Hook Norton Parish Council

HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2008 AT 7.30pm

Present: Councillors: Timms [Chairman], Bartlett, Brotherston, Clay, Hayward, Jelf, Leader and Riley together with District Cllr Victoria Irvine, Mr Porter [Parish Clerk] and one member of the public.

1. Apologies For Absence

were received from Cllrs Walsham and Millar [both on holiday].

2.Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman had no announcements to make on this occasion.

3. Minutes of previous meeting, 17th January 2008, and matters arising

It was proposed by Cllr Riley, and seconded by Cllr Hayward, that the minutes of the previous meeting be accepted as a true and accurate record and this was passed unanimously. Cllr Hayward enquired whether the clerk had received a response from Charter Housing regarding the hedge between Osney Close and the Baptist cemetery which appears to have been chopped back in a most unprofessional manner. The clerk responded that he had not written as yet, as he not had a chance to look at the damage, but he would follow this up.

4. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations on this occasion.

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

In the absence of Cllr Walsham Cllr Jelf reported that there had been one planning meeting since the January PC meeting at which a total of nine applications had been considered [those shown as Not reported on Schedule attached]. Of these there had been no objections to all but one, the exception being the application by the Football Club to allow the floodlights to be switched on 45 minutes before kick-off. This had been discussed at the planning meeting but there had been differing views and it was felt that it should be discussed by the whole of the parish council. The Chairman reported that he had received a letter from four residents stating that the Football Club was already ignoring the terms of the original consent and the lights were being switched on 45 minutes before the start of play. It was felt that this was being used for training time which was specifically ruled against in the original consent. Cllr Brotherston felt there were two issues, the breach of existing consent, and the current application. The Chairman reminded members that CDC had originally refused consent for the lights and, on appeal, and they were only granted on resubmission subject to fairly strict conditions. Cllr Clay told the meeting that he had always favoured the floodlights but believed residents had been misled. After discussion councillors voted 6/2 in favour of objecting to the application.

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

There were no comments on this occasion.

7. Report of Working Groups

(a)Recreation Group – Cllr Leader informed the meeting that he had met with Dennis Mill in Watery Lane and he will be submitting a quote for the repair to the wall. However the wall at the bottom is in a poor state and to repair this will potentially cost quite a lot of money. Mr Mill will submit another quote for the work but it is felt that it might be better to simply let it fall and replace with fencing. There has been some minor vandalism in the Play Area but Mr Marshall has been able to effect repairs.
(b)Environment & Open Spaces – Cllr Brotherston reported that he had not yet had an opportunity to look at the strip of land which Mr Irvine had offered for allotments but he will endeavour to do so shortly. Cllr Hayward reported that he and Cllr Riley had attended a meeting arranged by Tim Lunel to discuss environmental issues and were able to report to that meeting that the PC had made one positive resolution by agreeing that members should walk to meetings. There was a wide ranging discussion including a desire to encourage the use of energy saving light bulbs, and hopefully it may be possible to obtain a supply of inexpensive or even free fittings, the use of bio-diesel and even a wind turbine. The group was clearly enthusiastic and the PC will endeavour to support where possible.

8. Hook Norton War Memorial Hall

In the absence of Cllr Walsham Cllr Brotherston reported that he believed that Hooky Players had found an alternative store for their equipment and they probably will not wish to use the area beneath the stage, although this has yet to be confirmed with Brian Rider.

9. Report of Finance Working Group

Cllr Clay asked the chairmen of the working groups to review the budget and ascertain what needs to be spent in the present financial year as there are only some six weeks remaining.

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

Mr Porter presented the schedules of receipts and payments and informed councillors that he has drawn one further cheque on the PC account in favour of Acremans Arboriculture for £1439.38 for tree work. On the MH account he clarified the payment to G Boyce as £117 and also sought approval to pay an additional cheque for £37.06 to the village shop for the supply of cleaning materials. Accordingly he sought approval to pay cheques totalling £2988.85 for the PC and £227.71 for the Memorial Hall. Cllr Jelf moved acceptance of the payments detailed and this was seconded by Cllr Riley and passed unanimously.

11. Norman Matthews Community Hall

Cllr Jelf informed the meeting that progress is slow and he is still waiting to hear from Mouchel Parkman about the long-term lease. The Chairman enquired whether the church and the library have been invoiced for the ongoing expenses as agreed and the clerk reported that he has just arranged for the boiler to be serviced, following which the invoices will be submitted.

12. Report on District Council Matters

District Cllr Irvine reported that most local post offices are to remain open although that at Great Rollright is scheduled to close.

13. Report on County Council Matters

Cllr Jelf reported that the county budget has been set with the rate of increase in the council tax reduced to 3.875% as forecast.

14. Local Authorities (Members Allowances – Parish Allowances Scheme

This matter had been discussed at the previous meeting and the clerk had been asked to contact the Democratic Services Officer at CDC to clarify what allowances can be paid, and specifically if this would cover child minding fees. He reported that, while such expenses can be claimed at district level and upwards, they cannot be claimed by parish councillors. There followed a discussion on whether councillors should agree to pay the basic allowance but not claim it. Thereafter Cllr Timms proposed that councillors should reject payment of the basic allowance and resolve to pay travelling and subsistence allowances in accordance with the recommendations contained in the report by the Parish Remuneration Panel. Cllr Jelf seconded and the motion was passed unanimously.

15. Correspondence

Cherwell District Council:
(i) Recreation Strategy for Cherwell: 2008/9 Action Planning Workshop - invitation to attend workshop at Banbury Cricket Club on 20 February;
(ii) Community Hall, Recreation & Sports Facilities Grants 2008/9 – details of how to make applications;
(iii) Spring Clean 2008 – from 14 March to 14 April, sacks, gloves etc. available from CDC – the guides and brownies have been asked if they wish to participate as in previous years.
Oxfordshire County Council:
(i) Oxfordshire Public Transport Guide
Other:
(i) Audit Commission – notification that Commission intends to re-appoint BDO Stoy Hayward as external auditor for a period of five years wef 2007/8 Accounts
(ii) Gwen Whitehead – letter about hedge between The Shearings and D’Oily Close – this matter has been taken up with Charter Community Housing who say that the hedge is the responsibility of the homeowners. The clerk will inform Mrs Whitehead.

16. Questions and Comments from Members of the Public

There were no questions on this occasion.

17. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 13th March 2008 at 7.30pm, in the Memorial Hall.

The Chairman reminded councillors that there was a confidential matter to discuss and thanked members of the public for attending before formally declaring the meeting closed at 8.37pm.