October – 2013

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Apologies for Absence – Councillor Millar

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Chairman’s Announcements

Councillor Kane had nothing to report.

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13/155/4

Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 12 September 2013 and Matters Arising

It was proposed by Cllr Hicks and seconded by Cllr Hayward that the minutes of the previous meeting on 12 September 2013 be accepted as a true and accurate record and this was passed unanimously.

High speed broadband is now in the village.

Pulham’s school coach will park near the doctor’s surgery in future with effect 14 October.

Salt bins have been ordered for the junction of Down End/High Street and for Osney Close.

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Declarations of Interest – there were none

13/157

Vacancy for Parish Councillor – Co-option – The Clerk had placed an advertisement on the village noticeboards notifying villagers that there was a vacancy on the Parish Council following the resignation of Jonathan Leader.  She had received one application from Nathan Matthews but he had withdrawn it before the meeting.  She will re-advertise the vacancy.

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Proposed Development at Railway Farm, Station Road Mr D Stanton, Mr G Mitchell (Framptons) and their architect presented provisional details of a revised planning application for this site.  Councillors and members of the public were invited to put forward questions about the development and its effect on the area.  Councillors and members of the public will be able to comment on the revised plans when they are submitted to Cherwell District Council.

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13/159/2

Report of the Planning Co-Ordinator on Planning Applications Received

 Three planning applications/TCAs were received during the month (Annex 1).  There were no objections other than to the felling of an Ash tree at High Rock, Sibford Road, 13/00288/TCA.

 Cherwell District Council had granted five applications and refused two (Annex 1).

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To Invite Members of the Public to Comment on Planning Applications – There were no comments from the members of the public attending.

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Reports or Working Groups

13/161/1

Recreation – Cllr Kane reported:

• Cllr Kane had inspected the goal net and it does not need replacing.  An order has been place with Playdale to rectify minor faults identified during the annual inspection.

13/161/2

Cemetery and Allotments – Cllr Usher reported:

• A complaint had been received about grass cuttings being left on graves and headstones.  It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council could not afford any additional work to clear graves over and above the current maintenance contract.  It was agreed that the Parish Council should seek volunteers to join a ‘Friends of Cemetery Group’ to assist with general tidying of the area.

• The need for a green rubbish bin in the cemetery will be discussed at the next meeting.
• Most allotment holders have paid their annual rental.  Reminders will go out soon.
• Signs denoting ‘No Right of Way’ across the allotments have been erected without the permission of the Parish Council.  The signs must be removed immediately.

13/161/3

Environment – Cllr Hayward reported:

• He had sent Councillors a ‘Schedule of Tree Works’ before the meeting.  Quotations from B Acreman, D Smith and D Randall are being sought.
• The wall at the entrance to The Shearings has been repaired.
• Councillors have agreed a settlement sum with Cherwell District Council’s insurers for repairs to the wall in Watery Lane which was damaged by their refuse freighter.
• A letter from the owners of Talbot House, Queen Street had been received asking the Parish Council to a) clear undergrowth in the churchyard to allow them access to the rear of their barn and b) remove branches of a plane tree which overhang their garden.  It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council had no objection to them removing the undergrowth in the churchyard to gain access to their barn.  The recent tree survey does not recommend any work on the plane tree.  However, the owners of Talbot House have the right to remove branches overhanging their property once they have asked permission from the Parish Council and provided details of the work they propose to carry out.
• He had received a request for a concave mirror to be placed near Austin’s Way following a recent accident.  County Councillor Reynolds said that Oxfordshire County Council and the Department of Transport does not normally permit the use of concave mirrors on the highway.  The Parish Council cannot give approval for mirrors placed on private property, which may in any case be subject to planning permission.

13/161/4

Hook Norton War Memorial Hall – Cllr Kane reported:

• Oxfordshire County Council has agreed a grant of £3,794 towards the repairs to the roof.  The PC has applied for a grant from the Big Society Fund.  There is a possibility of obtaining grants from the National Lottery and TOE2.
• The oil tank level meter has been repaired.
• The Memorial Hall’s insurers have asked for a further survey of the hall to be submitted.  The Structural Engineer will inspect on 25 October.
• The remote control for the heaters has been taken.

13/161/5

Neighbourhood Plan Sub-Committee – Cllr Hicks reported:

• There have been two open meetings recently.  60 questionnaires were given out and 37 replies handed back.  43% wanted to see new developments of only less than 10 properties, or no more than 20 houses.  The most popular areas for development were Rope Way, the old KMS site and land near the doctors’ surgery.
• The Committee continues to refine policies.
• The Committee has had contact from some landowners and some meetings are still to be held.
• A Sustainability Appraisal has been sent to English Heritage, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
• The Neighbourhood Plan is due to go out to consultation 20 November.  The 6-week consultation will end on 1 January 2014.
• The original timescale has slipped marginally.
• A Funding Report must be submitted by mid-November.

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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 £6,957.49 for the Parish Council and £108.22 for the Memorial Hall.  Cllr Hicks moved acceptance of the payments detailed, this was seconded by Cllr Watkins and approved unanimously.

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Review of Cemetery Fees 2014

Cemetery Fees are reviewed annually.  Cllr Usher reported that fees are currently in line with other parishes and it was unanimously agreed that fees need not be increased in 2014
(Annex 1)

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Affordable Housing – Cllr Cooke reported:

He met with Fiona Brown from Cherwell District Council, Charlie Luxton from Hook Norton Low Carbon and Mark Longworth from Cherwell Community Land Trust on 9th October to discuss affordable housing for the village.  As a result he proposed that the Parish Council continue to work with these groups to progress affordable housing that best meets the needs of the villagers, whatever the outcome of the Bourne Lane Appeal.  This was seconded by Cllr Brotherston and carried unanimously.

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Result of the Appeal of the Bourne Lane Development – District Cllr Jelf reported:

He had met with the Council’s Leader that afternoon.  Cherwell District Council has engaged the services of a first class Queen’s Council with extensive knowledge of planning law to assist with the issues.  His report is expected next week and it is envisaged that Cherwell District Council will be largely influenced by his legal opinion.  At present there is no indication as to the outcome of his investigations.

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Local Heritage Assets – Community Right to Bid

The Parish Clerk has submitted an application to Cherwell District Council in respect of The Village Shop.  She has notified the owners.  Other applications are to follow.

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Report on District Council Matters – there was nothing to report.

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Report on County Council Matters – County Cllr Reynolds said that Oxfordshire County Council is holding budget meetings this week.

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Correspondence

The Parish Clerk had forwarded all email correspondence to Councillors during the month.

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To Invite Questions and Comments from Members of the Public

Councillors had received a number of complaints about tractors and trailers using The Bourne and Bourne Lane up until 11.00 at night.  The Clerk will write to Ray Gasson asking him to re-route his vehicles across the top of Hook Norton.

Cllr Brotherston had attended a meeting of the Heath Allotment Trust.  The Trust had received a quotation of £159 for Public Liability cover.  Cllr Kane proposed that the Parish Council pay this insurance premium.  This was seconded by Cllr Usher and unanimously agreed.