Councillors Present were:
Mr David Wilkinson
Mr Stuart Fox
Mrs Elaine Byles
Mrs Bridgette Crundwell
Ms Sally Franks
Parish Clerk: Mrs A Barnes
Members of the Public:
Mr C Wastie
Mr R Plant
Mr C Badger
Mrs J Badger
Mr R Shepherd
Mrs R Shepherd
Mr J Cull
Mrs D Cull
Mr F Russell
Mrs M Jackman
Mr T Craig
Ms S Boyer
1. APOLOGIES:
Received from County Councillor Rodney Rose and Mr A Woods, Windrush School, Ascott-under-Wychwood.
2. MINUTES:
There was one amendment under Matters Arising – Crown Farm; The Village Green Parking. This should read “A letter had been received from Mr C Badger, the Tenant of Crown Farm, expressing his continuing frustration at difficulty gaining access to and from Crown Farm. Clerk had replied acknowledging receipt of the letter confirming the issue would be discussed at the February Parish Council Meeting.
3. MATTERS ARISING:
Cottsway/Affordable Housing – Ongoing.
OCC Highways – Clerk advised that there was nothing further to report and would chase Highways again also incorporating the issues brought up under “Any Other Business”.
Action Clerk
Pavilion/Sports Club – Roger Shepherd reported that the heating system was now up and running and the total invoice was £2649.63 which includes VAT and £55 for a new circulation pump.
Village Shop – Bridgette Crundwell reported that all was going well and they were currently training a new recruit.
Parish Conservation Plan – Stuart Fox reported that confirmation had now been recived from the Cotswold Conservation Board with regards to the grant. Confirmation of this was then forwarded to ToE in order to receive confirmation of the second grant, which had now been received also. The Clerk reported that a written quotation had been received from Scottish & Southern Power for the re-siting of the electricity pole in the middle of the Pound. The quote was in excess of £8000 including VAT; it was decided that the Parish Council would need to discuss this further.
5 Shilling Corner – A letter had been received from Mrs R Shepherd of Ascott Hill Farm expressing an interested in this land either to rent, lease or indeed buy. The Parish Council discussed this and it was felt that more investigation would be needed into land registration, ownership and also any legal implications.
Action Councillors
2a Shipton Road – David Wilkinson reported that it had been brought to his attention by a neighbour of 2a Shipton Road that a further set of plans had been released showing how developers would/could possibly address the drainage condition, which had been placed on this application. This being to heighten the proposed dwellings considerably. Clerk to write to Jane Norris at WODC Planning expressing the Parish Council’s concern that the Planning Inspector may or may not agree to this drainage plan without details of this having been put before the Parish Council or indeed the Village.
Action Clerk
Crown Farm Planning Conditions – Ongoing
Crown Farm; The Village Green Parking – The Parish Council invited several people from around and the surrounding area of the Village Green to embark on an open discussion to try and relieve the ongoing parking problems. After everybody introduced themselves, Chris Badger of Crown Farm, reported his difficulty at gaining access to and from Crown Farm via the Green, but was equally understanding of other businesses around the Green. He did however express his feelings and asked that everybody involved should try and work together to alleviate this increasing problem. The Chairman, David Wilkinson, then offered three possible solutions that would need to be given thought:
· Widen the road around Church View
· Clear the side of the roadside of the Village Green (the field side) to in effect make access wider thus allowing farm vehicles to pass more freely
· A car park somewhere in the Village
David Wilkinson then asked each public member for their initial thoughts on these suggestions, bearing in mind cost, highway issues and planning. Each public member gave their initial response and it was agreed that the Parish Council would need to talk further on how to progress this issue, with a view to inviting all public members again to a future Parish Council meeting. David Wilkinson also reported that he would report back to Mr Alan Wood at the Windrush School outlining the three suggestions made by the Parish Council. This discussion was then closed at 9pm and after a 5 minute break the Parish Council re-convened.
Action Parish Councillors
Grasscutting – Stuart Fox reported that he had received another tender, but was still awaiting a further written qutoation.
Action Stuart Fox
Internal Auditor – David Wilkinson had contacted Margaret Ismail enquiring whether she would be willing to carry this out for the Parish Council. David to supply more detail.
Action Chairman
RoSPA – Clerk to ask Shane Barnes to take a look at the See-Saw – RoSPA have reported “lateral movement”. Also to take a look at the junior swings and re-tighten the top fixing bar and finally fix the top step on the slide.
Action Clerk
Parish Plan Pack – Ongoing.
4. CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter received from Oxfordshire Cotswolds regarding Heritage Grants
Letter received from Audit Commission advising BDO Stoy Hayward would contine as appointed auditor.
ORCC News Bulletin for February.
A letter had been received with regards to the Parish Council’s annual donation to the Grapevine – see Financial.
5. PLANNING:
07/0006/P/FP EXTENSION OF CONTROL KIOSK at LAND OPPOSITE 8 SHIPTON ROAD, ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
Ongoing
07/0024/P/FP ERECTION OF SINGLE AND TWO STOREY EXTENSIONS WITH NEW THREE BAY GARAGE (to allow re-orientation of roof, additional South facing dormer window and changes to window sizes & positions) at 1 PRIORY LANE, ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
Ongoing
07/0093/P/FP ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION at 1 WYCHWOOD COURT, ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD
New
07/0098/P/S73 NON-COMPLIANCE OF CONDITION to PLANNING APPLICATION 04/2165/P/FP – REQUESTING OCCASIONAL USE OF VILLAGE ACCESS FOR HORSE BOXES, LORRIES AND HORSE TRAILERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EQUESTRIAN USE OF LAND at CROWN FARM ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
New
07/0174/P/FP ERECTION OF TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION AND CONVERSION OF LOFT. NEW PITCHED ROOF OVER GARAGE & CREATION OF CAR PORT at ROSE COTTAGE, 24 SHIPTON ROAD, ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
New
07/0223/P/FP CHANGE OF USE FROM FARM WORKSHOP TO METAL ART STUDIO (RETROSPECTIVE) at CROWN FARM ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
New
6. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Payments Out;
R A Newman £35.02
WODC RoSPA Inspection £50.82
Grapevine Donation £300.00 (Section 137 Expenditure)
Payments In;
Allotment Rents £45.00
7. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Apologies received, no report.
8. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No Report
9. PUBLIC QUESTIONS:
No Questions
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Stuart Fox reported the “Giveway” sign at the bottom of Leafield hill needs replacing.
Elaine Byles reported that the sign at the bottom of Ascott Hill, before the bridge “Narrow Road” was facing the wrong way.
Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40pm.