HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY, 09 JULY 2015 at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors Kane, Hicks, Griggs, Watkins, Henderson, Casson (arrived 7.43pm), Mrs Watts (Parish Clerk), and three members of the public.
Apologies for Absence – Cllrs Wright, Matthews, County Cllr Reynolds and District Cllr Jelf.
Chairman’s Announcements: – the Chairman had nothing to report.
Declarations of Interest: there were none. Councillor Casson, arriving after 7.30pm, was asked by the Chairman to declare any interests. He had no interests to declare.
Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 11 June 2015 and Matters Arising
Cllr Hicks proposed that the minutes of the meeting on 11 June 2015 be resolved as a true and accurate record of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Griggs and passed unanimously.
Oxfordshire County Council now only cuts back roadside vegetation twice a year. This has caused visibility problems at some junctions and untidy verges elsewhere. The PC’s grass cutting contractor has carried out some additional cuts in these areas and some weed killing.
Parish Council Vacancies – Co-option: The Parish Clerk had received an application for co-option from Derek Brotherston, 40 Orchard Road, Hook Norton, OX15 5LX. Cllr Kane proposed that Mr Brotherston be co-opted as a Councillor to Hook Norton Parish Council. This was seconded by Cllr Hicks and agreed unanimously. Mr Brotherston completed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and will complete and return a Register of Members’ Interests form to the Parish Clerk within seven days. He was welcomed to the Council table. Cllr Brotherston said that he had no interests to declare.
Report of the Planning Co-Ordinator on Planning Applications – Annex 1
Ten planning / TCA applications had been received since the last meeting. There were no objections.
Cherwell District Council refused 15/00631/OUT – erection of new dwelling on land adjoining and west of The Retreat and Byeways, East End.
Cherwell District Council had granted three planning / TCA applications.
15/01062/AGN – a new straw building at Thistley Farm had been determined by Cherwell District Council without reference to the Parish Council.
To Invite Members of the Public to Comment on Planning Applications: there were no matters arising.
Reports of Working Groups
Recreation
a) Playdale have sent their quarterly inspection report of the play equipment.
Cemetery and Allotments
a) Councillors agreed unanimously that Japanese Knotweed in the cemetery must be chemically treated to prevent it spreading to neighbouring properties. Cllr Griggs will progress the matter.
Environment
a) OCC Footpath Officers have inspected the steps alongside Compass House. Although signed as such, this is not a public right of way. OCC will speak to the landowner to discuss ownership of the steps and the legal line of the public right of way.
Hook Norton War Memorial Hall
a) The 5 year electrical testing of the wiring systems has been carried out and minor issues resolved. The contractor has issued a certificate for insurance purposes.
b) Oil Tank: it is an insurance policy requirement that oil tanks are bunded and at last month’s meeting Councillors agreed in principle that a bunded tank should be purchased for the hall. One quotation had been received in the sum of £2,234.11 and a second was now to hand in the sum of £2,000. Cllr Kane proposed that the cheaper estimate be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Griggs and agreed unanimously. The Parish Clerk will take the matter forward.
c) Marks have been left on the newly painted interior walls, possibly from the use of footballs.
Hook Norton Neighbourhood Plan (HNNP) sub-Committee
a) There will be an open meeting from 10.00am – 12 noon in the church on 22 August.
b) The HNNP referendum will take place on 3 September 2015 in the Memorial Hall.
c) The Parish Council has received a grant from Groundwork UK towards the cost of the referendum.
Allotment Rents 2016/2017: Due to the low CPI rate, Cllr Hicks proposed that the allotment rents for 2016/2017 remain unchanged. This was seconded by Cllr Watkins and agreed unanimously.
Cemetery Fees 2016: Cllr Hicks proposed that a 1% increase should be applied to cemetery fees for 2016, which would equate to a £1 increase per category. This was seconded by Cllr Kane and agreed unanimously.
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 June totalling £3,752.81 for the Parish Council and £855.00 for the Memorial Hall (Annex 2). Cllr Hicks moved acceptance of the payments detailed. This was seconded by Cllr Casson and agreed unanimously.
District Council Report: no report submitted.
County Council Report: Cllr Reynolds had nothing to report.
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 no matters arising.
AOB:
a) Two drains at the bottom of The Bourne are blocked. The Parish Clerk will notify OCC Highways.
b) Requests have been made for the footpath halfway along The Bourne (opposite the Surgery) to be continued down to Claybank. The Parish Clerk will ask OCC Highways to consider the matter.
c) Cllr Griggs attended an OCC consultation on the revision of subsidised bus services. The 488 will continue with some changes (e.g. the 18.05 from Banbury to Chipping Norton will cease). The Parish Clerk was asked to respond to the on-line consultation opposing any changes to the 488 and stressing the need for rural bus services.
d) A Cllr had received a complaint about strimming in the cemetery.
Confidential Items
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 10 September 2015 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. There will be no meeting in August.
There being no further business Councillor Kane thanked everyone for attending and closed the public meeting at 8.17pm.
