Hook Norton Parish Council

HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2005 AT 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Timms [Chairman], Clay, Hayward, Millar, Riley, Swainbank, Walsham and Young, Mr Porter [Parish Clerk] and 1 member of the public.

1. Apologies For Absence

Were received from Cllrs Fry and Jelf and District Councillor Gasson.

2.Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman reminded the meeting that it was a shortened agenda on this occasion as the clerk is about to go on holiday.

3. Minutes of previous meeting, 11th August 2005, and matters arising

It was proposed by Cllr Swainbank, and seconded by Cllr Clay, that the minutes of the previous meeting be passed as a true and accurate record and this was agreed by seven votes with one abstention. The clerk has received a letter from OCC informing us that due to unforeseen circumstances it has been necessary to postpone the work in Mobbs Lane. Mr Bowden, of OCC, has promised to contact us as soon as he has a new start date. With reference to Affordable Housing [Item 15] the clerk had been in touch with James Alcock, the Rural Housing Enabler, who had suggested two dates for a meeting. However, as Cllr Jelf is unable to attend on either date, Cllr Clay suggested that alternatives should be sought as he felt it important that Cllr Jelf should be in attendance. This was agreed. Cllr Walsham confirmed that the Open Spaces & Sports Recreation Needs Assessment & Audit has been completed and submitted [Item 8(a)]. There was an enquiry about whether the Environment & Open Spaces working group had met to elect a Chairman and discuss various outstanding matters. As this has not yet been possible Cllr Timms agreed to call an initial meeting.

4. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Walsham indicated that he might absent himself during Item 10 [Mobbs Lane] but, after discussion, it was felt that this would not be necessary.

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

Cllr Walsham reported that there had been a planning meeting on 26 August when four matters had been considered and there had been no objections to any of them. During the month we have received a number of decisions from CDC including the request for amendments to the permission granted at Manor Farm Barn, which we had not objected to, but CDC have nevertheless refused. On two matters on which we entered objections, the new grass storage building at Fodge Farm and Staddle Cottage, the first was approved by CDC and the latter withdrawn, although we are informed that the application will be re-submitted. Cllr Walsham also mentioned that Christopher Barry had drawn his attention to what appears to be significant works at Priestfield House, which is a listed Grade 2 building. The clerk confirmed that we have not received any planning applications in the past twelve months and, while it was considered that these may be internal improvements, it was felt appropriate for Cllr Walsham to draw the matter to the attention of the Planning Department at CDC. Cllr Walsham confirmed that he has not heard anything further from District Cllr Gasson regarding the oak tree to be felled on the land adjoining the Old Engine House and he will follow this up.

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

There were no comments from the public present on this occasion.

7. Report of Finance Working Group

Cllr Clay referred to his report to the PC and recommended payment of £500 to Mr Rose, of Homeforce, who will draw up the necessary plans and make the submission to CDC for planning permission for a kitchen extension at the Memorial Hall. This was seconded by Cllr Walsham and passed unanimously.

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

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

9. Proposal to make Mobbs Lane one-way

It had been agreed at the previous meeting that this should be discussed in detail and several councillors expressed concern about the irresponsible parking of cars in Mobbs Lane which create real danger when vehicles have to move to the right to overtake and are confronted by other vehicles turning in from Chapel Street. Cllr Walsham considered that, if Mobbs Lane is to be made one-way, then Queen Street should also be made one-way for its full length. This was agreed. However it was felt that the PC should obtain some feedback from parishioners before taking this matter further and accordingly the clerk will insert a note in the next Newsletter inviting those with views on the subject to make their opinions known to the PC.

10. Sale of land at Ironstone Hollow

The clerk reported that he had been in touch with Mr Summerell regarding the possible sale of land behind numbers 18–20 and had been informed that preliminary enquiries with CDC had suggested that they would oppose further development of the barrier land as it would lead to a significant decrease in the depth of the barrier. As the land Mr Summerell is proposing to buy is much the same area as one already sold Mr Summerell feels that a precedent has been set and he will be taking the matter up with CDC. The clerk felt, however, that it would be wise to discount any further income from this source at present. Regarding the sale of the land behind numbers 14-17 he had been informed by Amanda Everitt that transfers have been signed and the money sent to solicitors. Once cleared the funds should be through within the next few days.

11. Better Ways to School – implications of suggested proposals

Members of the PC had now had time to consider the minutes of the meeting held at the school on 30 June 2005 which had to come to hand on the day of the previous meeting. It was generally agreed that there did not seem any real merit in any of the suggestions. The present 30 mph speed limit had been moved to its present position on Sibford Road at the recommendation of the police, suggestions about creating wider footpaths take little account of the movement of pedestrians/cyclists and any suggestion about a formal crossing point seems inappropriate in a rural environment. The real problem stems from children being taxied close to school when this is not necessary. The clerk will write to Rachel Nixon at OCC to express this view.

12. Footpath from Rope Way to Brick Hill

In the absence of Cllr Jelf the clerk reported that he had managed to persuade OCC to carry out the repair works on the path when dealing with Mobbs Lane, with the PC making a contribution to the cost of £450. Unfortunately we have now been told that the work at Mobbs Lane has been postponed and Cllr Jelf will be asked to contact OCC to press for both matters to be dealt with expeditiously.

13. Footpath leading off Ironstone Hollow – safety concerns

Cllr Young told the meeting that several residents of Ironstone Hollow had expressed concern about the dangers to children who ride cycles down the path and out into the roadway. Recently an accident was narrowly averted and it was felt that a staggered barrier should be introduced to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The residents have offered to make a contribution to the cost. As it is not immediately clear which department deals with such matters at OCC Cllr Jelf will be asked to make initial enquiries.

14. Hook Norton Museum – request for donation

Following her enquiry at the August meeting [Item 18] Barbara Hicks has written to the clerk asking the PC to consider providing modest financial support to assist with the running of the Village Museum. The matter was discussed and Cllr Millar expressed the view that this is a facility which benefits the village and, notwithstanding his normal opposition to requests for donations, he proposed that the PC support the request in principle. This was seconded by Cllr Hayward and passed unanimously. There was then a discussion on the amount to be donated but as nothing was stated in Barbara’s letter the clerk was asked to respond to indicate that the PC is in favour of a modest donation and seeking information on costing.

15. Correspondence

(i) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – Proposed Changes to Regional Planning Guidance relating to Waste & Minerals;
(ii) ORCC – Rural Society & Care Programme – details of public consultations to be held on 23 and 26 September;
(iii) CDC – Annual Report & Performance Plan;
(iv) OCC – Social & Health care – Business & Commissioning Plan 2005-8;
(v) West Oxfordshire Citizens Advice Bureau – request for donation. As this is not a purely local charity this was declined;
(vi) OCC Environment & Economy – Street Light Claybank – advice that engineers have not been able to gain access to Hayway to clear trees from the light and accordingly it is proposed to remove the light completely. There were no objections;
(vii) Home2School Newsletter
(viii) OCC Newsletter.

16. Questions and Comments from Members of the Public

It was suggested that double yellow lines might be a way of enforcing better parking in Mobbs Lane rather than a one-way system. However there are no such lines anywhere in the village and as there would be no way to enforce illegal parking this is not felt to be practicable,

17. Date and Time of Next Meeting

Thursday 13th October 2005 at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and declared the public meeting closed at 8.35pm.