HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2009 AT 7.40pm FOLLOWING A PRESENTATION TO COUNCILLORS BY JON BREWIN, ARBORICULTURAL OFFICER AT CDC
Present: Councillors: Timms [Chairman], Walsham [Vice Chairman], Barnes, Brotherston, Hayward, Jelf, Leader, Millar, Riley and Stubbs, together with Mr Porter [Parish Clerk] and one member of the public present.
1. Apologies for Absence
were received from District Cllr Irvine.
2. Chairman’s Announcements
The Chairman wished those present that he had not seen in recent weeks a Happy New Year and informed the meeting that, due to other commitments, he would have to leave at 8.30 pm and he hoped that most items could be dealt with in the that time.
3. Minutes of previous meeting, 11 December 2008, and matters arising
It was proposed by Cllr Hayward, and seconded by Cllr Brotherston, that the minutes of the previous meeting be accepted as a true and accurate record and this was passed unanimously by those who were at that meeting. There were no matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
4. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Hayward declared an interest in a planning application [Item 5].
5. Report by Planning Co-ordinator on planning applications received
Cllr Walsham reported that only four applications had been received for consideration since the last meeting and the only objection related to the proposed conservatory at Cornerstones which was considered to be over-development of the site. After the Planning Meeting he had received comments from Mr Trussler about the application relating to Hare Cottage and these were passed on to the Planning Officer. At the previous meeting it was suggested that a Planning Officer should attend to explain the changes in the permitted development area but the Clerk had subsequently learned that it is planned to hold a series of meeting across the District to bring all PCs up to speed and he is in correspondence with Bob Duxbury, from CDC, about such a meeting which it is hoped will be in the Memorial Hall with representatives of neighbouring parishes also attending. Cllr Walsham also informed the meeting that Mr and Mrs Porter’s Appeal against CDC’s decision to refuse their application to develop the land adjacent to Ruabon was dismissed and one application we had not objected to, the extension at 8 Well Bank, has been refused by CDC.
6. To invite members of the public to comment on planning applications
There were no comments on this occasion.
7. Report of Working Groups
(a)Recreation & Open Spaces Group – Cllr Leader informed the meeting that he has spoken with the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment about a possible grant for the proposed planting of bushes by the wall in Watery Lane and he has obtained application forms which have to be submitted by 9 April. There are no major problems in the park with Mr Marshall continuing to carry out routine maintenance although there will be a need to look at the requirement for bark once the weather improves. The Clerk wondered whether a more permanent solution would be better and will obtain information on wet pour. However it was agreed that the ideal would be to replace equipment, possibly making the site more compact, which would aid maintenance, and members of the working group will look at Steeple Aston Play Area later in the Spring.
(b)Cemetery & Allotments – Cllr Brotherston commented that we had received a further complaint from a parishioner who had thought a grave had been vandalised when it had actually had soil laid on it by the gravedigger using surplus from a freshly dug grave to help level out the ground. The uneven nature of the ground is a problem and although we appreciate concerns of residents it was generally agreed that levelling in this way is beneficial and we would not wish to deter the practice. Cllr Brotherston has agreed to make a quarterly inspection of the Allotments with a member of the Allotment Association to ensure that all plots are being properly utilised. The Chairman wondered if the Allotment Association would now be prepared to take over the annual collection of rents and certain ideas will be discussed with their Chairman.
(c)Environment – Cllr Millar commented that a rail in the fence across the recreation area at Ironstone Hollow has disappeared. After discussion it was felt that it would be more appropriate to replace the fence with some established bushes to meld with those we put in several years ago.
(d)Hook Norton War Memorial Hall – Before Cllr Walsham began his report the Chairman thanked everyone who attended the hall one Saturday to help clean the tables chairs which now look much improved. Cllr Walsham reported that the shrubs and saplings in the garden have been cleared by Tim Burchell, the stage has been altered by Cllr Brotherston to store Hooky Players staging and the front door sensor replaced, an external tap has been fitted and the old clock has been replaced. Cllrs Brotherston and Riley have effected temporary repairs to the fire door. Bicester Roofing is coming next week to attend to the roof. Bookings remain steady and thanks were expressed to Mr Tobin for the kind donation to funds from the Market.
(e)Norman Matthews Community Hall – Cllr Jelf commented that nothing significant has happened and OCC are waiting for the new financial year before they will carry out the essential maintenance. He has informed the Church of the position.
8. Report on District Council Matters
In the absence of District Cllr Irvine there was nothing to report but the Chairman expressed concern that, due to the adverse weather, the green bins had not been emptied the previous week and, despite a notice on CDC’s website indicating that those missed would be serviced by Monday of this week, the collection had not taken place until today. It was agreed that this delay was unacceptable and the Clerk was asked to write to CDC to express our concern and send a copy to Cllr Irvine.
9. Report on County Council Matters
Cllr Jelf acknowledged the major problems experienced by residents over the past ten days of winter weather and stated that OCC had become complacent following a series of mild winters and, in common with most other counties, they had allowed salt stocks to become too low. Regulations state that bus routes and access to schools and the fire station must be kept clear but other roads were not cleared and remain treacherous. The Chairman thanked Cllr Jelf for his prompt action in ensuring that Bourne Lane would be gritted in future following an accident on that road which is much used by through traffic. He went on to add that the recent problems caused by the weather, culminating in the village being cut off on Friday of last week, make a mockery of CDC’s contention that Hook Norton is a category I village for new housing. Concern was also expressed about the general state of the roads and the number of potholes and Cllr Stubbs asked whether Highways would survey all roads for frost damage once the snow disappears as the damage caused is likely to be severe. Cllr Walsham reported that he had already had a meeting with Highways about the surface of Queen Street and they are going to carry out an assessment. After further discussion it was agreed that members of the Environment Working Group would compile a list of areas of significant damage and this will be reported to Cllr Jelf who will take the matter up directly with Highways. The Clerk was also asked to write to the Leader of OC to express our concern about the lack of attention given to the major roads serving such a large village. Finally Cllr Jelf reported that in accordance with stated aims OCC is to further reduce the rate of increase in council tax to 3.75% for the next financial year.
10. Finance/Schedule of Receipts and Payments for authorisation by the Council
Mr Porter presented the schedules of receipts and payments and sought approval to pay the cheques itemised totalling £3594.50 for the PC and £608.64 for the MH, plus a further anticipated invoice from the PC’s account for a delivery of heating oil to the Memorial Hall. He also mentioned that a cheque itemised, to Chubb Fire, is unlikely to be paid as there is now doubt that the equipment has been serviced as claimed. Cllr Jelf moved acceptance of the payments detailed and this was seconded by Cllr Riley and approved unanimously. Cllr Jelf then enquired whether the PC would be prepared to pay to have a further grit bin installed at the junction of Bell Lane and Down End at a cost of £150 + VAT. It was proposed by Cllr Barnes that the bin be bought and this was seconded by Cllr Stubbs but the motion was defeated by five votes to three with one abstention.
11. Bus Stop Outside Church House
The Chairman reminded councillors that this matter had been discussed in August when a request that the bus stop be moved closer to the church was rejected. Following representations by Mr and Mrs Lomas, who live at Church House, we agreed to reconsider our position at this meeting. As the issues were well known to councillors, who had had plenty of time to revisit the location and reconsider their views, he proposed that a vote be taken, Cllr Stubbs expressed the view that, as she was not at the August meeting, she would like to have the issues explained more fully She wanted the Clerk to formally record her concern about proceeding to a vote without reconsideration of the issues. At this point the Chairman left the meeting and Cllr Walsham took over the chair. Cllr Millar then suggested that everyone should comment if they had anything to add to the debate and Cllr Stubbs expressed the wish for a clearer understanding of the issues and Cllr Barnes commented that she could not see a reason for objecting to the move. Cllr Walsham asked councillors to vote on whether the bus stop should be moved and the consensus was that it should remain where it is by seven votes to two.
12. The Beam Scheme
Cllr Stubbs referred to a report in The Times about rural communities which have to rely on oil or bottled gas being exploited and having to pay up to one-third more for their heating. Some communities are benefiting by forming oil co-operatives to arrange for bulk buying from one supplier and the BEAM Scheme is one such arrangement which has resulted in a saving in fuel costs plus a payment from the supplier to the community, which can be used to benefit local projects. Cllr Riley reported that there are already two similar schemes in existence within the village and he will supply Cllr Stubbs with details to enable her to make further enquiries with a view to this issue possibly being reconsidered at a future meeting.
13. Middle Hill
Following a representation by John Morris to the Clerk Cllr Jelf has asked Highways to repair the damaged post at the top of Middle Hill and he has also enquired whether it would be possible to put in a hand rail which would be beneficial to older residents, particularly in icy conditions. OCC would only erect such a rail if the PC paid for it and we have asked for the likely cost so that this may be considered.
14. Correspondence
Cherwell District Council:
(i) Spring Clean 2009 – details of this year’s campaign. In the past we have asked the Guides and Brownies to carry out the work and the Clerk had been in touch with Julie Wood who has confirmed that they will be happy to do it again this year and the date has been provisionally set for Monday 20 April. Cllr Jelf proposed that a donation of £50 be made to each pack and this was seconded by Cllr Walsham and passed unanimously.
(ii) Recreation Strategy – Review of Action Plan – to circulate
(iii) Cherwell Rural Strategy – Final Proposal Draft – to be circulated
Other:
(i) West Oxfordshire Citizens Advice Bureau – request for donation – the Clerk reminded councillors that it has been the policy of HNPC to only donate to village organisations. Cllr Stubbs wondered if, with CAB claiming to have 15 new referrals from the village, it would be beneficial to make a small donation. After discussion it was felt we should not change our policy.
15. Questions and Comments from Members of the Public
Mr Tobin commented that he was pleased that the PC had decided to leave the bus stop in its present position as moving it would only increase congestion where the road narrows. Comment was also made that hedges in Swerford Road need to be cut back and the ditches should be cleared. Cllr Jelf offered to look into this matter.
16. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Thursday 12th March 2009 in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm
There being no further business Cllr Walsham closed the meeting at 9.05pm
Signed ……………………………………….
[Chairman Hook Norton Parish Council]
Dated 12th March 2009