CROPREDY PARISH COUNCIL  

Minutes of a Meeting of Cropredy Parish Council held on Monday, 9th January 2012 in the Methodist Chapel Schoolroom at 7pm

Present: - Councillor Paul Morley [Chairman] Councillor Stuart Alexander Councillor Margaret Boscott Councillor David Cherry Councillor Bob Dunn Councillor Gill Moss

In Attendance: Ken Porter [Clerk], together with four members of the public.

Apologies for Absence – were received from Cllr Croft [ill] and County Cllr George Reynolds and District Cllr Atack [both attending Executive meeting at Bodicote House].

•  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: there were no declarations on this occasion.

•  MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING of 5th December 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. Cllr Boscott felt that the minute about the gift of celebration mugs in commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee required clarifying as all children aged 11 and under living in the village will be presented with one.

3. MATTERS ARISING: There were no matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

4. REPORTS OF WORKING GROUPS:

(i) Village Maintenance and Development – Cllr Dunn reported that he has obtained three quotes for moving the swing, which is too near to other equipment, as required in the RoSPA report, the lowest being from Geoff Wheeler for £810 [plus VAT] with a further £310 for fitting. Accordingly Cllr Cherry proposed accepting Mr Wheeler's quote and this was seconded by Cllr Alexander and approved unanimously. Cllr Dunn has also obtained a quote to provide plaques for the trees, benches and seats which have been sponsored by parishioners at £140 + VAT. The wording has yet to be agreed but this expenditure was also approved unanimously. Cllr Dunn reported that an ash tree in the churchyard had been identified as being too large and, after taking advice from Nicholsons, this has been felled. Cllr Dunn has also been liaising with the contractors carrying out the electrical work in the village - the ivy has been removed from the ditch but there is still a problem in the area of the Brasenose Arms and this has been referred to the Wayleave Officer, On being questioned about the replacement poles Cllr Dunn has been told that only those requiring replacement/repair are receiving attention and any deemed fit for purpose will be left in place. The three new trees for the Play Area have been planted and Jacqui Smith informed the meeting that the puppet show on 7 January raised £140 for the Play Area. The Clerk confirmed that the new lease has now been signed but requires registering at the Land Registry and he has referred this to Bower Bailey to complete.

(ii) Transport and Traffic, Street Lighting and Trees – in the absence of Cllr Croft the Clerk reported that the lack of a proper launch to OCC's Dial-a-Ride service had been disappointing but Peter had eventually been able to obtain some leaflets from the Customer Service Centre at Lincolnshire County Council and these have been distributed to the shop, post office and surgery. Although not working to a fixed timetable the drop off points in Banbury are convenient and the service is flexible. It is available for anyone to use and registration is simple either by phone or on the internet so parishioners are urged to try the service. The Clerk also reported that the PC has been sent a copy of the response from Managing Director of Stagecoach Oxfordshire to Cropredy WI explaining that they are unable to reinstate the 200 service through the village as it is not commercially viable “by a very long margin”.

(iii) Village Plan, Crime Prevention and Environment – Cllr Alexander confirmed that there have been no meetings over the holiday period but the group dealing with finalising the Emergency Plan is to meet on 11 January with the Village Plan Steering Group meeting on the following day. We still await delivery of the additional salt bins and spreader which County Cllr Reynolds is organising and the grit supply promised in early December is still outstanding – thankfully it has been a mild winter to date.

(iv) Planning, Finance and Legal – The Chairman informed the meeting that he has received a letter from residents in New Place expressing concern that a garage has been erected at number 3 without planning permission and they have asked the PC to take this up with CDC. Cllr Moss commented that the resident, Mr Collins, had informed her that the work was to take place and that, as his garden is outside the conservation area, no specific approval is required. Mr Collins was in attendance and informed the meeting that, before going ahead, he had taken a copy of his plans to Bodicote House and held a meeting with the planning officer, Caroline Roache, on 23 June 2011 at the conclusion of which it was stated that formal planning approval would not be necessary. He also confirmed that he had consulted with his neighbours on either side. The Chairman commented that, as the matter has been formally reported to the PC, we would have to take it up with CDC to be satisfied that it does not contravene planning regulations. The Chairman then confirmed that he had attended the Planning Meeting at Bodicote House on 5 January when both of the proposed marina developments had been considered. Despite his representations both were approved by a significant majority. A number of conditions have been attached to the decisions and the PC will need to monitor to ensure that these are adhered to and that disturbance is kept to a minimum. From the floor Mrs Lascelles enquired whether consideration had been given to the flood flow route by the school and the Chairman confirmed that this had been discussed in detail and that nothing must be erected to impede the flow of water. Cllr Alexander enquired whether the representatives of the planning committee had visited the sites and the Chairman confirmed that several of them had done so.

Decision: 11/01679/F – 47 Station Road – front and rear extensions – granted.

•  Sports & Social Club – Cllr Cherry had nothing to report on this occasion other than that the bottle banks had overflowed over the holiday period. Parishioners are reminded that they should take their bottles back home if the banks are full.

•  Post Office – The Chairman confirmed that there have been a significant number of enquiries with regard to taking over both the Post Office and the shop of which two appear promising. Camille Jokumsen has discussed with the PO whether they will allow a degree of elasticity over the cut-off date if negotiations are proceeding and they do appear to be prepared to grant additional time.

7. FINANCE - the Clerk presented his report for November and the meeting therefore resolved that the payments itemised totalling £3394.09 be approved, together with a further cheque to Nicholson Nurseries for £1620 for trees planted in the Play Area £1056 and essential work on PC trees in the village £564.

8. Items Pending – there were no items pending on this occasion.

9. Report on County Council Matters – in the absence of County Cllr Reynolds there was nothing new to report on this occasion.

10. Report on District Council Matters – in the absence of District Cllr Atack there was nothing new to report on this occasion.

11. PARISH MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES - the Clerk referred to the Parish Remuneration Panel's report and reminded members that previously they had agreed only to pay expenses where appropriate. It was unanimously agreed that the PC continue this policy and will not pay the basic allowance but will pay travelling and subsistence allowances, where appropriate, in accordance with the recommendations contained with the Panel's report.

12. CORRESPONDENCE: Thames Valley Police – letter detailing proposals for reducing the hours of opening [front counter provision] in police stations across the area – Banbury to be seven days a week 0800 – 2200;

OCC – Notice of Road Closure – Williamscot Road from A361 to canal bridge from 6 – 22 February to allow for essential patching work;

CDC – Strategic Tenancy Policy – consultation on draft proposals which are available on website http://consult.cherwell.gov.uk/portal/ will take place until 3 February and officers will attend Banbury Tourist Information Centre on 24 January from 9.30am – 1pm;.

ORCC – Affordable Housing Progress report – circulated to councillors by email.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS NOT OF A CONFIDENTIAL NATURE: Cllr Cherry pointed out that the April meeting and Annual Parish Meeting will coincide with Easter Monday and it was agreed to put these back to April 16 th . Cllr Moss reported that the lead flashing has been stolen from the Village Hall roof.

14. ANY MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTENDING MEETING: Mr Collins commented that dog walkers are increasingly bagging their dogs' waste but then simply leaving the bags either in hedges or by paths instead of placing in the designated bins. Cllr Cherry also commented on the amount of dog fouling in Newscut Lane and the Clerk will place a note in the Crier reminding dog owners of the fines they risk if they do not use the bins. Ray Cherry commented that the verge on the corner of Cup & Saucer is again being badly damaged by lorries and the Clerk reminded the meeting that we intend to approach George Reynolds for funding to have this surfaced in the new financial year. Mr Cherry also mentioned that Hell Hole is a mess and that Mr Radley has offered to tidy it up. Thanks were expressed for his kind offer.

15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Monday 13 February 2012 to be held in the Methodist Chapel Schoolroom at 7pm.