STANDLAKE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Standlake Youth Club, on 11th October 2011 at 7.00pm.

Present:

          Mr. C. Naylor                                 Chairman

          Mr. R. Reddy                                 Vice Chairman

          Mrs. Bayliss

          Mr. J. Rippin

          Mrs. J. Perry

          Mrs. B. Smith

          Mr. D. Bevan                                  Clerk

         

Cllr. (OCC) Mr. C. Mathew, Cllr. (WODC) Mrs. H. Fenton, Cllr. (WODC) Mr. S. Good, Mr. M. Wallbutton (Rack End)

1.          APOLOGIES - apologies were received from Mrs. J. Clements.

2.          PUBLIC ITEMS

Mr. Wallbutton was in attendance to hear the council’s discussion of his application to join 58 and 60 Rack End. Mr. Naylor decided to hear Planning Applications first followed by reports from the OCC and WODC councillors.

The clerk explained that the council had seen the original application for 58/60 Rack End in July and had made no comment. Mr. Wallbutton explained that the new application was requested by the planning officer as a modification to the plans involved moving an extension 1 metre further away from an adjoining boundary fence. The council had no further questions and again decided not to make any comment; Mr. Wallbutton left the meeting at 7.30pm.

Mrs. Fenton said that the Local Development Framework (LDF) was still under consideration and would report on progress. Mr. Good reported that the Environment Agency (EA) was to start work on improving Northmoor Weir and this was estimated to take 2 years. He was concerned that the possibility of objections by Appleton residents to large vehicles accessing the site would delay the work; Mr. Mathew claimed this was not an issue.

Mr. Mathew asked if Standlake had any schemes to put forward under the OCC Highways Locality Scheme. There was some discussion, mainly about new footpaths, but it was considered that the project management required for a scheme, and within the likely amount of money available, was not feasible in the timescale given. Mrs. Smith asked if it was true that the Locality Bill would require each parish to produce a Parish Plan; Mr. Mathew replied that he did not know and the bill is still to go through the House of Lords.

Mr. Mathew reminded that the Gravel Consultation was coming to an end and suggested that Standlake make their submission. It was agreed that nothing in the new consultation changed Standlake’s original objections to the previous scheme and Mr. Naylor said he would re send that document to OCC.

The councillors left the meeting at 8.15pm.

3.          MINUTES

No meetings were held in August or September 2011. Minutes of the meeting held on 12th July 2011, 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, Winter & Emergency Planning – The matter of OCC providing 1 tonne bags of salt grit in lieu of refilling grit bins, and thus passing responsibility to parishes, was discussed again. It was agreed that the problems of finding a suitable site for storage and the method of, and responsibility for, distributing the grit were not something the council was willing to undertake. Mr. Naylor proposed that the council did not enter this scheme and this was agreed unanimously.

A415, Newbridge – Nothing further to report at this meeting.

Traffic/Speeding – Enforcement cameras have been seen in action in the last month

Highway Maintenance – Some potholes have been filled in but, again, the work is inconsistent with adjacent holes being left un filled.

Footpaths – Nothing further to report at this meeting.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – The climbing boulder safety surface has been repaired and all present expressed satisfaction with the result. Mrs. Perry said that the small play car was in need of some repair and painting; it was agreed that this should be done as soon as possible.

Windrush Way Play Area – Mrs. Smith reported that Cottsway Housing Association have agreed to a 25 year lease at a rent of £10 per year. It is hoped that the lease will be available for signing in the next few weeks and it was agreed that if the lease was simple and did not contain any unusual restrictions then it would not be necessary to engage a solicitor.

Mrs. Smith presented the outline plans for the area and proposed equipment (see attached) which were approved by the meeting. Obtaining planning permission was the next step and it was agreed that the application fee be paid when due.

The clerk said he would set aside the £3000 agreed as the council’s contribution and arrange to account for the project separately but using the council’s normal bank accounts. This amount will be available from this FY reserves and recovered in the budget/Precept for 2012/13. Mrs. Smith said that fund raising was underway from various sources. towards the estimated £20,000 required.

5.          CORRESPONDENCE - See attached correspondence record.

An e mail has been received from the Standlake Historical Society requesting council backing for a project to produce a DVD of the village. There are very few details of what is proposed apart from a basic outline and no details of cost, but a suggestion is made that the council underwrite the cost of the project and recover the money from sales profits.

The clerk made it clear that, as Responsible Financial Officer, he could not recommend this course of action even disregarding the very tenuous nature of the project. Mr. Naylor said that the project was to be encouraged, but agreed that the request for support without details was premature. The clerk also reminded members that the council was committed to the provision of the play area at Windrush Way in the next financial year. It was decided that, lacking details, no further action was needed.

The clerk reminded members of the email correspondence regarding the St. Giles PCC request to install disabled parking bays in the car park. The clerk has informed the PCC that the council is agreeable to this provided that: the cost is born by the PCC; planning permission (if required) is obtained by the PCC; the surface should be permeable and of a natural colour to blend with the gravel surface.

6.          PLANNING - See attached planning record

11/1559/P/FP  Erection of detached garage – Manor Farm 159 Abingdon Rd  The council made the following observation: ‘that the application is for a detached garage ‘with storage over’;  the council wishes to see that any grant of permission will restrict the use to that stated and preclude conversion to a dwelling at a later date’.

7.          ACCOUNTS

The following accounts were approved for payment:

BDO LLP audit fees 2010/11

342.00

Absolute Solutions - mowing (sept)

270.00

OPFA - subs 2011/12

35.00

St Giles PCC - c'yard upkeep 1st half 2011/12

400.00

Absolute Solutions - mowing (oct)

270.00

The clerk reported that an estimate has been received of £425 for pollarding the willows opposite the church; £750 was budgeted for this work and it was agreed that the estimate be accepted and the work go ahead.

8.             BUDGET 2012/13 – initial examination.

The clerk compared the current FY with his initial proposals for the 2012/13 period. In the current year there has been unbudgeted expenditure of £800 for ditch clearance but it is estimated that some £1800 will remain unspent from other areas such as Playground Maintenance and grass cutting. The major change will be budgeting to include the £3000 allocated for the Windrush Way play area; there will also be increases in insurance premium and provision, for clearing the ditch and improving the hedge on the recreation ground boundary with the Straight Mile.. The final budget will be set at the November meeting.

9.          MEMBER’S REPORT

Mrs. Perry said that the river opposite the church was choked with vegetation and constituted a possible flood risk. The clerk will contact the Environment Agency.

10.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The clerk reminded councillors that the next meeting will be held on 8th November and the 2012/13 budget will be set. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

 

 

 

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

 

CORRESPONDENCE  10/11

FROM

TOPIC

OPFA

AGM 17 Oct 201

CPRE

Planning reforms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLANNING 10/11

PLANNING No

DETAILS

11/1211/P/FP

Grant of permission –single storey extn, front porch, relocate conservatory – Ellesmere House 24 High Street

11/1387/P/FP

Convert two houses into single dwelling – 58 & 60 Rack End

11/1422/P/FP

Erection of front porch – Flat 4, B’hampton Court, B’hampton

11/1423/P/FP

Erection of front porch – Flat 2, B’hampton Court, B’hampton

11/1397/P/FP

Erection of agricultural building – Underdown Farm, 7 The Downs

11/1530/P/FP

Erection of single storey extn – 12 Manor Crescent

11/1559/P/FP

Erection of detached garage – Manor Farm 159 Abingdon Rd

11/1581/P/FP

Erection of office building, vehicle storage & MoT facility – Lakeside Indust. Park

 

 

 

Scheme for playground off Windrush Way

The Parish Council appointed a committee to consider the merits of a replacement playground located on the old largely disused car park adjacent to Windrush Way.

SUMMARY of the findings to date:

A lease for 25years has been granted for a strip of land about 42.0m x 9.0m

The Parish Council must seek Full Planning permission from WODC. The Application is being prepared subject to the Parish Council approving this ensuing scheme.

The site must be cleared of existing concrete and debris and replaced with a mix of safety surface and grass.

For safety and child protection the leased land must be fenced.

A  road sign placed at the entry from Windrush Way warning of children at play is essential

INTRODUCTION

A 25 year lease has been successfully negotiated with Cottsway the landowners for a piece of land that is 42.0m long and 9.0m wide abuts the neighbouring farmland. See site plan attached.

WODC require a full planning submission. Subject to the Parish Council’s approval of the attached scheme, the proposal can be ready for submission within days.

If the proposal is granted the site must be cleared and resurfaced appropriately. The land is presently covered with old decaying concrete originally laid out as car spaces and currently largely disused. When this has been cleared both ends of the leased land will be grassed and the middle section will have a safety surface to the necessary BS standards for H&S.

A new fence that will bound the roadway, about a metre high, is advisory to prevent playing children leaping in front of a car and vice versa to prevent a careless driver from straying on to the playground. On the far side the hedge and wire sheep fence together with the high wooden fence at the furthest boundary should suffice, though the hedge would benefit from a trim. To totally enclose the playground a new gated fence (for access) across the near short boundary will complete its enclosure. The height and construction of new fences will be determined by the full Parish Council who no doubt will agree that they should be of an open construction such as chain link to ensure full visibility is achieved.

The County Highways should be asked to erect a road sign close to the road entrance warning the occasional motorist of children at play.

The Working Party recommends four items of equipment to be purchased and installed as shown in the accompanying plan. The four items are:

A Climbing Frame

A Two Bay Cradle Swing

A Two Bay Flat Swing (for older children)

A Two Way Cockerel See Saw

The reasoning behind the layout:

A small grassed area of about five metres with a wooden bench seat for weary Mums to sit, on both sunny afternoons in the year, and keep an eye on their children. They could also have picnics or small group games with parents in good weather.

The equipment appears well spread out due to following the manufacturer’s guidelines for H & S. Installing the seesaw and climbing frame first places them nearest any adults present to assist children who may take a tumble. Similarly the cradle swings for the youngest are next. Lastly the flat swings are furthest away and are for the older children, more able to look after themselves. Finally the last section is grassed over for boisterous children to wrestle each other – or whatever. Ball games should be discouraged because balls are bound to be kicked into nearby gardens inviting trespass and causing discontent among the householders.

In the future more play equipment could be added in this area.