Councillors Present were:
Mr David Wilkinson
Mr Stuart Fox
Mrs Elaine Byles
Mrs Bridgette Crundwell
Ms Sally Franks
County Councillor: Mr Rodney Rose
Parish Clerk: Mrs Angela Barnes
Members of the Public: Mr Fred Russell
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN:
Bridgette Crundwell proposed David Wilkinson be elected as Chairman; this was seconded by Stuart Fox. Bridgette Crundwell proposed Elaine Byles as Vice Chairman; this was seconded by David Wilkinson.
2. APOLOGIES:
None received.
3. MINUTES:
There is one amendment to the April minutes, this being a spelling mistake under Matters Arising – Hedgerow Chipping Norton Hill on the second line. This should read Belinda Young at Savills, Oxford who confirmed that the same contractor had been used to cut the hedgerow back.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
Cottsway/Affordable Housing – No progress had been made and it was decided that Clerk should write to James Alcock at ORCC again, copying the District Councillor, Hilary Biles.
Action Clerk
OCC Highways – Clerk had received a letter from Paul Wilson inviting the Parish Councillors to meet him on site at Ascott to address the numerous highway issues. Clerk to write and organise a meeting. Suitable dates being Wednesday 23rd May, Friday 25th May or Wednesday 6th June or Friday 8th June and if possible the time to be either at the beginning or the end of the working day.
Action Clerk
Village Shop – Ongoing.
Pavilion/Sports Club – Nothing to report.
Schemes to accommodate the Freedom of Information Act – Clerk investigating.
Action Clerk
Parish Conservation Plan – Stuart Fox reported that the dry stone wall had now been started. A provisional date of 29th September for an “Opening Day” was discussed and it was felt that a Working Committee should be formed to now carry this project forward with more pace and thus reporting back at the monthly Parish Council meetings. The Working Committee was formed and is namely Stuart Fox, Elaine Byles and Sally Franks. Stuart to contact Carol Anderson to discuss this project and any progress she may have made also.
Action Stuart Fox
5 Shilling Corner – 2 Letters had been received from Nigel Braithwaite expressing his concerns at the possibility of the sale of 5 Shilling Corner. The letters were read out by David Wilkinson and the content discussed at length. It was decided that a Village Consultation would need to take place and David would produce a “Flyer” which would be sent to each parishioner in the Village. Clerk to organise booking the Tiddy Hall for the Consultation to take place the ideal date being the week commencing Monday 23rd July.
Action Clerk
2a Shipton Road – Ongoing.
Crown Farm; The Village Green Parking – See OCC Highways
RoSPA – Clerk had contacted Lapsett and was given the contact name Mr Mark Chapman, who was going to visit the Playing Field and take a look at the See Saw. Clerk to chase.
Action Clerk
14 High Street – Ongoing
Hedgerow Chipping Norton Hill – Clerk had written to Belinda Young at Savills and whom had replied that she would need to visit the site before commenting. Clerk to chase.
Action Clerk
Oxfordshire Villages of the Year – After discussion it was decided not to persue this.
Model Code of Conduct – Correspondence had been received from WODC notifying the Parish Council of their obligation to adopt the Model Code of Conduct. The Model Code of Conduct was adopted at the May Parish Council meeting. The relevant correspondence confirming the adoption would be signed and sent by the Clerk to WODC.
Action Clerk
5. CORRESPONDENCE:
Two letters had been received from WODC with regards to Parish Councils adopting the Model Code of Conduct Order 2007.
A letter had been received from Communities & Local Government giving details of the Model Code of Conduct.
A letter from the Standards Board for England enclosing a hard copy of the Model Code of Conduct Order.
A letter had been received from Celia Crampton of High Street, Ascott-under-Wychwood requesting the Parish Council contact WODC on her behalf and that of the residents of 7 other households, which constitute the Yew Tree Farm complex and request that WODC look into securing proper drainage of water flowing down the hill into the upper end of the High Street.
A letter had been received from OCC – Adopt a Station
A letter had been received from Paul Wilson at OCC Highways (this is referred to above under Matters Arising). A copy of the letter was given to all Councillors.
6. PLANNING:
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
07/0223/P/FP CHANGE OF USE FROM FARM WORKSHOP TO METAL ART STUDIO (RETROSPECTIVE) at CROWN FARM ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
Ongoing
07/0521/P/FP ERECTION OF DETACHED GARDEN ROOM at 35 HIGH STREET, ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
Granted
07/0614/P/FP ALTERATIONS TO INCLUDE NEW PITCHED ROOF OVER GARAGE, INCREASED ROOF PITCH OVER DWELLING AND CONVERSION OF LOFT. INSERTION OF DORMER WINDOWS at BAY TREE COTTAGE, THE GREEN, ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.
New
7. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Payments In:
HM Revenue VAT Refund £353.98
Payments Out:
Paul Lane Stump Grinding £102.22*
Splitwood Trees £350.00*
WODC Election Charges £66.80
Lord Rotherwick ’79 Settlement (Allotment Rent) £100.00
Allianz Cornhill Insurance £1460.45
ORCC Membership Renewal (Section 137) £20.00
*These payments will be paid from the Lottery Fund received for the Pound.
The Parish Council were presented with the Statement of Accounts which were read and approved and signed by the Chairman and the Parish Clerk. For recording purposes, this is page 3 of 4 of the May Parish Council Minutes, Number 7 Financial Report paragraph 1.
The Parish Council were presented with the Annual Governance Statement which was read and approved and then signed by the Chairman and the Parish Clerk. For recording purposes, this is page 4 of 4 of the May Parish Council Minutes, Number 7 Financial Report paragraph 2.
8. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Mr Rodney Rose reported that he had been promoted to Chairman of the Community Safety Scruitiny Committee and would taking an active role in the NAG organisation. Although Mr Rose doubted he would be able to attend the June meeting due to a prior committment to Hailey Parish Council, who hold their meeting on the same night as Ascott, the Parish Council decided to invite the PSO’s to the next meeting. Clerk to contact John Cull and invite the PSO’s to attend in June.
Action Clerk
8. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No Report.
9. PUBLIC QUESTIONS:
No Public Questions
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Sally Franks reported that she had been approached by Mr Alan Woodley, who used to live in the Village, and after reading the Parish Council’s article in the Grapevine with reference to the electricity pole in the Pound. Mr Woodley suggested the Parish Council investigate the possibility of a Wayleave. Clerk to enquire.
Action Clerk
Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 11th June, 2007.