STANDLAKE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Standlake Youth Club, on 13th February 2018 at 7.30pm.

Present:

          Mr. C. Naylor      Chairman

          Mrs. J. Clements

          Mr. N. Owens

          Mr. J. Hunt

          Mr. D. Bevan       Clerk

Mr. C. Potter, Mrs. H. Milne, Mr. P. Clements.

1.      APOLOGIES – Mr. P. Willis, Mrs. B. Smith, Mr. J. Rippin.

2.      PUBLIC ITEMS – Mr. Potter spoke on behalf of the Sea Scouts regarding access to the recreation ground during the annual fireworks display. He was concerned that the present council position on having free access to the ground, thus precluding the sale of tickets, was having a detrimental effect on the finances of the event which was well supported by people from all areas not only Standlake. Presently, those attending are asked for a contribution but there are still those who insist on entering the field quoting the council’s position without paying. Mr. Potter asked if the council could see a way forward to allowing tickets to be advertised and sold not only from the financial aspect but also allowing for a check on numbers which has safety implications.

The clerk said he was not aware of any bye law that precluded the sale of tickets and control of entry beyond the fact that this had been the practice since before he became clerk in 1994 and the fact that this was community land open to all. The general consensus was to look favourably on the Sea Scout’s request but Mr. Owens will see if there’s any legal restraint on changing the practice.

Mrs. Milne was the instigator of the request for self-help winter grit bins and noted this was on the agenda.

3.      COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS –.Mrs. Fenton said that the Local Plan inspector had reduced the number of houses required and WODC have no objections to the proposals; the plan is expected to be signed off in the ‘next few months’. Mr. Naylor expressed his, and the council’s, concern and disappointment that this was taking so long as the Spitfire Homes appeal is due to be heard in April and there may well be a challenge from the Downs developer. Mrs. Fenton appreciated this but it is in the hands of the inspector and there’s nothing WODC can do to hasten the process.

Mr. Mathew said that OCC had passed the 2018/19 budget with a 5.99% increase in council tax. County councillors have each been awarded £15000 for spending on projects within their area and Mr. Mathew is open to suggestions from councils in his division. To commemorate the end of WW1 in November there is a national event being planned called ‘Battles Over’ and Mr. Mathew suggested that the councils of the Lower Windrush work together to decide on a local format. It was agreed that Standlake take part in this and Mr. Hunt volunteered to be the liaison with the group.

4.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Mr. Naylor and Mr. Hunt and Mr. Owens declared a non-pecuniary interest as members of the LWTC.

5.      PLANNING

6.      17/04100/HHD: Two storey side extension: Ashbourne The Downs Standlake: Mr Robinson. No Objection.

7.      18/00245/FUL: Erection of changing room/clubhouse: Tennis Courts Rack End Standlake: Mr C Francis No Objection.

8.      MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on 19th December 2017, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

9.      MATTERS ARISING – Roads/Speeding – the results of the traffic survey called by SOS have been received but not yet analysed.

Flooding/Sewers/Winter – SOS want to ask questions of Thames Water regarding support for proposed developments. Mr. Naylor said they felt the enquiry would come better from the parish council and are prepared to write the letter for sending by the clerk; it was agreed this should be done.

10.   CORRESPONDENCE – Notification of local liaison meeting at RAF Brize Norton.-  In the light of proposed airspace changes it was agreed that Mr. Naylor should attend the meeting on 27th February. The clerk will examine the proposals online and give the councillors a summary by email.

Consultation on Gladman Homes proposal for Barnard Gate Village - A notice of consultation on the proposed ‘Garden Village’ at Barnard gate accompanied by a DVD has been received. Mr. Naylor will examine this in the light of the effect upon Standlake that yet more traffic on the A40 will increase use of the A415.

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

CPRE – subscription                                                                                                                  36.00

Absolute Solutions - Hornsway clearance/tree removal playground                                        65.00

Cottsway – W’way ground rent                                                                                                  10.00

C R Naylor – chair expenses                                                                                                     59.35

Ox Ass for the Blind - donation                                                                                                50.00

SOS committee – grant                                                                                                          1000.00

 

12.   CCTV AT VILLAGE HALL/TENNIS COURTS – following the recent vandalism at the tennis courts and previous incidents at the Village Hall and the games wall, Mr. Hunt suggested that the time has come to investigate the use of CCTV coverage. It was agreed that Mr. Hunt should look at options, use policy and privacy issues in concert with both the VH committee and the LWTC.

13.   WINTER GRIT BINS – In the light of accidents in the recent winter weather, Mrs. Milne had previously emailed the council regarding the provision of self-help winter grit bins at the Cow Lane corner on the Standlake/Northmoor road and also on the bend between the Downs Road and the A415. Mr. Mathew has contacted OCC Highways (Mr. Paul Wilson) who has indicated that he may be open to the provision of bins on a self-help basis but nothing further has been heard. It was agreed that the clerk will, in the first instance, contact Northmoor PC in whose parish the Cow Lane bend is located, and then contact Mr. Wilson again.

14.   VERGE DAMAGE NEAR No.9 HIGH ST – A resident contacted the clerk complaining that they had observed a skip lorry driving over the grass verges either side of the path from the Post Office towards the Green. The clerk made it clear to the resident that the land involved was not the responsibility of the PC but, nevertheless, he contacted the company and asked if they would repair the damage but had no success in this approach. After a short discussion councillors were unanimous in agreeing with the clerk’s statement on responsibility and decided no further action should be taken.

15.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Mrs. Clements said it had come to her attention that some residents were accusing the PC, specifically Mr. Naylor, of stopping the fish and chip van coming to the village. This is completely untrue and, in any case, the PC has no powers to grant or deny the right of any trader to come to Standlake. The proprietors were offered the use of the car park at St. Giles church when they left the area outside The Bell due to a nuisance complaint from a resident (not made to the PC), but it appears they have declined this option.

16.   The clerk reminded councillors that all Standlake council seats were up for election in May 2018. The clerk will distribute the important information on nomination forms with particular note on the deadline for filing the forms. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 13th March at 7.30pm in the Youth Club. There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.35pm

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