Parish Councillors Present:
- Stuart Fox (Chairman)
- Elaine Byles (Vice Chairman)
- Rob Morgan
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
- Cllr Mike Watson and Cllr Jill Mavin from Shipton-under-Wychwood PC
- Andrew Timms
1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from Bridgette Crundwell and County Councillor Rodney Rose
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING:
The Minutes from the meeting held on 12 October were agreed, signed, dated and filed.
4. SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN:
Stuart Fox introduced Mike Watson and Jill Mavin from Shipton-under-Wychwood Parish Council who had come to give a presentation on the acquisition of the Wild Garden in Shipton-under-Wychwood. Mike Watson reported that the Wild Garden was a 12 acre space available for public use although it was private land. Shipton Parish Council had been offered the site from the present owner in exchange for £50k which could be paid over a period of time. Shipton had already held an open meeting which had proved to be very supportive with lots of questions with regard to maintenance, whether it was a manageable project etc. Mike reported that they currently had £15k under pledge and that they would be applying to the Charity Commission for charitable status. Mike advised that they had booked the Tiddy Hall for Friday 4 December at 7.30pm to give the parishioners of Ascott-under-Wychwood a presentation. He asked the best way to let the Village know about the meeting and a leaflet drop was suggested. Mike confirmed that he and Jill would be doing the same at Milton-under-Wychwood Hall on 11 December 2009.
Stuart Fox thanked Mike and Jill for coming and said that he would try and attend the meeting on Friday 4 December in support.
4. SPORTS PAVILION:
Please refer to Matters Arising.
5. CONTINGENCY PLAN:
Stuart Fox confirmed that the practice run would be held on Sunday 22 November and would invite the necessary people to attend.
6. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report.
7. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report
8. MATTERS ARISING:
OCC Highways
- Road surface on High Street (outstanding and long overdue)
- Road surface on Chipping Norton hill (outstanding and long overdue)
- Lower Green land drainage surface water on both sides of the level crossing (new, but already requested and no response from OCC)
- No’s 30 and 32 High Street on the righthand side the Verge needs reinstating OCC have been asked to assess a more permanent solution and the possibility of erecting wooden posts (new, but already requested and no response from OCC)
The Clerk reported that she had received a telephone message from Gordon Hunt from OCC Highways on the Friday prior with regard to the land drainage in Lower Green stating that the land was the responsibility of Network Rail. CCllr Rodney Rose had emailed and suggested that they leave it to OCC and WODC to sort out. The Clerk replied reminding CCllr Rose that he had promised a site meeting with himself, Gordon Hunt and Stuart Fox and asked for this to be now arranged without delay.
Sandbin
WODC had confirmed they would be speaking with the Tiddy Hall with regard to the licensing and keyholders of the Sandbin. It was reported that a padlock had now been put on the bin and that the Parish Council would need to know who the keyholders are or have a key should they need to gain access to the sandbin and to have more sandbags delivered.
Pavilion/Sports Club
Ongoing
Village Shop
It was reported that the new air conditioning unit had been fitted and the new till system was working well.
Sports Field Sign
Ongoing
Allotment Rents
Ongoing
Christmas Tree on the Green
- The date for the erection of the Christmas Tree would be Saturday 5 December. The Clerk was asked to ask Mr Barnes to liaise with Chris Badger with regard to erecting the tree and Parish Councillors would attend and help also.
- The date for the Carol Service was confirmed as Saturday 19 December at 7.30pm. Stuart Fox reported that the choir had confirmed they could attend and the children from the Pre-School will start the carol service off. The Clerk was asked to organise the Carol Sheets and a Leaflet to be delivered throughout the Village advising them of the Carol Service.
- A timer switch would need to be purchased so that the Christmas Lights would turn off automatically.
8. MATTERS ARISING Cont’d:
Natural History Project
The remainder of the money was discussed and it was suggested that it could be donated to the Wild Garden project. Stuart would talk to Mike Pearce.
9. CORRESPONDENCE:
As circulated, including a letter requesting a donation from the Wychwood Day Centre had been received. It was suggested this be carried forward to the December meeting. Also a letter requesting a donation from the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind had been received. The Clerk was asked to reply that the Parish Council were very supportive of the OAB, but on this occasion they were not in a position to give a donation.
10. PLANNING:
09/1273/P/S73 Non-compliance with Condition 2 of Planning Application: 08/1745/P/FP at The Old Farmhouse 15 High Street (Ongoing)
09/1121/P/FP Alterations and erection of single storey front and rear extensions with balcony above rear extension at Chaundy Barn 45 High Street Ascott-under-Wychwood (Refused)
11. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Receipts
- £ 5,075 WODC 2nd half of the Precept
Payments Out
- None
A financial forecast had been circulated prior to the meeting in order to discuss and set the Precept for 2010/2011. After discussion it was agreed that it be set at £10,500.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
- (a) Elaine Byles reported that there was a loose curb stone on the corner of London Lane and the Green. The Clerk was asked to contact OCC Highways.
- (b) Elaine Byles had been asked to bring to the Parish Council’s attention the footpath along Gypsy Lane going to the A361 which had become very overgrown. The Clerk was asked to contact Dan Weeks at OCC.
- (c) Stuart Fox reported on the emptying of the Dog Bins throughout the Village and asked the Clerk to speak with WODC to confirm how often the bins were emptied and to ensure that the one in High Street was not left out.
13. PUBLIC QUESTIONS:
There were no public questions.
There being no further business, Stuart Fox closed the meeting at 9.30pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 14 December 2009.