Hook Norton Parish Council

NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE MEMORIAL
HALL ON THURSDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2003 AT 7.30pm

Present: Councillors: Williams [Chairman], Clay, Fry, Hayward, Jelf [County Councillor], Millar, Terry, Withey and Young, Mr Porter [Parish Clerk] and three members of the public.

1 Apologies For Absence

Were received from District Councillor Gasson.

2 Chairman’s Announcements

Cllr Williams announced with regret the resignations from the Parish Council of Councillors Cooke and Housby and expressed thanks on behalf of the council for the work they had done, particularly with regard to the Play Area.

3 Minutes of previous meeting, 2nd October 2003, and matters arising

Cllr Hayward felt there was a need to make clear in the minutes who is responsible for actioning decisions and this was agreed. The minutes of the previous meeting were then agreed as a true and accurate record, proposed by Cllr Hayward, seconded by Cllr Withey, and passed unanimously.

4. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Fry informed the meeting that he would absent himself during the discussion on Ironstone Hollow [Item 13].

5 Report by Planning Co-ordinator on planning applications received

Cllr Millar referred to new applications received since the last meeting: the siting of a TV satellite dish at Stone Wheel Cottage, the erection of a timber tennis hut at the Sports & Social Club and a two storey side extension at Wychford Lodge. All of these met with no objections, although a small question about the rebuilding materials to be used was raised on an application for a two-storey rear extension at The Cottage, Bell Hill. The application to construct a track from Grounds Farm to Swerford Road has been approved by CDC and, as the Parish Council had been unanimous in its objection, it was felt appropriate that Cllr Millar write to CDC expressing our concern at this decision, with a copy to be sent to District Cllr Gasson. Of the current applications the following were all approved with no objections: the demolition of porch and single storey extension, to be replaced by new porch and single-storey extension, at Highgrove Cottage; the demolition of a conservatory and erection of single storey extension at Fair Acres; the felling of two Lawson trees at South Hill View; the felling of a Laburnum tree at Bridge Hill Cottage and the felling of an Elm tree and other tree works at the Brewery. There were three applications received relating to Hook Norton Manor and there were no objections to the re-glazing of windows or re-location of one of the windows in the South elevation. There were, however objections to a proposed new balustrade.

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

There were no comments from the members of the public on the applications.

7 Report of Committees

Finance Committee – Cllr Clay referred to his report submitted prior to the meeting. There has been no unbudgeted expenditure during the month and the grass cutting grant of £1560.08 has been received. Cllr Jelf enquired about a donation to the Royal British Legion and Cllr Clay reminded the council that it had been agreed last year to make an annual donation of £50. The clerk was asked to do this and also enquire why last year’s cheque had not been presented.
Recreation Committee – Cllr Williams referred to a report, which had been submitted by Cllr Cooke, confirming that Trevor Stewart had now completed his repair works in the Play Area. An outstanding invoice to Hags has now been paid and the clerk has written to CDC asking for additional wheelie bins. There had been some confusion over the advertising for a new Recreation Warden but notices were eventually put up and two applicants have come forward. Cllr Hayward stated that he had heard that a firm had been asked to provide quotes for play equipment in two other sites in the village. Cllr Williams assured the council that this was something, which had been discussed approximately two years before as a possibility and subsequently dismissed..

Environment and Open Spaces Committee
Cllr Hayward reported that Mr Bickley had now provided a quote for continuing the grass cutting in the village for a further year at £8263 p.a. His existing contract expires at the end of the year but it is within the power of the parish council to extend for a further year and it has been possible to negotiate some changes in the cutting regime so the price quoted represents a reduction of almost £400. On this basis he recommended that Mr Bickley’s contract be extended for a further year, this was seconded by Cllr Jelf and passed unanimously. The clerk reported that he had written to Trinders to repair the three storm damaged graves. Cllr Hayward also reported that CDC still have a shortage of full size blue wheelie bins and there is no indication when they will next have any of the smaller size.

8 Schedule of Receipts and Payments for Authorisation by the Council

Mr Porter presented the attached schedules of receipts and payments and asked councillors to approve with the addition of the payment of £50 to the Royal British Legion as recorded in the Finance Committee minutes above. Proposed by Cllr Jelf, seconded by Cllr Withey, and passed unanimously. He also sought approval for the Statement of Assurance required by the auditors when submitting the Annual Return. This was read to councillors and Cllr Withey moved acceptance, seconded by Cllr Jelf, and this was also approved unanimously.

9 Hook Norton War Memorial Hall

Cllr Fry presented the minutes of a meeting held on 21 October and reported that Hooky Players are making further enquiries about stage curtains and that a new Brownie pack has been formed which will start using the Hall from January. Following the successful production of Big Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which had been so well supported by parents and children, he recommended that a donation of £50 should be made to the Friends of the School. This was seconded by Cllr Withey and approved unanimously. As agreed at the previous meeting Cllr Fry submitted a draft survey form to be issued to villagers with the Newsletter canvassing views on the future of the Hall. After discussion it was agreed to have the form printed with some amendments, villagers being asked whether they want the Hall to be a) maintained as it is; b) refurbished; c) replaced on the same site; d) demolished and rebuilt elsewhere. Cllr Fry then informed the council of the quotes he had obtained for the printing of the survey form. KMS were not interested in the work; Kall Kwik quoted £44 plus VAT and an extra charge for folding, while Prontaprint quoted £28 plus VAT inclusive of folding. It was recommended by Cllr Young, seconded by Cllr Withey that the work be given to Prontaprint and this was passed unanimously.

10 Norman Matthews Community Hall

Cllr Jelf reported that it had been necessary to postpone the last meeting. However further thought had been given to the launch of the appeal for funds to buy equipment and it was felt sensible to delay until the doorway to the library has been opened up and the dividers put in place. The contractor intends to carry out the work in the week commencing 12th January 2004 and it is intended that the launch will take place about a fortnight after completion.

11 Report on District Council Matters

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

12 Report on County Council Matters

Cllr Jelf stated that there was nothing of significance to report this month.

13 Ironstone Hollow Landscape Barrier

Cllr Fry absented himself. Cllr Clay proposed that a member of the public, Jon Thompson, be allowed to address the PC on this issue and this was agreed. Reference was made to a new valuation prepared for the residents by Tayler & Fletcher, which valued the land in question behind numbers 14 – 17 at only £5000. Cllr Hayward referred to an observation therein that “the land can never be used as traditional domestic garden” and Mr Thompson explained that this referred to the terms of the planning permission granted by CDC. Mr Thompson explained that the reason for the disparity between the two valuations is that Tayler & Fletcher had applied what is known as “marriage value” which splits the benefit between buyer and seller and that Ankers had not taken account of the costs involved. The PC feel the valuation is too low and Cllr Millar observed that although it had been agreed to sell the land to the residents there is no obligation to do so as no council can bind its successor. Ultimately it was agreed that the clerk will write to Ankers informing them of the valuation placed on the land by Tayler & Fletcher and asking for their observations. There have also been letters from the residents of 18 and 19 [to include 20] wishing to purchase the land behind their gardens. It was decided that no further purchase can be entertained until the issues surrounding the present sale have been resolved.

13 Standing Orders

Cllr Millar presented a first draft to the PC and asked councillors to read it and let him have any amendments for discussion at the January meeting.

14 Correspondence

(a) The clerk referred to correspondence from Thames Valley Police Authority seeking views from residents on policing priorities and whether they support increased expenditure. A Questionnaire is available on their website until 21 November.
(b) Chipping Norton Town Council has provided copies of its Town Appraisal and one will be circulated among councillors with the other being placed at the library for parishioners to read.
(c) CDC re Website Opportunities – the parishes within Cherwell District have been allocated a page on CDC’s website and there is a link to the Hook Norton website.
(d) Minutes of the Parish Liaison Meeting held on 6th November have been circulated to all councillors.

15 Questions and Comments from Members of the Public

A resident enquired about the names of the houses at The Maltings and it was explained that it is CDC’s policy for properties to be named on the road they access. As such the properties all have individual names but their address is Sibford Road.

18 Date and Time of Next Meeting

Thursday 4th December 2003 at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the Chairman thanked the members of the public for attending and closed the meeting at 9.18pm, whereupon the Council considered a Confidential item in closed session.

 

Signed ………………………………………
[Chairman Hook Norton Parish Council]

Dated……………….