear extensions. New roof construction to provide first floor accommodation. Deadline 12noon on 21^st June 2018.

UPC voted ‘No Objections’ to this application.

6.2 P18/V1321/HH

White Cottage, Fieldside, Upton. Proposed two storey extension. Deadline 12 noon on 6^th July 2018.

UPC voted ‘No Objections’ to this application.

      6.3 P18/V1354/HH

Fernwood, High Street, Upton. Creation of 2 box dormers at rear first floor, 3 box

dormers at front first floor, replacement of plastic windows with wooden casements &

raising of eves & ridge height by 800mm. Deadline 12 noon on 6^th July 2018.

UPC voted ‘No Objections’ to this application.

7. UPC agreed to the use of Upton rec by Didcot Health Centre on Friday 29^th June (in

conjunction with their use of the village hall). Clerk to inform their contact.

8. UPC agreed to the introduction of a ‘UPC Donation Receipt’ form. This will be used to

record and acknowledge any donations made to the council. Clerk to copy form to all.

9. AOB

      Note:- No decisions can be made under AOB. This is for information only or items for the

next meeting.

9.1 JF updated the council on obtaining quotes for wood chipping for the surface of the

play area. Further quotes will be obtained, with quantities and costs to be agreed at the

next meeting.

9.2 JF is also organising the lamination of children’s drawings for display around the rec,

designed to discourage people from leaving detritus on the rec.

9.3 SCF reported that he had repaired the rope ladder in the play area.

9.4 SCF also said that he is confirming details for a defib cabinet and will update

further at the next meeting.

    The meeting finished at 8pm.

     Date of next meeting:-

     Parish Council Meeting, Monday 16^th July 2018, 7.00pm in the village hall meeting

     room.

Minutes of an extraordinary meeting of Upton Parish Council held on Wednesday 2^nd May 2018 in the Upton village hall meeting room.

Present: Stuart Fraser (SCF/Chair), Liz Cooper (EC/Clerk), Karen Marshall (KM), Stuart Norman (SN), Graham de Wilde (GdeW) (joined the meeting for item 3) 

1. Apologies for absence

Brendan Heneghan in advance.

2. Declarations of interest

None.

3. To discuss the requests for use of the rec.

The PC discussed the applications for use of the village rec for events and agreed the

following:-

• Car Boot sale 9^th or 10^th June
• Upton Wine Club 30^th June
• Bike Night 10^th July
• Upton Fete 1^st Sept.

The Caravan club’s request for October 2019 is to be referred to UVHAT for discussion.

It was noted that these may all be weather dependent and are all subject to the rec

ground rules.

4. To discuss the upkeep of Upton Village rec and play areas.

GdeW had previously reported at the APM and via email the poor state of the rec in

general and requested the hire of a motor roller (last used 5 or 6 years ago) to even out

the ground. The council approved the hire at a cost of c£219.60. GdeW to ensure an

invoice is sent to the clerk’s email address to be paid directly.

The following suggestions were also made during the discussion of the upkeep of the

rec:-

• Consideration to be given to additional parking
• Consideration to be given to purchase a smaller ride on mower with grass cutter
• Not to cut the grass of the burial ground this year. Potential to use animals to keep grass short?
• Create ‘wild grass/flower area’ to the rear of the village hall in the corner of the rec, which would reduce the amount of cutting. Wild flower seeds c£40 per bag?
• Creation of ‘village alert’ system of calling for volunteers for grounds work at short notice (would require someone other than GdeW to organise).

5. To consider the following planning application:-

P18/V0831/HH

Thistledome, Stream Road, Upton. Two storey side extension in place of conservatory, & front extension to create porch. Deadline 12noon on 9^th May 2018.

The council voted ‘No Objections’ to this application.

6. AOB

Note:- No decisions can be made under AOB. This is for information only or items for the next meeting.

SCF confirmed that the two new toddler swings were now in place.

SCF asked for the cost of insurance for the motor mower to be included in the next meeting (AGM).

SCF asked that the tree quotes previously received be reviewed in order for a decision to be made.

EC asked if the marquees were fit for hire due to reported issues from Brian Rippon as to their state of repair. SCF said that the next time they are in use, an examination of the repairs needed would be taken.

EC to contact Reg Waite re defib installation funding. 

The meeting closed at 8.20pm.

Date of next meeting:-

Annual General Meeting, Monday 14^th May 2018, 7.30pm in the village hall meeting room.

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 16th April 2018 at 7.30 p.m.

Present:- Brendan Heneghan (Temp Chair/BH), Liz cooper (Clerk/EC). Karen Marshall (KM), Stuart Norman (SN), Mr & Mrs de Wilde (GdeW. RdeW), Mike Brown (MB), Jessie West (JW)

1. Apologies for absence Stuart Fraser, Brian Rippon, Michael Fox-Davies, Liz Hardy, Marion Mills, Jo Fidgen

2. Welcome and opening remarks BH read the Chair’s Statement 2018 (see copy below).

3. To Present Annual Reports Parish Council Finance – read by the Clerk (see copy below).

All other reports were made available for perusal at the meeting and are included within these minutes:- United Charities Blewbury School St. Mary’s Church UKAEA Stakeholders Meeting UVHAT

An update on Parish Footpaths and the village recreational grounds was given verbally by Graham de Wilde and Mike Brown, with highlights as follows:-

GdeW remarked there was a team of 16 volunteers who all helped to keep the green spaces neat and tidy. RdeW remarked that only recently there was broken glass and other rubbish left on the rec. This led to a discussion regarding the use of the rec by people from within and outside of the village. Also access to the rec from the bottom corner which leads on to the old railway line. Although this is private land, people use this route to access the rec, both on foot and bicycle. It was suggested that a sign be put up by the land owner informing people that this was private land and is used at their own risk. This can be discussed at a future PC meeting. 4. Open Forum In addition to Jessie West’s Church Warden update, JW remarked that St Mary’s church is nearly 1000 years old. Maintenance issues are mentioned in the report, however, Jessie is setting up a ‘Friends of St Mary’s’ group to help with the maintenance of the church. JW is also looking at applying for grants and other support for the refurbishments required. JW explained they would be requesting permission to add a toilet and kitchen facilities to the vestry, and asked if the PC would support such a planning application, which the PC would in principle.

JW also mentioned the new bus timetable and gave out copies. As there is no longer a school bus, a regular bus now takes children to the boys & girls schools in Didcot.

There was a discussion about the state of the A417 through Upton and some roads within the village (ie Stream Road), as the state of these roads is now beyond ‘just potholes’. MB wanted to know what the PC was doing about it? The PC and members of the public remarked that the Highways Department had run out of money for 2017/18 and had limited funds for 2018/19 and would only fill in potholes on major roads and those which caused harm to the public. MB said the PC should physically visit the Highways Department in Drayton with MB and put the problem forward.

Action agreed: a. The PC suggested a coordinated approach. b. MB, GdeW and BH to meet the Highways Dept in Drayton c. PC suggested that members of the public continue to use ‘Fix My Street’ to report the problems and to bring these issues forward and apply Pressure for action.

JW remarked that photographs should be taken of the state of the road (where safe to do so).

JW thanked all in the PC and others for all the work they do.

6. Chairman’s Closing Remarks The Chair thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm.

7. Date of next APM meeting – Monday 15th April 2019

Chairman’s Statement 2018
Good evening everyone and thank you for coming to the 71st Annual Parish Council Meeting.
First of all I would like to apologise for my absence this evening and thank Brendan Heneghan for standing in at the last minute.
We will be changing the format of this evening’s proceedings. Rather than reading out individual contributors’ reports after the Chairman’s Statement, we have arranged for copies of these reports to be available here tonight for your perusal, and copies will also be available on the Upton Village website.
The reason for this change is to recognise the real purpose of tonight’s event, which is to celebrate the work of all the clubs and services within the village and the people that make it all happen. Therefore, this year we will start with this Chairman’s Statement followed by the Parish Council’s financial report, presented by Liz, our Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. We will then have a quick Q and A session. After that, we invite you to mingle with us and with each other, sharing any thoughts or suggestions you may have on all aspects of village life, while enjoying nibbles and a glass of wine or a soft drink.
Moving on to the Chairman’s Statement proper…
This year has seen more changes on the Parish Council, with both Duncan Reid and Carl Pettman stepping down from their roles as Councillors at the end of March. I would like to extend both my thanks and, I’m sure, that of the village for all their hard work during their tenure.
I would like to welcome Brendan on to the Parish Council and announce that Jo Fidgen will be joining us in May. Both of these individuals will bring great knowledge and skills to the PC.
I would also like to thank Karen Marshall and Stuart Norman for their continued service, support, work and time. A special mention and thanks go to Liz, our Parish Clerk, who has now completed a full Council calendar year in her role, and who has organised this evening. Thank you.
I will be stepping down this year, which will create a vacancy; however, I will not leave until the vacancy is filled. I will be leaving in the knowledge that the Parish Council is in a strong position and in secure hands.
Filling positions on the Parish Council is not an easy task. We are a small village with a limited number of people to fill all the roles required by the clubs and associations we are fortunate to have in the village. May I ask you to either express an interest yourself, talk to your friends and neighbours to see if they would be interested, or let us know if you are aware of anyone that would like to help our community and serve on the Parish Council.
This seems an appropriate time to thank all the people involved in running the various clubs and associations in the village, and to those who represent and attend the various groups outside of the village, all of which make our village so special: from UVHAT, wine club, drop in, film club, skittles club, Friends of St Mary’s, transport representatives, Harwell Stakeholders group, Upton News and, last but not least, the volunteer group who keep the village looking so good. Thank you all. If I have missed anyone out please forgive me, but accept that our thanks go to you as well.
Talking of the village looking good, I would like to single out Graham De-Wilde and Rob Traynor for all their work in and around the village over the last year. Their varied work ranges from chopping trees to other maintenance projects.
One of the most common duties of the Parish Council is to comment on planning applications. Over the last year, we discussed a total of 25 planning applications. While some we were able to discuss in normal planned meetings, the balance had to be discussed by laying on an extra 8 planning meetings. My thanks go to the Councillors and Clerk for their time at these extra meetings. When the Parish Council receives a planning application, we make every endeavour to send a Councillor to visit the applicant/site and the neighbours so that we can have a better understanding of the application and therefore a more meaningful conversation. In turn, this allows us to comment fairly on the application. I believe as a Parish Council we are unique in this approach. If a planning application is to be discussed by the Parish Council, we will display an agenda on the noticeboard and on the village website; we will also try to inform the applicants and neighbours.
This year, Duncan and I held meetings with the District Council, the owner and tenant of Wattle Farm, and two of the neighbours in the hope that an agreement could be made on a mutually agreeable way forward for the Wattle Farm site. Whilst perhaps not one hundred percent successful, the meetings did lead to meaningful conversations, and there is now a dialogue and understanding in place that had not existed before.
An ongoing cause for concern for all in the village is the speed of traffic on the A417. We continue to put forward the village’s frustration at every opportunity with the District and County Councils, and with the Police, but this appears to be an uphill struggle as there are currently no resources or funds available to alleviate the problem.
On a more positive note, the Parish Council is in discussion with the County drainage team with regards to the crumbling concrete sand bags and wooden railing at the top of Stream Road. At a meeting last Thursday, it was agreed that the County drainage team will put together a quote for the removal of the concrete sand bags and wooden railing, and to extend the current drainage pipework. It is hoped that the County will bear a majority, if not all of, the cost for this work.
Finally, I am pleased to continue the positive news by adding that the update of documents held on the village website on behalf of the Parish Council went ahead as planned. There will be further updates to the IT side of the Parish Council this year which we will update you on in the coming months.
I am now going to hand over to Liz, who will give you an update on the financial report, a copy of which is available for your perusal.
Upton Parish Council – Annual Parish Meeting – Finance Report The Parish Council funds remain in a healthy state, following the receipt of the first half of this year’s precept. Total funds held are approximately £21,300. The emphasis in the past year has been on the continued maintenance of the play areas and the green areas in the village, following the major purchase of the stage early on in the last financial year. This maintenance has included:- service and maintenance of the mower and the purchase of other gardening equipment, continued maintenance of the larger play area, and replacement swings in the toddler’s play area. The village is fortunate that whilst materials and items such as the swings must be paid for, all the labour is provided free of charge by villagers. The parish council has also purchased a new salt bin late last year, but the defib unit is still outstanding, due to the unsuccessful application for some funding towards the cost of the cabinet and installation. This will be sorted out in the coming months. The Parish Council was however successful in obtaining a grant towards the costs of ensuring the PC meets all Transparency Guidelines. This means that costs incurred in meeting guidelines are covered, including the necessity to purchase a laptop and printer solely for the Clerk’s use for Parish Council business. The Parish Council is also grateful for the donations from Upton News, via Mike Brown, which helps to pay for the printing of the Upton News. This year, more substantial work may be needed and will require a proper assessment before any work is carried out. For example, the re-surfacing of the pump track and wood chips for the play area surface. There is also work needing to be carried out on various trees in the village, including some in Stream Road and the toddler play area. The PC remains mindful of the need to be prepared for larger expenditure, such as a new mower, as and when required. ClerkUPCAPM2018

The United Charities of the Ancient Parish of Blewbury, Upton and Aston Upthorpe

The two main functions of the charity are firstly to help people of all ages who live in the parish and who may need financial help and/or may have fallen on hard times and secondly to be responsible for the maintenance of the two almshouses in Blewbury. We have undertaken significant work on Alms-house no 2 due to severe flooding in 2016 and soon work to extend the property will commence. This will make it a suitable size for current living standards.

Anyone needing help or who knows of someone in need should contact the trustees. All applications are treated in confidence and are also discretionary. We are able to give financial gifts to more people than currently request help. As well as monetary gifts at Christmas the charity is able to help in other circumstances such as assisting with transport costs for frequent hospital visits, breaks for carers, items to help cope with disability and other instances where people are having difficulties paying for essential items such as school uniform. All applications are at the trustees’ discretion and looked at on a case by case basis. Current trustees are:

Blewbury: Sheila Loy (Chairman), Mark Palethorpe (Vice Chairman), Ann Dendy, Jill Willison and Jackie Maguire

Upton: Elizabeth Hardy Aston Upthorpe: Louise Brimacombe Clerk: Sarah Donne: sarahdonne@btinternet.com

Upton Parish Council Monday 16th April 2018 Blewbury Primary School Again this has been a very varied year which has seen an increase in numbers up to 166, with several families choosing to join us from outside of Blewbury as well as from within our local community. Many are attracted by our global outlook and our holistic approach to the curriculum which is designed to really engage children in their learning and to link various sources of information together. Miss Sequeros who was with us last academic year has stayed in England but moved to London, Miss McDonald was able to stay with us in order to complete her NQT year and after Christmas moved to a school in Bicester, much closer to where she lives. Both Mrs Willmott and Mrs White have now returned from maternity leave and last September Mrs Lewis joined us as an NQT, she is working very hard to establish herself in Year 1. Miss Costello and myself continue as co–headteachers. The global and international elements of our curriculum are really flourishing. Since the last report eight children have travelled to Siikajoki in Finland , where we found wide open space, snow in May and night times that were never dark. Last October it was the turn of the Spanish school in Caceres to host and here we produced a newspaper, visited a radio station, met the mayor and enjoyed the sunshine. Next week eight more children travel to Siegburg in Germany where we will be developing a ‘Friendship and Peace celebration’, cooking and eating together and again meeting the mayor as well as visiting Cologne cathedral. We have also been visited by teachers from several different countries; they choose our school to compete job shadowing funded by the European Union. We have hosted an Italian teacher for three weeks, three different Spanish teachers, all from various regions. Four Italian teachers from the ‘Trieste’ region of Italy who came for a week to look at our use of ICT and most recently two teachers from Ibiza. We still have two Dutch teachers and an American teacher to visit this year. We have also been travelling to observe in different countries and at February half term break three teachers travelled to a Nursery School just north of Nice, whilst three more of us went to Zwolle in the Netherlands at the same time. There is always so much to learn and think about. Our Global Learning Network continued to operate until Christmas, with Blewbury being able to offer training to neighbouring schools. We have also succeeded in winning a bid for additional money to be able to provide a day involving children from at least six local schools which will involve dance, music and storytelling but emphasise the Sustainable Development Goals. This year we have also been recording our International emphasis in order to provide evidence for our seventh International School Award which we hope to achieve this summer. One example would be some work that took place this last term. Our overriding them for the year is ‘Innovation’, last term we emphasised the innovations that various civilisations had made which have had an influence on us now. Out of this came a lot of work around the transportation and storage of water. The children then began to question the lack of water in some areas of the world and linked it back to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. They considered Clean Water and Sanitation and then looked at films produced by Water Aid as well as examples from Malawi and Chennai. The work on water then went on to become our lent challenge introduced during our church service in February and the children collected coins which were presented and blessed at our Easter service. We are hoping the Thames Water will match our monies raised and the donation will be targeted towards some villages in Malawi. One of the families who were briefly at Blewbury school and lived in the village returned to Malawi this summer. On World Book Day we shared some stories from different countries and the children have produced written work to create their own special books to send to either Malawi or Chennai. The children and adults also shared across the school their favourite books. We are really fortunate to have several volunteers from the village community who come into school to share reading activities with the children, this is an invaluable asset and has a really positive effect on the young people and hopefully also on the volunteers themselves.
We are very proud of our pupils in Class 6 who were challenged by Mike Evans, one of our governors, to take part in the BBC – 500 words challenge. You may have seen our winning entry published in the bulletin. We have yet to see if any of the stories will receive acclaim in the National arena. We continue to have an emphasis on both first hand experiential learning and outdoor adventure. The younger children have been to Cogges Farm, Birdland, Winchester Mill and Steventon as well as Savages. Key stage two have visited Didcot Sewage Works and Year 6 have taken part in the Injury Minimisation programme as well as Junior Citizens. Last autumn 83 children aged between 7 and 11, took part in an Outdoor Activities long weekend, Friday morning to Monday afternoon, on the Isle of Wight. In the summer last year Year 3 spent three nights on the Ridgeway at Court Hill, Year 4 and 5 went to Cheddar and Year 6 completed an activity week at Minehead. This year we are off to Hill End near Oxford, Much Wenlock in Shropshire and Wilderhope Manor again in Shropshire, for the different age groups. These residential experiences really help to promote resilience, self- reliance and confidence. As well as the more physical activities that these trips can provide we continue to support and encourage competitive sport as well as developing physical skills for everyone. We have again taken part in both mixed and girl’s football leagues and tournaments, with our girl’s being runners up in a six aside ‘Vale of White Horse Tournament’ just before Easter. Some of our runners continue to achieve well at Cross Country Events; and just before Easter we also had a cricket taster day organised through Wallingford and Blewbury Cricket Club and we are pleased to promote this link. We are about to start regular coaching for the oldest three classes in the school, hopefully this will encourage more Blewbury Cricket. Similarly, we have a tennis taster organised through the Blewbury Club. Our link with local groups continues to develop through our biodome and garden and Sustainable Blewbury. We are most grateful for both the practical support of Jo Lakeland but also the group’s financial support towards soil and seeds. Hopefully produce will again be on sale in the summer and our young people will begin to learn some valuable gardening skills. We continue to facilitate cornet lessons for the Year 4 children through Blewbury Brass Band, children can also learn key boards, guitar and drums at school. From Year 2 the children also take part in about eighteen sessions of African Drumming a year. A group of children represented the school at Voice in a Million, held at Wembley Arena; this event supports the fostering and adopting of children. This is an amazing experience for the children to take part in. This year we have deployed one of our TAs to be an ELSA – Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, supportive work is carried out with both individuals and groups and our special room – our octagonal cedar building, provided by the PTA, provides a friendly base at lunch time for those children who find this time more challenging. We are finding that more and more children are needing emotional support in school and we are very aware that mental health has to be high on our agenda.
This spring we hosted the first in a series of opportunities for adults to talk to Key Stage 2 about their job. Whether they had to plan to achieve a goal, chose particular subjects at school, what they enjoy about their life style etc. Our first person to talk about their ‘Career’ was Mrs Sally Lewis who is a mum and a GP. Sally is also the Chair of the PTA who work really hard to provide events for the children, there are five Friday nights in the year, the Christmas and Summer Fairs and a cake stall for each class. ‘Community’ is one of our Christian values and this is something we hope that the children really ‘Appreciate’. – You can be part of this if you join us for our Colour Fun Run in May. We are really pleased to be part of such a strong community and are always glad to be the hosts of Blewfest and the Santa Fun Run. Yet again the children enjoyed helping clear the leaves. We thank everyone for their support and wish our Year 6 good luck when they sit their SATS next month. We hope that the few government tweaks help these tests to be challenging but fair. Marion Mills

Rector’s Report for 2018
This report covers the calendar year 2017. This has been a year of stability in the Benefice. I am, as always, most grateful to the members of the clergy team for all that they do; Revd John Clarke, Revd Louise Butler, Revd Jen Brown, and Revd Clive Holmes. This year the staff team has been joined by Mrs Jenny Loder, who is serving in our Benefice as a Licensed Lay Minister. It is a joy to welcome Jenny in this official role.
I would also like to put on record my thanks to all the others who undertake and support ministry in our Benefice. In particular, I should like to thank our Churchwardens, PCC members, our Benefice Treasurer, and our Benefice Administrator. Thank you, one and all!
Our Science Mission project continues, in partnership with the Ian Ramsey Centre at the University of Oxford. The current phase of the project, together with the current funding, comes to an end in December 2018. I very much wish the project to continue after this date, and so I am currently exploring options for the future, together with their attendant funding possibilities.
Our two Church primary schools, Blewbury Endowed Church of England Primary School and Hagbourne Church of England Primary School, continue to thrive. Although these are Church schools and very much part of the Benefice, it is important to note that they serve children of all faiths and none. Our schools continue to seek to provide the highest possible quality of education for the children of our communities. This is a challenge in the constantly changing world of education.
Our new bishop, Bishop Steven, continues to explore the values which should lie at the heart of our life as a Diocese. After extensive prayer and consultation, three key values have emerged; Contemplation, Compassion and Courage. Bishop Steven would like these values to be part of the life of the Diocese at all levels. We are beginning to think about what these values – “The 3 C’s”- might mean for us in our Benefice.
Perhaps the most challenging, and most interesting, is Courage. Christian Courage is not to be confused with recklessness. It is a distinct virtue, intimately connected to faith in God, and trust in God’s plans for our present and our future. I wonder what might it mean for us to be Courageous in our life together during the year ahead? All thoughts gratefully received!
The Revd Jason St John Nicolle, Rector, 28th March 2018

Church Wardens Report 2018

There are one or two outstanding issues which need to be addressed i.e.
The cedar roof tiles around the bell tower, estimates for the work are required.
The gates at the entrance, the main entrance door, both need sanding and re-oiling. A wood panel in the porch will be replaced when the weather becomes more favourable and the timbers have had time to dry out.
The proposed new extension and refurbishment of the vestry are ongoing. Architect’s plans have been produced and the quantity surveyor’s cost estimate is awaited. Once this is received we will begin fund raising. An application will be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund and local organisations who may be able to offer support. An appeal will be set up to fund the balance of the costs. It is difficult to be certain of timings at present but it is hoped that substantial progress will be made towards obtaining the funding by the end of the summer.
We now have the approved faculty for landscaping works in the cemetery. A working party has been arranged for Saturday, 21 April to remove dead trees, tidy the vegetation and repair the fence.
The bench in the churchyard has been refurbished, the work kindly undertaken by an Upton resident.
The spotlights have been replaced where required, however due to the age of the fittings it is unlikely that further lamps will be available so new updated fittings will be needed in the future.
It was agreed at a PCC meeting that a new noticeboard at the gate would be beneficial. Before size and ordering can take place it would be helpful to know how much information other than the weekly notices would go on the board and then have a consensus of opinion as to it’s placement.
We are fortunate that the building generally remains in good condition.

Jessie West & Paul Batho

Harwell Stakeholders’ Committee

There have not been items of particular interest to Upton PC this year.
Progress has continued to decommission the nuclear site and to return it to the state where the land can be used for other uses. Construction on the new Intermediate Level Store has started.
The new initiatives on the site continue to expand and more buildings are planned and being built which will lead to considerably more employment (and traffic!).
As far as I am aware, the socio-economic programme is still in place and contributions invited for financial support from local bodies.
I am happy to continue to represent the parish if that is the wish of the Parish Council and will advise them of anything which may be of interest.
Derek Whitmell, 29.3.18

Upton Village Hall Amenities Trust, Report to the Annual Parish Meeting, 16th April 2018

Trustees I would like to thank all our Trustees who continue to help with the smooth running of the village hall and its administration. Finances Thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of the hall as a venue, the finances of the trust remain strong and the trustees can maintain an adequate reserve. Full accounts will be prepared for the UVHAT AGM in May. John Haworth and Kieron Humphrey continue to perform an excellent task looking after the day to day finances. Bookings The hall is more popular than ever as a venue for parties for young and old, with enthusiastic feedback received from hirers. The District Council recently arranged a taster activity day, and this has resulted in the creation of a period of exercise classes for the over 60s, while our local yoga instructor has expanded her usage of the hall. The provision of Internet and WiFi in the hall makes it a good location for commercial bookings such as Planning Inquiries, taking advantage of otherwise quieter times for the hall during the week. We are frequently consulted by other village halls about our facilities, particularly the WiFi and the new kitchen. Film Club continues to be popular and successful. We say goodbye to one of our Brownie groups which has moved to Harwell where most of its members reside; as a result, Tuesday evenings will be freed upon a regular basis for potential new activities which it is hoped will be of benefit to the village.

Fundraising We are grateful to Lesley Shaw and her volunteers for organising the Upton 50 Club and maintaining its popularity. The 50 Club remains popular and is a valuable source of additional funding. Proceeds from the village fete were this year split between St Mary’s and UVHAT, and the trustees are considering the most appropriate use of these funds in the interests of those villagers who supported the fete as a result.

Development Projects The trustees still hope to refurbish the main hall and meeting room, with the hope of creating a more contemporary environment and better ambience in these areas. The work in the main hall may be significant, and will probably involve major works to the floor, walls, lighting, improvements to the acoustics, and overhaul of the meeting room. This work will require significant external funding. Meanwhile we would like to continue expansion of our facilities to complement our stage and existing AV equipment which would make it easier to stage village music events etc.

Caretaking The aim of the trustees is to present the hall to users in a state which — as much as possible—leads them to feel that they are the first to use the amenity. Our regular cleaner continues to do an excellent job in ensuring that the hall is brought up to a high standard of hygiene once a week. During the year a wide range of maintenance tasks have been undertaken, and we would like to thank Graham de Wilde, Rob Traynor and others for their assistance.

Conclusion The village hall and the recreation ground in which it stands continue to be valuable assets to Upton and as a small village we can be proud to boast an amenity that attracts so much praise. Brian Rippon Chair, UVHAT