The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
October 2004 Series 29 No 5

Parish Council and Cherwell news




PARISH COUNCIL INFORMATION BOARD
               
  AFFORDABLE HOUSING
As readers will be aware over the last few years the Parish Council has been concerned about house prices in the village and the effect that this may have on local people, local businesses and the community well being.
Oxfordshire Rural Community Council is currently advising the Parish Council on how a small development of houses could be built in the village which would be reserved for local people. This involves finding land to build on that would not usually be accepted by the District Council. The District Council will only allow this exception to the rules if potential development is built by a Housing Association, and it meets a demonstrated need from the local community. The houses would be available to rent or part-buy (shared-ownership), but only to those people with a local connection. They would never be able to be sold on the open market.
A survey has already been completed, in which many of you took part last year, demonstrating quite a substantial need. The Parish Council is now seeking a potential site in the village to meet this need. Wherever these homes are built, if any at all, they would be built sympathetically to fit in with their surroundings.
Cherwell District Council, however, would deal with all allocations, even for those people seeking the shared ownership route. It is essential, therefore, that everyone in the parish who would be interested in living in one of these new homes contacts the District Council (based in Banbury) and registers themselves on to the common waiting list. Registering can be done by phoning Bodicote House on 01295 221809, and they will post an application form.
A potential site has been identified within the Recreation Area being that part to the left of the steps from Watery Lane, but this will depend upon negotiations with Oxfordshire County Council, who have certain rights over the site. The Parish Council would welcome all views on this matter, as it seeks to represent all of the community's interests. Do you have any views about where such a development should go? Are you a landowner who would like to sell some land? All views and questions should be sent to Ken Porter, the Parish Clerk at: Conifers, Main Street, Great Bourton, Banbury, Oxon, OX17 1QU. Or for further information, contact the Rural Housing Enabler at Oxfordshire Rural Community Council on 01865 883488 or james.Alcock@oxonrcc.org.uk. 		 
  TREES AND HEDGES
As residents will know only too well it has been a particularly wet summer, which has encouraged exuberant growth of not only grass, but bushes and trees as well. Some of these are spreading over footpaths, and even blocking visibility for vehicles, and householders are reminded that they do have the responsibility to keep their trees and bushes pruned back so they are not a nuisance to other residents. 		  QUEEN STREET
There have been several discussions with the residents of Queen Street who are concerned at the number of vehicles using the road, the danger caused by some drivers ignoring the one-way sign, and the potential black-spot which is the exit on to Mobbs Lane/Bourne Lane. At this stage the Parish Council has decided not to back residents' requests to close off the lower end of Queen Street to through traffic but is in discussions with OCC over a possible change of priority at the Mobbs Lane junction. 		 
   
VACANCY
We would like to remind you that there is still a vacancy for a parish councillor. If you are interested in this role, please contact Ken Porter by the 10th October. 		 


TRANSPORT SURVEY
Enclosed with this Newsletter you should find a transport survey form. This has been designed by the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (with a few local amendments) to provide information to the County Council on rural transport use and needs. It is important for Hook Norton as the periodic review of subsidised bus services in the Banbury area will be taking place in the next few months. The 488 service between Banbury and Chipping Norton will be considered as part of this review, and the outcome may affect the service provided from July 2005. County Council officers have warned that the pressure on the rural bus service subsidy budget is increasing.
In addition to the 488 service, we are lucky enough to have a weekly minibus to Banbury on Wednesdays run by the Banburyshire Community Transport Association (10.00 from the Church), a Bakers bus every Tuesday at 10.00 to Moreton-in-Marsh market, and a fortnightly coach to Banbury (Jeffs Coaches) provided by the Parish Council (details on notice boards and back page of Newsletter). The Wednesday minibus costs £2.80 return (£1.40 for holders of the Cherwell bus pass). The Bakers bus, when I last used it, cost £1 return, and the Thursday bus (heavily subsidised) costs £1 return.
Please complete the form whether or not you use any of these services. Use (or non-use) of the 488 bus should be shown in Q.6, and use of the other services in Q.8 (it was not possible to separate these services and keep the form to two sides).
Peter Fry, Parish Transport Representative


OUT OF THE BLUE
Several things have happened within the last few weeks in and around Hook Norton;
  • A 4 x 4 vehicle was stolen from the centre of the village but has since been recovered.
  • A caravan was taken from behind The Gate Hangs High public house and is still outstanding.
  • A large tack theft took place from a local farm.
  • Quad bikes were taken from another local farm.

Yet again I have to say that several incidents of mindless damage have been caused to motor vehicles, for sale signs and the like.
The damage is being caused by teenagers who wander around the village and although people see them they are worried about reporting what they see for fear of retribution. I have a very good idea who these people are and I would say that two at least are not from the village but are very frequent visitors. Unfortunately, and I cannot stress this enough, unless the persons are caught in the act or someone is prepared to make a statement as to what they saw the action that can be taken by the police is very restricted.
Parents, you have a responsibility here; do you know where your children go when they go out? Do you care? Drugs are in the village and although your child might not be involved directly, they most certainly know people who are.
This is not a problem that can be dealt with by the police alone; we need your help, we need to work together and it needs to be a community response.
If anyone has any ideas as to how we can work together to beat these problems please contact me on: 01608 648715 rosemary.dilsaver@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Thank you.
Rosemary H. Dilsaver, PC 818, Area Beat Officer
Click to open image in new window. Large file!

15 souls, old and young, braved the rain to walk 3 miles to celebrate
Mid Summers Day 2004!!
The 10,000 steps campaign – are you doing yours?


Walking is emerging as the number one health activity for the nation.
Some facts from health expert Dr. David Ashton in the current edition of “Walk” magazine [Ramblers Association]

Interesting facts for us in Hooky – to help us make that target.......!
How many steps is it from your front door.. to the Village Shop?
to the Post Office?
to the School?
to the Doctor's Surgery?

Health Walks starting and ending at the Surgery in Bourne Lane continue to take place

In October there will be a new rota. We are holding a meeting at the Sun on 28th September at 8pm. to discuss which walks to put on and when. Do come and join us and give us feedback/new ideas.

Alternatively please help us make times/days more accessible to those interested by filling in the short questionnaire below and posting it at Bourne Lane Surgery.


Preferred day Time
Length of walk Level of difficulty
Any comments  
   
Name Phone number

Olwen Goodwin