Meetings

• A Parish Council meeting was held on Zoom on 4 January 2021.  Agendas and minutes are available on the PC web site.   http://www.bloxhamparishcouncil.co.uk/
• All Parish Council meetings are open to the public and are held twice a month; the first Monday (unless it is a bank holiday, then it is the Monday of the following week) and either the third Tuesday or Wednesday.  Both meetings include consideration of planning applications. These meetings are also forums for residents to raise issues of concern.  
• Parish Council meetings would continue to be held on Zoom until Government guidance was changed to allow for physical meetings.  Agendas will be available on the PC web site as usual and the Clerk should be contacted for further details, including attendance at the meetings held on Zoom.

Next Meetings

• 19 January 2021 & 1 February 2021 at 7.30pm on Zoom. 

Planning

• 20/03267/F & 20/03268/LB, Joiners Arms, Old Bridge Road, Bloxham – The Parish Council has no objections to an application for a single storey extension to the rear and renovation & alteration of toilet area to include new disabled facilities, subject to comments from the Conservation Officer.
• 20/03374/F, 13 Milton Road, Bloxham – The Parish Council has no objections to an application for a single storey extension and extension over existing garage.
• 20/02995/F, Chebli, Banbury Road, Bloxham – The Parish Council objected to an application for a two storey side extension, single storey rear extension and loft conversion because it was contrary to a number of policies in the Bloxham Neighbourhood Development Plan.
• 20/03259/F, 17 Lawrence Leys, Bloxham – The Parish Council had no objections to an application for the erection of porch and rear and part side extension with associated internal and external works.
• 20/03445/F, 1 Lawrence Leys, Bloxham – The Parish Council had no objections to an application for a single storey rear extension, subject to confirmation that the proposal was not an overdevelopment of the site and that the neighbours did not have any objections.
• The Parish Council still had concerns about the drainage on the Miller Homes (Tadmarton Road) car park and at the attenuation pond and these would be followed up with Cherwell District Council.
• The issues of anti-social behaviour at Bloxham Service Station had reduced due to the 24 hour sale of alcohol being temporarily suspended.
• A proposal for extending the lay-by in Park Close to assist with traffic flow whilst deliveries to Bloxham School are made to this site, on a temporary basis, was discussed.  However it was likely planning permission would be needed for the works, therefore it was unlikely that the proposal would now be going ahead.

Planning applications and comments could be viewed at https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/115/planning/443/see-or-comment-on-a-planning-application23as

Environment/
Highways

• Potholes, overhanging trees or hedges and street lighting issues can be reported by residents at https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/  When reporting on this site, photographs are useful.
• Please could drivers park their vehicles safely and considerately in all areas of the village and be aware that Thames Valley Police are continuing to carry out patrols and will issue parking fines to drivers who park their cars dangerously or cause an obstruction on the footpaths.  This is again a particular issue on the stretch of the A361 outside of The Loft.
• Please do not park on the grass verges as this destroys them and damages the appearance of the whole village.
• Oxfordshire County Council’s Fix My Street Super Users was a new initiative, using volunteers, to try and improve the rate at which pothole are fixed.  The volunteer would receive training and the role would involve measuring and spraying potholes and then reporting them straight to OCC’s contractor.  This will hopefully be making the service more efficient.  If any residents would like to volunteer for this role, please contact the Clerk.
• There are no allotments in Bloxham, however there are some in Milton which can be rented.  More information can be obtained by contacting Harriet Featherstone at Carter Jonas.   harriet.featherstone@carterjonas.co.uk
• The Parish Council noted that a request submitted to Cherwell District Council by Bloxham School for tables and chairs outside White Lion Café, had been refused. 
• Cherwell District Council and the Environment Agency would be contacted with regard to flooding at the Yeoman’s garage site on Courtington Lane/Cumberford Hill as it was possible contaminated water had leaked into Sor Brook.

Community

• A plan would be produced to organise how sandbags in the village would be requested and distributed.
• If any residents would like to assist with litter picking in the village, please contact the Clerk.
• There are a number of vacancies on the Parish Council.  Please contact the Clerk for more details if you are interested in the roles.  bloxhamparishcouncil@gmail.com
• If any residents would like to join the Parish Council’s Traffic Calming Working Group, please contact the Clerk.

Covid-19

• If any residents needed support during the Covid-19 Pandemic, they should contact the village support group by email at bloxhamcommunity@yahoo.com for advice.
• Residents were reminded that social distancing should be maintained at all times, staying two meters apart, but if this is not possible, it should be 1 meter with extra precautions, such as a face covering.
• The latest guidance on the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Communication

• Follow Bloxham Parish Council on Facebook.
• The Parish Council’s ‘Drop-In and Chat’ sessions are usually held from 10.30 am to 11.30 am on the second Saturday of every month at the Ex-Servicemen’s Hall, however they are currently cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic.
• Contact the Clerk, Theresa Goss, on 01295 710965, during normal office hours or email bloxhamparishcouncil@gmail.com