Great & Little Bourton, Oxfordshire
Draft Minutes of Annual Parish Residents Meeting
Held on Tuesday April 10th 2018 at The Village Hall, Great Bourton
In attendance : Cllrs Mrs S Leszczynski, A Johnson, C Upton, T Sowler, S Bowen – Parish Clerk,
C Cllr George Reynolds
Presenters : Mr Andy Bird, Chairman Board of Governors & Ms Hilary Stevens, Head Teacher, both from Cropredy Primary School
Members of the public : There were 3 members of the public present
Apologies : Cllr Mrs Sue Upton (away), Cllr Dan Walker (illness)
- The Chairman of the Parish Council welcomed all to the meeting and explained that this was not a Parish Council meeting, but was called on behalf of all residents to facilitate them expressing their views on topics of their choosing. She then presented her annual report of village activities, making particular reference to:
- The resignation of Cllr Tom Sowler who is moving away from the village, saying that he will be missed and that his departure creates a vacancy for a new Councillor.
- Village communication and the website was raised and it was suggested that better use could be made of the village Facebook page and this will be discussed with Mrs Brooks.
- Public transport :
- Investigations continue to try and find a provider for a regular village bus service, but this is proving to be very challenging, meetings with advisors are scheduled.
- The Clerk is trying to contact Stagecoach Oxfordshire to see whether it might be possible to extend their new service serving the Hanwell View development.
- The Garners Field development has a contribution to support village transport and the PC have negotiated this to be available to support a suitable proposal created by the PC
- The current County Connect service will cease in July following the withdrawal of funding by Northamptonshire CC.
- Any feasible suggestions from villagers would be most welcome and will be fully investigated.
- The Chairman of the Board of Governors of Cropredy School then presented his annual report. This can be viewed below. Particular points raised were :
- Funding challenges caused by cuts and reduced pupil numbers.
- The creation of a revitalised Board and their increased involvement in the school working alongside the Head Teacher to improve the ratings awarded following the last school inspection.
- Cllr Johnson then presented the Surgery report which can also be viewed below, making reference to :
- The successful recruitment of a replacement for Dr Wright who retires in July and the continuing search for a new locum. The significant changes in staff at the surgery have led to them deciding to close their list for a short period to allow the new team to settle in.
- The boundary changes that will reduce the impact of new housing developments on the edge of Banbury.
- Confirmation that the earlier threat to the continuation of the dispensing practice at the surgery has now been removed.
- Cllr Johnson went on to present his annual report in his new role as Chairman of Cropredy Cluster Care, viewable below. Key points were :
- Challenging financial conditions with the removal of OCC funding and their increased reliance on local support.
- They now have 10 members and 2 vacancies.
- Garners Field development
- Construction is well under way and the difficult sewer connection was completed early by the contractors.
- The considerable damage caused to local roads, particularly to Foxden Way, is being followed up with OCC with a view to the potholes being repaired and verges being reinstated.
- A revised traffic calming scheme has been proposed by OCC and agreed to, and the addition of a “gateway” entrance feature to the village will be provided by Hayfield Homes. Details of this are being finalised and will be published on the village website.
- Cllr Johnson presented a report on the Horton hospital, this can been seen below.
- After much hard work attitudes seem to be changing and a new review by an independent panel is to be undertaken, including views from surrounding areas.
- Removal of the cap on trainee obstetricians is needed and the PC have written to our MP, Victoria Prentis requesting her support.
- Villagers who have had experience of the JR maternity unit should make their views known to the OCCG, as patient pressure really does work.
- The meeting was closed with the Chairman asking villagers for any suggestions they had about projects for the coming year.
Minutes drafted by : Stephen M Bowen, Parish Clerk on 10/04/18
Here are the reports which were presented at the Meeting:
Horton General Hospital Update