Minutes of the Meeting of
Standlake Parish Council, held in the Youth Club, Church End, on 8th
August 2023 at 7.30pm
Present:
Mr. B. Parnham Chairman
Mrs. J. Macdonald
Mr. D. Jeffcoat
Mrs. Knipe
Mr. D. Bevan Clerk
WODC Cllr. L.
Nicholls. Mr. and
Mrs. Goodall, Mr. A. Townsend, Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney, Mr
and Mrs Brown.
1.
APOLOGIES – Cllr. D. Levy, Cllr. Maynard, Mr. J. Rippin, Mr. J.
Clements.
2.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST – There were no declarations of interest.
3. PUBLIC ITEMS – Only Mr. and Mrs. Goodall wished to speak. Mrs. Goodall forcefully expressed her dissatisfaction with the council’s procedures in deciding the extent to which the proposed 20mph speed limit would apply, the council’s consultation on the matter and on other traffic related issues. Mrs. Goodall’s main complaint was that the Abingdon Road, most of The Downs and Heyford Close/Windrush Way were not included in the proposal.
Mr. Parnham said that the council had acted
in good faith and had used all normal avenues available to ascertain public
opinion on the proposals. Furthermore, the council had consulted with OCC
Highways as to what might be possible, and the outcome of those discussions
resulted in the final proposal by OCC - which then went to the legal
consultation period which has just ended. The results of that proposal are
expected to be put to the relevant OCC committee at the beginning of September;
once the date is known the Parish Council would advertise this.
Considerable discussion with Mr. and Mrs. Goodall continued, and they were clearly not content with any of the council’s explanations. Mr. Parnham then said that the discussion was becoming circular, closed the Public Items section and reopened the meeting to continue with the business of the evening.
4.
COUNTY
& DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS -
Cllr.
Nicholls said that, because of government changes to the provision of building
land, the Local Plan was being renewed and would now run to 2041. The new
proposals would directly affect how development in West Oxfordshire will
proceed, with different emphasis on where smaller developments will be granted.
This will directly affect villages such as Standlake, Stanton Harcourt etc. The
plan will go out to consultation from 30th August 2023 for 8 weeks
and Cllr. Nicholls said it was vital that residents expressed their views. To
that end, she asked that the council distribute a summary (which she will
provide, including a link to register inclusion in the consultation) to as wide
an audience as possible. The clerk said he would do this via the usual
channels.
Cllr.
Nicholls advised that the matter of the application to build a large dwelling
in Chapel Lane would come before the Lowlands Planning Committee on Monday 14th
August and there will be an opportunity for members of the public to speak at
the meeting. The clerk said he had received a request from Mr. Gaffney (Chapel
Lane resident) asking if a member of the Parish Council would speak at the
meeting to support the residents’ objections to the application. Mrs. Macdonald
kindly agreed to do this.
PLANNING – 23/01786/S73:
Variation of conditions 2 and 7 of planning permission 17/00629/FUL to allow
design changes to plot 2. 17/00629/FUL: A hybrid application for the proposed
development of ten 'self-build' dwellings, with full details provided for 4
dwellings and 6 outline dwellings with all matters apart from access reserved.:
Land to The Rear Of 65 High Street Standlake. Objection: no valid reason given
to need variation of condition.
23/01628/FUL: Conversion of
existing agricultural open cart shed by way of complete reconstruction to form
a private residential dwelling house. Demolition of existing rearing pen and
change of use of the site from agricultural to residential use. Modification of
existing entrance: Former Magdalen Farmyard Abingdon Road Standlake: Mr Andrew
Townsend. No objection. Request condition to prevent any further development on
site.
23/01877/HHD: Erection of 1.7m
high composite fence to replace existing fence and hedge: 54 Abingdon Road
Standlake Witney: Mr Jon Austin. No objection.
5.
MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 13th
June 2023, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were
agreed as a true record, and were signed by the chairman.
6.
MATTERS ARISING
Sewage/Flooding – Mr. Parnham reported the
following: High Street - gully clearing was underway last week and hopefully
this will lead to further investigation taking place. OCC have been asked for
an update. Nothing further to report from Thames Water.
Roads/Speedwatch/20 mph restrictions
– Mrs.
Knipe reported the following: Despite a number of operators being away on
holiday, 22 sessions were held during July (including some evening sessions)
and a further 185 offenders were reported to Thames Valley Police (TVP). Of these, 4 had no MOT, 2 no TAX and 2
SORN. TVP report this information to
DVLA. A further two sites that our
Speedwatch Group can operate from have been approved by TVP - an additional
site on Abingdon Road close to the Cricket Club and one on the A415 leaving the
village heading to Witney. Standlake is
certainly getting a reputation for having a very active Speedwatch Group at
different locations and different times of the day. A sincere thanks to all operators who give up
their time, many of whom still work but find the time to make our roads safer.
Please, we need more volunteers - even if you can
give 1 hour per month that would be great - drop an email to
speedwatch@standlakepc.org.uk
Other
matters: 20mph
zones – the formal OCC consultation is complete, and the proposals will come
before the OCC committee in early September. Pedestrian Crossings [Safe zones]
/ Traffic Calming on village entrances - meeting with OCC to be arranged. Speed
Indicator Devices [SIDS] - along the A415. Cost is an issue here but as above
meeting with OCC to be arranged. Average Speed Devices - cost is prohibitive
and cannot by funded by external sources including the Parish Council. Downs
Road - reduction from 60mph to 50mph - surveys are required in the first
instance but would need to be funded by the Parish Council which is not in the
budget for this year. We will continue
to pursue.
Environment – Mrs. Macdonald reported the following: The wildflower area at the village hall is growing well. Lucy Kennery (LWVP) assisted SNRN to survey the species diversity at the bank on 16th June, and we recorded a substantial increase in species diversity, and a greater proportion of wildflowers and less of nettles and docks etc, which was the outcome we had hoped for. The pollinator patch around the hall was flowering well and supporting a variety of invertebrate activity. The “lost” bird box at the village hall has been replaced (LWVP) and the other 2 unsuccessful boxes there, have now been relocated at the Church. Sadly, Lucy Kennery will be moving to pastures new at the end of July, and we would like to register our enormous thanks for her help, expertise, and enthusiasm for our projects over the past years. The school leavers had a workshop last week and each child made a bird box from the kit provided, to take home and use as a memory of their time at Standlake School.
Mrs. Macdonald also requested that the Coronation funds provide 2 planters for the village – 50cm x 50cm x 50cm. 3 sacks of compost and cash to purchase 8 lavender plants. She would like to site the planters - beside the bus shelter at the end of Martins Lane, (there is sufficient room between the 2 manhole covers) and across the road at the entrance to Heyford Close, close to the site where the old bus shelter is to be removed.
Mrs. Macdonald said there was enthusiasm for another
village Litter Pick in the Autumn. She asked if the council would support this
effort and pay for the hire of the Village Hall on the 28th
October 2023. This was agreed unanimously.
Coronation – Mr. Parnham said that the cost of the planters was awaited.
Defibrillator
at School – The new defibrillator is now
installed and registered. Thanks are due to Mrs. Macdonald for her efforts in bringing
this to a satisfactory conclusion.
Removal of Bus Shelter at Heyford Close – defer to
September meeting.
CCTV in car park - Mr. Clements reported by email that he had
contacted a supplier of the equipment who would be carrying out a survey of the
site in the near future, suggest a solution, and produce an estimate of cost.
Co-option of new councillor - Mr. Parnham said that 3 residents had expressed interest and he is following
up these expressions of interest.
War Memorial – The clerk has received two quotes so far but does not expect
the third company to follow up. One quote was in excess of £2000 and the other,
from a local company was for £845 plus VAT - this being more in line with
previous cleaning in 2018. Additional to the quote for cleaning is a further
£125 plus VAT for repainting the lettering. In the clerk’s opinion this does
not need doing as the letters are not at all faded. The current quote for
cleaning only is £100 above the budgeted figure and it was agreed that this
should be accepted and, once the cleaning was completed another inspection of
the lettering should be made.
7.
CORRESPONDENCE – there was no relevant correspondence.
8.
ACCOUNTS – The clerk reported that the council’s financial
position remains satisfactory and within budget.
Received:
Mr. Parnham - from final sale of mugs £245.
The following accounts were approved: (paid*)
Uk 2 - .com domain renewal £17.39*
UK2 - .uk domain renewal £11.99*
UK2 - website hosting £89.99*
BNBG - bird boxes £100.00*
B Parnham – coronation expenses £219.45*
C Cleland – Churchyard mowing £372.50*
AGM – 1o coronation mugs £35.40*
D C Bevan - A4 pads for Speedwatch £7.45*
Absolute Solutions – mowing £370.00*
WELmedical – defibrillator £1057.14*
St. Giles church – share of mugs profits £159.20*
C Cleland – c’yard mowing £372.50*
HP – laptop £799.99*
FOSS -share of mugs profits £159.20*
Wileman – bus shelter cleaning £30.00*
The laptop has been delivered and the clerk presented it to the meeting. While the cost was £11 over the budget figure the clerk will be purchasing a subscription to Microsoft 365 suite of office programs and this will be a saving of £41 below the budget figure.
9.
HORNSWAY
- Mr. Parnham expressed
thanks to all the volunteers who helped to clear the undergrowth from the path.
As far as the upkeep of the path is concerned, the clerk explained that,
because this was a paved public footpath, this was clearly the responsibility
of OCC Highways. He explained that, prior to the cutting of central government
funds to local authorities, the path was cut up to four times per year.
However, following these cuts one of the savings OCC made was to cease to cut
verges within 30mph areas except on safety grounds, and parishes were informed
of this. Mr. Parnham said
he was in contact with OCC regarding this and believed the commitment was to
cut once a year, but he cannot confirm this and is still awaiting a definitive
reply. Mr Jeffcoat commented that, if more frequent cutting is needed than OCC
are prepared to carry out, it may be possible to arrange more volunteers
working parties to do this.
10. SCOUTS FIREWORKS – A request
has been received for the Scouts to hold their annual fireworks display at the
recreation ground, Rack End, on 4th November 2023. It was agreed
that this should be granted subject to the usual conditions regarding turf
replacement and clean up post the event. Mrs. Knipe said that in past years the
parking of cars on Rack End during the event was chaotic, with parking on
footpaths and obstructing residents’ driveways. After some discussion the
conclusion was reached that there were no practical methods of remedying this.
However, the clerk will raise this with the organisers when informing them of
the council’s decision.
11.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Mr. Parnham said that the
next meeting will be held in the Youth Club on Tuesday 12th
September 2023 at 7.30 pm. There
being no further business, the meeting closed at. 8.30 pm.
Chairman
.................................................................... Date …………………………………………………