Parish Councillors:
- Rob Morgan (Chair)
- Philippa Carter
- Sandy Timms
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
- Phil King
- Brian Rigby (Conservative Party member)
- Tom Simcox (prospective Conservative Party candidate)
1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes from the April Meeting were agreed, signed and dated. The Clerk reported that she would file the Minutes when the Minute Book had been returned from the Internal Auditor.
2. APOLOGIES:
Received from CCllr Rodney Rose, DCllr Hilary Hibbert-Biles and Cllr Laurence Mellor.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
4. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Payments:
- £150.00 Tiddy Hall Rent Chq No. 100914
- £1301.82 Zurich Municipal Insurance Chq No. 100915
- £63.70 World of Color (Cotswolds) Chq No. 100916 (printing)
- £50.00 Debra Cull (donation to retiring Post Lady for Ascott) Chq No. 100917
Income:
- £13,124.77 WODC Precept
- £400.00 Ascott Songsters (Collection for Defibrillator)
5. INSURANCE RENEWAL:
This was discussed and all were happy with the renewal terms. It was agreed unanimously to renew for three years to reduce the premium and keep it low.
6. DEFIBRILLATOR:
The Clerk reported that she had chased WODC for progress on this, but had not received a reply. She would continue to chase. Cllr Carter reported that the Ascott Songsters had raised £400 which would be donated towards purchasing the Defibrillator. Where to site the Defibrillator was discussed and it was felt that outside the Swan Public House would be most suitable. Cllr Morgan agreed to speak with Richard Simpson and enquire if he would be happy for this to be done.
7. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No report from CCllr Rose, but Cllr Morgan reported on a site meeting that he had had with CCllr Rose and Ian Clack. He reported that the meeting was positive and they had walked Chipping Norton Hill and London Lane. It was agreed that all gullies would be cleaned. With regard to the Hedgerow on London Lane CCllr Rose would look into this further. CCllr Rose advised Cllr Morgan that some necessary road patching by the junction on High Street and the Windrush Valley School would be carried out.
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.
8. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report
9. ELECTIONS 2014:
Cllr Morgan reported that he did wish to stand down, as did Cllr Crundwell. Cllrs Mellor, Carter and Timms had agreed to submit their paperwork to WODC to be re-elected. The Clerk explained that the co-option of two further councillors would need to be complete by Thursday 10 July 2014.
10. PUBLIC TIME:
Cllr Morgan welcomed Brian Rigby and Tom Simcox to the meeting. Brian Rigby introduced himself as a member of the Conservative Party and introduced Tom Simcox as a prospective Conservative candidate for West Oxfordshire District Council. If successful at Election Tom would be DCllr Hilary Hibbert-Biles’ successor. Tom gave a brief report on his background and there followed a short Q & A session.
Q: Cllr Carter asked Tom about future planning and the concerns this brought for the residents of Ascott-under-Wychwood with regards to flooding and sewage problems.
A: Tom answered he was aware of the problems that Ascott had experienced.
The Clerk was asked to minute the Parish Council’s sincere gratitude to DCllr Hibbert-Biles, who had served them and the surrounding district tirelessly for 12 years.
11. PLANNING:
There were no planning applications outstanding and no new applications to be considered.
12. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD RECREATION GROUND:
Nothing to report.
13. PROJECT SAFE PLAY:
Cllr Carter reported that she was re-negotiating the grants that had been pledged for the MUGA. Cllr Carter reported that the new plan was to install key pieces of play and sporting equipment in line with requests from residents during the consultation process. Also there is a plan to drain the playing field where extremely wet. She reported that nearly all grant funders were supportive of the new plans.
14. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Nothing to report.
15. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Nothing to report.
16. HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter reported that there had been an ad-hoc clean up on the bank by the Signal Box and that a lot of plants had been received for the culvert bank planting in the autumn.
17. MATTERS ARISING:
- Culvert by Tyack’s Yard – Network Rail (NR) – Ongoing
- Stadium light over the Level Crossing – Ongoing
18. CORRESPONDENCE:
- Letter from resident re Project SafePlay
- CLPG Spring 2014 Issue No. 117
- Clerks & Councils Direct
- Leaflet from Sovereign re Play Equipment
- Email from Debra Cull asking the PC for a donation to the retiring Post Lady for Ascott-under-Wychwood. Cllr Morgan proposed a £50 donation, this proposal was seconded by Cllr Carter and agreed unanimously.
19. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Morgan reported on the amount of “flyposting”
Cllr Morgan reported that Pete Moss from Cold Stone Angling and approached him to ask if the PC would may be consider donating a bench. Cllr Morgan advised Pete to formally write to the Parish Council.
There being no further business Cllr Morgan declared the meeting closed at 9.00pm and confirmed the next meeting would be the Annual General Meeting on Monday 9 June 2014 at 7.30pm and that the Annual Village Meeting will be held on Monday 23 June 2014.
Cllr Rob Morgan Dated 9 June 2014
Chairman