MAIN POINTS OF THE MEETING OF WARDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
TO BE HELD AT THE HARE & HOUNDS PH ON
TUESDAY MARCH 29TH

1. MATTERS ARISING:

a. PARISH ELECTIONS : Nomination forms had been received with Public Notices that had been published in the Parish. Deadline for nominations is 4th April.

2. SEVERE WEATHER ACTION PLAN: Progressing.

3. PLANNING: One application for tree pruning at Ashen End – No objections.

4. FLOOD ALEVIATION SCHEME – CLOSURE OF THE A361: Weight restrictions and signage now in place. Parish council, highways depts. and police are monitoring the traffic situation. Parishioners asked to report details of any HGVs entering the village illegally to PC, Councillor Atack or directly to the police. Further meeting with all interested parties to be held in Chacombe 8th April – Mrs Wild will attend.

5. PROJECTS UPDATE – PROGRESS/CONSERVATION AREA

i. All requisite permissions now obtained/granted. Project IN PRINCIPLE to go ahead subject to:
ii. Clerk to obtaining a full and final quote from contractor;
iii. Clerk to clarify legal position regarding any private funding via a private donation that had been offered NOT CONFERRING any rights nor privileges to that area.
iv. Go-Ahead was given for 2 or 3 bollards to be placed on corner of Green opposite Sundial House. Work to be completed by OCC highways.

6. FINANCE – ADDED TO THESE MAIN POINTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTERNAL AUDIT ARISING SOON.

Cheques raised as follows and agreed to be paid:

i. 100661 OALC Annual subs £133.07
ii. 100662 Dog Bin Emptying CDC £261.52
iii. 100663 Rent of Room @ Hare £ 60.00
iv. 100664 ORCC Annual subs £130,00
v. End of Year Bank statements and Unaudited accounts were presented for council members inspection in accordance with rules.: These were Inspected and Agreed.

7. A.O.B

i. GA BUS SERVICE

Discussion re village Geoff Amos bus service following letter sent to WPC after last meeting requesting subsidy due to loss of funding and other financial difficulties with the service. Mrs Wild and Councillor Atack had visited Mr Ellard, the operations manager at GA to discuss the situation. The combination of drop in usage due to the severe weather coupled with fuel cost rises, plus the loss of a subsidy from Northants CC mean that the current service is in great danger of running into loss especially as a lot of passengers use bus passes and from April 1st the reimbursement level to GA for accepting passes drops from 53p to 38p in the pound. The bus company are hoping that the service re-routing via Cropredy will result in greater passenger numbers and the PC will keep in touch with GA about this. The PC expressed its’ concern with the unfairness to the bus company of the bus pass reimbursement subsidy and what might be done about this. Councillor Atack has approached Cherwell DC with a request for a subsidy of the service but this has been denied due to cutbacks and OCC have also been approached and are unable to fund. This will be reviewed.

ii. WILLIAMSCOT FUND: Clerks Note: For the purpose of Internal/External Audit and legal and transparent governance, the proposals to reduce the high level of reserves for that fund are minuted below:
Expenditure ideas in priority order as follows:
Traffic calming – Speed signs are being progressed with OCC highways.
Blocking off turn from A361
Cutting back undergrowth on verge between Butlers House and Bottom Lodge
Clearing undergrowth to create a path between Cropredy and Bottom Lodge, Williamscot

8. POLICE NAG: One speed survey had been carried out in Wardington. Volunteers requested for further surveys. One volunteer came forward from PC.

9. DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on TUESDAY 26TH APRIL at 7.30pm