Parish Councillor:
- Rob Morgan (Chairman)
- Bridgette Crundwell (Vice)
- Laurence Mellor
- Philippa Carter
- Pauline Marshall
Responsible Financial Officer:
- Stuart Fox
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
- Nigel and Anne Braithwaite and Ken Smith
1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from CCllr Rodney Rose and DCllr Hilary Hibbert-Biles.
2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14 November 2011 were agreed and duly signed, dated and filed.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
None
4. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No report.
5. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No report.
6. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Payments:
- £34.25 World of Color Cotswolds Ltd (Christmas posters)
- £69.94 WODC Trade Waste
Income:
- None
Responsible Financial Officer Stuart Fox had circulated numerous variations of a forecast for income and expenditure in the next financial year 2012/13. These were discussed and it was agreed unanimously that the Precept should be set at £14,550. The Clerk was asked to submit this to WODC before the deadline of Monday 19 December.
7. PUBLIC TIME:
Cllr Morgan welcomed the public members and invited them to speak. Nigel and Anne Braithwaite and Ken Smith expressed their concern about the planning application for the Swan Public House. The current plans, together with last year’s application were laid out for them to view. The application was briefly discussed and the Clerk was asked to write to WODC to ask for an extension to the reply date, which would give the councillors time to view them in more detail and reply accordingly. Nigel Braithwaite asked if he could borrow last year’s plans 10/1663/P/FP. This was agreed and Cllr Morgan agreed to have the current planning application copied for Nigel.
8. PLANNING:
- 11/1870/P/OP Removal of existing outbuilding and erection of new dwelling at The Swan 4 Shipton Road Ascott-under-Wychwood – New
- 11/1871/P/FP Erection of two storey extension and conversion of loft to include insertion of dormer window in front elevation at 44 Shipton Road Ascott-under-Wychwood – New
- 11/1496/P/FP Alterations and erection of single storey front and two storey rear extensions at Chaundy Barn 45 High Street Ascott-under-Wychwood – Refused
- 11/1737/P/FP Construction of replacement dwelling with associated landscaping and alterations to existing access at 25A London Lane, Ascott-under-Wychwood – Refused
9. HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter reported that the Helpers had a very good session clearing and tidying the play equipment and surrounding area. The slide has been undercoated and the boards removed.
10. CAROLS ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE:
Final preparations were discussed;
- Carol sheets were given to Cllr Morgan
- Tables to be provided by Cllr Mellor
- Each councillor to take a bucket for the collection
- Mulled wine and mince pies to be supplied by the councillors
11. VILLAGE PLAN:
The questionnaire had been delivered to and collected from each household and the results were; 50% returned, 91% of those were positive, 5% did not know and 4% did not support.
12. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD RECREATION GROUND:
Cllr Mellor asked the Clerk to carry forward to the January meeting an analysis of the questionnaire.
13. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Nothing to report.
14. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Cllr Carter reported; this month a meeting took place along the banks of the Evenlode between John Gripper (riparian owner), Pete Moss (Fishing Club Chairman), two Environment Agency officers (Conservation and Fisheries) and myself. We were able to study the river and its banks from the Chipping Norton Road Bridge to the Bridleway bridge. The aim was to discuss short and long-term flood risk management but carried out in such a way as to be sensitive to the concerns of conservation and fisheries. In the past these different aspects of river management have been at odds with each other and opinions have equally been divided within the Ascott community. I felt it important to bring all parties together to try and find a united plan which benefits everyone.
I stated that, while I appreciated that each small clearance task in itself would not stop a major flood, it seemed more sensible to tackle obstructions on a regular basis while they were manageable and less costly. My overall plan is always to make sure that the river upstream of the Chipping Norton Bridge does not fall into the state it was in pre-summer 2007. This is the reach that the EA designated “High Risk” because of its proximity to the community and the restrictions due to the bridges and railway embankment. The stretch immediately upstream of the Chipping Norton Bridge is also important as good maintenance helps to reduce the levels of flooding to the road.
Reed clearance and slipped banks were the major concerns from the flood risk perspective, while dwindling fish stocks at Ascott is a strong priority for conservation and fisheries. Pete Moss stated that there is trout as close as Shipton. The EA officers searched for simple changes which would improve access for fish to move from one reach to another and to find or create quiet pools where young fish can take refuge from fast flowing water while they mature. Creating more shade for fish by planting more trees was also considered. Their thoughts took account of flood risk issues at all times.
An ideal pool which could be connected to the river was identified and will be progressed. All technical aspects regarding reed reduction are being considered. The method adopted should be effective, cost effective but also least damaging to the environment. The situation will be reviewed in early spring as the reeds die back and do not pose a problem at this time.
14. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN Cont’d:
All three departments of the EA – flood risk management, conservation and fisheries – are now familiar with the Evenlode at Ascott. The relevant officers (two of whom have recently been appointed) have met or corresponded with residents who are responsible for or have a specific interest in the river. I hope that this will lead to fewer conflicts and a healthier reach in the future.
Cllr Mellor reported that 5 bags of salt had been delivered and a gritter had been identified for use with the snowplough.
15. ALLOTMENTS:
Nothing to report
16. MATTERS ARISING:
Ascott-under-Wychwood Village Charity:
- Ditch on the Charity Land – Cllr Morgan reported that the works had now been carried out.
Oxfordshire Highways:
- OCC Reference No. PEM390333 (to be carried out this calendar year)
- Installation of two new Salt Bins; Church View (on the verge adjacent to the Pound) and on Shipton Road (on the bends to the west verge clear of the BT box and pumping station) Ongoing
- Replacement of the Salt Bin in the Tiddy Hall car park (free of charge Ongoing
Village Shop:
Nothing to report
Parking Church Close:
- Incident Number URN8951 21/5/2011 – Rev’d Abrey has replied that it was not as straight forward as first hoped in identifying legal ownership of the land. Cllr Marshall agreed to speak with the neighbours to assess how the parking situation was.
Natural History Project:
Ongoing
Diamond Jubilee Lunch 2012:
Ongoing
BT Phone Box on Shipton Road
Ongoing
17. CORRESPONDENCE:
- Cotswold & Malvern Line News
- Network Rail – Community Scheme Licence
- WODC – request for Register of Electors 2012 (each councillor must sign, date and post this themselves)
- Volunteer Link Up (West Oxfordshire) Annual Report 2010-2011
18. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Morgan proposed that the Parish Council pay £220 to replace the seats on the play equipment, this was seconded by Cllr Crundwell.
Cllr Morgan referred to the Plaque on the entrance gates to the Recreation Field and suggested that this was cleaned and made good for the Queens Diamond Jubilee. Cllr Morgan agreed to look into this.
Cllr Mellor referred to the Area Steward Fund and asked the Clerk to put this on January’s Agenda under Village Walkabout.
There being no further business, Cllr Morgan closed the meeting at 10.05pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 9 January 2012.