Minutes of a meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Standlake Youth Club, on 23rd July 2019 at 8.00 pm.

Present:

          Mr. B. Parnham   Chairman

          Mr. J. Rippin       Vice Chairman

          Mrs. S. Adams

          Mrs. S Garrett

          Mr. D. Bevan   Clerk

 

Mr. C Mathew (OCC councillor), Mrs. H. Fenton (WODC councillor), Mrs. A. Knipe, Mrs. L. Watson.

1.      APOLOGIES – Mr. S. Jones, Mr. S. Hoskin, Mr. S. Good (WODC councillor)

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

3.      PUBLIC ITEMS – Mrs. Watson was attending to give an update on the Village Shop. See Matters Arising.

4.      COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS –.

Mrs. Fenton had nothing to report but was asked about the likelihood of The Bell application being heard at the 12th August Lowlands planning committee meeting. She replied that there was no agenda as yet but, as she was away for that meeting, she would ask her proxy to request a site visit which would delay the hearing until at least September.

Mr. Mathew reported the following: The A40 public meeting on 12th July did not result in any decision being made: The gravel core strategy sites are to be allocated in the next few weeks:  Responding to Mrs. Adam’s request he is investigating if OCC will fund a ‘No Turning’ sign at the entrance to Lincoln Close but warned that this may be refused as it was an un-adopted road.

Mr. Mathew asked for the following to be minuted: he said that if he had caused any offence in the past, it was unintentional and he apologised.

5.      PLANNING

19/01556/FUL: Erection of dwelling with associated parking. Delaware Cottage, 1 The Butts Standlake: Mr. Michael Lancaster. Objection - on same grounds as previous application: overdevelopment, access.

6.      MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 18th June 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 – There is still a lot of interest from villagers but communication needs to be improved and regular drop-ins will be held outside the shop. 2 options – either buy the whole premises or lease the shop, which is less secure. In either case large funds are needed (estimated at £600k or £200k respectively) and an indication of people’s preferences and willingness to invest is to be sought. Purchase would require a mortgage, and a loan in the lease option case, and investment by villagers.

Mrs. Watson asked if the parish council would, in principle, consider raising a loan from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) to support the project in the event that a loan was required. She believed that it would be in the council’s interest to bring the project forward but could give no indication of the size of such a loan. The clerk explained that the council already had a large PWLB loan (taken out in 2008 to finance the new burial ground and the car park) which currently stood at £44,375 and was being repaid at £4,286 pa (representing some 17% of Precept) until 2033. He further said that, as Responsible Financial Officer, while it was ultimately up to the councillors, he would not recommend the parish taking on another substantial loan. Mr. Parnham thanked Mrs. Watson for her help and assured her the council would do what it could to help the project.

Roads/Traffic/Speeding – the foliage around the school lights/sign has been cut back as far as possible. Nothing further to report.

Recreation Ground/Playgrounds – all work at the Rack End playground has now been completed and Mr. Parnham has emailed Mr. Pascoe and thanked him for an excellent job. The bark surfacing was provided free of charge by Mr. Townsend of the 3T’s Water Sports Club and the council’s thanks also go to him.

Public footpaths– Mr. Parnham has spoken to OCC and they are going to inspect the public footpath running through Hardwick Parks and also look at the broken rails on the bridge leading from Church End to the lakes.

Hardwick Parks park access – Mr. Rippin has liaised with the Parks management on access and informed Mr. Kahl. Briefly, any Standlake resident on foot can access the park free of charge but must check in at reception. If using a car, a family membership valid between 4th April and 3rd November can be purchased for £10. The full rules and an application form are available from the Park’s reception.

Car Park Sign – the wording on the sign was approved and the clerk will get quotes for a sign.

Hornsway – the clerk has looked at the footpath and, while it’s untidy, feels it does not warrant parish funds to be spent on cutting, especially as the path is the responsibility of OCC. Mrs. Garrett volunteered to cut any encroaching vegetation she sees next time she walks the path.

Hedge by Youth Club- Mr. Parnham will talk again with Mr. Beccles re cutting.

8.      CORRESPONDENCE – A request has been received from Oxon Association for the Blind for a grant. Unanimously agreed to a grant of £100.

A request has been received from St. Giles church for a contribution to the cost of making good a fallen gravestone in the old churchyard. After some discussion it was agreed to grant £50 on the understanding that this was a ‘one off’ payment.

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

Abs Sols – mowing                                                                       375.00

Abs Sols – part payment fencing labour                                       790.00

S’Lake Youth Club – hire 2019/20                                                150.00

S’lake V Hall – car park upkeep 2019/20                                     600.00

Abs Sols – mowing, final payment fence, bark etc.                     1646.83

OALC – chair training                                                                   102.00

10.   CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR – A vacancy for councillor was advertised on Facebook, Standlake News, the Standlake Village website and the council notice board at the Post Office. Mr. Parnham received four expressions of interest and contacted each on email explaining the duties of a councillor and asking for a short CV and reason for wanting to take the vacancy; only one replied by the deadline of 20th July – Mrs. Anita Knipe. Her name was put to the meeting and it was agreed unanimously that she should be co-opted. Mrs. Knipe was present and accepted the position; the clerk will inform WODC and complete the relevant paperwork.

11.   FUTURE MEETINGS – it was agreed that there would be no meeting in August and, owing to absences by the chairman and clerk, the September meeting will be on Tuesday 3rd September and the October meeting will be on Tuesday 1st October.

12.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Mrs Adams raised the following:

Bus shelter cleaning – resident has complained they need cleaning; the clerk said the next quarterly cleaning is due soon.

Lincoln Close – this is an unadopted road but there is evidence that OCC have done work on the entrance in the past e.g. patching and zig zag traffic control lines related to the proximity of the school. Mrs. Adams is concerned that cars are constantly using the close entrance as a turning area and damaging the surface which OCC now say is the responsibility of the residents; she has contacted Mr. Mathew, who has taken this up with OCC (see county councillor report). Mrs. Adams wanted council support to engage with the school and write to parents to encourage them to stop this practice. Considerable discussion followed but other councillors were unwilling to support this.

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.45pm.

 

 

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