HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2015 at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors Kane, Hicks, Griggs, Watkins, Wright, Matthews, Henderson (arrived 7.40pm), Mrs Watts (Parish Clerk), County Cllr Reynolds (arrived 7.35), District Cllr Jelf and one member of the public.
Apologies for Absence – there were none.
Chairman’s Announcements: – the Chairman had nothing to report.
Declarations of Interest: there were none. Councillor Henderson, 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 14 May 2015 and Matters Arising
Cllr Hicks proposed that the minutes of the meeting on 14 May 2015 be resolved as a true and accurate record of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Griggs and passed unanimously.
Parish Council Vacancies – Co-option: The Parish Clerk had placed an advertisement on the village noticeboards and on the website notifying villagers that there are vacancies on the Parish Council. She had received one application from Nicholas Casson, 2 The Bourne, Hook Norton, OX15 5PD. Cllr Kane proposed that Mr Casson be co-opted as a Councillor to Hook Norton Parish Council. This was seconded by Cllr Matthews and agreed unanimously. Mr Casson completed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and a Register of Members’ Interests form. He was warmly welcomed to the Council table. Cllr Casson said that he had no interests to declare.
Heath Allotment Trust: Councillors noted that the trustees of the Heath Allotment Trust are now Pauline Walters (Chairman), Ray Jelf (Secretary), Clive Timms, Ray Gasson and Derek Brotherston.
Report of the Planning Co-Ordinator on Planning Applications – Annex 1
Six planning / TCA applications had been received since the last meeting. There were no objections.
Cherwell District Council had granted eight planning / TCA applications.
Cherwell District Council has placed a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on an Oak tree by 4 The Sidings, Station Rd.
Mr D Stanton has sent an appeal to the Secretary of State in respect of refusal of planning permission by Cherwell District Council for demolition of existing farm buildings and erection of a new industrial building with vehicle yard and car park. Residents wanting to submit additional information (and not just copies of letters previously sent to the District Council) should send it to the Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN by 23 June 2015, quoting appeal reference APP/C3105/W/15/3011928..
To Invite Members of the Public to Comment on Planning Applications: there were no matters arising.
Reports of Working Groups
Recreation
a) The padlock on the play area gate has gone missing. A new one has been purchased.
b) Councillors thanked Cllr Matthews for removing an old bench from the play area.
c) Members of the public are encouraged to report anti-social behaviour in the play area to the Police, using telephone number 101.
Cemetery and Allotments
a) Cllr Wright has cut the grass at the side of the allotments.
b) Cllr Griggs will get a quotation for removing Japanese Knotweed from the cemetery.
Environment
a) Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) now only cuts back roadside vegetation twice a year. This is causing visibility problems at some junctions and untidy verges elsewhere. County Cllr Reynolds will ask OCC when the planned cuts are due to take place in the village this summer. Cllr Kane will ask the PC’s grass cutting contractor for a quotation for carrying out some additional cuts in these areas.
b) Councillors agreed that a contractor will deal with weeds growing in the pavement from the bus stop near St Peter’s church to Netting Street.
c) Despite reminders, OCC has not responded to the PC’s request to have the steps alongside Compass House repaired. County Cllr Reynolds will take this matter forward.
Hook Norton War Memorial Hall
a) Electrical testing of the wiring systems in the hall will take place in the next couple of weeks.
b) Oil Tanks: it is an insurance policy condition that the PC takes all reasonable precautions to prevent loss or damage and fully comply with all legal requirements and the latest Health and Safety regulations. One requirement is that oil tanks are bunded and Councillors agreed in principle that a bunded tank should be purchased for the hall. One quotation has been received in the sum of £2,234.11. Cllr Matthews will obtain a second quotation.
Neighbourhood Plan sub-Committee
a) A grant from Groundwork UK towards the cost of the referendum has been approved.
b) Cherwell District Council is unable to tell the PC when the HNNP referendum is likely to take place. District Cllr Jelf will discuss this matter with CDC’s electoral registration officers/planning with a view to speeding up the process.
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 £3,308.61 for the Parish Council and £1,511.65 for the Memorial Hall (Annex 2). Cllr Hicks moved acceptance of the payments detailed. This was seconded by Cllr Wright and agreed unanimously.
District Council Report: District Cllr Jelf had nothing to report.
County Council Report: OCC has still not approved the proposed extension to the primary school, even though the work is reportedly due to start in August 2015. County Cllr Reynolds will discuss the matter with OCC officers.
OCC is still struggling financially and it is not known where cuts might yet be made.
Correspondence
The Parish Clerk had forwarded all correspondence to Councillors during the month.
To Invite Questions and Comments from Members of the Public: there were no matters arising.
AOB: there were no matters arising.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 9 July 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.
