22 Jul 2006 - PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL
The meeting on July 12 was attended by the seven parish councillors, eight members of the public and Cherwell District councillor Douglas Webb.
Chairman Keith Hainsworth introduced two guest speakers. First was Police Sergeant Dave Hibbert who leads a team covering 29 villages in North Oxfordshire, based on Deddington. He explained how rural neighbourhood policing is to be expanded in the next few years, including the recruitment of police community support officers. Regular meetings are to be organised with parish council representatives and other interested parties.
Then followed a presentation by James Alcock, the rural housing enabler for the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council. He touched on the need for affordable housing particularly for old and young people caused by high village property prices, shortage of smaller properties and loss of council housing. Where affordable housing is provided, the Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership endeavours to allot it principally to people with local connections, either through family or work demands. He stressed the need for a parish plan for local housing.
The first item raised at the Open Forum was the Stone Pit, the area of land along Sugarswell Lane owned by the Parish Council and ideally situated for the erection of one or more mobile phone transmitters which are now said to be smaller and also aesthetically more acceptable. Considerable research and consultation is necessary both with agents and with nearby properties which must be protected.
Traffic speed along Stocking Lane is still a concern to the residents there, mainly arising from the surgery and the school, It was agreed that letters be sent to both places and if this produces no effect then it will be necessary to discuss traffic calming measures. The same residents also requested a tree preservation order to be placed on trees in front of an area at the far end of the lane where several houses may be built.
The council agreed to a request to contact the Highways Department on the poor state of the edges of the road leading from Alkerton crossroads towards Shutford. Later discussion also arose on weight restrictions on traffic using Alkerton and Shenington hills and the diversion of business park traffic away from the two villages.
The accounts for last year were presented by Tim Dowdeswell for final approval by the council. He thanked clerk Colm Gibson for producing them and Cyril Anson for acting as internal auditor and who had also made several suggestions for future implementation.
Changing circumstances have resulted in Cherwell District Council inviting previously rejected planning applicants to re-submit. Accordingly, an extraordinary meeting of the Parish Council was arranged for July 19 to consider planning within the parish. Details of this meeting will be given next week.
The meeting on July 12 was attended by the seven parish councillors, eight members of the public and Cherwell District councillor Douglas Webb.
Chairman Keith Hainsworth introduced two guest speakers. First was Police Sergeant Dave Hibbert who leads a team covering 29 villages in North Oxfordshire, based on Deddington. He explained how rural neighbourhood policing is to be expanded in the next few years, including the recruitment of police community support officers. Regular meetings are to be organised with parish council representatives and other interested parties.
Then followed a presentation by James Alcock, the rural housing enabler for the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council. He touched on the need for affordable housing particularly for old and young people caused by high village property prices, shortage of smaller properties and loss of council housing. Where affordable housing is provided, the Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership endeavours to allot it principally to people with local connections, either through family or work demands. He stressed the need for a parish plan for local housing.
The first item raised at the Open Forum was the Stone Pit, the area of land along Sugarswell Lane owned by the Parish Council and ideally situated for the erection of one or more mobile phone transmitters which are now said to be smaller and also aesthetically more acceptable. Considerable research and consultation is necessary both with agents and with nearby properties which must be protected.
Traffic speed along Stocking Lane is still a concern to the residents there, mainly arising from the surgery and the school, It was agreed that letters be sent to both places and if this produces no effect then it will be necessary to discuss traffic calming measures. The same residents also requested a tree preservation order to be placed on trees in front of an area at the far end of the lane where several houses may be built.
The council agreed to a request to contact the Highways Department on the poor state of the edges of the road leading from Alkerton crossroads towards Shutford. Later discussion also arose on weight restrictions on traffic using Alkerton and Shenington hills and the diversion of business park traffic away from the two villages.
The accounts for last year were presented by Tim Dowdeswell for final approval by the council. He thanked clerk Colm Gibson for producing them and Cyril Anson for acting as internal auditor and who had also made several suggestions for future implementation.
Changing circumstances have resulted in Cherwell District Council inviting previously rejected planning applicants to re-submit. Accordingly, an extraordinary meeting of the Parish Council was arranged for July 19 to consider planning within the parish. Details of this meeting will be given next week.