Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 1st April 2025 at 19:30
PRESENT: –
Tim Shreeve Councillor & Chairman Parish Council (Chair)
Mark Davis Councillor
Ashley Byrne Councillor
Kate Flanagan Councillor
Graeme Warnes Councillor
Greg Lismore Parish Clerk
2025.31 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None required – all members present.
2025.32 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS – Cllr. Ashley Bryne declared an interest in the planning application reference P24/S3939/FUL and took no part in the deliberation or vote. Cllr. Tim Shreeve also declared an interest in the planning application reference P24/S3939/FUL and took no part in the deliberation or vote
2025.33 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – 8 members of the public were present including our 2 Ward Councillors on SODC..
A member of the public requested that printed copies of the meeting agendas were placed on the chairs in the meeting room. It was pointed out that the agendas were physically published in advance of the meeting on both Parish Council Noticeboards and also electronically on the Parish Council website. Cllr. Ashley Bryne volunteered to print some copies in future.
A member of the public requested that the Parish Councillors used the PA system in the meeting venue as it was difficult to hear. Cllr. Ashley Bryne agreed to make enquires of the venue owners and try and do this in future.
2025.34 MINUTES and MATTERS ARISING.
The minutes of the meeting held on 4th March 2025 were approved by Council and signed by the Chairman.
2025.35 UPDATES FROM OCC and SODC WARD COUNCILLORS – A written report was received from our SODC ward representatives and taken as read.
2025.36 PLANNING MATTERS
FOR CONSIDERATION:-
P24/S3939/FUL at Chiltern View 35 Windmill Road Towersey OX9 3QQ – Erection of an agricultural barn for the storage of tractors and machinery associated with the use of the holding.
The Parish Council had no objection
FOR INFORMATION:-
* South Oxfordshire District Council have informed the Parish Council that they have taken further enforcement action in respect of breaches of planning law at Emmanuel Ranch on Windmill Road. There is also an appeal in process against the enforcement notice dated 16 January 2025 (Appeal Reference: 3361189) and the public are requested to make representation by 11 April 2025 if they so wish. There will be a public hearing on the matters but no date has yet been published but it is anticipated to be at the end of May 2025.
The Chairman of the Parish Council reminded the public that if they had comments they needed to submit them to the Planning Inspector by the due date. The Parish Council will submit comments separately.
2025.37 FINANCE
The receipts and payments schedule was reviewed. Cheque payments were approved and signed by 2 Councillors. The Bank Balance as at 1 April 2025 was available for Councillors in the finance folder.
The Parish Council Chairman clarified the comments he made at the last Parish Council meeting in respect of the Towersey Playing Fields Accounts – and apologised to the Playing Fields Committee for causing confusion due to a misunderstanding on his reading of the Charities Commission website.
The Annual Governance and Accounting Review (AGAR) process will commence this month and as usual will include the statutory Internal and External audits.
Reminder For Information: Oxfordshire County Council Highways Engagement Team will meet with us on 19th March 2025 at 2pm starting at the Memorial Hall.
The replacement Speed Identification Device (SID) for placement on Thame Road has been installed.
The new green steel bench for installation at the village pond has been ordered. We await delivery.
The proposal for a new Ridgeway Council was read out. This is an ambitious proposal to create a brand-new council that delivers high-quality services, improves financial resilience and value-for-money, and ensures it is able to maintain truly local representation. An initial propoal has been submitted on behalf of West Berkshire Council and the district councils in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse for the creation of a new unitary council that would see the three areas combined. The move is in response to a government invitation following its announcement in December 2024 to end two-tier authorities like those in Oxfordshire.
Reminder: Local Grant funding re flood authority – deadline is Friday 18 April 2025. The Parish Council agreed that this was premature for us and will not be making any application at this time.
It was noted that the insurance bill for the Parish Council owned storage unit at the Playing Fields has been received as expected from the treasurer of the Playing Fields Committee and paid.
It was noted that the litter pick on Sunday 23 March 2025 was very well supported by residents and helpers and was very successful. The Parish Council appreciates this level of public support.
Note: Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at Towersey, Chinnor Road.
In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the
road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate surface dressing works.
A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 4 June
2025. The anticipated completion date is 8 June 2025, 04:00 to 18:00 hours.
2024.39 ANY OTHER BUSINESS –
Cllr. Mark Davis indicated he will tender his letter of resignation on 1st May 2025.
The next meeting of the Towersey Parish Council will be Tuesday 6th May 2025 in the War Memorial Hall at 19:30.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 20:27
Print Name: ………………………………………… Signed ……………………………….
Date …………………….