Parish Councillors:
- Rob Morgan (Chair)
- Bridgette Crundwell (Vice)
- Laurence Mellor
- Philippa Carter
- Sandy Timms
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
County Councillor:
- Rodney Rose
District Councillor:
- Hilary Hibbert-Biles
Oxfordshire County Council:
- Charlie Benner
Members of the Public:
- Trevor Craig
- Rebecca Baxter
- Sue Richards
- C. Wood
- Marilyn Lewis
- Nigel & Anne Braithwaite
- Charles Marshall
- Nicola Coldstream
- Chris George
- Pauline Jackson,
- Pauline Tam,
- Mike Pewer
- Mike & Kathy Pearce
- Margaret Ismail,
- Rosemary Dawbarn,
- Mark Dawbarn
- Kate Gidman
- Anthony Gillings
- Peter Moss
- Judith Marshall
- S Mitchell
- Sue Boyer
- Audrey James
- Kenneth James
- David Wilkinson
- Yvette Keauffling,
- Daphne Abe
- Roger Shepherd
- Ros Shepherd
- Debra Cull
- John Cull
- Keith Ravenhill
- Ken Smith
- Nick Carter
- Richard Smith
- Phillip Pratley
- Elaine Byles.
1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes from the June meeting were agreed, signed, dated and duly filed.
2. APOLOGIES:
There were no apologies.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
4. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Stuart Fox, the Responsible Financial Officer had prepared and sent a monthly update. This was discussed and it was agreed that £1695 should be transferred from the general fund to the community emergency fund, as agreed in 2011 for 2 years.
Payments:
- Chq 100875 A Barnes (Clerks quarterly expenses) £118.29
- Chq 100876 Cheque spoiled
- Chq 100877 A Barnes (Clerks quarterly salary net) £482.56
- Chq 100878 HMRC PAYE £120.60
Income:
- OCC Grasscutting Grant £1032.37
- Interest £3.09
- Car Boot proceeds £244.73
Bank Balance:
- £22.466.44
5. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
Please refer to Item No. 7 below.
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
Please refer to Item No. 7 below.
7. CHIPPING NORTON RIVER BRIDGE:
Cllr Morgan welcomed the parishioners and duly introduced CCllr Rodney Rose, DCllr Hilary Hibbert-Biles and Charlie Benner, Oxfordshire County Council Bridge Engineer.
Cllr Morgan gave a brief outline of the proposals made by OCC to erect fencing on the River Bridge. Charlie Benner gave a presentation of the proposals and there followed a very constructive, albeit emotional debate and question and answer session between the parishioners of Ascott-under-Wychwood and Oxfordshire County Council.
Q: Mike Pearce asked who had started this process?
A: Cllr Morgan confirmed that a request had been made by the Parish Council for clearance of the gullies and tidying of the River Bridge, but no request had been made to erect any defence mechanisms.
Q: Trevor Craig asked when legislation for this process had come in to force?
A: Charlie Benner (OCC Bridge Engineer) confirmed that this had become an issue due to the Highways Agency Standards.
Q: Katherine Gidman asked if a sign could be erected in place of fencing in front of the NW wing wall?
A: CCllr Rose agreed that this would be considered.
Q: Philip Pratley expressed concerns about large vehicles i.e. tractors and farm machinery travelling over the River Bridge and catching against the proposed fencing?
A: CCllr Rose agreed this would need to be considered.
Q: Ros Shepherd expressed concerns that the proposals being made by OCC were very unsafe for horse riders?
A: Cllr Rose agreed this would need to be considered.
Q: Margaret Ismail expressed concerns that safety around the Village Green was a much greater risk compared to the proposals being made by OCC to make the River Bridge safer?
A: This was duly noted.
Q: Yvette Keauffling and Dave Wilkinson asked if a Risk Assessment had been carried out?
A: Charlie Benner (OCC Bridge Engineer) confirmed that a Risk Assessment had not been carried out.
Q: Elaine Byles asked if every bridge with the noted vertical drop would be addressed?
A: Charlie Benner confirmed that not every bridge would be surveyed, but if a bridge were brought to his attention then obviously this would be looked at.
Charlie Benner, Oxfordshire County Council Bridge Engineer, referred to a fall from height at Warwick Castle as an example of the likely liability faced by Oxfordshire County Council if there should be a fall from the bridge at Ascott-under-Wychwood.
Richard Smith (solicitor) informed the meeting that he had researched a fall from height at Warwick Castle which had been mentioned by Charlie Benner. Richard stated that in his opinion the Warwick incident should not be used in this way as the case was significantly different to the matter under consideration.
Cllr Mellor reported, with the Chairman’s agreement, that the examination of bridges at Burford, Crawley and Charlbury showed that each of them had parapets which were lower than those at Ascott-under-Wychwood with drop heights into fast running water of between 10’ and 15’. Cllr Mellor asked the Clerk to minute that it was suggested that Oxfordshire County Council have these bridges inspected and included in any programme of works to be undertaken.
The question and answer session was concluded by Cllr Rob Morgan. CCllr Rodney Rose and DCllr Hilary Hibbert Biles agreed to defer the decision to start the fencing on Monday 22 July 2013, but agreed to continue the drainage works. OCC agreed to re-think their proposals and report back to the Parish Council at their meeting in September, after having consulted with English Heritage and other bodies concerned.
8. PUBLIC TIME:
Please refer to Item No. 7 above.
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
There were no new planning applications to consider.
10. RISK ASSESSMENT & FINANCIAL REGULATIONS:
Cllr Morgan had emailed the Risk Assessment to all councillors and the Clerk prior to the meeting. This was reviewed and agreed. It was noted that RoSPA were due to inspect the play equipment during the month of July.
11. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD RECREATION GROUND:
Ongoing.
12. PROJECT SAFE PLAY:
All residents were invited by household maildrop to attend an event at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 6 July between 4 and 7pm where 5 options were presented with extensive illustrations. These same options had been presented at the June Church Tea. 79 adults and children voted for their preferred option, adding comments as well:-
- 53 asked for a MUGA (some of whom also wanted a few extra pieces of play equipment)
- 15 asked for big changes to the playground only
- 9 asked for just a few key pieces of play equipment
- 2 asked for no changes at all
The key pieces of play equipment requested were, in order of preference:-
- A zip wire
- A challenging climbing frame
- A BMX track
- A Skateboard ramp
The PC concluded that the majority of people who voted have asked for a MUGA. An article will be placed in the Summer Grapevine detailing the above results. A September Family Fun Day was discussed.
13 ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Cllr Mellor reported that the football team held a 7 a side competition at the end of June. This included some 13 teams.
14 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Ongoing
15 HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter reported that the Helpers had been active at the Car Boot Sale and that the July Helpers’ session would not be called.
16. MATTERS ARISING:
Oxfordshire County Council:
- CCllr Highway & Transport Fund – Ongoing
- River Bridge – The Clerk was asked to list this on the Agenda for September.
- Tiddy Hall Kitchen – Ongoing
- Culvert by Tyack’s Yard – Network Rail Ongoing
17. CORRESPONDENCE:
- Village Petition – Save our Bridge
- OALC – Clerks & Councils Direct
18. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
There being no further business Cllr Morgan declared the meeting closed at 9.55pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 9 September 2013 at 7.30pm.