LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (LDF)

As mentioned in the previous issue of the Village News, consultation is currently taking place on how local planning policies from 2011 will be formed. This includes a recently released ‘Additional Site Allocations: Issues and Options’ publication containing two additional sites in Minster Lovell. West Oxfordshire District Council is seeking your thoughts as to whether these sites (and those already proposed) should be considered for development. Further information on all of the sites put forward for future development can be found at www.westoxon.gov.uk/LDF or by contacting Paul Slater, Planning Service, WODC on 01993 861665.

THAMES WATER WORKS

Following correspondence with Thames Water, an update has been received regarding the Thames Water works on the B4047:-

Burford Road surface - The whole length and width of the Burford Road through the village will be resurfaced. Timescales currently unknown.

Girders at Burford Road/Brize Norton Road junction - These are to be replaced with short girders, thereby no longer compromising sight lines at the junction. Due to be undertaken by 13 July.

Roadworks/three-way traffic lights at Witney Motor Auctions junction - The works at this junction are due to be completed by 27 July.

VILLAGE ALLOTMENTS

The Parish Council has received requests for village allotments and we would like to have your thoughts on this subject. With the ever increasing price of food and valuable learning opportunities for children, an allotment could be a great asset. If you are interested in having an allotment, please contact the Clerk to have your name added to the list. Please supply your name, address and contact telephone number. Whilst we would like to understand the strength of support for this amenity, in order for this project to be considered, we also need to receive offers of land for lease, however big or small!

RIPLEY AVENUE

The Council has received information that the amenity area is being misused by teenagers drinking alcohol and camping at weekends. Please note that camping and the drinking of alcohol is not permitted at Ripley Avenue Amenity Area. The Police have been asked to be extra vigilant and make more regular visits.

EXPERIMENTAL ONE-WAY SYSTEM, OLD MINSTER LOVELL

The experimental one-way system has been in use for a few weeks now and it has been asked that the Parish Council clarify how cyclists use the system. Following consultation with Oxfordshire County Council’s Highways department, cyclists are to follow the Highway Code unless they are on foot pushing their bikes. For example, cyclists may push their bicycle along the marked footway on the eastern arm of the system or on the footpath on School Hill. If you are cycling on the road, you are required to follow the one-way system flow of traffic.

VACANCY - SECRETARY TO TRUSTEES OF WASH MEADOW

Minster Lovell Parish Council in consultation with the Trustees of Wash Meadow, are seeking to appoint a new Secretary.

Both parties agree that it would be desirable to appoint a village person who could play an active part in the affairs of Wash Meadow. The work entails dealing with correspondence and quotations; undertaking risk assessments; dealing with health and safety matters and ensuring that the facilities are well maintained and safe for parishioner's use. Please contact Dawn Haley (01993) 775675 for more information or contact the Clerk if you wish to apply.

NEWS IN BRIEF

The Parish Council continues to work on the following issues:- * Clarify insurance aspects before creating a bmx dirt track at Ripley Avenue Amenity Area. * A new bus shelter has been erected near the Bushey Ground junction of the Brize Norton Road. This is to shelter school children whilst they wait for their school bus and for parishioners using the 200 bus service to Oxford. * Plans are currently being worked on to refurbish the Spar shop grass verges. This includes the installation of wooden posts to preserve the grass verges with creation of widened tarmaced footpaths.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Council normally meet every third Monday of the month in St Kenelm’s Hall at 7.00pm. The forthcoming meetings are Monday 18^th August and Monday 15^th September. The agenda for each meeting is posted on the village noticeboards at least three days in advance of the meeting. A question time for parishioners is held at the end of meetings.

If you are unable to attend a meeting, but would like to comment on an agenda item, please write to the Clerk at 91 Brize Norton Road or by email to mlparishclerk@btopenworld.com and your comment will be added to the discussion.

Thanks to fellow Councillors and Mrs. Doughty the Parish Clerk for their contribution to serving the Parish Council over the past year. A special mention to Ted Cambray who served the Council well for 3 years as a co-opted member. The Parish has been well represented at County Council level by Rodney Rose and at District Council level by Warwick Robinson, who both attend and present regular up-dates on their work to the Council. This has been an election year and your Council has been returned un-contested because less people stood for election than there are seats. The Council will therefore be looking to co-opt a seventh member of the Council.

The Parish accounts for the year end 2006/07 have been approved by the District auditor and accounts for the year end 2007/08 have been finalised with a closing balance of just over £58,000. During 2006/07 the Council contributed £10,950 to 9 village organisations, and has precept £12,350 in 2008/09. The precept has been set at £25,949, a small increase on the previous year.

The Council has responded to 31 planning applications, 2 appeals and the initial consultation of the Local Development Framework. The Council continues to be vigilant in responding to planning applications and has raised a number of issues with the District Council regarding the process of delegation, which is used for the majority of applications. Mr. Parkinson, WODC Conservation Officer, gave a presentation on Conservation Area status and the Council made some recommendations for extension of the existing area north of the B4047.

The Council continues to maintain Ripley Avenue amenity area and playground. Thanks to the Management Committee, Mrs. Muller and Mr. Ford for their continued support. The use of the area has generally improved and reported incidents of vandalism and misbehaviour have reduced, but regular reports of dog fouling still occur. During the year the Village has welcomed two Police Community Support Officers, Mrs Rabson and Mrs Webb, who have both made a positive contribution to the Village and developed good relationships with the young people. They have been very responsive to the Council and local residents.

During the year the Parish Council has developed its work with young people, including hosting 3 young peoples’ consultation evenings. This has resulted in new goals on Ripley Avenue, thanks to a willing band of parents who installed them, and advanced plans for a dirt BMX track. The Young People have done a litter pick and are taking more responsibility in the Village.

Regarding Highways issues, the Parish Council has agreed to an experimental one-way system in the old village, to be reviewed over the next 6 months, the installation of a new bus shelter at the Southern end of the Brize Norton Road and regular gully cleaning following last year’s summer floods. Discussions are underway with Oxfordshire County Council to refurbish the grass verge by the Spar shop and to assess the feasibility of using the discussed A40 as a car park. The Council is working with WODC to find a suitable location for a Village re-cycling centre and has commissioned the District Council to provide the grass cutting service throughout the Village for a second year.

Minster Lovell has a good bus service which is constantly under review, with the Village being well represented at County level by Mr. Beechener, Parish Transport Representative. Liaison has taken place with RAF Brize Norton and local Parish Councils regarding the impact of the expansion of RAF Brize Norton and the Council is represented on the Carterton Town Council’s Local Action Group.

The renovation of the war memorial is near completion, including the cleaning and re-instating of names. The Council feel this is a fitting tribute to those who lost their life fighting for our Country. The relocation of the Memorial has seen a revival in the Remembrance Day Service which is now a real Parish event supported by many Villagers, youth organisations and uniformed services, don’t miss it this year!

Mr. Hunt the Fishing Bailiff has continued to monitor fishing from Wash Meadow and helps to prevent the field from being misused. The Council has responded to a range of Parishioners’ concerns, particularly relating to parking problems, dog fouling, litter and road repairs. Such concerns are taken up with the appropriate Local Authority Department. Members of the Parish Council have attended a range of Local and District meetings, representing the views of the Parish and increasing their knowledge as Councillors in order to become more informed and serve the Council better. I look forward to continuing to serve the Village, you as Parishioners and the Council during the coming year.