Launton Parish Council reports

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 3 October 2024 at 7:30pm in the Parish Hall

Councillors present Mr Andrew Briant, Mrs Abigail Dowman, MrSimon Turner (Chairman) and Mrs Jaqueline Webber

Apologies None

In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; Cllr Gemma Coton (CDC); PCSO Kev Smith; Mrs Jackie Hackett (participated as a Councillor after her co-option); and 6 members of the public.

East / West Rail

EWR had confirmed they would not be able to send a representative. A written report had been received. The majority of the works had been completed across the project and project managers were in the process of handing over the railway line to Network Rail. The reinstatement of the compound was ongoing and it’s hoped that the work will be completed by the end of November. If anyone has any queries, please get in contact directly at publicinformation@ewralliance.co.uk or call the 24 hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

Reports from District and County Councillors

Cllr Coton reported that it was the final month for the home upgrade grant applications to CDC.There was local plan funding available to parishes which wanted to develop a Local Plan. A new consultation which is open until 1 October has been launched about the Housing Allocation Scheme and is available on the CDC website.

No report had been received from the County Councillor.

Governance

The Council had received the resignations of Lesley Thompson and Ed Sanders. The Council thanked both Councillors for their dedicated service and support over many years.

However, the Council was also pleased to co-opt and welcome Jackie Hackett as a Councillor.

There are still two Councillor vacancies.

Clerk Resignation

The Council also noted the Clerk’s resignation. Jane’s final working day will be Wednesday 30 October.

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 about 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/

Parish Hall

The Clerk was pleased to confirm that CDC had indicated that it was prepared to extend the deadline for undertaking works funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund grant to 31 March 2025 and it would be possible to change the specification from the new roof to remedial roof works. However, all works would still need to be confirmed with the architect.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Council agreed to form a Parish Hall Development Working Group and to create a terms of reference.

Highway and Traffic Issues: Speedwatch

The continuing wet weather during September had made a big impact on the group’s ability to attend the roadside sessions, with only two being completed. The Station Road SID has been realigned and is operating correctly; however, the group has noted that a large proportion of drivers were observed exceeding the limit during their session there. It is hoped that better weather will allow the group to be more visible over the next months.

The Speedwatch team will always welcome volunteers - if you’d like to help out, please contact speedwatch@launton-pc.gov.uk

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings

The next meeting will be on Thursday 7 November in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm. If you’d like to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.

Suggestions for agenda items for the 5 December meeting need to be with the Clerk by 21 November and items for the 9 January 2025 meeting by 13 December 2024.

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