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Parish Council Minutes - Wednesday, 9th September 2020

on Fri, 09/10/2020 - 2:11pm

SPARSHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Sparsholt Parish Council held on

Wednesday 9th September 2020 via Zoom starting at 7.00pm

 

Present: Councillors Barnes, Comyn and Jones, DC Barrow, the Clerk and RFO and 4 parishioners.

 

 

 

ACTION

1

Apologies:  Cllr Jacobs.

 

2

Co-option of new Parish Councillor:  Cllr Comyn proposed Rupert Corfield, seconded by Cllr Jones and Cllr Barnes agreed.  The Clerk to email the forms for completion.  Cllr Comyn welcomed Cllr Corfield to the Parish Council.

 

Clerk

3

Declaration of Acceptance of Office, Declarations of Interest & Reminder of the Code of Conduct:  Cllr Comyn declared a non-prejudicial interest; He lives nearby but his land is not adjoining.  Cllr Jones declared a non-prejudicial interest as the applicant is his former employer.

 

4

Minutes of the Sparsholt Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 8th July 2020:  The minutes were proposed as a true record by Cllr Comyn, seconded by Cllr Barnes and Cllr Jones agreed.

 

 

DC Barrow Report:  See attached.

 

5

Matters Arising: 

  1. Land registry number for the cemetery:  Ongoing.
  2. Petrol/cordless mower:  Cllr Barnes still to purchase the strimmer and claim the expense back from the Parish Council.  Cllr Jones suggested waiting until the Spring to purchase the strimmer as it is not needed this time of the year.
  3. Expenditure suggestions:  Cllr Jones confirmed that the free OCC cut will be completed in September.
  4. The ditch alongside the B4507 after the Sparsholt turn by Golden Acre:  Cllr Jones has investigated and reported that there is a 9” pipe that runs on the south side then crosses under the road and into the banking.  The ditch is in land adjacent to Lonsdales Estates and Golden Acre, and any repairs are the landholder’s responsibility.  Mr Lonsdale is happy to contribute to the repairs but expects the owner of Golden Acre to repair their section.  Traffic control would need to be put in place and the vegetation cut back.  It is also blocked on the north side near the collapsed railings.  Cllr Jones offered to contact the owners of Golden Acre and Cllr Comyn will supply the details.  Cllr Comyn asked Cllr Jones if he could do a map and specification of the work required.     
  5. Collapsed railings on the B4507 by Golden Acre:  Cllr Comyn has been assured by Lee Turner from OCC that it is on their list of works to be done.  Ian Lambourne has also contacted OCC on behalf of the Swires and was told that the work will be completed after the building work has been completed at the Manor.  Cllr Comyn to contact OCC again for clarification.
  6. Cemetery Hedge Quotes:  Two quotes have been received and after reclaiming the VAT the prices are only £35 different.  Matthew Coe Arborist £1,240.00 and RJR Tree Surgery £1,275.000 plus VAT.  It was agreed that as RJR Tree Surgery completed the previous work it would be only fair to choose them.  Cllr Comyn proposed the expenditure, seconded by Cllr Barnes and agreed unanimously.  Cllr Jones will thank both contractors and inform them of the Parish Councils decision.  Cllr Jones will ask that the work is completed at the end of September/beginning of October.  Cllr Comyn mentioned that the metal gate was not closing properly and asked Cllr Jones if he could look at it, Cllr Jones agreed.
  7. Sparsholt & Westcot Emergency Plan:  DC Barrow reported that he had emailed Gary Carey the Emergency Planning Officer about the insurance implications for a Parish Council and after consulting their risk and insurance officer he suggested speaking to the Parish Councils insurers/underwriters. He said that the District Council in line with the Insurance Act 2015 kept their insurers informed of their plans as they developed. As a Parish Council he recommended contacting the National Association Local Councils about this which he has done but no reply as yet.  Cllr Barnes has removed all references to the Parish Council to the plan and renamed it the Sparsholt & Westcot Community Plan.  Cllr Barnes suggested that it is adopted as a Community plan and will file it with the District Council and update when necessary.  If the insurance risks are clarified, then the plan could be reverted to a Parish Council led plan in the future if appropriate.  Cllr Barnes assured all present at the meeting that it was not a public document. 

 

Cllr Comyn

Cllr Barnes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Jones

Cllr Comyn

Cllr Jones

 

 

 

 

Cllr Comyn

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Jones

 

 

 

Cllr Jones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Barnes

6

Finance:

  1. Approval of the finance Report up to the 31st August 2020:  Cllr Comyn proposed acceptance, seconded by Cllr Jones and agreed unanimously. 
  2. Approval of any payments to be made: Cllr Comyn proposed payments for Cllr Barnes Zoom subscription June, July, August, September £57.56, the Clerk’s salary for September at £78.88, RFO’s salary September £47.11, HMRC PAYE £94.20, Clerk’s salary for October £78.68, RFO’s salary for October £47.11, seconded by Cllr Jones and agreed unanimously.
  3. Any other finance matters:  The RFO queried an un-cashed cheque for £100 that was written at a meeting that the RFO when absent.  It was a donation for the defibrillator training.  Cllr Barnes agreed to check on this.

Cllr Comyn agreed to put a notice in the notice board asking for expenditure ideas for the Parish. 

The RFO had emailed across details of changing bank accounts from NatWest to Metro/CO-OPerative for an incentive of £1,250.00.  It was agreed that this was a good idea and Cllr Comyn proposed the switch to Metro Bank, seconded by Cllr Jones and agreed unanimously.  The Parish Councillors will have to go into a branch, Newbury is the nearest.  The RFO to organise the switch.  Cllr Comyn proposed that Rupert Corfield be added as a signatory on the new account, seconded by Cllr Barnes and agreed by Cllr Jones.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Barnes

 

Cllr Comyn

 

 

 

 

 

RFO

7

Planning:

New Applications:

P20/V0526/FUL Westcot Farm, Westcot, OX12 9QA:  Application for planning permission for conversion of existing farm buildings to form seven family homes with associated parking, amenity areas, landscaping, and associated works.  (Amended plans and information received 24 August 2020 as detailed in the accompanying letter).  Cllr Comyn reminded the Parish Council of their previous objections that had been submitted as a response to the initial application.  The development conflicts with Core Policy 4: Housing Delivery in Part 1 of the Local Plan which states that: Development in open countryside will not be appropriate unless specifically of supported by other relevant policies set out in the Development Plan or national policy.  The Grain Store Barn G is not supported by Development Policy 7: ‘Re-use, Conversion and Extension of Buildings for Dwellings’ in Part 2 of the Local Plan. Cllr Comyn asked for the other Parish Cllrs views on the amended plans.  Cllr Jones stated that The Shepherds Cottage D is already a brick building and could find no reason for it not to be developed.  Building F is concrete block up the side to about 3ft and has no strong views either way about its development.  Store Barn G is hideous and not suitable for conversion.  The wastewater problem has also not been addresses in the amended plans.  Cllr Barnes has concerns about the drainage and sewage disposal.  Development D and F conversions are ok, they are traditional buildings within the farmyard which is already a residential development.  The Listed Threshing Barn already has planning permission.  Cllr Barnes asked for the neighbour views.  Cllr Comyn suspended Standing Orders and invited the parishioners online to give their views.  One parishioner had concerns over the extra traffic as the access route is narrow.  Also, the drain off of the waste water and the sewage disposal.  Another parishioner had a balanced view; he was against Barn G, concerned over traffic and access, worried about School provision and the infrastructure and the drainage provision.  Cllr Jones said that there was no more capability to take more sewage and that this has not yet been addressed.  The parishioner also mentioned that one of the properties has balconies and that it would overlook their property and intrude on their privacy.  Cllr Barnes said that if the immediate neighbours objected, he would agree with them, but he agrees that it does need to be developed.  There was a drainage problem when it rained heavy.  Cllr Barnes also has concerns over the steep narrow incline and it not happy with Barn G at all.  Cllr Comyn asked himself, have any of the amendments changed his view, it still shows buildings that have been considerably re-constructed and against DP7.  Open terraces on the 2nd floor level, bringing the facades into existing structure and the cladding would go.  There is prominent development outside the farmyard and near footpaths so will affect the character and appearance of locality and totally inconsistent.  The two smaller buildings inside the farmyard are suitable for development but G7 is not appropriate.  OCC have objected on traffic grounds and a transport assessment has been done.  Cllr Jones reminded the Parish Council that there would be traffic if it was a working farmyard and movement of larger vehicles and thinks that OCC could argue this point.  Cllr Comyn agreed and said that the response should be based on unsustainability rathr than car related development.  The change of use of agricultural buildings can be allowed.  Cllr Comyn proposed that the original objection response and comments should still stand, seconded by Cllr Jones and agreed unanimously.  Cllr Comyn agreed to write the objection response.               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Comyn

 

P20/V1897/HH Sparsholt Manor, Sparsholt Street, OX12 9PT:  Removal of the existing 1960’s Gibbs style surround to the south elevation of the manor house and reinstate brick arch and keystone.  Installation of a full height glazed door to match the proportions of the existing sash windows.  Installation of inward opening French windows in lieu of the single leaf door to the new family kitchen.  Cllr Comyn stated that he has no strong views or objections and the other Parish Councillors agreed.  Cllr Comyn proposed a response of no objections, seconded by Cllr Corfield and agreed unanimously.  The Clerk to submit the response.

P20/V1898/LB Sparsholt Manor, Sparsholt Street, OX12 9PT:  Removal of the existing 1960’s Gibbs style surround to the south elevation of the manor house and reinstate brick arch and keystone.  Installation of a full height glazed door to match the proportions of the existing sash windows.  Installation of inward opening French windows in lieu of the single leaf door to the new family kitchen.  As above Cllr Comyn stated that he has no strong views or objections and the other Parish Councillors agreed.  Cllr Comyn proposed a response of no objections, seconded by Cllr Corfield and agreed unanimously.  The Clerk to submit the response.

For information only:

P20/V1891/DIS Sparsholt Manor, Sparsholt Street, OX12 9PT:  Discharge of condition 12 – estate railing details on application ref.  P19/V1955/HH – Removal of existing, linear drive and installation of a new redirected entrance driveway.  Temporary widening of existing entrance gates to facilitate construction traffic.  For information only.

P20/V1719/DIS 3 Eastmanton Cottages, Eastmanton Lane, Sparsholt, OX12 9PJ:  Discharge of condition 3 – tree protection on application ref: P20/V0955/HH proposed extension and alteration.  For information only.

Decisions:

P20/V0955/HH 3 Eastmanton Cottages, Eastmanton Lane, Sparsholt, OX12 9PJ:  Granted.  

P20/V0526/FUL Westcot Farm, Westcot, OX12 9QA:  Application for planning permission for conversion of existing farm buildings to form seven family homes with associated parking, amenity areas, landscaping, and associated works.  No decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

8

Any other Cemetery matters:  Cllr Comyn reported that there were no other cemetery issues but has cheques to give to the RFO.  It was agreed that Cllr Comyn will arrange a meeting with the RFO.

 

Cllr Comyn

9

Correspondence sheet:  No comments.

 

10

Any Other Business:  Cllr Jones has offered to store the salt and refill the salt bins, Cllr Corfield offered to assist with this. 

Cllr Jones and Corfield

11

Date of Next Meeting:  Monday 23rd November 2020 starting at 7.00pm at the Griffin Memorial Hall/via Zoom.

The Parish Council may need to change this date as necessary.

 

Meeting closed at 8.20pm. Minutes prepared by Mrs D Lewis-Pryde, Parish Clerk.  SPC 9th Sept 2020

Signed........................................................................................Date......................................