Present:
Mr. B. Parnham Chairman
Mr. D. Jeffcoat Vice Chairman
Mrs. A. Knipe
Mrs. J. Macdonald
Mr J. Clements
Mr. J. Rippin
Mr. D. Bevan Clerk
Ms. C. Swan Clerk designate
WODC Cllrs.
Mr. & Mrs. S Cosier, Mr. A. Couper,
Mr. R. Maxwell, Mrs. P. Gaffney, Ms. B. Dimmock-Smith, 8 members of the public.
1.
APOLOGIES –
OCC Cllr. Mr. T. Fenton.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None.
PUBLIC ITEMS – Mrs. Gaffney
said she represented the residents of Chapel Lane in objecting to the
application 25/02583/FUL. She made the point that this was the fourth
application to build a property on this site, two being withdrawn and one
refused. Regardless of changes in this application the previous objections
remain, the main being flood risk, on which the third application was refused;
this problem still exists. In addition, the new application has increased the
overall height of the building which will overbear adjacent properties and
finally the fact that those entering and exiting Chapel Lane present a risk to
themselves and other highway users by virtue of the inadequate visibility. Mrs.
Gaffney answered questions from councillors and Mr. Parnham thanked her for her
input which would be considered by councillors when considering the
application.
3.
COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS –
See
Cllr. Cosier’s report on the village website at www.standlakepc.org.uk
. See also minute items 11 and 12.
4. PLANNING - 25/02583/FUL: The construction of a detached 4-bedroom family dwelling with integral double garage and related landscaping and adapted vehicular entrance point.: Land South West of Chapel Lane Standlake: NPES Developments Ltd. Object - flooding, elevated height and access.
25/02607/HHD: Construction of detached garage building: Manor Field House 41B High Street Standlake: Zoe Davies. No objection.
25/02702/S73 : Variation of condition 1 of planning permission 22/00793/S73, pursuant to planning permission 17/00629/FUL to allow changes to the main roof of plot 10 (house no.8) to allow roof lights to be amended to become dormers to the front elevation only and changing the single storey flat roof element to a shallow pitched roof.: 8 New Lincoln Meadow Standlake Witney Mr Henry Chopping. No objection.
25/02696/HHD: Erection of single storey rear extension, with alterations to existing rear extension, and associated works: The Granary 8 Aston Road Brighthampton: Mr Stuart Rushworth. No objection.
5.
MINUTES
– Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 21st
October 2025, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members,
were agreed as a true record, and were signed by the chairman.
6.
MATTERS
ARISING
Sewage/Flooding – Mr.
Parnham said he had heard nothing further from Thames Water but would continue
to press for updates.
Roads/Speedwatch/Aston Road/Traffic Calming – Mr. Parnham asked Mr. Couper to give his report and his
suggested actions regarding traffic calming, not only on Aston Road but in the
wider village. Mr. Couper said that £40k’s worth of calming measures on Aston
Rd. had been identified by OCC Highways. In answer to Mrs. Macdonald’s
questioning, he said that these measures include speed reduction zone on Aston
Road from the West prior to the 20mph zone, a system of chicanes, speed humps
and smart SIDs. For these measures to take place an OCC traffic survey and
consultation by was required at a cost to the village of £4224. It was suggested that if the survey be
extended to the rest of the village, then the cost would remain the same. Mr.
Couper said that his group would undertake to provide evidence to the survey by
carrying out widespread, non-Speedwatch, checks on speeding and traffic at
other key points around the village. It was intended the survey should include
measures such as crossing points on the Abingdon Road and High Street as well
as a speed reduction buffer on The Downs prior to the 30mph zone and 20mph zone
in Heyford Close.
Mr. Couper said time was of the
essence in having this survey carried out (assuming the survey recommended
action) to be able to take advantage of OCC funds that an application be made
as soon as possible. While an application has been made to a road safety
charity for the sum of £3000 towards the survey cost, this was not guaranteed
and, in any case, the result would not be known before April 26. A grant of
£500 has been paid to the council by Cllr. Fenton’s discretionary fund for this
purpose which left a shortfall of £3727, and it was this sum the group were
requesting in support from the parish council; should the £3000 grant be
forthcoming this would be repaid to the parish council.
Mr. Jeffcoat and Mr. Clements were
concerned that if the wider survey recommended more work around the village,
funds to carry it out may not be forthcoming from OCC. Mr. Couper said that
this was not the case, OCC had assured him that additional funding would be
available if needed and Cllr. Cosier confirmed that this was the case. Mr. Parnham
proposed that the council should fund the survey to the amount of £3724.
Seconded by Mr. Rippin and passed by five votes in favour, to one against and
one abstention.
Playgrounds/Recreation Ground – Mr. Parnham said the recreation ground was left in a
good condition following the scouts’ fireworks annual event. He added that the
goal posts and the basketball backboards were being delivered shortly. Mr.
Clements reported that the scheduled repairs at Windrush Way were still
outstanding and the bin needed emptying. This prompted Mr. Jeffcoat to suggest
that the council should examine the provision of a WODC dog/waste bin at the
playground that would be emptied on a regular basis He also suggested that the
same should apply adjacent to the Woodlands bus stop. Mr. Parnham asked Mr.
Jeffcoat to investigate the installation and recurring cost of this.
Environment/Nature Recovery Network - Mrs. Macdonald reported the
following: Autumn Litter pick – On Saturday 15th November we had a good
turnout of volunteers who picked more than 20 sacks of rubbish from around the
village. The WI kindly provided refreshments afterwards. Swift Box at the
Village Hall – The Village Hall committee had approved the idea to position
a Swift Box on the gable end of the Village Hall. The box will be ordered and
set up before the nesting season in the Spring. Wildflowers – the
village planters and the pollinator patch at the village hall are all doing well.
Seeds have been scattered on the wildflower bank in readiness for the Spring. Funds
are available and plans in progress to site more planters in the village for
the benefit of everyone.
New Website – The clerk proposed that the construction of a new website
should be postponed until after the new clerk was in post. This would allow the
new clerk to be involved in the new design and content as well as being
familiar with the operation of the new site. This was agreed unanimously. Mr.
Clements said he had been in contact with our existing host company
and they had confirmed that any new site could be uploaded onto their system.
Christmas tree festival – Mrs. Macdonald will now be in charge of decorating the
parish council’s tree, aided by Mrs. Knipe, and suggested that the tree be
decorated with photographs based on parish council activities around the
village. This was approved, as was her suggestion that a group photograph of
the council should be taken after the meeting (in Christmas Hats!)
Car park security – Mr. Clements said he had prepared the options for
increasing security and would distribute this to councillors.
Bus Shelter – This has now been repaired.
7.
CORRESPONDENCE. – none.
8. ACCOUNTS – The clerk reported that the accounts were in a very satisfactory state.
For payment/approval: (* already paid)
St Giles - Xmas tree festival £40.00*
Jakes gardens - churchyard mowing £372.00*
Absolute solutions - Maintenance/notice board £768.53*
Standlake School - defib parts £62.00*
Externiture - bus shelter repair £228.97*
The above payments were approved
unanimously.
Mr. Jeffcoat said that priorities should be
set for use of the community fund, such as refreshing the Rack End playground.
No decision was made but it was agreed that future estimated expenditure from
the current year’s fund should include the traffic calming survey, new notice
board and new website. Mr Jeffcoat suggested that a discussion about the
playground and other potential improvement initiatives should take place soon
after the start of the new financial year, once the opening balance of the
community fund is known.
9.
BUDGET – The
draft budget, previously circulated to councillors, was discussed in some
detail and the amount of the FY 26/27 Precept discussed. Mr. Clements proposed
a figure of £40,000, seconded by Mr. Rippin and passed by 6 votes in favour to
1 against. Therefore, the FY26/27 Precept is set at £40,000.
10.
STANDLAKE HUT –
Ms. B. Dimmock-Smith said she wished to give the following
update on the status of the Standlake Hut (formally the Youth Hut) Over the
past few months, we have focused on strengthening governance, reconnecting with
the community, and beginning the process of revitalising the building as a
sustainable local asset. The main areas covered are: a
new Committee and Trustees; Community Engagement Activity -
re-engagement with the local community has been a priority. Recent initiatives
include: - Focused Community Survey and a Community Clean-Up Day; New
Funding Success -recent success in securing funding from OCVA to deliver
sessions aimed at the 50+ age group. Future Collaboration with the Parish
Council – we wish to maintain a close and constructive relationship with
the Parish Council as progress from early actions into longer-term planning.
Finally, Ms. Dimmock-Smith said the committee and trustees remain committed to
revitalising the Standlake Hut and ensuring it serves the community for many
years to come. Mr. Parnham asked what the duration of the lease on the building
was. This was answered by Mr. Rippin who said that it was for 100 years from
1978 and expressed his delight that there were efforts being made to retain the
use of the hut. Mr. Parnham thanked Ms. Dimmock-Smith for the update and
assured her that the council would support the committee and trustees wherever
possible.
11. LOCAL COUNCIL REORGANISATION - Cllr. Cosier said that the likelihood was that WODC would recommend to the government that the two unitary authority plan be adopted. WODC, Cherwell District Council and Oxford City Council would become Oxford and Shires council, while South Oxfordshire, The Vale and West Berkshire would become Ridgeway Council.
12. LOCAL PLAN 2043 – Cllr. Cosier urged the council and all residents to respond to the consultation that was recommending provision of 200 dwellings located off the West side of The Downs, subject to improvements by Thames Water to the sewage plant post 2030. There was some discussion but generally the council was against the proposal and the clerk asked that the response on behalf of the council be passed to him for inclusion in the consultation.
13.
S106 REQUEST – BIKE
RACKS – Mr. Jeffcoat wished to make a S106 request to support the provision of
bike racks at the recreation ground/village hall to encourage cycling to these
facilities. This was agreed and the clerk will raise the request.
14.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW
CLERK –Mr. Parnham was pleased to announce that Ms. Claire Swan had accepted
the post of clerk, replacing Mr. David Bevan, and would be taking up her duties
commencing 1st April 2026.
15.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING –
The next meeting will be held in the village hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 16th
December 2025, at which only urgent matters would be discussed in accordance
with tradition.
16.
There being no further
business, the meeting closed at 9.15pm.
Chairman .................................................................... Date …………………………………………………