Minutes of the Annual General
Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Youth Club, Church End, on 17th
May 2022 at 7.30pm
Present:
Mr. B. Parnham Chairman
Mr. J.
Rippin Vice Chairman
Mrs. L. Burton
Mrs. J Macdonald
Mrs. A. Knipe
Mr. D. Jeffcoat
Mr. D. Bevan Clerk
WODC
Cllr C. Maynard, Mr. B Smith, Mr. J. Bond-Smith, Ms. A. Stribany and Mr. D.
Miles (First& Last Mile Bus) Mr. N. Surtees (Savills)
1.
APOLOGIES – OCC Cllr Mr. D. Levy.
2.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS - Mr. Parnham stood down as chairman.
Mr. Rippin assumed the chair and asked for nominations for chairman.
Mr. Jeffcoat proposed Mr. Parnham as chairman, seconded by Mrs. Macdonald; passed unanimously.
Mr. Parnham signed his acceptance of office and re-convened the meeting as chairman: he then called for nominations for Vice Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer.
Mrs. Macdonald proposed Mr. Rippin as vice chairman, seconded by Mr. Jeffcoat; passed unanimously. Mr. Rippin then signed his acceptance of office.
Mr. Parnham proposed Mr. Bevan (Clerk) as Responsible Financial Officer to the council, seconded by Mr. Rippin; passed unanimously.
Mr. Rippin agreed to act as the council trustee on the Poor's Allotments Charity, agreed unanimously.
Mr. Jeffcoat agreed to act as the council representative on
the Village Hall committee.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – There were no declarations of interest.
4. PUBLIC ITEMS – Mr. Surtees introduced himself as a Town Planner representing Savills who are agents for the owner of Eagle Farm, High Street. Mr. Surtees said this was an initial contact with the community ahead of an outline planning application expected in June/July. He said that discussions had been held with WODC Planning and he presented a proposal to build 10, two storey, dwellings, (consisting of 4 x 3 bedroom, 4 x 4 bedroom, 2 x 5 bedroom) on the area of the property that runs parallel to High Street up to Rack End; main access would be via the existing High Street farm access with a possibility of the existing access on Rack End giving access to the end property. In response to questions from councillors and members of the public regarding the provision of smaller 2 bed properties, implications for sewage and flooding, and carbon footprint, Mr. Surtees replied in general terms but said he would note these comments; he added that there would be engagement with the public via a mail drop prior to an application being made.
Mr. Parnham thanked Mr. Surtees for his presentation and stressed that the council could not make any formal comments until a planning application was received from WODC.
5.
COUNTY
& DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
WODC Cllr. C. Maynard introduced himself as the new District Councillor and said he will do his best to serve the community. He said the District Council would now be run by a Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green coalition and he expected to serve on the Lowlands planning committee.
6. PLANNING
–
22/01023/S73:
Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) relating to planning permission
17/00629/FUL to allow minor design changes to Plot 5: Land to The Rear Of 65
High Street Standlake: Mr N Hadfield. No objection.
Address
assignment – land behind 65 High St. WODC have received a request from the
developer to assign the name ‘Oxford Meadow’. The council considered the name
should more reflect the locality and, in the light of the fact that the land was
originally part of Lincoln Farm, decided on ‘Lincoln Meadow’. The clerk will
request input from residents via Standlake News and Facebook before the
deadline of 6th June.
7.
MINUTES - Minutes
of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 26th April 2022, copies of which had
been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record, and
were signed by the chairman.
8.
MATTERS ARISING
Sewage/Flooding - Mr. Parnham reported the
following: I had a meeting with Thames Water on the 5th May:
High Street Pumping Station: the works completed for
tanker access when required meet the Thames Water standard. If tanker activity causes further
disturbance, it will be reviewed. However,
it was agreed that damage to the tarmac and kerbstones needs to be
addressed. I will continue to follow
this through. Mr. Jeffcoat asked Mr. Parnham to put TW in direct touch with Mr.
Ledger, (who constructed the lane and houses, and was also a resident) so he
could discuss the tanker access surface material and give guidance regarding
the tarmac and kerbstones. Mr. Parnham will do this.
Loose manholes: these have been marked and the plan is
to address these on one schedule of works.
A road closure notice for High Street had been put in place for the end
of May but owing to a cycle event this had been delayed. The manholes in question are 'air vents' as
opposed to main ingress points that had previously been addressed. Again, I will continue to follow this
through.
A
meeting was held on the 27th April with Geoff Barrell (OCC), Dan
Levy (OCC Councillor), David Bevan (Standlake PC Clerk) and Brian Parnham
(Standlake PC Chair) Mr. R. Maxwell (Speedwatch Coordinator) to review the
following initiatives:
Solar
SIDS on the A415 / Abingdon Road. Pedestrian Crossings at different locations
on the A415 and Aston Road. 3. 20mph zone on High Street, Rack End and Church
End to the Downs and on Aston Road, Brighthampton. Reduction from 60mph to
40mph or 50mph from the Downs Road from the A415 into the village. Speed
reduction chicanes at different entry points into the village, for example
Aston Road, The Downs, Rack End and Abingdon Road. Extension of existing 30mph
(20mph see point 3 above) to beyond the Village Hall car park entrance. Extension
of existing 30mph zone on Aston Road further towards Aston.
Line
markings were also discussed. It was
felt the meeting was encouraging and further updates to follow.
Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – Mr. Parnham said Absolute Solutions had now completed the refurbishment of the playgrounds.
Environment – Mrs.
Burton reported: Delightfully half of the bird boxes are occupied. The trees at
the High St and the recreation ground are very healthy. We have also put up bat
boxes at Shifford Lane. The yellow rattle at the recreation ground bank is
beginning to appear as well as a few different wildflowers. Councillors and
other members of the village helped plant some plug plants. We shall be
attending the St. Giles church Jubilee exhibition on Friday 3rd June.
Willows
by church – Absolute Solutions will carry out a
‘tidying up’ exercise and then carry out a full pollarding in the Autumn.
Jubilee
22 – Mr. Rippin reported that the timetable of
events was as discussed at the last meeting and arrangements were well advanced
and there is to be a ‘Best Decorated House and Garden’ competition; entries required
by 1st June. Mrs. Macdonald produced a sample of the mug to be given
to all Standlake School children. The mug depicts the official Jubilee logo
and, on the reverse, two designs by the school children, chosen by competition.
Councillors were pleased with the mug design, but it was decided that the words
‘Standlake School’ be added to the production mugs.
Mr. Jeffcoat showed the Parish Council’s display boards he and
Mrs. Macdonald had produced for the exhibition in St. Giles’ church on 3rd
June. This highlights the activities of the Council in fields such as traffic
calming, supporting the Nature Recovery Network and liaison with Thames Water,
etc. Mr. Jeffcoat and Mrs. Macdonald were congratulated on the displays.
418 Bus
– Mr. D. Miles reiterated his statements of
last month in that he was satisfied that the service is financially stable and
viable in the future but there had been extra costs related to the need to use
better busses and employ paid drivers and any grant would be welcome. Mr. Parnham said
the requested business plan had been received and distributed to councillors
and asked Mr. Miles to confirm that the request for a grant was for a one-off
payment in this FY; Mr. Miles confirmed this. Mr. Parnham proposed a grant of
£200 from the community fund and asked for comment. Mrs. Burton suggested £250,
and this was agreed unanimously. The clerk suggested that, if a further grant
was requested in the next FY, then it would be sensible for First and Last Mile
to make that request before the council sets its budget in November 2022.
Litter
Picking - Mrs. Macdonald said that, from her
inquiries, the general opinion was that people wanted to help individually
rather than in an organised group. She suggested that, initially, litter
picking tools could be borrowed from the WI and then the matter of the Parish
Council purchasing equipment could be looked at later. The provision of Hi-Viz
jackets was discussed, and Mrs. Macdonald suggested that the jackets should
have ‘Standlake’ on the front and ‘Village Volunteer’ on the back. Mr. Rippin said
that this was a good idea as the jackets could be used by stewards at the
Jubilee celebrations. Mr. Parnham will cost these, and it was agreed that they
be paid for from the community fund.
9. CORRESPONDENCE
– Thanks from CAB West Oxon for grant.
10.
ACCOUNTS – The clerk said
that the Annual Governance & Accountability Report 2022 had been
distributed to councillors. Mr. Parnham proposed acceptance, Mr. Rippin
seconded and passed unanimously. The report was then signed by the chairman.
The clerk said that the Council’s insurance policy was due for renewal
on 1st June (at a cost of £1067.21) and reminded the councillors
that this was the last year of a 3-year agreement; the policy had only been
increased by index linking and a small increase for the addition of the
Speedwatch equipment purchased last year.
The clerk reported that the council’s financial position was stable and
in line with the current budget. £75 has been received from Mr.
Jeffcoat as his contribution towards the CAB West Oxon grant agreed last month.
The following accounts were approved for payment.
Absolute Solutions – mowing £375.00
C. Cleland – churchyard mowing £352.00
CAB West Oxon – grant £150.00
AGM – Hi Viz jackets for S’watch £65.95
Fenland
Leisure Products – swing seats £160.80
11. CO-OPTION
OF NEW COUNCILLOR - Mr. Parnham said that one potential candidate has dropped
out. The clerk will advertise the position again. Mr. Jeffcoat suggested that
Mr. John Hardy, a Brighthampton resident, be approached. This was accepted and Mr.
Jeffcoat agreed to contact him.
12. DATE
OF NEXT MEETING - Mr. Parnham noted the next meeting would be on 14th
June 2022 in the Youth Club, Rack End at 7.30pm.
13. There
being no further business, the meeting closed at. 9.00pm.
Chairman
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