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

Present:

          Mr. C. Naylor      Chairman

          Mr. J. Rippin       Vice-Chairman

          Mrs. S. Garrett

          Mrs. S. Adams

          Mr. B. Parnham

          Mr. S Hoskin

          Mr. D. Bevan   Clerk

 

Mr. C. Mathew (OCC councillor), Mr. P. Dixon (Lawrence Baker Ltd) and 18 members of the public.

1.      APOLOGIES – Mr. S. Jones, Mrs H. Fenton.

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

3.      PUBLIC ITEMS – Mr. Naylor asked the public for their comments but they indicated they were attending only out of interest except for Ms. P. Gaffney representing the LW Gardening Club regarding the planting of bulbs. Mr. Naylor, with the agreement of the councillors, invited Mr. Dixon to speak on the future of The Bell ahead of the main agenda, but made it clear that the council could not comment until a formal planning application was received.

4.       THE BELL - FUTURE DEVELOPMENT - Mr. Dixon introduced himself and outlined his company’s involvement as developers and operators of care homes, based in Eynsham. He said the present owners of The Bell site had determined that it was not commercially viable to attempt to open again as a pub and therefore looked for another use. If planning approval was granted then the company would become owners of the site and, when built, it would be operated by Berkley Care Group as a 5 star care home.

Mr. Dixon presented outline plans which had been drawn up in concert with WODC planning department, showing a scheme which would retain the existing building and build a 64 bed, 2 storey complex, attached to the existing building on the land to the rear. The existing building would house a reception and a ‘bistro’ type facility which would also be open to the general public. It is the intention of the developer to hold a public exhibition of the plans in the village before Christmas. Mr. Naylor thanked Mr. Dixon for his presentation and looked forward to receiving the application.

5.      COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS – Mr. Mathew had little to report but warned the council that congestion and workplace parking charges were being considered in Oxford city – possibly in the next 18 months. This is as a result of increased traffic congestion damage due to traffic and air quality.

6.      PLANNING - Please note the planning below is for information only; after consultation, no objections have been raised by councillors; this is to comply with WODC time restriction for comment.

       18/02837/S73; Non-compliance with condition 2 of planning permission 17/01933/FUL to allow increase and change to plot 6.  No objection

       18/02990/HHD: Replacement of existing side extension, garden room and garage with 2 storey side extension and conservatory to rear. 2 Heyford Close : Mr Charles Dineen. No objection

       18/02790/HHD: Single storey rear extension to create self-contained annexe for elderly relatives:143 Abingdon Road: Mr Jones. No objection

7.      MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on 9th October 2018, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

8.      MATTERS ARISING

Roads/Traffic/Speeding – There is still no action by OCC on the promised restricted parking markings at the High St./Abingdon Road junction, nor for the provision of winter grit bins on the Downs Road and Cow Lane. Mr. Mathew has been pressing both these matters on behalf of Standlake and will continue to do so.

The clerk has researched the reinstatement of the school warning lights. To replace the lights with a modern automatic system will cost approximately £1800 + VAT. Mr. Mathew suggested he would look to contribute a third of the cost from his discretionary fund, with the council and school providing the balance. This was agreed and the clerk will contact the school and put this to them.

Mr. Naylor said that the Speedwatch effort was currently in abeyance as the equipment (property of TV Police) was with another group and reported to be unserviceable. In addition, Standlake Speedwatch had been instructed to cease reporting for a period as they were being too successful and the police could not process the amount of reports received.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – A gatepost at the entrance was reported as rotted by the scouts following the annual fireworks and this has now been repaired.

Ms. Gaffney requested permission for the Gardening Club to plant spring bulbs around the periphery of the recreation and play ground. This was welcomed by the council and agreed unanimously.

The clerk has received an estimate of £1395 for clearing the ditches and overhanging hedges and trees on the recreation ground. It is the council’s responsibility to ensure ditches on its property are cleared and there are funds in the current budget to cover this. It was agreed unanimously to carry out the work.

Flooding, Sewers, Winter, Windrush – Following the ‘Water Day’ WODC have resolved to ensure new developments have fat traps etc. installed at building: it is not clear how this will resolve the sewage release into the Windrush by Thames Water.

Dog Bins– Action has been taken in response to the original complaints but required repairs identified by Mr. Parnham have not yet been actioned; the clerk is following up with WODC.

Safety Rail at Bus Stop on The Downs – The clerk now has an estimate of £215.87 for this work; agreed unanimously.

The Bell – status: see item 4.

9.      CORRESPONDENCE – Request from Witney Citizens’ Advice for donation: £50 agreed unanimously. CPRE membership renewal notice: agreed unanimously.

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

D C Bevan – web domain renewal                                                                                             22.78

Slake Village Hall- grant                                                                                                          600.00

St. Giles church – churchyard upkeep 2nd half                                                                        600.00

J. G. .Le Huray – village Xmas tree/WW1 beacon gas                                                              192.00

Abs Sols – grass cutting                                                                                                         375.00

11.   BUDGET 2019/20 – The clerk updated the initial budget figures and reiterated that, in his opinion – endorsed by Mr. Naylor, there was scope to reduce the Precept by £2000. During discussion Mr. Hoskin suggested maintaining the current Precept and setting aside the surplus in a fund towards future traffic calming. Mr. Naylor pointed out that the figures involved in making meaningful calming measures would entail a saving of this kind for many years. Mr. Hoskin said that this matter was obviously of great importance to many people and this action would show the council was taking some steps to alleviating the problem. This found general agreement and will be included in the budget which will be voted on as part of the Precept setting process in December.

12.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS – The date of the December meeting was confirmed as 18th December and, as usual, will deal only with essential business and setting the Precept for 2019/20. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10 pm.

 

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