Councillors Present were: Mr N Braithwaite (Chairman), Mr M Pearce, Mr S Fox, Mrs W Pearse, Mrs E Byles, Mrs H Hibbert-Biles (District Councillor).
Members of the Public: Mr Roger Shepherd – Pavilion / Sports Club
Parish Clerk: Mrs A M Barnes
Cotswold Voluntary Wardens – Walk through Ascott-under-Wychwood Leaflet
Gerald Simper, the Parish contact for the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, handed a final draft copy of the leaflet out for approval. Mr Simper offered to print the first 80 to 100 copies, but enquired if he could be re-imbursed for paper and ink etc. With this in mind the leaflets would be left at the Village Shop with a request for donations in aid of the Village Shop. The wording of the leaflet was agreed by the Councillors, with the exception of the reference to Mr. Reginald Tiddy, the original founder of the Tiddy Hall. It was agreed that reference to Mr. Tiddy as a hero was not appropriate, Mr. Simper was going to re-word this and in the meantime Mr. Roger Shepherd is going to enquire with Blenheim Colour as to how much it would be to reproduce the leaflet with a higher quality finish. With this in mind Mr. Simper was happy for this to be done, provided none of his original wording was changed without his prior knowledge.
1. APOLOGIES – Mr R Rose, County Councillor
2. MINTUES Agreed, numbered, signed and filed.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Risk Assessment: It is believed the tree work by Niall Burman is now complete.
Post Box: Clerk had chased again and was advised of new contact at Royal Mail. The contact is Mr. Matthew Large and a message was left with his office to call back. Clerk to chase again.
Action Clerk
Crown Farm: Planning conditions ongoing. There has been a report of a water problem, which would appear to have been dealt with. It was noted that the water was clear running and not foul as reported in a previous problem.
Railway & Culvert: Ongoing – Network Rail have accepted responsibility and land ownership does now appear to have been confirmed.
Chestnut Drive – Cottsway: No progress. Clerk has chased and is awaiting a response. Clerk to chase again.
Action Clerk
Churchyard Kissing Gate: Ongoing.
ROSPA: Ongoing – work has commenced by Wychwood Wrought Iron.
Oxfordshire County Council – Highways:
- Kerbing/Paving
- Speed Signs, London lane
- Road outside 5 The Green & Fairspear Potholes.
- Street Signs
- Manhole Cover – The Green (already made safe and then repaired, but damaged again – URGENT)**
- All of the above Highway issues have been included in a letter from the Chairman to Mr. Rodney Rose, County Councillor as a matter of high priority.
No answers to report at present, but Mr. Rose did report that Mr. Ralph Grant, Area Engineer for Oxfordshire County Council was on leave until 19th December, 2005 – Ongoing.
**This was reported again on Monday 12th December to the Highways Department and had been passed to Paul Wilson. It was stressed that this was both dangerous and urgent due to the locality of the manhole. This has been logged again under the original call reference number 66676.
Oxfordshire County Council Highways – Agency Agreement – Clerk did write in response to OCC’s letter and requested more information. Nothing had been received, Clerk telephoned and spoke with Mr. Mike Moore, who is heading up this project. Mr Moore advised that as soon as all information had been received and collated from parish councils he would write and send us more information.
Pavilion / Sports Clubs: Mr Roger Shepherd reported – a further meeting had been held between the relevant parties. Mr. Wood, Windrush Primary School had received a draft copy of an Agreement which primarily outlines the requirements and conditions to be met. It was noted that the Pavilion facilities would be used Monday to Thursday 1pm to 5pm and no Fridays. There was concern with regards to where and with whom responsibilities lay for grass cutting and the recreation play area. It was agreed that the Chairman would write a “letter of comfort” from the Parish Council confirming their obligations and responsibilities to the Sports Club. A draft of this letter would be sent to Mr. Roger Shepherd in the first instance. Also discussed was the matter of insurance/liability – Clerk to provide the Chairman with current insurance details e.g. policy number and contact telephone number to establish the necessity to notify insurers that the Playing Field/Pavilion could possibly be rented out to the Windrush School and to establish if and how this could affect the Parish Council’s Insurance. Mr. Shepherd to check with Mr. Wood the details of the school’s current insurance details also. As from January 2006 the Windrush School will only use the facilities for 2 days per week. This will then increase from September 2006 to the proposed 4 days.
Action Chairman / Clerk
Shop Report: It was reported that the shop is still making progress and it had a record day on Saturday 10th December, when takings exceeded £600. The shop is actively looking for an auditor for its accounts. The District Councillor suggested Mr S. Williamson of Shipton-under-Wychwood, who has his own accountancy firm. Mr. Fox asked that the District Councillor make initial enquiries and advise Mr. Fox accordingly. It was noted that on 1st January, 2006 the Village Shop will only be open for the sale of Newspapers due to stocktaking. Unfortunately the Village Shop of the Year competition was not won by Ascott, who came a close second. Appleton Stores in Cumnor won the competition.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
A) Wychwood Day Centre had sent a letter requesting a donation. This was agreed at £50. Clerk to reply.
Action Clerk
B) Letter received from Miss S Tustain of the Village requesting additional lighting at 34 Shipton Road, Ascott-under-Wychwood. This was discussed and unfortunately there are not enough funds at this present time. Clerk to reply accordingly.
Action Clerk
C) Letter received from Shipton-under-Wychwood Parish Council Clerk requesting ideas and suggestions to mark the retirement of Doctor Scott. Clerk to reply that a combined approach would be best suited albeit the Parish Council did not have any suggestions as to how this could be marked.
Action Clerk
5. PLANNING
05/1829/P/FP: CHANGE OF USE OF LAND FROM AGRICULTURAL TO DOMESTIC GARDEN TO INCLUDE THE ERECTION OF A GREENHOUSE at 1 HERITAGE LANE, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Granted
05/1933/P/FP: CONVERSION OF GARAGE TO STUDY/HOBBY ROOM TO INCLUDE INSERTION OF WINDOW at 47 HIGH STREET, ASCOTT UNDER WYCHWOOD. Ongoing
6. FINANCE
Payments Out:
WODC – ROSPA Autumn Inspection 50.53
WODC – Pavilion/Sports Field Trade Waste Collection 93.18
N. Braithwaite – timber for base of playground surround 50.57
Wychwood Day Centre – Donation 50.00 (S 137 Expenditure)
Payments In:
None.
Precept:
This was discussed at length with regards to the Pavilion’s financial situation and setting a realistic figure that was beneficial. Currently the Parish Council are looking to carry forward a balance of £900 approximately. After all considered, the Precept is to be set at £8,600.
7. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
No Report
8. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT
Mrs. Hibbert-Biles reported that the Ascott-under-Wychwood pre-School had won the “Investors in People Award”.
It was also reported that “Supporting People” – the Government grant had proved extremely difficult to set and should have in fact been agreed in August 2005. To date this has been impossible to set! Only this week Mrs Hibbert-Biles had learned that the “Supporting People” would be £500k better off, which was extremely good news, given the fact that the Mental Health grant was due to be cut by 27%, which hopefully will not happen now.
Clear Bags in a decorative envelope were being distributed by WODC to promote recycling. WODC now have a new Website.
Mrs Hibbert-Biles reported the sad news that Shipton-under-Wychwood Village Shop will close in December. Change of use had been granted to residential use
Chipping Norton Hospital – Mrs Hibbert-Biles advised the Parish Council that a meeting with Mr Nigel Webb was planned on Thursday 15th December to discuss the Hospital issues further.
9. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
None
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Meeting closed at 10.05pm and the next meeting will be held on Monday 9th January, 2006 at 8.00 pm in the Tiddy Hall, Ascott-under-Wychwood.