Parish Councillors:
- Philippa Carter (Chair)
- Sandy Timms (Vice)
- Peter Rance
Responsible Financial Officer:
- Stuart Fox
District Councillor:
- Tom Simcox
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
- No members of the Public
1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies received from CCllr Rodney Rose and Cllr Mark Tribe.
2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The recorded Minutes from the Meeting held on 16 November 2015 were agreed, duly signed, dated and filed.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest to be recorded.
4. CO-OPTION
Ongoing.
5. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Authorisation of payments
Payments:
100989 L Mellor £17.09 Xmas Tree Lights
100990 The Swan at Ascott £30.00 Defibrillator Electricity
100991 TGMS £960.00 Cost of preparing tenders for drainage scheme-Refundable
100992 Bruern Estate £204.00 Christmas Tree
Income:
No Income
Precept Planning:
Cllr Carter presented a final forecast, which was discussed at length and agreed unanimously that this presented a fair and true report. Cllr Carter proposed that the PC give a donation of £500 to the Playground Fund, this proposal was seconded by Cllr Timms.
Cllr Carter proposed a donation of £400 to the Grapevine, this was seconded by Cllr Rance. Cllr Carter proposed additional works that would need to be added to the grasscutting contract. All councillors were happy with this proposal and agreed in principle. Cllr Carter and the Clerk would re-draft the grasscutting contract for approval in the New Year
Cllr Carter reported that the PC had already had to accept cuts from OCC and that they will need to prepare for more to come. Taking this into account Cllr Carter proposed that the Precept should remain at the same level as last year. This was seconded by Cllr Rance and agreed unanimously. The Clerk was asked to complete the Precept request and forward to WODC.
6. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
Apologies received.
7. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
Cllr Carter asked DCllr Simcox about future planning and development in Ascott-under-Wychwood. He reported that that there was a sliding scale of desirability to developers and that Ascott was low risk. He reported that WODC were one of the first district councils to house refugees from Syria and that they had housed 6 families.
Town & Parish Councils meeting with District Council Tuesday 1 December
Cllr Carter reported that she attended this meeting, which was mainly about sharing services and that the Local Plan was with the Inspector and a decision would be made in three weeks. She reported on “devolution” – the Government are encouraging groups of people to bid for work locally.
8. PUBLIC TIME:
There were no members of the public at the meeting.
9. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Wychwoods Working Together – Ongoing
(b) Oxford Depository Service – The Clerk was asked to confirm with ODS if there is a charge for depositing and removing items. PC need to compile a list of all documents that would need to be stored securely – Ongoing
(c) Footbridge by Ascott Mill – Complete. The Clerk was asked to remove from the Agenda.
(d) Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) – Cllr Timms reported that the Chipping Norton group may fold – Ongoing
(e) County, District and Parish Council Surgery – this will continue for a further 12 months, the dates for Ascott-under-Wychwood are: February 27th, April 30th and June 30th – Ongoing
(f) Church Lime Tree Project – Please refer to planning application noted below – Ongoing
10. PLANNING:
15/01744/TPO
Pollarding of Lime Trees at Holy Trinity Church – a decision had still not been given by WODC, despite the increasing danger to the public walking under the trees and to the life of the trees themselves, coupled with the concern that time is marching on. DCllr Simcox agreed to look into this and speak with the planning officer, Nick Dalby – Ongoing
15/03840/HHD
1 Priory Lane – Ongoing
1504145/HHD
Meadowbank Barn House 1 Meadowbank Close – DCllr Simcox agreed to look into this application and report back to Cllr Carter before the PC’s response to WODC – Ongoing
11. MEMORIAL PLAYING FIELD – RECREATION & PLAYGROUND
(a) Replacement Sign – Ongoing
(b) Trellis – Ongoing
(c) Handrail – Ongoing
12. SPORT ENGLAND – DRAINAGE:
Cllr Carter reported that TGMS had received all quotations back, which unfortunately, were much higher than anticipated. She reported that Laurence Mellor would be looking at ways to reduce the budget.
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.
(e) Kerb Stones at Station Place
Cllr Carter reported that there had been some damage to these.
14. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Nothing to report.
15. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Cllr Rance areed to co-ordinate volunteers for this and would still be available himself to assist with any clearing.
16. HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter reported that work had been done on the Culvert bank and that Chris Badger had put some boards in to stabilise the land in order for the
topsoil to be added, which had been supplied by Tyacks. Cllr Carter reported that she had done some costings for gates in order to make the access better and had asked NR to fund this.
Litter Pick – It was agreed that this would held on Saturday 23rd or 30th January (date to be confirmed). Meet on the Village Green at 10am.
17. RISK ASSESSMENT:
Tree Works – The Clerk confirmed that works should start today, 14 December.
The Pound – The Clerk was asked to chase Gerald Simper.
18. TRANSPORT:
Cllr Rance reported;
Rail
The special Saturday only, pre-Christmas trains from Ascott station have had mixed usage.
Those on 28 November clashed with the Tiddy Hall Christmas Fair market and I have no record of how many took either the Worcester or Oxford bound trains. However, on 5 December, that to Oxford took no less than 31 folk including two youngsters, all of whom were pleased and excited to benefit from it. Regrettably, on 12 December the number was reduced to a mere 6 including two youngsters. Nevertheless, the adults were determined to make sure of using it! Cllr Rance will be contacting Alan Field of GWR franchise to point out the confusing information on their publicity board at the station which implied the trains were running for the Ascott Christmas Market!
Buses
No further news other than the OCC Bus focus replied to a question from another PC to the effect that the Chancellor’s allowance of an extra 2% rise council tax for Social Service related funding, did not mean any more money for subsidised buses.
Culvert Drainage
Cornbury Estate declined to clear the blockage at the entrance to the piped under road culvert on Chippy Road, deeming it wasnt put there by them. Deeming prompt action was better than chasing reluctant 3rd parties, Cllr Rance personally cleared it on 13 December taking photos before, during and after. It took over an hour. How was it cleared in previous years, and should this now become a regularly inspected, cleared and PC funded activity using professionals or the Ascott Volunteers?
19. WYCHWOOD LIBRARY:
Nothing to report.
20. VILLAGE CHARITY
Nothing to report.
21. CORRESPONDENCE
WODC Cotswold AONB Cotswold Leader Programme
NALC – Audit Arrangements for smaller councils
OCC – CCllr Rose confirming date and time for Oxfordshire Meeting Together
23. CAROLS ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE:
Please refer to Update.
24. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
– Cllr Carter reported that the Memorial Plaque had been sent to be cleaned
– Cllr Carter reported that the sewer works on Gypsy Lane were now complete
There being no further business, Cllr Carter declared the meeting closed at 10.30pm
Cllr Philippa Carter (Chairman)