Parish Councillors:
- Rob Morgan (Chair)
- Laurence Mellor
- Philippa Carter
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes from the January meeting were agreed, signed, dated and duly filed.
2. APOLOGIES:
Received from Cllr Bridgette Crundwell and Cllr Sandy Timms
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
4. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Payments:
- £420.00 Chq. No. 100901 C&J Badger (Snow fund)
Income:
- No Income
5. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report received – issues ongoing noted below.
Oxfordshire County Council
- Gullies” on London Lane (already marked) – CCllr Rose to look into
- Hedgerow on London Lane – Ongoing CClr Rodney Rose to look into
- looding – After a very lengthy discussion and explanation Cllr Carter asked CCllr Rodney Rose for ongoing permission to shut the road (Shipton Road, Ascott Earl) and use appropriate road blockage. CCllr Rodney Rose completely understood and agreed to look into this and report back to Cllr Carter.
- Home to School Transport – Ongoing
- Bus Service – CCllr Rose agreed to look at the routes through Ascott-under-Wychwood, in particular the Charlbury taxi bus. Ongoing
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report
7. ELECTIONS 2014:
The Clerk reported that she had spoken with Keith Butler, the Monitoring Officer at WODC and explained that three, possibly four councilors have expressed that they may wish to step down at the forthcoming Elections.
The Clerk reported on the advice given, which was that it would be disadvantageous and costly if the Parish Council did not have three members (a quorum) to stand at the forthcoming Elections. She reported that there would need to be three members wishing to stand and that the remaining two seats could be filled by way of co-option. The councilors present agreed to canvas parishioners and advertise the vacant posts.
8. PUBLIC TIME:
There were no members of the public and so no public time was recorded.
9. THE WYCHWOOD LIBRARY:
The Clerk had clarified the advice given by OALC and after discussion. It was proposed by Cllr Mellor that the Parish Council agree to donate the shortfall of funds pledged by Milton-under-Wychwood and Shipton-under-Wychwood, this being £146, which is 2% of the £7,146. This amount is required to keep the Wychwood Library open for the current number of hours with one paid member of staff and volunteer support. The donation would be recorded under Section 137 expenditure and is for the financial year 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015. This was seconded by Cllr Morgan and agreed unanimously. Subsequent annual donations under Section 137 would have to be voted on by the new Parish Council after the 2014 Elections. The Clerk was asked to notify CCllr Rose of the decision.
10. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
14/0018/P/FP Change of use from agricultural to light industrial unit (Use Class B1©. New doors and windows and installation of solar panels (to allow amendments to elevations, cladding materials and provide additional solar panels) at Kingstanding Barns – Ongoing
11. REVIEW:
- The Financial Regulations were reviewed and unanimously agreed that they were correct and up to date.
- The Standing Orders were reviewed and unanimously agreed that they were correct and up to date.
- The Risk Assessment was circulated via email prior to the meeting and the hard copy reviewed. The risks facing the Parish Council were reviewed and Cllr Morgan agreed to update the Risk Assessment and circulate accordingly.
- April Meetings – the date for the two meetings were discussed and it was agreed that the ordinary PC meeting would be held as usual on Monday 14 April and the Annual Village Meeting would be held on Monday 28 April. These dates will give Stuart, the Responsible Financial Officer, time to prepare for the year end and takes the Easter break in to consideration.
12. ANNUAL LITTER PICK:
This was discussed and it was agreed that the Annual Litter Pick would be carried out on Saturday 15 March. All would meet on the Village Green at 10am. Cllr Morgan agreed to organise gloves, bags and grabbers. Cllr Carter agreed to display notices advertising this.
13. ALLOTMENTS:
Cllr Mellor would confirm an up to date list of tenants and vacant plots and advise the Clerk accordingly to enable her to send the 2014 rent requests.
14. ANNUAL DONATION TO THE GRAPEVINE:
This was discussed and proposed by Cllr Morgan to donate £400 and was seconded by Cllr Philippa Carter.
15. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD RECREATION GROUND:
Cllr Morgan reported that a Topographical Survey had been carried out, courtesy of Simon Gidman. Cllr Carter confirmed that the data and grid surveys had been given to her.
16. PROJECT SAFE PLAY:
Cllr Carter reported that she and Cllr Mellor were currently looking at funding for drainage.
17. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Cllr Carter reported that the Toddler Group would not be meeting at the Sports Club for this term.
18. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Cllr Carter reported that negotiations with OCC Highways were under way regarding flood warning signs and the ability to shut roads. She reported that this was work-in-progress and that a Protocol should be established very soon.
19. HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter reported that she would be organizing a date to meet at the end of February.
20. MATTERS ARISING:
- Culvert by Tyack’s Yard – Network Rail (NR) – Ongoing
- Stadium light over the Level Crossing – Ongoing
21. CORRESPONDENCE:
- Email from WODC with regard to the Precept
- Email from OCC re the Wychwood Library.
22. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
- Defibrillator – the offer from WODC to fund 50% towards having a Defibrillator installed in the Village was discussed. It was likely that the remaining funds could be found as Ascott-under-Wychwood Village Charity had agreed to contribute a large sum. Various practical difficulties in owning, siting and using a defibrillator (as pointed out by Stuart Fox) were discussed. The Clerk was asked to invite WODC to the March meeting so that they could advise.
There being no further business Cllr Morgan declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm and confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 10 March 2014 at 7.30pm.