Parish Councillors Present:
Stuart Fox (Chairman)
Elaine Byles (Vice Chairman)
Bridgette Crundwell
Rob Morgan
District Councillor:
Hilary Hibbert-Biles
Parish Clerk:
Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
Laurence Mellor
1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from 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 14 December 2009 were agreed, signed, dated and filed.
4. CONTINGENCY PLAN:
Stuart Fox reported that he had purchased a roll of polythene which would be placed with the other equipment. DCllr Hibbert-Biles confirmed she had requested more sand for the sandbin and thought this had been done. Cllrs would look at the sandbin after the meeting.
5. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report.
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
DCllr Hibbert-Biles reported that WODC had been allocated 570 tonnes of salt and grit for the County as opposed to the usual amount of 5,700 tonnes. She reported that the waste collection would now revert to the Christmas timetable in order to cope with the backlog due to the adverse weather conditions. DCllr Hibbert-Biles reported on the Local Development Framework which was now out for consultation and strongly urged the Parish Council to thoroughly read this document when received. She confirmed that Ascott-under-Wychwood had been moved back to category B.
7. ELECTIONS 2010:
It was reported that an article had been printed in the Grapevine to encourage new parishioners to become councillors and noted that there will be three vacancies at election time, two if the Parish Council manage to co-opt a member in place of Peter Greening.
8. GRASSCUTTING
After discussion it was decided that this would be advertised and if no response the contract would be offered to Mr Barnes.
9. MATTERS ARISING:
OCC Highways
The Clerk was asked to chase Gordon Hunt for a reply to the Parish Council’s letter outlining all the issues below and to advise him that there is a second drain on the corner of High Street and London Lane which was covered by flood water when he visited. The drain is full of silt and the PC wonder whether the main drainage pipe is broken.
• Water accumulating on the corner of High Street and London Lane: It was agreed that OCC Highways would arrange for the drain to be lowered in order to allow the water to escape.
• Water accumulation outside Sunset House: It was agreed that in the short term you will arrange for your contractors to clear the leaves and silt to allow water to drain more freely into Network Rail’s ditch and in the longer term the Parish Council will need to discuss this with Cornbury Estate.
• Beyond the Level Crossing: It was agreed that you will replace the screen where the ditch enters the culvert under the road with one that will not get blocked with leaves and debris. It was noted that this cannot be done until after April when the department budget will be in place.
• Ditch on the Charity Land: It was agreed that the ditch was in good condition and well maintained, but there was a problem because the pipes feeding from the culvert into the ditch were too low and the water and the level of the ditch needs to be lowered so that the pipes are above the water level. This would improve water flow and help to prevent the culvert becoming full of silt.
• Manor Farm entrance: It was agreed to clear the drainage pipes on the righthand side of the road from the Manor Farm entrance to the river bridge.
• Curb stone on the corner of London Lane: The clerk has informed OCC Highways that the loose curb stone has now disappeared.
• Potholes on London Lane: The Clerk has informed OCC that the potholes were now 3″ to 4″ in depth.
Sandbin
Please refer to Item No. 4 Contingency Plan.
Pavilion/Sports Club
It was reported that Mary Barnes had been asked if she would run the booking administration of the Pavilion. Stuart Fox agreed to speak with Mary again.
Village Shop
It was reported that business was extremely good during the adverse weather conditions.
Allotment Rents
The Clerk was asked to speak with Cornbury and enquire if they would be prepared to forgive the rent on the allotment land in exchange for the Parish Council administering the allotments and its tenants.
Christmas Tree on the Green/ Carols round the Tree
It was reported that this was a very successful event and enjoyed by all which raised £174.61 from the carol collection and would be split equally between the Village Charity and Christian Aid. The tree was taken down and disposed of and the lights would be checked and stored in the Tiddy Hall room cupboard. Cllr Morgan agreed to remove the transformer and timer.
Natural History Project
Councillors were asked for ideas on how to use the money in the Village. One suggestion was some hedgelaying on Lower Green. Ongoing
9. MATTERS ARISING Cont’d:
Ash Trees
Ongoing
The Wychwood Day Centre
A donation was discussed and it was agreed that the Parish Council will donate £100. The Clerk was asked to carry this forward to March and prepare a letter enclosing the donation and bring to the March meeting.
10. CORRESPONDENCE:
• ORCC Autumn/Winter 2009 Review
• ORCC Parish Transport Representatives Handbook
• Oxfordshire NHS Health News Issue 4
11. PLANNING:
New
09/1579/P/FP Erection of a conservatory at 3 Wisteria Cottage Cook Row High Street
12. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Receipts
None
Payments Out
Sue Boyer £17.04 Chq. 100710
Cotswold Wild Life Park £12.43 Chq. 100711
A. Barnes Salary £482.53 Chq. 100712
HM Revenue £120.63 Chq. 100713
A Barnes Expenses £105.58 Chq. 100714
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Cllr Morgan agreed to speak with Christine Wilson at Cornbury with regard to the ditch opposite Sunset House.
14. PUBLIC QUESTIONS:
Q: Laurence Mellor noted his concern at the roads on Thursday and Friday of the previous week and asked what was the preferred route in and out of the Village because not all access roads had been gritted/salted?
A: The Clerk was asked to write to Ralph Grant and ask for the road from London Lane up to the top of the A361 Chipping Norton hill to be cleared as well as salted/gritted in future.
Q: Laurence Mellor asked if the Parish Council thought there were enough grit bins in the Village and noted that they were empty
A: The Clerk was asked to arrange to have the grit bin replaced at the end of High Street and to request the bins throughout the Village be replenished. It was confirmed that there was a grit bin in the Tiddy Hall car park, albeit empty.
There being no further business, Stuart Fox closed the meeting at 9.20pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 7 February 2010