Meetings • Virtual Parish Council meeting were held on Zoom on 17 November 2020 and 7 December 2020. 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 • 4 January & 19 January 2021 at 7.30pm on Zoom.
Planning • 20/03146/F, Westbrook, Tadmarton Road, Bloxham – The Parish Council had no objection to an application for a two storey side and a part single storey front extension with associated internal/external works.
• 20/03147/F, Beehive Cottage, Church Street, Bloxham – The Parish Council had no objection to a retrospective application for the installation of a driveway gate, consisting of a central six bar field gate and two pedestrian access gates to the left and right of the central installation. The central driveway gate opens inwards against an existing wall, the left and right pedestrian gates open inwards away from the roadway.
• The Miller Homes appeal relating to the surfacing of the car park opposite the Primary School, had been upheld. Miller Homes only had to ensure the car park was safe and the Inspector felt that it was even though the surfacing is unpleasant in wet weather. The County Council had advised that Section 106 funds could not be used to purchase a better surfacing because they had been allocated to other projects. The Parish Council would follow this up again with the County Council to find alternatives.

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.
• There had been some near misses at the crossing outside the shops due to cars not stopping at the red light. This matter would be followed up with the County Council and the Parish Council encourages pedestrians to take extra care when crossing the road here.
• Residents are reminded that grit bins are not to be used for throwing away general rubbish and dog waste.
• A resident had raised an issue about the use of the disabled parking bay outside the shops on High Street and this would discussed by the Traffic Calming Working Group.
• 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.
• Cotefield Treecare would be undertaking a tree survey of trees on Parish Council owned land and would be working with the Parish Council for the next three years on the maintenance of the trees.
• The Emergency Plan had been updated and a copy would be forwarded to the Emergency Planning section at the County Council. It would also be available on the Parish Council web site.
• The grass cutting contract for the next three years had been awarded to Nigel Prickett.
• 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
• A meeting would be arranged with the County Council’s Footpath Officer to discuss issues which had arisen on the Hobb Hill footpath and maintenance of The Gogs footpath.
• Repairs and replacements would be undertaken to the play equipment at Jubilee Park.
Community • The current issue of free school meals for children during school holidays was being investigated by District Councillor Andrew McHugh and the Parish Council was in support of this initiative.

Finance • The Budget for 2021/2022 was approved with no increase in the Precept.
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 can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

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