Notes of the Bloxham Parish Council Meeting Monday 6 July 2015

Councillor Geoff Mollard (Chairman); Councillors Robert Giles, Gloria Lester-Stevens, Stephen Phipps, Sue Slater, Tom Smith, Andrew Taplin and Jenny Yates were all present.

Theresa Goss (Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer), Gillian Roberts (Co-opted onto the Parish Council’s Environment Committee and Planning & Strategy Committee), District Councillors Christine Heath & Lynda Thirzie-Smart and John Groves BNDP Co-ordinator were also present.

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors Mary Groves, Patricia Hopkins and Nick Rayner and County Councillor Kieron Mallon.

The Chairman highlighted that the following day, it was the 10 year anniversary of the 07/07 bombings in London and Parish Council passed its condolences to those who had been affected by the attack.

It was requested that residents cut back trees and bushes which overhang footpaths, clear up their dogs’ mess and do not park their cars on pavements and grass verges. Parking on pavements hinders wheel chairs users, those with push chairs and those who were visually impaired. All of this behaviour reduces the enjoyment of the village to other residents.

Minutes – The minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2015 were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
Planning

Planning Applications – The Parish Council noted the planning applications which had been considered by the Parish Council’s Planning Committee since the last meeting. The results of applications which had been determined by Cherwell District Council’s Planning Committee were noted.

1. Bloxham Neighbourhood Development Plan (BNDP) – John Groves reported that the Plan was almost in its final stages. The Plan was at present, being checked by an independent examiner. It was hoped that the final version of the Plan would be approved by the Parish Council in August 2015, then submitted to CDC for a further 6 week consultation.

Details on the BNDP could be found on the web site. http://bloxhamneighbourhoodplan.co.uk/

• Warriner School – A condition set by the County Council when granting approval for the Warriner 6th form, was that lay-bys were created on Bloxham Grove Road The Parish Council had been advised that the delay to the widening of Bloxham Grove Road was due to the County Council and not Warriner School. The County Council was making the majority of the financial contributions to the works and as the 6^th form was now in its third year, OCC could possibly be in breach of its own planning consent.

1. Meeting with Victoria Prentis MP – A reply was being awaited from Victoria about a meeting with the Parish Council.

1. vi) Traffic Survey – A reply from the County Council was being awaited about their methodology before the Parish Councils progressed the survey.

3. Village/Parish Council Matters.

1. Red Lion, Bloxham – Despite the rumours, the site had still not been sold. However Fullers still wanted to sell it for £400,000 which the Steering Group felt was far too much, given the current poor state of the site.

Further details on the Red Lion could be found at http://www.redlionhub.org.uk/

2015. Village Caretaker – The role had now been filled and Bruno Durate had started on 1 July 2015.

iii) Youth Club – The Youth Club age range would now be changed and would accommodate children from Year 7 up to age 16, in the hope of encouraging more members. The last meeting would be on 14 July 2015 and it would re-open again during the second week in September 2015.

1. High Street Shops – The Clerk had received a telephone call from a resident complaining about the rubbish which was left outside the shops in the High Street. It was agreed that the shops be written to and asked not to store rubbish at the front of their premises. The Clerk would also make contact with Environment Health on this matter, if necessary.

1. Recreation Ground Trustees AGM – Councillor Robert Giles had attended the AGM and it had been a very positive meeting. A meeting between the Parish Council, Jubilee Park Management Committee and the Trustees would be arranged shortly to discuss the results of the play equipment questionnaire.

• Overhanging Hedges – The Parish Council had been advised by a resident that footpaths in the village were not mobility scooter friendly and the problem was made worse by overhanging trees and bushes. It was the responsibility of home owners to ensure that their trees and hedges did not overhang and cause an obstruction on pavements. The new Village Caretaker would be able to highlight areas of concern. The Chairman would visit the resident who had raised the issue.

• Jubilee Park Management Committee – Refurbishment work was almost complete and the Hall was now looking very good. The Committees’ AGM and a re-launch BBQ would be held on 2 August 2015. If anyone from the village was interested in joining the Management Committee, please email the Clerk to the Parish Council.

1. First Aid Course – The first aid course organised by the Parish Council and run by St John Ambulance, had been held on 20 June 2015 at Jubilee Hall. The attendees had found the course very useful and it had been very well presented. The Parish Council would consider running further courses, if there was sufficient interest.

1. St Mary’s Thursday Club – The Club was currently looking to recruit a new Secretary.

1. Drop-in and Chat Sessions – These sessions were being held on the second Saturday of each month, from 1030am-1130am at the Ex-Serviceman’s Hall. Please come along and meet your Parish Councillors!

Saturday 11 July 2015 – Councillors Robert Giles and Nick Rayner
Saturday 8 August 2015 – Councillors Tom Smith and Gloria Lester-Stevens

• Circular Walk – The work on the Walk would be completed shortly. New kissing gates and stiles would be installed, along with some badger fencing. It was hoped the Walk would be opened in September 2015. Des Jones, Geoff Mollard and Alan Mole were thanked by the Parish Council for all their hard work on the Walk.

• The Slade – The transfer would be completed imminently and the County Council would also be giving the Parish Council £5000 to complete works to the site, which it had not been able to complete itself, prior to the transfer. Funding from TOE2 had also been obtained and Alan Mole was thanked for his work completing the grant applications. Councillor Stephen Phipps was thanked for all his hard work on the Slade.

4. Meeting Dates – Future meeting dates for Bloxham Parish Council were as stated below. They would all commence at 7.30pm in the Parish Rooms, Bloxham, unless stated otherwise. However, please check the agenda on the Parish Council notice boards and web site during the week prior to the meeting.

• 3 August 2015
• 7 September 2015
• 5 October 2015
• 2 November 2015
• 7 December 2015

The full minutes of the meeting are available at www.bloxhamparishcouncil.co.uk
Please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council, Theresa Goss, on 01295 710965, during normal office hours or email bloxhamparishcouncil@gmail.com