Hook Norton Parish Council

HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 13th JANUARY 2005 AT 8.30pm FOLLOWING A PRESENTATION BY MIKE BUXTON AND SHONA KING OF CDC PLANNING DEPARTMENT

Present:

Councillors: Williams [Chairman], Fry [Vice-Chairman], Clay, Hayward, Jelf, Millar, Swainbank, Terry, Walsham and Young, Mr Porter [Parish Clerk] and two members of the public.

1 Apologies For Absence

Were received from Cllrs Timms and District Councillor Gasson who both had business commitments.

2 Chairman’s Announcements

Cllr Williams called for a minute’s silence in memory of former parish clerk, John Stratford, who had served the parish council for 25 years. There were no other announcements.

3 Minutes of previous meeting, 9th December 2004, and matters arising

It was proposed by Cllr Fry and seconded by Cllr Jelf that the minutes of the previous meeting be passed as a true and accurate record and this was agreed unanimously. Arising from Matters Arising at the previous meeting Cllr Jelf was able to inform the PC that OCC are to carry out temporary repairs to the footpath in Mobbs Lane by the end of January with full repairs to be concluded when the contractors leave the site at Holly House. Cllr Walsham queried whether the clerk had received any response from OCC regarding the No Entry sign in Queen Street and Mr Porter reported that he had received an acknowledgement but nothing further at this stage.

4 Declarations of Interest

None

5 Report by Planning Co-ordinator on planning applications received

Cllr Millar presented the planning schedule, which accompanied the agenda, and reported that he had dealt with two applications that had been straightforward, relating to the erection of the sports wall at the Sports and Social Club and tree work at Cornerways, Down End. A formal planning meeting to discuss outstanding applications will be held on 15th January.
(i) Dry Stone Walls this topic had been dealt with in the presentation by Mike Buxton and Shona King and Cllr Millar agreed to provide a brief resumé for the Newsletter.

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

There were no additional comments from those members of the public present.

7 Report of Finance Committee and Setting of Precept

Cllr Clay had issued his report prior to the meeting, which is attached. The main purpose of the discussion, however, was to agree the Precept figure for the next financial year. Cllr Clay commented on some differences from the initial draft budget presented at the December meeting. However, despite some “unknowns”, it appeared that it would be possible to seek a reduction for the financial year 2005/6 and he initially suggested applying for a figure of £35,000, £1500 less than for the current year. After some discussion Cllr Jelf suggested that it might be possible to reduce the budget for projects by a further £500 creating a need for a Precept of £34,500, a reduction of 5% on the current year. Cllr Young expressed some concern at such a significant reduction but, after discussion, the proposal was seconded by Cllr Millar and passed by 6 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions. The clerk will accordingly apply for a budget of £34,500.

8 Schedule of Receipts and Payments for Authorisation by the Council

Mr Porter presented the attached schedules of receipts and payments for authorisation and reported that that there had been one additional bill since the agendas had been issued, a payment to npower in respect of the Norman Matthews Community Hall, increasing PC expenditure to £2640.87. Cllr Williams moved acceptance of the payments detailed and this was seconded by Cllr Hayward and passed unanimously. Cllr Fry drew attention to the record numbers using the shoppers’ buses in the weeks prior to Christmas.

9 Local Authorities (Members Allowances) Regulations 2003

This matter had previously been discussed by the PC in December 2003 at which time councillors rejected the payment of basic allowances and resolved to pay travelling and subsistence allowances in accordance with the recommendations contained in the report by the Parish Remuneration Panel. Cllr Williams proposed that the parish council reaffirmed this decision for the coming year and this was seconded by Cllr Millar and passed unanimously.

10 Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

The clerk sought clarification from Cllr Jelf on how this matter should be dealt with initially and it was agreed to canvass parishioners to ascertain the level of interest in extending schemes throughout the village and seek people willing to organise local groups. A note will be placed in the February Newsletter inviting those interested to contact the clerk.

11 South East Plan Public Consultation

The clerk reported that he has received an initial letter from the South East Regional Assembly advising that public consultation on the initial draft of the Plan is scheduled for the period 24 January to 15 April 2005. Unfortunately the information pack will not be available until late January and leaflets will then be delivered to all homes in the village. Those with views on the Plan are urged to respond in due course. In connection with South East control schemes Cllr Jelf reported that it seems likely that, despite overwhelming opposition, the plan to set up a South East Regional Control Centre for fire brigade call-outs is likely to go ahead.

12 Correspondence

(a)CDC – Countryside Forum to be held on 25 January;
(b)OCC – Database for Services for the Elderly – it would appear that our previous return has been “mislaid” and details of local groups should be given to the clerk but the permission of contacts should now be obtained to comply with the Data Protection Act;
(c)Hook Norton Sports & Social Club – letter from Mr Barlow clarifying certain matters;
(d)CDC – Annual Parish Liaison Meeting – notes of meeting held on 4 November;
(e)OCC Newsletters for December and January, the latter highlighting the desperate need for volunteers to become retained firefighters throughout the county (and including Hook Norton);
(f)ORCC Newsletter containing brief report from James Alcock, the Rural Housing Enabler;
(g)Cherwell Vale Primary Care Trust – Newsletter December 2004.

13 Questions and Comments from Members of the Public

There were no questions from the public on this occasion.

14 Date and Time of Next Meeting

Thursday 10th February 2005 at 7.30pm