STANDLAKE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Village Hall, Standlake, on 9^th October 2007 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, Mr. C. Mathew

1. APOLOGIES were received from: Mrs. J. Bayliss and Ms. L. Bickley

2. PUBLIC ITEMS there were no members of the public present

3. MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th September 2007, 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 – Mr. Rippin reported that the EA had been carrying out level surveys along Rack End.

A415, Newbridge – Mr. Mathew has received an email from Cllr. Ian Hudspeth and Mr. Steve Howell asking for a meeting with all councils to discuss options including the ‘do nothing’ option. It was agreed that this offer should be accepted as soon as possible and Mr. Mathew volunteered to set up this meeting. Mr. Naylor said that the impact on other villages, not just those on the A415 shoild be taken into consideration and Mrs. Smith added that Ducklington had asked to be kept informed on developments.

Traffic/Speeding – Nothing further to report at this meeting

Highway Maintenance – Mr. Rippin will hasten OCC (Mr. Wilson) regarding the still unrepaired village entrance sign on Rack End.

Footpaths – WODC Planning Enforcement have now investigated the alleged breach of planning on land adjacent to 54 Rack End (Mr. Pardahan) and, despite their initial informal opinion, have decided that no breach of planning has occurred (see correspondence). However, it was decided that the provision of a footpath on that side of Rack End was desirable and should be pursued. Further enquires of OCC Highways and WODC as to how to proceed will be made.

Nothing further has been forthcoming regarding the condition of The Butts footpath. It was decided that another approach to OCC Rights of Way (Mr. Weeks) would be made highlighting the problems with both undergrowth and the path surface. Mr. Tolputt will contact OCC.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – Pascoe bros. have upgraded their gang mowing equipment and the results on the recreation ground are very satisfactory. The bark chippings have been delivered and spread around the equipment.

Mrs. Perry reported that wear on the swing shackles and seats now needed attention; the cost will be £487 plus delivery and fitting. It was decided to proceed with these repairs using funds from the reserves which will be replaced in the next precept.

Mrs. Perry again raised the matter of replacing the Teenage Shelter light at a cost of approximately £800 plus VAT. A discussion about the necessity to replace this light, and its high cost, followed and no consensus was reached. Mr. Tolputt proposed, seconded by Mrs. Perry, that the light be replaced; this proposition was defeated by 4 votes to 2.

Graveyard Extension – It would appear that Welch and Stammers have not acted on Mr. Tolputt’s verbal instruction to proceed. Mr. Tolputt is following this up.

Neighbourhood Policing – Mr. Reddy reported that there was a mini crime wave in the Woodlands and Manor Crescent area; a number of car tyre valve dust caps, some (allegedly) of high value, were (allegedly) being taken by unknown persons. Mr. Rippin will contact the PCSOs.

5. CORRESPONDENCE - See attached correspondence record.

Two letters have been received from Mr. Pardahan regarding the council’s action in alleging he was in breach of a planning condition that would affect the provision of a footpath on Rack End. Mr. Pardahan alleges that the council, by its actions in minuting these proceedings and therefore publishing them, had damaged his standing with his neighbours and other villagers. The council discussed this at some length and examined the relevant documents and minutes; the conclusion was that the facts were accurate and that, by minuting the proceedings, the council had acted properly. The clerk will reply to Mr. Pardahan stating this position.

An e mail has been received from Ben Francis (Brighthampton) asking if the council could allocate land for the purpose of building a bicycle humps course. It was noted by the clerk that Mr. Tony Lowe had done some work with village youths on this in the past. It was agreed in principle that the area along the Southern boundary of the Recreation Ground, between the trees and the boundary hedge, could be used provided that the construction was supervised. Mr. Naylor will contact the parents of Ben Francis and discuss the details.

Mr. and Mrs. Langford (Church Farmhouse, Church End) have e mailed expressing their concern as to the safety and condition of the willows along the river bank opposite the church. It was agreed that the council must act to pollard the trees and examine the stability of one tree in particular. This work is likely to cost in excess of £1000 and will have to be funded from reserves. Mr. Tolputt and the clerk will obtain estimates.

Mrs. Pam Smith (9 The Green) has written asking for permission to place a bench, in memory of her late husband, on the grass triangle at the entrance to The Butts. This was unanimously approved and the clerk will inform Mrs. Smith and liaise with her on the placing of the bench.

6. PLANNING - See attached planning record..

7. ACCOUNTS click here for balances

The clerk distributed the outline budget form for FY 1008/9. A number of items were discussed and noted for the full budget setting at the November meeting.

The following accounts were approved for payment:

Mrs B Smith - replacement cheque for 400260	25.00
Standlake Methodist Chapel - hire 2007/8	130.00
M&G Pascoe - grass cutting etc	615.00

8. MEMBER’S REPORTS

Mr. Tolputt has received a request from the Standlake Sea Scouts for permission to hold their annual fireworks display at the recreation ground on 3^rd November. This was agreed, subject to the usual conditions that the ground would be returned to its existing state after the event and that the Scouts were liable for all insurance cover. Mrs. Perry will mark the area for the bonfire.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

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

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

CORRESPONDENCE RECORD 10/07
DATE	SER		TO/FROM		TOPIC		ACTION		FILE
	A		DEFRA		Tackling climate cahnge
	B		OCC		Newsletter
	C		OCC		Road Safety in Oxfordshire
	D		OCC		Public discussion groups
	E		ORCC		Parish Plans
	F		WODC		Standards Committee
	G		OPFA		Newsletter
	H		Environment Agency		Local Flood Plans
	I		Mrs. P. Smith		Request to erect memorial bench at entrance to The Butts
	J		Ben Francis		Request for area to build bicycle jumps
	K
	L
	M
	D
	O
	P
	Q
	R
	S
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PLANNING APPLICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE RECORD No: 10/07
DATE		PLANNING Number		DETAILS		COMMENTS		REPLY BY
		07/1622/P/FP		Alterations and erection of single story extension – The Limes, High Street