D R A F T M I N U T E S
ENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in Enstone Parish Hall on Thursday 20th March 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, DC. Andrew Beaney and CC. Geoff Saul
APOLOGIES: DC. Alex Wilson
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs. Beth Sinclair, Clerk and two representatives from Smiths regarding Enstone Quarry
22. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND MEMBERS’ REGISTER OF INTERESTS:
- PCs. N. Peart, P. Shaw and A. Ward declared an interest in item 12 (Enstone Relief in Need Charity)
23. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
- The minutes of the two Parish Council Meetings held on Thursday 20th February 2025 were circulated, adopted and signed by Cllr. Knott.
24. PRESENTATION FROM SMITHS REGARDING ENSTONE QUARRY:-
- Two representatives from Smiths attended the meeting to update the Parish Council on its plans for Enstone Quarry and to talk about the upcoming planning applications.
- The plans are for the quarry to be used as a small depot for vehicles. A planning application is to be submitted for the modular units.
- Included in the area there will be a biodiversity net gain plot where the current knotweed is located.
- The site is currently overgrown with significant outcrops of Japanese Knotweed and Giant Knotweed but future developments are likely to have soft landscaped areas, which will have decorative planting.
- The rubbish (including tyres) from the western corner of the site where fly-tipping occurred has been removed; some of the asbestos has also been cleared.
- PC. Millar drew concern about possible contamination into the waterways – Smiths has conducted regular studies and will forward the results of these to the Parish Council.
- Smiths confirmed that CCTV will be installed around the entrance of the site to try and deter fly-tipping.
- Cllr. Knott thanked them for attending.
25. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: – None
26. MATTERS ARISING:-
- S106 monies for Art & Recreation – ongoing
- The Marshall Fountain – An architect who used to live in Church Enstone has arranged to undertake a site visit.
- Litter Picking Weekend 22nd & 23rd March – Cllr. Shaw was thanked for organising this. There will be two groups of volunteers and Cllr. Shaw will circulate further details
- Nicholsons – There had been no response from Nicholsons following the damage to the sports field
- Housing Needs Survey – ongoing
- Pedestrian sign at Gagingwell – to be installed in June
- Dog/litter bin Church Enstone where noticeboard was – ongoing
- New Community WhatsApp group – ongoing
- PC vacancy – No response. The clerk will re-advertise in the Ensign magazine
- Thomas Fox – The first grass cutting of the verges will take place w/c 21st April followed by “No Mow May”.
- Overgrown vegetation at The Planks and overgrown Himalayan Balsam on private land around Enstone – it was agreed to take these items off the agenda as no responses had been received from either owner.
27. ITEMS TO REPORT:
a) The Parish Council sends its best wishes to the sports groundsman who has looked after the sports club for many years as he is currently unwell.
b) Cllr. Knott explained that Soho Farmhouse has purchased a field (Apple Pie Wood) and removed all the trees. It was resolved to invite the Development Architectural Director from Soho to a Parish Council meeting, to update the Parish Council regarding ongoing works at Soho Farmhouse.
c) Cllr. Knott reported an attempted vehicle theft from Church Enstone, cooking oil being stolen from The Crown Inn and oil tanks in Enstone being syphoned off.
d) Cllr. Knott updated the Council regarding the continued deterioration of the road through Lidstone caused by springs. There had been two site visits with WODC and OCC – in summary, nothing can be done about the springs because they are situated on private land and it is the landowner’s responsibility to sort the springs out. It was resolved to contact the Environment Agency.
28. County Councillor’s Report:-
- CC. Saul updated members on the ongoing Freight Weight Restriction Study. The study concluded that 40 per cent of vehicles were delivering in the area. There had been 13,700 journeys made over a couple of days. The report will be published in May with suggestions and proposals on how to lessen the number of journeys.
29. District Councillor’s report:-
- DC Beaney explained that there will be an Executive Meeting concerning the proposal to move to a unitary authority model in Oxfordshire. WODC is proposing a two-unitary model with Cherwell, West Oxfordshire & Oxford City forming one unitary council. In addition, The Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils would combine with the existing West Berkshire unitary council to form a new “Ridgeway Council”.
30. CORRESPONDENCE:-
West Oxfordshire District Council:-
- Previously circulated for information
Oxfordshire County Council:-
- To report on the Parish Transport Representatives’ Meeting held on 18th March. It was resolved to await the minutes of the meeting.
Parish Council – Correspondence:-
- To report on site visit with OCC at Church Enstone & Lidstone – The site visit at Lidstone is going. It was resolved to contact the Environment Agency. A site visit took place at Church Enstone regarding parking difficulties.
- To agree quote for disposing of noticeboard at Church Enstone – It was resolved to agree the quote of £100.00.
- To respond to invitation from Community First Oxfordshire to attend Rural Housing Event on 3rd April in Abingdon. The PC sends its apologies.
- OALC – Actions to be taken from February’s update – None
- To consider funding for Community Projects from Energy for Tomorrow – It was agreed to forward the details to the Trustees of the ERINC. The closing date is 17th April.
31. Planning Applications:-
- Upper Farm, Cleveley, 25/00342/S73 – Variation of condition 2 of PP 24/00854/HHD to allow for changes to the extension, windows and roof – No objection
• Upper Farm, Cleveley, 25/00530/LBC – Internal & external alterations to farmhouse, including design changes to previously approved two storey extension and replacement of windows on east wing – No objection
- Church Cottage, Church Enstone, 25/00371/HHD & 25/00375/LBC – External alterations to erect a stone wall along the front elevation of the main house to replace the railway sleepers currently edging the flowerbeds – No objection
Decisions Received:-
- Appeal Notice, APP/D3125/C/24/3358009 – Chalford Paddocks, Oxford Road, Old Chalford. Without planning permission, the construction of stables and a material change of use of part of the stable building to a single dwelling house with associated hardstanding – Information
- Southcombe Farm, Oxford Road, Southcombe, 24/02674/FUL – Construction of replacement self custom build dwelling and associated works. Approved subject to Legal Agreement
32. 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
- Quarterly Office Expenses £78.00
- OALC, Membership £300.00
- .Green Gym x 1 session £60.00
b) – To appoint Internal Auditor for the accounts relating to the 2024/2025 financial year – it was resolved to ask Astral Accountancy, Chipping Norton who has carried out the internal audit over the past few years.
– To review the Parish Council’s Risk Assessment & Financial Controls for the 2025/2026 financial year – The clerk had circulated these prior to the meeting and it was resolved that these were correct.
– Scribe Accounting Software commencing 1.4.2025 – Cllr. Glendinning and the clerk had attended several online training sessions with Scribe who have also set up the cost centres and cost codes.
33. Dates of Next Meetings:-
- Thursday 24th April
- Thursday 15th May – Annual Parish Meeting
- Thursday 22nd May – Annual Council Meeting & PC Meeting
- Thursday 26th June
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.30 pm