Parish Councillors:
- Philippa Carter
- Sandy Timms
- Mark Tribe
- Peter Rance
County Councillor:
- Rodney Rose
Parish Clerk:
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public:
- Chris George
1. APOLOGIES:
No apologies received.
2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The recorded Minutes from the Meeting held on 10 October 2016 were agreed, duly signed, dated and filed.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
4. CO-OPTION
Ongoing.
5. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Precept
Cllr Carter presented a budget and forecast prepared by Stuart Fox, the Responsible Financial Officer, together with the ongoing wish list to prioritise. This included the maintenance of the seats round the tree on the Green and winter resilience storage costings. Also discussed was a request by certain dog-walkers for some sort of narrow path to be laid along the verge from No 27 London Lane to the allotments. Considerations which could make the project expensive would be levelling the verge, supporting the edge, safeguarding the garden wall. OCC Highways would have to be involved and so advice must be sought from C Cllr Rose. Parish Councillors accepted that that stretch of London Lane can be dangerous because of the bend. One suggestion was to ask for the 30 MPH sign to be moved further up the hill so that motorists have more warning to slow down.
Cllr Carter asked the councillors to think about all budget discussions so far with a view to setting the Precept at the December meeting. The Clerk confirmed that Stuart would be attending the December meeting.
The Clerk reported that the bank balance was £64,874.91, of which £55,340.98 relates to the general fund. The following receipts and payments were agreed;
Receipts
£11,210.65 VAT refund (6 months to 30 September 2016)
Payments
£700.00 Chq 101030 Cornbury Estate (7 years allotment rent)
£1800.00 Chq 101031 TGMS Drainage Management
£108.58 Chq 101032 P Carter (Railway Gardens)
£80.00 Chq 101033 Cheque Destroyed
£30.00 Chq 101034 The Swan Public House (Defibrillator electricity)
£72.12 Chq 101035 Margaret Johnson Office Supplies
£40.82 Chq 101036 L Mellor (Tar Paulin)
£80.00 Chq 101037 P Carter (Rewards for Wychwood Project workers -the Pound wall)
6. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:
CCllr Rose reported that following the consultation with regards to Household recycling it was likely that the Dix Pit recycling centre in West Oxfordshire will be saved but there are no plans to replace Dean Pit at the moment. He reported on the budget and the effect of the digital platform. For example things like road tax being renewed online had made a large impact on reducing costs. The use of more online services has made it important for libraries to be maintained so that there is access to computers for those who do not own one. He reported that a management review had made savings in excess of £500k.
7. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT:
No report.
8. PUBLIC TIME:
Cllr Carter welcomed Chris George who was in attendance to discuss the funding / annual donation to the Wychwood Day Centre. After a presentation by Chris George and a lengthy discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Rance and seconded by Cllr Tribe that the Parish Council give a donation of £500 to the Wychwood Day Centre.
9. MATTERS ARISING:
(a) County, District and Parish Council Surgery – 29 October and then bi-monthly on the last Saturday of the month thereafter – PCllr Carter, CCllr Rose and DCllr Simcox would confirm a date in January.
(b) Wychwood Church of England Primary School request for donation to MUGA Ongoing
10. PLANNING:
Local Plan – Cllr Carter will discuss with DCllr Tom Simcox the proposal in the 2017 draft Local Plan that Ascott-under-Wychwood should be placed in the ‘ Village’ category rather than the category entitiled ‘ Small villages, hamlets and open countryside’.
West Oxfordshire Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment 2016 – Ongoing
APPLICATIONS ONGOING:
16/02793/FUL Erection of six dwellings and associated works at 18 Maple Way- Site visit arranged for Thursday 1 December.
16/03240/FUL Change of use of land from agricultural to domestic (Retrospective) at 26 High Street
APPLICATIONS REFUSED:
16/03058/HHD Replacement doors and windows to rear elevation. Construction of pergola and first floor balcony together with associated fencing (Retrospective) at Chaundy Barn, Yew Tree Farm, 45 High Street
APPLICATIONS APPROVED:
16/02257/FUL Erection of front porch at The Swan, 4 Shipton Road
16/02924/HHD Alterations and erection of single and two storey extensions at The Priory House 22 High Street
16/02076/HHD Erection of single storey pitched roof extension to rear elevation. (Amendments to 13/0578/P/FP and 16/00608/HHD to allow increase in eaves height and proposed side windows). (Part retrospective).
At Willowbrook, 51 High Street.
11. RISK ASSESSMENT & GROUND MAINTENANCE:
(a) Notice Boards – to remove staples and repaint in dry weather – ongoing
(b) Waste Bins – WODC have replaced 3 bins and the Clerk was asked to contact WODC and enquire when the 4th bin would be replaced.
(c) RoSPA Inspection – Cllr Carter reported that she would speak to RoSpa now that the drainage project was complete to organise the annual inspection of the play equipment.
Cllr Carter reported that, following a resident complaint to him, Laurence Mellor tightened the top brackets of the swing basket in the playground. He advised that this is only noticeable when the swing is in use and that this should be recorded in the Risk Assessment.
Ground Maintenance
Cllr Carter reported that Shane Barnes had provided quotes for the extra ground maintenance works including erecting a shed to house the winter resilience equipment. After discussion, it was agreed unanimously that a different source to house the winter resilience equipment and salt should be explored. Cllr Carter agreed to approach Crown Farm again.
12. MEMORIAL PLAYING FIELD
(Recreation and Playground)
(a) Replacement Sign – Ongoing
(b) Trellis – Ongoing
(c) Handrail – Ongoing
(d) Hedgecutting – Works now complete.
13. SPORT ENGLAND DRAINAGE:
Cllr Carter would be contacting TGMS to clarify if any drainage works are outstanding and when a certificate of completion can be issued.
14. ROADS:
(a) Pavement outside Ascott Earl House – Ongoing.
15. ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD SPORTS CLUB:
Nothing to report.
16. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN:
Arrangements for Winter resilience and storage for Flood signs were discussed. (See Ground Maintenance note under 11. RISK ASSESSMENT)
17. HELPERS OF ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD:
Cllr Carter asked the councillors to be prepared to set a date for the Annual Litter Pick at the December meeting.
18. TRANSPORT:
Cllr Carter and Cllr Rance met Claire King the recently appointed GWR franchise Cotswold Line station manager, at Ascott station on Wednesday 9th November. A wide range of issues were usefully discussed including the GWR reconsideration of validity of the Cotswold Line railcard on the weekday train to Oxford.
The pre-Christmas Saturday trains, as last year, have been requested and GWR are planning to provide them, which should please the villagers who have expressed their intention to use them. Cllrs Carter and Rance asked that unlike 2015, GWR ensure they provide accurate public notices at Ascott station.”
19. WYCHWOOD LIBRARY:
Nothing to report.
20. VILLAGE CHARITY:
Nothing to report.
21. CAROLS ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE:
The Clerk had emailed the checklist to all councillors prior to the meeting. All councillors were happy with their tasks and it was proposed by Cllr Carter, seconded by Cllr Timms and agreed, unanimously, that the beneficiary would be the Wychwood Day Centre. The Clerk was asked to book the Tiddy Hall as a contingency in case of bad weather.
22. CORRESPONDENCE:
Email;
WODC – Local Plan
Gt Western Railway – Mark Hopwood with regard to car parking. The Clerk was asked to confirm with GWR that this relates to Charlbury.
Ambulance Service – questionnaire received for completion. Cllr Timms agreed to complete this.
E-mail complaint – received from Mr M Tucker following his cycle accident at the level crossing. This was passed to C Cllr Rose.
22. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
- Cllr Carter reported on a meeting Paul Jackson regarding the Ascott Martyrs project. Trustees were aiming to develop a web-based museum rather than a physical museum. They were also discussing the best way to present the story for visitors passing through the village. Paul is keen to work with WEA to develop a mosaic but a site has not been definitely identified yet so these are early days.
- Cllr Carter reported that the County Victoria History Trust has now uploaded the online version of Dr Simon Draper’s well-researched version of Ascott’s history.
There being no further business, Cllr Carter declared the meeting closed at 10.30pm and confirmed the next meeting would be the held on Monday 12 December 2016.
Cllr Philippa Carter (Chairman)