Parish Councillors
- Brian Leach
- Sarah Russell
- Keith Ravenhill
- Sue Richards
Parish Clerk
- Angela Barnes
Members of the Public
- Tim Sumner
1. Apologies
PCllr Plant.
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The Minutes recorded from the meeting held on 8 March 2022 were approved as a true record, duly signed, dated and filed.
3. Declarations of interest
None
4. Financial Report
Ascott Parish Accounts for the Year End 31 March 2022 (emailed to all councillors)
The Parish Accounts were reviewed and agreed as a true and correct record by PCllrs Leach, Ravenhill, Russell and Richards. Cllr Leach proposed the Accounts be signed off as the final draft, this was seconded by Cllr Russell. The Accounts were duly signed by the Chairman Cllr Leach.
Bank Balance
£48,242.78
Income
4th March Interest £1.05
10th March Allotment Rents £42.50
18th March Allotment Rents £30.00
25th March Allotment Rents £25.00
28th March Pavilion Rent £100.00
31st March Allotment Rent £20.50
7th April Allotment Rent £10.00
Expenditure
27th March Direct Debit Bank Charges £14.00
6th April BACS Tiddy Hall 2021/22 Hall Rent from June 2021 £228.00
8th April BACS Angela Barnes Salary April £239.22
30th April CHQ 200238 HMRC £59.80
9th April BACS:
Clerks Expenses 6months £161.09
(Mileage, Telephone & Printer Cartridges)
9th April BACS UBICO Dog Waste Collection Heritage Lane £100.15
9th April BACS WODC Commercial Waste collection playing field £93.60
Bank reconciliation and financial report were emailed separately.
5. Reports from County and District Councillors
CCllr Leffman reported on the West Oxfordshire Community Transport service and how they were facing problems due to the number of bus users being very low. She reported that she would be providing some funding from the OCC Priority Fund, but it was key to get the number of users higher.
CCllr Leffman reported that OCC had received funding from the Government’s bus service improvement plan, albeit only a quarter of what they had applied for. That said they felt very lucky that they received something as a lot of councils had not been successful. This funding will be used to support city and rural areas.
CCllr Leffman reported on the Ukraine Refugee Programme and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, she reported that both were unfortunately very slow and chaotic at the moment, but urged anyone needing help with this to contact her directly.
CCllr Leffman reported on the 20mph scheme, this has now been rolled out to a team of officers who were working on the delivery of this and villages will be contacted with information.
Finally, she reported on her meeting with Thames Water last Thursday at the WODC offices. There was a lot of information to work with and the plan was to host surgeries for parish councils to attend.
6. Public Time
No public time to report.
7. Planning
NEW
11 London Lane
CONSULTATION
Deadline: 15 April 2022
APPLICATION NO. 22/00617/HHD
PROPOSAL: Alterations to raise height of existing stone boundary walling to 1.8m, installation of replacement vehicular access entrance gates and formation of pedestrian access and gate in existing hedge.
LOCATION: 11 London Lane, Ascott under Wychwood
APPLICANT: Mr Philip Prime
REGISTERED: 18 March 2022
PC Replied: No Objection.
NEW
1 Priory Lane
CONSULTATION
Deadline: 4 April 2022
APPLICATION NO. 22/00513/FUL
PROPOSAL: Installation of all-weather riding arena
LOCATION: 1 Priory Lane, Ascott under Wychwood
APPLICANT: Mrs Emma Chapple
REGISTERED: 9 March 2022
PC Replied: No objection but requested a condition that this must not cause any additional surface drainage onto Priory Lane and thereby High Street.
ONGOING
Land North West of 18 London Lane
CONSULTATION
Deadline: Please send me your comments by: 25th November 2021.
APPLICATION NO: 21/03570/S73
PROPOSAL: Variation of condition 2 and removal of condition 8 of planning permission
17/01067/FUL to allow conversion of area over garage into a home office (plots 2 and 4) and changes to fenestration (plots 1 and 5) whilst still maintaining all amendments relating to design changes, repositioning of access road and alterations to boundary treatments as previously approved under 21/00542/S73.
LOCATION: Land North West Of 18 London Lane Ascott Under Wychwood
APPLICANT: Kingerlee Homes Ltd
REGISTERED: 1st November
GRANTED: (for reference)
12-18 London Lane 17/01067/FUL Appeal Ref: APP/D3125/W/17/3179654
Construction of four dwellings and associated works at Land North West of 18 London Lane
WODC Address Management
Planning Application 17/01067/FUL .
SNN2022001 Development London Lane
This has been confirmed as Foresters Court.
ONGOING: (PC replied)
BLUE CEDAR HOMES Land North West of 18 London Lane
CONSULTATION
Please send me your comments by: 15 April 2021
APPLICATION NO: 21/00506/FUL
LOCATION: Land North West of 18 London Lane Ascott under Wychwood
PROPOSAL: Erection of 7 one storey age restricted dwellings for older people (65 years) with access, landscaping and associated infrastructure REGISTERED: 12 Feb 2021 Planning Officer: abby.fettes@publicagroup.uk & abby.fettes@westoxon.gov.uk
PCllr Leach reported that the appeal is proceeding by means of written submission only.
Once again, the PC has assembled and submitted a substantial document to back up the decision made by WODC and to highlight the inappropriate nature of such a development when set against the lack of service provision in the village. We are continually indebted to Richard Smith, solicitor and to Nicholas Paines, QC, for their detailed and extensive work in setting out the case for the Parish Council.
We have received no notification as to when a decision may be expected.
GRANTED (PC replied objected)
Land North East of 51 High Street
Deadline: Please send me your comments by: 15 September 2021
APPLICATION NO: 21/02804/RES
PROPOSAL: Reserved matters application for the erection of two detached dwellings with associated works including detached garaging and vehicular and pedestrian accesses to both properties. Town and Country Planning Act APPLICATION NO: 20/01592/OUT PROPOSAL: Residential development of two dwellings and revised agricultural access
(Outline application with some matters reserved)
LOCATION: Land North East of 51 High Street Ascott Under Wychwood
APPLICANT: Bloombridge LLP REGISTERED: 17th August 2021
WODC Graduate Planning Officer: james.nelson@westoxon.gov.uk
REFUSED: (PC replied)
BLOOMBRIDGE DEVELOPMENT LLP Land North East Of 53 High Street Ascott Under Wychwood
CONSULTATION
Deadline: Please send me your comments by: 30th April 2021.
APPLICATION NO: 21/00651/OUT
PROPOSAL: Outline Planning Application (with some matters reserved except access) for the demolition of existing building and construction of up to seven dwellings and new open space/Memorial Garden of approximately 0.6ha.
LOCATION: Land North East Of 53 High Street Ascott Under Wychwood
APPLICANT: Bloombridge Development LLP
REGISTERED: 5th March 2021
Planning Officer: joan.desmond@westoxon.gov.uk
NOTIFICATION OF PLANNING APPEAL
Land North East of 53 High Street Ascott under Wychwood
ORIGINAL APPLICATION No. 21/00651/OUT
APPEAL REF: APP/03125/W/21/3281901
APPEAL START DATE: 17.12.2021
Outline Planning Application (with some matters reserved except access) for the demolition of existing building and construction of up to seven dwellings and new open space/Memorial Garden of approximately 0.06ha
PCllr Leach reported that the hearing for this appeal had taken place on 15th March through a Zoom call with representatives of the developers, WODC, Parish Council and residents, following a number of lengthy legal submissions that had been supplied to the planning inspector from all parties. This was followed by a site visit on 16th at which the Inspector had taken pains to understand the location. The full set of documents should be available on the WODC planning portal.
The decision rests on a number of legal interpretations in regard to planning policy and whether WODC has behaved unreasonably in refusing the application. This is a complex case and no indication has been given as to when we may expect a decision.
8. Neighbourhood Plan
Cllr Leach reported that the steering group had met on 13th April to discuss the current status and to plan the next steps. Progress had largely stalled over the previous months due to the pressures of responding to the two concurrent planning appeals; however, work on the Flood Risk analysis was ongoing, and had commenced on the evidencing for Amenities and Flooding.
Traffic and Transport
A draft Parish Vision section had been previously circulated for comment by the group. This will be finalized and published on the website for wider feedback.
History and Heritage
The heritage section will be finalized with the addition of more modern material to bring it up to date, using the minutes from the Parish Council books held in Tiddy Hall and details from later planning applications to show the patterns of development and services.
Amenities
See APM below.
9. Matters Arising
(a) 5 Shipton Road
Cllr Leach reported that the financier and Ms Longshaw have agreed a figure and an option has been drawn up on that basis. A contract has also been drafted between the PC and Ms Longshaw to the effect that the PC will give up its claim upon the granting of the option. Pending a minor change in the text the PC is willing to sign on the basis of the decisions made in the March meeting.
(b) Road signage – Cllr Leach had retrieved an amount of discarded road signs – Ongoing
(c) OALC 2050 Consultation – Ongoing
(d) Annual Parish Meeting – please refer to Item 14 Elections
(e) Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations June 2022
This will now be celebrated by a much larger event being held on the sports field, run by the Tiddy Hall on Friday 3rd June
(f) Tree on Village Green – Ongoing
10. Risk Assessment and Ground Maintenance
PCllr Plant sent her report; the repairs to the playground equipment had now been carried out by Gerhard. Three Saturday mornings have been spent clearing the ivy – PCllr Plant recorded her thanks to Mary, Gerhard, Andrew Weaver and PCllr Sarah Russell.
11. Community Emergency Plan
Nothing to report
12. Transport
Nothing to report
13. Roads
Cllr Richards reported on the problems at the top of High Street, which is a private road and large vehicles turning. She reported on her meeting with James Wright from OCC, who is preparing an estimate/quotation to have single solid white lines painted at particular pinch points in the village to deter parking.
14. Allotments
The Clerk reported that the majority of the allotment rents had now been received.
15. Elections
Uncontested Election Notice has duly been displayed showing 4 councillors; Brian, Keith, Sarah and Sue. Unfortunately, Pauline’s completed nomination pack was not accepted because it was posted at the wrong WODC office, despite her being advised it was ok to do so. Pauline will be Co-opted at the May PC meeting
Sharon Ellison, Electoral Services Manager (WODC) has written to the 4 councillors noted above enclosing a Register of Members’ Interests. This needs to be completed, signed and returned to WODC no later than Monday 6 June 2022.
NB if your Register of Members’ Interests is not received by the date above, your seat becomes vacant with immediate effect.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Annual COUNCIL Meeting (election of Chair and Vice)
Must be held between Monday 9th and Monday 23rd May 2022 (PC meet Tuesday 10 May)
Annual PARISH Meeting (Must be held between 1 March and 1 June 2022)
The date and format were discussed. Cllr Leach proposed Tuesday 31 May in the Tiddy Hall with refreshments and to be based on “Amenities.” To have speakers, for example Cllr Leach would be happy do a talk on “finding a planning balance.” This proposal was seconded by Cllr Ravenhill and agreed unanimously.
Cllr Ravenhill asked Cllr Leach to send details to him so that an article noting the date, time, venue and brief format could be included in the next edition of The Grapevine.
16. Reports from Organisations
(a) Sports Clubs – nothing to report
(b) Village Charity – Cllr Ravenhill reported that they will no longer be supporting the Annual Run.
17. Correspondence
Email (forwarded)
OALC
Virtual meetings
Legal Update presentation
WODC
Address Management (please refer to planning)
Elaine Byles re parking and road signs in Gypsy Lane
Post
CLPG Newsletter
WODC Invoices Commercial Waste & Dog Waste Bin emptying
WODC Electoral Services re PC’s Election Process
18. Any Other Business
Cllr Russell reported on the dual bin emptying service and that some bins seemed to be overflowing and not emptied. She reported this to WODC, on Fix my Street, on one occasion and the bins were promptly emptied. However, on a 2nd occasion she was advised that WODC were not responsible, this was OCC’s responsibility. Cllr Russell agreed to monitor the situation.
There being no further business, Cllr Leach declared the meeting closed at 8.55pm
Cllr Brian Leach (Chairman)
Date: Tuesday 10 May 2022