Present:  Mr S Fraser (Chairman), Mr B Shaw, Mrs L Shaw, Mrs C Lightfoot (clerk),
2 Parishioners

1.  Apologies received from Mr J Dickens

2.   Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in  any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Any Member arriving after the start of the meeting is  asked to declare personal interests as necessary as soon as practicable after their arrival even if the item  in question has been considered.  None recorded.

3. Planning Application:

11/01633/FUL: proposed alterations and extension to form cloakroom, entrance hall and utility room.  Proposed garage at the Elms, High Street.  Applicants Mr Vokins & Ms Rabbetts.  The plans, having been previously circulated to councillors, were discussed.   No objections were raised to the proposals and the clerk was asked to respond to the Vale accordingly.     Clerk

 

 

Clare Lightfoot
Clerk/Upton Parish Council

23rd August 2011

UPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of  Extraordinary Meeting of Upton Parish Council in the Village Hall
on Monday 8th August 2011 at 8.00 pm

Present:  Dr R Lott (Chairman), Mr S Fraser, Mr S Norman, Mr B Shaw and Mrs L Shaw.
Mrs C Lightfoot (clerk)
3 parishioners attended for item 3(i)

1.  Apologies received from Mr J. Dickens

2.   Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in  any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Any Member arriving after the start of the meeting is  asked to declare personal interests as necessary as soon as practicable after their arrival even if the item  in question has been considered. None recorded.

3. Planning Application:

i)  11/01527/FUL – erection of detached 2/3 bedroom chalet dwelling and single garage on  land adjacent to Jasmine, Chilton Road.  Applicants Mr & Mrs Hetherington.

The Chairman suspended the formal proceedings to enable parishioners to air their views regarding this application.  The meeting then resumed.

Councillors, having examined the plans in advance of the meeting, gave their opinions.
The consensus of the council was:

• the property was too large for the plot;
• there were issues of privacy, specifically with the patio overlooking the neighbouring property, Ridgewood Lodge;
• there were unresolved issues over drainage.

The council agreed to object to this application.  Clerk to advise the Vale accordingly.  Clerk

Clare Lightfoot
Clerk/Upton Parish Council
8th August 2011

UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of  Extraordinary Meeting of Upton Parish Council in the Village Hall
on Tuesday 2nd August 2011 at 8.00 pm

Present:  Mr J Dickens (Chairman), Mr S Fraser, Dr R. Lott, Mr S Norman, Mr B Shaw and Mrs L Shaw.
Mrs C Lightfoot (clerk)
3 parishioners attended for item 3(i)

1.  Apologies – none received

2.   Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in  any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Any Member arriving after the start of the meeting is  asked to declare personal interests as necessary as soon as practicable after their arrival even if the item  in question has been considered. None recorded.

3. Planning Applications:

i)  11/0136/FUL – erection of a single dwelling on land adjacent and rear of The George & Dragon.    Applicant Mr King on behalf of Mr B Kent.

The Chairman suspended the formal proceedings to enable parishioners to air their views regarding this application.  The meeting then resumed.

Councillors, having examined the plans in advance of the meeting, gave their opinions.
The consensus of the meeting was:

• This application mirrors one received previously for this site (UPT/17983/3-X) which was discussed by the Parish Council at its meeting on 14th June 2005.  As such the position   remains the same: i.e. the proposed property is in an Area  of Outstanding Beauty, and is   outside the curtilage of the village.
• The building would have adverse impact on the character/setting of the adjacent public   house which though not listed dates back to the early 19th Century. The proposed property is over dominant and does not enhance the environs of the village.
• There is concern about the access on the very busy A417.
• Risk of flooding is deemed to be an issue.

The clerk was asked to respond to the Vale accordingly.   Clerk

ii)   11/01514/FUL remodelled entrance porch and hall, Strathfield House, Chilton Road. Alterations to porch at Strathfield House, Chilton Road.  The plans, having been previously  circulated, were discussed.  The Parish Council had no objections to this application.  The  clerk to advise the Vale accordingly.     Clerk

iii)  12955/5 – Revised vehicular access and driveway at Elms Rise, Chilton Road.
Applicants Mr & Mrs Amos.   It was noted that this application has been approved.

iv)  A meeting was arranged for Monday 8th August at 8.00 p.m. to discuss Planning  Application 01527/FUL.

Clare Lightfoot
Clerk/Upton Parish Council
15th August 2011

               
UPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting of Upton Parish Council in the Village Hall on
Tuesday 19th July 2011 at 8.00 pm

Present:  Mr J Dickens (Chairman), Dr R Lott, Mr S Fraser, Mr S. Norman, Mr B Shaw, Mrs L Shaw,
Mrs C Lightfoot (Clerk)

1.   Apologies were recorded from Councillors Lilly & Shelley

2. Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Any Member arriving after the start of the meeting is asked to declare personal interests as necessary as soon as practicable after their arrival even if the item in question has been considered. Mr B Shaw & Mrs L Shaw recorded an interest in Item 4(iv).

3. Minutes of meeting held on 17th May, and extraordinary meetings held on 31st May and 21st June 2011, having been previously circulated were agreed to be a true record and signed by the Chairman.

4. Matters arising:
a)   Parish Council Meeting on 17th May:
   i)  High Voltage Cable:  Land Registry confirm the Easement is now in place.  The rerouting    of the cable by SSEB is imminent.  
   ii)  Roundels in Chilton Road:  Mr Norman is pursuing the matter with Mr L.Turner of     Highways.
iii) Aims & Objectives 2011/2012.  A revision of the aims and objectives is being produced by the Chairman, to include classifying the Recreation Ground as a QEII Field.  Draft document to be circulated for comment.      JD
iv) Caravan Rally review:  taken under Item 8.

b) Extraordinary meeting held on 31st May & 21st June
  i) Upton News – taken under 9(v)
 
5. PCSO’s report – in the absence of a PCSO there was no report.

6. District Councillor’s Report
Councillor Shelley had furnished a written report which had been circulated and is filed with these minutes.
Mr Fraser will complete a pro forma for Upton’s Emergency Plan.     SF

7. Planning
  i) UPT/10932/3 – Proposed ground floor cloakroom, Fieldside House – permitted.
  ii) UPT/16188/1 – Proposed new single and 2 storey extension and demolition of existing     garage and conservatory, Brookside – permitted.
iii) issues raised by parishioners relating to Fieldside and Hitherto:  Mr Dickens is arranging  to meet with Councillor Shelley to discuss specific concerns.
iv) UPT/11/01364/FUL – an application has now been received by the clerk for the construction of a single dwelling on land adjacent to the George & Dragon.  It was agreed to hold an extraordinary Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 2nd August at 8.00 p.m.
v) Planning Course: 3 councillors had attended this course and agreed it had been useful.  The highlights document will be distributed to all councillors.  JD
    
8. Villagers’ Forum
(i) Caravan Rally:  a number of emails had been received supporting the rally as a social event which is well organized and enhances fund raising.  However others have raised objections to the field being out of bounds on the first long Bank Holiday in the year.  A suggestion was made that the Rally might be held over an alternate Bank Holiday. Comment was also made that the poor state of the Hall drains cannot cope with the volume of waste.  A query was raised as to whether holding the rally was in contravention of the Recreation Ground deed.
      In conclusion the Parish Council were in favour, in principle, of continuing with the Rally,        subject to the drains being repaired and guidelines being met.  Guidelines to be drawn up and           circulated for members’ approval.  The Parish Council agreed that the Rally should be            reviewed on an annual basis. Mrs Shaw will liaise with the UVHAT committee. LS

(ii)      Bonfires: an email had been received complaining about the nuisance of bonfires.  It was                        agreed to put a reminder of the Bonfire Code in the Upton News with a link to the code on the         web.           BS

9. Reports from Councillors on areas of responsibility
i) Roads and Footpaths:
Footpath Maintenance:  OCC have confirmed payment of £337.50 for footpath maintenance for  this year (a 25% reduction on last year).
Coffin Way: after discussion it was agreed that Dr Lott will liaise with Sustainable Blewbury to  pursue improvements to Coffin Way. 
ii) Amenities including Recreation Ground
 QEII Field status:  see item 4(iii).
 Weed treatment ) it was agreed that since there is likely to be a call on
 Lawn sweeper   ) funds to assist UVHAT with replacing the hall drains
      the Parish Council was unable to commit to these items
      in the current financial year.
iii) Young Parishioners including Play Area:
Inspection Sheets:  a process is now in place for resuming inspecting the play area.
The first sheet has been completed by Dr Lott.
iv) Village Hall: nothing to report
v) Communications
Upton News:  Mr Shaw said that no volunteers had come forward to assist Mrs Sayers with editing  Upton News commencing with the August edition. 
vi) Volunteer Group:
There are a number of tasks requiring attention including: tidying humps, hedging and strimming.
Help will be requested by email and through Upton News.   RL/SF/BS 
vii) N.A.G.
Mrs Davies reported that one incident of speeding had been detected by the Speed Indicator Device  (SID).
viii) UKAEA Stakeholders Committee: no report
ix) Parish Transport Rep: the results of the recent survey will be published in December.

10. Administrative matters:
i) Reallocation of duties:
  Planning:  Mr Fraser will take the lead in arranging site visits and liaise with neighbours to ensure   they are aware of Parish Council planning meetings.
iii) Timetable for discussions:
It was agreed that a stricter timetable for discussions should be adhered to.
iv) Councillor’s expenses:
The Parish Council agreed that councillors and others who undertake duties on behalf of the  council should not be out of pocket.  All reasonable expenditure shall be reimbursed and should be  supported by a VAT receipt where possible.
v) Emergency Continuity Planning:  Mr Fraser will deal with this.   SF

11. Finance
i) Invoices for payment since last meeting
a. Clerk’s salary gross £321 (less PAYE £80.25) = £240.75 + expenses £54.95
b. HMRC – payment of clerk’s deducted tax (April-July) £160.50
c. OALC planning course, 3 attendees fees – £108* already paid

The above invoices were approved for payment.

iv) Receipts since last meeting:
  Bank interest May 43p, June 46p
  VAT refund May £7.29, June £14.67
  Donation from Uptonogood, £3,000
  
  The above receipts were acknowledged.   The clerk to write to the Uptonogood committee    thanking them for their donation which is to be earmarked towards the Playground. Clerk

12. Correspondence recently received
i) letter from Ben Lott suggesting Scarecrow Trail as fundraiser for Playground:
  it was agreed that this is a good idea and could be combined with some other village activity, eg    the Fete. Dr Lott was asked to pursue this through Mrs West.    RL
ii) invitation to Civic Service in Christchurch Cathedral on 18th October.  Mr Shaw agreed to attend.

13.  Date for next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th September 2011
It was noted that the date set for the Annual Parish Meeting falls on a Bank Holiday and therefore needs to  be changed.

Clare Lightfoot, Clerk
9th August 2011

Present: Mr J Dickens (Chairman), Dr R Lott, Mr S Norman, Mr S Fraser, Mr B Shaw, Mrs L Shaw & Mrs C Lightfoot (Clerk)

1. Apologies: there were no apologies

2. Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare any personal interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Any Member arriving after the start of the meeting is asked to declare personal interests as necessary as soon as practicable after their arrival even if the item in question has been considered. None recorded

3. Planning Applications:

i) UPT/12955/5 – proposal for revised vehicular access and driveway at Elms Rise, Chilton Road

Applicants Mr & Mrs Amos. The plans, having been previously circulated, were discussed. The Parish Council had no objection to this application but request that the technical requirements as agreed with Judy Kelly (Highways and Transport Area Liaison Officer) be enforced given the potential road hazards. In particular the access is close to where vehicles have just entered the village, on a downhill road gradient with limited forward visibility due to the natural curve of the road. Clerk to advise the Vale accordingly. Clerk

ii) UPT/20551/2 – proposed change of use from agricultural land to orchard, vegetable garden, private equestrian use on land to rear of Scotlands Ash, Reading Road. Applicant Mr P Mansbridge.

Plans had been circulated to members in advance of the meeting. In addition photographic evidence of the entrance to the site was shown. After discussion the Parish Council agreed to object to this proposal.

The following concerns were raised:

• Safety of Access: concern regarding the movement of slow moving vehicles on and off site onto the fast moving traffic on the A417. The existing access would not appear suitable.
• Impact on the mature hedgerow, existing trees, widlife and boundary ménage;
• No explanation as to how the animal waste would be dealt
• No explanation in the application stating how the surface water from the equestrian building is to be dealt with.

It was noted that in a previous application (UPT/20551) permitted by the Vale the plan of the site showed a proposed nature area and fruit trees. On the current plan this area is shown as “blank”. We note from a site visit that this area appears to currently be in use as a private garden on agricultural land.

The clerk to advise the Vale that the Parish Council object to this application. Clerk

4. Upton News: the Chairman updated the meeting on progress made in finding a new editor. A volunteer has stepped forward and Mr Shaw has held some preliminary discussions with the volunteer and the current editor. Councillors had certain concerns, in particular – if the News is to be on E-mail circulation that hard copies should be delivered to parishioners unless they chose to opt out; Upton Parish Council notes be given precedence when there is a pressure on space; Upton News continues to meet the needs of the community. In line with the minutes of the Upton Parish Council Meeting held on 31st May it was agreed that although a suitable volunteer had come forward a note be placed in the July Edition to establish whether there is anybody else interesting in the production of Upton News. Mr Shaw will liaise on this matter and produce a comment for the July edition of Upton News BS

5. Recreation Ground matters:

Playground Inspection: the clerk advised that the ROSPA inspection of the Playground is due to take place during July. Dr Lott and Mr Shaw will carry out an inspection in advance of this. BS/RL

Tidying Bike Jumps: it was noted that the bike jumps have become overgrown. Dr Lott will take appropriate action. RL

The meeting closed at 10.20 p.m.

Clare Lightfoot
Clerk/Upton Parish Council

25th June 2011