HORSPATH PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 1 st July 2014 At 8pm in HORSPATH VILLAGE HALL.

Transcription

1 HORSPATH PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 1 st July 2014 At 8pm in HORSPATH VILLAGE HALL. Present: Mr T Ayres, Mr P Dobson, (Chairman), Mr J Dobson, Mr P Ewart, Mr M Harris, Mr C Henderson, Mr D Horsley, Mrs H Palmer, Mr S Turnbull, Mrs S Watson, Mrs H Kogel (Clerk). Apologies Absent: Public: Mr R Bell (District Councillor), Mrs J Carr (District Councillor). Mrs A Purse (County Councillor) /14 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were made on behalf of Mr Bell, Mrs J Carr and Mrs Purse. 110/14 DECLARATION OF INTEREST None. 111/14 EMERGENCY BUSINESS. Mrs Julian has notified Councillors of the cost of urgent repairs to the plumbing in the Village Hall. Councillors agreed to cover the cost for the contractors to go ahead and carry out the repairs. Councillors also agreed that it will be discussed at the next meeting how to move forward with the HVHMC and also it is to be clarified between the Parish Council and HVHMC who is liable for various costs incurred at the Village Hall. The Clerk will invite Mr Ed Murray to attend the next meeting and also to provide a financial report for the Village Hall. 112/14 MINUTES FOR APPROVAL. The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 3 rd June 2014 were agreed and signed by the Chairman. 113/14 MATTERS ARISING. 95/14 Friends of Horspath Mr Ewart circulated details of the bridge that will be installed by the Hub and confirmed that the Cricket Club and neighbours have no objections. 114/14 FRIENDS OF HORSPATH. - Mrs Humphrey s report on behalf of the Friends of Horspath We had a very successful opening on 7 th June 2014 with a great crowd of people attending, from John Howell our MP, Ann Midwinter, Chairman of SODC, representatives from ORCC, Peter Dobson, Horspath Parish Council Chairman, both Ministers representing the Methodists and Anglican Churches, James Offen, Bishop Colin visited in the morning with apologies for missing the actual ceremony and of course so many villagers who have supported the project. It gave us chance to thank all of the people who have helped in so many different ways and with a wonderful cake to cut, a ribbon to cut to officially open the building and a photo of all those who attended which can now sit alongside the one that we have that was taken in 1909 when the first opening occurred. With a cream tea to end the celebrations it was a memorable occasion. Thankfully the new signage was also erected just in time for the opening so now we really are up and running with everyone recognizing the new look. Although the bridge is not yet in place the parts are ready to be assembled and the fence panel is now down and waiting for the gate to be fitted. There is still a great deal to do but things are moving forward. There is now a banner at the front of the Hub so that both villagers and passersby know how to hire the building. We are having quite a few enquiries but know that perhaps the summer months might prove to be quiet. There was a very successful talk on Friday 27 th June given by Jack Turner with his collection of artefacts found in the hills above Horspath. Over 40 people came and Jack gave a very entertaining and interesting account of his finds and his book was very popular too. The coffee mornings are still well attended and this coming week we are

2 having a visit from some young teenagers who are connected with Connor Sparrowhawk as it is the anniversary of his death. We are looking forward to welcoming them. Do we have the go ahead for a mirror if it is situated by the garage but on Parish Council land? Councillors agreed that a mirror could be installed adjacent to the garage fence. The exact location will be agreed at the next meeting following a site visit from Councillors. 115/14 PLANNING APPLICATIONS None. PLANNING PERMISSIONS/REFUSALS/APPEALS. P14/S0523/ Land Adjacent to 25b Manor Farm Road, Horspath, OX33 1SD FUL Alterations to approved dwelling consisting of replacement of 4 roof lights with 2 dormer windows on dwelling 1. Addition of storm porch to dwelling 1. All to Match dwelling 2. Roof lights omitted over living room. Granted (Re-Issued). 116/14 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS - There were no reports available. Councillors asked that the Clerk contact Mrs Purse to look at the new footpath at College Way as concerns have been raised. 117/14 CLERK S UPDATE. Signs on The Green SODC has confirmed that the signs should be installed w/e 4/7/14. Grass Cutting at the Hub Mr Rob Gray has quoted 5.00 per cut at the Hub. It was agreed that a representative from the Hub will contact Mr Gray. Cricket Club A cheque has been raised to cover the grass cutting around the Village Hall Recreation Ground from March September Mr Neville Buckett NHW Organiser Mr Buckett has requested a grant of to cover the cost of Membership Packs to be distributed to all residents. Councillors agreed that this request will be considered at the Horspath Stone Pit Charity meeting. 118/14 RISK ASSESSMENTS. Mr Ewart has carried out the risk assessments for the new traffic mirror on the Village Green and for the new bridge. These have been forwarded onto Mr James Dobson who will check through them and confirm at the next meeting. Mr Harris confirmed that the Tree Surgeon who removed the fallen oak tree in the Conservation Area last month also carried out his own risk assessment on the other trees and confirmed that no other trees are considered to be at risk. 119/14 SUGGESTIONS FOR WAR MEMORIAL. Mr Horsley asked Councillors if they still wanted to circulate an to residents in the village as this has not yet been done. Councillors agreed that an should be circulated so that residents can express their thoughts on what they would like in the village. Mr Horsley will circulate an to residents. 120/14 REPAIRS TO MOWING EQUIPMENT. No further information available. 121/14 CORRESPONDENCE. a. NALC Making Localism Work. (Circulated via ). b. ORCC News Bulletin June (Circulated via ). c. RSN Rural Intelligence from behind the Headlines (Circulated via ). d. SODC South News June (Circulated via ). e. OALC Training Update. (Circulated via ).

3 f. RSN Rural Opportunities Bulletin. (Circulated via ). g. ORCC Invitation to CLP/NP Training (Circulated via ). h. PCSO Ken Cooney June Police Report. (Circulated via ). i. RSN Rural Vulnerability Service Rural Transport June (Circulated via ). j. OALC Rural Affordable Housing Questionnaire. Mr Harris completed on behalf of HPC. k. RSN Weekly News Digest (Circulated via ). l. RSN Rural Intelligence from behind the Headlines (Circulated via ). m. RSN Rural Vulnerability Service Fuel Poverty June (Circulated via ). n. SODC - South Oxfordshire Local Plan Issues and Scope and Sustainability Scoping Consultation. (Circulated via ). Mr Harris circulated a map showing the areas of agricultural land between Sandford-on-Thames, Garsington and Horspath that are at risk if a proposed urban extension to the City of Oxford is approved. There are 3 different landowners within the areas shown. SODC has to provide a 5-year supply of land for their own increased numbers of new housing, but may also have to provide additional new housing for the City Council under the duty to co-operate. As a result of the new Strategic Housing Management Assessment (SHMA) for Oxfordshire, SODC now has to revise the Local Plan and has started the public consultation on the Local Plan 2031 Issues & Scope. Councillors all agreed that Mr Harris will attend the meeting at SODC on 2/7/14 and will complete the SODC questionnaire and suggest that the building of new houses should be for modest economic growth and that 60% of the new housing should be in Science Vale (i.e, around Didcot) with 40% in other sustainable larger settlements elsewhere in South Oxfordshire. Mr Henderson commented that CPRE is not in agreement with the number of housing figures being proposed in the SHMA, and that we should also indicate our concern about their accuracy. Mr Harris agreed. Oxford City Council is pushing for more houses and more jobs in the area which will result in more cars on the road travelling through Green Belt areas. o. RSN Weekly News Digest (Circulated via ). p. OALC - Invitation to Connecting Ox shire A Transport Vision for the Future. (Circulated via ). q. CPRE SODC Local Plan Consultation CPRE Comments. (Circulated via ). r. RSN Spotlight on Young People. (Circulated via ). s. RSN Parish Views Sought on Rural Housing. (Circulated via ). t. RSN Weekly News Digest (Circulated via ). u. TW Ramblers Group Ramblers Poster July (Circulated via ). v. RSN Rural Intelligence from behind the Headlines (Circulated via ). w. SODC South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2031 Issues and Scope and Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report. Passed to Mr Harris. x. Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre Summer Newsletter (Circulated via ). y. OCC Winter Preparedness (Circulated via ). z. Blake Lapthorn Merging with Law Firm Morgan Cole LLP as of * aa. Open Spaces Society Summer Newsletter & AGM2014.* bb. Wheatley Parish Council June/July Newsletter.* cc. OCC Advanced Notification of Footway Resurfacing Works at College Way commencing on * dd. RSN Seminar Localism in Practice. (Circulated via ). ee. Open Spaces Society Summer 2014 News. (Circulated via ). ff. RSN Rural Intelligence from behind the Headlines (Circulated via ). gg. RSN Weekly News Digest (Circulated via ). hh. OALC June 2014 Members Update. (Circulated via ). ii. OCC Fourth Local Transport Plan High Level Goals and Objectives Consultation.

4 * original held by the Clerk, copy available on request. # displayed on Village Hall & village noticeboards. 122/14 PAYMENTS Chq To Whom Paid Details Vat Total 2265 Open Spaces Society Annual Subscription AON UK Ltd Annual Motor Insurance Policy Mrs H Kogel Salary Apr, May, June 2014 Home Office Allowance Postage/Stationary Horspath Cricket Club Annual Grass Cutting Fee 2, TOTAL /14 RECEIPTS. Date From Whom Received Details Vat Total Punch Taverns 2 x Quarterly Rent for Chequers C/Park Environment Agency Annual Rent for Borehole HMRC VAT Repayment Punch Taverns 1 x Quarterly Rent for Chequers C/Park TOTAL /14 AOB a. Mr Henderson reported the poor condition of the road at the bottom of the hill by Spring Lane, Blenheim Road and Blenheim Way. Large amounts of gravel have been washed down the hill which is collecting in the road causing a danger to cars and to pedestrians. Mr Ewart commented that the silt traps are never cleared. The Clerk will report to OCC Highways. b. Mr Turnbull reported that the drains in Manor Road are blocked. Clerk will report to OCC Highways. c. Mr Harris gave the following report from the Oxford City Council Shotover Users Group Meeting on 24 th June 2014:- Ian Haynes the City Council s Parks Operations Manager outlined the essence of the implementation of the new Shotover (Hill) Management Plan, designed to meet the requirements of Natural England to restore Shotover Hill to a favourable condition of biodiversity by removing a significant amount of the secondary woodland which has grown over the open spaces in recent years. Although the City Council could not afford the extensive fencing to introduce cattle into the solution for controlling the ever-growing scrub on Shotover, Ian Haynes said that once the felling of 4,500 5,500 trees over a 3 year period had been completed to open up around 6.9 hectares of the hill for restoring acid grassland and heath, he would then reconsider whether the introduction of grazing animals would be appropriate. There will be a need for the City to issue some careful public information, both on site and in the local media, ahead of any major clearance of parts of the existing secondary woodland which now covers about 97% of the total area of the Hill, whereas back in 1945 it covered less than 5%. Trevor Jackson, Oxford City Council s Cemeteries Manager outlined the need for a new City cemetery to cater for the demographic problem facing Oxford, and confirmed that the two fields adjacent to Brasenose Wood and Bullingdon Green had now been examined by geophysical survey for their archaeological interest and that a Roman kiln and some extant sub-surface walling had been discovered in one field, and that the soil survey down to a depth of 3 meters would soon be undertaken to determine its suitability for use as a cemetery. He explained that the Wolvercote Cemetery was partitioned into different sections for

5 different faiths, and while there was some space left in some sections, others were already full up, for example the Jewish section. He explained that no definitive plan had yet been drawn up to characterise what kind of cemetery would best fit the surroundings of these two new fields on Shotover, but he said that the general intention was to build a multi-denominational chapel on the site. The City Council has a policy of not refusing a burial in a City cemetery to anyone, whatever their origin, which may perhaps be one reason why its existing cemeteries are filling up whereas the Horspath Burial Ground accepts burials only from families with verified Horspath origins. I advised Mr. Jackson that there would be no Planning Permission available for any new buildings on the site, not only because the site is in the Green Belt and close to the SSSI, but also because it is in a particularly narrow zone of the Oxford Green Belt where there are recent Planning precedents for restricting any land uses to those permitted for a Green Belt in the NPPF and the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan. I suggested that the existing redundant City Council buildings at Brasenose Farm, adjacent and only about 100 metres away from the proposed cemetery site, should be used to support the new cemetery, if any buildings should be required to support it, and that there would then be scope to gain the necessary Planning Permission for modifying these buildings and for legitimately changing their use. There were a few other questions discussed relating to the general management of Shotover Country Park, including the control of errant mountain bike riders who travel fast and nearly silently along footpaths surprising walkers, the impossibility of controlling the commercial dog walkers who have already been banned from using all the City Council Parks, unless a Dog Control Order is issued from South Oxfordshire, and the new Shotover Country Park signage planned for the notice board by the car park on the Plain. d. Mr Ewart reported that the Give Way road signs at Cuddesdon Road are still lying on the ground. The Clerk will report to OCC Highways. e. Mrs Palmer commented that the windows in the Village Hall are locked so cannot be opened. It was agreed that Mr Murray will be asked about the location of the keys at the next meeting. f. Mr Horsley reported that the lock on the top barrier has gone. Mr Dobson commented that it has been missing for approx. 3 months. It was agreed that Mr P Dobson will contact the company who designed the barrier and arrange a meeting with them to look at fixing the barrier. g. Mrs Watson asked if the Parish Council had looked into purchasing new filing cabinets. Mr Dobson confirmed that this has not yet been done. h. Mr Ayres reported that one of the wooden bollards in front of the village shop is broken. The Clerk will ask Mr Pajak to replace the bollard. i. Mr Turnbull reported that there is a dangerous tree in the far hedge by the farmer s field. Mr Turnbull will circulate a photograph to Councillors to decide if it is on Parish Council land. j. Mr Peter Dobson commented that at the last meeting Mr Lewis asked if the Parish Council would make a financial contribution to support the Church. Mrs Lewis was asked to write to the Clerk but this has not been received to date. Public:- k. Mrs Gray asked who is responsible for emptying the litter bins in the Play Area and the Burial Ground as she has emptied them recently as they were over-flowing. Mr Peter Dobson and Mr James Dobson will empty the bin for the short term. Mr Horsley suggested that the Cricket Club is asked to do it. l. Mr Buckett reported that there are lots of weeds growing out of the gutters at Wrightson Close and also on the pavement outside the Manor. 125/14 DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS. Parish Council Planning Meeting Tuesday 15 th July 2014 (To be confirmed) Horspath Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 5 th August 2014.