held on Monday 9^th December 2024 at 7.00 p.m. in Shippon Church Hall.

Present: Cllr. M. Page (Chair), Cllr R. Bahu, Cllr N. Benchiba-Savenius, Cllr D. Churchouse, Cllr M. Littleboy, Cllr M Rusby, Cllr S Rusby

Absent: None

Also in attendance: W Bates (Clerk), two members of the public, District Cllr Clegg (arrived 20:15)

1. To note apologies for absence – none
2. To receive any Declarations of Interest from Councillors relating to items on the Agenda – None
3. To receive updates relating to airfield events and related issues – MOD Station Admin Manager, David O’Hara & Cllr S Rusby; David O’Hara was unable to attend and sent apologies.
4. To receive reports from District and County Councillors
   County Councillor Peter Stevens gave his apologies and sent in a report:
   I attended the councillor briefing on the Dalton Barracks scheme, which I found informative, and I saw several of you there – hi again.  I think we got our main points across and await to hear what else people raise during the consultation.

As requested last time, we did raise the complication of SESRO and the DIO said they were liaising with SESRO to coordinate effort and minimise disruption.  I see SESRO have also added Dalton to their plan maps and indicated a combined junction for both access roads.  I still believe the SESRO scheme to be deeply flawed in many respects, but this is at least reassuring.
I also attended a briefing by the Environment Agency on the Thames Valley Flood Scheme, which was disappointing, as they were announcing they had not found a viable scheme for flood storage – to alleviate local flooding – from the 17 high potential sites assessed. Given the floods were still around us when this was presented, it seemed incredulous that the scheme could be disbanded when it is clearly a major issue, which I stressed. There is just one scheme they are recommending to take forward for the Ock near Abingdon where the identified floor storage site is part of the SESRO scheme.  They are communicating with Thames Water (who they also regulated) to ensure that this is put in their plans for SESRO. I don’t think this is sufficient and I think they under-estimate the economic damage to the area when flooding occurs. The district council are raising a motion which I am seconding next week to push back on the results of this report.
No further news on the Barrow Road junction, but I did have some good meetings with Highways to understand their plans and perspectives, and they suggest we roll this into the Dalton Barracks plan ideally to create a one way system around Barrow Road, that would provide enough safe space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Finally, I have approved the requested funding to upgrade the planned VAS to a SID sign, which hopefully has come through.

District Cllr Robert Clegg

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE’s) final recommendations on the new electoral arrangements for Vale of White Horse District Council have recently been published, which include the merger of the current Marcham and Wootton wards into a single two-member ward following the next district elections in May 2027: Vale of White Horse | LGBCE. These recommendations will next be laid before Parliament for ratification.

5. To note matters raised by members of the public –
6. To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st October 2024
7. To receive the Clerk’s Report
   communications/email distribution – testing email distribution with Email Octopus

planning application for noticeboard – awaiting photo from Richard

Freepost address – application submitted 18/11/24.  Awaiting confirmation.

Telephone now up and running Tel 01865 602145 and mobile number for text messages 07421438729

Unity Trust Bank £250 compensation for delay in getting payment card

8. To receive updates on the following items:
   1. Sandleigh Road Recreation Ground – Cllr Littleboy – the painting of the swings is now complete; the grass has not required cutting.
   2. Road Verges Grass Cutting – Cllr Littleboy – this was due in October but was not done until November and was not cut sufficiently so requires cutting again. Cllrs Page and Littleboy are to meet with BGG to discuss the poor service.
   3. Highways Issues – Cllr M Rusby:
      1. Barrow Road verge erosion issue – no progress has occurred. Cllr Page to discuss the issue with the Vale’s Conservation Officer.  The suggestion has been to put in white lines to mark the road edge and is currently on the Officer’s To Do List.
      2. Speed and traffic calming measures in Cothill – no update.

• Fix My Street Super Users – all issues reported by the Super Users are being actioned within 2 weeks.

1. Community Speedwatch – the effect of the Speedwatch Team has reduced the speeds whilst this was taking place. It was suggested that speedwatch signs be put on the village entry gates.

1. Dalton Barrack Development and engagement with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation – Cllr Bahu – the Consultation Events have taken place – concerns have been raised over traffic and lack of healthcare services and the simultaneous development of the Reservoir and the Garden Village. Discussions have taken place regards the Masterplan and the site decommissioning.  Meeting was held between members of the Parish Council and the Parish’s Consultant, Nigel McGurk.  The new National Planning Policy Framework is due to be published on 18^th December 2024 together with how the housing is to be delivered.
2. Issues with the fireworks events – issues with parked cars and long delays throughout the area including the A34, Shippon, Cothill, Dry Sandford and Wootton. The Parish Council will be requesting that either the event is relocated to a more suitable venue for the size of the event or that a comprehensive traffic management plan is produced and enforceable. To date, no reply has been forthcoming from the event organiser.  The Safety Advisory Group (which assesses the impact on the local area) has been contacted. The District Council provides a Temporary Event Licence which relates to the event itself.  The Safety Advisory Group will request that the Parish Council has a seat at the panel considering future events.  A member of the public present expressed their views that the organiser disregarded the well-being and safety of the event goes, residents and road-users.  Suggestions of requests for future events: ticket only, restricted number of cars, restrict pedestrian access and postcode of pedestrian accesses not to be advertised to avoid parking near these locations and to ensure a traffic management plan is put in place. The issue will be raised in a forthcoming meeting with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.  Cllr S Rusby will lead the Parish Council’s response on this.
3. Wootton and Dry Sandford Community Centre AGM – Cllr Churchouse – The Community Centre has concerns over the finances. This is being monitored and measures are being put in place. The challenge is to balance the needs of small local clubs and the taking of larger corporate bookings to bring in greater revenue.  The Parish Council is willing to consider grant requests provided that this is supported by a strong business case and encourage a dialogue between WADS and St Helen Without Parish Council.
4. Communication support group for residents – Cllr Littleboy – There is an Abingdon Good Neighbour Scheme which covers Shippon. It was suggested that contact was made with the local Churches to establish what is available.
5. To review results from the Archer tubes at Cothill and the SID in Lashford Lane –
   The SID was recently in Lashford Lane monitoring traffic travelling south to north i.e. towards Wootton. For the week 4th-10th November the total volume for the week was 3907 vehicles. It is, of course, the fast drivers that are of greatest interest and stats from the SID tend to generalities. Nevertheless, other charts show that, of the total, twenty were travelling around 35mph, four at 40mph and one bold driver was travelling at 45mph; most of these speeds were achieved in the middle of the day. It is worth noting that, although the number driving at these speeds was small compared with the total, the SID was placed just up from the school, monitoring traffic coming past the school.
   Archer tubes in Cothill – Significantly more traffic was travelling towards Oxford. It came as some surprise that 17,654 vehicles travelled through Cothill (and the dangerous double bend). Most were moving above the speed limit, with about a third travelling above 30mph (the limit is 20mph). Only a relatively small number were travelling above 40mph but a few of those were travelling really quickly.

Unsurprisingly, the bulk of the traffic flows between 7am and 6pm, the first two hours being the busiest.

9. To consider the installation of Archer tubes in Shippon – it was agreed that this was not required at this stage.
10. To agree the purchase of a second Speed Indicator Device (SID) and to give consideration to a future purchase of an Automatic Speed Watch Camera

Provided that the funds are received from the County Councillor Priority fund, it was agreed to purchase two Elan City Evolis SID solar mobile package at £2250 + £90 p&p and installation.

In the event that the funds are not forthcoming, it was agreed to purchase one Elan City Evolis SID solar mobile package at £2250 + £90 p&p and installation.
Due to the estimated cost of £5000 for an Automatic Speed Watch Camera it was suggested that this could be bought in association with another Parish Council.  This would have built in ANPR.  Options for this are to be explored.

11. Governance
    1. To consider and approve the proposed Budget for 2025-26 – The budget was reviewed and after consideration of adjustment of reserves, the budget was approved as follow:

61. To agree the precept for 2025-26 – It was agreed to request a precept of £53,160 i.e.£61.75 per band D property, an increase of 4% on last year.
62. To agree the proposed Meeting dates for 2025
    The following dates were agreed:
    27^th January 2025
    10^th March 2025
    14^th April 2025
    19^th May 2025
    23^rd June 2025
    4^th August 2025
    15^th September 2025
    27^th October 2025
    8^th December 2025
63. To note that the National Joint Council for Local Government Services has agreed on pay rates applicable from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. For all spinal column points to 43, the agreed award was a flat payment of £1,290 per annum (pro rata) for part-time employees.  This increase and the back pay has been applied to the November payroll – this was noted.
64. To note any spend agreed by the Clerk under the delegated powers – The following items were noted and approved:
    MRH Services – adjustment of height of Swing Seat at £40
    Caloo – purchase of parts for the body twist at £484.50 ex VAT
    Royal British Legion – purchase of two Wreaths for Remembrance Day at £49.98

12. Finance
    1. To agree the list of payments and any additional invoices presented for payment since the circulation of the agenda – the following items were noted:

Ref       Details              Payment Total              Method

b42       Shield Maintenance Ltd/Bin Emptying              £             46.80               bacs

b43       Shield Maintenance Ltd/Bin Emptying              £             46.80               bacs

b44       ICO              £             35.00               DD

b45       Clerk Salary/Month 7 October              £           862.24                                                               so

b46       Nest/Month 7              £           138.72                                                               dd

b47       Defib Pads              £             77.94               Bacs

b48       Unity Bank/Service Charge              £               5.40               DD

b49       Unity Bank/Service Charge              £               5.40               DD

b50       MR H Services/SID sign relocation              £             35.00               bacs

b51       St Magdelene Church Hall              £           144.00               bacs

b52       Greenbarnes Ltd/Noticeboard              £        2,617.58               bacs

b53       Talk Home Mobile              £               2.74               card

b54       Clerk Salary/Month 8 November              £        1,039.55                                                              so

b55       Nest/Month 8              £           168.47                                                               dd

b56       Caloo/Body Twist Parts              £           581.40               bacs

b57       W Bates/ Royal British Legion/Wreaths              £             49.98               bacs

b58       Friends of Shippon/Grant              £           300.00               bacs

b59       Citizens’ Advice Grant              £           500.00               bacs

b60       Shield Maintenance Ltd/Bin Emptying              £             46.80               bacs

b61       Virtual Landline                                                            £               8.75      card

b62       Virtual Landline                                                            £               8.75      card

b63       MR H Services/SID repainting of swings              £           714.75               bacs

b64       St Mary Magdelene Church, Shippon                   £           500.00               bacs

b65       Mind Charity                                                                 £           500.00               bacs

1. To note the list of receipts

Date                           Details                                     Payment Total

14/11/2024              Unity Goodwill Gesture                                     £           250.00

31/10/2024              bank interest                                     £             78.34

30/09/2024              bank interest                                     £             61.48

1. To note the cancellation of invoice B37 for £112 ex VAT in respect of Parish Online; the invoice has been voided as the contribution of the Clerk’s attendance at the SLCC National Conference.
2. To consider any request for a grant: St Mary Magdalene Church – in light of the clarification of the law, the Parish Council is able to provide a grant to the Church. It was also felt that given this is an open space for all members of the Community and provides access to the War Memorial and burial Ground, it was felt appropriate to provide a grant of £500.
   and Mind Charity £500

14. Training
    1. To consider the Clerk’s attendance at the Practioner’s Conference – it was agreed that Clerk was to attend the Practioner’s Conference, but that the cost may be split between the Parish Council and Parish Online.
15. Planning
    1. Planning Applications Received:

P24/V2344/AG

Land at Honeybottom Lane Dry Sandford Abingdon

Erection of agricultural barn for the storage of machinery and equipment.

31 October 2024
No objection

1. Planning Applications Decisions – the following decisions were noted:

P24/V2344/AG

Land at Honeybottom Lane Dry Sandford Abingdon

Erection of agricultural barn for the storage of machinery and equipment.

31 October 2024

Agricultural Development – Application Not Req.

P24/V1866/HH

1 Barrow Road Shippon Abingdon Oxfordshire OX13 6JF

Construction of single storey side extension

2 September 2024

A request was made for planning applications emails to include planning application reference and address to ensure that all responses are submitted.

16. To Consider the Application for Co-option as a member – It was resolved to co-opt Patricia Lane Evans as a Councillor.
17. To note the resignation of Cllr N Benchiba-Savenius – the Council extended thanks to Cllr N Benchiba-Savenius.
18. To review and note Communications received and to consider any responses if required
19. To note matters raised by members of the Council and Clerk.
20. Date of next meeting:

To confirm the date of the next Parish Council Meeting on Monday 27^th January 2025

The meeting closed at: 22:00