HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 10 May 2012 at 8.09pm
Present: Councillors: Shepley-Cuthbert, Kane, Cooke, Hicks, Usher, Brotherston, Leader, Casson (part 8.09 – 8.13), Miller (part 8.09 – 8.13), Mrs Watts (Parish Clerk) and one member of the public.
The Parish Clerk welcomed those attending and opened the meeting as the first item on the Agenda was the election of Chairman. Cllr Miller proposed that Cllr Kane be elected as Chairman but Cllr Kane indicated that she was not willing to stand. Cllr Casson proposed that Cllr Cooke be elected as Chairman but Cllr Cooke indicated that he was not willing to stand. Cllr Brotherston proposed that Cllr Shepley-Cuthbert be elected as Chairman. Cllr Shepley-Cuthbert indicated that he was willing to stand for a further term of office. Cllr Usher seconded the proposal and this was passed by the majority. Cllrs Miller and Casson left the meeting unannounced. Cllr Shepley-Cuthbert took the Chair.
Apologies for Absence: Cllr Hayward, County Cllr Jelf and District Cllr Irvine
Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 12 April 2012 and Matters Arising
It was proposed by Cllr Usher and seconded by Cllr Hicks that the minutes of the previous meeting on 12 April 2012 be accepted as a true and accurate record and this was passed unanimously.
Declarations of Interest
Cllr Usher declared that he had been made a Director of Chipping Norton Golf Club. As a result, he could not vote on any major planning issues.
Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert declared an interest in the Stanton Engineering site planning application as he lived nearby. As a result he could not vote on the Parish Council’s decision to object/not object to the application.
Election of Vice-Chairman
Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert proposed that Cllr Kane be elected as Vice-Chairman. Cllr Kane indicated that she was willing to stand for a further term of office. Cllr Hicks seconded the proposal and this was passed unanimously.
Appointment of Working Groups
The maximum for each working group is five. Each group will elect a Chairman at its first meeting. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the PC to be non-voting ex-officio members of all groups. After discussion it was proposed that the groups for 2012-2013 be formed as follows:
- Recreation & Open Spaces Working Group: Cllrs Leader, Brotherston and Kane
- Cemetery & Allotments Working Group: Cllrs Usher and Hicks
- Environment Working Group: Cllrs Cooke, Hayward and Millar
- Memorial Hall Working Group: Cllrs Kane and Brotherston, together with Cllr Jelf and Brian Rider
- Finance Group – the Chairman together with the Chairmen of each working group.
Election of Planning Co-ordinator
Cllr Hicks indicated a willingness to stand if nobody else wished to take on the role and she was elected unanimously.
Election of Trustees to Heath Allotment Trust
The Trust administers land which is let to local farmers and distributes the income for the benefit of the parish. The role of Clerk/Treasurer within the Trust is carried out by Nigel Shields. Following the meeting, Clive Timms and Ray Gasson, whose four year term of office expired on 10 May, both agreed in writing to stand again for another term.
Report by the Planning Co-ordinator on Planning Applications Received
Cllr Hicks reported that Cherwell District Council had granted six applications, one of which the Council had objected to (HN Sports and Social Club – variation on hours of use and lighting). There were six new applications. Following the open planning meeting earlier that evening Councillors agreed to object to the Stanton Engineering site application on the following grounds: number of houses (a smaller number of properties might be acceptable); covenant needed on Plot 5 to prevent any future upward build from bungalow to house; Plot 31 to be built as single storey property or not built at all; capacity of school; additional traffic; sustainability; lack of play area.
To invite members of the public to comment on planning applications
There were no comments from the member of the public attending.
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Bench
Cllr Shepley- Cuthbert had received a letter from Mrs Jelf suggesting that the PC buy a bench for the village in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee. This was unanimously agreed in principle, providing a suitable location can be found for it. Cllrs were asked to consider the latter and come back to the June meeting with suggestions. A sum of £500 plus fixtures, fitting and a suitable plaque was unanimously approved.
Cllr Usher suggested that the PC donate a sum of money to HN Sports and Social Club to assist with the village events they are organising for the Jubilee. A sum of £100 was suggested and this was unanimously approved.
The PC had intended to light the Beacon used for the Millennium on the Queen’s Jubilee. However, Cllrs have yet to find out where it has been stored.
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 £5,572.67 for the PC and £215 for the Memorial Hall. Cllr Kane moved acceptance of the payments detailed, this was seconded by Cllr Brotherston and approved unanimously.
End of Year Accounts 2011-2012 and Internal/External Audit
The Clerk presented the audited Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 and sought formal approval. Cllr Shepley-Cuthbert moved acceptance of the accounts, this was seconded by Cllr Usher and approved unanimously. The Clerk also supplied Cllrs with the Memorial Hall accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012.
Housing Needs Survey / Affordable Housing
Cllr Cooke reported that Engage Planning had asked the Clerk for a copy of the recent Housing Needs Survey. Their request had been refused. He also reported that he will attend a meeting at Bodicote House on 6 June to discuss 1) the results of the survey and 2) how the PC can address those needs. Those attending the meeting will be Tom McCulloch (ORCC), Bob Duxbury, Kate Winstanley and Helen Tow (CDC). Cllrs unanimously agreed that they would prefer the PC to be allowed to address HN housing needs within the village rather than be dictated to by CDC.
Neighbourhood Plan
Cllr Cooke reported that he and Cllr Shepley-Cuthbert had attended a presentation by CDC at Bodicote House on 16 April. CDC had emphasised that any neighbourhood plan must be led by the PC. It became clear that plans are a massive undertaking, are very expensive to put together and can take up to 2 years to collate information. The PC would not be able to specify the number of houses on any potential site but may have an influence on the design and possible locations. A referendum must take place when the plan is complete and the plan could fall at this point. The plan is only valid for 5 years.
Cllr Cook said that a Neighbourhood Plan would only be valid if CDC’s own Local Plan is in place (not currently the case). CDC has until March 2013 to issue its Local Plan – failure will result in central government taking over.
Correspondence
- OCC – Temporary road traffic order Sibford Ferris Main Street, Mannings Hill/Gate Hangs High
- ORCC – Community Halls Newsletter April 12
- ORCC – The Playing Field Spring Edition
- Global Retreat Centre, Oxford – ‘peace in the park’ 23 & 24 June, 1-6pm
- Clerks Councils Direct – May issue
- Thames Valley Police – Banbury Neighbourhood Monthly Update May
To Invite Questions and Comments from Members of the Public
A member of the public asked whether or not the Memorial Hall purchases its oil through the HN Syndicate. Cllr Brotherston confirmed that this was the case.
Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday, 14 June 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 8.57pm
