The following Councillors were present: Mr N Braithwaite (Chairman), Mr M Pearce, Mr S Fox, Mrs W Pearse, Mrs E Byles. Also present were Mrs H Hibbert-Biles (District Councillor) and 1 member of the public. Mrs M Ismail, Parish Clerk was in attendance.
1. APOLOGIES Received from Mr R Rose County Councillor
2. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 14th June 2004 were agreed and signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Vandalism: No new incidents have been reported. The clerk had been in touch with PC Badrick and confirmed that he has spoken to the Cornbury Agent and the tenant about their responsibilities in allowing children to use the barns at the end of High Street.
Risk Assessment: An action plan for the Risk Assessment is attached to these minutes.
Shop: Profits remain buoyant but Mr Fox reported that the Manager had decided to leave after completing the trial period. The Management Committee will reconsider duties and responsibilities of the Manager and decide whether to advertise for a new Manager.
Kerbing Shipton Road: County Councillor is looking into the matter.
Street Sign at Yew Tree Farm: This work has been completed.
Village Shop Sign: Awaiting contractor to erect sign.
Post Box: No progress
Transport Survey: Now complete and forwarded to OCC. It was agreed to produce bus timetables and transport information in a format that can be printed in Grapevine. Action: Clerk
First Responder Scheme: After discussion there were concerns about how viable the scheme would be without the support of the other parishes. It was agreed to find out more about whether Shipton and Milton intend to support the scheme. The District Councillor expressed concerns about the poor ambulance service to the Wychwoods in general and felt strongly that Parish Councils should not be asked to fund this scheme. Clerk to contact the other parishes and write to Richard Tracey to keep him informed. Action: Clerk
Cornbury Field: Clerk has requested that the hedge should be cut hard back in the autumn.
Bank Nr Signal Box: Acknowledgement of request received from Network Rail but no progress.
Charlbury Taxi Bus: Clerk has written to Leafield Parish Council to say we have no objections to reversing the journey of the bus.
OCC Bus Review: Clerk had contacted villagers who use the bus services in question and replied to OCC.
Fire Control Staff: Clerk had written in support of the views of Fire Control Staff regarding the proposed changes to the fire service.
WODC Services to Disadvantaged Groups: Clerk had replied pointing out that the groups were are concerned about are the residents of Langston House and young people.
Playing Field Grass: Mr Pearce reported that the grass was now in much better condition.
Play Equipment: Mr Pearce reported that Lappset are awaiting parts for the swing and seesaw and they are still out of action.
Road Sign Between Railway and Bridge: No progress.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Letters have been received from Mr and Mrs Genc and Mrs Beswick expressing their concern that the notice board on London Lane is in a dangerous position and that it is not an appropriate place for the new litter bin. After discussion it was unanimously agreed that there would be no change to the position of these items as the notice board has been there for many years and there has never been an accident and the litter bin is needed there. Clerk to reply. Action: Clerk
b) A letter had been received from OCC regarding a Station Adoption Scheme. The scheme involves volunteers reporting defects at the station between routine checks by the train operator. It was unanimously agreed not to support this scheme. Clerk to reply. Action: Clerk
c) A request had been received from West Oxfordshire Citizens Advice Bureau for a contribution to their running costs. A donation of £50.00 was agreed.
5. PLANNING
04/0999/F/FP ERECTION OF FIRST FLOOR SIDE EXTENSION TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LIVING ACCOMMODATION at 46 SHIPTON ROAD, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD Outstanding
04/1076/P/FP CONSTRUCTION OF ALL WEATHER MENAGE WITH POST AND RAIL FENCING FOR PRIVATE USE ONLY at COLDSTONE HOUSE, SHIPTON ROAD, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD Outstanding
6. FINANCE
a) Mr Fox reported that the donation to the Grapevine can be taken out of Section 137 thereby releasing this money for other purposes.
b) Mr Fox reported that the football club are disbanding and this will mean losing their rent for the playing field. Clerk to enquire if the junior boys still intend to use the field and if they are funded by Ascott United and what will happen to the posts and nets. Also to make enquires about other football clubs who may want to use the field. Action: Clerk
c) The external auditor has asked the following questions:
i) Why have our assets decreased? Mr Fox to reply that we write the depreciation off each year.
ii) Why had the precept increased? Mr Fox to reply that we requested an increase due to increase spending liability
d) Clerk had obtained quotes for basketball net from Lappset and Wicksteed. Both were over £500 which was considered to be too expensive. Other options will be pursued. Clerk to ask OCC if we could get a grant. Action: Clerk
e) PAYMENTS
£
Received: Allotment Rent 7.50
Paid Out: WODC Playing Field Inspection 48.76
Rowley Harpwood Ploughing Allotment 20.00
Mr Fox Postage for Audit 93
Mr Fox Wine for Iona Mackenzie (audit) 11.40
Petty Cash 40.00
7. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
No Report
8. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT
Mrs Hibbert-Biles was pleased to report that WODC obtained the highest marks in the County in the recent audit. There is consultation regarding Chipping Norton hospital taking place at present and it is proposed that there will be no out of hours emergency care, no X Ray and no minor injury unit. It appears that the hospital will be used for convalescence for the elderly with nothing for children and others. She fears that this is another step towards centralisation but on the local plan medical facilities are proposed at Cromwell Road. She urged the Parish Council to reply to the consultation document. There is to be a public meeting on 1st September. The final decision about Langston House has been delayed because of the consultation about the hospital. Another concern is that wardens have moved out of the Sheltered Accommodation at Bowerham and West Oxfordshire Housing are proposing more care in the community. Mrs Hibbert-Biles feels there are many battles ahead regarding health care issues but stressed that it is very hard to go against government initiatives.
Enforcement Officers have visited Crown Farm but it is still not clear if there will be an appeal.
9. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Q. Mr Russell asked the District Councillor why the toilets in Witney had been closed for 8 months.
A. Mrs Hibbert-Biles explained that they have been totally vandalised and the council is looking at vandal proof alternatives. In the meantime they have been locked up.
Q. Mr Russell reported that there is a wasp’s nest in the hedge on Priory Lane.
A. Mr Pearce offered to deal with it.
A. Mr Russell asked if the proposed basket ball net would include a court and felt that only English games should be played on the playing field.
B. It was explained that there would only be a net so that the older children would be able to throw a ball around.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) Mr Fox and Mr Pearce were due to attend a meeting on Parish Plans in Shipton but this has been postponed until September.
b) The ROSPA report on the play equipment has been received. There are no urgent items apart from the seesaw and swing which are already being dealt with.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The meeting closed at 9.45pm. There will be no meeting in August and the next meeting will be held on 13th September 2004.