DRAFT MINUTES
E N S T O N E P A R I S H C O U N C I L
A Zoom on-line Meeting of the Council was held on Thursday 28th May 2020 at 7.15 pm This was in accordance with Government Regulations During the Coronavirus
PRESENT: Parish Councillors N. Knott (Chair), P. Shaw, P. Johnson, C. Glendinning, A. Ward, D. Robottom (left at 7.40 pm), T. Gilbert (joined 7.35 pm), A. Lee and CC Hilary Hibbert-Biles APOLOGIES: PC Richard Parker was unable to connect to the meeting online IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs. Beth Sinclair – Parish Clerk
43. There were no declarations of interest.
44. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS:- The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 30th April 2020, having been previously circulated, were read and approved. The minutes from 24th February, 19th March, 26th March and 30th April were all signed by the Chair at this meeting.
45. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES:- ➢ Travellers at Green Lane – The clerk confirmed that PCSO Chris Jones is contacting the Highways Department at OCC regarding this. ➢ Grass Cutting – Revd. Mark Abrey confirmed that a £250.00 contribution towards the grass cutting at St. Kenelm’s Church will be paid to the Parish Council. The clerk will thank Revd. Abrey for this. ➢ Stones & wooden posts along the verge, Church Enstone – The Highways Department is dealing with this. ➢ Signposts along the Lidstone Road – These have now been placed correctly. ➢ Mullin Project – There had been no response from the District Councillor or planning department in relation to the Parish Council’s queries. The Chair and clerk will contact DC Andrew Beaney for further information regarding the schedule of conditions.
46. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:- • Public discussion included the repair of several road signs and a stray peacock in Lidstone.
47. CORRESPONDENCE:- West Oxfordshire District Council:- • The weekly Covid De-Briefings had been circulated during the month. These were very useful and had also been placed on the website. Noted. • Successful launch of district council meetings online – Noted • Bin crews praised after figures reveal major increase in lockdown waste – Noted • “Have your Say” on the District Council’s Climate Change Strategy – Parish Councillors will respond individually. The clerk will also put details of this into the Ensign magazine and website.
Oxfordshire County Council:- • 20 mph signs around Enstone – CC Hilary Hibbert-Biles advised that monies are available to support and encourage residents to cycle and walk. She suggested having 20 mph signs installed around Enstone to help with this initiative. The majority of the Parish Council agreed with this idea and CC Hibbert-Biles will take this idea forward. • CC Hibbert-Biles updated the Parish Council on the work involved with regards to the Coronavirus pandemic. Oxfordshire County Council now has a shortfall of £64.6 million of which Central Government has funded £27.2 million. Cllr. Johnson queried whether the County Council would need to use its reserves but it was too early to say.
1896 • Highways work – CC Hibbert-Biles has requested a list of works that are required around the parish e.g. pot holes, re-painting white lines, overgrown verges etc. Cllr. Glendinning kindly agreed to taking photos and forwarding these to CC Hibbert-Biles and was thanked for this. • Enstone Footpath 14 – The Planks – Cllr. Johnson queried when the work to The Planks will be carried out. The Chair will follow this up with OCC. • Inspection Covers A44 – A resident had contacted the clerk reporting loud noises when HGVs drive over the inspection covers along the A44 – Cllr. Glendinning will also take pictures of these and forward them to CC Hilary Hibbert-Biles and was thanked for this.
Other:- • Traffic Calming:- Installation of Vehicle Activated Sign at Gagingwell – Cllr. Shaw updated the Council, explaining that the VAS may now have to be solar powered and the costs for this are awaited. CC Hibbert- Biles explained that there are now two VAS displayed on either side of the Worcester Road in Chipping Norton and she will contact Mr. James Wright at OCC to discuss whether a further VAS could also be installed. • OALC Updates – These had been circulated to all members and included information regarding on-line meetings and the Coronavirus. • OALC, Neighbourhood Planning Online Training – Cllr. Ward agreed to undertake this training and was thanked for this. • Accessibility Regulations for public sector bodies – September 2020 – The clerk will contact OALC regarding training on this and the best course of action. • Parish Hall – Grass maintenance – The quote from Thomas Fox was discussed (£65.00 + VAT every two weeks during the grass cutting season) – The Parish Council agreed to fund this and suggested that the Parish Hall Management Committee contributes £250.00 towards this. Cllr. Lee will discuss this with the PHMC and inform the clerk. • Sports Club – Rent – The Sports Club has asked whether it can pay the £500.00 rent on 1st December. This was unanimously agreed and the Council has suggested that the Sports Club pays on a quarterly basis in the future. The clerk will contact the Sports Club concerning this. • Grass Cutting – The Drive – A resident has complained that the verges were cut too soon as, historically, these have been left along one side of the Drive to encourage wildlife. Cllr. Ward had asked several residents for their views and the majority view was that The Drive looked much better with the verges being cut short early in the season, in keeping with the rest of the village. The Parish Council unanimously voted that the verges are now cut early in the season. • Standing Orders – The clerk will update the Standing Orders with regards to new Government legislation regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. • Clerk’s Pay – The Council thanked the clerk for all her hard work and agreed to a pay increase of 2 per cent from 1st April.
48. Planning Applications:- • Soho Farmhouse, Great Tew, 20/00958/FUL – Extension and alterations to eastern side of glasshouse in walled garden to provide bin, gardeners and furniture storage plus other minor changes – No objection • Land West of Soho Farmhouse, Great Tew, 20/00905/FUL – Change of use of land from agriculture to hotel (to allow year found use of camping field ‘Farm Camp’) together with replacement guest amenity building, five-a-side pitch and new landscaping – The Parish Council will raise its concerns regarding this planning application to WODC. • 4 Keens Close, Enstone, 20/00784/HHD - Erection of 2 storey extension to both front & rear elevations – The neighbouring family had contacted the Parish Council with concerns regarding this planning application. The Parish Council has contacted WODC regarding these concerns. Noted.
Decisions Received:- • Leys Farm, Little Tew Road, Church Enstone, 20/00739/HHD – Erection of first floor extension above existing hallway – Approved
1897 • Broad Close, Little Tew Road, Church Enstone, 19/02551/HDD & 19/02552/LBC – Alterations to include erection of a single storey extension – Withdrawn
49. Finance:- a. To agree the following accounts for payment - Santander Account (normal parish account):- • Mrs Beth Sinclair £584.16 • NEST Pension Scheme (er) £17.79 • NEST Pension Scheme (ee) £23.71 • Came & Co., insurance £495.07 (fixed for three years) • Namesco renewals £151.66 • Zoom, monthly subscription £14.39 • OALC, training, Neighbourhood Plan £72.00 • Thomas Fox, grass maintenance £876.00
RECEIVED:- • Bank Interest 2019/2020 £107.61 • OALC, reimbursement fees £108.00 • OCC, grass cutting grant £1,023.77 b. Annual Governance Statement 2019/2020, Accounting Statements 2019/2020 & Explanation of Significant Variances – The clerk had circulated these documents to all Councillors who unanimously approved them. The clerk was thanked for her work involved with this. The Chair will sign the Annual Governance Statement and Accounting Statement.
50. Dates of Next Meetings:– • Thursday 25th June 7.15 pm • Thursday 30th July 7.15 pm
There being no further business the Zoom meeting ended at 8.30 pm. The clerk will circulate the invitation for the next Zoom meeting. It was agreed that the Parish Council will pay the cost of a monthly subscription of £14.39 to Zoom so there is no time limit to future meetings.
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