The following Councillors were present: Mr N Braithwaite (Chairman),
Mr M Pearce, Mr S Fox, Mrs W Pearse. Also present were Mrs H Hibbert-Biles (District Councillor) and 1 member of the public.
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APOLOGIES
MINUTES
MATTERS ARISSING
CORRESPONDENCE
COUNCILLOR TO BE CO-OPTED
PLANNING
FINANCE
REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
NEXT MEETING
1. APOLOGIES Received from Mr R Rose, County Councillor.
2. MINUTES The Chairman signed the declaration of office in the Minutes of 15th May 2002 they were then agreed and signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Corner House Farm: No further progress on the development. It was agreed to give the two solicitors from Clifford Chance a case of wine each in appreciation for the unpaid work they have done on the project.
Maple Way Footpath: The Clerk had been in touch with OCC and they had again promised to look into it next week.
Train: Mr Pearce volunteered to act as transport officer.
Lower Green: No further progress.
Memorial Gates: The gates are being galvanised this week and should be ready for installation within two weeks. The Clerk to contact the company to confirm if they will remove the old gates. PCC to be informed.
Footbridge: No further progress.
The Green: Kerbing has been requested from OCC.
Speed Signs: Roads are marked out ready for work to begin. Clerk to check that ‘SLOW’ signs will be also be done.
Road Surface Shipton Road: Roads marked out.
Queens Jubilee: All Councillors agreed this had been a very successful event and were grateful to all the organisers for working so hard to make it such an enjoyable and memorable time for everyone.
Jubilee Benches: Still awaiting installation.
Audit: Under the new audit rules we need to appoint an Internal Auditor. Mr Fox suggested that we could join together with 2 other villages and audit each other’s
accounts in rotation to save money. It was agreed that this was a good idea and Mr Fox will make further enquires.
Playingfield: The drainage situation is not currently causing any problems. It had been observed that more seating might be required near the children’s play area.
New Signpost: This has been made and should be installed within the next two weeks.
Exhibition: The organisers had asked if they could keep the collages a little longer as the exhibition has been extended until the end of June.
Parking: The situation around the school seems to be have improved following the headmasters letter to parents. The Clerk had written to Mr Wood thanking him for taking action.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils: It was agreed to re-join the Association since it will be useful to the new Clerk and Financial Officer.
Register of Members Interests: WODC queried that none of the Councillors had indicated on their forms whether they serve on any bodies to which they have been appointed by the Parish Council. It was confirmed that no Councillors have been appointed to bodies by the Parish Council.
Citizens Advice Bureau: A request for a donation to funds from the CAB had been received. A donation was given last year. Clerk to write declining the request on this occasion.
Roseneath School of Music: A request had been received for a donation to raise money to hire a grand piano for a concert in the Wychwood School. Clerk to write declining the request.
ROSPA: Rospa had sent a reminder for the inspection of the play equipment. Clerk to check with WODC when this is due and since we overpaid last time if we should get a free inspection.
5. COUNCILLOR TO BE CO-OPTED One position remains vacant on the Parish Council. Several names were put forward and the Chairman will enquire if any of those mentioned would be interested in the post.
6. PLANNING
W2002/0523 ERECTION OF FIRST FLOOR REAR EXTENSION WITH DORMER WINDOW AND CONSTRUCTION OF CONSERVATORY WITH GLAZED LINK TO EXISTING UTILITY. INSERTION OF DORMER WINDOW IN SOUTH WEST ELEVATION at 35 HIGH STREET, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Outstanding.
W2002/0707 DEMOLITION OF EXISITING GARAGE AND CONSERVATORY AND ERECTION OF TWO STORY SIDE EXTENION at 7 THE GREEN, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Outstanding.
W2002/0714 DEMOLITION OF TWO EXISTING DUTCH BARNS AND ERECTION OF NEW DUTCH BARN at CROWN FARM, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Outstanding.
W2002/0915 SINGLE STOREY FRONT AND SIDE EXTENSIONS TO EXISTING GARAGE at 29 LONDON LANE, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Outstanding.
7. FINANCE
Payed In:
Cricket Club rent for hire of playingfield £300.00
VAT Repayment Claim £2679.42
Village Photograph sales £72.00
Payed Out:
Half year waste collection charge £84.93
From playingfield
Audit Fee £301.39
Mr Fox circulated a draft financial report to 31st March 2002. With current expenditure plans it is estimated there would be approximately £4,500 in hand at the end of the financial year. A detailed budget will be prepared for the next meeting.
Village Photograph Expenses: The cost of producing the village photograph had been invoiced to Mr Simon Gidman personally. It was pointed out that since the Parish Council had agreed to underwrite the cost this could lead to problems. The Clerk to contact Mr Gidman to clarify the situation.
Mandate Form: Under new banking rules when the mandate form is submitted to the bank all new councillors will have to visit the bank with proof of identity, either passport or driving licence and confirm their address, usually with a utility bill. It was agreed to wait until a new councillor is co-opted to do this so that the process does not have to be repeated.
8. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
There was no report from the County Councillor.
Mrs Hilary Hibbert-Biles reported that she would be on the following committees; Uplands Planning, Economic and Scrutiny, Burford School Trustee, Thames Valley Forum, Oxford Community Health Council, Deputy S.E. Regional Assembly and Southern Tourist Board.
She had attended a planning standards meeting and reported that the rules were very strict about commenting on plans and this means that she will not be allowed to comment on plans at Parish Council meetings. This is in accordance with the Nolan Report from the government. Mrs Hibbert-Biles assured the Council that she would listen carefully and make fair representations at the meetings.
Mrs Hibbert-Biles reported that the Police would be changing the way they record crime. Every crime will be recorded incurring more paperwork for the police and will make crime figures rise.
A letter from WODC about a Community Initiative Fund was brought to the attention of the Council. It was agreed to pass on an application form to any organisation that may qualify.
The problems with speeding in London Lane were explained to Mrs Hibbert-Biles and she will take this up with the County Councillor and look at various alternatives such as speed bumps and moving the speed limit further out of the village.
Mrs Hibbert-Biles informed the Council that there is a County budget for low cost housing and asked about the situation in Ascott. The Chairman and Mr Pearce stressed that if any houses were built the Parish Council would like to see local families given priority.
Mrs Hibbert-Biles offered to organise a Charity Cricket Match to raise funds for the Ascott Sports Club. She will liase with John Cull, Secretary to the Sports Club.
9. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
There were no public questions.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
London Lane Notice Board: Joe Gomm has agreed to do the work and
Mr Braithwaite is to get two iron support posts from the blacksmith. .
Playingfield Gates: Completed
Fund Raising Seminar: Mr Fox volunteered to attend a seminar on July 13th at Carterton.
Parish Web Site: Mr Pearce raised the question of putting more information on the web site. It was agreed to include names, addresses and telephone numbers of councillors and information about all the organisations in the village. It was agreed to post the minutes on the site but only after they have been agreed at the following meeting.
11. NEXT MEETING
Monday 8th July 2002 at 8.00 pm in the Tiddy Hall.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.55 pm