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 Mr. R. Rose [County Councillor]. Mrs A. Braithwaite took the minutes
1. APOLOGIES Received from Mrs. M. Ismail, Parish Clerk
2. MINUTES There were three amendments to the minutes of 14th March 2005.
Litter blitz on Saturday 23rd April 2005 and the risk assessment to the playground. The rodding of the drains at Crown Farm was carried on Saturday 5th and not the 12th March. These items were amended and the minutes were agreed and signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Risk Assessment: Tree Work – Niall Burman had been instructed and was going to let us know when the work would be carried out. As yet he has not been in touch. Mrs. Pearse asked if trees could be cut down without permission
Action: Chairman
The Chairman had contacted Nick Dalby, WODC Tree Officer about Five Shilling common. He suggested contacting Nick Mottram as the local expert but he had been away on holiday, he felt nothing could be done now until the autumn. Action: Chairman
Kerbing: Report back at next meeting.
Post Box: No progress.
Bank and Culvert Near Signal Box: Mr. Pearce had written to Network Rail, J Clarke, Thames Water, David Cameron and had received an acknowledgement from the County Council [Tony Oakley] and David Cameron M.P.
Grass Cutting: In hand – cutting has started.
Speed Signs on London Lane: No progress. Mr. Pearce feels we should follow it up with another letter to the County Council; the signs need to be put higher up London Lane. Action: Clerk
Water from Crown Farm: Mrs. Byles and Mr. Rose made a declaration of interest and left the room.
Mrs. Byles had been keeping a careful diary of when the water was flowing and whether it was coloured or not. The water had stopped flowing after the drains had been rodded but within two days it was flowing again. Letters had been written to Mr. Neil Shellard [WODC.] and Mr. John Clark [Environmental Health]. Mr. Shellard had visited but there was no water flowing and no water standing in puddles at the time so was unable to take any samples, and he suggested that diaries should be kept by the immediate neighbours. As no water had been flowing recently it was decided no more action can be taken, the situation to be monitored.
Mrs Byles and Mr Rose then returned to the room.
Footpath Sign: No progress. Mr. Pearce said that there should be three signs and not two as there is at the moment. Clerk to contact countryside services again. Action: Clerk
Memorial Plaque: Work still outstanding.
Water on Chipping Norton Hill: No progress.
Overgrown Branches near the Railway Bridge: Mr Izod has not yet cut these back.
Hazel Coppice on Allotments: Mr. Fox and Mr. Pearce have now planted the coppice and thanks to Mr. Nick Leadbetter for his help.
Living Churchyards: No progress. This will be brought up in the next few months.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Acknowledgements from Oxfordshire County Council and David Cameron, M.P. concerning the culvert near the signal box.
b) The renewal of the general insurance policy had increased to £1,086.69. The Chairman and Mr. Fox to make enquiries about alternative quotes.
Action: Chairman & Mr. S. Fox
c) Confirmation of grant of £4,594.39 from the Oxfordshire County Council for new lighting in Tiddy Hall.
d) A letter had been received from Pauline Carter of the Concertante Society asking for a donation towards a concert in Tiddy Hall in June. This was refused.
Action: Clerk
e) A letter had been received from Mr. Nick Leadbetter informing the Parish Council of his intention to build an extension to the cottage in his garden. No planning application has yet been received from the WODC.
f) A letter has been received from Thames Valley Police asking for a donation towards the Police Community Support Officers. This was refused.
5. PLANNING
04/2165/P/: CHANGE OF USE FROM AGRICULTURAL/EQUESTRIAN ALLOWING LAND, COVERED ARENA, HORSE WALKER AND STABLES TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH EXISITING LIVERY BUSINESS AND NON COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITION 4 OF PLANNING PERMISSION W2001/0730 TO ALLOW OUTDOOR ARENA ALSO TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSES OF LIVERY (RETROSPECTIVE) at CROWN FARM, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD Deferred
05/0242/P/FP: ALTERATIONS AND ERECTION OF TWO STOREY REAR AND SIDE EXTENSIONS. NEW GLAZED SINGLE STOREY LINK TO BARN at
47 SHIPTON ROAD, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Believed to be outstanding
05/0298/P/FP ERECTION OF TWO STOREY REAR AND SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION at 49 SHIPTON ROAD, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD Believed to be outstanding
The Chairman agreed to contact Mr. Jeff Lowe to establish the current position with regard to the planning application at the Crown Farm. The Chairman also to establish the position with regard to 47 and 49 Shipton Road.
Action: Chairman
Mrs. Hilary Biles commented that Thames Water Authority had acknowledged that there was a surface water problem at 2a Shipton Road and that the builders had promised to keep the ditches clear of debris for the next five years if planning was approved.
6. FINANCE
Mr. Fox circulated the balance sheet as at 31st March 2005 together with a cash forecast for the year ending 31st March 2006. The accounts were read and approved and signed by the Chairman and the Responsible Officer
Mr. Fox reported that Ascott had been selected for audit. Copy of the minute book, insurance documents etc. will have to be presented with the accounts.
a) Mr. Roger Shepherd had been away on holiday so the Chairman was unable to report back on the position of the water supply to the pavilion but will do so at the next meeting.
Action: Chairman
Payments In: £
Cricket Club 300.00
Windrush School 300.00
The Pound 20.00
Payments Out:
Association of Local Councils 119.85
7. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Mr. Rose expressed his concern about the proposal to move the Fire Control Centre to Guildford and the Government determination to push it through because they feel they would be more capable of dealing with an incident like 9th September 2001 but there are no facts to support the decision.
8. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Mrs Hibbert-Biles informed the Parish Council that she will be standing for election in Chipping Norton as a County Councillor. She will remain our District Councillor.
The council tax in the WODC area is the second lowest in the country.
WODC has been awarded a planning grant of £780,000
There was a pilot scheme in the Chipping Norton area not to empty wheelie bins for two weeks over the Easter bank holiday period and the rest of the area had their bins emptied on the usual day. This scheme was not successful and has now been overturned.
9. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
No were no public questions.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) The problem of cars parked round The Green and the school was raised and it was agreed that the road is a public highway so cars are entitled to park there. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the County Council [Paul Woosman] asking for the lines at the end of High Street/London Lane and the hatching near the school to be re-painted and that school safety should be mentioned.
Action: Clerk
b) It was mentioned that the Church was not having their usual summer fête and if that was the case would it be a good idea to hold a village fundraising event with all the village organisations being involved if they wanted. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the P.C.C. asking if they were holding a fête this year.
Action: Clerk
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Annual Meeting on Monday 18th April at 8.00 p.m. in the Tiddy Hall.
Next Meeting on Monday 9th May at 8.00 p.m. in the Tiddy Hall