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Decision Details: Benson Village Public Art Trail

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Assets

Decision status: Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

Paragraph 75(b) of the Constitution of South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council – 19 August 2024 (Financial procedure rules section, pages 222 to 223), states that for section 106 and CIL agreements greater than £20,000 up to £100,000, budgets can be approved by the relevant Cabinet member in consultation with the Cabinet member for finance.

Benson Parish Council wish to use an art project to bring both existing and new communities together, devising a trail through both new developments and historic parts of the village which have a notable history in furthering the understanding of time and weather.

After considerable exploration of potential themes and consultation with the community, the Public Art Working Group (a sub-group of the parish council) decided that a sundial trail celebrating different elements of these facets of Benson’s history would be highly appropriate.

From the outset they were keen to employ locally based artists, finding two internationally recognised artists “on the doorstep”. David Harber specialises in sundial installations, and Martin Cook is a stone carver and calligrapher of stone benches. In addition to the main ‘sundials and benches’ project, the working group have also commissioned another local artist, Bob Martin, to paint two large canvasses depicting Benson life and Benson’s rural landscapes, to be hung in Benson Village Hall.

The project will be funded from the following contribution:

  • Development: Land to the north east of Benson to the north of Watlington Road/The Sands
  • Planning Ref: P17/S1964/O
  • S106 Ref: 20S28
  • Date of agreement: 18 December 2020
  • Obligation: The “ Public Art Contribution” is defined as ‘the sum of three hundred and six pounds (£306) Index-Linked per dwelling towards the provision of on-site public art by the Parish Council on any part of the site transferred to it or proposed to be transferred to it.
  • Amount Secured: £79,749.28
  • Spend by Date: 10 years from receipt, 31 January 2032

Decision:

To create a budget for £51,883.00 taken from one S106 contribution, in accordance with the Constitution’s Finance Procedure Rules, towards a public art trail in Benson village.
Funds to be released subject to completion of a signed legal funding agreement with Benson Parish Council.

Publication date: 16/06/2025

Date of decision: 13/06/2025

Accompanying Documents: ICMD – Benson Village Public Art Trail