The Parish Council discussed the condition of the surface at the play area in Forest Side. The Clerk had investigated with two playground contractors whether it was possible to install either wet pour surfacing or rubber matting. The costs for both options were very high so it was agreed to renew the surface with Cushionfall® loose chippings. Before they could be spread it would be necessary to some ground work.
There will be a slight delay in replacing the bus shelter in Kennington Road near Upper Road. It was agreed to complete the replacement of all the shelters this year. The old shelters in The Avenue near Sandford Lane will be removed soon and new ones ordered.
A quotation had been received from the tree surgeon to tidy up the area of land at south end of Upper Road from the boundary of No 159 to the footpath to Bagley Wood Road. The quotation, which was accepted, would involve removing all the dead Elms, an Elder and Laburnum plus two Bird Cherry trees. The crowns of four Limes, two Sycamores and two Bird Cherry trees would be lifted. Fallen wood would be removed.
The Parish Council’s submission for the Calor Oxfordshire Village of the Year was not successful in winning one of the major prizes. However the village was awarded £100 sponsored by the Barnsbury Charitable Trust for the Parish Council’s Saturday drop in available to residents. The presentation of the awards would be on 8th October 2008.
A number of highway issues had been reported including a pothole in the pavement at No 201 Poplar Grove. The uneven manhole cover in the roadway outside No 9 Bagley Wood Road was reported. An investigation into the state of the footpath from The Tandem to the Railway Bridge was requested. The condition of the raised footway along Sandford Lane was reported again.
Two grants were awarded; one of £250 for the Air Ambulance and the other of £100 for the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind.
The Parish Council was asked to comment on the Octabus Dial-a-Ride service for disabled and mobility-impaired people. They would welcome hearing the views of users of the service living in the village. Please send your comments to the Clerk.
Some residents have asked about the cost and where to purchase the Aqua Sacs that the Parish Council lent the Fire Brigade in the most recent flooding incident in Kennington Road. The company web site is www.aqua-sac.com and the local distributor is Parker Merchanting, Unit 3, Cowley Business Centre, Watlington Road, Cowley, Oxford OX4 6NH,Tel: 01865 785700. One bag would cost £6.00 and a pack of 25 was £143.75 from Parker Merchanting. They are easy to store and easy to handle and are as effective as normal sand bags. They should be reusable but take some time to dry out.
