MIDDLETON CHENEY
Parish Council
Parish Meeting Room
Main Road
Middleton Cheney
Banbury
Oxon
OX17 2LR
PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING & GENERAL MEETING
Monday, 20th July 2015 at 7.15 p.m.
MINUTES
Venue:
Parish Meeting Room, Main Road, Middleton Cheney, OX17 2LR.
Present:
Cllr. A. Youel (Chairman), Cllr. S. Jerrams Coughtrey (Vice-Chairman),
Cllrs. A. Deary, P. Dixon, E. Mason
Clerk/RFO & District Councillor V. Furniss (Mrs) and
Clerical Assistant E. Winn (Mrs).
15/183
Resolution to approve apologies for absence.
Cllr. J. Taylor – Family commitments
Cllr. C. Bowden – Illness
Proposed: Cllr. S. Jerrams Coughtrey
15/184
Seconded: Cllr. A. Deary
Members’ declaration of interest in items on the Agenda.
There were no members’ declaration of interest in items on the Agenda
15/185
OPEN MEETING.
3 residents attended. One resident explained that an Enforcement Notice had
been served on them, their neighbour and the Developer and an Appeal had
been sent to the Planning Inspectorate by the appointed Agent. He further
explained that he and his wife had been living at the property for one year and
they were very concerned regarding the possible outcome resulting in their
house being demolished. This could also apply to their neighbour at No.1. The
resident was looking for support from the Parish Council with the Appeal. The
Chair explained that the Parish Council had received a copy of the Appeal Notice
and would be requesting an extension to the deadline set. This topic would be an
Agenda item for the September meeting.
2015/76
Chairman: Cllr. Alan Youel
Vice Chairman: Cllr. Sue Jerrams Coughtrey
Clerk: 01295 713500, Email: clerk@middletoncheney.org.uk
MIDDLETON CHENEY
Parish Council
15/186
Planning, letters, decisions and applications.
15/186.1 Planning Applications
No applications were received.
15/1 86.2 Decisions
15/187
S/2015/1093/FUL – 8 Slade Leas
Part garage conversion and boundary wall.
APPROVAL
S/2015/1022/FUL – 9 and 10 Horton Close
Erection of single storey extensions to rear elevation.
APPROVAL
WW1 Memorial – Custodian Trustees – Update
Clerk
To date, there had been no communication from the PCC. The Clerk said she
would send a follow-up email asking for comment on the request sent. Cllr.
Deary asked how long an item could stay on an Agenda before it was removed.
This topic had been ongoing for several months. It was explained that the only
criteria regarding Agenda items was once removed they could not go back on the
Agenda for 6 months
15/188
Village Fun Fair – Would this be feasible?
All Cllrs/Clerk
Discussion took place regarding the feasibility of a Fun Fair for the village. It was
felt that although families would enjoy and benefit from this activity, location
would be a problem. The Clerk said that she would write back to the company
suggesting contacting both the Primary and Secondary Schools. The other
possibility would be to liaise with a landowner.
Action: Agenda item for September Meeting – Clerk to handle.
15/189
Bovis Estate – B4525

Location of Stile – Agreement
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All Cllrs.
The Clerk circulated to all Councillors a copy of the proposed
site/location for the replacement Stile for their consideration. All agreed
to the suggested location.
Ransom Strip

The aspect of the ransom strip was raised. Cllr. Dixon said it would
appear a final handover had not taken place with residents. The Clerk
said she would write to Bovis to remind them and request the legal
documentation is finalised.
Action: Clerk to write to Bovis.
2015/77
Chairman: Cllr. Alan Youel
Vice Chairman: Cllr. Sue Jerrams Coughtrey
Clerk: 01295 713500 Email: clerk@middletoncheney.org.uk
MIDDLETON CHENEY
Parish Council
15/190
ICC Report

Finance Working Party Meeting – recommendations.
Councillor Youel gave an overview of the recommendations as follows:

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Stanwell Play Area equipment should be reviewed relating to current
legislation and equipment now available.
Cemetery charges should be reviewed at the next Cemetery Working
party.
S137 – additional finance should be added to next year’s Precept.
£50 to be set aside for War Shrine planting - allocated yearly
expenditure to be taken from Remembrance Day budget.
Remembrance Day wreath should be the Civic one this year. Cost
would be £50 plus ribbon costs.
Bovis Estate – Adoption of Street Lighting – Commuted sum

Recommendation for the suggested commuted sum of £40,000 was
felt by Councillors to be an acceptable amount. This was a
substantial increase on the original amount that Cllr. Youel had
negotiated. All Councillors agreed to accept the offer.
Proposed: Cllr. S. Jerrams Coughtrey
15/191
S137 – Parish Council Policy – Adoption
Seconded: Cllr. E. Mason
Clerk/All Cllrs.
The Clerk gave an overview to Cllrs. on the Internal Auditor’s suggestion
regarding future Grant donations. A number of Parishes had decided to cease
donations due to the conflict it caused. Cllrs. felt they would like to continue with
Grant donations for those organisations that were struggling. The Clerk said she
had prepared a draft policy and she would circulate it for consideration and
approval.
Action: Clerk to add to September’s Agenda and circulate draft policy to all Cllrs.
15/192
Clerk/RFO Report

General report on activities in the office
o
Grass – Rose Hall Lane – The Clerk had received a complaint
regarding the lack of grass cutting. This had been reported to the
contractor who in turn has contacted the Sub Contractor to comment
and action as soon as possible.
o
Wall – Yellow bricks – High Street Commercial Centre. Residents,
regarding colour of the bricks used on the wall that are not
compatible with the existing wall, had approached Cllr Deary. The
Clerk had contacted the agent who assured her that the bricks would
weather down in time.
2015/78
Chairman: Cllr. Alan Youel
Vice Chairman: Cllr. Sue Jerrams Coughtrey
Clerk: 01295 713500 Email: clerk@middletoncheney.org.uk
MIDDLETON CHENEY
Parish Council
o
Grass cutting – Depending on location in the village the Clerk had
either received complimentary written communication or complaints.
All concerns are addressed immediately.
o
S106 – Cllrs. had been issued with guidelines on this subject. The
Clerk had been informed by Planning that the backlog would shortly
be addressed. Clerk to follow through.
o
Dands Drive – South Northants had issued a letter to residents
indicating that a site visit had already taken place. Whereas a site
visit was scheduled for Tuesday the 21st July. South Northants had
issued an apology to the residents following a complaint from the
Clerk.
o
Village Hall Open Day – Although the Parish Council would not
require a table this year it was suggested by Cllr. Mason that the
Clerk could forward this information to the Police who are currently
seeking volunteers for Parish Constables.
o
Over hanging vegetation – The office had received concerns
regarding some properties where this has not been addressed. The
Clerk has given Cllrs. letters to post.
o
Cemetery tap – We have received a concern regarding the stand for
the tap as it was deteriorating. Our contractor has indicated that he
will repair this as soon as possible.
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Special Parish Constables – The Clerk had attended a meeting at SNC. She
has been informed that a leaflet drop could take place to all residents at no
cost to the Parish Council to see whether interest could be gained. Cllrs. felt
this would be welcomed by all residents i.e. to have someone with local
knowledge.
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Road side – car sales – Set-up shop – Grass verge – The Clerk had
communicated with Brackley Police and had received a response from the
PCSO indicating that residents should ring 101 where this would be checked
out.

Village/Residential Care Homes – Perceived problems – Concerns relating to
the elderly of the village had been raised and the Clerk was addressing
these.

Play Area Inspections – Astrop & Stanwell – The inspections and costs had
been circulated to all Cllrs. with a recommendation to proceed with High
Priority topics. In addition, parents had approached the Clerk on upgrading
The play equipment. Parents were prepared to help with fund raising. The
comparison parents used was with Kings Sutton play area.

Community Enhancement Gangs – Work to be carried out at the end of July
the community enhancement gangs would be in the village at the end of
July. There are four areas that the Clerk had requested, as follows:
2015/79
Chairman: Cllr. Alan Youel
Vice Chairman: Cllr. Sue Jerrams Coughtrey
Clerk: 01295 713500 Email: clerk@middletoncheney.org.uk
MIDDLETON CHENEY
Parish Council
1.
2.
3.
4.
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15/193
Signs to be cleaned at the entrance to the village.
Clearing vegetation from footpaths.
Wrought iron gates at Tenlands – to be cleaned
Wooden posts on the Green – preservative for 64 posts.
Office Security – codes – The Clerk had issued codes and instructions on how
to operate the new system.
Clerk of the Council and RFO roles as at 1 st September 2015
Resolution to approve the role of Clerk/RFO reverting to a paid position as from
1st September 2015 as the voluntary unpaid role ceases on the 31st August,
2015.
It was resolved to change the Clerk/RFO’s position to a paid position from an
unpaid one as from 1st September 2015. This was a unanimous vote by all
Councillors attending.
Proposed: Cllr. A. Youel
Seconded: Cllr. P. Dixon
15/194
Next meetings
Full Council Meeting – 3rd August - Cancelled
Planning & General Meeting – 17th August – Cancelled
Full Council Meeting – 7th September 2015
Planning & General Meeting, if necessary – 21st
September 2015
15/195
Closed meeting – Human Resources (HR)
Resolution to exclude the public and the press in accordance with Section 1(2) of
the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 as publicity would be
prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the
business about to be transacted, relating to HR.
Signed………………………………..
Chairman
Dated …………………….………….
2015/80
Chairman: Cllr. Alan Youel
Vice Chairman: Cllr. Sue Jerrams Coughtrey
Clerk: 01295 713500 Email: clerk@middletoncheney.org.uk