Minutes from meeting held on: Thursday 11 January, 2018
Present: Lynn Roberts (LR), Bruce Tremayne (BT), Terry Pollard (TP), Dawn Channon (DC), Bryn Walker (BW), Christine Herbert (CH), Jack Pearson (JP), Samantha Hatwell – clerk (SH).
Christopher Harris and Donna Han.
Apologises:
None.
Declaration of Interests:
None.
Public Comments/Notices:
Mr C. Harris was querying the grant for the defib as the deficit of £1246.00 has not yet been spent on ‘village projects’. BW confirmed that the left-over money was going to be used for first aid courses which SSE had agreed would be agreeable. South Central ambulance service agreed to organise, but had not heard back from Dick Tracey, Mr Harris stated that he had retired, but BW was unaware of this. Mr Harris had contact Gareth Shields at SSE asking what other projects the money could be spent on. Mr Harris had contacted Paul Wilson at Oxfordshire County Council asking how much grit bins would cost and future costs on refilling with grit. BT wanted to see in writing the letter from SSE stating what the money could be used for before we made any further decisions on spending the deficit. Christine Herbert suggested we ask the village as to what the surplus should be spent on.
Mrs. Han wants the swing to be fitted as soon as possible and noted that some of the other swing seats are showing signs of wear and tear. BW will look at the swings and organise the fitting of the swing seat.
Approval of the minutes from the meeting held on 7th December 2017.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Bryn Walker, the chairman.
Matters arising from the meeting held on the 7th December 2017
a) Resurrection of Bicester Villages Parish Group. – SH reported that she had contacted Piddington PC along with Wendlebury PC, to give our support to the group being restarted but had not received any communications from either PC’s.
b) Allotments. – SH had emailed R Lambert regarding a quote for the path cutting and rotavating of empty plots. Unfortunately, the email was returned as the mail server didn’t recognise the address. SH to write to him. With this possible expenditure on the allotments it was agreed to increase the allotment rents by £5.00. This increase will come into effect from April 2018.
c) Car parked dangerously in Islip. – It was confirmed that the car has now been removed.
d) Pheasant shooting – Christopher Harris had received a response to his letter stating that the shooting has to stop if people are walking on the public bridle way.
Finance
a) Budget 2018/19 – Discussions were made and it was agreed to increase the precept by £500.00. This is the first rise in two years. SH to confirm our precept of £6,500 with Cherwell District Council.
b) Payments for approval – Clerks salary for January. Payment was approved and a cheque was signed.
Burial Grounds
OLD – TP had checked the gate and noted that it wasn’t lining up with the catch. TP & JP will look at it to see if any adjustments can be made.
NEW – Hedge cutting inside will need to be checked for future cutting. BW will look to see is it needs doing soon.
Playing field/ground
a) Swing seat – Going on from earlier discussions, BW and JP will check the safety of the swing seats and if necessary take them down before any replacement is refitted.
b) Letter from Mrs E Wykes – Community fund raising group. It was agreed that a couple of amendments were needed. SH to convey the changes to Mrs Wykes.
c) Grass cutting – M R Cross has said that they are willing to charge the PC the same price per cut of £175.00 as last year.
Planning
Network Rail – DC had not received a response from her letter as of today’s date.
Items for further discussions
Dates for the forthcoming meetings were agreed. SH to book the hall.
Being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.50pm. The next meeting will be held on the 22nd February 2018 in the Percy Collet room of the Community Hall at 7.30pm.