December 2012

12/161

Apologies for Absence

Cllrs Usher, Brotherston, Leader, Cooke, Casson and District Councillor Irvine.

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Chairman’s Announcements

The number of emails circulating between Cllrs is sometimes overwhelming. Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert asked Cllrs to restrict email communications to the most essential. He reminded them that emails are in the public domain and therefore should be written in a professional manor.

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12/163/1

Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 8 November 2012 and Matters Arising

It was proposed by Cllr Hicks and seconded by Cllr Watkins that the minutes of the previous meeting on 8 November 2012 be accepted as a true and accurate record and this was passed unanimously.

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Declarations of Interest – There were none.

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12/165/1

12/165/2

Report of the Planning Co-Ordinator on Planning Applications Received

During November the Parish Council received six planning/TCA applications, to be discussed at the end of the public meeting. There were no objections to five of the applications but objections to the application for The Bell Inn.

Cherwell District Council granted the following applications:

• 12/01351/F The Nook, Netting Street, single storey extension. Granted on 6 November

• 12/00286/TCA East End House, East End, tree works. Granted 7 November

• 12/01049/F 25 Ironstones Hollow, tree works. Granted 9 November. The Parish Clerk has notified Cherwell District Council, arborist and applicant that the PC objects to this decision – the trees belong to the PC & no formal request has been made by the applicant to carry out the work

• 12/00307/TCA Conifers, Down End, tree works. Granted 15 November

• 12/01295/F Yew Tree Barn, Swerford Rd, Steel frames barn. Granted 16 November

• 12/01445/F Hops Cottage, The Maltings, single storey extension. Granted 30 November

12/166

To Invite Members of the Public to Comment on Planning Applications

There were no comments from the member of the public attending.

12/167

Reports or Working Groups

12/167/1

Recreation

Cllr Kane reported:

• Playdale had submitted quotations of £135.77 for replacements parts for the play equipment and £1,236 for replacement bark. It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Clerk should accept the quotations.

• Oxford City Council had submitted a quotation of £2,999 to lay a path into the park. This was excessive and Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert agreed to source a further quotation.

12/167/2

Cemetery and Allotments

Cllr Hicks reported:

• Cllr Usher had searched a number of local councils to ascertain cemetery fees. Councillors noted that Hook Norton cemetery fees are well below the local average and therefore Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert proposed that an increase in fees as tabled would come in to effect on 1 January 2013. This was seconded by Cllr Kane and unanimously agreed. The Parish Clerk will notify local undertakers. Annex 1

• The Clerk reported that she had sent eviction notices to two allotment holders for non-payment of rent.

12/167/3

Environment

Cllr Hayward reported:

• He had obtained a second estimate for surveying PC owned trees which had come in at double the estimate from Sacha Barnes. It was unanimously agreed that Sacha Barnes should be appointed, their estimate being £1,750. The survey will be paid from the 2012/2013 budget. Remedial works highlighted by the survey will be paid for from the 2013/14 budget. There will now be a 3-year rolling programme.

• The Parish Clerk had reported blocked drains in Watery Lane and Netting Street to OCC Highways.

12/167/4

Hook Norton War Memorial Hall

Cllr Kane had nothing to report.

• The Parish Clerk reported that she had submitted the Annual Return 2012/2013 to the Charity Commission.

12/167/5

Neighbourhood Plan Sub-Committee

Cllr Hicks reported:

• A steering group meeting was held on 10 December. Guidance had been obtained to assist the group. Timescales were discussed.

• There will be a leaflet drop to all properties in February.

• A budget is needed for 2013/2014.

• Cllrs Kane and Cooke have had to step down from the sub-committee.

• Cllr Watkins offered to join the sub-committee and her offer was gratefully accepted.

• The Parish Clerk confirmed that Public Notices from Cherwell District Council have been displayed around the village and are on the web.

12/168

Report on District Council Matters

District Cllr Irvine had not submitted a report.

12/169

Report on County Council Matters

County Cllr Jelf had not submitted a report.

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12/170/1

Finance/Schedule of Receipts and Payments for Authorisation by the Council

The Clerk presented the schedules of receipts and payments and sought approval to pay the cheques itemised on the schedules totalling £3,317.56 for the Parish Council and £270.92 for the Memorial Hall. Cllr Hicks moved acceptance of the payments detailed, this was seconded by Cllr Watkins and approved unanimously.

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12/171/2

Precept and Budget 2013/2014

The Parish Clerk reported that it would be necessary to submit a request to Cherwell District Council in January for the Precept for 2013/2014.Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert referred to the budget papers that the Parish Clerk had circulated before the meeting. He proposed that the Precept for 2013/2014 remain at £52K, with any over-spend being taken from reserves. This was seconded by Cllr Kane and unanimously agreed.

The draft budget did not take into account the need for a sum for the Neighbourhood Plan or for the path leading to the play area. These items were addressed. Cllr Hayward proposed that the amended budget for 2013/2014 be adopted and this was seconded by Cllr Millar. Annex 2

12/172

Heath Allotment Trust

Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert had given details to a broker who will consider whether or not there are any alternative ways of insuring the land.

12/173

Affordable Housing

Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert read a report submitted by Cllr Cooke. There was a further site meeting 6 December, although Cllr Cooke was unable to attend. Representatives from CDC, OCC Highways and Cherwell Community Land Trust attended. Issues arising:

• The width of the access into the site needs to be addressed. It appears that CDC land my have been encroached upon by neighbouring properties.

• The rules around vision splays have been modified by the manual for streets. A week long traffic survey is needed to check that the majority of traffic is going at, or under 30mph. OCC Highways will do this for a fee; costs are being sought.

• Neighbours need to be fully involved.

• It was noted that Taylor Wimpey has included access to the site and a full site layout in their drawings submitted for the forthcoming Bourne Lane appeal.

12/174

The Bell Inn

Cllr Kane reported that planning application 12/ 01496/F has been withdrawn. The applicants will submit a revised application in the new year.

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12/175/2

Appeal on the Proposed Bourne Lane Development

The 4-day appeal is due to take place on 18 December 2012 at Bodicote House. Rob Gardner and Julia Edwards will represent the PC and they were again thanked for the hours they have put in to dealing with this matter.

The Parish Clerk was asked to contact District Cllr Irvine to emphasise the need for her to attend the Appeal to represent villagers.

12/176

Correspondence – The Parish Clerk had passed emailed correspondence to Councillors during the month.

12/177

To Invite Questions and Comments from Members of the Public – There were none.

12/178

Stanton Engineering’s Agent had contacted Cllr Kane to ask for a private meeting with the PC Chairman and Vice-Chairman to discuss the possibility of finding a new site in Hook Norton. The request was refused. However, the Agent may approach the PC via the Parish Clerk. The matter will then be discussed in open forum at a PC meeting.

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Date and Time of Next Meeting – The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday,
10 January 2013 in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.