Parish Councillors Present:
- Stuart Fox (Chairman)
- Elaine Byles (Vice Chairman)
- Bridgette Crundwell
- Nick Leadbetter
- Peter Greening
County Councillor:
- Rodney Rose
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
- Rob Morgan
- Pippa Carter
1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from District Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles.
2. MINUTES:
The Minutes for December had one amendment under Item 4 Cornbury Estate where it refers to “a new pipe on Laurence Mellor’s land”. This should read “a new pipe behind Laurence Mellor’s land”. The Minutes for December were then approved, duly signed, dated and filed.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
4. CORNBURY ESTATE:
Please refer to Flood Report.
5. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT:
The model scheme of publication was now complete and given to Councillors for their approval before displaying on the Community Website.
6. PLAY EQUIPMENT:
Peter Greening reported that he had contacted Lord Rotherwick’s office, who had asked him to write to Lord Rotherwick direct. A letter was sent to Lord Rotherwick who had replied he would consider donating a part of his field to the Parish Council in order to progress the possibility of a MUGA being built.
7. MATTERS ARISING:
OCC Highways
- Priory Lane drainage – an email from Mike Pearce had been circulated to all councillors. This was discussed and the Clerk was asked to add this to OCC Highways schedule of works within the Village and Nick Leadbetter would speak with Gordon Hunt also.
- Road surface on Chipping Norton Hill – ongoing
- High Street – ongoing
The posts around the Village Green have now been completed.
Pavilion/Sports Club
Hedgecutting – Newmans have now completed.
Village Shop
It was reported that the Village Shop had had a very good Christmas. The late night opening was well supported and had proved successful.
2a Shipton Road
Ongoing, the Clerk was asked to chase WODC planning.
Risk Assessment
Stuart Fox reported that this was now virtually complete. He was due to meet with Splitwood Trees to assess 5 Shilling Corner and the trees on the Playing Field and the Chestnut Tree on the Village Green.
Sports Field Sign
Ongoing.
RoSPA
The clerk reported that the Playbark had been ordered and was waiting for a delivery date from WODC. The Autumn Inspection Report had been received, this was circulated to all Councillors.
Declarations of Interest forms
The Clerk gave the amendment form to Stuart Fox for completion.
8. FLOODING:
For a complete update please refer to Flood Report attached to the December minutes.
Nick Leadbetter reported that he had spoken to Ken and Mary Smith of Shipton Road who had advised him of their ongoing concerns with regard to foul water and the necessary upgrade. It was reported that despite Mr and Mrs Smith having written to Thames Water over 20 years, there was no record or log of their letters or concerns.
An email had also been received from Mr Tony Collins of Shipton Road explaining that when there is heavy rainfall he is unable to use his downstairs toilets due to the inadequate foul water system.
Nick suggested that the Parish Council draft a letter to Thames Water about the foul water problems being encountered within the Village and stating the dire situation needs immediate attention and not a delay, proposed by TW, to the 2010-2015 funding period. Once drafted the letter should be copied to District Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles, County Councillor Rodney Rose, Laurence King WODC, Gordon Hunt OCC and PM David Cameron, with a covering letter to David Cameron explaining the situation.
County Councillor Rodney Rose was asked to look in to the use of “depth guages” to use at the river bridge end of the river so as to give road users an accurate guide of how deep the water is.
Nick Leadbetter suggested that the Parish Council write letters of thanks on behalf of the Parish Council to:
- Robin Walker, College Farm
- Phil Garvey, EA
- Keith Lead, EA
- Gordon Hunt OCC Highways
The Clerk was asked to send letters expressing the Parish Council’s sincere gratitude and thanks for all the tireless effort put in to helping the Village.
Nick reported that it was perhaps time to now try out and practice the Emergency Plan. Bridgette pointed out that 2 water pumps and 1 megaphone still needed to be purchased. A mobile phone had now been purchased and the contact number is 0777 206 3955.
9. CORRESPONDENCE:
A list of correspondence was circulated to Councillors.
A letter had been received from John Smith, JW Smith Property Maintenance asking if he could remove all the dead wood from 5 Shilling Quarry for his own use. After discussion it was decided that due to health & safety and wildlife conservation this would not be permitted. The Clerk was asked to reply accordingly.
A letter from Keith Macaulay had been received, this would be circulated to all councillors for discussion at the February meeting. The Clerk was asked to reply to Mr Macaulay acknowledging his letter.
10. PLANNING:
08/1260/P/LB Re-roof two slopes using Welsh blue slates (Part retrospective) at Yew Tree Farmhouse, 41 High Street, Ascott-under-Wychwood.
Ongoing
08/1458/P/FP Erection of dwelling at High Street, Ascott-under-Wychwood
Revised see application 08/1757/P/FP below
08/1511/P/FP Excavation of land to form swale and construction of bunds for flood alleviation at 36 Shipton Road, Ascott-under-Wychwood
Granted
08/1651/P/FP Erection of detached double garage at Honeybones Cottage 14 High Street Ascott-under-Wychwood
Granted
08/1775/P/FP Erection of single storey side extention at Honeybones Cottage 14 High Street Ascott-under-Wychwood
Ongoing
08/1745/P/FP Alterations and Erection of Ground Floor rear and First Floor side extensions at The Old Farmhouse 15 High Street
Ongoing
08/1757/P/FP Erection of Detached Dwelling and Garage land adjacent to 9 High Street Ascott-under-Wychwood
Ongoing
11. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Receipts
Payments Out
- £482.53 Clerk’s net quarterly salary
- £97.21 Clerk’s quarterly expenses
- £120.63 HM Revenue
12. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
Rodney Rose reported that there was much focus on cash. Budgets were due to be set in February. Rodney reported that the Community Safety and Trading Standards were offering debt advice and was hopeful that more cash would be given to the Citizens Advice Bureau. There was a meeting scheduled for February to discuss this.
As a board member of the Oxfordshire South East Fire Control Centre Limited, he expressed concerns at how this would be managed without effect on the public.
13. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report, apologies sent.
14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Peter Greening reported that there was to be a consultation on the 10, 11 and 12 February to be held at Charlbury to discuss the duelling of the train line. Peter would try and attend the consultation.
Nick Leadbetter asked the Clerk to minute his correspondence with Rebeck who had been contracted by BT and who had parked their vehicles on the Village Green.
Stuart Fox reported that a letter of thanks had been received from the Playgroup noting that they had purchased a CD player with the money donated by the Parish Council.
Rob Morgan advised the meeting that the Chilson Bridge on the Ascott side, ie upstream of Chilson Bridge was almost completely blocked by trees and debris. The Clerk was asked to contact Mr Bolton at Pudlicote Manor.
15. PUBLIC QUESTIONS:
No public questions – public participation throughout the meeting.
There being no further business, Stuart Fox closed the meeting at 9.20pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 9 February 2009.