Minutes of a meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Standlake Youth Club, on 18th June 2019 at 7.30pm.

Present:

          Mr. B. Parnham   Chairman

          Mr. J. Rippin       Vice Chairman

          Mr. S. Jones

          Mrs. S. Adams

          Mrs. S Garrett

          Mr. S. Hoskin

          Mr. D. Bevan   Clerk

 

Mr. C Mathew (OCC councillor), Mr. S. Good (WODC councillor), Dr. Wai Ming Cruikshank, Mr. J. Sharples, Mr. A. Kahl and 14 members of the public.

1.      APOLOGIES – Mrs. H. Fenton (WODC councillor)

2.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Mrs. Garrett declared an interest in the planning application for The Bell in that she had publicly expressed her views beforehand and she would not vote on the application..

3.      PUBLIC ITEMS – Mr. Parnham noted the number of public present and ascertained that the overwhelming majority were attending to hear The Bell application discussed, but Mr. A. Kahl wished to speak about access to Hardwick Parks. Mr. Kahl was concerned that the 1990 agreement between the PC and the Parks management was not being honoured; he had spoken to the clerk who had contacted the manager and ascertained that no change had been made. Mr. Khal asserted that was not the case and asked the council to intervene. Mr. Rippin agreed to visit the park, discuss the matter and obtain clarification.

Mr. Parnham reminded the public that once public discussion on the planning was closed the public would not be allowed to speak again while the council discussed the applications. He invited a spokesperson each to speak for and against the Bell application and would then take any comments that had not been covered.

Mr. J. Sharples introduced himself and said he was speaking as a resident of No.23 High St. – next door to the Bell and most affected by the application. He was in favour and wished to counter some of the objections raised by villagers. In particular traffic, sewage and need for the development and asserted that these had been overstated. He also commented that Standlake always stated what it was against but had no clear vision for the future.

Dr. Cruikshank spoke on behalf of the objectors and summarised those objections which were, among others, on the grounds of access, parking, increase in traffic, lack of need (both regarding Standlake and the wider need in Oxfordshire), sewage and scale of the development.

Mr. Parnham thanked them and, as there were no other relevant comments from the floor, closed the public part of the meeting.

4.      COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS – Mr. Good said he’d listened to the views of the public with interest but he could not express a view but he reminded everyone that the decision on the Bell application would be decided on planning law grounds only and not on sentiment. He also said his role in the WODC cabinet had changed and, among other things, community relations were now included in his portfolio.

Mr. Mathew said there would be an open meeting on the future of the A40 in Eynsham Village Hall on 12th July at 7.30pm and urged residents to come and have their say. His personal opinion was that the £240m OCC plan was unacceptable and alternate courses should be pursued. He also commented that he had serious concerns regarding the proposed development at The Bell.

5.      PLANNING

19/01458/FUL: Change of use of land to allow the siting of 8 holiday caravans to be used between 1st February and 1st November annually in connection with Three TTT's Water Sports Club Ltd.: 1 Aston Road Brighthampton Witney: Three TTTs Water Sports Club Ltd.  No objection.

19/01431/FUL: Conversion of office to annexe and conversion of stables to include increase height of roof to form office: Bankfield Lodge Standlake: Mr Paul Jordan.  No objection.

19/01325/HHD: Garden shed: 91C High Street Standlake Witney: Mr J Ledger.  No objection

19/01627/S73: Variation of condition 2 of planning permission 18/02990/HHD; 2 Heyford Close, Standlake: Mr. Charles Dineen.  No objection.

19/01171/FUL: Redevelopment of former public house to care home with associated parking and landscaping. The Bell Inn 21 High Street Standlake: Berkley Care (Standlake) Ltd. Objection: need, light pollution, access and safety, parking,, sewage/waste water disposal, scale and over dominance, precedent for further development, impact on surroundings.

6.      MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 14th May 2019, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

7.      MATTERS ARISING

Village Shop –.The latest update is now out and the clerk is aware that a request would be made for the council to cover the cost of another public meeting in the village hall; this was informally agreed by the council.

Roads/Traffic/Speeding – Mr. Jones is still awaiting a response from OCC re calming measures; he is also in contact with Charlbury PC re the SID they are using with the agreement of the police.

The school lights are now operating and it should be noted that the cost was divided equally between the school, the PC and a grant from Mr. Mathew’s Councillor Priority Fund. Mrs. Adams noted that there were trees partly obscuring the lights out side ‘River Walk’; she agreed to speak to the residents.

Recreation Ground/Playgrounds – The repairs to the hen, cycle and tyre swings have been completed. Work on replacing the fence will commence next week and Mr. Mathew confirmed that the contribution from his CPF has been approved and payment is imminent. The fence repair at Windrush Way has been ordered. The clerk said that the hedge behind the tennis courts is now overgrown; it was agreed to obtain an estimate.

8.      CORRESPONDENCE – Mr. A Kahl re Hardwick Parks (see above). OCC Countryside Records re designating Croft Lane as a Restricted Byway; the clerk explained that this request had been initiated by a resident 12 years ago and it would now appear OCC are in the final stages of granting the request. No action by the PC is required at this time..

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

Absolute Solutions - mowing                                                       375.00*

Absolute Solutions - repairs                                                        215.00*

Absolute Solutions - mowing, repairs                                          655.00*

St Giles PCC – churchyard upkeep 1st half                                    600.00

D C Bevan – clerk salary & expenses                                          1221.60

HMRC – clerk PAYE                                                                      292.40

B Barber – V Hall defibrillator pads                                                75.30*

WODC – 2018 election expenses                                                    80.91

Oxford Fencing – playground fencing                                         2413.15*.

10.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Mrs Adams raised the following: Hornsway needs cutting; the clerk will contact Mr. Pascoe. Concerns have been raised about the willow at 2 Rack End on The Green; the clerk will investigate as this tree is protected under a TPO. Bridge railings on Church Lane path are damaged – Mr. Parnham will investigate. Car park at the church – still requires a sign indicating it is a public car park; the clerk will get an estimate

Mr. Rippin said the police were holding a ‘Have Your Say’ in Eynsham on 20th July. He also said that he would not be attending another meeting of what used to be the NAG as he felt it was of no benefit to Standlake; general agreement was that he should not be replaced on this group.

The next meeting will be on 23rd July and, there being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

 

 

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