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 F Russell
1. APOLOGIES:
Received from County Councillor Rodney Rose.
2. MINUTES:
The Minutes from the February meeting were signed, dated and numbered accordingly.
3. MATTERS ARISING:
Cottsway/Affordable Housing – Ongoing.
OCC Highways – Clerk advised that a reply had been received from Paul Wilson confirming that the Giveway sign at the bottom of the Leafield Road would be reinstated and the sign combination at the bottom of Chipping Norton Hill would be repaired once the flood water had receded. With regards the surface condition on Chipping Norton Hill – this had been looked at and it would appear that the areas of the surface dressing had come away. Paul Wilson confirmed that OCC would instruct their contractors to undertake the remedials, however this would not be until June/July time when the Contractors would be in Oxfordshire for this years programme. Clerk to monitor and diary this on.
Action Clerk
Village Shop – Nothing to report.
Parish Conservation Plan – Stuart Fox reported that the Lottery Funding had now been received and all grants were in place for the project to commence on the Pound. The first project is the removal of the Birch Tree. Stuart had also contacted the Dry Stone Waller to confirm a start date – this would be some time in May. The Council decided it may be beneficial to invite Carol Anderson to the April meeting to ask advice on the re-siting of the stones. A provisional date for the “Opening” of the Pound is Saturday 29th September 2007.
Action Clerk
5 Shilling Corner – David Wilkinson had spoken with Mr and Mrs Shepherd and did enquire what their intention was should 5 Shilling Corner either be sold or leased long term to them. David then asked each Councillor what their view was with regards to sale or longterm lease. It was decided that before any further discussion Clerk should contact OALC for advice on any legal implications. Stuart Fox was also going to speak with Wendy Pearse, a past Councillor, to ascertain if she had any knowledge or documentation relating to land registry.
Action Clerk / Stuart Fox
2a Shipton Road – David Wilkinson attended the first day of the Appeal Hearing and Councillor Bridgette Crundwell attended the second day, whom reported that the Hearing was set to continue on the scheduled date of Friday 16th March. It was confirmed that David Wilkinson could attend the Hearing on this day – Ongoing.
Crown Farm; The Village Green Parking – David Wilkinson asked all Councillors to reflect on last months’ meeting and to give their thoughts on the suggestions to help move this issue forward. The consensus was to widen the road/access around the Village Green; possibly with yellow lines being put around the Green, thus moving any existing traffic to a possible car park being sited in the Village. One suggestion was adjacent to the Village Shop parking. It was agreed that the most effective and cost effective route would be for Clerk to contact Highways with regards to “yellow lines”. However, for this plan to be implemented with maximum effect, confirmation would need to be sought from Crown Farm that relevant traffic would use the top road access. Confirmation would also need to be sought from the Wychwood School that relevant traffic/vehicles would use a designated car park area.
Action Clerk
Grasscutting – Stuart Fox reported that he had received all quotations and after all Councillors having seen these a proposal was put forward and agreed that a 3 year contract be given to Mr Shane Barnes. Clerk to diary this item and forward annually.
Action Clerk
Internal Auditor – It was confirmed that Margaret Ismail has accepted this role on behalf of the Parish Council.
RoSPA – Ongoing Clerk to chase Mr 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.
Parish Council Annual General Meeting – Clerk to book the Tiddy Hall for Monday 16th April.
Action Clerk
4. CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter received from WODC giving notice of the Council Tax set for 2007.
Letter received from WODC enclosing a poster on Greenwaste and noting the £30 charge for greenwaste being collected, fortnightly from April. Poster to be put on Notice Boards around the Village.
Action Clerk
Letter and photograph received from Mr and Mrs Wu of 14 High Street, Ascott-under-Wychwood with regards to excess water collecting at the rear of their House which borders the Playing Field. After adverse weather conditions over the weekend 3rd and 4th March, Mr and Mrs Wu had to call the Fire Brigade, who dug a drainage ditch along the driveway, thus diverting the water away towards the Playing Field and then provided some sandbags to place against their gate. The Councillors discussed this at length and asked the Clerk to write to Mr and Mrs Wu advising them that whilst the Parish Council will look at ways for a timely and effective solution to this problem, it had been brought to the attention of the Parish Council that a stone wall which was originally at the rear of 14 High Street had been partly replaced by a gateway. One suggestion was that the re-instatement of the stone wall could solve any future flooding/drainage problems.
Action Clerk
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
Ongoing
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.
Ongoing
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.
Ongoing
07/0223/P/FP CHANGE OF USE FROM FARM WORKSHOP TO METAL ART STUDIO (RETROSPECTIVE) at CROWN FARM ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
Ongoing
6. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Payments Out;
None
Payments In;
Allotment Rents £25.00
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 that the Parish Council’s annual “Litter Pick” would take place on Saturday 7th April, to meet at 10.00am at the Village Shop. Clerk was asked to organise disposable gloves, bags and litter pickers. Clerk also asked to produce a Leaflet/Flyer advertising this to encourage volunteers.
Action Clerk
Clerk was asked to provide an article for the Grapevine.
Action Clerk
Stuart Fox reported that he had been contacted by Siobahn Tustian with regards to the hedgecutting on the Chipping Norton hill. It was felt that the hedgecutting was far too severe and the Clerk was asked to contact Wendy Pearse to ascertain who had cut the hedgerow back.
Action Clerk
Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45pm and confirmed the meeting in April would be Tuesday 10th April, the change of day being due to the date being confirmed for the Annual General Meeting being held in April also.