Hook Norton Parish Council

HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2005 AT 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Williams [Chairman], Fry [Vice-Chairman], Clay, Hayward, Jelf, Millar, Swainbank, Terry, Timms, Walsham and Young, Mr Porter [Parish Clerk] and 4 members of the public.

1. Apologies For Absence

There were no apologies.

2.Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

3. Minutes of previous meeting, 13th January 2005, and matters arising

It was proposed by Cllr Fry, and seconded by Cllr Williams, that the minutes of the previous meeting be passed as a true and accurate record and this was agreed unanimously. Arising from Item 5 Cllr Timms expressed concern that he had not been notified of the planning meeting on 15th January and reminded members that it had been agreed at the meeting in August 2004 that seven days notice would be given when calling a planning meeting [3days if there is an urgent item]. Cllr Fry felt that, with most of the PC in attendance, agreement to hold a meeting over-rode the stipulation for seven days’ notice but agreed that Cllr Timms should have been informed. Cllr Jelf then proposed that the amount of notice required to hold a planning meeting be reduced from seven days to two. This was seconded by Cllr Williams and passed unanimously.

4. Declarations of Interest

None. However this issue is becoming steadily more relevant and a notice from OCC was circulated providing up-dated guidance on declaring interests.

5. Report by Planning Co-ordinator on planning applications received

Cllr Millar referred to the planning schedule, which accompanied the agenda, and reported that, at the meeting held on 15th January, the applications relating to Ramthorne Farm, Manor Farm Barn and Crooked Thatch had been discussed and there had been no objections. He has also written to Shona King at CDC about Mr Twittey’s application, which involves altering the access to the highway, to state that, if the visibility splay is not affected and the wall properly rebuilt in unmortared traditional drystone, we have no objections in principle. There is no objection to Mr Twittey’s application to insert a window in the stable tack room. During discussion on the application by Mr and Mrs Maule regarding the new property and alterations to be carried out at Haytimisa, Bourne Lane, Cllr Jelf expressed the view that this should be discussed at a planning meeting. A vote was taken and the motion was carried by 8 votes. Subsequently Cllr Millar relinquished his role as planning co-ordinator and Cllr Williams informed members that he will call a planning meeting shortly. Cllr Williams also informed the meeting that several councillors had attended a football match at Ardley to see the effect of their floodlights. He understands that the HNFC’s application for floodlights on the old pitch is now being submitted to CDC and we will await the plans, which will be discussed at a full planning meeting. Cllr Fry also reminded the meeting that the application for a two-storey extension at Conifers, Down End has been withdrawn.

6. To invite members of the public to comment on planning applications

Christopher Barry asked for an opportunity to see the plans for the work at Haytimisa.

7. Report of Committees

Recreation Committee – although there had been no committee meeting during the month Cllr Young informed the PC that broken glass had been found in the area on a couple of occasions after impromptu parties and Mr Marshall had cleared this up. Thanks were expressed to him for this work. As the committee is still one member short following the resignation of Cllr Withey it was proposed that Cllr Swainbank replace her and this was agreed.
Environment and Open Spaces Committee – Cllr Hayward referred to his report and informed the PC that he is still awaiting the tree surveyor’s report, which should be completed this week. Further information has been obtained on formal seats for the cemetery and the latest information seems to suggest that it will be necessary to spend about £400 but this will include a ground-fixing bracket. He sought approval from the PC for this expenditure and his proposal was seconded by Cllr Walsham and passed unanimously. Applications inviting tenders for the grass-cutting contract have been sent to four contractors and their responses are due by 21st February.

8.Hook Norton War Memorial Hall

Cllr Fry reported that Mr Hibberd had cleaned out the guttering and downpipe as agreed, sealing leaking joints, and had discovered that the pipe under the path was blocked and had also dealt with this. Quotes are still being obtained for the proposed kitchen extension. Cllr Jelf enquired whether the oak tree from Mr Freeman’s garden is being moved to the Memorial Hall and Cllr Fry confirmed that he had been in discussions with Nigel Matthews who hopes to carry out the work shortly.

9. Report of Finance Committee

Cllr Clay reported that there had been very little change to the budget although we had finally received an invoice from OCC for our contribution to the gates installed for traffic calming for £1500, which is £100 less than anticipated. Now that Tite Lane has been re-opened comment was made that Mr Moreton has still not returned to carry out the renovation work to the cemetery wall and further falls have occurred over the winter. The clerk will chase.

10. Schedule of Receipts and Payments for Authorisation by the Council

Mr Porter presented the attached schedules of receipts and payments for authorisation. Cllr Williams moved acceptance of the payments detailed and this was seconded by Cllr Timms and passed unanimously.

11. Norman Matthews Community Hall

Cllr Jelf reported that it is hoped to hold a meeting of the regular user groups within the next fortnight. The Out of School Club has raised some issues following a recent Ofsted Inspection and these will be discussed. Cllr Clay informed the meeting that the PC has paid for a recent delivery of oil and users will now have to repay us for all future expenditure with the exception of the annual rent of £100. It was also agreed that Cllr Clay should no longer sit on the Friends of the Library Committee as it was felt that he could have a conflict of interests as a representative of the PC on the NMCH Committee.

12.Report on District Council Matters

In the absence of Cllr Gasson there was nothing new to report

13. Report on County Council Matters

Cllr Jelf reported that there is a full council meeting is to be held on 15th February when the budget will be submitted and council tax set. Indications are that this will be an increase to the order of 4.5%.

14. Correspondence

(a)CDC – Affordable Housing – response from David Marriott following representations to use the land behind The Bourne for this purpose. There is an access problem and he will be liaising with the owners of nearby properties to try to overcome this.
(b)South East Plan – Public Consultation –consultation draft received, comments required by 15th April. Available to view on website www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/southeastplan;
(c)ORCC – Details of Best Kept Village Competition – no wish to participate;
(d)CDC – Cherwell Local Plan 2011 – work towards statutory adoption of the Plan discontinued for reasons outlined, a non-statutory Cherwell Local Plan is being drafted and should be available by the end of March 2005;
(e)OCC – Transport Networks Review – whilst there is nothing which directly affects HN it was felt that the downgrading of the A4260 to a B road between Hopcrofts Halt and the A34 junction is not justified and the clerk will write to OCC to express this view;
(f)OCC – Notice of Diversion of Bridleway 23 and Footpath 23a;
(g)CDC – Statement of Community Involvement – will be discussed at next planning meeting;
(h)Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – further guidance on Freedom of Information Act;
(i)Oxfordshire Playbus – request for donation; decision deferred pending further information;
(j)OCC – Consultation on Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan;
(k)Defra – Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2004 – papers only received by clerk on morning of meeting, copies to all councillors and this issue will be discussed at March meeting;
(l)OCC – Out of Hours Childcare – leaflet outlining support [including grants] available, copy provided to the Out of School Club by Cllr Jelf;
(m)OCC February Newsletter.

15. Questions and Comments from Members of the Public

Comment was made by a member of the public, who had missed the earlier discussion, about the recent falls in the cemetery wall. There was a discussion about future action to remedy this but it was agreed that Mr Moreton should be asked to finish the work he is contracted to do as soon as possible following which a further review may be necessary.

16. Date and Time of Next Meeting

Thursday 10th March 2005.

There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and declared the meeting closed at 8.43pm.