HORSPATH PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6th December 2016 At 8pm in HORSPATH VILLAGE HALL. Present: Mr T Ayres, Mr K Brooks, Mr P Apologies Dobson (Chairman), Mr J Dobson, Mr P Ewart, Mr M Harris, Mr D Horsley, Mrs H Palmer, Mrs S Watson, Mrs H Kogel (Clerk). Mrs E Gillespie (District Councillor), Mrs A Purse Absent: (County Councillor). Public: 13 195/16 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – There were no apologies to be made. 196/16 DECLARATION OF INTEREST – There were no declarations. 197/16 MINUTES FOR APPROVAL. The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 1st November 2016 were agreed and signed by the Chairman. 198/16 MATTERS ARISING. Mr Horsley stated that the Christmas tree will be put up this coming weekend and all help will be gratefully received. 199/16 MAPLE TREE CHILDREN’S CENTRE – Ms. Vicki Job and Mr Chris Sewell. Ms. Job explained to Councillors that as a result of recent cuts in OCC’s budget, a committee has been formed to try and save the Maple Tree Children’s Centre from closing. They have produced a business plan which will be submitted to OCC and if it is accepted they will become an independent charity. Approximately 60% of the children/families currently using the centre are from Horspath. As a parent it can be very lonely at home and those who signed up for a parenting course state that their confidence grew and so did their families. Approximately 88% of the total people using the centre state that their lives are better for it. Ms. Job stated that they are approaching local Parish Councils to help financially support the centre. Mr Horsley asked how 60% of the children/families in Horspath use the centre. Ms. Job stated that they regularly visit the centre and will attend a variety of other activities/courses offered by the centre. Ms. Job stated that they are also hoping to fund a play bus in the future. Mr Harris asked how many children are able to attend one session. Ms. Job stated that it is hard to predict on a day to day basis. There are two rooms available to use, one of which will take 60 children/adults and also an outdoor area that they encourage people to use. Ms. Job stated that OCC has asked them to express an interest in leasing the building and then they will negotiate a lease on their behalf. They are hoping that the rent will be waived. Mr Harris asked if there were enough staff to operate the centre. Ms. Job stated that they so have enough staff but they are OCC staff who are able to work until their contracts expire. However, the business plan does include sufficient staff. Mr Peter Dobson asked if they hold any accounts. Ms. Job stated that until the charity is approved they are not able to open a bank account. They are approaching charities to ask for their support. The Church of England is expressing an interest in overseeing the centre until the charity is operating. Mr Peter Dobson asked how long the centre has been open. Ms. Job stated that the centre has been open for 8 years but their newly formed committee has only been in operation for 6 months. Mr Peter Dobson asked what services the centre offers to families. Mr Job stated that there are a range of services for everyone who has children, parents, grand-parents, uncles, aunts etc. A Health Visitor is also available at the centre. There are peak sessions to prepare children for pre-school as well as school. There are also sessions held on a Saturday. Mr Peter Dobson asked if they have any finances to start up with. Ms. Job stated that there are no funds available at the moment but OCC will fund £30,000.00 over the next three years. Wheatley Parish Council has stated that they will donate at least £10,000.00. They are approaching all local Parish Councils in the hope that they will also make a donation. Mr Peter Dobson asked what is the timing on the agreement with OCC. Ms. Job stated that they have to submit their bid to OCC in January 2017 and if it is successful funds will be in place by March 2017. Mr Horsley asked if there is a charge to families using the centre. Ms. Job stated that there will be a voluntary contribution but if families can’t afford to pay there will be no charge. Children’s Centres have never been allowed to use government vouchers are they are not a children’s nursery. Mr Peter Dobson thanked Ms. Job and Mr Sewell for attending the meeting and stated that this will be considered by Councillors at the next meeting. 200/16 EMERGENCY BUSINESS. Mr Harris stated that he has recently purchased new lights for the Christmas tree and also a new battery for the Parish Council’s Smallholder 135 tractor. Mr Harris reported that he attended a “Save the Green Belt” meeting yesterday which was chaired by Helen Marshall – Director of CPRE Oxon. Landowners owning land in the Green Belt are planning a series of urban extensions with the latest development being proposed to SODC by Brasenose College which is looking to build across the agricultural land from Cuddesdon Road all the way along to Oxford Road, Garsington. This is unacceptable as Horspath wants to remain as a village separated from Oxford by the open land of the Green Belt. The landowners will at some point submit planning applications to SODC for the urban extensions, which could be from as early as mid-January 2017, so there will be little time for Parish Councils to develop a strategy in advance to oppose them. Mr Harris proposed that the Clerk reply to Brasenose College’s agents - Barton Willmore stating that their proposals are inappropriate and an unwelcome development, so therefore there is no purpose in discussing it further at this time. The document from Brasenose College is now in the public domain and is available for anyone to see on the internet. Mr Ewart stated that last year each field was rated to see how it fulfilled each of the five purposes of the Oxford Green Belt, so has this now been discarded? Mr Harris stated that it is still very clear that Green Belt areas cannot be built on unless exceptional circumstances apply. Each District Council has to show in its Local Plan that it has a five year supply of land allocated for housing as central government is promoting development. Mr Harris stated that professional advice will need to be sought once any planning application for building in the Green Belt near Horspath has been submitted. Horspath Neighbourhood Development Plan has to show how land in the village is currently used and how we want it to be used in the future. Mr Harris will be contacting SODC to apply for the £5,000.00 grant to progress our Neighbourhood Plan. 201/16 PLANNING APPLICATIONS. P16/S3729/ Land (Agricultural) Cuddesdon Road, Horspath (Full Application) FUL Steel framed shed to store animal food, tools, grape processing equipment. - Horspath Parish Councillors consider that this application should be approved. P16/S3729/ Land (Agricultural) Cuddesdon Road, Horspath (Full Application) FUL Steel framed shed to store animal food, tools, grape processing equipment. (As corrected by proposed elevation drawings in relation to the eaves of the building accompanying letter from applicant received 22nd November 2016). **Amended details** - Horspath Parish Councillors considers that this application should be approved. P16/S3516/ 7 Gidley Way, Horspath FUL As amended by plan ref P01 B which shows the existing boundary brick wall being reduced from 1m to 0.6m along the highway boundary. **Amended details** - Councillors would like to re-confirm previous responses that this application should be refused on the basis that it is an over-development of the land that is meant for one house. There is also concern that there is no rear access for emergency services. Mrs Gillespie suggested that a representative of the Parish Council attend the planning meeting at SODC on 14th December 2016. Mr Peter Dobson stated that a representative is not available to attend the meeting, so written objections will be sent to SODC. Mrs Gillespie stated that this is acceptable, but not ideal. Mr Horsley stated that he has attended planning meetings in the past at SODC and has given his objections but the planning application was approved in a pre-meeting at SODC. Mrs Gillespie stated that there are no pre-meetings held. P16/S3993/ Robinson Trees Compound, Sandy Lane, Horspath MPO Modification of planning obligation relating to P97/NO616/RET. - Councillors have no strong views on this application and accepts that SODC will determine it as it considers appropriate. P16/S2902/ 2 Gidley Way, Horspath (Full Application) FUL Erection of detached two storey house and associated works, including revised access, parking and turning area for 2 Gidley Way. Revised application for smaller house design, previous application P16/S0099/FUL was refused. As amplified by the overlay which was received on 15t November 2016 showing a comparison between the refused scheme (P16/S0099/FUL) and the current proposal. **For information purposes only** PLANNING PERMISSIONS/REFUSALS/APPEALS. P16/S2594/ 1 Wrightson Close, Horspath (Full Application) FUL The erection of a two bedroom bungalow on land to the side of no.1 Wrightson Close, Horspath. – Granted. Mr Horsley stated that although planning permission has been granted, further permitted development rights have been refused.