Hook
Norton Parish Council
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Norton Parish Council |
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HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE MEMORIAL HALL
ON THURSDAY 9th AUGUST 2007 AT 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Timms [Chairman], Walsham [Vice-Chairman] Bartlett, Brotherston, Bullard, Clay, Jelf, Leader and Riley together with District Cllr Irvine, Mr Porter [Parish Clerk] and two members of the public.
1. Apologies For Absence
were received from Cllrs Hayward and Millar, who had other appointments.
2. Chairman’s Announcements
The Chairman read a letter from Ray Gasson thanking those who had been able to attend the lunch in his honour at the Sun Inn on 15th July. He informed members that PC Morris has been in touch to announce the formation of a Neighbourhood Action Group and is seeking a representative from the PC to serve on this NAG together with another well standing member of the community. Cllr Jelf offered to participate on behalf of HNPC and the clerk will advise PC Morris. Members will consider who else to approach and the other name will be notified in due course. The Chairman also thanked Dorcas Wedmore for completing the footpaths survey and responding on our behalf to the “Use Your Paths Challenge”.
3. Minutes of previous meeting, 12th July 2007, and matters arising
It was proposed by Cllr Clay, and seconded by Cllr Bullard, that the minutes of the previous meeting be accepted as a true and accurate record and this was passed unanimously.
4. Declarations of Interest
Cllrs Bartlett, Brotherston, Leader and Riley declared an interest in Item 16 but, as this is simply a report on what is happening, there was no need for them to absent themselves on this occasion.
5. Report by Planning Co-ordinator on planning applications received
Cllr Walsham reported that there had been two meetings since the July PC meeting at which a total of eleven applications had been considered, there being no objections to any of these. Of the decisions received during the month it was gratifying to note that CDC had refused the application by Noralle Ltd to develop the site adjacent to Ruabon, at East End, on the basis that it would erode the historic settlement pattern in an area that is part of the Conservation Area. He confirmed that he had written to CDC about Old Cider Mill, expressing surprise that the new information on which they had based their decision had not been the subject of an amended application, and a formal response is still awaited. The clerk also confirmed that he had written to CDC as requested about the retrospective decision to grant approval for the removal of the partition wall in Doolittle Cottage and again a response is awaited.
6. To invite members of the public to comment on planning applications
There were no comments on this occasion.
7. Report of Working Groups
1. Recreation Group – Cllr Leader reported that the area is in good order and, thus far we have not experienced any problems during the school holidays. The bark is expected to arrive next week and we anticipate receiving the annual RoSPA report within the next 2/3 weeks. Cllr Leader has arranged to meet with Dennis Mill shortly to look at the wall adjoining Watery Lane and by the footpath and provide an estimate for remedial work.
2. Environment & Open Spaces – Cllr Riley reported that the group had met with Mr Bickley at the cemetery and he will arrange for the newly grassed area in the cemetery to be cut initially at a cost of £60. Thereafter one cut a month should suffice and it was agreed to increase his payment by £50 per month to cover. The trees in the cemetery with low level branches, which have been impeding funerals, have been cut back by Ben Acreman and he was able to confirm that we have been offered a donation of £100 by a resident towards replacing the bench. Cllr Riley has also looked into the cost of a seat for The Bourne, as raised at the last meeting. This will need to be more substantial and is likely to cost in the region of £6/700. He expressed some concern, however, at the suggested location which he considers to be too close to the Surgery and not ideal for the purpose. It was felt that this issue needs further consideration and residents will be sounded out by means of an article in the next Newsletter. Cllr Riley also informed the meeting that he had received a complaint about a tree which is overhanging the garden at the rear of 14 Hollybush Road. This is land owned by OCC and the clerk will inform Highways of the need for pruning. Cllr Bartlett is obtaining quotes from Ben Acreman and David Randall for the tree work which needs to be carried out in the autumn to complete the three-year programme identified in the tree survey.
8. Hook Norton War Memorial Hall
Cllr Walsham referred to the minutes of a working group meeting held on 25th July and in accordance with recommendations therein proposed that charges for the hire of the hall be increased from 1st September to £5 per hour for regular user groups and £10 per hour for occasional hirers with the additional payment of a £100 refundable deposit. Cllr Clay informed the meeting that the charge for occasional users at the Baptist Hall remains at £5 p.h. without the need for a deposit. Cllr Brotherston seconded the proposal but Cllr Bartlett expressed some concern that the proposed deposit will kill off occasional hirers. It was felt however that this may not be a bad thing if it deters people who do not act responsibly. The proposal was passed by seven votes with one against and one abstention. Cllr Walsham then referred to the state of the grounds surrounding the hall, which have grown increasingly untidy in recent months, and proposed that Mr Marshall’s role be extended to keeping them tidy and free from rubbish and ensuring that the bins are put out for collection on a regular basis, his salary to be raised by £600 p.a. to cover. It was agreed that the area must be tidied following the kitchen work and Mr Marshall had suggested that the elders overgrowing the path at the side should also be cleared and he offered to do this. However with the tree programme being implemented it was felt that this should be done professionally. Cllr Jelf seconded the appointment of Mr Marshall in this role and the proposal was passed unanimously. Cllr Walsham mentioned that there are some other issues in connection with the work in the hall, one being the need to look at acquiring a new cooker, and he will be discussing this with one of the Brownie leaders, there being a budget set aside in the kitchen work for a replacement. He also mentioned that the present water boiler has a capacity of 60 litres using 6 kw which is far too large and costly to run. It is proposed that this be replaced with a small, possibly 8 litre, urn and that electricals should be put in place for this purpose. The Chairman felt this matter should be discussed by the MH working group but it was agreed to put power points in place to accommodate a smaller boiler. Cllr Walsham mentioned that the existing crockery is in a terrible state and needs to be replaced. This proposal was seconded by Cllr Timms and passed unanimously. Cllr Walsham also mentioned that when we vacate the Norman Matthews Hall it will be necessary to transfer PC files to the MH and we will need to acquire some new lockable filing cabinets for this purpose. The Chairman expressed the view that this is a matter for the Finance Working Group to consider and this will be dealt with at their next meeting. Whilst on this issue Cllr Jelf felt that existing records, at present in the MH kitchen, should be transferred to the archives in Oxford and the clerk will look into this.
9. Report of Finance Working
Group
Cllr Clay informed the PC that no meeting had taken place recently as everything is presently going according to plan and he needs final figures for the kitchen work at the MH and for the tree works to be able to amend the cash flow and provide more meaningful information.
10. Schedule of Receipts and Payments for authorisation by the Council
Mr Porter presented the schedules of receipts and payments and sought approval to pay cheques totalling £13539.75 for the PC and £121.90 for the Memorial Hall. Cllr Jelf moved acceptance of the payments detailed and this was seconded by Cllr Leader and passed unanimously.
11. Norman Matthews Community Hall
Cllr Jelf informed the meeting that he and Cllr Walsham had met with the agents for OCC and representatives of the church and library and everything had progressed satisfactorily until the lady from the library expressed concern about noise. However this should not affect the assignment of the lease.
12. Report on District Council Matters
District Cllr Irvine had nothing new to add to the written report which she provided at the last meeting and there were no questions on this occasion.
13. Report on County Council Matters
Cllr Jelf had nothing new to report but asked that gratitude be expressed to all members of the emergency services and Oxfordshire Highways for their incredible efforts during the recent flooding in the county.
14. Parking in Sibford Road
Following on from the discussion on this issue last month there was further debate on how the PC should contact parents to ask them to park more responsibly. It was eventually agreed that the Chairman will draft a note to be sent out in one of the first bulletins of the next term which the school distributes to parents by email or in hard copy. Cllr Brotherston asked what our aim was in this respect and it was generally felt that our concern for the safety of children is the guiding principle but we have no powers other than to continue to draw this matter to everyone’s attention. OCC is the authority in charge and while they are to improve the road layout in the near future their stance is that parents should not drive children to school; they should either walk or cycle. It was felt that police presence might improve the situation and it was agreed to ask PC Morris to visit early in the new term and meet with representatives of the parish council to have a look at the problem. Cllr Jelf pointed out that this is an issue which can be brought to the attention of the Neighbourhood Action Groups.
15. Farm Vehicles Using The Bourne
Cllr Bullard expressed concern at the number of farm vehicles using The Bourne and Bourne Lane which can be intimidating, particularly if there are two passing and using the whole of the road. Previously it had been agreed that a one-way system would be operated by farmers to prevent such occurrences and the Chairman agreed to speak with those concerned to remind them of the arrangement.
16. Sports & Social Club Project
Cllr Riley reported that the new clubhouse construction should start in mid-September, with estimated completion Spring 2008, and that the new pitch, hard standing to the existing pitch, floodlighting and spectator accommodation is in progress with the existing overhead power lines diverted underground on 24th August.
17. Heath Allotment Trust
Cllr Clay, in his role as clerk to the trustees, reported that several people have expressed an interest in becoming trustees. However Pauline Walters has indicated that she will remain a trustee until such time as she leaves the village. It was therefore proposed that Nigel Shields should be elected to replace Bill Young and that thanks should go to those others interested and they should be told that further vacancies are likely to arise in the near future when they will be contacted again.
18. Correspondence
(i) CDC – Annual Performance Report – copies provided;
(ii) OCC – Town and Parish Council Liaison Event – details of event to be held at Warriner School, Banbury, on 13 September – Cllr Jelf will attend on behalf of HNPC;
(iii) Tony Baldry – Flooding – if members of the PC or parishioners have issues following the flooding contact Mr Baldry;
(iv). CDC – Concessionary Travel Scheme – preliminary information about new national travel scheme with copy of letter which will be sent to qualifying residents;
(vi) CDC – Briefing on Development Control – briefing to be held at Bodicote House 25 September;
(vii) CDC – Standards Bulletin and Annual report;
(viii) ORCC, James Alcock – Affordable Housing – letter from Mr Alcock informing us that he is moving to a new job with brief report on county and local progress;
(ix) Adams Hendry – CDC LDF Parish Council Event – 4th September, Courtyard Youth Arts Centre, Bicester;
(x) OCC Newsletters July and August.
18. Questions and Comments from Members of the Public
Dorcas Wedmore thanked the PC for arranging for the area of grass opposite 63-73 Rectory Road to be cut more regularly.
19. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 13th September 2007 at 7.30pm, in the Memorial Hall.There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and declared the public meeting closed at 8.53pm.