STANDLAKE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Village Hall, Standlake, on 11th September 2007 at 7.45 pm

Present:

          Mr. C Naylor                                                Vice Chairman

          Mrs. J. Bayliss

          Mrs. S. Berrill

          Mr. J. Rippin

          Mrs. J. Perry

          Mr. R. Reddy

         

Mr. E.F. Tolputt, Mrs. B. Smith, Ms. L. Bickley, Mr. A. List, Mr. A. Kingston, Mr. C. Mathew (from 8.45pm)

1.          APOLOGIES were received from: Mr. Tolputt

2.          PUBLIC ITEMS

Mr. List reported that, following the on site meeting with EA on 21st August (see Matters Arising), he had received notification that the Agency were to commence survey work next week (17th September). It was agreed that this was a good response and it was hoped that it would be followed by equally quick action.

Mr. Kingston of Swift Cottage, 3 The Green, said that he was attending to learn what he could regarding the flooding. His  property had been badly affected by rising groundwater but he was interested in what actions were being taken in regard to general drainage. The clerk gave a full resume of the background and current actions being taken and agreed to forward copies of e mails and correspondence to Mr. Kingston.

Mr. Naylor opened the meeting at 8.15pm.

3.          MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting held on 14th August 2007, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and signed by the vice chairman.

4.          MATTERS ARISING

Flooding July 07 –The clerk, Mr. Tolputt, Mrs. Berrill and Mrs. Smith attended a meeting on 21st August in Rack End, arranged by Mr. A. List, with two EA officers. The EA agreed that an extension of the ‘berm’, built in 2001, to protect the length of Rack End, and coupled with the lowering of the opposite bank should eliminate the sort of flooding seen recently. Mr. List agreed to coordinate the residents in allowing EA access to properties and thus form a partnership with the EA. The EA agreed to commence a survey of the river banks within 2 months (see Public Items for latest information).

The clerk has written to Thames Water regarding the High Street/Abingdon Road flooding and a reply is awaited.

A415, Newbridge – The OCC Transport Decisions Committee sat on 6th September and decided to approve the recommendation to purchase land adjacent to Fastwaters for the construction of approach roads for a proposed new crossing. This crossing would be built some 250 yards upstream from Newbridge and would rejoin the existing A415 on the Standlake side of the traffic lights at Fastwaters. This decision would appear to imply that a decision has been made in principle, if not in fact, for a bridge replacement that would reopen Standlake to high volumes of HGV traffic without any consultation taking place.

Mrs. Smith said that the OCC Liberal Democrat group will attempt to call in the decision to the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee sitting on 19th September. Mr. Naylor will attend with Mrs. Smith and residents will be urged to write and email the chair of that committee ahead of the meeting expressing their dissatisfaction with this course of action.

Traffic/Speeding – Mr. Rippin reported that the suggestion of collectively purchasing a speed display for the members of the Eynsham NAG had been enthusiastically welcomed. The ownership would revert to the NAG and the operations would be undertaken by volunteers but it was hoped that the PCSOs would take a large part in this. It had been noticed that the presence of a uniformed PCSO had a deterrent effect on speeding drivers and if this was coupled with the use of the equipment it was expected that would have an even greater effect.

Highway Maintenance – nothing to report at this meeting.

Footpaths – The clerk presented the OCC map of areas for which they are responsible for grass cutting. The proposal from OCC is that the council take on the cutting in return for an annual payment of£     . After some discussion it was decided that it would be preferable to maintain the status quo and accept that the parish would continue to ‘top up’ with cuts of The Green, its surrounds and the river bank opposite the church. It was noticed that The Butts footpath was not on the OCC cutting schedule and Mrs. Bayliss stated that this public footpath came under the auspices of Ms. Alison Hopewell, OCC Cultural Services. Mrs. Bayliss will contact the department.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – Mrs. Perry presented a list of work required at the recreation ground and playground which included items needing current attention and listing those recurring maintenance; this will greatly help budget planning. Of the current items, it was decided that replacing the bark around apparatus in the children’s play area was of primary importance. It was agreed that a better quality bark than previously used and lasting up to 4 years as opposed to two, should be purchased at a cost of £813.41 + VAT; the cost falling on the remainder of the recreation ground maintenance and the  balance from the recreation ground fund.

Graveyard Extension – The clerk said that Mr. Tolputt had again been in contact with the Arch Deacon with a view to having the sale document and lease simplified. It would appear that what is now on the table is as far as the Diocese will go and Welch and Stammers have been instructed to proceed on that basis so the matter can be concluded.   

Neighbourhood Policing – The following report has been received from PC Conner: ‘The PCSOs have arrived and visited the NAG meeting and Stanton and Eynsham Parish; when duties fall on your meeting day we will come along. Robert Hopping (PCSO) has been out in the village visiting the shops and patrolling, in due course he will visit the school.  Since the last meeting there have been four incidents of damage at the Eagle Works on Downs Road. I have spoken to local youths and this has now stopped. There has also been damage to your tennis courts and Robert has been patrolling the area’.

Mr. Rippin reported that instances of graffiti writing have virtually stopped as word has circulated that the culprits can be identified.

 X15 Bus Service – Mr. Smith has talked to the resident who complained about the stopping places at The Green and no further action is required. Mr. Mathew stressed that maximum use of the service should be encouraged to ensure its future. This was echoed by Mrs. Smith and Ms. Bickley. Mrs. Perry will arrange for this plea to be included in the ‘Contact’ magazine.

5.          CORRESPONDENCE - See attached correspondence record.

6.          PLANNING - See attached planning record..

7.          ACCOUNTS click here for balances

The following accounts were approved for payment:

M&G Pascoe - grass cutting (3 cuts)

525.00

D.C. Bevan - clerk salary (828.64) & exp (100.00)

928.64

HM Revenue & Customs - clerk PAYE

233.86

8.          MEMBER’S REPORTS

Mrs. Bayliss asked what was planned for the base of the goose on The Green. Mr. Rippin will speak to Mrs. Young and ask what Art Underfoot intends to do following the removal of the goose after a number of episodes of vandalism.

Mr. Rippin still has a number of NAG leaflets which he will distribute.

Mrs. Smith reported that following complaints about encroachment onto the footpath, the hedge bounding The Wickets and the Abingdon Road will be cut by the residents’ association. There is a dispute over the access road to the new cricket pavilion, the installation of which was a condition of The Wickets planning permission,  and Martins Lane is still being used for access; Mrs. Smith will take this up with WODC Planning.

Mrs. Smith noted that the site behind Lakeside still appeared on the Waste Strategy Plan as a possible location for a waste incinerator. Mr Mathew added that Dix Pit, Stanton Harcourt, also figured and he would be keeping this under review and will advise on developments.

Mrs. Perry has been approached by a resident complaining about the hedge at the end of the High Street adjacent to Standlake Garage. Mr. Naylor will speak with the residents concerned.

9.          ANY OTHER BUSINESS

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

 

 

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

CORRESPONDENCE RECORD   09/07

DATE

SER

TO/FROM

TOPIC

ACTION

FILE

 

A

OCC Highways

Grass cutting areas of responsibility

 

 

 

B

Anchor Staying Put

New leaflets

 

 

 

C

WODC

Parish Link newsletter

 

 

 

D

Clerks & Councils Direct

Newsletter

 

 

 

E

Thames Water

Acknowledgement of email 17 Aug (attached)

 

 

 

F

Govt Office for the S East

South East Plan (on CD) report

 

 

 

G

Bob Perry

Village Hall request for grant and accounts

 

 

 

H

ORCC

New Rural Housing Enabler

 

 

 

I

Community Safety Partnership

Newsletter

 

 

 

J

OCC

Lower Windrush Valley Project – meeting and report

 

 

 

K

 

 

 

 

 

L

 

 

 

 

 

M

 

 

 

 

 

D

 

 

 

 

 

O

 

 

 

 

 

P

 

 

 

 

 

Q

 

 

 

 

 

R

 

 

 

 

 

S

 

 

 

 

 

T

 

 

 

 

PLANNING APPLICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE RECORD No: 09/07

DATE

PLANNING Number

DETAILS

COMMENTS

REPLY BY

 

OCC

Plot J Lakeside Industrial Park – retention of 2 portakabins and 2 oil tanks

 

 

 

07/1587

Erection of detatched garage/store – Kingston, The Downs

 

 

 

07/1520

Erection of single storey rear extension – Old Well Cottage, 2 High Street