Minutes of a meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Standlake Youth Club on 8th March 2016 at 7.00pm.
Present:
Mr. J. Rippin Vice Chairman
Mrs. J. Clements
Mrs. B. Smith
Mr. J. Hunt (from 7:40pm)
Cllr. (WODC) Mrs. H. Fenton; Mr. P. Clements,
1. APOLOGIES –apologies were received from Mr. Mathew, Mr. Owens and Mr. Willis.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Mrs. Smith declared she had an interest in planning application 16/00469/FUL.
3. PUBLIC ITEMS
Mr. Clements reported that a fallen tree was impeding the flow of water at the bridge on Heyford Lane. It is not clear whose responsibility this is but the clerk will report it to the EA in the first instance.
4. COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS –
Mrs. Fenton reported that WODC had saved money by joining with other councils and scrutinising all expenditure with the result that savings of £242k have been made. Mrs. Fenton said she had very little to report regarding the request for information from WODC Planning regarding the off-site affordable housing contribution promised by Mr. Cade; she will continue to make enquiries.
Mr. Mathew has asked the clerk to inform the meeting that work on the Stonehenge Farm gravel site was not expected within the next 18 months and that Hanson’s parent company were reviewing whether the site was actually viable. Mr. Mathew also reported to the clerk that a robust rebuttal by OCC of the District Councils’ proposal for unitary authorities will be forthcoming.
5.
PLANNING.
16/00469/FUL: erection of 3 dwellings etc.
(to allow changes to approved application); 159 Abingdon Rd. No objection but the clerk to check the
permission conditions of the original proposal.
16/00405/FUL: demolition of existing
student houses, erection of 1 ten bed pupil house and 1 replacement eight bed
student house; Mulberry Bush School, Abingdon Rd. No objection.
16/00587/FUL: One infill dwelling and
garage; Land East Of 137 Abingdon Road. No objection.
6. MINUTES
Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th February 2016, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and signed by the vice-chairman.
7. MATTERS ARISING
Assets of Community Value – following receipt of further information regarding the financial implications on the owners of listing the Bell as an ACV the council decided to withdraw the application and (to be consistent) those of the Post Office, the Black Horse and the Cricket Club. The council considered that this was the best course of action to assist the retention of the building as a Public House and an asset to the village.
Busses, Bus Stops – Mrs. Smith reported that there was no firm information but the Witney/Abingdon College is meeting with Stagecoach regarding the X15 service: OCC have said that they will have another look at subsidies and, in any case, the subsides will not be withdrawn until 30th July (after the end of the school year).
Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – repairs to the roundabout have been completed but Mr. Pascoe advises that, given its age, consideration should be given to replacing the item in the near future; it was agreed that this should be considered at the next budget meeting in November.
Mr. Hunt said that cleaning of the multi games area by the same company who treated the tennis courts would cost in the region of £500; the clerk will obtain other quotes as well. He also noted that there was the possibility of grants from WREN following the closing of Dix Pit but there was a deadline of June; it was pointed out that previous experience with applying for these grants is quite a long process and, crucially, there must be a viable, planned and costed, project before application can be considered.
Mr. Rippin will obtain costs for replacing the football goal nets.
Mrs. Smith reported that the hedge at the back of the Windy Way play area is beginning to encroach on the play area; the clerk will ask Mr. Pascoe to investigate and quote.
Village Communications – the clerk is still awaiting an estimate to rebuild the general notice board at the Post Office but it was agreed that this should be replaced as there was a clear need for a publicly accessible notice board.
H.M. Queen Birthday – nothing further to report at this meeting
Village Hall Car Park – Mr. Rippin reported that the VH committee were still examining options and it was agreed that, once they came to a decision, the council will look favourably on a request for a grant.
Footpaths – nothing further to
report at this meeting
Flooding/Sewers/Winter - nothing further to report at this meeting
Roads, Newbridge – nothing further to report at this meeting
Traffic/Speeding – nothing further to report at this meeting.
Highway
Maintenance - nothing further
to report at this meeting.
8. CORRESPONDENCE – no significant written correspondence; all emails distributed to councillors.
9. ACCOUNTS
For approval/payment:
D C Bevan – clerk salary and expenses 1212.85
HMRC – clerk PAYE 290.40
Absolute Solutions
– repairs 276.76
10. FY 2016/17 RISK ASSESMENT – the clerk presented the risk assessment for the coming financial year. It was agreed that all risks were assessed a low or very low but Mr. Hunt suggested that the assessment for the recreation ground should contain more detail; the clerk will circulate the RA document for comment.
11. 2016 AGM and APM DATES – it was agreed that the date of the Annual General Meeting would be brought forward one week to 3rd May. There was some discussion about the Annual Parish Meeting being held on the same night as a normal meeting and that it should be held in June, when it is hoped firm information regarding busses may be available. The final decision will be made at the next meeting.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs. Smith asked that a proposal be put on the agenda
for April to write to Mr. Cameron regarding cuts to budgets particularly that
affecting subsidised bus services. There being no further business, the meeting
closed at 9.15pm.
...................................................................................... Chairman .................................................................... Date