HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 8 MARCH 2012 at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Shepley- Cuthbert (Chairman), Kane (Vice-Chairman), Brotherston, Cooke, Hayward, Hicks, Leader and Millar, Mrs Watts (Parish Clerk) and eleven members of the public.
Apologies for Absence
Cllr G Usher, Cllr N Casson, County Cllr R Jelf and District Cllr V Irvine.
Chairman’s Announcements
Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert reported that Engage Planning had emailed the Clerk that afternoon to say that they would not be able to attend the meeting (item 11 on the Agenda). They would like to attend the April meeting but Cllrs unanimously agreed that the May meeting would be more appropriate.
Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 9 February 2012 and Matters Arising
It was proposed by Cllr Hicks and seconded by Cllr Kane that the minutes of the previous meeting on 9 February 2012 be accepted as a true and accurate record and this was passed unanimously.
Declarations of Interest
There were none
Report by Planning Co-ordinator on Planning Applications Received
Cllr Hayward reported that he had received a letter purporting to be from Oxfordshire County Council regarding the planning application received from N L Matthews (Banbury Plant Hire) MW00032/12, MW0034/12. The letter had a ‘cut and paste’ appearance. He had no idea who had written it or if it had been posted to other households. Cllrs unanimously agreed that the letter was suspect, that it had not originated from the Parish Council and that the Clerk should contact Oxfordshire County Council to report the Parish Council’s concerns.
To invite members of the public to comment on planning applications
There were no comments from the members of the public attending.
Reports of the Working Groups
Recreation and Open Spaces Group
Cllr Leader reported that he had nothing further to report on obtaining a quote for laying a path at the side gate entrance into the play area, signage in the play area stating that the area must not be used after dark or replacement bark. He would report back to the next meeting.
Cemetery and Allotments Group
Cllr Usher being absent, there was nothing to report.
Environment Group
Cllr Millar reported that he and Cllr Hayward met the Field Officer from Oxfordshire County Council on 12 February to discuss replacing stiles with kissing-gates. OCC will contact landowners to discuss. The work will be grant aided and there will be no cost to the Parish Council. The quarterly inspection of walls is due.
Hook Norton War Memorial Hall
Cllr Kane reported that she had arranged a User Group meeting for 22 March 2012 at 7.00pm. She had asked Shaun Daley (structural engineer) to look at cracks in the hall brickwork. The Committee had purchased a new fire blanket and one new fire extinguisher. A new first aid kit is needed. Cllr Brotherston reported that Julie Sachno (badminton) had complained about the hall floor being slippery. The wooden floor cannot be washed as this may warp it. To be discussed further at the User Group meeting
Report on District Council Matters
District Cllr Irvine being absent, there were no matters to report.
Report on County Council Matters
The Clerk reported that County Cllr Jelf had nothing to report on street lighting for Clay Bank path.
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 £2,043.33 for the Parish Council and £178.50 for the Memorial Hall. Cllr Brotherston moved acceptance of the payments detailed, this was seconded by Cllr Cooke and approved unanimously.
Signatories
Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert reported that approved signatories are now Cllrs Shepley- Cuthbert, Kane, Brotherson and Leader.
Presentation A C Lloyd Ltd
- Cllr Shepley– Cuthbert welcomed Des Wynne and David Green from A C Lloyd Ltd to the meeting. Mr Wynne and Mr Green produced preliminary site plans and artist’s impressions of the Stanton site for Cllrs and members of the public to look at. They will hold an open meeting on 22 March in the Memorial Hall from 4.00 – 8.00pm and villagers are encouraged to call in to look at the site plans and discuss any issues they may have with A C Lloyd Ltd representatives.
- A C Lloyd Ltd had contacted OCC to agree the road formation and informal footpaths. There will be no access from Austins Way.
- The site will be a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms houses, with 9 affordable houses.
- Properties at the entrance to the site will a ‘barn’ type built in stone and slate, whilst properties further in to the site will be constructed of brick and slate.
- A C Lloyd Ltd had spoken to residents neighbouring the site. Concerns raised were mainly about the row of trees between their properties and the site; they would like them felled. An aboricultural survey shows that some trees need felling whilst others need managing. Landscaping will be undertaken where trees are felled. Cllrs raised concerns about the long-term ownership of the trees and the new landscaping.
- Cllrs also raised the question of schooling, the primary school currently being over-subscribed. A C Lloyd Ltd said that OCC had estimated that the site will eventually produce 11 primary school children per yearA C Lloyd Ltd will submit a full planning application to Cherwell District Council at the end of March. If successful, they intend to start building in 2013.
- Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert invited members of the public to ask questions of Mr Wynne and Mr Green.
Land at Southrop (BBOWT)
There was nothing to report.
Proposed Bourne Lane Development
Cllr Cooke reported that he and Cllr Kane had attended a meeting on 13 February at Cherwell District Council between ‘Engage Planning Consultants’, CDC’s Portfolio Holder for Housing & Planning, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and the Planning Officer. Cllr Irvine has also been invited to attend but unfortunately had a prior engagement. Engage Planning are investing a lot of time and resources into the project. They are engaging specialists to overcome objections (e.g. objections from Highways or Education etc). Cllr Cooke had asked CDC for a copy of the minutes of the meeting but he had not received any to date.
Noted that an updated copy of Cherwell District Council’s planning policy is now available on their website.
Cllr Hayward said that some younger members of the village have interpreted the term ‘affordable housing’ as meaning houses they could afford to buy, which may not actually be the case.
Housing Needs Survey / Affordable Housing
Cllr Cook reported that the Housing Needs Survey had gone out and residents have 3 weeks to respond. Cllr Cooke will be able to quantify housing needs at the April meeting.
There are currently 22 families on CDC’s Housing Register but the District Council had refused to give Cllr Cooke any information about the connections that these 22 families have with the village. (The Stanton site will provide 9 new properties, which will reduce this waiting list)
In the meantime, the PC needs to be proactive in addressing the housing needs problem, irrespective of the District Council’s plans. Villagers owning land which they might be willing to give or sell for affordable housing are asked to contact any member of the Parish Council.
Cllr Hayward reported that the HN Low Carbon Group had applied for a £20K grant to set up a Community Land Trust (CLT). The principle of the trust would be to obtain land by purchasing it or by donation (e.g. from wealthy landowners). CLT would build ecologically sound housing on the land and then let them. Properties would be built by non-mainstream builders (e.g. volunteers, apprentices etc) and in return for this work they would earn ‘points’ towards being able to rent one of the properties when built.
Neighbourhood Plan
Cllr Cooke will be attending an OALC meeting, “Supporting Communities with Planning” on 12 March from 6.30 – 9.30pm at Exeter Hall, Kidlington.
Correspondence
- Charity Commission Winter Newsletter
- Clerks & Councils Direct – March 2012 issue
- NHS Thames Valley Primary Care Agency – determination of rurality of Chipping Norton and surrounding villages, circulated by email
- BDO Audit Briefing – Winter Edition
- TDH Group – Jubilee & Olympic Torch Preparations – circulated by email
- Oxfordshire County Council – Changes to the Blue Badge Scheme, circulated by email
- Thames Valley Police – circulated by email
- Monthly Update
- Computer Scam Warning
- Vehicle Sightings
- Theft from Vehicles
- Performing Rights Society – Licence documentation Memorial Hall 2012
- Sacha Barnes Ltd, Banbury – Landscape Architects, Arboriculture, Carbon Offset
- Bartlett Tree Experts, Beaconsfield – Arboriculture
- Cherwell District Council – Oxford Canal, Draft Conservation Area Appraisal – circulated by email
- Cherwell District Council – Press Release February 2012 – circulated by email
- Tony Baldry – The Localism Act – circulated by email
To Invite Questions and Comments from Members of the Public
Members of the public asked general questions about affordable housing, the Community Land Trust and Engage Planning.
Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday, 12 April 2012 in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the public meeting at 8.58pm
Signed ……………………………………..
Chairman Hook Norton Parish Council
Dated 12 April 2012
