Parish Councillors:
- Rob Morgan (Chair)
- Bridgette Crundwell (Vice)
- Laurence Mellor
- Philippa Carter
- Sandy Timms
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes from the October meeting were agreed, signed, dated and duly filed.
2. APOLOGIES:
Apologies received from CCllr Rodney Rose. The Clerk reported that Rodney had emailed a report to present to the meeting.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
4. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Payments:
- £210.00 Cherry Products Cheque No. 100890 (Snow Fund)
Income:
- No Income
Precept 2014/15
This was discussed at length and numerous items of expenditure were identified to include in setting the Precept. The PC looked at the Income & Expenditure report and it was very clear that the PC, after all statutory expenditure, would be left with only £300 approximately to 31 March 2014. DCllr Hibbert-Biles reported that vast cuts were still being sought by WODC and OCC and advised the Parish Council to prepare accordingly. It was proposed by Cllr Morgan and seconded by Cllr Crundwell that this should be finalised at the December meeting.
Recording the donation to Tiddy Hall of £3500 towards the Kitchen Refurbishment
The Clerk reported that she had consulted with OALC and the External Auditors BDO LLP (Matt Pickett) who advised that this donation should be recorded under Section 133 Provision of Parish & Community Buildings.
5. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
TALKING OXFORDSHIRE PUBLIC MEETINGS
October has been dominated by the ‘Talking Oxfordshire’ road shows where County Councillors and Officers travelled to locations across the County to discuss savings to be made at County Hall.
Since 2010, we have saved £127 million, with plans set to save another £74 million over the next few years. Despite this, further cuts to our budget by Central Government mean we must find another £61 million bringing the total reduction to £262 million.
We will have to make changes to the way we deliver services and perhaps stopping some altogether. We understand how valued some services are and all comments will be taken into consideration. The budget proposals will go to the Performance Scrutiny meeting on 16th December then to Cabinet on 28th January, before finally being debated at Full Council on 18th February 2014.
So far, approximately 1,000 people attending our meetings and we will consult with our ‘Oxfordshire Voice’ panel of 3,000 people across the County who are chosen as a balanced representation of our residents.
You still have an opportunity to make your feelings known:
- There is an additional meeting at the MEC at 7.30pm at Marlborough School (Woodstock) on 21st November. It will focus on rural issues but any concerns can be raised here.
- The consultation is open online until 29th November. Please visit: https://myconsultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/talkingoxfordshire2013/consultationHome
HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT MEETINGS
The Home to School transport policy will be out for consultation this month. It’s important that we update the policy and the new proposals should provide comfort to those with concerns, whilst delivering much needed savings. Throughout November and December the County Council will be holding public meetings to discuss Home to School Transport.
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Hudspeth will be available at each meeting to answer your questions, alongside senior council officers Roy Leach (School Organisation & Planning Manager) and Neil Darlington (Admissions and Transport Services Manager).
This is an excellent opportunity to raise your concerns with them, and you can attend any of the meetings listed below.
Venue Date Time
- Carterton Community College 11th of November 2013 7:00pm – 8:30pm
- Matthew Arnold School 14th of November 2013 7:00pm – 8:30pm
- Bartholomew School 22nd of November 2013 7:00pm – 8:30pm
- The Marlborough School 29th of November 2013 7:00pm – 8:30pm
- Icknield Community College 2nd of December 2013 7:00pm – 8:30pm
- Wheatley Park School 4th of December 2013 7:00pm – 8:30pm
- Burford School 9th of December 2013 7:00pm – 8.30pm
- Larkmead School 10th of December 2013 7:00pm – 8:30pm
- The Warriner School 12th of December 2013 7:00pm – 8:30pm
READY FOR WINTER
We have enjoyed the best summer since 2006 but the weather is changing with a noticeable drop in the temperature. The County council has been planning the winter maintenance program throughout the summer to be ready for the frosts that will occur. All grit bins should now be full, please contact us if any in your area have not been filled. We work with Town & Parish councils so that they have plans in place to assist clearing the snow during the bad weather. There will be a series of road shows during October to explain what is available. If you require further information then please contact Paul Wilson, the Adverse Weather Manager.
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
DCllr Hibbert-Biles reported that the Local Plan was not yet finished and that Budgets still had to be decided. She reported that WODC were proposing to amalgamate with Cotswold District Council and have one management team between them. This would be decided at the next Cabinet Meeting.
DCllr Hibbert-Biles advised the meeting that she had decided to step down as District Councillor with effect from June 2014. She felt that after 12 years service now was the time to step aside and let fresh blood and vigor succeed. Cllr Morgan asked the meeting to join him in extending the Parish Council’s sincere thanks and gratitude to Hilary for her tireless work and effort that she has invested in Ascott-under-Wychwood.
7. CHIPPING NORTON RIVER BRIDGE:
Cllr Morgan reported that no further communication had been received. The Clerk was asked to carry this forward to the December meeting.
8. PUBLIC TIME:
There were no members of the public and so no public time was recorded.
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
The Clerk reported that there was one application to be considered:
13/1528/P/FP Change of use of part of paddock to form domestic garden (Retrospective) and Construction of Swimming Pool at 1 Priory Lane
The planning application was presented to the Meeting, discussed and the Councillors listed their concerns. The Clerk was asked to reply to WODC Planning accordingly.
10. CAROLS ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE:
Preparations so far;
- Tree has been ordered from Bruern Estate approximate cost £160 +VAT and will be delivered on either Thursday 5th or Friday 6th December – Parish Clerk
- Tree to be erected and decorated on Saturday 7 December 2013 – the Clerk has asked Robin Walker and Shane Barnes to help with this (all to meet at 10.30am on the Village Green) – Parish Clerk
- Carol singing to commence at 6.00pm Christmas Eve (Tuesday 24 December 2013)
- Mulled Wine & Cups – it was agreed to cater for 200 – Cllr Carter
- Mince Pies x 100 – each Councillor to supply 24 Mince Pies – All
- Tin of Sweets – Cllr Carter
- Buckets & Collectors – each councilor to take 2 buckets and give to Parishioners to collect – All
- Tables – to collect from the Church – Cllr Morgan and Cllr Mellor
- PA System – Cllr Morgan
- Braziers – Cllr Morgan and Cllr Mellor
- Carol sheets – Cllr Carter
- The Beneficiary from the proceeds – Cllr Crundwell proposed the proceeds should go to the Wychwood Day Centre. This was seconded by Cllr Morgan and agreed unanimously.
- The Vicar, Mark Abrey has been invited – Parish Clerk
11. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD RECREATION GROUND:
Cllr Morgan reported that the Hedge had now been cut and a good job had been done. The only query Cllr Morgan raised was the cuttings and their disappearance. Nobody appears to know what happened to them.
12. PROJECT SAFE PLAY:
Following the Road Show in July we spoke to County and District Councils who advised us that our village consultation was very thorough and our mandate clear. So in September we let all households know by letter that we were going to apply for grants to try and build a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA). If we are successful with our grant applications, the money would finance a tarmac court marked out for 5-a-side, tennis and basketball. The goals could also be used for hockey, there would be cricket wickets in the netting at each end and we may be able to supply volleyball and badminton as well. We are planning for a tarmac path from the playing field gates and this would give dry wheelchair/pushchair access to the playground as well as the MUGA. While the field is being disrupted, we are hoping that some longstanding drainage issues could be tackled.
So far we are pleased to say that we have received a grant from Oxfordshire County Council and a promise of funding from the Ascott-under-Wychwood Village Charity, following their successful Fun Run last month. The village itself has raised money through the Jubilee Lunch, pantomime 2012 and the car boot sale as well as through kind individual donations. We have applied to 6 other organisations including WODC. We are currently working on our bid to the Big Lottery (Sport England Inspired Facilities). WODC and Sport England would make up most of the funding.
Ultimately the MUGA will only go ahead if we raise enough money but our contingency is to use what we do raise to install some pieces of play equipment which would appeal to children (and playful adults!) of all ages. We also aim to finish improving the play surfaces. All will become clearer by about Easter 2014 and we hope that whatever work we can afford will take place during the summer or early autumn. If we don’t manage to raise enough money it won’t be for lack of trying or lack of support – it will be just because money is tight everywhere at the moment. We have had good feedback throughout the consultation which has made us re-evaluate our thinking at each stage. When the decision was finally made in September many residents sent brilliant e-mails of support which have been very valuable for our grant applications.
I would like to record our thanks for all the support we have had but would also like to remind anyone who has not written that it is not too late to bolster our application to the Lottery. This report has been submitted to the Grapevine so that the community is kept up to date.
13 ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Nothing to report.
14 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Cllr Carter reported that the river coped well with the recent heavy rain. Again, being able to monitor the Environment Agency’s river gauges at Shipton and Evenlode helps to be able to predict river levels and therefore reduce stress. Some pooling has been observed on the road opposite Sunset House. This should be relieved by clearing leaves and Cllr Carter will ask some ‘Helpers’ to assist with this.
Cllr Mellor reported that the delivery of 5 x 1 tonne bags of salt had been delivered to Crown Farm. He reported that he had sourced a finer granule white salt for use in the manual machines. He reported that the machinery had been serviced and the Pump was due to be “started. Cllr Mellor reported that several men, who operated the machinery last year, had offered their help this year.
Referring to CCllr Rodney Rose’s report Cllr Mellor and Cllr Morgan agreed to check that all Salt Bins had been replenished.
15 HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter suggested the next group meeting could be a “Litter Pick”. This was agreed and would be scheduled in the New Year.
Cllr Mellor proposed that the “Helpers” should be officially thanked and recognised for their hard work and commitment by the Parish Council. One suggestion was a Summer BBQ part funded by the Parish Council. – Cllr Crundwell seconded this proposal and it was unanimously agreed. Cllr Carter agreed to give this some thought.
16. MATTERS ARISING:
- Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) Area Steward Fund – this was discussed and it was agreed that Cllr Morgan would contact CCllr Rodney Rose, Ian Clarke and DCllr Hibbert-Biles outlining the outstanding works and ask if costings had been done;
The badgers dip on the road from Ascott towards Leafield
The, already, marked “Gullies” on London Lane
The Hedgerow on London Lane by Mrs Beveridge’s property. - Culvert by Tyack’s Yard – Network Rail (NR) – Ongoing
- Meeting 24 September with Milton-under-Wychwood and Shipton-under-Wychwood Parish Councils – The Clerk reported that Rodney Rose OCC had confirmed the following with regard to how many Ascott parishioners used the Wychwood Library and OCC’s consultation process –
“OCC consulted and came to a decision a couple of years ago [at Cabinet] to halve staff costs at our Community Libraries. Just halving our opening hours was not a preferred option, so local cash, volunteers or a combination became the preferred choice. Ascott has 85 registered borrowers at the Wychwood Library”. This issue was discussed at length and it was agreed that Cllr Timms would contact the Friends of the Wychwood Library and discuss this issue. The Clerk was asked to contact CCllr Rodney Rose to ask for a copy of the Minutes from the recent meeting and to advise him that the PC were not permitted to make a financial commitment at this stage.
17. CORRESPONDENCE:
- Clerks & Councils Direct
- Letter from Chiltern Sports Contractors Limited
- OCC Letter and Poster re Home to School Transport
- Email Correspondence:
Shipton PC re OCC Transport – this was discussed and the Clerk was asked to add this to the December Agenda
Mark Dawbarn re Planning Application at 1 Priory Lane – this was discussed and relevant comments added to the planning application. The Clerk was asked to reply to WODC Planning accordingly.
Finance Report – from Stuart Fox
18. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
- Cllr Timms reported on the Village Charity meeting that she had attended. She was asked about any progress on the provision of a canopy over the light on railway platform. Cllr Carter advised that this was on her list to do. She asked to Clerk to add this to the Agenda for December.
- Cllr Mellor reported that he had received a phone call with regard to a free allotment plot. He advised the Clerk that he would be away for a couple of days and would deal with this on his return.
There being no further business Cllr Morgan declared the meeting closed at 11.15pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 9 December 2013 at 7.30pm.