Apologies for absence  Mr S Paine,   Cllr.I Reveco has resigned.

Minutes of meeting held 12 May 2008 
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  2008-2009

Sandford on Thames Parish Council Chairman's Annual Report - May 2009 - Dr Nigel Northcott

Traffic
- The County Highways Authorities have now erected speed indicator sign in Henley road for traffic travelling South and near the main road junction for traffic travelling North - both show that traffic frequently exceeds the limit and both signs have some impact on speed - however, as far as I know their have been no police activity to prosecute offenders on this road.
The mini roundabout at the Brick Kiln lane junction has been installed and consensus is that it has helped traffic flow and reduced speed. We eagerly await progress on the traffic calming measures on the Henley Road that the highways department have suggested.
Hall
- the village hall management is in good order and plans to refurbish the toilets and kitchen are due to start soon.
The introduction of entertainments via Live and Local is an exciting development for the hall and village and we can all look forward to a series of cultural offerings in the hall.
Police liaison
- Police activity within the village has been low key and thanks go to Kevin for maintaining effective dialogue with our Community Support Officer.
The 'surgeries' offered by TVP would be better if they were at convenient times and at present they are poorly supported.
A recent survey traffic speed as a priority and we await action to impact upon this.
Recreation/play areas
- The hand over of the play equipment in Jananway has still not happened!
Fox furlong play area has been upgraded and the matting in Broadhurst gardens has been replaced.
The planters at the entrance to the village, Church Road junction and entrance to village in Henley road are in place - and add a splash of colour to the area.
Appraisal
- The village appraisal has been considered and we feel we have done well to reflect villagers' wishes.
The village directory has been updated and distributed and we should record the passing of a village institution - the Fox - which has closed after several attempts to run it successfully. The building is for sale.
Greenbelt
- The debate about house building South of Grenoble road rumbles on with the current economic climate probably slowing matters up - mind you the number of house the city wants to build seems to be a moveable feast.
Mobile Home site
- the residents of the site continue to be troubled by their landlord.
The hard standing by the bus stop - which was completed last May has since been complemented by a new section of pavement to make crossing Grenoble Road easier.
Orchard House
- The house remains closed and boarded up, with negotiations on-going but no outcome.
A series of burglaries and acts of vandalism have probably rendered the existing buildings derelict
'Lock path'
- The hand rail over the river through the King's Arms has been re-painted by villagers and the broken plank replaced - as the owners failed to do this.
Fly-tipping
- In a few places the village is being spoilt by fly-tipping - this is mainly dumping garden waste on public land - including play areas; residents should be aware that the maximum fine is £2500.
SODC have agreed a new waste collection system and new wheeled bins have been distributed - the system, on paper, looks better than the existing one - but it will need monitoring.
Flooding
- A length of Church Road near the King's Arms has been resurfaced with better drainage to help reduce flooding and puddle formation during rainstorms.
Bus shelter
- the shelter in Henley Road was in a perilous state and has been removed and replaced with a new one.
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.
Nigel Northcott, Chair, Parish Council 773569 nigeln @ globalnet.co.uk pcnn09

District Councillor's report   Appended:

District Councillor's report   Appended:
ANNUAL REPORT 2009
COUNTY COUNCIL

This will be my last report to you as your county councillor. I gave an undertaking when I was elected to Parliament that I would stand down as a councillor at the next council elections. They, of course, take place on 4 June along with the European parliamentary elections.

I have enjoyed my five years as your county councillor. We have established considerable bonds of trust and have shared a common approach to this area. In particular, we have fought shoulder-to-shoulder against widespread gravel extraction and against massive house-building plans in the Green Belt.

We have maintained a considerable level of subsidy on the bus routes which serve our area. There have been a large number of road improvements which reflect the wishes of local communities - the removal of signs in Warborough; the increase in signs between Chislehampton and the Golden Balls roundabout. Long standing problems such as the flooding in Queen Street, Dorchester, and the need for a mini-roundabout in Sandford on Thames have all been brought forward.
Our schools continue to serve our villages with great skill and dedication. Sadly, the perennial problems of pot-holes and the enforcement of speed limits remain as enduring issues.

The strong position we are in speaks volumes for the combination of energy and commitment I have shown and the realistic views of your communities which our parish councils have illustrated. It has been a productive partnership.

But we still face challenges. First, the pressure from over-development continues; the Green Belt fight needs to go on. Coupled with the lack of flexibility within the planning system for villages to decide on levels of development for themselves, the planning system remains confrontational and wasteful. This is something I can now best influence at a parliamentary level.

Second, the challenges of coping with an ageing population remain ones which could have an overwhelming impact on council tax and on the level of services older people deserve. I am pleased that the council has begun the investment needed in this area.

Thirdly, environmental challenges remain high whether at the wider level of climate change or at the more local level of how our own environments are affected on a day-to-day basis. A central issue in this is waste and the strategies which need to be put in place to improve still further our recycling rates and also to find a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly way of disposing of the residuel.

Between 2005 and 2008, I played a major part in the county council's cabinet in ending the culture which had characterised 20 years of no single party control. I am pleased that we have been able to honour our commitment to bring down the rise in council tax every year - for many of them having the lowest council tax rise in the whole south-east.

I am pleased that the council's commitment to serving its customers was recognised by its award of the only charter mark for excellent customer services to a county council as a whole.

Finally, I am proud of the way I was able to cut considerable wastage from the council and slim it down without having to make serious cuts in front-line services.

I wish my successor well and hope that they enjoy the same positive relationships with parish councils which I have been privileged to enjoy.

John Howell

Items for discussion
 

	Police Report Things across the area are very quiet police wise so no major issues to report. Residents of Church road, Sandford on Thames have recently identified issues with anti social behaviour by persons in the recreation ground late of a night and they have also indicated that there have been incidents of theft and criminal damage along church road. However the majority of these events have either not been reported formally or the police have been advised after the event. Can you please ask residents of church road and residents of Sandford in general to report all matters to the police as they occur on 0845 8 505 505 or in an emergency, 999. Not reporting incidents or reporting them some time after the event means that we will either never be able to help or our ability to assist will be greatly reduced. I have checked our systems and between 1st Jan to 1 May 2009 Thames Valley Police received 34 calls from residents of Sandford on Thames. Not all of these were crimes and can be broken down as follows;     Fear for welfare 2     Domestic incidents 3     Public order 1     Complaint against police 2     Assault 1     Theft 2     Found property 2     Theft from motor vehicle 1     Miscellaneous 7     Traffic related 4     Burglary 3     Theft of motor vehicle 2     Arson 1     Anti social behaviour 3
	Traffic: See Chairman's report
	Street lighting changes in Sandford: There was a brief discussion and there had been only one phone call following the article in 'The Link.' So it was decided to leave the matter to the County Council for future consultation.
	Green Belt: SEEDA had at last published the South East Plan and was recommending 4,000 houses plus other development in the Sandford Green Belt. Cllr P Tomlinson was not there to comment on behalf of SODC but L Lindsay-Gale said that the County Council and John Howell MP were strongly against the proposal to amend the Green Belt. J Howell said 'the pressure from over-development continues; the Green Belt fight needs to go on. Coupled with the lack of flexibility within the planning system for villages to decide on levels of development for themselves, the planning system remains confrontational and wasteful. This is something I can now best influence at a parliamentary level.'

Statement of accounts 2007 - 2008
Before presenting the accounts, the clerk expressed the thanks of the parish council to Mr N. Mckisack who once again has 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   There were none

Meeting closed at 8.15 pm