Minutes of the Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Youth Club, Church End, on 12th March 2024 at 7.30pm

Present:

          Mr. B. Parnham               Chairman

          Mr. Rippin                      Vice Chairman

          Mrs. A. Knipe

          Mrs. J. Macdonald

          Mr. D. Jeffcoat

          Mr. J. Clements

          Mr. D. Bevan                   Clerk

 

OCC Cllr. Mr. D. Levy WODC Cllr. Mr. C. Maynard. Mrs. P. Gaffney, Mr. C. Naylor, Ms. J. Watson, Mr. P. Hudson, and Mr. S. Cosier

1.         APOLOGIES – Cllr. L. Nicholls, Mr. B. Smith.

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

3.         PUBLIC ITEMS – Mr. Parnham closed the meeting at 7.35pm.

Mrs. Gaffney, on behalf of residents of Chapel Lane, thanked the council for their support in opposing the Chapel Lane application which was refused by WODC. Mrs. Gaffney particularly thanked Mrs. Macdonald for representing the Parish Council and speaking at the Lowlands Planning Committee.

Mr. Cosier introduced himself as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the district council elections in May and said he was attending just to make himself known.

Mr. Naylor said he understood there was no financial support available from local authority sources. He was concerned as to the absence of traffic calming on the Abingdon Road and stressed that any physical measures being considered should be outside the entrances to the village. Residents were concerned that any measures in the village would cause congestion and traffic building up outside properties. Mr. Jeffcoat noted that, as a volunteer driver for First and Last buses, it was frequently difficult to use the bus stop layby adjacent to The Orchard because of parked cars.

Ms. Watson spoke as a resident of Aston Road and was concerned about the safety of residents in view of the lack of footpaths along the road. This was not helped by vehicles which were frequently parked blocking the footpath. She also spoke on behalf of a resident of Witney Road who is concerned about the speed of cars on the road and the lack of any traffic calming and wants to know what can be done.

Mr. Hudson said he was primarily addressing OCC Cllr. Levy and then spoke at length regarding the lack of safety features on the Abingdon Rd. which were being pursued in other areas of the county such as the possibility of average speed cameras. In summary: no 20 mph limit; no double white lines for the length of the road; no marked safe pedestrian crossing; no SIDs. He highlighted the limitations of Speedwatch statistics sent to OCC and TVP – more checks required outside morning and evening rush hours. Mr. Hudson questioned why other localities had these features and not Standlake when the answer is always ‘there is no money’. Cllr. Levy replied that he agreed with 99% of the comments but said that he had asked for 20 mph on Abingdon Rd. but was overruled by officers. He said that on the question of possible average speed cameras, the police were simply not interested unless they would generate revenue. Cllr. Levy concluded that the shortage of money was real and accepted there was frustration at the situation, but he would investigate the possibility of some funding towards the provision of SIDs, for instance.

Mr. Parnham said that the way to increase the number of Speedwatch checks was to recruit more volunteers and he expressed his thanks to those who were already in the scheme. He reiterated that the provision of SIDs needed funding (also see ‘Matters Arising) and was actively investigating the possibility of releasing money from WODC. Some money was allocated to Standlake as a result of contributions by a housing developer and Mr. Parnham was seeing if any of this could be released for traffic calming. The clerk pointed out that this money (known as a Section 106 agreement between the developer and WODC) had been earmarked for the specific purpose of contributing to affordable housing anywhere in the district. Other localities, such as Kingston Bagpuize/Southmoor, had benefited from the Sect.106 contributions derived from the large developments there and, no doubt, provided for traffic alleviation measures in the agreement.

Mr. Parnham thanked those who had spoken and reopened the meeting at 8.03pm.

4.         COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS – see Cllr. Levy and Cllr. Maynard’s reports attached to these minutes.

5.             PLANNING – no planning applications have been received this month.

6.             MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 13th February 2024, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record, and were signed by the chairman.

7.        MATTERS ARISING

Sewage/Flooding - Mr. Parnham said he had had no further update from TW. Neither Mr. Jeffcoat nor Cllr. Maynard have had any updates to their queries; Mr. Jeffcoat will raise a formal statutory request to TW if Cllr. Maynard has no further success.. Nothing further has been received from OCC regarding the High St. flooding.

Roads/Speedwatch/20mph – Mrs. Knipe reported the following: SpeedWatch:  If you would like to become part of the team helping make our roads safer, please email speedwatch@standlakepc.org.uk - even if you can only give up an hour a month that would be great! During February 12 sessions were held with weather conditions causing a number of sessions to be cancelled.  100 offenders reported to TVP including 1 with no MOT; this information is then passed to DVLA by TVP.  We are still seeing an average of 1% offenders in the 30mph zones but 22% in the 20mph zones; hopefully this decrease will continue as awareness continues. SID Devices [Speed Indicator Devices]: Confirmation has been received from OCC that the units on Aston Road which are currently set to 30mph will be re-visited as part of the VAS/ SID replacement project.  If a unit cannot be re-calibrated there will be an option for it to be re-deployed to a 30mph zone.  We are still waiting for an update from OCC. There has been a request for additional SID Devices on the Abingdon Road, similar to those in Kingston Bagpuize/Southmoor.  A solar device is circa £3k plus siting/ongoing maintenance.  Locations have to be approved by OCC.  Whereas the benefit is understood, funding is a major issue. Further discussion to be held on this subject. Abingdon Rd./Aston Rd./Witney Rd Junction: signage has now been replaced. High Street Pot Hole: this was marked 'red' earlier this week [w/c 4th March] which, according to the information we have from OCC, means it will be repaired within a 2-24 hour window.  This has not happened and been logged with OCC. Traffic Calming: A number of draft proposals have been prepared however the fundamental issue is no funding is available from OCC for the implementation of such measures even after a local consultation and ultimately formal consultation. 50mph on Downs Road: enquiries have been made on how we get a reduction on Downs Road to say 50mph - it is a ludicrous situation where you come off the 50mph from the A415 to 60mph Downs Road where there is residential, light business, holiday park and the road is narrower than the A415!  The response from OCC is detailed but, in essence it says that the process is defined by national guidelines and is expensive which would have to be paid for by the parish, OCC not having any funds for this.

Playground/Recreation Ground – Rack End - Mr. Rippin reported that the repair to the roundabout has now been completed. Mr. Rippin was able to obtain an original part at the lower price of £84.94 ex VAT plus £40 fitting; this was welcomed by councillors. Windrush Way - Mr. Clements said that there was nothing to report since last month. Mr. Parnham will coordinate with Mr. Rippin, Mr. Clements and Absolute Solutions for an inspection of both playgrounds this month.

Environment/Nature Recovery Network - Mrs. Macdonald reported the following. Pollinator Patch. The team have tidied up the pollinator patch at the entrance to the Village Hall, and it is growing well. The insect house sited on the wall is also showing signs of being well used. Village Hall wildflower bank. We plan to cut the grass again soon, when the weather is drier, to allow the wildflowers to establish. Tree guards have been repaired on the bank. • Brash removal. We have had a quote from Mark Pascoe and the brash in the carpark at the Church should be removed and disposed of w/c 11th March – this has now been done. New Burial Ground There is evidence of native species beginning to grow on the new burial ground. We have mown again an area ready for wildflower seed planting, and Chris Cleland is planning to scarify the ground for us on Friday 8th March, weather permitting. Spring Litter Pick. Again, in collaboration with the Parish Council, the WI and SNRN, a litter pick will be organised in the village on Saturday 20th April 10-12. Pickers and sacks have been ordered and posters going up soon. Coronation Planters. The planters have been sited and filled with soil, on the Downs beside the bus stop, and at the entrance to Heyford Close and will be planted, hopefully on Monday 11th March. These have now been planted and it was agreed that the cost of the plants, soil, etc. would be paid from the Coronation Fund surplus.  Dog / waste bin emptying. I have been in contact WODC twice (4th and 7th March) to ask, as a matter of urgency, for the bin at Martins Lane and Downs junction to be emptied. It has been overflowing with dog bags and seemingly not on the recent rota for emptying. WODC are dealing with it. Cllr. Maynard asked Mrs. Macdonald for details and will follow this up.  Bramble Bush at Rack End Recreation Ground. Following Mr. Rippin’s request for the removal of brambles in the playground, SNRN recommend that rather than removing the bramble bush, it would be preferable to prune it back and tidy it, so retaining the bush, but making it less encroaching on children’s play area. This will be further discussed after the inspection this month.

Defibrillator Pads – Mrs. Macdonald has passed the pads to Mr. Barber for installation at the Village Hall.

8.         CORRESPONDENCE. – LWTC - invitation to Parish Council for formal opening of club house 20th April.

Mr. N. Evans – complaint re council’s planning application objection comment Chapel Lane. Mr. Parnham said he had responded to Mr. Evans on two occasions but received no acknowledgement or reply. Advice had been sought from WODC and OALC which amounted to that there was no wrongdoing by the council, and this had been communicated to Mr. Evans. However, Mr. Parnham asked the council to validate this action, and this was agreed unanimously.

9.         ACCOUNTS – The clerk reported that the accounts remained in a satisfactory state and were within budget. The figures, assuming no significant expenditure prior to 31st March, corresponded closely to the end of year situation forecast in the budget; a detailed expenditure for FY23/24 will be provided by the April meeting.    The clerk said that the risks for the coming year were no different to the current year given that the council owned no land, buildings or vehicles and were adequately insured for playground equipment gates and fences; this view was supported by the council.

The following accounts received were approved: (paid*)

Welmedical - defib pads                                    £79.08*

PWLB - car park loan                                     £2142.96*

D C Bevan - clerk salary                                £1648.70*

HMRC - clerk PAYE                                          £393.80*

Wicksteed -roundabout part                           £101.93*

Absolute Sols – roundabout repair                   £40.00* 

10.       CAR PARK SECURITY – Mrs. Carter of St. Giles church has again written regarding the car park once again suggesting camera surveillance and also that the car park gate be closed (by church personnel) in the evening and opened in the morning. Mr. Clements will further investigate the matter of a camera and report back. There was some discussion regarding the gate closure, both for and against, but no decision was reached and this will be discussed again at the next meeting.

11.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Mr. Parnham said that the next meeting will be held in the Youth Club on Tuesday 9th April 2024 at 7.30 pm.

12.       There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.45pm.

 

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

County Councillor’s Report – Dan Levy

Tuesday 20 Feb was the Full Council meeting of the County Council at which we set a budget for the next financial year. The administration at County Hall, of which I am the Cabinet member with responsibility for finance, does not have an overall majority, after the departure of Labour from the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance. We therefore ended up with a very long meeting, trying to get agreement across the parties. And finally ended up adopting a slightly more expansive budget than I had thought ideal, but still well within the parameters of what is safe.

We agreed above inflation increases in spending on Adult Social Care and Children’s services, and additional money going into flood defences and roads. We are offsetting this with a set of savings in areas such as reducing the layers of management and putting effort into ensuring that our children can be looked after in Oxfordshire rather than elsewhere. The County Council remains financially robust, but there are limits to what can be done within the funding available.

It has been a complex path to get to this point, involving really useful consultation exercises, and grappling with the government producing its “final” settlement, in two parts, so that we only discovered our final expected income earlier this month. It is a ridiculous process, and I hope that any incoming government, at the very least, commits to multiyear settlements so we can plan our spending and delivery and increase our ability to provide the services residents rightly demand, and the end to bidding in competition with other authorities for individual time limited pots of money for specific projects.

Flooding

As we have all noticed, the wet weather has continued for the past few months, and demonstrated the vulnerability of many places to flooding. The County Council is the lead flood authority, and works closely with the Emergency Services and WODC to respond to floods and try to prevent them. There will be a full cross-agency debriefing in the spring, and I would expect the input of parish councils will be sought.

The flooding in Standlake, particularly on the High Street, was substantial, and we need to respond appropriately to prevent it happening. I was pleased to see that the planning application for a property in Chapel Lane was rejected on drainage grounds (and with my WODC councillor hat on, was part of the committee that made that decision).

This is mostly a separate issue to the issues with Thames Water and sewage, and we will continue to put effort into putting pressure on them and on the Environment Agency. As part of this process, the County Council has appointed the leaders of West Oxfordshire and of Vale of White Horse District Councils, Councillors Andy Graham and Bethia Thomas, who are both also county councillors, to act as joint County Council water champions.

Roads A40 update.

No further progress to report. Discussions with Homes England continue. The public enquiry on the other HIF scheme, based in Didcot, commenced on 20 Feb.

You may have seen that the A40 cycle route is being scraped, to restore it to its original width after decades of neglect. It makes a huge difference.

Before After

The section near Cassington and the Barnard Gate to Witney section has now been completed.

Traffic Filters.

As you may have read, once Botley Road is reopened to motor traffic, when National Rail finish their work, in October, the traffic filters in Oxford City Centre will be going live. They are designed to speed up buses and give bus passengers confidence that they will arrive quickly and on time.

Everywhere that you can currently drive to in Oxfordshire will still be accessible to drivers. The only difference is that you can’t use the city centre as a through route. So if you wanted to go, let’s say, from Standlake to Cowley Road, you would use the ring road and come up the Cowley Road from the BMW plant or via Donnington Bridge, just as you probably would today.

Our expectation is that nearly all people living outside the ringroad will notice no difference, although they might be more tempted to use public transport as the services improve.

As ever, please contact me on dan.levy@oxfordshire.gov.

District Councillor’s Report – Charlie Maynard

District Council passes balanced budget

On Wednesday 28th February, WODC passed a balanced budget. Given that local government funding has been cut 23% in real terms since 2011, that’s quite an achievement. The Conservatives did propose any amendments to the budget, but voted against it.

Police front desks

The local Lib Dems are launching a campaign to bring back the front desk at Witney’s police station. The police front desk was closed during Covid and has not re-opened since. This means that if a resident wants to go and meet a police officer, they need to travel to either Oxford or Abingdon to do this. While some people are comfortable discussing issues either by phone or online, many people are not and want to be able to meet face to face. We understand that the police force has a deep commitment to serving and protecting the public. Part of this commitment is about ensuring that the public has direct, physical access to the police, which is both practically useful and helps maintain and build trust. Police front desks have re-opened in Covid in various places around the country, such as Devon and Hampshire, and we are keen that Thames Valley Police chart a course towards re-opening Witney’s front desk.

Sewage

The overall picture remains dire. Water bills have been increased. This will likely prevent the water companies from going bust until at least after the general election and helps out shareholders and their bankers, but residents are taking the hit. Operationally, there is no sign that Thames Water is grasping the enormity of the challenge to get our sewage network and works up to scratch. As I write this, it has not rained for six days and Standlake’s works has been dumping for 722 hours straight.

I still have not received answers to my January questions. I am chasing hard to get them.

Thames Water just state the following about their plans for Standlake “We expect this location to meet all government targets for storm overflows by 2030”. Nothing more, despite the terrible dumping record of the works. What is needed – and there is no sign of it actually happening – are: a) improvements and capacity upgrades to Standlake’s works, and b) for TW to seal the worst leaking sections of the Standlake and Northmoor network.