ANNUAL PARISH MEETING & AGM 2026 MINUTES

PRESENT

COUNCILLORS: Chris Johnston (CJ); Jamie Mackie (JM); Wendy Dancer,(WD) John HolmesJH) & Jan Lesser (JL).

Clerk: Jan Lesser

Ward Councillor: David Cunningham

GCC Councillor: Daryl Corps

Also present: Rosie Northampton; Charles Watson; Brad Hooker & Jamie Ball

Parish AGM

1. Apologies received from Tim and Judy Proger, Angie Hunt and Shrimp Mackie

2. Chris Johnston was re-elected as Chairman as no other names were put forward. Proposed by JH and seconded WD

3. No Councillor’s declaration of pecuniary interests required updating, as confirmed unanimously

4. The Minutes of the previous meeting were signed as an accurate record.

5. AGAR – the Councillors unanimously voted to exempt the PC from a full audit 2025 – 26 as all the criteria had been met

6. Roger Pritchett was unanimously confirmed as internal auditor for AGAR purposes for as long as he consents to carry out the duties

7. The statement of governance 2025 -26 was unanimously accepted

8. The statement of accounts 2025-26 was unanimously accepted

9. Actions and matters arising over the year are detailed in the Chairman’s report – attached

10. The PC’s Financial Regulations are unanimously accepted as appropriate for this small authority

11. The PC’s Risk Assessment was unanimously accepted as appropriate for this smaller authority

12. There was no other Business.

The PC Chairman’s report is attached to these Minutes.

CJ outlined the position with the Coal Chairman which, in view of the low level of village support required, means that donations have been made to support the GP surgeries in Moreton and Stow as well as a donation to N Cotswolds Community Awareness for their work in supporting local families with a child at local primary school which are experiencing financial difficulties. The Coal Charity report is attached to these Minutes.

David Cunningham explained the position regarding CDC’s Local Plan which must be finalised by the end of this year. A consultation on the final draft will be published and DC urges everyone to take the time to read it and put forward their views as appropriate. CDC has taken account of the thousands of responses to the previous consultation and this final draft is important reading to get a handle on development in our area in the future. There is no avoiding development, but remember that the 3000-odd dwellings to be built in and around Moreton is over a period stretching to 2043. There is an insufficient land supply for development in the area. Until the Local Plan is finalised and approved by the Inspector, CDC is in the position to a certain extent that developers are more likely to get planning permission than not. The Bloor development across the road to the Fire College awaits the decision of the Planning Inspector following the withdrawal of CDC’s objection, but the PI did give all those present the opportunity to present their cases which at least demonstrated democracy working in this instance. The Catesby development on the Evenlode |Road is still an outline application and GCC Highways will have very significant concerns about highway capacity when it comes to the full planning application.

Daryl Corps summarised his report which is attached to these Minutes. He did add, in response to Jamie Ball, that the Moreton Against Over Development campaign was still in existence though acknowledged that some momentum has been lost following the death of its prime mover, Sue Stapely.