Parish Councillors:
- Philippa Carter (Chair)
- Mark Tribe
- Peter Rance
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
- Laurence Mellor (Sport England – Drainage Project)
- Chris George (Wychwood Day Centre)
1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies received from CCllr Rodney Rose, DCllr Tom Simcox and Cllr Sandy Timms
2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The recorded Minutes from the Meeting held on 10 October 2015 were agreed, duly signed, dated and filed.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest to be recorded.
4. CO-OPTION
Cllr Carter reported that an advert would be displayed in the Grapevine – Ongoing.
5. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Authorisation of payments
Payments:
A Barnes £49.00 chq 8/11 no. 100987 Carol sheets and Aerial photograph
TGMS Ltd Chq 100988 15/11 £912.00. Refundable at a later date.
Income:
No income received.
Bank Balance
£43,599.95
Precept Planning:
Cllr Carter presented an updated income and expenditure budget/forecast which was discussed at length. It was agreed that all councillors would take this away and give it some more thought. Cllr Carter reported that Stuart Fox, the Responsible Financial Office would attend the December meeting. The Clerk was asked to contact WODC to confirm the latest date for the PC to request their Precept.
6. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
Please refer to attached report
7. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No Report.
8. PUBLIC TIME:
Cllr Carter welcomed Chris George to the meeting. Chris introduced himself as the representative of the Wychwood Day Centre and reported on the possibility of OCC cuts and the impact this will have on the Day Centre. He reported that the £10k funding from OCC could potentially be cut completely, which would have a devastating effect on the Wychwoods. Chris proposed a request to the Parish Council to increase their annual donation from £200 to £500. This was discussed and Cllr Rance proposed the Parish Council agree this proposal, this was seconded by Cllr Tribe and agreed unanimously.
9. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Wychwoods Working Together – Cllr Carter reported that the PC were liaising on bus cuts and the general cuts being made by OCC –Cllr Carter suggested a leaflet drop to all parishioners summarising all of the cuts proposed and to alert them that they had until 30 November to contact OCC before the public consultation closed. This was agreed unanimously – Ongoing
(b) Oxford Depository Service – The Clerk reported that she had spoken with ODS and explained their services to the meeting. Cllr Carter agreed to compile a list of all documents that would need to be stored securely.
(c) Footbridge by Ascott Mill – No works had commenced Cllr Tribe to chase Ongoing
(d) Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) – Cllr Timms reported that the group will be meeting in November.
(e) County, District and Parish Council Surgery – the next Surgery is scheduled for Saturday 28 November, 11.30am at the Swan at Ascott.
(f) Church Lime Tree Project – Please refer to planning application noted below -Ongoing
(g) Cotswold Rivers Trust – Cllr Carter reported that this was a very informative meeting – there were four fields, two of which were for grazing and two for crops. The farm is being used by the owners, Cotswold Grass Seeds, for experimental purposes. The day concentrated on an experiment to slow the downhill flow of spring water by a series of ‘leaky’ dams, then finally capture the water in a pond at the bottom of the hill. In addition, a large number of trees and shrubs had been planted at the bottom of the hill to make the land more porous. The aim was to keep more spring water within Honeydale farm land, stop the topsoil from being washed away and reduce the amount of rainwater rushing straight into the Evenlode carrying silt with it.
10. PLANNING:
15/01744/TPO
Pollarding of Lime Trees at Holy Trinity Church – No objections
15/03840/HHD
1 Priory Lane – Pcouncil discussed and concerns raised. Cllr Tribe would investigate further and report back to the Clerk for the PC’s response to WODC Planning.
11. MEMORIAL PLAYING FIELD – RECREATION & PLAYGROUND
(a) Replacement Sign – Ongoing
(b) Trellis – Ongoing
(c) Handrail – Ongoing
12. SPORT ENGLAND – DRAINAGE:
Laurence Mellor gave an update on the project and asked the Parish Council for their approval to move onto the next stage. This is for TGMS to decide on contractors and approach Sport England for confirmation of their continued support. Cllr Carter proposed to accept this in principle. This was duly seconded by Cllr Tribe and carried unanimously.
13. ROADS:
(a) London Road South (Charlbury) private garden pond Mrs Beveridge
This will continue to be monitored.
(b) Standing water on the Shipton Road between Melplash Farm & Coldwell Brook
This will continue to be monitored.
(c) Pot-holes
Ongoing
(d) Drains High Street
Cllr Carter proposed writing to the residents of High Street and ask them to monitor the drains and any excessive excess water from them over a 12 month period.
14. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Cllr Carter reported that there had been a problem with leaking toilets, which had now been resolved.
15. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Nothing to report.
16. HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter reported that the helpers had had a successful session at the Culvert.
17. RISK ASSESSMENT:
Cllr Carter reported that the Risk Assessment document was now complete; the following remain Tree Works – The Clerk confirmed that works should start on 14 December.
The Pound – The Clerk reported that she had spoken with Gerald Simper who confirmed that there was a strong possibility that the stone wall could be rebuilt.
18. TRANSPORT:
Buses
Cllr Rance reported that OCC cabinet had recommended to withdraw all subsidised bus services through Ascott. If OCC is able to save any bus it will be the Villager V24 to Witney on Thursday only. Cllr Carter reported that the PC was talking to the Wychwoods and Hugh Jaegar of the Oxford Bus Users pressure group. She reported that all possibilities were being explored. Cllr Rance reported that the consultation on all cuts will end on 30 November. Any cuts will not take effect before June 2016.
Trains
Cllr Rance reported that extra trains would be supplied over the Christmas period – these would be pre-Christmas Saturday only services.
Railway Culvert Drainage
Cllr Rance reported that an NR team had undertaken extensive culvert clearance work including in and around the Cornbury ditch beyond the level crossing.
19. WYCHWOOD LIBRARY:
Nothing to report.
20. VILLAGE CHARITY
Nothing to report.
21. CORRESPONDENCE
Clerks & Councils Direct
Email
OALC Update (apologies for this being late)
Annual Town & Parish Councils meeting with District Council
Waste & Recycling Survey
Oxfordshire Working Together
Supported Transport (subsidised bus services and dial-a-ride)
23. CAROLS ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE:
Please refer to Update.
24. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no Any Other Business.
There being no further business, Cllr Carter declared the meeting closed at 10.20pm
Cllr Philippa Carter (Chairman)