Parish News 84 - March 2009

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PARISH NEWS

News from Lower Heyford Parish Council -- Number 84 -- March 2009

Notes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 19 March 2009.

Six Parish councillors attended the March meeting along with two members of the public and the Parish Clerk.

The minutes of the meeting on 15 January were unanimously approved as a true record.

The clerk reported back on ongoing items –
Notice boards – one quote had been received for replacement boards – a further quote was awaited and a decision would be made at the May meeting.
Parish Councillor Vacancy – an expression of interest in the vacancy was advised at the meeting - further details will be given to the possible candidate and co-option will be added to the next agenda.
Highways – Concern was expressed regarding the condition of the Green on the Market Square – the Clerk will ask all the local residents for their comments on the possibility of having this area kerbed to prevent further destruction.

If you have any concerns regarding any area of the highway in the village please report your concerns to OCC - 0845 310 11 11.

Planning
The following planning matters were reported to the meeting –
09/0073/F Oak Barn, Greenway, Caulcott – Installation of additional velux window 09/00218/F & 09/0219/LB Canal Cottage, Station Rd – Internal alterations to create 4 B&B rooms, reinstatement of window at ground floor, new front door
The Council had no objections to either of these applications.

Decisions
The following applications have been approved by CDC subject to conditions –
08/02433/F & 08/02434/LB Mr Derek Jones – Caulcott Farm – Demolish existing kitchen gable wall. Construct new 2 storey extension. Loft conversion with 3 dormer windows. Internal alterations and improvements.
08/02427/F Mrs Osborne-Mackay – 1 Valley View – Side & rear extension

Withdrawn
08/2523/LB & 08/2522/F – Oxon Narrow Boats Internal alterations to create four rooms at ground and first floor for B & B

Rural Exception Site – CDC have suggested further sites that they consider may be suitable for a rural exception site for affordable housing in the parish. The Clerk would arrange a PC meeting with ORCC & CDC to discuss this in more detail.
Parish Plan – the results of the Parish Plan are now collated – the results will be presented to the village at the Annual Parish Meeting – see further details below.

Timberyard – Caulcott – CDC have advised that a planning application is still awaited on this site and that pre-application sound checks are taking place.

Website – 2 councillors are working with the Parish webmaster to produce a new village website featuring local walks, events, local businesses etc – http://www.heyford.info – keep an eye out for further developments.

Meetings - the Chairman reported back on an Environment Agency meeting with regard to the proposed incinerator at Ardley and advised that the parish should receive further details shortly.

New Clerk needed – the Parish Clerk has handed in her notice with effect from 12 April so the parish council are looking for a replacement – see the advertisement elsewhere in the News. For more information please contact the Clerk.

Street lighting - OCC are considering switching off rural street lights between midnight and 5.30am and have requested comments – the PC had no objections to any of the lights in the Parish being switched off between these hours.

Other matters
Towpath – Mr Dare advised that CDC are reviewing the Cherwell Circular walk and Heyford Circular Walk and have replaced all the way markers – please let Cllr Dare know if there are any problems with this signage.
The need for more grit bins in the village was pointed out and it was agreed to place this on the May agenda

Annual Parish Meeting – this will take place on Thursday 23 April at 7pm in the Church – refreshments will be on offer from 6.30pm. All are invited to attend and hear about events in the village over the past year and make comments on anything they would like to see in place. The agenda will be posted on the village notice boards at least 1 week before the meeting.

The next Parish Council meeting will be the Annual Parish Council meeting on Thursday 21 May at 7pm in the Church.

If you would like to place an item in Your Parish News please contact
Sue Lee, Parish Clerk – clerk@lowerheyford-pc.gov.uk - 19 Bradshaw Close, Steeple Aston, BICESTER, OX5 4SA – 01869 347652.
The next edition will be published in late May for inclusion in the Valley News and be available on line.