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BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

Minutes of the Benson Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 25th April 2019 at 7:30pm in the Benson Parish Hall Committee Room. Present: Cllr B Pattison Chair Cllr S McCann Cllr P Murray Cllr D Olley Cllr J Sharman Cllr T Stevenson Cllr M Winton In attendance: E Lemaire Reporter from the Henley Standard 11 Members of the public

1. Apologies: Cllr P Baylis, Cllr R Jordan, Cllr F Lovesey, Cllr T McTeague

2. Declarations of interest Cllr P Murray declared an interest in item 6v

3. To receive reports from the following: a. OCC Cllr M Gray OCC has been successful in obtaining grant funding of £218m from Central Government towards major transport improvements to Garden Town: A new Science Bridge over the A4130, Great Western Railway Line and Milton Road into the former Didcot A Power Station site; A new to Didcot river crossing between the A4130 and A415; and a bypass. OCC is working with the District Councils on the Joint Strategic Spatial Plan, a new way of looking at how the county develops. The OVO Energy Women’s Tour cycle race, has been agreed to race through the county for the next three years and will bring an estimated £2m into the county. There has been a crackdown on Blue Badge fraud with 70 people having been found to be using them fraudulently. The A4074 resurfacing works either side of the roundabout will be taking place early next month and the resurfacing of Castle Square will take place in August. OCC has been asked about repairs to the Aldridge Triangle footpath and this is being investigated and should be tied in with work being undertaken by Thames Water if they will be digging up the path as part of their work laying the new sewer from Hale Road to Crown Lane. A permit system is being introduced for when utility companies dig up paths/roads. The Council was asked to give thought to who in the community would be an ideal candidate for being a FixMyStreet Superuser, having the ability to be in direct contact with the engineers.

b. SODC Cllr F Bloomfield was not present

c. SODC Cllr S Cooper There is little to report other than that elections are due to take place on 2nd May. There have been many complaints of bins not being returned to the correct place when collected by BIFFA. These issues are to be reported to BIFFA when they occur.

4. Public session Further to their attendance at the Recreation and Lands Committee meeting held on Thursday 18th April 2019, residents of Horseshoes Lane addressed the Chair to reiterate their objection to planning application P19/S0895/FUL new vehicular access to the Bertie West Memorial Field, stating: Benson Parish Council is known to have previously sought legal advice on being released from a 91

BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

covenant and in 2013 was looking to sell the land to acquire new land The creation of vehicular access would lose 3 parking spaces and cause further congestion in Horseshoes Lane Contractors have advised that vehicular access is not needed to meet the maintenance requirements, a ride on mower could enter through the pedestrian access The field has not been maintained, the Blackthorn needs scheduled maintenance The money that would be spent on gates is not a good use of the money If vehicular access is approved, Benson Parish Council will always have the option to sell the land and the threat of development will always be there The ransom strip owned by OCC was the only way of safeguarding the land – a covenant would be useful to protect the land as a green space The residents ask they be given further time to arrange maintenance and for the application to be withdrawn. Marty Lock of 1st Benson Scouts addressed the Chair with regard to the Scout Hut extension plans which have now been granted permission, asking the Council to consider a grant of up to £8,000. He also asked for the Council’s support in the maintenance of the Bertie West Field. Proposals for the future build of a replacement Scout Hut will be submitted once site and design have been discussed. The Chair advised that grant applications to sent to the Clerk and grants can also be sought from the District and County Councils. David Jacobs, applicant of planning applications P19/S0821/FUL and P19/S0822/LB, Goulds Grove, (in the Parish of Benson) addressed the Chair in support of the applications. The site is just under 1 ½ acres in brownfield site, currently commercial buildings and the proposed redevelopment is a 37% reduction in footprint. Neighbours have expressed no objections. The resulting traffic effect would remove larger vehicle movements, however none of the commercial units are currently occupied. The plans have been drawn in accordance with the Chiltern Design Guide.

5. Minutes of the last meeting Approval and signing of the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on Thursday 28th March 2019 was deferred to the next meeting.

6. Benson Parish Council planning committee a. To consider the following planning applications: i. BPC17/19 P19/S0821/FUL Goulds Grove Old London Road Ewelme OX10 6PX Proposal: Demolition of existing buildings and the erection of five residential dwellings and the conversion of an existing building to provide four B1(a) office units, together with parking and landscaping. Cllr P Murray advised that there is planning for over 800 new homes in the village which have been included in the Neighbourhood plan and any further developments beyond this are not conformant with the Neighbourhood Plan and will not be approved by Benson Parish Council, the infrastructure will not cope. Members resolved with 6 in favour and 1 against to object to this application which does not conform to the Benson Neighbourhood Plan

ii. BPC18/19 P19/S0822/LB Goulds Grove Old London Road Ewelme OX10 6PX Proposal: Demolition of existing buildings and the erection of five residential dwellings and the conversion of an existing building to provide four B1(a) office units, together with parking and landscaping Members resolved with 6 in favour and 1 abstention to object to this application which does not conform to the Benson Neighbourhood Plan

iii. BPC19/19 P18/S2357/FUL Navarac Oakley Wood near Nuffield OX10 6QG Proposal: Demolition of an existing workshop and sheds, construction of two new live/work units. (As amended and amplified by revised red site plan, elevations and parking plan and 92

BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

supported by lease information and contaminated land questionnaire and tree survey dated November 2018 and amended by drawings accompanying email from agent received 25 March 2019 revising siting of the buildings) Members voted with 6 in favour and 1 abstention to approve this application

iv. BPC20/19 P19/S0958/FUL Potters Farm Old London Road near Ewelme OX10 6PX Proposal: Extension to existing straw bedded naturally ventilated pig buildings (Application A). Members resolved with 6 in favour and 1 abstention to approve this application

v. BPC21/19 P19/S0895/FUL Bertie West Memorial Field Off Horseshoe Lane Benson OX10 6LB Proposal: Form new vehicular access to children's play area There is concern amongst neighbouring residents that the Parish Council intends to sell this land for development and that the proposed vehicular access will have an impact on parking in Horseshoes Lane. These residents wish to be involved with maintaining the land without creating a vehicular access. Attempts to keep the area clear of blackthorn have to date been unsuccessful. Whilst it was a proposed in the past, the Scout Groups do not wish to build a replacement Scout Hut on the field as they use the field as it is. Reassurance was given that the Parish Council will seek to put a covenant on the land to prevent it being built on in perpetuity and secure it as a green space. The Parish Council does not wish to withdraw this application, but if permission is granted will delay installing the vehicular access to allow the neighbouring residents to come up with a sustainable plan to clear the blackthorn and keep it clear. The roots will need to be removed. The vehicular access will be a backstop if these plans fail in 18 months-time. Before the houses in Horseshoes Lane were built, there was vehicular access to the land, however the developer fenced off the land and held a ransom strip hoping to purchase the land for further development. The field has been left with inadequate access. Vehicular access to the land will only be required c.3 times a year for maintenance. Any work to be undertaken on the field will be on meeting agendas and residents will have the opportunity to comment and are asked to stay engaged with the Parish Council. Action: Clerk to seek advice on a covenant Members resolved with 3 in favour, 3 against, 1 abstention and the Chairman’s casting vote to approve this application

vi. BPC22/19 P19/S0974/FUL Potters Farm Old London Road near Ewelme OX10 6PX Proposal: Extension to straw bedded naturally ventilated pig rearing building Members unanimously resolved to approve this application vii. BPC23/19 P19/S1021/HH The Old Mill House Preston OX10 6SL Proposal: Alterations and extensions to a C20th extension at the rear of existing dwelling to provide new bedroom at first floor level and alter and extend the existing kitchen Members unanimously resolved to approve this application viii. BPC24/19 P19/S1022/LB The Old Mill House OX10 6SL Proposal: Alterations and extensions to a C20th extension at the rear of existing dwelling to provide new bedroom at first floor level and alter and extend the existing kitchen Members unanimously resolved to approve this application

ix. BPC25/19 P19/S1099/A 34A Old London Road Benson OX10 6RR Proposal: Retaining 2 existing fascia signs. Previously approved under references P14/S2834/LB and P14/S2836/A, the latter of which is due to expire on 23rd October 2019. The signs are both aluminium composite panels with a printed and laminated vinyl applied to 93

BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

the face Members unanimously resolved to approve this application

x. BPC26/19 P19/S1202/LB Fifield Barn Brook Street Benson Oxon OX10 6EZ Proposal: Amendment to P16/S2699/FUL to revise internal layout and associated materials, new opening to existing external wall and revised window positions The conversion of Fifield Barns, Benson to provide one residential dwelling including the provision of amenity space, car parking and access Members unanimously resolved to approve this application although raised concern that materials for the windows and doors are not in keeping with the original building and it would be preferable to see timber rather than plastic or metal

xi. BPC27/19 P19/S0494/HH 115 St Helens Avenue Benson OX10 6RU Proposal: Extensions and alterations to existing detached house. (As amended by drawing received 9 April 2019 (drwgno ref PSHBW-15-C), to reduce the ridge of the proposal and include obscure glazing to east facing window to bedroom 1) Members unanimously resolved to approve this application

xii. BPC28/19 P18/S2357/FUL Navarac Oakley Wood near Nuffield OX10 6QG Proposal: Demolition of an existing workshop and sheds, construction of two new live/work units. (As amended and amplified by revised red site plan, application forms and certificate B elevations and parking plan received 11 April 2019 and supported by lease information and contaminated land questionnaire and tree survey dated November 2018) Members unanimously resolved to approve this application

b. The following planning decisions were noted: i. BPC04/19 P19/S0403/HH 4 Old Barn Close Benson OX10 6LN Proposal: Single storey extension to front entrance Planning permission is GRANTED 28th March 2019 ii. BPC06/19 P19/S0419/HH 69 Brook Street Benson OX10 6LH Proposal: Rear glazed orangery type kitchen extension with structural opening to rear wall and en-suite bathroom to top floor bedroom. (As amended by drawing received 28 February 2019, to amend the roof design and move the extension away from the boundary) Planning permission is GRANTED 1st April 2019 iii. BPC07/19 P19/S0420/LB 69 Brook Street Benson OX10 6LH Rear glazed orangery type kitchen extension with structural opening to rear wall and en-suite bathroom to top floor bedroom. (As amended by drawing received 28 February 2019, to amend the roof design and move the extension away from the boundary) Planning permission is GRANTED 1st April 2019 iv. BPC11/19 P19/S0558/LB Fifield Manor Road Between Cottesmore Lane And Fifield Manor near Benson OX10 6HA Proposal: It is proposed to remove the remnants of partially demolished lean-to from the existing dovecote to the rear of the property and create a new ancillary building to service the main house adjacent to it. The proposal includes a double garage, workshop, office and studio/storage Planning permission is GRANTED 3rd April 2019

7. Benson Parish Council Finance Committee a. To receive a report from the Chair of the Finance Committee The Chair was not present.

8. Benson Parish Council Halls Committee

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BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

a. Minutes of the last meeting Approval and signing of the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26th March 2019 was deferred to the next meeting. b. To receive a report from the Chair of the Halls Committee The Chair was not present. c. To make a decision on quotes received to replace the inoperative pump in Pavilion Deferred to next meeting.

9. Benson Parish Council Recreations and Lands Committee a. Minutes of the last meeting Approval and signing of the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 18th April 2019 was deferred to the next meeting. b. To receive a report from the Chair of the Recreations and Lands Committee The Chair was not present. c. Recommendations to Full Council i. Commemorative bench and plaque policy Deferred to next meeting. ii. Cuckoo Pen lease Action: Clerk to initiate the procedure and ask the firm who drafted the most recent lease to draft a new lease. iii. Millbrook Mead lease Action: Clerk to ask the same firm to draw up a lease.

10. Benson Parish Council Information and Technology Committee a. Minutes of the last meeting Approval and signing of the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5th March 2019 was deferred to the next meeting. b. To receive a report from the Chair of the Technology Committee Terms of Reference for the committee for the next term of Council to be reviewed.

11. Benson Parish Council Awards Committee a. Minutes of the last meeting The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 28th March 2019 were approved and signed as a true record of the meeting by Cllr T Stevenson. b. Recommendations to Full Council i. Members resolved unanimously in favour to agree the recommendation to Full Council that the 2019 Bob Griffiths’ Trophy be awarded to Emma Woods for her attendance at local events and contributions towards awareness and fund raising for various charities ii. Members resolved unanimously in favour to agree the recommendation to Full Council that the 2019 Don Fletcher Community Award be awarded to Richard Irwin for his planting and maintenance of the Benson War Memorial flower bed Action: Clerk to purchase bulk order of shields. iii. Members resolved unanimously in favour to agree the recommendation to Full Council to give £5 gift voucher per planter to tub holders towards supplies for planting

12. To receive reports from Benson Parish Council Working Groups and Outside Bodies a. Parish Hall Extension Working Group Cllr Winton met with Classic Builders and a revised price is awaited. The group is due to meet with Bridges on 30th April. b. Neighbourhood Plan Delivery Group The measurements and storage space in the new Community Building are being looked into. The extra half storey is being provided voluntarily by CALA and the Parish Council is asked to 95

BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

contribute £50,000 to the building. The overall height of the building will not be increased as this would create planning issues and significantly alter the structure. Cllr Winton expressed concerns that the plans do not conform to the s106 agreement which states the building must conform with guidelines set by Sports (storage space, number of toilets/urinals, number of windows). Action: Clerk to ask planning officer to ensure that the requirements of the s106 agreement are being adhered to.

13. To discuss and agree any proposals or approvals a. Proposal: That the Planning Committee considers and responds to planning applications at separate Planning Committee meetings, reporting responses to Full Council and only bringing applications of high impact or contention to Full Council for response. Deferred to future meeting – refer to Standing Orders. b. Proposal: That the Play Area working group progresses the replacement of play equipment in the Sunnyside play area Youth Facilities Working Group to reconvene and progress this project. 14. Correspondence a. The following correspondence was reviewed:

1. NALC Newsletter 29.03.19 Noted 2. SODC Planning application acknowledgement and building control information for application number P19/S0895/FUL to form a 04.04.19 Noted new vehicular access to children’s play area, Bertie West Memorial Field 3. NALC Chief executive’s bulletin 29 March 2019 04.04.19 Noted 4. SODC Notice of Submission of Local Plan 02.04.19 Noted 2034 to the Secretary of State Publicise in BB Henley Std & notice boards. 5. OCC Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, temporary road 17.04.19 Contact school closure at Castle Square, Benson from 5th August 2019 for 11 days to request possible use of car park 6. Martin Lipson, Chair, Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan Forum invitation to all 26 adopted Neighbourhood plan groups in Oxfordshire Cllr P Murray to 09.04.19 to an exploratory meeting to consider how best to influence the attend Oxfordshire 2050 plan Thank you to the National 7. Andy Mawer, Thames Path and Ridgeway National Trails, 09.04.19 Trails and OCC pictures of the resurfaced Thames Path entrance into Rivermead Countryside Access Teams 8. NALC Chief executives bulleting 12 April 2019 15.04.19 Noted 9. Sunnyside resident, nice to see the new trees, however please can the two directly in front of number 11 be removed as they will 15.04.19 Refer to Lands prevent reversing large vehicles out of the driveway 10. SODC Comments invited on the NPDG 15.04.19 Neighbourhood Plan 15th April – 3rd June 2019 commented

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BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

11. Local resident, request for an update on plans for the playgrounds in the village, and information on The Parish Council’s 18.04.19 communication strategy (1 of 4) 11-14 Invite to 12. Local resident, request for the Sunnyside play area equipment 18.04.19 join Youth to be replaced (2 of 4) Facilities 13. Local resident, request for the Sunnyside play area equipment 18.04.19 Working Group to be replaced (3 of 4) 14. Local resident, request for the Sunnyside play area equipment 18.04.19 to be replaced (4 of 4) 15. Local resident, alternative proposal to vehicular access from 23.04.19 Send minutes Horseshoes Lane on to Bertie West Memorial Field 16. Thames Water, notification of non-intrusive surveys of Sunnyside and land north west of Crown Lane in advance of pipe 23.04.19 Complete form laying 17. Co-op, Benson Store Manager, contact number re damage to 23.04.19 In progress Bob’s corner Wall by Co-op delivery lorry 18. D Rushton, Improvements to the A4074 bus pull in on the south Response – side – wait for further funding availability for optimum works or use 25.04.19 wait for further existing available £25k for immediate works funding Response – BPC is not able 19. New resident, request to park vehicle on Parish Council Land 25.04.19 to give permission for parking 20. Matt Archer OCC, investigating a proposed way forward to 25.04.19 Noted improve the Aldridge Triangle footpath 21. OCC Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice, temporary road 25.04.19 Noted closure at Churchfield Lane, Benson, 16th – 19th July 2019

b. To review Parish Office notes The Wallingford School Community Projects Team has cleared the area by the garages behind College Farm – thank you to the Team and to Grundon Waste Management Ltd for supplying a skip and clearing asbestos. Benson Youth Club has cleared out old equipment from its Youth Hall cupboard. Thank you to Hazell and Jeffries Ltd for its support of the Club.

15. Finance a. To sign off the reconciled bank statements for the current accounts as at 31st March 2019 Deferred to next meeting – breakdown of funds allocation and availability to be included. b. The following payments were agreed and signed: Cheque payments Date of Organisation/ Description Cheque Amount Invoice Individual Number 26/03/2019 SODC Waste collection PH March 300138 75.51 31/03/2019 Grundon Waste wheelers March 300139 103.42 25/04/2019 OCC Pensions April 300140 1398.50

02/04/2019 Clarity Copiers Photocopier March 300141 26.40 18/04/2019 Clearview Window cleaning April 300142 140.00 9/4/2019 OALC Courses for Clerk and Halls 300143 108.00 Manager

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BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

09/04/2019 OALC Allotment course for Halls 300143 102.00 Manager 10/04/2019 SSE PH Gas Q1 300144 2034.03 12/04/2019 SSE PH Elec Q1 300144 1531.03 16/04/2019 SSE Millstream toilets Elec Q1 300144 29.85 30/03/2019 Colliers Tape, screws, gloves 300145 8.75 17/04/2019 PRS PRS and PPL YH 2019/20 300146 505.18 18/04/2019 Andrew Gowing Boiler servicing, PH and YH 300147 351.00 22/01/2019 Exec Security Faulty sliding door repair 300148 110.40 Locksmiths 16/04/2019 SODC Business rates – Millstream toilets 300149 99.47 09/04/2019 SODC PH premises licence 300150 180.00 01/04/2019 Cathedral Leasing Hygiene services Q1 300151 433.66 03/04/2019 Kenneth R Paul Structural Engineering services 300152 8220.00 14/03/2019 Club Cover Youth Club insurance 300153 106.37 25/04/2019 Oxfordshire Youth Youth Club membership 300154 72.00

Bank payments Date of Organisation/ Description Cheque Amount Invoice Individual Number 25/04/2019 Coop Bank April salaries tfr 4311.90 25/04/2019 HMRC April PAYE NI tfr 697.96 25/03/2019 Colliers Reimburse EAL for padlock tfr 13.20 11/04/2019 Coop Reimburse EAL refreshments for tfr 16.48 APM 02/04/2019 BP Reimburse EAL batteries tfr 5.99

Direct debits/standing orders Date of Organisation/ Description Date of DD Amount Invoice Individual 15/04/2019 Everflow YH,, Rivermead, Allotments, 23/04/2019 643.75 Q1 08/04/2019 British Gas College Farm elec March 29/04/2019 17.26

Barclaycard payments Date of Organisation/ Description Date of DD Amount Invoice Individual 21/03/2019 E Recep E reception services 04/04/2019 9.00 04/03/2019 Land Registry Searches re Bertie West 04/04/2019 21.00 04/03/2019 SLCC New Arnold Baker edition 04/04/2019 108.79 07/03/2019 Post Office 100 2nd class stamps 04/04/2019 58.00 11/03/2019 123 Reg NP web hosting 04/04/2019 187.06 c. CIL projects To be considered. d. To consider the following grant applications: i. St. Helen’s Church £1,741.20 ii. Enrych Oxfordshire £500 iii. Life Education Wessex £300 Deferred to July meeting. Action: RFO to report quarterly on 2019/20 grant budget and provide information on previous amounts given to applicants. Action: Councillors to forward suggestions to Finance committee on reporting for

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BENSON PARISH COUNCIL Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LZ Tel: 01491 825038 E-mail: [email protected]

transparency.

16. Elected Councillors Electoral Commission spending declaration forms Action: Cllr B Pattison to collect completed forms and deliver to SODC.

17. Denis Bloomfield remembrance To discuss how to give remembrance to Denis Bloomfield in the village Deferred to next meeting. Action: Councillors to consider ways to acknowledge Denis Bloomfield in the village.

18. Questions to the Chairman The issues raised in correspondence received from residents of Horseshoes Lane with regard to the proposed vehicular access to the Bertie West Memorial Field were raised during the public session and discussed under item 6v.

19. Items for Councillors to note Cllr S McCann – It was disappointing that there were not enough candidates to require an election. The Information and Technology Committee will consider how better to engage with the community and investigate setting up a community email system. Cllr D Olley – Investigate the status of green areas dedicated as a Fields in Trust, “Queen Elizabeth II Field’s Challenge” area. Action: Clerk to investigate getting the Community Payback Team to resume visits to Benson. Cllr J Sharman – Action: RFO to provide a Sage report detailing the amount paid over the past 15 years on professional fees relating to proposed extensions of Benson Parish Hall in response to the question being raised at the Annual Parish Meeting. Cllr P Murray – apologies given for the meeting on 16th May 2019. Acceptance of Office and register of interests to be completed in advance of the meeting.

20. To confirm the date of the next Council meeting Thursday 16th May 2019

21. Dates of next meetings a. Planning Committee Thursday 16th May 2019 b. Finance Committee 21st May 2019 c. Halls Committee 14th May 2019 d. Recreation and Lands Committee 13th June 2019 e. Technology Committee tba

The meeting closed at 10.05pm

Elizabeth Lemaire Benson Parish Clerk

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