Apologies for absence  - Mr M Inston,   Ms M Robson,  Cllrs J Stimson,  J Howell.

Minutes of meeting held 9 May 2005  These had been posted on the parish notice boards prior to the meeting and were agreed by the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising  - There were none

Chairman's report  2005-2006

Kassam Stadium and traffic
The traffic impact in Sandford from the 'Kassam' complex has been less of a problem this year in part due to the disappointing performance on the pitch by Oxford United. However, the general traffic concerns in the village are getting worse. The County Highways Authorities have identified some £60,000 to reduce the impact of traffic on the village and plans are well advanced to put in place measures, which it is hoped will be complete this summer. John Howells is thanked for tirelessly pressing the right buttons to get this matter moving.
Hall - the village hall have plans to extend the building with the support of the Parish Council.
Police liaison - Regrettably Police activity within the village remains low. We rarely see an officer in the village and have not seen one at our Council meetings all year, indeed I no longer know who our beat officer is or which station serves us.
Recreation/play areas - Following hard work by Michelle we have upgraded the existing play equipment within the village and installed three new climbing frames; two at Broadhurst Gardens and one at Church road. The new contractor has kept the grass etc. in the village in a very acceptable state.
Appraisal - The village appraisal has been reviewed and the Council are pleased to report much of it has been actioned and appreciated.
Greenbelt - The debate about house building South of Grenoble road has moved on to the Regional Assembly and we await a response and outcome from them.
Mobile Home site - the residents of the site seem at long last to have a more optimistic view of their tenancy with their landlord.
Licensing - New licensing arrangements for local public house have been introduced allowing much longer and later opening. The Parish Council made representations at the SODC licensing meetings to safeguard our interests; which so far do not appear to be violated by the new licences.
Appreciation - is extended to the council for its hard work over the past year and thanks to the villagers that attend meetings and help represent views.

District Councillor's report 

PARK HOMES.  A report was submitted to the Scrutiny Committee on 27th March and some progress has been achieved throughout the District.
Some long outstanding matters remain to be addressed at Sandford.The Model Standards applicable to Mobile Home sites are currently under review.

LICENSING  Under the 2003 Act licensing matters are now dealt with by panels of three District councillors in a quasi-judicial process. As one of three vice-chairman I have now presided over a considerable number of such hearings although as local member I was barred from dealing with any applications from within this Parish. Initial concerns about the way the new procedure was introduced have I believe largely been

resolved. However the lack of direct involvement by Parish and Town Councils needs to be changed. At present local councils can only address licensing panels in response to a resident's request.

PLANNING  Folowing an unsatisfactory episode at a recent Planning meeting the District Council's constitution has been amended. The Head of Planning if he is unhappy with a decision made by members must, immediately after the vote, give notice, on very limited grounds, that he wishes to invoke a cooling-off period. The application will then be returned to the Planning Commitee, with an additional report. A final decision will then be made.

The Council has recently received around £300k from Central Government as a "Planning Delivery Grant". This is essentially a payment for speeding up the process. While rapid decisions are usually desirable, I believe speed does not always equate with quality.

BUS PASSES  The Government has announced its intention to make bus travel free for everyone of pensionable age throughout the country. Some confusion has arisen but locally passes are available for travel to and within most local towns as well as within the District. The Lib Dem group requested that where buses are few or non-existent tokens should continue to be available which could be used for taxi journeys. Unfortunately only those over 70 will be issued with tokens.

GREEN WASTE  A system using large wheelie bins is being introduced, available on payment of an annual charge of £29. The existing systems for disposal of green waste have been ended and although it will take some time to make the system available throughout the District, no interim system is proposed.

HOUSING AND THE GREEN BELT  The District council remains opposed to Oxford City's ambitions to spread South across Grenoble road. I am a member of the new Local Development Framework Task Group which will be considering the allocation of land for housing throughout the District.

COUNCIL TAX  Thanks to a fairly generous settlement from Central Government the District element of the Council Tax has not increased over last year. Unfortunately the Tax overall has increased due to the County and Police elements which must continue to fuel requests for a fairer system of local finance.

I very much enjoy representing Sandford on the District Council and would like to the thank the Parish Council, and their Clerk for their assistance and unfailing courtesy throughout the year

County Councillor's report
J Howell reported that complaints regarding early morning HGVs travelling through the village from the Science Park had been resolved he hoped. Apologetic letters had been received from the Contractor and Magdalen College.
The traffic calming measures through the village should start in a couple of months according to Peter Ronald the traffic engineer in charge.
The Government was proposing a national review of speed limits which could mean that some would go up and some go down.
He was arranging a workshop for parishes on the S.E. Plan on 6 June, venue to be arranged.
In addition to the recent local elections there had been two bye elections in Banbury and Eynsham and both seats were now held by conservatives.
The works to modernize the Oxford Castle site were now complete and had been opened by the Queen on Friday

Statement of accounts 2004- 2005  (appended)
Before presenting the accounts, the clerk expressed the thanks of the parish council to Mr N. Mackisack who so generously acted as the parish hon. internal auditor. The accounts were presented by the Clerk and adopted by the meeting.

Matters raised by parishioners
Matters raised by parishioners G Surman would be asked to remove dead tree on roadside opposite The Fox.

Meeting closed at 8.00 pm