Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 4th March 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
2025.21 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None required – all members present.
2025.22 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS – None.
2025.23 PERSONNEL MATTERS: Mr. Graeme Warnes was unanimously voted to be co-opted onto the Parish Council. He signed his declaration of acceptance of office papers in the presence of the Proper Officer. His Declaration of Interests will be dealt with later.
2025.24 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – 16 members of the public were present.
The estimated build cost for the proposed pavilion building at the playing fields for which planning permission was recently granted is in the order of M£1.2 to M£1.5 . The Parish Council do not have any significant reserves or Community Infrastructure Levy or S106 funds available to assist further. The process surrounding the distribution of Community Infrastructure Levy funds held by the South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council was discussed. There may be other Community funds available for the Playing Fields Committee to apply for and District Councillor Ali Gordon-Creed offered to assist the Playing Fields Committee in any application that might be appropriate.
Cllr. Tim Shreeves volunteered to create and/or update a parish map and have it posted at strategic locations in the Parish to aid visitors and Emergency Services. When available it would also be posted on the Parish Council website.
2025.25 MINUTES and MATTERS ARISING.
The minutes of the meeting held on 4th February 2025 were approved by Council and signed by the Chairman.
2025.26 UPDATES FROM OCC and SODC WARD COUNCILLORS – A written report was received from our SODC ward representatives and taken as read. Cllr. Ali Gordon-Creed also reminded the Parish that there are new arrangements for “garden waste bin collection” and that residents using this “brown bin” service need to apply for a permit online and display it on their bins in order for them to be collected.
2025.27 PLANNING MATTERS
FOR CONSIDERATION:-
Planning Consultation – P25/S0473/LB at Towersey Manor Manor Road Towersey OX9 3QR
To replace five first floor sash windows on the principal elevation.
The Parish Council had no objection
FOR INFORMATION:-
* Application No : P24/S3593/FUL – removal of former agricultural buildings and barns and the erection of a new self-build dwelling.
Site Location : Barn Complex The Stone House New Close Farm Road Henton
OX39 4AJ
South Oxfordshire District Council hereby gives notice that planning permission is
GRANTED for the carrying out of the development referred to above strictly in
accordance with the description, plans and specifications contained in the application
* 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.
2025.28 FINANCE
The receipts and payments schedule was reviewed. Cheque payments were approved and signed by 2 Councillors. The Bank Balance as at 4 March 2025 was available for Councillors in the finance folder.
2025.29 PARISH BUSINESS.
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 Clerk has raised the following items for that on-site meeting
-
dangerous overtaking on the derestricted part of Kingsey Road outside the residential premises named “The Pump House”
* speeding past the residences at the entrance to the 30MPH section on Thame Road adjacent Helpful Hirings.
* additional matters that can be covered on other Parish Roads (Manor Road danger to ambulatory pedestrians and animals – dogs/horses etc, vehicles failing to stop at the Crossroads – claims that they did not see the signs? or road markings , Chinnor Road – speeding up after the SID and generally ignoring the 20MPH posted limit, Windmill Road – excessively large HGVs damaging the verges as they should not be using narrow country lane type roads rather they should use the main classified roads etc). Additionally due to issues at the roundabout in Thame – ring road junction with Kingsey Road B4012 and Thyrop way – many drivers in the morning and evening use Windmill Road, Thame road, and Chinnor Road through the village as a bypass to avoid this roundabout – most exceed the speed limits and pay little attention to the fact they are on a country road in a residential area.
The issue with drivers ignoring the give way sign at the junction of Thame Road / Manor Road / Chinnor Road and Church Way will also be raised.
The replacement Speed Identification Device (SID) for placement on Thame Road has been ordered and delivered. It will be installed shortly.
The new green steel bench for installation at the village pond has been ordered. We await delivery.
2024.30 ANY OTHER BUSINESS –
Reminder: A village “litter pick” will take place on Sunday 23rd March 2025 – meet at 11:00 at the crossroads.
Cllr. Tim Shreeve provided feedback from the meeting with OCC and SODC drainage teams at which a number of parishioners attended. It was determined that the official drainage map held by OCC was out of date and a survey will be undertaken to update it. The issue of the new kerb drains fitted as part of the footpath build along Thame Road from Windmill Road to Manor Road was discussed and it was accepted they are not functioning as planned or designed and will require some rework.
Information on SPEEDWATCH was provided. To get involved please email Speedwatch@thamesvalley.police.uk or visit their website at https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/community-speedwatch/
The next meeting of the Towersey Parish Council will be Tuesday 1st April 2025 in the War Memorial Hall at 19:30.The Chairman closed the meeting at 20:25
Print Name: ………………………………………… Signed ……………………………….
Date …………………….