Minutes Etc.

Minutes are draft only, and are not yet approved by the Parish Council.

381

WROXTON & BALSCOTE PARISH COUNCIL

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN

BALSCOTE VILLAGE HALL

Wednesday 4th January 2012

Present: In Attendance:

Cllr Carl Nicholson – Chair Patricia Jesson – Clerk

Cllr David Endicott

Cllr Erica Imison Also Present:

Cllr Bob Jesson Cllr Doug Webb

Cllr David McNaught 3 Members of the Public

Cllr Michael Robarts

Cllr Mike Whelan

Cllr Nicholson welcomed Mr Ian Watson of Marshalls & Mr Greg Mitchell of Framptons Planning, who gave a detailed presentation of proposals for the future development of the Hornton Grounds site, which was purchased from Bennies in July 2011 by Marshalls. Further investment to improve the site conditions, ethically sourced stone and manufacture will help to improve standards for the necessary accreditation. This will lead to economic growth and employment opportunities, which would necessitate the construction of a new shed and the refurbishment of existing stone-masons sheds. Their application is for a 10 year extension to the existing time i.e. to finish cutting, removal of sheds etc end of 2023 & restore the site in 2024.

Environment issues: 3 articulated lorries of 25-30 tonnes a day, plus 3 return journeys, at peak times. The majority of the stone to be transported from Great Tew to Hornton, along the A361. A maximum of 12,000 tonnes has been applied for – a three-fold increase on the 4,000 at present, although it was stated that this has actually been 7,000 tonnes.

Proposed work times: 6.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday: 7.00am – 1.00pm Saturday (no transport).

Increase in storage is proportionate to stone quality: 50% waste on 12,000 tonnes to be used as aggregate.

Less than 5% increase in noise, traffic etc.

Light pollution: site is not on mains power, thus use of a generator reduces lights.

Benefits: Apprentices to be employed; thus securing local employment

Stone maintained for local construction.

The Parish Council will further comment on receipt of the application from OCC.

Apologies:

None

1/12 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 2nd November 2011

The Minutes were accepted as a true record and duly signed by the Chairman.

Proposed: Cllr Whelan Seconded: Cllr Robarts

2/12 Declarations of Interest

None

382

3/12 Chairman’s Report

Police continue to support the PC in their efforts to reduce speeding through Wroxton.

£2,000 grant for Wroxton: bulbs planted, areas have been dug, trees to be planted.

Dog bags have been distributed to dog owners in the parish.

Action: Clerk to contact CDC again to have new bin in Balscote emptied.

Grit bins have been topped up.

PC sponsored a Christmas tree at Wroxton All Saints Church for £15

Benches: ends have been cast, awaiting wood for the seats.

Action: Cllr Nicholson to follow up

4/12 Finance Report

PC Elections charges: For many years these have been £1.05 per elector; CDC has proposed an increase, yet to be decided. This has to be budgeted for in the finances.

Relate; request for donation: refused

Budget for 2012-2013 to be announced at the PC meeting in March.

5/12 Updates

Ironstone Liaison: The next meeting to be held on Thursday 29th March 2012 at Balscote Village Hall, at 7.00pm.

ROMP: 300 objections to proposed conditions have been received; the applicant has to produce additional material for consideration; the effect of the increased number of lorries on the rural lanes is key to the application/decision. This has effectively delayed the outcome by several months.

Balscote Village Hall: Insurance: Hirers need insurance for use of their own equipment. This is written into the hiring agreement. (Mr Jonathan Reuvid has confirmed that WVH insurance also conforms.)

Action: Clerk to inform J Davies to ensure this is written in bold lettering.

Bus shelter at Wroxton: Highways has deemed that drainage is acceptable, therefore the PC can proceed with the preferred site at the entrance to The Firs. The Redmile 3-sided shelter from Littlethorpe has been quoted as £9,924.90p + excavation and laying of base by K Hobson £984.00.

I Connick of OCC has intimated a grant of £2,500 and Cllr Reynolds £1,000 from the Stewardship fund.

Action: Cllr Imison to negotiate to a value of £5,500, excluding stewardship fund contribution.

Grit bins: A new bin has been delivered and sited at the bottom of Manor Farm Lane, Balscote; all bins have been filled, and large quantities of salt delivered to both designated farms for storage and distribution when/if necessary.

Cemetery Hedge Cutting: It has been agreed that UOB will cut the hedge at a fixed rate of £375 for the next two years.

Registration of Balscote Village Green: A series of letters between Cllr Robarts and Highways has ended in a stale-mate, as H/ways has stated that they have access rights to the entire circumference, whereas an official publication has been identified which states that H/ways access rights are not incompatible with Green registration. The matter has been referred to the Portfolio Holder, Cllr Rodney Rose.

383

6/12 Discussions

REAH: Mrs Sheila Mound was unable to attend the meeting, but Cllr Doug Webb addressed the Councillors, and explained the situation to date.

- There is currently no documentation for Rural Exception Sites.

- The Housing Needs Survey, conducted in 2010 by ORCC (Oxfordshire Rural Community Council), is not connected to allocations.

- Downsizing: A couple downsizing from a Sanctuary 3-bedroom house, due to health concerns, would be able to move into a Sanctuary 2-bedroom bungalow, thus releasing a 3-bedroom property.

- Qualifications criteria have been met for a family to move into the released 3-bedroom property.

- If the houses were available today, the applicants who qualify at this moment in time, would move into the vacant homes.

- Nothing can be allocated until the properties are built.

- Concerns were expressed regarding another about-turn with CDC.

Cllr Webb proposed that CDC, Hornton PC and Wroxton & Balscote PC meet to discuss a way forward with Rural Sites allocation policy.

* At an Emergency Meeting of the Parish Council on 19th December 2011, it was agreed to begin the process of the building of :-

- 1 x 1 bedroom bungalow, with the ability to convert to a 2 bedroom property, should the need arise in the future.

- 1 x 2 bedroom bungalow

- To be built with disabled access, doorways etc

- To be built in local stone

- The Clerk to begin the process by contacting Mr Jonathan Mullins of Sanctuary Housing.

Proposed: Cllr Robarts Seconded: Cllr McNaught

The decision to be ratified at the PC meeting on 4th January 2012.

Action: Cllr Endicott to draw up a letter to be sent to CDC stating the PC understanding of the above, with a request for CDC to confirm.

Proposed: Cllr Whelan Seconded: Cllr Robarts

To continue with the building proposals, upon receipt of confirmation from CDC.

Proposed: Cllr Endicott Seconded: Cllr Jesson

7/12 Planning Applications

Wentways, Wroxton: Pollard x2 willows 11/00269/TCA

Unanimously approved application: power cables run through one of the trees; both dominate the garden.

The Old Forge, Horley: Storage for up to 20 caravans 11/01549/F

Supported Horley rejection, with specific regard to highways issues; situation of site;

degradation of verges; lack of extra security measures; detrimental to conservation ethos of Horley.

Raydon Hill House, Wroxton: Change driveway access 11/01690/F-91/LB

PC raised no objections. Neighbours have been notified

Blenheim Cottage, Wroxton. Extension to kitchen 11/01741/F-42/LB

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8/12 Planning Decisions

Pool Farm, Wroxton. Roof conversion 11/01457/F-58/LB Granted

Wentways, Wroxton. Pollard x2 willows 11/00269/TCA Granted

West of Chapel Cott. Balscote Pear tree reduction 11/00250/TCA Granted

The Old Forge, Horley Caravan storage 11/01549/F Refused

Wingtree Cottage, Wroxton Garage door 11/01001/LB Granted

Apollo, Wroxton Revised h/way 11/00473/F Granted The Bowery, Wroxton Reduce sycamore 11/01171/TPO Granted

9/12 Correspondence

A list of all correspondence has been circulated to all Councillors.

10/12 AOB

Cllr McNaught had notified CDC of fly-tipping on the A422, which was cleared within 24 hours. The Council was praised for its speedy attention.

11/12 Date of next meeting

Wednesday 7th March at Balscote Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Parishioners Comments

Mrs Madeleine Stead raised concerns regarding the proposed start times of the work at Hornton Grounds, as a 6.00am start meant lorries travelling through Wroxton at a much earlier time. This was noted and will be included in the response to the planning application.

There being no further business, the Chairman thanked all for attending and the meeting closed at 9.40pm.

Signed:

Chairman

7th March 2012

Wroxton Village Web Site

Editors Richard Woollacott & Sam Mitchell: Email- editorATwroxton.org.uk (Replace AT with the @ sign to save us spam!)