HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY, 13 APRIL 2017 at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Watkins Hicks, Matthews, Duggan, Griggs, Henderson, County Cllr Reynolds (arrived 7.40pm), Mrs Watts (Parish Clerk) and 5 members of the public (3 part)
Apologies for Absence – Cllrs Kane, Brotherston, McCall-McCowan, Wright and District Cllr Brown
Vice-Chairman’s Announcements: In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman took the chair. She had no announcements to make.
Declarations of Interest: Cllr Matthews declared an interest in planning application 17/00662/F. He left the meeting whilst this application was considered by Councillors.
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 9 March 2017 and Matters Arising
Cllr Hicks proposed that the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 9 March 2017 be resolved as a true and accurate record of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Matthews and passed unanimously.
Report of the Planning Co-Ordinator on Planning Applications – (Annex 1)
Six planning/TCA applications had been received since the last meeting. Councillors objected to 17/00560/F, erection of 1 No house at Byeways, East End.
Cherwell District Council had granted eleven applications.
Cherwell District Council made a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on a birch tree at Redlands Farmhouse, Chapel Street (TPO/12/2016).
Western Power Distribution – Electricity Network Alterations at Beanacre Cottage. No objection.
To Invite Members of the Public to Comment on Planning Applications: there were no matters arising.
Reports of Working Groups
Recreation
a) In the absence of the Chairman there was nothing to report.
Cemetery and Allotments
a) A quotation of £2.5k – £3k plus VAT has been received from a specialist firm for ridding the cemetery of Japanese Knotweed. A second quotation of £2,860 plus VAT had also been obtained. Cllr Griggs proposed that the Parish Council engage the second company to start work as soon as possible. This was seconded by Cllr Duggan and passed unanimously.
b) Invoices for allotment rents 2017-2018 were payable by 1 April 2017. One tenant has failed to pay and a reminder has been sent. This attracts a £10 administration fee.
c) Cemetery Footpath: friends of the cemetery propose to re-instate an overgrown footpath. Councillors agreed unanimously that the volunteers could go ahead with looking at a test area to ascertain viability and costs.
Environment
a) Park Farm Footpaths: residents had raised concerns over planning notices that have appeared at odd points on footpaths around Park Farm. Mr Dan Weeks from Oxfordshire County Council, and a resident of Hook Norton, explained that ‘Permissive Access Routes’ are ones which the landowner allows the public to use but, usually, with the intention that they should not become Public Rights of Way. A lengthy legal process has to be gone through to make a Permissive Access Route a Public Right of Way. Mr Weeks explained that Oxfordshire County Council has a ten year waiting list for such applications to be considered. Current Public Rights of Way are not affected by these notices. Cllr Henderson proposed that the Parish Council should not get involved with any legal argument with the landowner. This was seconded by Cllr Matthews and carried by five votes to one against.
b) A resident had cut down a large pampas grass on land owned by Oxfordshire County Council and he had asked that the Parish Council remove the debris. He was advised that the Parish Council was not responsible for clearing it away and that he should contact Oxfordshire County Council Highways Department. At the date of this meeting Councillors noted that the debris had been removed.
c) The white gates at the entrance to the village on the Bloxham Road are in disrepair. Councillor Griggs offered to repair them, estimating that the cost for materials would be £100. Cllr Duggan proposed that his offer be gratefully accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Hicks and passed unanimously.
d) A recent survey of Parish Council owned trees has identified some trees in need of early attention. Cllr Wright is discussing the report with Ben Acreman. Medium risk issues will be dealt with on a rolling programme over the next three years.
Hook Norton War Memorial Hall
a) A small leak in the ladies’ lavatory has been repaired.
b) The outside facias have been painted.
Hook Norton Neighbourhood Plan:
a) Cllr Hicks had nothing to report, other than to confirm that no-one from the village has come forward to offer to update the Neighbourhood Plan.
Finance/Schedule of Receipts and Payments for Authorisation by the Council:
The Parish Clerk presented the schedules of receipts and payments for April 2017 totalling £8,649.33 for the Parish Council (Annex 2) and £262.65 for the Memorial Hall (Annex 3). Cllr Hicks moved acceptance of the payments detailed. This was seconded by Cllr Duggan and agreed unanimously.
Report on District Council Matters. District Cllr Hugo Brown reported:
Cherwell District Council is seeking a Judicial Review into the whole consultation process being run by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group into the future of the Horton General Hospital.
Councillors sent their good wishes to Cllr Brown following serious injuries he received whilst on holiday.
Report on County Council Matters. County Cllr George Reynolds reported:
Residents facing problems with rats should contact the Environment Department at Cherwell District Council.
White lines near the Taylor Wimpey site have been painted in accordance with the original application and will not be re-positioned.
Correspondence:
The Parish Clerk had forwarded all correspondence to Councillors during the month. There were no matters outstanding.
To Invite Questions and Comments from Members of the Public:
There were none.
AOB:
Residents are urged to report potholes via the front page of the recently updated village website.
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on 11 May 2017 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.
The Annual Parish Council Meeting will be held on 11 May 2017 at 7.45pm in the Memorial Hall.
There being no further business Councillor Watkins thanked everyone for attending and closed the public meeting at 8.28pm.
