Hook Norton Parish Council

HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE NORMAN MATTHEWS MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 17th JANUARY 2008 AT 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Timms [Chairman], Brotherston, Clay, Hayward, Jelf, Leader, Millar and Riley together with District Cllr Victoria Irvine and Mr Porter [Parish Clerk].

1. Apologies For Absence

were received from Cllrs Walsham [holiday] and Bartlett.

2.Chairmans Announcements

The Chairman informed members that we have had an offer from Angus Irvine of a strip of land which it is not practical for him to farm but which he felt might provide several allotments. He would be happy to provide this for a peppercorn rent. Cllr Riley commented that he had seen the land in question and felt that it might accommodate up to six plots, although these would probably be somewhat smaller than those at Burycroft Road. Cllr Millar felt there might be merit in taking the strip and paying the rent even if the land is not to be utilised at present. The Chairman asked Cllr Brotherston, as chair of the Environment working group, to have a look at the land and consider whether it would be viable to take it on and report back to the next meeting.

3. Minutes of previous meeting, 20th December 2007, 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. The clerk reported that he is still awaiting advice from OALC regarding the application by Mr Luxton to dig a trench across the common land at Southrop to accommodate an oil pipe linking to a tank in his outbuildings.

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 the Chairman referred to his report which the clerk had circulated. There have been no planning meetings since the December PC meeting. However one application was received which was reviewed by email by councillors as it related to an application already approved for Corner Cottage, High Street. The application to fell a silver birch at Mulberry Cottage, Ashburton Lane, to which the PC did object, was granted by CDC, who inform us that the tree is growing in an inappropriate place, is not readily visible and therefore does not benefit the public. As such no TPO can be placed on the tree and therefore no condition can be placed requiring the householder to replace the tree. Similarly with the application to fell the Norway spruce at Beanacre Cottage; the PC did not object to the application but suggested that a similar replacement was planted in an agreed location. Again the location does not warrant a TPO. However the clerk has been in dialogue with the householder who is to replace the spruce with a flowering cherry or something similar. The Chairman referred to an email we had received from Louise Hamilton of OCC Highways, regarding an application by the Post Office for direction signs. She proposed a double sided sign on the lamp post near the Mobbs Lane/Chapel Street junction and another at the junction of Mobbs Lane and Queen Street but, before proceeding, she wanted to know the views of the PC. Cllr Walsham had expressed concern that, if other local POs are to close, this could create even more difficulties with parking in the village. As Louise is away until 18 February it was agreed to consider the request and decide at the next PC meeting. The Chairman also referred to two letters from CDC about the LDF, one with details of future meetings and one enquiring whether we wish to continue to be involved in the ongoing process and it was agreed that we do.

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 little to report; there has been a bit of minor vandalism but Mr Marshall is keeping an eye on things. The one area of concern is the fence in Watery Lane. The Chairman expressed concern that this is deteriorating and felt that a professional builder should be asked to look at it and quote for a repair before the damage escalates. Cllr Leader will discuss the matter with Mr Mill.
(b)Environment & Open Spaces Cllr Brotherston, having just taken over as Chairman of this group, had nothing to report as yet. The Chairman mentioned that one of the litterbins near The Butts is badly rusted and asked if he would look at this. Cllr Hayward mentioned the hedge between Osney Close and the Baptist cemetery which appears to have chopped back in a most unprofessional manner. It is believed that this belongs to Charter Housing and the clerk was asked to write to them for their proposals to reinstate.

8. Hook Norton War Memorial Hall

In the absence of Cllr Walsham the Chairman referred to the minutes of the working group meeting that had taken place the previous evening and commented that the hall and its surroundings are looking tidier than they have done for some time. One matter requiring attention is the leak of rainwater in the new kitchen and Mr Rose has been informed and will contact Cllr Brotherston at the weekend. A further group meeting will be held on 12th March on Cllr Walshams return.

9. Report of Finance Working Group

Cllr Clay informed the meeting that the Finance group had held several meetings to finalise a budget for the next financial year preparatory to deciding upon next years precept. Originally it had been hoped that we would not have to increase the precept but, after a great deal of thought, it was decided to recommend an increase of 1500, a little under 4%. Cllr Clay therefore proposed that HNPC applied for a precept of 46500 for the year 2008/9 and this was seconded by Cllr Jelf and passed unanimously. The Chairman formally thanked Cllr Clay for the considerable efforts he had put in to finalise the budget.

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 in favour of Thames Water for 18.31 for water supply to the Norman Matthews Hall in the past quarter. Accordingly he sought approval to pay cheques totalling 1270.57 for the PC and 194.04 for the Memorial Hall. Cllr Jelf moved acceptance of the payments detailed and this was seconded by Cllr Millar and passed unanimously.

11. Norman Matthews Community Hall

Cllr Jelf informed the meeting that Mouchel Parkman, on behalf of OCC, has indicated that a long-term lease [15 years] will be available, at a peppercorn rent, which it is anticipated could be put in place within the next few months for consideration by the PC. In the interim Adrian Reeve, of Haysham Ltd, has carried out a preliminary inspection of the wiring in the hall and it appears there is little of concern. We have since learned that Mouchel Parkman have instructed their contractors, Darke & Taylor, to carry out the periodic inspection within the next month or so and we will therefore await their report before deciding upon any remedial work. The clerk reported that he has just arranged for a further delivery of oil and he will invoice the church and the library for the ongoing expenses as agreed.

12. Report on District Council Matters

District Cllr Irvine reported that she is seconding a motion at the next Council meeting valuing the contribution of local post offices to rural communities and wished to be specific about Hook Norton in her address. After some discussion the Chairman summarised by stating that is the strong wish of the community that the post office in Hook Norton should remain open.

13. Report on County Council Matters

Cllr Jelf reported that it is likely that the rate of increase in the council tax will be reduced to 3.875% despite severe cuts in the money from central government.

14.Local Authorities (Members Allowances Parish Allowances Scheme

This matter is discussed annually and previously 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 Millar wondered whether non-payment of an allowance might deter certain people from offering their time to the PC and Cllr Hayward mentioned that he was aware that one individual had felt unable to serve as she would have had to pay child minder fees while attending meetings. It was therefore agreed to defer further discussion on this issue until the clerk had time to clarify with the Democratic Services Officer at CDC on what allowances can be paid.

15. Street Lighting in Hollybush/Ironstone Hollow

Cllr Leader informed the meeting that he has received a number of comments about a perceived inadequacy of lighting in the area at the bottom of Hollybush and over the Green at Ironstone Hollow. The Chairman responded to say that this is an issue which has been discussed in the past and the PC, after consideration, decided that it did not want to add to light pollution and there is also a significant cost in providing any additional lights. However he asked the E & OS working group to review the situation.

16. Correspondence

Cherwell District Council:
(i) Cherwell Playing Pitch & Green Spaces Strategies invitation to attend workshop at Bodicote House on 26 January;
(ii) Cherwell Countryside Forum Biodiversity & the NERC Act Duty invitation to attend the Forum on 6 February;
(iii) Cherwell Seniors Group Newsletter;
(iv) Notice of Meeting of the Standards Committee 24 Jan at Bodicote House
Oxfordshire County Council:
(i) Home2School Newsletter Travel Plans, concern about parking [Personal School Advisor], Chipping Norton walking bus scheme;
OALC/ORCC:
(i) ORCC Changes to the Post Office Network in Oxfordshire closures will be announced on 5 February and a meeting has been arranged with representatives of Post Office Ltd and Postwatch at The Holt Hotel on 14 February for representatives of those parishes directly affected;
Other:
(i) Oxford Citizens Housing Association Affordable Housing Scheme at Bletchingdon date of formal opening put back to 25 February.

17. Questions and Comments from Members of the Public

There were no questions on this occasion.

18. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 14th February 2008 at 7.30pm, in the Memorial Hall.

There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and formally declared the meeting closed at 8.22pm.