STANDLAKE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Village Hall, Standlake, on 8th January 2008 at 7.45 pm

Present:

          Mr. E. F. Tolputt                                          Chairman

          Mr. C Naylor                                                Vice Chairman

          Mrs. S. Berrill

          Mr. J. Rippin

          Mrs. J. Perry

          Mr. R. Reddy

                   

Mrs. B. Smith, Ms. L. Bickley, Mr. Lowe, Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) Rob Hopping and Helen Keen

1.          APOLOGIES were received from Mrs. Bayliss and Mr. Mathew.

2.          PUBLIC ITEMS Mr. Lowe did not wish to speak at the meeting.

The PCSOs introduced themselves and explained their role. They reported that, from a crime point of view, Standlake was quiet at the moment and they visited the village approximately 2 to 3 times a week. Mr. Tolputt suggested a regular visiting time, perhaps in the afternoon when school finished, and the use of the chapel as a base. This was welcome and Mr. Rippin will liaise with the PCSOs.

3.          MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting held on 11th December 2008, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

4.          MATTERS ARISING

Flooding July 07 – Residents of Rack End have received a rather confusing letter from the Environment Agency (EA) but the clerk understands fro Mr. List that the plan discussed with the EA and reported in the minutes of 11th December 2007 remained on track. Mr. Naylor asked on behalf of a Rack End resident as to what was required of individuals. Mr. Tolputt suggested that, beyond what has already been minuted, the resident should contact Mr. List for any details. Work has been completed at the entrance to Woodlands and it is hoped that this will solve the problem; the next heavy rain will tell.

A415, Newbridge – A response has been received from OCC to the Newbridge Committee’s request for clarification of points raised at the 30th October 2007 meeting but is quite unsatisfactory; a further clarification has been requested. The full record of this correspondence (email) has been distributed to all members and is available on request from the clerk as well as being posted on the Village Web.

Traffic/Speeding – Mr. Rippin confirmed that the first priority of the Neighbourhood Action Group this year was speeding. A speed enforcement unit has been in Brighthampton recently.

Highway Maintenance – Mrs. Smith reported that WODC had carried out cutting and trimming in Shifford Lane, b ut the potholes remained despite numerous calls to OCC Highways. The village entrance sign and gate have still not been repaired despite all hastening from Mr. Tolputt and Mr. Mathew’s determined intervention with Highways (Mr. Wilson). The clerk will pass what record he has of the initial report to OCC, including the police crime number, to Mr. Rippin who will take up the battle.

Footpaths – Nothing to report at this meeting.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – The new swings have arrived and will be installed shortly by Johnson Engineering. It was agreed that the work on the hedge bounding the recreation ground and the Long Mile, the hedge along the back of the tennis courts and the lopping of low branches in the children’s playground should go ahead in the spring; the hedge work being carried out before the nesting season. The clerk has explained to Mr. Pascoe that the council will not be able to pay the invoice before the end of the financial year and this is agreeable to him.

Graveyard Extension – The solicitors have received the final paper work and will be forwarding it to Mr. Tolputt. It was agreed that the signatures of the chairman and clerk would be sufficient to represent the council. The clerk asked that a final account, confirming what was estimated by our solicitors, be seen before agreeing to a completion date; Mr. Tolputt will arrange for this. If all was in order then a date of 31st January 2008 was agreed as a completion date.

Neighbourhood Policing – See Public Items. Mr. Rippin noted that the next NAG meeting was on 23rd January.

5.          CORRESPONDENCE - See attached correspondence record.

6.          PLANNING - See attached planning record.

The application for 5 dwellings at Malthouse Farm, 07/2242, was considered to be a form of back building with concerns raised about traffic and access. The vague reference to a piece of land being provided at Stanton Harcourt as the affordable housing offset was puzzling and also deemed inadequate. The clerk will write objecting on these grounds and seek further information.

7.          ACCOUNTS click here for balances

The clerk informed the meeting that the village hall improvement scheme again required the issue of a cheque against grant aid. As in December, the clerk will hold the cheque for £4241.28, payable to Terma Kitchens for part 2 of the kitchen refurbishment, until the grant funds have cleared the bank. This was agreed.

The following accounts were approved for payment:

E F Tolputt - chairman's expenses

172.45

WODC - autumn 2007 playground inspection

51.70

Terma Kitchens Ltd - Village Hall improvements pt 2

4,241.28

8.          MEMBER’S REPORTS

Ms. Bickley reminded the meeting of the commencement of the Marriots Close development in Witney and outlined the interim parking arrangements. For full details visit the WODC website.

Mrs. Smith has received a request from Mr. Ahmed for a street light to  be placed outside the Post Office and Stores. Mr. Tolputt reminded the meeting of the past history of requests for street lighting in Standlake and it was agreed that as a matter of policy the council would not provide lighting. The clerk will write to Mr. Ahmed explaining this policy to him.

Mrs. Smith referred to a complaint about the Banger Track relating to disabled access and health and safety concerns. This is being investigated by WODC and, if necessary, action will be taken. Copies of the complaint were circulated to members by e mail and a copy is in the correspondence folder.

9.          ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9:40 pm.

 

 

 

 

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

CORRESPONDENCE RECORD   01/08

DATE

SER

TO/FROM

TOPIC

ACTION

FILE

 

A

West Oxon CAB

Thanks for donation

 

 

 

B

Volunteer Link Up

Thanks for donation

 

 

 

C

Oxon NHS Primary Care Trust

Annual Report 2006/7

 

 

 

D

ORCC

Changes in Post Office Network

 

 

 

E

OCC

Traffic order – permanent 18 tonne weight limit at Newbridge

 

 

 

F

Mr. Hams

Copy of complaint to Mr. Hook (Banger Track) re facilities and safety.

 

 

 

G

 

 

 

 

 

H

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

 

 

 

 

J

 

 

 

 

 

K

 

 

 

 

 

L

 

 

 

 

 

M

 

 

 

 

 

D

 

 

 

 

 

O

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

 

Q

 

 

 

 

 

R

 

 

 

 

 

S

 

 

 

 

 

T

 

 

 

 

PLANNING APPLICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE RECORD No: 01/08

DATE

PLANNING Number

DETAILS

COMMENTS

REPLY BY

 

07/2187/P/FP

Erection single storey front & rear extension – Chervil Cottage, B’hampton

 

 

 

07/2156/P/FP

Erection of rear conservatory – 25 Aston Road, B’hampton

 

 

 

07/2242/P/FP

Erection of 5 dwellings Malthouse Farm 9 Aston Road B’hampton and provision of land for affordable housing at Stanton Harcourt

Backbuilding; traffic access; provision of affordable housing inadequate