Launton Parish Council reports

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 7 March 2024 at 7:30pm in the Parish Hall

Councillors present Mr Andrew Briant, Mrs Abigail Dowman, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman)

Apologies Mr Ed Sanders (Vice Chairman), Mr Richard Walker, Mrs Jaqueline Webber

In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; Cllr Gemma Coton (CDC); 3 representatives from Greencore Homes; the Village Public Transport Representative; seven members of the public.

East West Rail

No report had been received. If anyone has any queries, please get in contact directly at publicinformation@ewralliance.co.uk or call the 24hour helpline on 0345 711 4141.

Greencore Homes

Three representatives from Greencore Homes attended the meeting to answer questions following the Parish Council’s response to the detailed planning application (reference23/03433/REM). It isn’t yet known whether the application will be decided at the CDC Planning Committee or by the Planning Officer.

Concerns were raised about the boundary fencing and landscaping particularly on the northern side of the plot as the development may affect activity in the adjacent fields. An updated landscaping strategy is currently being developed, which the developers hope will mitigate potential issues with the farmland. Particular concern was raised about bonfires and fireworks on the development together with the potential disruption to local drive accesses while the water connection was installed.

Anyone with concerns may contact the developers. They are a local company, based in Bicester, and have indicated that they would like to work with the community. Contact enquiries@greencorehomes.co.uk or phone on 01865 110044

Report from District and County Councillors

Cllr Coton reported that the CDC budget had been passed with a 3.37% increase which equated to £5 per band D property. The local election takes place on 2 May and anyone requiring a postal vote must renew their application every three years.

No report had been received from Cllr Corkin (OCC).

Finance

The Finance Report is available on the Parish Council website.

Planning

All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk in the Agenda and Minutes section).

If a villager has concerns or comments about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to bring them to the attention of the meeting. Villagers are also welcome to contact Councillors or the Clerk to make comments.

Guidance on how the Parish Council is able to respond to planning applications is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planning-applications/

Guidance on how the Parish Council is able to respond to planning applications is available on the ParishCouncilwebsiteat https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planning-applications/

Village Matters

Parish Hall

The Hall needs a committee in order to run - please see our advert on page 47, and approach the Clerk for more information.

The Architect has confirmed that CDC has provided the Building Regulations Approvals plan.

It is hoped that Gigaclear will install the broadband on 2 April.

Highway and Traffic Issues

We are still waiting for a date for the Bicester Road resurfacing, however, by the time you read this, we are hoping that the speed indicator devices on Station Road, Bicester Road and Blackthorn Road will have been installed.

New white gates for the Blackthorn Road have been ordered and will be installed in due course.

Village Spring Clean

Thank you to all who came to the annual Spring Clean on Saturday 9 March - we had a great turnout with almost 30 volunteers including members of the Bicester Litter Pickers.

We must also thank the WI who made the most delicious spread of cakes for the volunteers when they returned from their rounds.

Waste Bins

The Council has agreed to replace the bins in Sycamore Road and by the War Memorial - which have seen better days-and to re-site the dog waste bin which is currently in the sports field as it is difficult for the CDC team to empty. This will be moved into the Yew Tree field by the path.

We have been asked to remind dog owners that the dog waste bins are for use when out and about. Dog waste from gardens should be put in the householders’ own green bin-not in the dog waste bins.

We will be looking at the condition of the other waste bins as funds allow.

Public Transport

The Public Transport representative has confirmed that the OCC funding for the Oxfordshire portion of the Number 17 bus route between Bicester and Aylesbury has been ring fenced until 2025. It is hoped that further S106 funding from the Grange Farm development will prolong the route. A further minor change to the timetable has been proposed and will be publicised shortly.

Annual Parish Meeting - 18 April

The Village Annual Parish Meeting will be on Thursday 18 April at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. All organisations involved in the village will be invited to make a short report and all villagers are welcome to attend.

If there is anything specific you would like to add to the agenda, please let the Clerk, Jane Olds, know by Wednesday 3 April.

This is a great opportunity to hear about what has happened in the village over the past year and to get involved with new projects and organisations.

For more information, contact Jane Olds at clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings

The next meeting will be on Thursday 4 April in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’d like to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.

Suggestions for agenda items for the 2 May meeting need to be with the Clerk by 18 April and items for the 6 June meeting by 23 May.

If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a sign up form at the bottom left hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/