STANDLAKE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Standlake Youth Club, on 9^th September 2008 at 7.45pm.

Present:

Mr. E. F. Tolputt Chairman

Mr. C Naylor Vice Chairman

Mrs. J. Bayliss

Mrs. J. Perry

Mr. J. Rippin

Mr. R. Reddy

Mr. A. Lowe

Mr. D. C. Bevan Clerk

Mrs. B. Smith, Mrs. H. Fenton, Mr. C. Mathew and members of the public: Mrs. J. Dodds, Mr. and Mrs. A. Collieu, Mrs. V. Francis, Mr. N. Clack, Mrs. Gough, Christian Gough, Ben Francis, Paul Kingston, James Thomas.

1. APOLOGIES were received from Mr. R. Reddy.

2. PUBLIC ITEMS

Stonehenge Farm gravel extraction: Mrs. Dodds thanked Mr. Tolputt for his attendance and speech at the OCC Planning meeting on 21^st July. Mr. Mathew agreed that the speech was well received as it provided a different, but supporting, view from that of OUTRAGE. The WODC final report was still awaited and if it was published ahead of the next OCC meeting on 20^th October the application would be considered again. Mr. Mathew thought this was unlikely in which case the decision would be deferred to the next meeting. Plans were in place to obtain the services of a QC with planning experience and the intention was to fight the application at all stages.

The EA are apparently carrying out a large scale survey in the area and this was confirmed by Mr. Clack who has received notification from the Agency that this is going ahead. Mrs. Dodds asked if there was anything further that residents could do and Mr. Mathew replied that emails should be sent to WODC (Cllr Harvey and Ms. Cath James) urging publication of the report as soon as possible and stressing the lack of action by the EA.

Damage to ‘The Goose’: Mr. Tolputt explained that following the damage to the Goose, Christian Gough had admitted to being one of those involved, had voluntarily reported this to the police and had been issued with a fixed penalty notice; he was now here to apologise to the village. Christian said that, while he was not the only one involved, he took responsibility and wished to apologise and to pay for the damage. Mr. Tolputt praised him for doing the right thing in owning up to the act and Mrs. Collieu and Mrs. Francis (Art Underfoot representatives) said that the greatest help would be in removing and re locating the Goose. (see agenda item)

Bike Jumps; Ben Francis wished to highlight problems with the bike jump at the Recreation Ground. Because the jumps are small they are constantly being destroyed by youths, not all of whom are from Standlake, and the solution would appear to be to make the jumps more substantial. Mr. Lowe said he had been involved with Ben and his friends and in his opinion there was plenty of spoil along the bank at the west end of the ground to build the jumps. Mrs Perry agreed that this could be used but cautioned that the present bank must be preserved; furthermore, any branches on the trees along the track should not be lower than 8’ above the ground. Ben agreed to draw up a plan with Mr. Lowe who agreed to coordinate the effort. It was agreed that a small digger would need to be used and a reasonable cost would be borne by the Parish.

Mr. Tolputt thanked all for attending and opened the meeting at 8.40 pm.

3. MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th July 2008, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and signed by the chairman.

4. DISPOSITION OF THE GOOSE AT THE GREEN

It was understood from Mrs. Collieu that the head teacher at Standlake School had agreed to have the goose re located to the school grounds; Mr. Naylor will raise the matter at the next school governor’s meeting and ascertain the preferred location. The moving would require the use of a small digger and Mr. Lowe will approach a local builder to help in this regard and report back.

5. MATTERS ARISING

Stonehenge Farm Gravel Application – see public items.

Graveyard Extension – The clerk reported that the loan application had been accepted and full amount is in the bank and the work has commenced. At the clerk’s suggestion it was agreed that three separate payments be made to GLR Contracting thus allowing VAT to be reclaimed as the work progressed so as to ensure a secure cash flow. After some discussion it was decided that the existing hedge should be retained either side of the new gated entrance, with the new fence behind it. Mr. Tolputt said that, despite what appeared to be full WODC planning permission including access, the entrance had to be approved by OCC Highways separately at a cost of £55; this would be retrospective as OCC have visited the site and agreed a scheme with the contractors.

Flooding – The clerk reminded the meeting that the WODC Flood Report Roadshow will be held in the Village Hall on September 11^th. An email had been received from WODC Community Services (MR. Bill Oddy) asking for details of any parish emergency plans. Mr. Lowe will contact Mr. Oddy and give details of progress towards a plan for Standlake.

The following has been received from Thames Water (Ms Jenny Elliott): ‘All CCTV work was completed earlier this month.  CCTV shows several areas that require cleaning although no defects or areas of significant infiltration were found.  There were high flows coming from the Caravan park and we have raised an investigation to look at the flows coming from here. Cleaning has also been raised to clean the areas highlighted in the videos.

Ops have also been undertaking some investigations and drop tests for me at the pumping station and one pump was found to be under performing.  An order has been raised to replace the impellors on this pump to bring it back up to its full pumping capacity. I will chase timescales for the repairs on the impellor and let you know as soon as possible.’

OCC (Mr Gordon Hunt) is following up quotes from companies for the survey of the High Street.

A415, Newbridge – The meeting between the affected Parish Councils and OCC to discuss the reports on Newbridge and the options will be held in the Village Hal, Frank Douglas Room, on Friday 10^th October at 7.00pm. The clerk and Mr. Tolputt stressed that this is not a public meeting but is being held to discuss OCC proposals, from which will follow a full public presentation.

Mr. Mathew said he had approached OCC with a low cost option for camera surveillance of HGV violators on Newbridge. Mr. Rippin reminded those making reports of violations that their statements need to be very specific and including the fact that the reporting person has seen the weight limit signs and that they were not obscured.

Traffic/Speeding – Mr. Rippin reported that monitoring and enforcement on the Abingdon Road continues.

Highway Maintenance – nothing further to report at this meeting.

Footpaths – The clerk noted that the first 100 metres or so of Hornsway has bee expertly trimmed nad the branches cut back; also, there were markings sprayed onto the path at approximately 100m intervals. Mrs. Bayliss will investigate with the OCC countryside office.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – Mrs. Perry reported that the small mushroom seats are broken through wear and tear and new tops will be required. Mr. Tolputt reported that the Mullberry Bush School had paid £100 towards the damage caused by one of their children. The child involved has also written a note of apology and paid £12 from his pocket money towards repairs.

The clerk said that Mr. Pascoe recommended that the hedge along the Long mile should be trimmed again and it was agreed that this should be done at a cost of £50.

Neighbourhood Policing – Mr. Rippin said that a new PCO had been. Mrs. Smith asked what action was taken by the PCSOs over the Goose incident and Mrs. Bayliss replied that they were in attendance and asking questions following the report of the incident.

Dog Fouling – The clerk has contacted WODC and they are sympathetic. Direct action is not possible without identification of the dog/owner and if the complainant can give this information she should contact enforcement direct on 01993 861382 (Ade Cole or Glen Lee);  if they have this information they will act upon it.

Woodlands entrance bus stop mess – Mrs. Perry reports that this area is still a mess. Mr. Rippin will contact Mr. Reddy and discuss further.

6. CORRESPONDENCE - See attached correspondence record.

7. PLANNING - See attached planning record.

8. ACCOUNTS click here for balances

During the August break the following accounts were paid and retrospectively approved by the meeting

WODC – playground inspection 54.05

OFPA – 2008/9 subscription 30.00

M&G Pascoe – grass cutting 525.00

The following accounts were approved for payment:

D C Bevan - clerk salary and expenses	999.90
HMRC - clerk PAYE	237.60
GLR Contracts 1^st payment	22,325.00
M&G Pascoe – grass cutting	525.00

9. MEMBER’S REPORTS

Mrs. Smith said that the bus shelter at Heyford Close needed the services of a window cleaner. It was agreed that this should be done and Mrs. Smith kindly volunteered to obtain quotes for the work.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 14^h October at the Youth Club Centre, Church End, There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.50 pm.

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

CORRESPONDENCE RECORD 09/08
	SER		TO/FROM		TOPIC		ACTION		FILE
	A		Carer’s Centre		Caring matters magazine
	B		OCC		Review of Octabus Dial – a- Ride service
	C		Oxon Nature Conservation Forum		Biodiversity support for Parish Councils
	D		OCC		SEERA Review of draft review of allocation of land-won aggregates
	E		OCC		Stagecoach service 18 changes to Oxford terminus
	F		NHS Oxon Primary Care Trust		Magazine
	G		OFPA		Playing Field magazine
	H		Wychwood Project		Forest Update newsletter
	I		Gov’t Office for the South East		Proposed changes to draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East
	J		WODC		Affordable Housing on Rural Exception Sites - booklet
	K		WODC		Parish flood reports roadshow
	L		WODC		Allowances for Town and Parish Councillors
	M		WODC		Street Trading Policy – Review of Street Trading Policy
	D		West Oxon CAB		Request for donation (2007- £50)
	O		Air Ambulance		Request for donation (2006- £50)
	P		Oxon Assn for the Blind		Request for donation (2006- £50)
	Q		Connection Floating Support Team		Request for donation
	R		Bendcrete Ltd		Unsolicited quote for inspection of climbing boulder
	S
	T
PLANNING APPLICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE RECORD No: 09/08
DATE		PLANNING Number		DETAILS		COMMENTS		REPLY BY
*		08/1143/P/FP		Erection of two storey side extension and garage – 5 The Downs
*		08/1132/P/FP		Conversion of existing garage to accommodation, erection of new double garage – Farthing House, Aston Road
*		08/1113/P/FP		Erection of various extensions – 83 Abingdon Road
*		08/1104/P/FP		Erection of pitched roof to dormer windows – Hawthorne Cottage, The Downs
*		08/1103/P/FP		Erection of single storey rear extension – 25 Woodlands
		08/1282/P/FP		Erection of replacement conservatory – 29 Manor Crescent
		08/1305/P/FP		Erection of single storey rear extension – 15 Manor Crescent
		08/1375/P/FP		Removal of rear storey rear extension; erection of single and two storey side extensions and walkway – Cheswell Cottage, 125 Abingdon Road
		08/0897/P/RM		Grant of permission – erection of detached dwelling & garage, 50 Abingdon Road
		08/0853/P/LB		Grant of permission – alterations, 92 Abingdon Road
		08/0911/P/FP		Grant of permission – alterations to roof, 119 Abingdon Road
		08/0929/P/FP		Grant of permission – erection of single storey rear extension, Lowenva Cottage, 3 Abingdon Road
		08/0906/P/FP		Grant of permission – alterations and erection of first floor extension, 6 The Glebe
		08/1103/P/FP		Grant of permission - erection of single storey rear extension, 25 Woodalnds
		08/1015/P/FP		Grant of permission – erection of detached bungalow, land to rear 72 Abingdon Road
		08/1104/P/FP		Grant of permission – erection of pitched roofs & dormer window, Hawthorne Cottage
		08/1132/P/FP		Grant of permission – garages, Farthing House Aston Road
		08/1113/P/FP		Grant of permission – erection of rear and side extensions, 83 Abingdon Road