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), Mr R Rose, (County Councillor) Mrs E Byles to be co-opted and 3 members 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 There were no apologies for absence.
2. MINUTES
Village Photograph Expenses: The minutes were amended to clarify the situation with the expenses regarding the village photograph. The original invoice for the photograph had been sent to Mr Gidman, the Parish Council paid the invoice and reclaimed the VAT but the invoice needs to be made out to the Parish Council. Clerk to ask the company if they will change the name on the invoice.
The minutes were then agreed and signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Corner House Farm: A new planning application has been submitted. A letter had been received from Mr Swan requesting that the developer mark out the width and depth of the site with posts to give a better idea of the area. The Chairman agreed to ask the developer to do this.
A meeting of the Steering Committee to discuss a village shop within the development has been agreed for 15th July 2002.
The two cases of wine for the solicitors from Clifford Chance, in appreciation for their unpaid work on the project, have been organised through Oddbins at a cost of £136.57.
Footpath: A handrail has been erected and this matter is now resolved.
Train: The Chairman to inform the Company that Mr Pearce is now the transport officer.
Lower Green: No progress
Memorial Church Gates: These should be ready to be erected next week.
Footbridge: No progress
The Green: Conservation kerbing for the area around the Green has been ordered and the work should be carried out over the summer.
Speed Signs: The approach roads into the village now have 30 mph roundels and a red road surface. The Clerk had contacted WODC regarding additional slow signs but they felt the red paint was enough.
Jubilee Benches: Awaiting installation.
Audit: Eleven other parish councils were contacted to enquire about auditing each other’s accounts. Only Astall and Swinbrook were in a position to help but Swinbrook is very small and Mr Fox did not think it fair to expect them to do our accounts. Kingham had offered to audit our accounts next year if needed but did not want to join a reciprocal arrangement. Enquires to continue.
Playing field: Mr Pearce had cut the hedges and since the drainage problem seems to be rectified for the moment this matter is now resolved.
Signpost: The new signpost near the railway line has been erected but without the Shipton arm.
Exhibition: The exhibition finished at the end of June, the Clerk to contact the organisers to arrange for the return of the collages.
ROSPA: An inspection of the play equipment has been booked for the autumn and this will be free since we over paid last time.
Notice Board: Metal posts for the notice board in London Lane have been ordered.
Community Initiative Fund: The Clerk had passed forms to J Cull for the Cricket Club and Mrs P Plant for the pre-school.
Charity Cricket Match: Mrs Hibbert-Biles had been in touch with Mr Cull and arrangements are in hand.
Web Site: The Clerk had tried to get in touch with Mr Cunningham regarding posting Parish Council information on the village web site but he had not been available as yet.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Mr P Swan: See Corner House Farm under Matters Arising.
Mr S Gidman: A letter had been received from Mr Gidman regarding the expenses for the village photograph. It was agreed to reimburse Mr Gidman £400 for the shortfall in the cost of the scaffolding required to take the photograph.
5. COUNCILLOR TO BE CO-OPTED:
Mrs Elaine Byles was co-opted onto the Parish Council. Proposed by: Mr M Pearce Seconded by: Mrs W Pearse
Clerk to send relevant forms to WODC and to put up a notice.
6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
W2002/0523 ERECTION OF FIRST FLOOR REAR EXTENSION WITH DORMER WINDOW AND CONSTRUCTION OF CONSERVATORY WITH GLAZED LINK TO EXISITING UTILITY. INSERTION OF DORMER WINDOW IN SOUTH WEST ELEVATION at 35 HIGH STREET, 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.
W2002/1023 CONSTRUCT TWO DORMER WINDOWS ON FRONT ELEVATION at SUNSET HOUSE, LONDON LANE, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD Outstanding.
W2002/1024 ERECTION OF DETACHED GARAGE AND FORMATION OF TWO DORMER WINDOWS TO FRONT ELEVATION OF DWELLING (MODIFICATION OF PLANNING PERMISSION W2002/0160 at D’OYLEY HOUSE, HIGH STREET, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD Outstanding.
W2002/110 DOMOLITION OF REDUNDANT AGRICULATURAL BUILDINGS AND ERECTION OF NINE DEWELLINGS AND ONE SHOP at CORNER HOUSE FARM, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD Outstanding
WW2002/0915 SINGLE STORY FRONT AND SIDE EXTENSIONS TO EXISITING GARAGE at 29 LONDON LANE, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD Passed.
W2002/0707 DEMOLITION OF EXISITING GARAGE AND CONSERVATORY AND ERECTION OF TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION at 7 THE GREEN, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Passed.
7. FINANCIAL REPORT
| Paid Out: | £ |
| Mr S Barnes Petrol and Batteries | 219.77 |
| Cornhill Insurance | 727.67 |
| Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils Membership Fee | 96.35 |
| Mrs M Ismail ¼ year salary | 416.00 |
| Mrs M Ismail ¼ year telephone | 7.50 |
| Petty Cash | 40.00 |
| Mr S Gidman Reimbursement for Village Photograph Expenses | 400.00 |
| Paid In: | £ |
| Interest | 9.69 |
An item relating to Lower Green has been added to the Community Assets sheet, this was circulated. Mr Fox had prepared a cash forecast for the remainder of the year indicating that there should be no problems meeting our commitments with £4,500 in hand at the end of the year.
Bank Mandate: The following resolutions were passed by the Parish Council:
- That a bank account or accounts be continued with HSB Bank plc (the ‘Bank’) and the Bank is authorised to:
- pay all cheques and other instructions for payment signed on behalf of the Parish Council by any two of those listed overleaf (the ‘signatory’) whether any account of the Parish Council is in debit or credit;
- deliver any item held on behalf of the Parish Council by the bank in safe keeping against the written receipt of the signatory; and
- accept the signatory as fully empowered to act on behalf of the Parish Council in any other transactions with the bank
- That any debt incurred to the Bank under this mandate shall, in the absence of written agreement by the Bank to the contrary, be repayable on demand.
- That the Secretary (Clerk) is authorised to supply the bank as and when necessary with lists of persons who are authorised to sign, give receipts and act on behalf of the Parish Council, and that the Bank may rely upon such lists.
- That these resolutions remain in force until cancelled by notice in writing to the Bank signed by the Chairman or Secretary (Clerk) acting or claiming to act on behalf of the Parish Council and the Bank shall be entitled to act on such notice whether the resolutions have been validly cancelled or not.
8. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Mr R Rose (County Councillor) requested an update on the development at Corner House Farm and the possibility of a shop in the village. The Chairman explained that it was yet to be resolved how a shop would operate, that the new plans had been favourably received and there had been no objections from the near neighbours. Mr Pearce explained that the developers are well known locally for the quality of their building.
Mr Rose reported that he has been involved in an educational scheme called speedwatch campaign and early results showed that it was working well and cutting down accidents. He commented on the new red speed signs in the village and thought something further up London Lane away from the village would be useful. Mr Pearce explained that we had requested this before the road was painted red and asked if a meeting could be arranged with county highways to get the matter resolved. Mr Rose promised to do what he could.
Mrs Hilary Hibbert-Biles (District Councillor) reported that she been very busy on training courses on sustainable environments, planning and code of conduct. She again emphasised that the code of conduct on planning was very strict and she would not be able to comment on planning in meetings.
9. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Mr Mellor from 10 High Street ask to look at the plans for Corner House Farm. He had recently moved into the village and congratulated the Parish Council on the recent activities for the Jubilee Celebrations.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Football Club Rent: It was agreed to keep the rent at £150 per annum.
Crown Farm: Mrs Byles asked why Crown Farm was replacing the two dutch barns and were there any plans for a riding school. The Clerk reported that the plans were for agricultural use only.
Crime and Disorder Act: Mr Fox asked Mr Rose if the Parish Council should be considering issues from the Crime and Disorder act. Mr Rose felt that these would not affect Ascott too much if normal security measures were taken.
11. NEXT MEETING
Monday 9th September at 8.00 pm in the Tiddy Hall
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00 pm.