SOUTH LEIGH AND HIGH COGGES PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Thursday 30th January 2025, 7:30pm
in the Village Hall
Councillors Present:Lysette Nicholls (Chair) (LN)
Caroline Auger (CA)
Caroline Gane (CG)
Jacqui Napier-Munn (JNM)
Peter Grant (PG)
David Auger (Clerk) (DA)
Attendees Cllr Dan Levy
4 Parishioners
MINUTES
Minute’s silence for Dick Pears, Vice Chair, South Leigh & High Cogges Parish Council who passed away too soon on January 9th 2025
Chair Statement
1.
Apologies and Councillors and not present. Cllr Dan Levy present, apologies from Cllr Carl Rylett and Cllr Andy Goodwin
Introduction to the conduct of meeting
2.
Declarations of Interest – none
3.
To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as being a true record of the proceedings – a copy having been circulated in advance to the Councillors – amendments to previous meeting minutes – precept change to 11.7% having assessed budget (15%) and the method of calculation used by WODC.
4.
Opportunity for any parishioner to raise a matter of concern. This will not normally be minuted fully but issues that are raised and which the PC consider need to be looked at will be noted in the minutes and appear on next agenda. This is the only part of the meeting where members of the public are permitted to speak which will be limited in time and the Chair will determine how long each member of the public may speak for and each person shall not exceed three minutes.
A parishioner raised the issue of busses and HGVs etc. parking at High Cogges – LN had checked with WODC and had been advise that the owner is within their rights to keep the vehicles there. The ditch between moor lane and railway line needs digging out.
5.
Finance – Precept submission, bank account update, payments to approve. Precept amended as above. LN is now on bank account and all old and deceased signatories removed. LN nominated JNM to be added to the signatories. Proposed by CA, seconded by CG.
6.
Updates and reports and / or info.
(1) Traffic Calming Update – mostly complete, crossing and foot path at end of Lymbrook Close across playing field still outstanding.
(2) Shore’s Green – starting in February, initially some closures to allow initial work cutting trees back and removing overhead cables before main work begins. There will be a restriction on working hours but there may need to be some work done outside these times. LN will have liaison with Project coordinator
(3) Conservation Area – no further progress, LN has emailed Conservation Officer. LN asked Dan Levy to pressure Conservation Officer to respond.
(4) Flooding – Consultation, Eynsham Estate meeting, OCC update – flooding report received only shortly before meeting started, but not in time to be read before this meeting – Eynsham estates dug out some of the ditch in Chapel Road, spoil was deposited on verge, not all ditches were done in hours of daylight. LN has mobile of Rowley Taylor (Savills) to contact in an emergency – not all problems are with Eynsham Estates, some landowners responsible as well. LN had teams meeting with local flood authority, if able, they will open up opportunity of grants for additional work. There are still issues in Chapel Road, by the Masons Arms, High Cogges and in Station Road.
(5) Village Security Plans – Eynsham Estates are putting gates up in Barnard gate road to try to deter fly tipping. JNM to put up fly tipping signs, they aren’t very big but if they are there they might act as a deterrent.
(6) Hearing loop for Village Hall – account open with Contractor, need to send Purchase order for survey, then wait for quote for installation.
(7) Playground – LN & CG met with KW. LN agreed to get new sign to go on the entrance gate. Proposed to have two signs, one with text explaining use, conditions etc. and one with H&S images – Proposed CA seconded PG cost £50 approx.
(8) Local Plan / Neighbourhood Plan – LN has draft Neighbourhood Plan –Proposal to form action committee comprising LN KB NB and MS. Proposed by CA seconded by CG. WODC neighbourhood Plan due out in a few weeks for consultation – need to engage fully with village
(9) Twelve Acre Farm Solar Farm – invoice gone in for money, still planting outstanding
(10) Tar Farm Solar Farm – planning gone in for battery storage – on footprint of existing plan, near to footpath and Tar Farm. There are some height issues. LN to put proposal re storage. Total due £320,000, some money was promised in advance LN to pursue.
7.
Tree at Church End – letter received from parishioner regarding the horse chestnut tree by post box, it does not look very healthy, and parishioner is concerned about its safety, two other trees in the same location have come down previously causing damage to property. Tree is on OCC Highways land. LN to contact OCC asking them to have it assessed.
8.
Data protection – LN had previously circulated Privacy Policy, acceptance proposed JNM, seconded CG.
9.
Review of actions or discussions from last meeting – Neighbourhood Plan as above.
10.
Planning applications – Shuttles Cottage has been referred at Lowlands Planning Committee. Erection of garage at Hill Farm Barn, Witney (by A40) – no objections.
11.
Opportunity for any County Councillor and / or District Councillor to update the Parish Council on any matter of relevance or concern – Dan Levy report – see Appendix 2
12.
Date of next Parish Council Meeting Thursday 27th February 2025 7:30pm (Parish Council meetings are generally the last Thursday of the month unless notified otherwise)
Annual Parish Meeting will be Tuesday 29th April 7:30pm (to be confirmed with Village Hall)
13.
Points of information – Low Carbon Hub contacted re CAP Zero. DA to invite to Annual Parish Meeting Tuesday 29th April. LN to write and thank MW for comprehensive report on sewage.
SLHCPC
15th January 2025
Appendix 1
Schedule of payments since last PC Meeting
09/12/2024
£50.80
HMRC Cumbernauld
09/12/2024
£4,020.00
Keevil Heritage
09/12/2024
£204.00
Mrs C Auger & Mr D Auger
09/12/2024
£600.00
Netwise UK
09/12/2024
£450.00
Aegaea Ltd
09/12/2024
£205.62
Print Ready Ltd
27/12/2024
£204.00
Mrs C Auger & Mr D Auger
27/12/2024
£50.80
HMRC Cumbernauld
27/12/2024
£1,500.00
Mr J M Walker
16/01/2025
£60.00
Fiscal Solutions
16/01/2025
£522.00
APC Garden Service