update
This is an update of our actions
against the list of ongoing issues which we have used as part of our overall
meeting agenda this year 2003/4. From this we have put forward our main issues
list for the next period 2004/5
This key list has served as a reminder of matters minor and major, and
allowed us to now report on the progress of our actions.
We undertook the following:
·
To identify the issues affecting the village and take the
appropriate action
·
To avoid excessive procrastination /and meetings for the
sake of meetings
·
To Listen and Act wholly in the best interests of the
‘whole’ village
·
To improve the communication of all issues to everyone in
the village
The Parish Council also looked to update things like:
·
a website and by further developing the newsletter - this
will allow us to keep our electorate fully aware of our actions, and up to date
on news
·
implement email from clerk to parish councillors – for
things like minutes, dates, urgent issues, things to remember etc. change the Format
of the minutes to include ongoing issues list, so nothing gets overlooked, ie post box
·
improve the power and visual impact of our outgoing
documentation
The Council asks
·
for your continued contributions and thoughts on important
issues
·
help with village maintenance, planting and keeping it tidy
·
for help and involvement in campaigns to improve the village
the issues for 2003/4
1 Continue and
intensify our opposition to Didcot West development – and in doing so improve
the ‘group of villages’ lobby
We have made considerable input and objection to the second draft of the
SODC Local Plan which contains details of the Didcot West and other housing
growth in the region. We will have made representation to the inspectorate
appointed in the Public Inquiry.
We have made extensive objections to the methods of planning
consideration of the Didcot West development.
We have made considerable effort to bring
The Parish Council has communicated with all the other Parish Councils
to the west of Didcot, in order to encourage better relations and to lend
weight to our and their opposition to the Didcot West development.
There have been extensive objections lodged against the first deposit
Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2004 –
·
If and when the
development goes ahead, to evaluate the Parish Boundary re-drawing to retain
village scale and identity and avoid urbanisation *
* is not yet relevant
·
Insist on reduction of
traffic through the village, by planning and consultation before then proposing
a non-village road solution - from the development to the A417 – proposals
being discussed with East Hagbourne ( and Harwell, Didcot tbc
) to remove all through traffic.
We have met with various consultants and planning specialists to discuss
the reality of the significant increases in the volume of traffic that will be
caused by the development of Didcot, in any direction, but in particular to the
West. Until the planning application is either considered or approved we are
not able to commence demanding a suitable route is included in the scheme that
would allow main traffic to reach the A417 or the A34 without the need to
travel through
2. To look at basic traffic strategy, the implications of safety,
calming and speed control
We have attended and made representation to the appointed consultants Halcrow who worked on the Didcot Integrated Transport
Study. Through persistence and presentation we have achieved a considerable
amount of success – which includes the proposal for electronic speed warning
signs, the narrowing / priority of the road at Green Thatch, gated entrances
with chicanes at the entrances to the village and changes to the signing to
discourage Heavy Goods Vehicles from using the village as a shortcut. All this in addition to the replacement of the bollards on corners,
new chevron signage and the removal of Didcot from the A417 signage.
3. To campaign
for the re-instatement of village waste collection – helping to avoid
fly-tipping, as well as supporting the new Green Waste collections.
We have written, filled forms and taken part in
consultation to have some form of localised waste collection re-instated. It
appears that SODC are not going to re-instate this useful service, but will
possibly bring a ‘green waste’ only collection in, to help reach their
government set targets for recycling.
4. Take up the
issues of ongoing Ditch digging by landowners + culvert cleaning - i.e. in
Brook Lane – with specific reference to due responsibility. In
order to reduce the road flooding.
The culverts have all been cleared at least once in the last year, and
we have requested another trip to coincide with the next village spring clean.
General improvements and changes around the village have happened, the dry
summer made some impact on the drainage ditch system.
5. Re-arrangement
of speed, signing and weight restrictions –see separate item on traffic - see
point 2
6. Monitor and
react to waste water and foul water system issues as they arise
The weather has not caused anything other than short lived minor
flooding. We have been promised a review of the
There have been two instances of sewerage problems, the latest at the
entrance to
7. Get the
village Post Box replaced with one that has a larger aperture
After five years of perseverance, the Post Box has been replaced with a
larger, more modern one.
8. Continue and
progress the footpaths project in
We have weedkilled the path itself, gained
material to spread on the lower end of the lane, had the main growth cut back
regularly and the ditch has now been re-instated.
9. Continue
Tree Planting / maintenance of existing works
The Millenium Tree planting scheme is an
ongoing project and we have agreed to defer some work until the Autumn of 2004. New planting on the railway embankment is
being considered under the umbrella of the Parish Plan
10. Continue and
improve on maintenance of Village Flower Planting
We have maintained and replanted the planting pots in the square, by the
bus shelter and the pond, and ensured the entrances to the villages are kept
tidy. The current grass cutting contractor will continue to undertake the verge
maintenance.
11. Continue to
keep the Village Newsletter, allow it to be more informative and to investigate
the coverage in the parish magazine. To encourage more input and publicise
events etc.
The Newsletter has been overhauled, slightly re-designed and is carrying
as much information as is made available to the volunteers that produce and
distribute it. The Parish Council only pay for the printing. Every effort has
been made to keep residents fully informed of current issues, news etc.
12. To make
provision for a Parish Plan
We held a very successful initial meeting introducing the concept of a
Parish Plan. The reaction and attendance was very good, and the first meeting
of the steering group has been held. There will be an update on the project in
May.
We have requested and been promised a ‘Character Study’ will be
undertaken by the Conservation Section of SODC Planning and Design. This will
be incorporated into the Parish Plan.
13. Consider a
Cycle track to between
We have asked SUSTRANS and SODC to consider making a safe cycling route
from
Within reason we have supported the
We intend to oppose
14. To
re-investigate a Children’s play area – if another site can be identified ?
We have asked and so far been completely unsuccessful in getting an
offer or suggestion of land to be considered as some form of play area. We hope
the Parish Plan may identify and suggest alternative solutions.
15. Monitor the
status of Manor Close roadway –
We will continue to monitor the status of this private road.
16. Improve the visual
impact of all of our outgoing documents.
We have produced our own corporate stationery which is now used for all
outgoing letters and reports.
17 to continue
to modernise and make our views / actions appropriate
Consultation created by the Parish Plan and views identified and
suggested will influence the work of the Parish Council over the next 3 years
and will be incorporate into the issues for 2004/05
Ongoing Main issues in order of
priority for 2004 / 2005
1. Continue and intensify our opposition to
Didcot West development
2. To continue to forge good relations
between our neighbouring Parishes
3. Support and stimulate the Parish Plan
project ( consultation created by the Parish Plan and
views identified and suggested will influence the work of the Parish Council
over the next 3 years )
4. Campaign for the re-instatement of
village waste collection
5. Implement the traffic strategy, calming
and speed control
6. To try to provide some sort of
Children’s play area
7. Reduce traffic through the village, by
proposing a non-village road solution
8. Consider a Cycle track to between
9. Monitor and react to waste water and
foul water system
10. maintenance of
Village Flower Planting
11. continue the
Village Newsletter
12. keep in view the
issues covered in the 2003/4 list
new Issues added / to be added
1. Produce a guide for living in the
conservation area. Do’s and don’ts. Cans and Can’ts
2. Produce a plan for planting and tree
re-generation of the railway embankment
3. Help and assist in the
implementation if possible, the wants of a Parish Plan
4. Build and implement a web site for the
Parish ( which might be Parish Plan enabled ) once the website is up and
running residents will be able to view minutes and other PC information to
ensure that what we do is transparent and responsive to people's needs and that
a good feedback loop between residents and the PC is provided
5. Support and sustain the bus services
through the village