Minutes of a meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held by telephone/online conference call on 8th September 2020 at 7.30 pm.

Present:

          Mr. B. Parnham   Chairman

          Mr. J. Rippin       Vice Chairman

          Mrs. S Garrett

          Mrs. A. Knipe

          Mrs. L. Burton

          Mr. S. Jones

          Mrs. S Adams

          Mr. D. Bevan       Clerk

Cllr. C. Mathew (OCC), Dr. G. Dooley (Mr. R. Reddy joined but was unable to speak due to technical issues)

1.      APOLOGIES – None.

2.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – There were no declarations of interest.

3.      PUBLIC ITEMS – No members of the public wished to speak.

4.      COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS – Mr. Mathew said that OCC had passed an amended budget, a decrease of £15 million, to cover the costs associated with the pandemic. It was anticipated that most of the cuts would come from efficiencies, not filling vacancies, etc. to protect essential services as much as possible.

5.      PLANNING

20/02037/HHD: Alterations and erection of two storey rear extension, conversion of two storey garage to living accommodation. Addition of front porch. Erection of detached double garage with office above: Larkfield House Lancott Lane Brighthampton: Mr And Mrs Rivers. No objection but request condition requiring that the double garage/office not be sold as a separate dwelling.

6.      MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 11th August 2020, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and will be signed by the chairman at a later date.

7.      MATTERS ARISING

Sewage/Flooding – Mr. Parnham reported that he was in regular contact with the TW contactors and they had supplied a list of the first properties to have repairs made to stop water ingress to the system; individual letters will be sent affected households by TW. However, Mr. Parnham has not had any success is eliciting further information from OCC regarding Woodlands and he finds this very frustrating. Mr. Mathew said he had had no further contact but understood that enquiries into options for dealing with the problem were ongoing. Mr. Parnham said that was no excuse for not acknowledging emails with a simple nothing to report. Mr. Mathew agreed and will follow up.

Roads/Traffic/Speeding /Traffic Calming –Mr. Jones said he will arrange a meeting with the sub-committee to set up the Speedwatch scheme. Once that was in place and operating then the longer-term traffic calming measures should be discussed.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance - Mr. Parnham has carried out the regular three weekly inspection and he suggested that a general refurbishment should be undertaken during the winter period. It was agreed that this be placed on the agenda later in the year. Absolute Solutions have had to postpone the full cutting back of the hedge by the tennis courts while awaiting spares for a wood–chipper; in the meantime, they will just trim back the hedge.

Path by Notice board. – awaiting estimate from OCC.

Hornsway Trees – awaiting estimate from OCC.

8.      CORRESPONDENCE – Planning White Paper consultation. Members have received a copy of the White Paper summary and a 26-question consultation paper; the consultation closes on 29th October 2020. The clerk has looked at this in some depth and concluded it is beyond his capabilities to respond (notwithstanding the need for councillors to agree and decide on the content of any response) and suggested it was also beyond parish council’s resources as well. Mr. Parnham agreed, having examined the documentation himself. The clerk suggested a submission to the MP and leaders of OCC and WODC stating the council’s position and asking for it to be taken into consideration in their response to the proposal.  Mr. Parnham and Mr. Rippin will look at this and discuss next week.

9.      ACCOUNTS – the following accounts were approved for payment.

Absolute Sols - mowing                                                                                                         335.00

Absolute Sols – prep for reopening playgrounds                                                                 240.00

DC Bevan - salary & exp                                                                                                       1221.60

HMRC - clerk PAYE                                                                                                                292.40

Absolute Sols – mowing, repairs, tree/hedge work                                                               470.00

 

The clerk also said that the half yearly direct debit payment for £2142.96 to PWLB for the car park loan had also been paid.

10.   PLANNING CONSULTANT INVOICE CONTRIBUTION - At the 14th July meeting it was agreed that the council would consider contributing to the planning consultant’s fees for opposing the Manor Bungalow development application: the Standlake Residents Society group who engaged the consultant, has now received the invoice for £882. Mr. Parnham proposed a contribution of £200, seconded by Mrs. Garrett and passed unanimously.

11.   SUBSCRIPTION TO MICROSOFT 365 OFFICE SUITE – for 10 years, the council has been using Microsoft Office 10 (provided by the clerk) and this program will no longer be supported by Microsoft. Mr. Parnham proposed that the clerk subscribe to Microsoft 365 suite at a cost of £79.99 per annum; this was agreed unanimously.

12.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Mr. Mathew asked if any further progress had been made regarding the letter to the Secretary of State regarding Windrush pollution. Mrs. Burton said that she was awaiting a response from WASP for information. Mr. Mathew said he would follow this up.

The next meeting will be by conference call on Tuesday 13th October 2020 at 7.30pm.  There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.20 pm.

 

 

....................................................................................... Chairman   .................................................................... Date