GREAT COXWELL PARISH COUNCIL

As a result of three Parish Councillors being unable to attend the arranged Parish Council meeting on Monday 13 November 2006, a quorum was not present and therefore an informal discussion took place.  As no decisions could be taken, it was agreed that the Risk Assessment, Asset Register, Budget Monitoring and bills would be discussed and approved at the December meeting.

Those present at the discussion were Mr M Durham, Mrs A Zinovieff, C/Cllr Mrs Heathcoat and D/Cllr Mrs Thomson and the Clerk in attendance.  The points that were discussed are as follows:

1.       Community Empowerment Award.  £250.00 prize money has been received from the NALC as a result of the Parish Council's achievement in this years Community Empowerment Awards.  As part of the prize, the Council has been awarded this sum to put towards a community project.

2.       Village Housing Map.  Mr Durham will speak to the Teagle family about putting a "village map" sign above the existing map. 

3.       Planning Applications.

a.             GCO/8308/12-X - Pear Tree Farm, construction of 2 two-storey dwellings.  Notice of Permission has been received, subject to the complete relocation of the business.

b.             GCO/6245/1 - Jemima, Puddleduck Lane - construction of a mono pitch roof over existing side extension.  Notice of Permission has been received.

c.             GCO/148/9 - Conversion of building to form annex - Chowle Cottage.  Notice of Permission has been received.

d.             GFA/19649 - Land Adjoining Coxwell House/Winslow - formation of access road and junction to serve up to 50 dwellings.  The Parish Council does not object in principle to an access.  However, it has serious reservations to the number of dwellings and the inevitable increase in traffic attempting to get onto the A420.  Other concerns expressed were about the re-siting and encroachment of street furniture into the Great Coxwell Parish and that the bus stop out of Faringdon is too close to the corner and therefore dangerous.

e.             GCO/19659/1 - Orchard Cottage, Puddleduck Lane, erection of two-storey extension.  There were no objections to this application.

f.              GCO/14182/1 - Berry Hill Cottage, erection of rear extension.  There were no objections to this application.

g.             GCO/2087/22 - new access to A420 and closure of two existing accesses at Chowle Estate.  The Parish Council expressed concern that the entrance seems to be a "bell-mouth" entrance and not a turning lane.  It also felt that a right hand turning lane and left hand slip lane are essential.  It was also noted that the A420 is a noisy road and concern was expressed at the proposal to remove hedgerows and replanting that would need to be done.

h.             GCO/2087/21-X - cessation of existing lorry park use, Chowle Farm.  The Parish Council continued to state that a building of appropriate height and size would be preferable to a lorry park (although concerns have been expressed about the size and height of the building and the Parish Council felt it should be less obtrusive).  However, it strongly feels that this should not be considered until the applicant has complied with the existing requirement to put in a turning lane.

i.              GCO/27/11 - Willowdene - vacating the business.  The Appeal decision dated 3^rd October 2005, gave Regal Fish twelve months to vacate the premises.  The Enforcement Officer will inspect the site and if they are still there the VWH will prosecute. 

4.       General Points 

a.             A complaint has been received about the building rubbish outside Olde Willows.

b.             Complaints have been received about parked cars near the T-junction and the danger this causes.

c.             Mrs Heathcoat will investigate the request for a sign that highlights more strongly the crossroads at the Holloway/Highworth junction

d.             Vale View magazine - comment was made that while it was informative about re-cycling, was it worth the cost of producing it.

e.             A number of dog attacks have taken place recently.  The Parish Council has written to the owner expressing its concern.  The dog owner is taking further action to make sure there are no further incidents.

f.              Following drainage works in Great Coxwell near Cherry Orchard, Mr Durham felt that as long as the outfall beyond the pipes is kept clear, there should not be any further problems.

g.             Mr Durham will investigate the hedge by the golf course and the path near Cherry Orchard and if necessary speak to Adam Twine and Andrew Liddiard.

h.             Mrs Heathcoat said that following the accident next to the Great Coxwell to Faringdon footpath, repairs would be made shortly.

                i.              Mrs Thomson will investigate the rubbish in the ditch at the A420 lay-by.

                j.              The short path from the A420 to the Great Coxwell road used to be split into two for horses and members of public.  It appears this has become one path and Mr Durham will speak to the Riding school to see if it can be encouraged to keep this clean.  It was also asked if sand could be periodically put around the Pound Corner area, to prevent cars skidding on horse manure in bad weather. 

                k.            Tipping has restarted in Dark Lane.

                l.              The hedge in Dark Lane needs tidying up.  Mr Durham will speak to the Park Committee.

                m.            The Riding school will trim back the hedge along the footpath.

n.             Highways will install the new Salt Bin in the next week.

o.             Mrs Heathcoat asked if the new sign at Chowle Farm, advertising Faringdon Business Park and approximately thirty feet high, had planning permission.

p.             Mrs Heathcoat handed out her report and drew particular attention to two points: Unless volunteers are found quickly, there is a very real danger that Faringdon will lose one of its fire engines.  She encouraged residents to stop this happening by volunteering their services.  The MOD has removed funding from its fire-fighting fund and as a result, has closed down its fire-fighting unit at Shrivenham.  Unless volunteers are found quickly, there is a very real danger that Faringdon will lose one fire engine.   Secondly, the huge effect that the proposed Thames Water project for building a reservoir will have on the local community and how Oxfordshire County Council are challenging the need for it.

q.             Mrs Thomson went to a meeting chaired by the acting Chief Constable who stated that there was a very low level of crime in this area.

r.             Mrs Thomson went to the recent reception for Parish and Town Clerks and Chairmen, at which all initiatives were announced for the next six months.

5.             Next Meeting.  The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 11 December 2006 at 8.00 pm.