D R A F T M I N U T E S
ENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in Enstone Parish Hall on Thursday 20th February 2025 at 7.00 pm
PRESENT: PCs. N. Knott, P. Shaw, J. Ferguson-Davie, D. Robottom, C. Glendinning, H. Bourne-Taylor, N. Peart, A. Ward. C. Millar, DCs Andrew Beaney & Alex Wilson, CC Geoff Saul (7.15 pm) and four members of the public
APOLOGIES: None
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs. Beth Sinclair, Clerk
11. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND MEMBERS’ REGISTER OF INTERESTS:
- PC N. Peart declared an interest in item 10, Planning Applications (The Old Garage, Springfield, Bicester Road 25/00124/S73).
12. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
- The minutes of the two Parish Council Meetings held on Thursday 23rd January 2025 were circulated, adopted and signed by Cllr. Knott.
13. MATTERS ARISING:
- S106 monies for Art & Recreation – It was resolved to wait until June before a questionnaire is prepared and circulated to all residents, when all the information will have been received from various organisations.
- Super User for OCC – A resident is undertaking training to become a Super User on behalf of Enstone PC to report FixMyStreet issues and was thanked for this.
- Lidstone – Still awaiting a site visit from OCC
- Climate Change Webinar 29.1.25 – PC Peart attended this and explained that it was a general overview with data and introductions from various organisations.
- The Marshall Fountain – An architect who used to live in Church Enstone has been contacted PC Ferguson-Davie who is very sympathetic to the idea of restoring the Fountain.
- Litter Picking Weekend 22nd & 23rd March – Several PCs will be joining the litter picking weekend as well as the Eco Group and the clerk will advertise this once more in the Ensign magazine.
14. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
- Overgrown Trees at Sports Club – A resident attended the meeting complaining about the excessive height of the trees at the Sports Club. It was resolved that Cllr. Ward would contact the sports club on his behalf.
- County Councillor candidate for May elections – A member of the public introduced himself as a candidate for the May elections and explained his reasons for putting himself forward for election. He was thanked for attending.
15. ITEMS TO REPORT:
- Cllr. Robottom reported that within the last three weeks, seven cars had been hit by deer when leaving Enstone and heading towards Chipping Norton. It was resolved that Cllr. Knott will contact the local keepers.
- Cllr. Knott had circulated a fascinating document on the history of Enstone to all members which had been put onto the website. Noted.
- Cllr. Ward reported that Nicholsons had undertaken work at the sports club but the equipment had got stuck in the wet conditions, causing major damage to the pitch. Cllr. Knott had contacted Nicholsons regarding this and it was resolved that it is the responsibility of Nicholsons to make good the pitch.
- Cllr. Ward reported that the damaged road sign at the bottom of the Charlbury Road has not yet been replaced by WODC but the damaged road sign at Fulwell has been replaced by OCC.
- Information regarding the Power Pitch Assessment Plan at the Sports Club had been circulated to all members. This had been sent by WODC. The sports club will be looking into cricket board funding and other projects where funding is available to replace the existing equipment.
16. County Councillor’s Report:-
- CC Geoff Saul updated members on the Local Government Reorganisation (Unitary Authority) and the County Council’s budget. The deadline for interim plans to Government is 21st March 2025 following which the deadline for a full proposal is 28th November 2025. There will be a 4.99 % increase in the council tax with a balanced budget going forwards.
17. District Councillor’s report:-
- DC Beaney reported that the consultation on the Local Plan has been delayed until 12th May, following the 1st May elections.
- DC Wilson reported that the District Council has a balanced budget with a surplus of £91K.
- The Harrow – DC Wilson reported that the car repair shop which was in the car park has been relocated and that the taxi service has been disallowed. The planning department is investigating what works have been undertaken to the building.
18. CORRESPONDENCE:-
West Oxfordshire District Council:-
- Mapping community growing spaces and Local Nature Recovery Strategy Update – PC Hannah-Bourne will check that the survey has been completed.
Oxfordshire County Council:-
- CONSULTATION – Proposed Disabled Persons Parking Place, Cleveley Road – The Parish Council unanimously resolved to support this proposal and the clerk will put an article into the Ensign magazine.
Parish Council – Correspondence:-
- Resignation of PC Mike Gomm – The Parish Council expressed regret that PC Mike Gomm had resigned and will thank him for all his hard work over the past two years. The clerk will put an article in the Ensign magazine advertising the vacancy and the Monitoring Officer at WODC has been informed.
- Decision on noticeboard Church Enstone – The majority of replies from residents was not to have the noticeboard in Church Enstone replaced and so it was resolved that it will be dismantled in the coming weeks. Discussion took place on placing a dog/litter bin where the noticeboard had been and DC Beaney will check whether this is on County Council or District Council land. If it is not, the Parish Council will be charged an annual fee of circa £500.00 to have the bin emptied.
- To discuss quote from Green Gym B4022 Corner – The Parish Council unanimously approved the quote of £120.00 for two sessions (eight hours).
- EcoGroup querying Teak Sale at Enstone Parish Hall and PHMC seeking PC’s views in view of its biodiversity policy – The PHMC had undertaken further research into the sustainable sources of wood and having read this, it was unanimously resolved that there is no issue with the teak sale continuing at Enstone Parish Hall.
- Thames Valley Police asking for Enstone Parish’s priorities regarding policing – The clerk will respond asking for the police to undertake speed watch campaigns in Enstone, to review the car parking along the Lidstone Road during school drop off and for more of a police presence.
- Church Enstone – parking difficulties – A site visit with OCC will be organised.
- Emergency Plan – PC Ward agreed to be the lead for the emergency plan and PC Knott as the main contact in case of an emergency.
- To agree design for 2 signs at Gagingwell regarding pedestrians – It was agreed that the proposed sign is too large and that only one sign is required. The clerk will contact Signway.
- To begin the process of a Housing Needs Survey – The clerk will recontact Edgar, Planning Consultants in Witney, who gave a presentation to the Parish Council last year.
- OALC:- January’s Update – This had been circulated to all members prior to the meeting with information including an open day at County Hall to meet County Councillors on 3rd April, a training day on Community Led Plans and updated information from the National Association of Local Councils on “The Good Councillors’ Guide to Finance – 2025”
19. Planning Applications:-
- Chalford Cottage, Oxford Road, Old Chalford, 24/03158/HHD – Erection of side extension to existing dwelling – No objection
- The Old Garage, Springfield Bicester Road, 25/00124/S73 & 21/00871/FUL – Variation of conditions 2 & 10 of PP 21/00871/FUL (separation of annexe from dwelling to form a separate self-contained dwelling and associated landscaping alterations) to allow for amendments to the replacement fence (retrospective) – No objection. A member of the public attended the meeting to discuss concerns regarding the original planning application 21/00871/FUL and DC Andrew Beaney will investigate these further.
Decisions Received:-
- Land West Of Chapel Lane Chapel Lane Enstone Oxfordshire, 24/01570/FUL – Erection of a detached self-build dwelling with new access and associated works. Approved Subject to Legal Agreement
- Whiteways Technical Centre, Enstone, 24/02563/FUL – Erection of an extension to the Wind Tunnel Building together with associated development – Approved
- Whiteways Technical Centre Enstone, 24/03099/FUL – Erection of an extension to the R and D Building together with associated development and hard and soft landscaping – Approved
20. Finance:-
a) To agree the following accounts for payment:-
- Clerk’s salary Personal
- NEST Pension Scheme (er) Personal
- NEST Pension Scheme (ee)Personal
- Vodaphone £19.72
- OCC, Dragons Teeth, A44&B4022 £2,150.75
- Signway – Gagingwell signs £918.92
- (actual cost £1,918.92; OCC grant £1K received)
- Community First Oxfordshire £70.00 (annual membership)
Received:-
- OCC, Priority Fund £1,000 (towards Gagingwell signs)
21. Dates of Next Meetings:-
- Thursday 20th March
- Thursday 24th April
- Thursday 15th May – Annual Parish Meeting
- Thursday 22nd May – Annual Council Meeting & PC Meeting
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.15 pm