HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ON WEDNESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2013 at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Shepley- Cuthbert, Kane, Hicks, Watkins, Brotherston, Leader, Casson, Usher, Hayward (part), Mrs Watts (Parish Clerk) and one member of the public
13/18 | Apologies for Absence – Councillor Cooke, Councillor Millar, County Councillor Jelf, District Councillor Irvine |
13/19 | Chairman’s Announcements Councillor Shepley- Cuthbert expressed concern at the number of emails being circulated during January and the content of some of them. He reminded Councillors that Parish Council emails are in the public domain. Views of the Parish Council and personal views of Councillors must be separated. This does not preclude healthy discussions between Councillors but emotions must be tempered and professionalism maintained at all times. It is not always possible for busy Councillors and the part-time Parish Clerk to reply to incoming emails by return. |
13/20 | Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 10 January 2013 and Matters Arising It was proposed by Cllr Hicks and seconded by Cllr Watkins that the minutes of the previous meeting on 10 January 2013 be accepted as a true and accurate record and this was passed unanimously. |
13/21 | Declarations of Interest – Councillor Usher declared an interest in the Bourne Lane Development and a planning application for 11 Bean Acre Road. |
13/22 13/22/1
13/22/2
| Report of the Planning Co-Ordinator on Planning Applications Received The Parish Council had received five planning/TCA applications, including two which the Parish Council objected to:
Cherwell District Council granted six applications in January:
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13/23 | To Invite Members of the Public to Comment on Planning Applications There were no comments from the member of the public attending. |
13/24 | Reports or Working Groups |
13/24/01 | Recreation
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13/24/2 | Cemetery and Allotments
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13/24/3 | Environment
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13/24/4
| Hook Norton War Memorial Hall
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13/24/5 | Neighbourhood Plan Sub-Committee
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13/25 | Report on District Council Matters – District Cllr Irvine had not submitted a report. |
13/26 | Report on County Council Matters – County Cllr Jelf had not submitted a report. |
13/27 13/27/1
| 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 £2,482.77 for the Parish Council and £182.00 for the Memorial Hall. Cllr Hicks moved acceptance of the payments detailed, this was seconded by Cllr Brotherston and approved unanimously. | ||
13/28 13/28/1 13/28/2 13/28/3 | Heath Allotment Trust Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert had contacted the Trust to ascertain what insurance cover the two farmers have who rent the land. The Trust was waiting for a reply from their tenants. The Trustees are due to meet on 19 February. The Parish Clerk reminded Councillors that the Trustees must be elected/re-elected at the March meeting. | ||
13/29 | Affordable Housing Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert reported that Cllr Cooke had been in contact with Fiona Brown at Cherwell District Council and they are now trying to finalise a traffic survey using Oxfordshire County Council Highways. This will be done in term time and will take three weeks. | ||
13/30 | Housing Register Cllr Shepley-Cuthbert reminded Councillors that people with affordable housing needs should register with Cherwell District Council without delay. It takes a number of weeks for applications to be processed; perhaps too late for Hook Norton residents to be eligible for any local properties which may become available. The Parish Clerk will put a note in the Newsletter. | ||
13/31 13/31/1
13/31/2
| The Bell Inn The owners of The Bell Inn have submitted new planning applications to Cherwell District Council (13/00100/F & 13/00101/LB). The Parish Council will respond to these applications in due course. The Parish Council is holding an open meeting at The Sun on Tuesday 19 February a 7.30pm to discuss the applications and the proposed change of business use from public house to Estate Agents (Oliver James of Oxford). The owners of The Bell Inn, their agent and Sarah Allington from Olive James Estate Agents have been invited to attend. | ||
13/32 | Appeal on the Proposed Bourne Lane Development Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert reported that Sir Tony Baldry made the points about a Five Year Land Supply as promised in the Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on 18 January. His speech can be seen online. The decision has been formally called in by the Secretary of State but there is no indication as to when his decision will be made. | ||
13/33 | Grit Bins Requests for grit bins had been received from residents in Park Road, Park Hill, Rope Way and Osney Close. Councillors agreed that the Environment Working Group should look at these areas. The Parish Clerk advised Councillors that OCC Highways Department has to agree he suitability of a site before purchase and supply, normally after a site visit. | ||
13/34 | Parking Related Issues in Sibford Road and Adjacent Roads Cllr Kane reported that she had received an email from Mr J Smith regarding inconsiderate, dangerous and illegal parking in Sibford Road and adjacent roads at school time. Mr Smith fears that such parking is going to cause a serious accident, probably involving a child. The school had issued requests in its newsletters and on the web asking parents to be more considerate when parking. The local PCSO has done a walk-by and will be reporting back to Governors soon. The school’s Health & Safety Governor has also done a walk-by. | ||
13/35 | Correspondence – The Parish Clerk had passed emailed correspondence to Councillors during the month.
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13/36 | To Invite Questions and Comments from Members of the Public There were none. |
13/37 | Date and Time of Next Meeting The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday, 14 March 2013 in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. |
There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the public meeting at 8.55 pm.