At the first meeting of the new council, the members’ first task was to elect a Chairman and Cllr. Peter Biggs was chosen to serve for another year and Cllr. Colin Charlett was elected as Vice-Chairman again. The members co-opted two people to the vacancies following the election. There were four applicants and after a series of votes the two people who were successful were Roger Gelder and Paddy Landau.
The schedule of work for the coming year was discussed. The Amenities Committee would be busy as they would be responsible for the following:
- To decide if more salt bins should be purchased and if so where they would be placed.
- To decided which type of notice boards to purchase and which ones to replace.
- To arrange for a water supply at the War Memorial.
- To decide how to protect the verge opposite the War Memorial.
- To arrange to monitor the grass cutting contract
It was decided to set up working parties to develop an Emergency Plan and to respond to the anticipated Library Consultation from Oxfordshire County Council on the future of Kennington Library. There was a long discussion on the monthly Saturday Office. It had not been well attended in the last year. It was hoped that a larger advert would remind people to use the service.
The Statement of Accounts and the summary income and expenditure financial statement were also considered and approved. The documents would be available for inspection in June.
The Parish Council had been asked about its views on a proposal from Sovereign Vale Housing Association to install a bench on the north corner of Manor Grove and The Avenue. The members of the Parish Council wanted the views of the neighbours so the Clerk distributed letters to the householders on the corner of Manor Grove and The Avenue and opposite at Fairways. She had two telephone calls from residents as a result of the letters. They both objected strongly to placing a bench in the position indicated. They commented that there was already a bench in the area which attracted late night noise and that it would cause more problems for the neighbours. The members decided unanimously that they would thank the Housing Association for the offer but asked if they could not go ahead with the project as it was not supported locally.
“The Office” is open on 4th June 10am-11am in the Village Centre. Please come along to meet the Clerk and Councillors and ask questions or make comments on issues in the village.
