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 6 members of the public. Mrs M Ismail, Parish Clerk was in attendance.
1. APOLOGIES There were no apologies for absence.
2. MINUTES There were three corrections to the minutes of 11th October 2004. Item 5. 5th para: should read District engineer not County engineer. Item 7. should read New Charlbury Taxi Bus service will start in December. Item 9. 6th para should read OCC Highways.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Vandalism: Four street signs have been stolen and two footpath signs damaged. These have been reported to WODC Environmental Services. P C Barns has increased patrols. Incident diaries have been given to Mr A Jackson and Mr K Baker.
Risk Assessment: All jobs have now been done except the stone piers in playing field. One pier has been repaired for inspection and if satisfactory the other three will be done as soon as possible. The approximate labour cost so far is £500. Chairman confirmed that a third quote is required for demolishing the shed on the pound and he will ask Pete Moss. Mr Fox confirmed that we are not obliged to take the cheapest quote.
Action: Chairman
Shop: One of the paid volunteers has dropped out and our retired postman is working on a trial period. Turnover was slightly down last month perhaps due to people being away for half term. Small profit is still being made. In the next few weeks Christmas stock will be available.
Kerbing: Clerk to speak to County Councillor
Post Box: Royal Mail do not think we have enough mail to justify a new post box and they have no money in their budget to replace post boxes. They have been asked to reconsider as the original request was on the grounds of the opening being too small not the amount of letters posted. People do not use the box for this reason therefore there will be more mail if the opening is larger.
Transport Survey: The results of the OCC transport survey have been received. With effect from 12th December the Wednesday bus service to Chipping Norton will be changed from pm to am and the Charlbury Rail Link is to have an improved service and be more widely advertised. New timetables are awaited.
First Responder Scheme: No progress
Cornbury Field: No progress.
Hedge on London Lane: No progress. Clerk to ask again for it to be cut. Action: Clerk
Bank Nr. Signal Box: Clerk has contacted Network Rail with no success. No department will take responsibility. District Councillor suggested contacting John Clarke at WODC about clearing the culvert.
Action: Clerk
Charlbury Rail Link: See transport survey above.
Grass Cutting: Three firms have been asked to tender for the work for the 2005 season.
Basket Ball Net: Clerk has received more quotes around £500. This was considered too expensive. Philip Pratley to be asked to quote for making one.
Action: Mrs E Byles
Speed Signs on London Lane: Request made to move them. No progress
Water from Crown Farm: John Clarke, Principal Engineer at WODC has written to Mr Badger. Thames Water inspected on 1st November and found no blockage on the Thames Water line indicating that the water is the responsibility of the farm. Problem has also been reported to Environment Agency and OCC Highways.
Footpath Signs: Two damaged footpath signs have been reported to WODC Countryside Services. One is on the main Charlbury Road and the other at the end of High Street
London Lane Street Sign: WODC environmental services have been asked to move the sign further down the hill.
Letter to School re Parking: Outstanding
4. CORRESPONDENCE
a) An acknowledgement of our letter to Cherwell Vale PCT regarding doctors out of hours service has been received. Person responsible is on holiday and will reply on return.
b) Fire and Rescue Service has sent notification of public meeting in Oxford Town Hall on 11th November to discuss Fire Control. This is to follow on from previous meeting at Kidlington when representative from ODPM failed to attend. Notice does not say a representative will attend this meeting.
5. PLANNING
04/1451/P/FP CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSION TO EXISTING GARAGE TO FORM INDOOR SWIMMING POOL, CHANGING ROOMS AND PLANT ROOM. At: ASCOTT EARL HOUSE, SHIPTON ROAD, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD.
Outstanding
04/1659/P/FP DEMOLISH EXISTING DWELLING. ERECTION OF NINE DWELLINGS WITH ASSOCIATED GARAGES ACCESS AND LANDSCAPING. At: 2A SHIPTON ROAD, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Outstanding
04/2084/P/FP INSERTION OF TWO CONSERVATION ROOF LIGHTS TO THE FRONT ELEVATION AND ONE TO THE REAR ELEVATION At: 47 HIGH STREET, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD New
04/1992/P/FP ALTERATIONS AND ERECTION OF TWO STOREY REAR EXTENSION, NEW PORCH EXTENSION AND CONVERSION OF LOFT TO FORM ADDITIONAL LIVING ACCOMMODATION At: WILLOW BROOK, 51 HIGH STREET, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD New
Mr Richard Smith of 49 High Street explained his concerns about this application. Mainly that the size and design of the proposed extensions are too large and not sympathetic to the original agricultural style of the other barn conversions in the development and his property will be very overlooked. Mr Pearce raised concerns about how the new entrance will be accessed. The plans do show this clearly and it was agreed this should be clarified. Clerk to write to WODC planning with these concerns. Action: Clerk
Crown Farm: No appeal or new plan has been received. District Councillor informed the meeting that enforcement officer will be making a further visit.
6. FINANCE
Received: ½ yr Precept £3777.00
7. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
No report
8. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT
Mrs Hibbert-Biles reported that Marriotts Close in Witney is now down to six applicants for the development and is likely to have a multi screen cinema and health centre. The two new ASAP points for ambulance crews should have been in place last month but is now likely to be January. These will be at Astall Barrow near Minster Lovell and Chipping Norton Fire Station. Ambulances now serve the Wychwoods from Banbury which is not ideal. There is a plan to replace post vans in Shipton with grey boxes. The District Councillor said she is not sure how this scheme will work but thinks that the boxes will need planning permission. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee and David Cameron are continuing negotiations for Chipping Norton hospital to have minor injuries unit. She asked for a letter of support to be sent to Cherwell Vale PCT by the Parish Council and this was agreed. Cherwell PCT are joining with North East PCT but will continue to have two boards. The Horton Hospital may lose its paediatric department to the Radcliffe. There is to be a public meeting about this which she will attend.
Action: Clerk (Letter to PCT)
9. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Q1. Mr Fred Russell informed the meeting that the screws have been taken off the war memorial plaque.
A. Chairman to investigate and replace screws Action: Chairman
Q2. Mr D Benfield asked if anything could be done about the water running down Chipping Norton Hill and a dangerous manhole cover which has moved at the bottom.
A. Clerk will report to OCC highways and also ask Mr Izod to cut the brambles at the bottom of the hill. Action: Clerk
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) Mr Gordon Halliday from Shipton Village Hall Committee talked about a scheme for village cinemas. The idea is to show recently released films in village halls. The equipment will be shared between villages and stored at Shipton. A bid for Leaderplus funding is being put together but some matched funding will be required. Rosemary Dawbarn and Simon Gidman from the Village Hall Committee will speak to Roger Shepherd, the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee about the scheme and liaise with the Parish Council. A decision can then be made on whether to join the scheme and the amount to be contributed. Joint funding between the Parish Council and the Village Hall Committee was discussed.
b) Mrs Byles reported that the dog waste bin on the green had slipped down the supporting pole. Action: Clerk
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The meeting closed at 9.45 pm. The next meeting will be held on 13th December 2004 at 8 pm.