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2024 October Minutes

EPC Minutes Uploaded on November 5, 2024
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DRAFT MINUTES

ENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL

Held in Enstone Parish Hall on Thursday

24th October 2024 at 7.00 pm

PRESENT: PCs. N. Knott, P. Shaw, N. Peart, A. Ward, M. Gomm, H. Bourne-Taylor, J. Ferguson-Davie, C. Millar, D. Robottom, DCs. Andrew Beaney & Alex Wilson, CC. Geoff Saul and one resident

APOLOGIES:  PC. C. Glendinning (unwell)

IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs. Beth Sinclair, Clerk, Mr. M. Cummings from Alpine Racing, Ms. Jane Page, Heythrop Park Manager, Ms.Martha Holland from WODC and Mr. Andrew Lee & Mrs. Rachel Hunt from the Parish Hall Management Committee.

102. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND MEMBERS’ REGISTER OF INTERESTS:

None

103. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19th September 2024 were circulated, approved and signed by Cllr. Knott.

PLANNING APPLICATION:-

Whiteways Technical Centre, Enstone, 24/02563/FUL – Erection of an extension to the

Wind Tunnel Building together with associated development – Mr. Martin Cummings

attended the meeting to answer any questions following which there was no objection to the

planning application.  A request for soft bricks was made.

S106 MONIES TOWARDS PUBLIC ART

Mrs Martha Holland, Healthy Communities Officer from WODC attended the meeting to explain that the Parish Council has S106 monies available, connected to planning application: 17/00426/OUT Land South Of Oxford Road Oxford Road, Enstone. The amount of funding available is £6,944.04 with a spend-by deadline of 31/3/2032.  The monies are to be put towards creative activities and events in the village of Enstone. Two members of the Parish Hall Management Committee attended the meeting.   Various suggestions were put forward including funding for display boards in the Parish Hall, staging in the main hall, and creative workshops.   The money can also be used by the school.   Ms. Holland and the PHMC will liaise to meet to discuss this further.   

HEYTHROP PARK

Ms. Jane Page presented details of the new extension at Heythrop Park.  There are now over 200 golf members at the club and Heythrop is working with local golf courses and looking to have the golf course open in the evenings.  It was asked that people clear up dog mess around the park, particularly at the golf course and to use the bin provided.   Comment was made that the footpath by the lakes was very overgrown which meant that people had to walk over the golf course instead.  The EcoGroup had arranged a walk where over twenty people gathered which had been extremely enjoyable and interesting over the summer.   Cllr. Gomm said that the gardener at Heythrop was extremely knowledgeable and it was a very positive experience.

104. MATTERS ARISING:-

  • New wig wag sign – Lidstone Road – this has now been repaired.
  • Coxs Lane sign – ongoing (WODC)
  • Bus stop survey – Cllr. D. Robottom – ongoing
  • Overgrown vegetation at The Planks – there had been no response from the solicitor or OCC about who owns the land.
  • Overgrown Himalayan Balsam on private land around Enstone – Mr Ian Cave from the EcoGroup had kindly worded a letter for the landowner on behalf of the Parish Council and the clerk will send this letter.
  • Willowbrook, Radford—The recent storms flooded the property. DC Beaney explained that the enforcement team is investigating the new entrance, which was erected without planning permission.   
  • Sports Club – previous tree survey done 2023 – the next tree survey is due in 2025 but the Parish Council considered it more appropriate to undertake the next survey in 2027.   Noted.
  • Dragons Teeth – both entrances to Enstone and B4022 – Cllr. Glendinning has requested this to OCC and response awaited.  There is no funding available to repaint the red warning signs on the roads regarding the speed limits.
  • Remembrance Wreath – purchased

105. Public Participation:-

  • The Harrow Inn – Cllr. Knott explained that The Harrow is organising a firework display for the first weekend in November.   This is of great concern to the PC with regard to the overall safety of residents and motorists, being so close to the A44.   DC Beaney advised the PC to inform the fire brigade and the police.   Fire displays are not included in licensing agreements.
  • Cling Clang Lane – Cllr. Knott explained that at Plot No. 6 there is a gateway being built.  The Planning Officer has been asked to contact owners explaining what is allowed on the plots.
  • Marshalls Fountain – Cllr. Robottom explained that several residents had asked him to see whether the PC could look at updating and improving Marshalls Fountain.  The PC unanimously agreed to this request and Cllrs. D. Robottom and J. Ferguson-Davie will investigate this further.
  • Remote access for PC meetings – Cllr. A. Ward explained that Angela Rayner, MP, will be undertaking a public consultation allowing Parish & Town Councillors to attend meetings remotely.

106. County Councillor’s Report:-

  • Cllr. Saul explained that preparation for 2025/2026 is underway, to be finalised and agreed in February 2025.  There is uncertainty about the new Government’s approach to local government finances.   The current funding is £620 million of which £250 million is for adult social care; £197 million for children’s services; £69 million for the environment and highways and £28 million for fire services and community safety.   The funding for 2025/2026 is expected to total £640 million, leaving a shortfall of £14 million.

107. District Councillor’s report (DC Andrew Beaney):-

  • Previous employees of Publica have now been transferred to WODC control.
  • Mr. Phil Shaw, Business Manager, retires from WODC on 1st November following many years of service.
  • There has been an increase in planning applications for self build houses where biodiversity measures are not required.
  • The enforcement team is reviewing the building works along The Drive for custom-built homes.
  • The Harrow Inn – The Parish Council is concerned about The Harrow Inn.  DC Wilson will contact the enforcement team to review the whole area.

108. CORRESPONDENCE:-

West Oxfordshire District Council:-

  • Local Environment Groups Conference: Local to Landscape Nature Recovery Action – Saturday 9th November – Mr. Ian Cave from the EcoGroup will attend.
  • Response to government’s consultation on planning reforms – Noted
  • Carbon Action Fund – Noted

Oxfordshire County Council:-

  • Overgrown footpaths – OCC has confirmed that the overgrown footpaths will not be cut back until next season.   Noted.
  • Sandbag Policy – The clerk had circulated OCC’s sandbag policy which was noted.
  • Quote for sign at Gagingwell –  The quote totals circa £1,800.00.   After discussion, it was agreed to request funding from the County Councillors’ Priority Fund and CC. Saul agreed to this request.   The clerk will complete the necessary paperwork and CC. Saul was thanked for this.

Parish Council – Correspondence:-

  • Neighbourhood Plan/Housing Needs Survey – Cllrs. Glendinning, Ferguson-Davie & Millar had attended an online training event, organised by the National Association of Local Councils, regarding Neighbourhood Plans.  The event had been disappointing and the PC remains to be convinced of the role and value of having a Neighbourhood Plan (NP) which is also very costly to compile, costing thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money.  An update on the District Council’s Local Plan is also required before considering a NP.  Cllr. Millar suggested that the PC starts to think about what it wants in terms of developing relationships and parish needs and suggested the formation of sub-groups to establish this.  Cllrs. Bourne-Taylor & Peart agreed to work together on biodiversity and Cllrs. Millar & Ferguson-Davie will work together, establishing some scoping documents to present to the Council.
  • Sports Club:–
  1. Registering the Lease – the Sports Club is currently organising this.
  2. S106 monies – a meeting has been arranged for 13th November at the sports club, with members of the sports club, Cllr. A. Ward, Ms Nicola Mellings from WODC and Mr Andy Earnshaw, Head of Football Operations at Oxfordshire Football Association.  Cllr. Ward was thanked for coordinating this meeting.
  3. Annual Risk Assessment of the Sports Field – the clerk will contact OALC regarding this.
  • Enstone Parish Hall – S106 monies towards recreation – A quote of circa £8,000.00 had been received for new flooring at the parish hall, for sports’ events.  This will be considered at a later date.
  • Enstone Airfield – Cllr. Beaney had retrieved historical information from Mr. Phillip Shaw, Business Manager at WODC regarding the airstrips.  DC Beaney is organising a meeting with Mr. Phillip Shaw (before he retires), a member of the enforcement team at WODC, Cllr. Hugo Ashton and PCs Knott and Shaw for next week to discuss this further.
  • Noticeboard, Church Enstone – For November’s agenda
  • Dog poo bin request in Cleveley – The cost and upkeep of a new litter/dog poo bin is circa £500.00 annually.   The clerk will put an article into the Ensign magazine requesting the residents of Cleveley to contact her on their views and where the bin would be best placed.
  • Defibrillator Report – Defib4Life had undertaken an annual survey of the defibrillator.  New pads are required but the battery does not yet need replacing.  It also advised a new case and/or cabinet.   Cllr. Millar will inspect the cabinet and report back.  A guardian is still required every 6-8 weeks to check the defibrillator.  The clerk will put an article into Ensign.  Mr Ian Cave was thanked for all his dedicated work checking the defibrillator over many years.
  • OALC:–
  1. September’s Update – this had been circulated to all members.
  2. Oxfordshire’s Charter – it was agreed to approve the Oxfordshire Councils’ Charter, a framework for better partnership working in Oxfordshire, including shared commitments and principles.
  3. Website training – Cllr. Peart and the clerk had attended an online training event on what information is required on the website.  Ongoing
  4. Training requests from PCs for 2025/2026 – none given
  5. Refresher course for experienced clerks 4.3.25.  The PC agreed to the clerk attending this online course.
  • Invitation to visit Whiteways Technical Centre – ongoing
  • A renewable light source for bus shelters – it was agreed that this was not required.

109. Planning Application:-

  • Whiteways Technical Centre, Enstone, 24/02563/FUL – Erection of an extension to the Wind Tunnel Building together with associated development – No objection

Decisions Received:-

  • Whiteways Technical Centre, Enstone, OX7 4EE – 24/01297/FUL – Construction of a temporary staff car park for a period of three years, including the formation of a pedestrian and vehicular link across an existing bridleway, to link the new temporary car park to the existing site, earth bunding for the storage of topsoil for future reinstatement, temporary drainage works, low-level wayfinding lighting and associated works – Approved
  • Barn Cottage, Chapel Lane, Enstone, 24/02042/HHD – Removal of existing single-storey side extension, erection of 2 storey and single-storey rear extension, new dormer and alterations to create open-sided entrance porch both to side (south) elevation – Approved
  • Glyme Bank, Lidstone, 24/02015/HHD – Conversion of part of garage to create utility room (retrospective) – Approved
  • Willowbrook, Radford, 24/01982/HHD – Erection of garage and garden store, air source heat pump and associated works – Approved

110. Finance:-

a) To agree the following accounts for payment:-

  • Clerk’s Salary                         Personal
  • NEST Pension Scheme (er) Personal
  • NEST Pension Scheme (ee) Personal
  • HMRC £200.08
  • HMRC £100.00
  • Vodaphone £19.72
  • Stationery £42.45
  • RBLI, Wreath £24.49
  • Thomas Fox £352.80
  • Defib4Life £90.00
  • Moore, external audit £252.00
  • Complete Weed Control £368.40
  • Jason Gillett, Groundworks Ltd £1,800.00
  • Enstone Parish Hall, rent £91.80

Received:-

  • HMRC, VAT 23/24                £3,410.07
  • Sports Club rent                             £5.00
  • Precept                                   £21,220.00
  • Mrs B Sinclair (NI/Tax)              £59.53

b) Moore, external audit report – The clerk had circulated the external auditor’s report prior to the meeting and was thanked for all her work with this.  There were two items to note – i) The internal auditor had ticked the box confirming that the Parish Council operates a petty cash system but this is incorrect and ii) A more thorough description of the Council’s reserves is required.    Noted

c)   Quarterly Statement of Affairs to 30.9.24 – This was circulated, together with the accounts to all members prior to the meeting and were recorded as noted and agreed.   Cllr. Glendinning will check through the paperwork as part of the Council’s financial risk management policy.

111. Dates of Next Meetings:-

  • Thursday 14th November, Finance Meeting
  • Thursday 21st November
  • Wednesday 11th December

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20 pm.  Cllr. Knott thanked everyone for attending.