HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE WAR MEMORIAL HALL, HOOK NORTON ON THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2015 at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors Kane, Watkins, Hicks, Hayward, Griggs, Wright, Casson (arrived 7.35pm) Mrs Watts (Parish Clerk), County Cllr Reynolds, District Cllr Jelf and two members of the public.
Apologies for Absence – Henderson and Brotherston
Chairman’s Announcements
Doug Marshall’s funeral will take place at 11.00am on 27 February at Banbury Crematorium.
Declarations of Interest – there were none. Councillor Casson, arriving after 7.30pm, was asked by the Chairman to declare any interests. He had none to declare.
Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 8 January 2015 and Matters Arising
Cllr Hicks proposed that the minutes of the meeting on 8 January 2015 be accepted as a true and accurate record. This was seconded by Cllr Hayward and passed unanimously.
Report of the Planning Co-Ordinator on Planning Applications – Annex 1
Four planning applications were received during the January. Councillors objected to 15/00041/OUT – proposed new dwelling on land to rear of The Nook, Netting Street.
Cherwell District Council granted three planning/TCA applications.
Cherwell District Council refused two planning applications: 14/01738/OUT, outline for 48 houses on land north of Railway House, Station Rd and 14/01799/F, outline for new dwelling on land north of Byeways, East End.
To Invite Members of the Public to Comment on Planning Applications – there were no comments from the members of the public attending.
Reports of Working Groups
Recreation
a) The PC has advertised for a Parish Warden.
b) Playdale has inspected the play area. A bench needs replacing. ‘Cushion-fall’ needs to be purchased and spread under play equipment at a cost of £1,275. Cllr Hicks proposed that the replacement ‘cushion-fall’ be purchased. This was seconded by Cllr Hayward and passed unanimously. The Parish Clerk will place an order.
Cemetery and Allotments
a) Cllr Hicks said that she had received a complaint about the number of dog owners who let their animals run free in the cemetery. She proposed that notices be erected advising owners that dogs must be kept on leads at all times. This was seconded by Cllr Kane and passed unanimously.
Environment
a) A villager would like to place a Memorial bench on the triangle of land opposite The Green at Southrop. This was agreed in principle but permission must first be obtained from OCC Highways. The Parish Clerk will contact them.
b) The wall opposite the cemetery in Tite Lane has partially collapsed. The Parish Clerk will contact OCC Highways.
c) A dog bin in Tite Lane has accidentally been knocked off the wall.
d) The triangle of land at the entrance to Hollybush Road has been cleared of overgrown shrubs and trees and self-sown weed species (mainly elder). Part of the fence has been replaced.
Hook Norton War Memorial Hall
a) Wi-Fi has been installed to allow contractors to fit a system that will allow the central heating boiler to be controlled remotely. The system will be password protected.
b) Aston Woodcare has cleared the Memorial Hall garden.
c) Cllr Brotherston is chasing the quotation for replacement windows.
d) Cllr Kane proposed that the Parish Council purchase a replacement noticeboard at a cost of £800, the old one being in disrepair. This was seconded by Cllr Griggs and passed unanimously.
e) A new light switch has been installed to allow the lights to the hall to be turned on at the entrance to the hall.
f) The faulty kettle has been replaced.
Neighbourhood Plan (HNNP) Sub-Committee
a) Cllr Hicks reported that the Parish Clerk had signed a contract between the Parish Council and the appointed Examiner. No date has been given yet for the examination.
Finance/Schedule of Receipts and Payments for Authorisation by the Council
The Parish Clerk presented the schedules of receipts and payments and sought approval to pay the cheques itemised on the schedules for February totalling £3,203.39 for the Parish Council and £211.16 for the Memorial Hall (Annex 2). Cllr Hicks moved acceptance of the payments detailed. This was seconded by Cllr Wright and agreed unanimously.
Report on District Council Matters:
New Cherwell District Boundaries – at a special meeting at CDC held on 27 January, new district wards were agreed. Hook Norton will be in a revised ward consisting of Deddington, Duns Tew, Hook Norton, Fritwell, Middle Aston, Milcombe, South Newington, Barford St John and St Michael, North Aston, Somerton, Souldern, Steeple Aston and Wigginton. There was much debate and resistance from councillors, but eventually the proposals by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England were passed, with two abstentions.
Report on County Council Matters:
a) The Cabinet Member for Education has approved the primary school extension.
b) In future there will be co-operation between Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire Councils.
c) OCC’s Chief Executive is to be made redundant in June. The Leader of the Council will take on some the roles.
d) A debate has been announced on the plan for a unitary County Council. Cllr Reynolds stated that he is opposed to this due to lack of democratic representation.
Grass Cutting Contract 2015, 2016, 2017:
Three tenders had been received. Cllr Kane proposed that the Parish Council accept the tender from Aston Woodcare. This was seconded by Cllr Hayward and agreed unanimously.
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 – there were no matters arising.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 12 March 2015 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.
There being no further business Councillor Kane thanked everyone for attending and closed the public meeting at 8.01pm.
