STANDLAKE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held in the Village Hall, Standlake, on 12^th June 2007 at 7.00 pm

Present:

Mr. E.F. Tolputt Chairman

Mr. C Naylor Vice Chairman

Mrs. J. Bayliss

Mr. J. Rippin

Mrs. J. Perry

Mr. R. Reddy

Mr. C. Mathew plus 3 members of the public.

1. APOLOGIES were received from: Mrs. Berrill, Ms. Bickley, Mrs. B. Smith

2. PUBLIC ITEMS – none of the members of the public wished to speak.

3. MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th May 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

X15 Bus Service – Mrs. Bayliss raised concerns about the new service; increased fares and timetabling in the school holidays in particular. It would appear that the fares have almost doubled when compared with the old service; the loss of the 9.30 am service during holidays will make the scheduling of morning doctor appointments impossible and to travel on the service before 9.00am will preclude the use of bus passes. Mr. Mathew asked that the details be sent to him and he would make enquires; Mr. Tolputt will action this.

A415, Newbridge – The committee have reviewed the information sent under the FOI and also from informal contact with OCC bridge engineers. There appears to be no written record of the decision making process that led directly to the 18 tonne limit but it does appear to have been based on a 1996 report; no explanation has been given as to why it took 10 years to act upon this document. Nevertheless, it is clear that the engineers would like a lower limit imposed sooner rather than later. OCC have tasked consultants with surveying the bridge and reporting in the late autumn this year, but it is clear that no formal structural monitoring appears to be taking place at the moment. The committee will be writing to query these points.

Traffic/Speeding – Mr. Rippin reported that the police recommend the use of VID (Vehicle Speed Indicator Display) and that the equipment could be shared between villages. This would involve the placement of suitable poles with associated electricity supplies, but no agreement was reached as to where these would be located. The clerk will place this item on the agenda for the next meeting.

Highway Maintenance – The destruction by a vehicle of the village sign outside the Village Hall has been reported by Mr. Tolputt to both the police, who have provided crime numbers, and OCC Highways; action is awaited. The clerk has been informed by OCC Highways that drainage maintenance has taken place at the Woodlands entrance; they would like feedback following the next period of extended heavy rain.

Mr. Rippin noted that there were two areas on Church End and The Downs, unconnected with the Tames Water sewage work, that required action and he will report them to OCC Highways.

Footpaths – Mr. Tolputt will enquire as to the progress, or lack of, regarding the proposed footpath from Meadowview to the Village Hall. It is noted that The Butts footpath is overgrown and requires cutting. Mr. Tolputt volunteered to strim the path, but the responsibility lies with OCC Highways.

Affordable Housing – It would appear that the last two possible sites, between Fletchers Farm and Standlake Garage and opposite The Black Horse, are unavailable. One site, because the landowner is unwilling to sell for affordable housing only, and the other because the landlord cannot be traced. Mr. Tolputt will follow up a report that some parcels of agricultural land are being offered for sale in the village and investigate their suitability for affordable housing.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance – Mr. Tolputt has spoken to Johnson Engineering and they will inspect the swing shackles and report on what they find.

Graveyard Extension – Once again, progress has been blocked by the Diocese’s agents who, on this occasion are insisting on a rent review clause in the agreement made between the council and the Diocese to lease the access/car park land for 99 years at a peppercorn rent. Mr. Tolputt is being assured by the Diocese that this is merely a formality and will never be invoked, but the opinion of the council’s solicitors is awaited once the documents have been received.

Mrs. Perry asked what would happen if the whole idea were to be dropped. The clerk and Mr. Tolputt re-iterated that the council would still be liable for the fees incurred, estimated at some £5,500 to date, and the present graveyard would have to be closed once it was full; following that, WODC would become the burial authority and any internments would take place in Witney. Furthermore, it was understood that once the graveyard was formally closed, its upkeep would become the responsibility of the Parish Council. It was agreed to persevere with this matter and await the receipt of the documents.

Neighbourhood Policing – Mr. Rippin reminded members to encourage all residents to report instances of graffiti and vandalism to the police on 0845 8 505 505.

OCC Mineral Sites Proposals Consultation – Mr. Tolputt has attended a meeting, organised by Mr. Mathew, of several councils to frame a consolidated response to the document. The unanimous opinion of that meeting was that there has been enough gravel extraction in the area, particularly in the Lower Windrush Valley, and a letter to that effect has been sent. Standlake’s own response, objecting on both on general and specific grounds to any further extraction, has been sent to OCC and an acknowledgement received. Mr. Mathew warned that in the last few days OCC has been advised that the basis for the consultation document did not satisfy the requirements South East planning agency and it was highly likely that the exercise would have to be repeated.

5. CORRESPONDENCE - See attached correspondence record.

6. PLANNING

See attached planning record.

It was agreed unanimously to object to an application (07/0820) to build a dwelling to the rear of Hornsway House on the grounds that it clearly constituted back building.

7. MEMBER’S REPORTS

Mrs. Perry reported that the patio wall at the Village Hall was not yet repaired but quotes had been obtained.

8. ACCOUNTS click here for balances

The clerk said that he had prepared the 2006/7 accounts for audit but, before he presented them to the council for approval, he would present them to Mr. Hunt for internal audit; however he would include them in the report to the Annual Parish Meeting. This was agreed.

The following accounts were approved for payment:

M&G Pascoe - grass cutting	350.00
Man Restoration - War Memorial cleaning	546.37
D C Bevan - clerk salary (828.86) & exp (100.00)	928.86
HM Revenue & Customs - clerk PAYE	233.64

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.55pm.

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

CORRESPONDENCE RECORD 06/07
DATE	SER		TO/FROM		TOPIC		ACTION		FILE
	A		Community Safety Partnership		Looking Out newsletter
	B		OCC		Newsletter
	C		David Cameron MP		Re Newbridge weight limit
	D		OCC		Rural Children’s Project
	E		OCC		Home 2 School newsletter
	F		OCC (Steve Howell)		X15 timetable
	G		ORCC		Review spring/summer 2007
	H		OCC		Changes to Waste Sites consultation
	I
	J
	K
	L
	M
	D
	O
	P
	Q
	R
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PLANNING APPLICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE RECORD No: 06/07
DATE		PLANNING Number		DETAILS		COMMENTS		REPLY BY
		07/0503		Grant of permission – alterations at 1 Church Mill Close
		07/0820		Erection of dwelling – rear of Hornsway House, 109 Abingdon Road