Parish Councillors:
- Rob Morgan (Chair) Laurence Mellor
- Philippa Carter
- Sandy Timms
Responsible Financial
- Officer Stuart Fox
County Councillor:
- Rodney Rose
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Guest:
- Dick Tracey from South Central Ambulance Service
1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes from the March meeting were agreed, signed, dated and duly filed.
2. APOLOGIES:
Received from Cllr Bridgette Crundwell and DCllr Hilary Hibbert-Biles
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
4. DEFIBRILLATOR:
Cllr Rob Morgan welcomed Dick Tracey from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) to the meeting. Dick presented a practice defibrillator to the meeting and gave a demonstration of how it is used. He reported that the appliance would come with a 7 year warranty, but once registered with the Ambulance Service, this warranty would be extended to 10 years. Dick reported that the battery had a 4 year warranty and was good for 200 shocks. The estimated replacement cost for the battery would be £125.
Q: Cllr Mellor asked Dick to advise on the cost of obtaining a defibrillator and the cabinet to store it.
A: Dick confirmed that the Cabinet was £535 + VAT and the actual Defibrillator was £841 + VAT and a possible electrician’s charge to connect a mains electricity supply to the cabinet. The cost to the Village would be in excess of £1400. Dick reported that WODC were offering a 50% donation to this scheme and Stuart Fox reported, on behalf of the Village Charity, that they had pledged £500. Cllr Carter reported that the Ascott Songsters had pledged the proceeds from their Concert to be held on Saturday 3 May.
Dick reported that once installed, the Defibrillator would need to be registered with SCAS and a code would be issued for access.
The Clerk was asked to email Dick Tracey confirmation that the Parish Council would like to purchase a Defibrillator, using WODC’s discounted offer and would welcome any training. A discussion followed about where to locate the Defibrillator. Outside the Swan Public House was favoured.
Cllr Morgan thanked Dick for taking the time to attend the meeting and for giving such an excellent presentation. Cllr Carter invited Dick and a guest to attend the Ascott Songsters Concert on Saturday 3 May at the Tiddy Hall. The Clerk was asked to confirm this in writing.
5. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Payments:
- £104.35 Clerks Quarterly Expenses Cheque No. 100907
- £559.66 Clerks Quarterly Salary Cheque No. 100908
- £140.00 HMRC Cheque No. 100909
- £3000.00 Tiddy Hall Trustees Cheque No. 100910
- £69.94 WODC Commercial Waste Cheque No. 100911
- £19.58 Meadhams Tractor Repairs Cheque No. 100912
- £123.00 Patrick Edwards Tractor Repairs Cheque No. 100913
Income:
- £185.50 Allotment Rents
- £4.47 Interest
Accounts for the Year End to 31 March 2014
The Accounts for the year end to 31 March 2014, which had been previously circulated, were presented for approval. The Accounts were discussed and approved as a true record. These were then signed and dated by the Chairman and the Responsible Financial Officer. The Clerk was asked to file a copy in the Minute record book.
Annual Return for the Year to 31 March 2014
The Accounting Statements within the Annual Return for 2013/14 were presented and then duly approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
The Annual Governance Statement was presented and the individual questions answered. This was then approved as a true record and duly signed by the Chairman and the Parish Clerk.
6. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
Wychwood Library
CCllr Rose reported that there appeared to have been some confusion about Ascott’s donation to this project. It was confirmed that the amount needed is £573.12 per annum, fixed for three years with a 6 month “get out clause” on either side. Cllr Morgan proposed that the Parish Council should commit to this donation. This was seconded by Cllr Carter and unanimously agreed. The Clerk was asked to confirm this in writing to CCllr Rodney Rose.
Oxfordshire County Council
- Gullies” on London Lane & Chipping Norton Hill (already marked) – CCllr Rose agreed to look into and finalise when these works would be carried out.
- Hedgerow on London Lane – Ongoing CClr Rodney Rose to look into and finalise when this work would be carried out.
- Transport – Cllr Rose reported that the consultation was now complete and there had been a very small amount of change including to the X8 service.
7. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report
8. ELECTIONS 2014:
The Election dates and timings were discussed and it was agreed that the Annual General Meeting, to elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman would be held on Monday 9 June 2014 and the Annual Village Meeting would be re-scheduled to Monday 23 June 2014. The Clerk was asked to display the Agenda and notify the relevant organisations accordingly. Cllr Carter reported that succession was ongoing.
9. PUBLIC TIME:
There were no members of the Public and so no public time was recorded.
10. PLANNING:
There were no planning applications outstanding and no new applications to be considered.
11. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD RECREATION GROUND:
Ongoing.
12. PROJECT SAFE PLAY:
Cllr Carter reported, that sadly, they had not been successful in their grant application to the Lottery. A letter explaining why and what the next step was would be distributed to each house. The Clerk was asked to organise the printing and dropping off with Cllr Mellor for distribution.
13. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Cllr Mellor reported that the Football team were doing well and that they were very pleased with the quality of the pitch. Hopefully there would be two teams next year. Cllr Mellor reported that the cricket nets were up and being used and hoped that the volley ball nets would be put up within the next couple of weeks.
14. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Cllr Mellor reported “No Snow”.
15. HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter reported than an “ad-hoc” session had taken place clearing the culvert and cutting the Ivy hedge by the station.
16. MATTERS ARISING:
- Culvert by Tyack’s Yard – Network Rail (NR) – Ongoing
- Stadium light over the Level Crossing – Ongoing
- Open Gardens – a request to serve teas on the Village Green was discussed and after much deliberation the Clerk was asked to reply explaining that a decision was taken many years ago not to hold functions on the Village Green due to increased traffic and the risk to human life and health and safety. The Clerk was also asked to note that the power supply was limited and only used for low voltage lighting to the annual Christmas Tree.
- Parish Plan – an enquiry from Elaine Byles whether the PC had a Parish Plan. The Clerk had replied that the PC had started a Parish Plan, but WODC had still not released its final Local Development Framework. Cllr Carter reported that there were several items that fell within the PC’s Parish Plan – the Community Emergency Plan and Project Safe Play. The Clerk was asked to bring this forward to the June/July meeting when a new council will have been elected.
17. ANNUAL VILLAGE MEETING:
After discussion it was agreed that the Annual Village Meeting would be re-scheduled for Monday 23 June 2014.
18. CORRESPONDENCE:
- Email from Elaine Byles asking if the PC had a Parish Plan – refer to Item No. 16 Matters Arising.
- Email from Paul Jackson requesting the use of the electricity supply on the Village Green – refer to Item No. 16 Matters Arising
- Network Rail – new licence duly received
- Forest Update (The Wychwood Project Magazine Spring 2014)
19. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Mellor reported that there was one vacant Allotment Plot.
There being no further business Cllr Morgan declared the meeting closed at 10.15pm. Cllr Morgan confirmed the next meeting would be Monday 12 May 2014 at 7.30pm, the Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 9 June (after the 2014 Elections) and the Annual Village Meeting has now been re-scheduled to be held on Monday 23 June 2014.
Cllr Rob Morgan Dated 12 May 2014
Chairman