Parish Councillors Present:
- Stuart Fox (Chairman)
- Elaine Byles (Vice Chairman)
- Bridgette Crundwell
- Peter Greening
District Councillor:
- Hilary Hibbert-Biles
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
- Rob Morgan
1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from County Councillor Rodney Rose.
2. MINUTES:
The February Minutes were approved, signed and dated.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were two declarations of interest; Stuart Fox and Elaine Byles declared an interest in Item 5 on the Agenda, the Ascott Grapevine.
4. SECTION 137 EXPENDITURE:
Two requests had been received, one from the Citizens Advice Bureau and one from the Wychwood Day Centre both requesting donations. The Parish Council had supported both organisations in the past and it was proposed by the majority that a donation of £50 be given to the Citizens Advice Bureau and £100 to the Wychwood Day Centre.
5. ASCOTT GRAPEVINE:
The Clerk gave a brief overview explaining that the cost to produce the Ascott Grapevine was between £800 and £900 per annum. The Clerk advised that support currently came from advertising, the Parish Council and the Church. It was proposed that an annual grant of £400 be given with an annual review, this was proposed and agreed unanimously.
6. RISK ASSESSMENT:
- Wall on the Playing Field; Stuart Fox reported that the wall on the Playing Field would need to be replaced with a fence and was waiting for the quotation.
- Work on the Trees; a quotation of £1120 had been received – this was agreed.
- Entrance Gates in to the Playing Field; Shane Barnes had provided a verbal quotation of £100 + materials. This was agreed and it was decided to keep the original colour Green.
7. MATTERS ARISING:
OCC Highways
- Priory Lane drainage; the Clerk was asked to chase Dan Weeks of OCC Countryside.
- Pavement by Village Shop; Ongoing
- Road Surface Chipping Norton Hill – ongoing
- High Street – Ongoing
Pavilion/Sports Club
Nothing to report.
Village Shop
Please refer to note under OCC Highways with regard to the Pavement.
2a Shipton Road
The Clerk was asked to chase for a response from Huw Thomas at Thames Water. Stuart Fox reported that there had been 6 responses with regard to the Hoarding that had been erected.
The Clerk was asked to contact Carla Miskin and ask for a condition to be placed on the re-painting/colour of the Hoarding and to ask what constitutes the start of planning ie do footings need to have been dug in order to comply with the time duration. (Action Clerk)
Cornbury Estate
Ongoing
Sports Field Sign
Ongoing.
RoSPA
Clerk to chase the delivery of the Playbark.
8. CONTINGENCY PLAN:
Ongoing.
9. PLAY EQUIPMENT:
Discussions were ongoing.
10. CORRESPONDENCE:
An envelope enclosing the following correspondence was circulated to all Councillors;
WODC:
Letter enclosing Notice of Council Tax 2009/10 – Figures displayed
Letter Core Strategy So Far – Consultation (this will need completing by a Councillor SF is already completing one)
Letter re Land adj. 9 High Street Planning Application: 08/1757/P/FP Appeal to Secretary of State
OCC:
Street Lighting in Ascott-under-Wychwood
BDO Stoy Hayward:
Local Council Briefing Spring 2009
ORCC:
News Bulletin March 2009
NALC:
Clerks & Councils Direct March 2009
Email received from Anne Braithwaite requesting the permission of the Parish Council to allow the Church to hold a plant sale on the Village Green – this was agreed and the Clerk was asked to write and confirm.
11. PLANNING:
09/0153/P/FP Erection of Temporary Hoarding 2.45m (retrospective) at 2A Shipton Road
Ongoing
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
08/1775/P/FP Erection of single storey side extention at Honeybones Cottage 14 High Street Ascott-under-Wychwood
Ongoing
09/0009/P/FP Alterations and erection of single storey front and rear extensions with balcony above rear extenstion at Chaundy Barn 45 High Street Ascott under Wychwood
Refused
AB/08/1757/P/FP Erection of detached dwelling and garage at Land adj 9 High Street, Ascott-under-Wychwood
Appeal to Secretary of State; Appeal Start Date: 23 February 2009
12. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Receipts
- £100 Allotment Rents
Payments Out
- Patrick Edwards Chq No 100668 £135.00
- Bridgette Crundwell Chq No 100669 £87.95
- WODC RoSPA Report Chq No 100670 £52.90
- Ascott Grapevine Chq No 100671 £400.00
- The Wychwood Day Ctre Chq No 100672 £100.00
- Citizens Advice Bureau Chq No 100673 £50.00
13. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report, apologies sent.
14. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
District Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles reported on progress with the new Chipping Norton Hospital site and the first sod would be turned on 4 April 2009. She confirmed that WODC had joined forces with the Cotswold DistrictCouncil sharing back office services. The District Councillor reported on the ongoing issue of money tied up in Icelandic Banks and confirmed the Council Tax had been fixed at 4.95%.
15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Parishioner Sally Franks had asked for the issue of the wooden posts around the end of the Green to be brought up. Sally requested that the posts continue outside her property in order to stop people parking on the Verge.
Parishioner Fred Russell asked Elaine Byles to bring up the issue of dog mess, in particular one dog fouling on the Village Green. The Clerk was asked to include this in the Parish Council’s article for the Grapevine.
Parishioners Trevor Baxter and Rebecca Craig congratulated the Parish Council on the development of the Pound. They had managed to take some time to sit in the Pound and enjoy the surroundings and asked for their comments to be minuted.
Concerns were raised with regard to the Signal Box in Ascott. Some Parishioners are concerned for the future of the Signal Box as a structure and want to ensure that it is maintained and not demolished should it no longer be manned especially as this is such a main feature in the Village. The Clerk was asked to contact the Cotswold Malvern and ask.
The issue of speeding was raised, particulary in High Street. Peter Greening confirmed he would speak to one driver in particular.
Bridgette Crundwell reported that she had received an email from Laurence Mellor sending his apologies for not being able to make the meeting. Bridgette requested that the Water Pumps, originally budgeted for in the donation from the Diocese, now be purchased. She confirmed that after some investigative work a petrol run pump at a cost of approximately £289 would be the most appropriate. After discussion Peter Greening agreed to discuss some concerns with both Nick Leadbetter and Laurence Mellor before purchasing this item.
Stuart Fox reminded the meeting that the Annual Litter Pick would take place on Saturday 28 March.
16. PUBLIC QUESTIONS:
None
There being no further business, Stuart Fox closed the meeting at 10.00pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 20 April 2009 and the Annual Parish Meeting Monday 27 April 2009.