Minutes of the Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Youth Club, Church End, on 8th April 2025 at 7.30pm

Present:

          Mr. Parnham                  Chairman

          Mr. D. Jeffcoat               Vice Chairman

          Mrs. Knipe         

          Mrs. J. Macdonald

          Mr J. Clements

          Mr. J. Rippin

          Mr. B. Smith

          Mr. D. Bevan                   Clerk

 

          OCC Cllr. Levy, WODC Cllr. S. Cosier, Mr. C Maynard MP, Mr. A. Couper and 4 members of the public.

1.         APOLOGIES – None

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None.

3.         PUBLIC ITEMS – Mr. Parnham closed the meeting at 7.45pm. Mr. Maynard MP said that as he was no longer a WODC councillor he wished to thank the parish council for its work. Mr. Parnham in turn thanked him for coming and also his work in the past. Mr. Maynard then left the meeting.

Mr. Couper said that Aston Road residents were now in the process of gathering evidence, as suggested by Cllr. Cosier, of speeding and heavy traffic numbers on the road. The speed gun would be used to gather evidence, but no report would be made to the police as this was an informal survey outside the remit of Speedwatch. Cllr. Cosier pressed the matter of inviting the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to a meeting so that residents could put questions regarding speeding and road policing in general. The clerk questioned the value of the invitation if it was to be at a parish council meeting and suggested it should be at another, broader, venue. Mr. Jeffcoat said that the context was important because any answers from the PCC may well result in residents’expectations of action that a parish council was not empowered to take. There was some discussion of where this should take place and Cllr. Cosier will first obtain a date from the PCC and then arrange the venue.

Mr. Parnham re-opened the meeting at 8.05pm.

4.         COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS - Full County and District councillor reports are available on the council website – www.standlakepc.org.uk . Cllr. Levy said this was his last meeting at Standlake due to the OCC reorganisation of the electoral divisions. He said he had enjoyed working with Standlake PC and Mr. Parnham thanked him for the help and support he had given. Cllr. Cosier drew particular attention to his report regarding the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and information on Section 106 matters. He stressed that CIL was not replacing S106 but would be a general levy on developers whereas S106 was a specific provision.

5.         PLANNING –

25/00054/FUL: Installation of ground mounted solar pv and air source heat pumps.: Museum Resource Centre Cotswold Dene Standlake: Mr James Allen. No objection.

25/00833/HHD: Demolish detached double garage and form two storey side extension: 82 Abingdon Road Standlake Witney: Mr and Mrs Andrew and Sarah Cleevely. No objection.

6.         MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 11th March 2025, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record, and were signed by the vice chairman.

7.         MATTERS ARISING

Sewage/FloodingNothing further to report at this meeting.

Roads/Speedwatch/Aston Road – Mrs. Knipe reported the following: During March, 12 roadside sessions were held at various approved locations.  96 offenders have been reported to TVP.  Within the 20mph zone the average speed was 31mph and within the 30mph zone 40mph.  As we are into a new financial year discussions will continue with OCC about traffic calming measures, SIDs etc.  Thanks also to Councillors Dan Levy and Steve Cosier for picking up the issue of Aston Road condition/HGV traffic etc. Residents are now collecting data regarding traffic volumes etc and updates will follow.

On other matters, we have engaged with the PCSO team about parking during school drop off/collections and we are in dialogue with OCC to improve/extend the road markings.

Playgrounds/Recreation Ground – Only minor matters were noted in either playground and a ‘walk-round’ inspection still has to be arranged.

Environment/Nature Recovery Network - Mrs. Macdonald reported the following: Litter Pick I had to chase WODC to remove litter from Village Hall. They removed the tyres etc promptly but left the 40 sacks of litter. When I mentioned the possibility of an imminent function at the hall, they came the same day! Nature recovery will purchase more “high viz” jackets for use at the next litter pick event. Village Hall wild flowers. The dry weather enabled Paula Gaffney and myself to mow the entirety of the bank, to discourage the grass growth, and to enable the wild flowers to grow. We will repeat this again in the next few days. Pollinator patch at Village Hall – the beds are now growing well, and photos sent to LWVP as evidence of spend of grant money from TOE • LWVP In collaboration we have now sited 15 refugias in the churchyard areas, and also the allotment field, to monitor the populations of amphibians and reptiles. Results will be forwarded to LWVP. New Burial Ground This has recently been mown and monitoring of the watering regime for the Jubilee tree has been addressed by the Nature Recovery team. A committee will meet on 15th April to discuss the landscaping plans and accessibility issues related to the area. Fund raising possibilities will also be considered. Planters These are growing well and are appreciated by the villagers. Nature recovery are considering the possibility of purchasing further planters for the village and will put a proposal to the Village Hall Committee shortly. Dog Litter Bins – now being emptied regularly

8.         CORRESPONDENCE. – Email from OCC regarding bus support survey. Mr. Jeffcoat, as parish transport representative, has examined this and none of the routes under consideration affect Standlake. Mr Levy pointed out that the First & Last Mile 418 service to Standlake is in fact covered by the survey.  Mr Jeffcoat agreed to revisit it and submit comments to OCC accordingly

9.         ACCOUNTS – The clerk reported that at end of the financial year, the accounts were in a very satisfactory state and started the new year with a very healthy balance. The clerk suggested that councillors decide how to allocate the community reserve fund between traffic calming and other priorities.; Mr. Parnham will speak to councillors about this outside the formal meeting.

For payment/approved: (* already paid)

OALC - subs 25/26                               £350.08*

OPFA - subs 25/26                                 £49.00*

C Cleland - c'yard mowing                   £372.50*

          Abs Sols - mowing                                £380.00*

10.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING – It was agreed that the next meeting will be held in the Youth Club on Tuesday 13th May 2025 at 7.30 pm.

11.       There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.50pm.

 

Chairman   ....................................................................  Date …………………………………………………